This was an easy-enough beach read but I just wasn't that in love with the characters. I think some short chapters sprinkled in with actual, developed flashbacks of the MC's childhood/adolescents together would have helped.

That you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for a free advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for a fair and honest review. I thought I would like this book much more than I did, but I was not able to finish it after 49%. It seemed to drone on about nothing in particular that did not seem to move the plot forward or make the characters remarkable. I get that there needs to be diversity in novels, but this one seemed to try too hard for that. I didn't understand why she was helping her brother and his boyfriend plan their wedding when they lived there in the same town and could be planning their own wedding. Also, her best friend, Sona, came across more as annoying and very immature. One of the biggest problems I had with the book was how absolutely dull and boring the two main characters were. It was more of just a bunch of scenes thrown together without much character development or inner dialogue to make them have a personality. Sorry, this one wasn't for me.

I'm so excited that Emma Lord wrote an adult romance! She's one of the few YA authors I always pick up. I loved this book. It is sweet and funny and a little steamy!!
I liked that even though the main plot is their relationship, both June and Levi were figuring out their careers, their relationships, and continuing to grieve the loss of June's sister and Levi's best friend, Annie. This is not a fluffy, fun romance at all times. The fake dating and second chance trope come into play here and for the most part are done pretty well, fake dating especially.
I didn't love always love how insecure June was, but we all have traits that are less appealing. I also get very frustrated by communication or lack of as a plot device, for two people who seemed to know each other so well even after 10 years with minimal contact, they seemed to make a lot of snap judgments without consulting the other. Just talk to each other!
Natalie Naudus is a great narrator and unsurprisingly the audio was excellent. BRB, off to lounge on the beach and then grab a scone at Tea Tide!

⭐️ 5/5 The Break-Up Pact is the best book I’ve read all summer! This summer rom-com made me laugh and cry, and was an overall wonderful read! The characters were so well-developed and I could really feel the motivations of each character’s choices. It touched on deep issues, while still remaining lighthearted and fun. Also, I now want to quit my 9-5 and own a scone shop with my friends 😂
This is my first @dilemmalord book, but I’ll definitely be reading more! Thanks @netgalley for the ARC!

☀️ Fake Dating
☀️ Small Town Romance
☀️ Childhood Friends
☀️ She Falls First
☀️ Bonding over Tragedy
☀️ Self-Discovery
☀️ Satisfying Epilogue

This is the story of June and Levi former best friends who connect a decade later due to devastating and public breakups. Their mutual humiliation and desire to get their lives and relationships back on track, leads them into a fake dating scenario. At times, this book was funny, however the writing was very elementary and the characters lacked depth. I will recommend this book to some YA readers, but I didn’t live it personally.

Two former best friends who lost touch over the last 10 years, two devastatingly public breakups, and one chance to get their sweet revenge - The Break-Up Pact was an easy summer romance read that fans of Emma Lord will enjoy as she makes her her adult novel debut. The audiobook version of the book was great and gave emotion to the story.

The storyline was a stereotypical "will they/won't they" with a heavy side of social media influence and obnoxious exes. The main characters, Emma and Levi, were average, but I felt I needed to know more of their backstory to really become more invested in their relationship as the book went on. I think if I felt more connected to them, I would have given this book a solid 4 stars, but there just wasn't enough substance for me to feel personally affected by the storyline's turnout.

With that being said, the book served it's purpose and I enjoyed it as a light summer read. I will definitely continue reading Lord's books, whether she continue in adult fiction or teen fiction, and will recommend the book to library patrons.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for providing me with an advance copy of this audiobook!!

Entertaining and engaging. A recommended purchase for collections where contemporary romance is popular.

Overall this book was a cute second chance/fake dating/friends to lover story that takes place in a small seaside town where everyone knows everyone. I enjoyed the relationship between June and Levi and how they found each other after some time of estrangement following June's sister's death.

While I enjoyed the overall plot I felt like the miscommunications between two main characters got extremely enjoyed and caused the story to dragged. I also found it odd that they spent the whole book planning a wedding together for June's brother but we never actually attend the event.

I listened to the audiobook and the performance by Natalie Naudus was ok nothing super special about it.

Nowadays the internet can make or break an individual or a business. Long lost childhood friends Levi and June both face less than ideal breakups that go VIRAL. When they reconnect and a picture leaks of them together, the Revenage Exes is born. To keep her failing business afloat and reasons to benefit Levi's writing career, they both agree to a pact. They will act like the revenge exes that came together after their tragic breakups to find love again. Giving the audience what they want. But is it what they both want? This book is a modern read on how strong social media impact on society is and what it could be like to go viral. What is real and what is fake. Both are questioned.

Having your heart broken is almost inevitable in life. We’d all love to avoid it but it sneaks up on you. It definitely snuck up on our main characters!
How you react and move on after is what matters.
This review is short and sweet with my main point being…. Read this, listen to this, whatever your preference. It’s that type of story that punches you in the gut and tugs at your heart all while making you giggle.

This was a cute, easy listen. The narration was great and portrayed the story well. I wouldn't say this book was memorable for me, however it was enjoyable and I think people will like it.

I really enjoyed Emma Lord's 2020 debut Tweet Cute - rare for me because I have such high romcom expectations and don't often enjoy YA romance. I was excited to read Lord's first adult romance, especially one featuring great tropes like childhood best friends to lovers and second chance romance. Unfortunately, after coming off of Rainbow Rowell's Slow Dance, a childhood best friends to lovers and second chance romance that may be my new favorite romance book of all time, this one fell flat for me, primarily for how tropey and predictable it was.

I didn't love either of the main characters or feel like they were fleshed out in a meaningful - let alone the side characters like Sana. The book is SO trope heavy, with all of the staged fake dates and memes and social media – sometimes I don't mind that, but in this case, it felt like all of these predictable and rote sequences took the place of actual plot and character development. I could see every plot point coming from ten miles away, which really took away the joy of reading the book and uncovering the romance with the characters. I also strongly dislike a best friends to lovers book where the best friendship is revealed through telling, not showing (e.g., "You guys were always sleeping all over each other on the bus home after cross country meets!"). I need to SEE how they were best friends, not just be told they were!

Sadly, this just wasn't for me. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC via Netgalley.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of The Break-Up Pact, but I had difficulty connecting to the characters. I wanted more from June and Levi's past that would help tie what is happening in the present into a nice little bow. Another thing I would have loved details on was one of the main events planned throughout the book. They spent a lot of time planning, but never actually attended the event in the book.

Although there were a few things I wish there were more of, I would still recommend this book. If you're looking for a cute, quick, end-of-summer read, this will do!

Thank you to NetGalley, Emma Lord, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffin for the complimentary ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Emma Lord's The Breakup Pact is a delightful rom-com that will leave you smiling. This adult romance follows childhood friends turned estranged adults, June and Levi, who reunite in their hometown under unexpected circumstances. As they navigate misunderstandings and the complexities of adult life, their fake dating pact leads to a surprising exploration of their feelings. With charming characters and a sweet seaside setting, this book is a perfect escape for fans of romantic comedies.

I think fans of Emma Lord would like this book as it has the same tone and flow as her other books. I just did not get connected with the characters. I didn’t see and feel the chemistry between June and Levi and the third act was frustrating. There is a lot going on with two break-ups (and the emotional baggage there) as well as mourning a joint loss and the meddling media. I did like the finding your place and coming home messaging.

I was listening on audio and thought the narrator fit the tone of book very well and she did a great job.

I received and advanced copy of this audiobook via NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Content Notes: One open door scene

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with both an ALC and an ebook version of this book in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book! It was so cute. If you enjoy romances by authors such as Emily Henry or Tessa Bailey, I can almost guarantee that you will just adore this book! I loved everything about it. The characters, the romance, the hijinks. It was super cute. If you are having a bad day, this book will brighten your mood 100%. Emma Lord is going on my favorite author list 100%! I read and listened to this book simultaneously and I loved how Natalie Naudus brought the characters to life. I have listened to a few books that she has narrated, but I think now I will be searching for more audiobooks narrated by her in the near future!

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I have not read from Emma Lord yet, i hope to read her other work soon. I loved the food talk AND June’s best friend. However, this one did not hit the spot fully but i still had a good time reading it. The fake dating did not work with me, the friends to lovers i think is not for me. In all this was not for me but i see it could be for other readers.

🩵Second Chance Romance
💛 Childhood Friends
🩵 Small Beach Town
💛 Fake Dating

Sadly, this was just okay. I have read wvery book by the author now, and I've not once given this author more than 4 stars. I really wanted to try her first adult romance, but it felt short. And I couldn't get into the story. I think this is where i stop reading from this author.

Can Emma Lord write anything not well? The answer is no. I will literally read anything she writes. and love it.

I will recommend this book to many students but being it is not YA category is the ONLY reason it won’t be on my HS library shelves.

Okay but June and Levi?! I love them. I hate that miscommunication got in their way. Many times. But I think it got them where they needed to be. When they needed to be there.

The things they had to deal with in life are so real and relatable. It definitely had you feeling. Your own griefs. June’s grief. Levi’s grief. But also overcoming the feelings. There is light and a fresh start. The healing can look different and you have to let go of things. It’s hard.

I loved this book. I hope we see many adult (I adore the YA don’t get me wrong) stories from Emma in the future. So good.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

Step into the cozy world of The Breakup Pact, where friendships evolve into romances against the backdrop of a charming small town. This delightful novel by [Author's Name] captures the essence of beloved tropes like friends-to-lovers and slow-burn romance with effortless charm.

From the start, the author's engaging writing style pulls you into the lives of the main characters as they navigate the ups and downs of their evolving relationship. While the story held my attention with its heartfelt exploration of family dynamics and small-town life, I found myself on the fence about the main characters' relationship. Their journey from friends to lovers, though sweetly depicted, didn't quite resonate with me personally.

One of the standout aspects of the book is its poignant portrayal of the late sister, whose memory is woven throughout the narrative, adding a layer of depth and emotional richness. Additionally, the spotlight on the family business underscores the importance of roots and tradition in a small community, making the setting feel vivid and authentic.

In conclusion, The Breakup Pact is a charming read that fans of friends-to-lovers stories will likely enjoy. While the romantic relationship didn't fully capture my heart, the author's skillful storytelling and the book's warm atmosphere make it a worthwhile addition to your reading list, especially if you appreciate heartfelt narratives set in picturesque small towns.