THE BREAK UP PACT - EMMA LORD

4⭐

PLOT
June and Levi are best friends who were estranged for 10 years have reconciled back in their hometown after both of them suffering a public humiliating break ups.
When a photo of them together appears online the internet is convinced they are a couple and they pretend to be one so that each would benefit from this. But while pretending old feelings resurface and both June and Levi will have to come to terms with this while battling their exes.

MY THOUGHTS
Another great book by Emma. I binge listened to his one . The friendship turned chemistry was adorable and easily palpable. I liked how both their individual character growth and journey was given important narrative in the story making it quite a wholesome reading.

Levi and June both just had humiliating breakups. These once best friends find themselves looking to each other for support, which then turns into fake dating. Fake dating will help June’s struggling tea shop and Levi to get back with his ex.

I feel in love with the characters. This is a rom com mixed with working through troubled past. Definitely recommend!

Thank you to Emma Lord, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

YEEHAWWWW This book was the full meal deal!

When two friends, who haven't seen each other in 10 years, both get dumped very publicly, they use each other to fake date to claw back some of their integrity and hopefully their exes too.

I loved loved loved this book! The characters were CHEFS KISS!!! The story was so good!! I loved the ride.

The only thing I felt needed some adjustment was maybe the last 30% could have wrapped up quicker and would have knocked it out of the park!!

I love the fake dating trope, it never fails to entertain!!

4.5 stars!!!!

In Emma Lord's **"The Break-Up Pact,"** the first half is highly engaging, with well-developed characters and an intriguing setup that captures the listener's interest. The character interactions and plot progression are particularly compelling. However, the second half of the book could benefit from a quicker resolution, as the pacing slows down and the story seems to drag. While the characters remain lovable and the narrative entertaining, a faster wrap-up could enhance the overall experience. Despite this, the book's charm and character depth make it a worthwhile listen.

This romance novel enchants with its heartfelt story and relatable characters, weaving a tale of love that feels both timeless and fresh. The chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, making every interaction deeply engaging. With its emotional depth and satisfying conclusion, it’s a beautifully crafted love story that lingers long after the final

This is a great book; I listened to the audio version. While it is a romance; it delves deeper into the characters lives and histories than many typical romances. The main characters are both fully developed and are likeable yet have flaws like most of us. Yet you root for them from the start. The narration was great as well; I wish all books had narration as good as this one. Great flow and brought the characters to life. The only constructive feedback I have is that it did take a little long to get the characters to wise up. I will recommend this to our librarian to order for our collection as I know our patrons will love it and I will be telling them to order it! Thank you to #macmillanaudio for this ARC copy of a wonderful book.

Natalie Naudus is one of my fave narrators! She nailed it on this one!

I loved this one — Emma Lord's adult debut! And it was better than I could ever imagine. It still had all the sweetness of her YA novels, but had a little *fire emoji* so well executed! Loved the characters and the fictional boardwalk — just such a fun read!

Emma Lord's The Break-Up Pact offers a fun and lighthearted read with a charming premise. The fake-dating trope is executed well, and the characters are likable. However, the plot felt a bit predictable at times, and the pacing could have been a little faster. While it's a enjoyable read, it might not be the most memorable book of the year.

This was cute and I enjoyed the narration! The MCs though were a bit self destructive at points, which was a little annoying. But this was still a fun friends to lovers read!

The Break-Up Pact 🎧
By: @dilemmalord
Narrated by: @natalienaudus
Publisher: @macmillan.audio
Download: @netgalley

Thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for a copy of this ALC.

My Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

I absolutely love the narrator Natalie Naudus. This story is about June, a struggling beachside tea shop owner. June finds herself running into her old out of town bestie, Levi. One thing they both have in common are their humiliating break-ups spread all across social media. Together, they decide to team up and fake date, only to become known as the viral “Revenge Exes.” With goals of June’s tea shop gaining popularity and Levi’s ex getting jealous, they both feel they have nothing to lose.

Fake dating is actually one of my favourite romance tropes, but I would have loved the storyline more if it was not obvious that June still had some unresolved feelings for Levi. A lot of the narration involved much of June’s inner thoughts, which I was not too crazy about. I did however, enjoy the steamy scenes.

A light summer read. Release date was yesterday (August 13, 2024)

#NetGalley #MacMillanAudio #TheBreakUpPact #summerreads #beachreads #August2024 #Augustreads #EmmaLord #NatalieNaudus #audiobook #bookreview

I've enjoyed all of Emma Lord's YA novels so I was thrilled to see she was coming out with an adult romance.

I thought the premise behind this novel was clever and original. This wasn't just a mushy, gushy romance - - it had heart and true heartbreak. June and Levi had experienced a huge loss when June's sister had died. She was not only June's sister but one of Levi's best friends. It was a loss for them both. What it takes most of the novel to find out is what happened to drive them apart years ago. It seems June was heartbroken when Levi left town and seemed to never look back. So, she never asked about him. She knew he was still in touch with her sister yet she wouldn't lower herself to see how he was. She couldn't open her heart to care. Then Annie died and her world went sideways and everything changed.

When June's boyfriend dumps her publicly and she's humiliated by a crying meme made from her crying face, she thinks things can't get worse. Then Levi shows up back in her home town and things are just as awkward between them as she expected they'd be. But when she discovers he was also recently publicly humiliated by his girlfriend/fiancee, she finds a soft spot for him. And things gradually evolve from there. Before you know it, they are the "Revenge Exes." It's only supposed to be temporary. And it's only supposed to be fake. But feelings happen and then they get in the way. Then life happens and things change and misunderstandings come along and things are complicated.....well you know how this plays out. There's a misunderstanding....or is it that something isn't explained clearly enough? Whatever it is, they end up jilted and unsure if they can proceed. They both truly have a lot to figure out.

I really enjoyed this foray into adult romance and dealing with real-life problems. Ms. Lord did a fabulous job of crossing over and giving these characters solid backstories we could care about and pull for. I look forward to more books like this one in the future.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The narration was spot on and really was in sync with the book. I enjoyed it even more because of the way the story flowed in the audio form. 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the audiobook and ebook.

Fake romance, friends to lovers, small town and some reality tv as background tossed in for good measure. June and Levi haven’t spoken in the 10 years since her beloved sister and his best friend suddenly died of a brain aneurysm. She stayed in town to continue running her sister's tea shop. It was her dream and June feels obligated to keep it going. It has been a struggle that is not helped with her landlord, who is more like a comic book Overlord of some far away galaxy and her truly awful ex who humiliated her in front of the world via reality TV. Turns out he hooked up with Levis ex in the most public way. Levi returns to town to wait it out and hope his ex comes to her senses and takes him back. June always had a major crush on Levi, but 10 years is a long time. In moments June goes from wanting to kick him off the tea shop patio to together hatching a plan to fake date and change the narrative and get their lives back on track. Can this work to save her business, her sense of self rehab her public image, get the keyboard thugs of social media off her back and maybe, just maybe find her a real romantic partner? You’ve got to read or listen to find out! Okay, kidding Of course it winds up with a lovely HEA as that is what we came for and fully expected. I had to let some things go while listening. The overall level of immaturity for the main characters, June’s almost simpering crush for Levi, Levi’s “waiting for his ex to come to her senses thinking they’re just on a break”, her landlord and her BFF who seemingly both helped her, but also used her to further her career. I am somewhere in the middle hence the 3 star rating.

This was okay. There was just nothing original that really stood out. The story was predictable and the characters just fell kind of flat.

FLEW through this excellent, incredible book. Tightly written, earnest, laugh-out-loud funny at several parts—one of the best contemporary romance books I've read in ages

A cutesy feel good romance about friends to lovers. I loved the beach vibes from this one - a perfect romance for summertime.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I usually like the books that Emma Lord writes, but I couldn't get into this story.

This book is fine whether listening or reading but it is not overly exciting. The narrator, Natalie Naudus, gives a fine narration yet I did not find anything overly impressive about her performance. At times, the narration was monotone. There was so much time spent in the novel with June's thoughts & fears on a constant loop with nothing exciting happening.

At the beginning, the event surrounding June pulls the reader in - her face is plastered on social media due to her public breakup going viral. Even though she lives in a small seaside town it does not seem to make a difference but then Levi, a close friend & childhood crush - returns to the small town. He had his own public break-up as well. This is where the action of the story seems to dry up. They spend time together. They bond through grief, loss & how to move forward both separately & together.

While Levi & June agree on fake dating & showing others they are fine, their friendship goes back & forth. There are trust issues, misunderstandings & both being a little lost at the moment. But nothing happens - nothing truly exciting. There are a lot of memories & moments replayed but nothing to really push the listener to keep going. Again, most of the book is about the thoughts & fears June has repeating on a constant loop. Personally, I was bored half way through & only kept listening because I felt I needed to do so.

It is only when getting close to the end of the book that the listener/reader once again sees things moving at a more exciting pace. Naudus becomes more expressive in her narration but the monotone still comes & goes. She builds the excitement of everything new happening. It is too bad it only happens toward the ending.

I think for anyone who is interested in this book, I would recommend reading, not listening. Once the narrator gets into your head & creates the image through voice you just cannot let it go. So, I would definitely read over listening.

The break up pact was exactly what I was expecting. Two ex besties who fake date to get back at/with their exes and of course get their own HEA.
This book does deal a lot with the FMC and the loss of her sister Annie, who was also Levi’s (the MMC’s) best friend.
I did love the character of Sana. She honestly made the book for me.
I did a read/listen combination of this title which is honestly becoming me new favorite thing to do when I’m busy or late at night! Narration was done very well on the audiobook.
You’ll love this book if you like:
*fake dating
*friends to lovers
*cozy shop owners
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Let's premise this review with this little fact: I have loved most, if not all, of Emma Lord's YA novels I've picked up. I was beyond excited for this Adult fiction when I heard about it.

It's possible I just wasn't in the right mood for this book when I listened, or maybe I'd psyched myself up too much? but I loved the narrator, Natalie Naudus. She did a fantastic job. I had a really hard time connecting with the main characters and understanding their hang-ups and choices. (Third Act confusion to nth degree

[Spoiler] Who goes back to live with their Ex while figuring out their future life logistics and dating someone else!? I'd be so angry if I was dating that guy.[/spoiler]

I wanted to root for them but I found myself just not caring enough about what happened and wishing the book would hurry up and end because it felt like each chapter was just the same thing/emotions happening over and over but with different words.

I did enjoy the small-town, beach setting and the back story of the main characters. It was a cute romcom, I just wish a few key elements had been handled differently, or in a way that made more sense to me.

The side characters in this book were all phenomenal and I would love to read more about them!

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my own opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for an advanced listen of this audio book!

Written by Emma Lord and narrated by Natalie Naudus this book is the perfect summer read or listen!

June, a beach tea shop owner, is bouncing back from a break up that became TikTok famous while trying to maintain a stream of customers to keep her business afloat. Her high school friend, Levi is dealing with a similar break up drama while struggling to complete the book he is currently writing.

The two’s lives collide after many years of a severed friendship. While helping to plan June’s brother’s wedding, Levi and June make a pact to “fake-date” in hopes of gaining internet attention to build June’s business while spurring Levi’s ex’s jealous.

Their plan ends up working to their benefits in an unintended way. This summer read is a great reminder that sometimes we need to walk through hard times to build the life (and love!) that we’ve always hoped for!