This was a three star read for me. I had to start it numerous times before feeling a slight interest in the story and characters. A three star read, for me, means I fully acknowledge I could have been out of sorts or in a funk and due to that, this has elements that will certainly be an easy four to five star read for someone else.

That being said, in 'The Break-Up Pact' by Emma Lord, two old friends, June and Levi, find themselves in an unexpected situation after both experience embarrassing, viral break-ups. June, who now runs a small beachside tea shop, and Levi, a hedge fund manager with dreams of becoming a novelist, decide to fake a relationship. Their goal? To get some positive attention on social media that might help June’s struggling business and possibly win back their exes. But as they navigate five "staged" dates, they start to wonder if their fake romance could turn into something real.

Again, I didn't feel especially connected to their story but I certainly recommend it and will continue to be super excited to read other works from Emma Lord!

*The Break-Up Pact* by Collin Hymes is a refreshing and humorous take on the complexities of modern relationships, blending elements of romantic comedy with insightful commentary on love and friendship. The story revolves around two best friends, who, after a series of romantic disappointments, decide to make a pact to help each other navigate their dating lives, leading to unexpected twists and turns.

Hymes's writing style is engaging and lively, filled with witty dialogue and relatable situations that capture the essence of dating in today's world. The author has a knack for creating a lighthearted atmosphere while tackling deeper themes such as self-discovery, personal growth, and the often-blurred lines between friendship and romance.

The characters are well-drawn, each bringing their own quirks and insecurities to the table. Their chemistry is palpable, and the evolution of their relationship is both heartwarming and entertaining. As they embark on their pact, the challenges they face together reveal the importance of honesty and communication, making their journey all the more compelling.

The pacing of the book is well-structured, with a nice balance of comedic moments and emotional depth. Hymes effectively builds tension, allowing readers to invest in the characters' arcs and root for them throughout their ups and downs.

Overall, *The Break-Up Pact* is a charming and enjoyable read that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the highs and lows of love and friendship. Collin Hymes has crafted a delightful narrative that combines humor with heartfelt moments, making it a perfect pick for fans of romantic comedies and contemporary fiction. It leaves readers with a smile and a sense of hope, reminding us that sometimes the best relationships are the ones we least expect.

I'm usually a pretty big fan of Emma Lord's books, but this one missed the mark for me in a lot of ways. It's the first that's marketed as an adult romance fiction, but it honestly felt exactly like her YA books but with added steamy scenes. While the steamy scenes were good, it just felt off when the rest of the book felt very young adult written. I liked both the characters, but it wasn't enough to keep me fully into it. I wanted so much more from their romance, considering Emma Lord is usually so good at building up her characters relationships. Next one!

The audio was very enjoyable!

This was cute, but nothing too memorable. I enjoyed the main characters but wish they had more depth to them. A lot of the story lines seemed like we were given information and then later explained the background or context for them. Things would just be mentioned and then explained later, I can't explain it but it was weird.

Perfect summer, light hearted beach read. The characters and setting were great. I loved this one. The narrator was perfect.

This was good. It was cute, it was enjoyable, but there was nothing about this novel that made it stand out. This is one of those books that if you've read one, you've read them all. Classic fake dating/miscommunication/self sabotaging FMC. There was one super spicy chapter, but would be very easy to skip that chapter and not lose anything from the story. This definitely reads like a closed door romance with the exception of that one chapter, which mak

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review :)

This was a fun, enjoyable romcom but wasn’t something I loved. I did enjoy the setting and wished the tea shop on the beach was real. I loved the scones and was craving one the entire book. I never connected with the characters though and didn’t feel like their story was anything special or unique. The narrator was great and helped make this book more enjoyable. I’ll definitely recommend this to my followers.

The Break-Up Pact
Written by Emma Lord, read by Natalie Naudus, is a romantic comedy featuring former high school friends June and Levi. June and Levi lost touch after high school, and now June doesn’t really know where she stands with him. But after her boyfriend of ten years breaks up with her on live television, and Levi’s girlfriend publicly breaks up with him, they reconnect in their home town. June is struggling to keep up with her Tea and Scone cafe, and Levi is having trouble in his own way with some writers block, when they decide to work together and try to help each other by creating a Break-Up Pact. But where does the pact end, and who will be hurt?
I really enjoyed the friendships, scones, and comedy in this book. I also appreciated the family dynamics shown, and how the characters grew throughout the book, and recognized ways that they could heal. I look forward to reading more books by this author! Thank you to NetGalley and to the author, publisher, and narrator for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

June and Levi, childhood best friends, take the reader on a journey of break- ups and growth. This fake dating book will make you feel all the emotions, and male you realize sometimes dreams are just deferred- not forgotten.

This one wasn't my favourite by this author. The story/characters really didn't grab my attention and I've forgotten most of the book after shutting it.

This one was just okay to me. I didn't really feel the romantic spark between the main characters. It seemed fun but the chemistry was lacking. I also rarely enjoy the miscommunication trope, so it made it hard to get through this one and the 'third act break up'.

This was a fun perfect quick summer read! It was great for fans of Carley Fortune. I enjoyed the narrators, I think they did a good job telling the story.

Unfortunately, this was a dnf audiobook for me. It was primarily related to the plot which I couldn't get invested in enough to keep listening. For the audiobook specifically, I liked the narrators voice and pace. However, I did notice that there were obvious points of editing which were jarring as a listener. I could hear a change in echo for the narrator's voice and deepening. It sounded like they were recording in a different spot and it was spliced into the other track. This was distracting and it happened at least twice during the 35% of the audiobook that I did listen to.

Perfect for fans of Carley Fortune and Annabel Monaghan, The Break-Up Pact tells the story of former friends who are reunited after both experiencing rather public break-ups. The small-town setting and quick wit of both characters will charm readers!! While this doesn't stand out as a favorite read of 2024 so far, it was definitely enjoyable.

I actually really liked this one! It held my interest the entire time and I loved the idea of revenge exes. I liked that they were childhood friends brought back together and that their friendship was able to evolve! I really enjoyed the revenge, although I really wish June had gotten more on her ex, he felt like he just got away with it. Overall a good read and the narrator was perfect!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. I enjoyed this romance novel. The beginning was very promising and the rest fell flat for me. The miscommunication was a big no for me unfortunately and I didn’t relate to any of the characters. In the future I’d like to give this author another try.

What a shame this book was so mediocre because I've enjoyed many of Lord's YA novels!

This book was fun but ultimately forgettable. While the premise of the fake dating trope between June and Levi had potential, the execution left much to be desired. The story starts slow, and I found myself struggling to get through the first few chapters. The plot feels a bit over the top, with June and Levi becoming internet famous after public breakups, which didn't really add much depth to their relationship or the story as a whole.

The romance between June and Levi was where I hoped to feel more. Having been friends before their falling out, I expected more chemistry between them, but their relationship lacked the spark I was looking for. Despite a few sweet moments and a nice ending, the connection felt forced, and the tension that typically makes fake dating so enjoyable never fully landed. It didn’t help that Levi’s ex situation became frustratingly repetitive.

That said, the book has its enjoyable moments. June’s personal journey with grief adds some emotional weight, and seeing the rekindling of their friendship was a nice touch. Emma Lord’s writing remains engaging, and while this book didn’t quite hit the mark for me, I’m hopeful it was just a one-off miss compared to her other works.

The was a cute read, but rather inconsistent. The pacing felt like it was either too drawn out or moved too fast. The relationship between June and Levi felt like it lacked a believable connection, especially considering their long complicated history. And the fact that it took me so long to read is a testament to the lack of connection I had with any of these characters. Don't get me wrong, the book had its moments, but I fear I won't remember it in a few days. Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press|St. Martin's Griffin for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

4 Stars

This was a cute story that gives you all the Gilmore Girls feels. I liked it because it wasn't your typical rom-com but it was at the same time. The story moved along quickly and it was a nice easy read that kept my attention. The narrators were delightful and easy to listen to.

Thank you to Macmillian Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audio book.

I liked this audiobook and the narrators for June and Levi. This was a fun and quick rom-com. There was some miscommunication which I am not a fan of, but overall I liked this story. The tea shop and travel shop sounded right up my alley. And the scones! Can I have some now please??