I am quite conflicted about this one because I don't know exactly how to rate it. I thought this would be more fake-dating than anything else and, while there was a fake-dating storyline, it wasn't exactly what that usually entails.

Levi and June have been best friends their entire lives, but they grew apart when they headed to college. They all went in different directions but continued to hold a torch for one another, although they never revealed their true feelings about each other. After they both become famous for getting dumped by other people, they create a strategy to get back at them and use their newfound fame for other purposes.

My problem with the book was first, the writing. I felt like it dragged on and on, and I often skimmed because too much useless description.

Second, the characters had nothing special. I didn't feel the fire between them, the chemistry, anything. The sex scene was unexpected in a good way, somehow I expected this book to be closed-door and I was happy it wasn't. It was pretty well-written, but what followed ruined everything from there.

I appreciated a lot the fact that there was no third-act breakup but the resolution between them came pretty shortly, with so much left of the book for basically nothing. It could've ended three chapters earlier.

This almost sent me into a reading slump and I barely got through it.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with this digital reviewer copy in exchange for an honest review.

This fake dating, second chance small-town romance is a quick read that is both fairly amusing but ultimately very sentimental, with important messages to always stay true to yourself and that love is a messy thing but it’s all about who you choose to be messy with. Perfect for the transition between summer and autumn (the book is set in August). For lovers of Jessica Joyce and Emily Henry with a touch of Abby Jimenez.

This story really gave me the Jessica Joyce vibes, particularly her latest book "The Ex Vows" (another story I enjoyed) in terms of both plot and writing style as June and Levi, like Georgia and Eli, are asked to help prepare everything for a wedding. Emma Lord’s style here is quirky descriptions (like Emily Henry) but with many deeper elements to the narrative (Abby Jimenez), just like Jessica Joyce. A few descriptions I enjoyed that reminded me of Emily Henry:
• "I glance down at the display case, searching for my last shred of dignity. Nope. It’s just rows of unsold scones."
• "I will stuff this unwelcome hurt so far back into a “return to sender” box that I won’t even remember opening it."
• "icing on the “June’s life is falling apart” cake"

At times the relationship was secondary to larger aspects which is akin to Abby Jimenez. The main thing is June’s older sister’s death (a constant reminder to June that nothing is permanent) and the struggles still there. This comes into play with the relationship between June and her younger brother Dylan; she accidentally pushes him away or is busy, forgetting she still has a living sibling to do things with and not take for granted. The other element is that of their exes and the cheating, and I think Lord covered this really well: the hindsight that occurs after coming out of a relationship with the wrong person. I also like the realistic issues of public scrutiny, the positive and negative impact of the media and memes.

The pacing felt off at the start which impacted my perception of their chemistry. They are quickly thrown together and then she very quickly bumps into him again and then before we know it, they are fake dating. Perhaps this is meant to be reflective of Levi himself, jumping into things, but this impacted scenes afterwards. Some of the chemistry was somehow not there. This had a lot of rom-com moments, but I honestly thought this would be funnier. Don’t get me wrong, not a laugh-a-minute thing. There were so many serious underlying things that made the romance come second.

Netgalley is an addiction. There I was, scrolling through the new titles and popularly requested books, looking for anything cool (mind you, I have about 15 books still unread and unreviewed on my netgalley shelf). And unsurprisingly, Netaglley had a lot of cool books that sound intriguing, so I went on a bit of spree requesting books here and there without a care in the world (and without a care for my dwindling feedback ratio).

From the title alone, The Break-Up Pact, sounded like something I would really enjoy. Promises of second-chances, friends to lovers, and fake dating?!– Netgalley request sent!
When my request was approved I was ecstatic, but then that excitement was slightly dampened when I went to log the book onto Goodreads and saw the 3.5 rating. It got even worst when I skimmed through some reviews.

But I decided to push through and give the book a chance anyway because reading tastes are highly subjective. What one person loves, another might dislike. In my opinion, a low rating may simply reflect personal preferences that don't align with your own and that's okay.

Now for my actual book review lol.

The Break-Up Pact follows Levi and June, inseparable as teenagers but grew apart as adults. Nowadays, June is struggling to keep her beachside tea shop afloat and looming threats of getting cut off her lease is making her desperate. Levi is a hedge fund manager living in New York, but his fiancé (now ex–ish) is still making things difficult. He decides to flee New York and return to Benson Beach.

When the both of them find themselves as the internet's laughing stock after their respective break-ups, they both find themselves the subject of gossip when a photo of them together leads the internet to believe they’re a couple. With everyone rooting for them, the two decide to put their past aside and make a pact to keep the rumour alive. The pact entails that pretending to date will hopefully bring more traffic to June’s shop, while make Levi’s ex realise her mistake. They just need to convince the world they're in love. Easy.

Or it should've been.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Admittedly, it does start off slow but if you are willing to push through, I would say it's a hundred percent worth it at the end. Not only do you get friends to lovers mixed in with fake dating, I love that they're essentially fake dating whilst doing all the wedding bits– like wedding cake tasting and

The characters and their actions were probably the most talked about negatives about this book. All I will say is that I don't expect the characters I read about in fictional novels to be "realistic" nor do I expect them to make decisions the same way I would if I was put in that situation. I can excuse questionable decisions or wacky choices because I like flawed characters (to an extent!), and I felt like June and Levi had their own reasons for acting the way they did.

I will say there were moments where I looked at June and thought to myself "why the fook is she doing this?" (the bit about her wanting to race instead of talking things out with him nearly made me want to slam the book down in frustration), but the woman had her reasons. She was, and it was said at the end of the book, the type of person to run away from her problems (literally) and is still harbouring some grief over the loss of her sister. She's scared of change– no matter how small– and she feels like making changes and trying new things without her sister is tainting her memories of her. I thought had some great character development by the end of the book when the conflicts were all resolved.

As for Levi, I was initially put off by his willingness to get back together with his ex (who not only cheated on him, but publicly humiliated him after the breakup too). However, like June, he's a character that was always seemed to be content even if he got the short end of the stick. He was never really challenged, or felt motivated to step out of his comfort zone until June stepped back into his life. I liked him a lot by the end of the book.

My only minor gripe was that there were some moments where I felt like it lulled in a few places and just dragged things out for too long. Other than that, this was close to a perfect book for me.

p.s I found myself craving scones. Might need to add it to the next grocery list.

4.75 stars (but I'm rounding it up because I'm generous)

A fake romance the way I like it!!
I loved how current it is in bringing memes and how cruel people nowadays are and don't care about other people's suffering

The main character leaves me with a flea behind my ear in the sense that I can't understand if having Tea Tide was always her dream or if she is living her sister's dream.

I like the fact that she says what she thinks but still gets scared in other situations, feels very relatable and down to earth.

The fact that she accepts the fake relationship under the pretext that she will become friends again is comical because we romance readers know this is a recipe for disaster, especially knowing that the main male character still has feelings for his ex.

I like the development of the characters and how they mature during the book, how relatable they are in the things that go through their heads and their hearts.

Oh, how I love it when I'm reading a slow-burn book and something finally happens it feels like I'm going to run out screaming in the street: FINALLY.

I shiver from head to toe as soon as I know that the writer has achieved her goal of making me fall in love with a fictional couple.
I didn't believe it when I read why they spent so much time without talking to each other, of course with this type of book we expect a lack of communication but this one got me, I admit.

Oh chapter 15, I don't even know how to describe what I felt, to be honest, it's so well-written

I like to think that I predict all possible scenarios by reading a book and that I usually know the ending before the end arrives, but the developments in this book left me speechless, the way everything was organized and written left me in complete shock when the bomb dropped.

I loved how the book developed and how it ended, exactly what I expect from romance books nowadays, something where I can put myself in the situation and really root for the characters every second.

Well done, Emma Lord!!!!!

The Break-Up Pact is an enjoyable read by Emma Lord. She masters details incredibly, such as slam poetry and pop rock pranks. I did audibly laugh when he added the pop rocks into a scone towards the end. While at times it felt like the inner dialogue was too rambling for June, she did have a nice character arch. In addition, the chemistry seemed sporadic as opposed to a slow-burn. Sana winning the journalism world and then in her Scone Daddy apron was definitely my favorite part.

Great summer read, enjoyed the characters of June and Levi. Former friends who are thrown together after their respective public humiliating break ups.

June is struggling to keep her sisters tea shop afloat when Levi comes back into her life. Good story and good writing.

Thank you to NetGalley, Emma Lord and the publisher for an advanced copy.

After being on an Emma Lord binge this year I was thrilled to read her new adult romance - and it did not disappoint.

‘The Break-Up Pact’ is filled with all the heart-warming, well-rounded characters and plot you’d expect from Lord, but with higher-stakes understanding of how the world works and the messiness that comes with it.

June and Levi are the perfect friends to fake lovers to real lovers - their story is so compelling you can’t help but route and swoon for them the whole time.

I found this a really enjoyable read and can’t wait to read more Emma Lord books.


Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC.

Firstly thank you netgalley and the publisher.

If you’re looking for a quick summer read then this is the book for you it was written really well and was entertaining the characters are likeable and the storyline is fun.
A bit obvious with how it’s going to end but yet it did leave you wanting to carry on reading it.

June is running her sisters tea shop after her sister suddenly passed away and it’s not going as good as she’d like though.
She got humiliated and dumped on reality tv by her then boyfriend griffin and when her high school crush and long time family friend comes into town they make a pact to help each other out but will it work?

Three and a half stars.

June left her home town to travel the world with her boyfriend Griffin, but when her older sister Anna died she returned home (with some relief) to run the tea and scone shop they had dreamed of together. Unable to stand being dispensable, Griffin dumps June live on his reality TV show by introducing her to 'the love of his life'. Bad enough to be publicly humiliated, but June also becomes a social media meme titled 'the crying girl'.

June, Anna, and their brother Dylan were all friends with Levi at high school, June even had a major crush on him, but he moved to New York to become (gasp) a hedge fund manager and he and June haven't spoken for years - because (drum roll) of a misunderstanding. When Levi's artist girlfriend publicly cheats on him with probably the world's sexiest actor (I'm thinking George Clooney - basically someone on everyone's pass card), Levi returns home to finish writing his novel.

As soon as June and Levi run into each other their old camaraderie flourishes, and their mutual fried suggests the two of them change the narrative by posing as a rebound couple - something that takes the internet by storm. But with unresolved issues from their past, scheming exes, a voracious internet, and a failing tea shop to deal with, the course of true love never did run smooth.

I liked the premise of this, the fake dating didn't last more than about 30 seconds and that was okay. However, what dragged this down for me was just how much verbiage there was about everything, honestly I was ready for the book to be over a long time before it was finished. Maybe there were too many side plots (eg dead sister, planning brother's wedding, fake dating, failing business, Levi's writing, etc). I would compare this to Jamie Beck with a little les angst (rereading some of my reviews they were quite vitriolic) but there does appear to be quite a bit of navel-gazing, angsty introspection that I don't enjoy - if you enjoy that then I think you'll love this. SO I'm basically saying I'm shallow and I like my romances light on the angsty introspection LOL.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Rating: 3.25 stars

I just want to start by saying her writing is absolutely beautiful. Having never read an Emma Lord book before, her writing was a pleasant surprise.

As someone who's favourite romance trope is second chance romance, I really expected to love this more. I thought it started off really well!! I found it very funny, unable to put down and was even getting funny story by Emily Henry vibes from it (the fake dating)

However...

Things quickly changed from the 50% mark, I personally felt the conflict was a bit underwhelming. Part of the reason why I love second chance romance is the angst, tension and dare I say miscommunication! but this just kind of fell flat. I really wish the conflict had a bit more depth.

Lastly, the romance felt heavily rushed and one-sided for me. It felt like they had so much time within the book to communicate but it just kept going in circles. I really found it hard to connect with that aspect of the story.

But other than that, I thought this was a cute summer read perfect for the beach.

The amount of times the MMC’s eyes are mentioned in this book was RIDICULOUS. I didn’t know the eyes had such a range of emotion all on their own. But apart from that, the story wasn’t so bad.

I’ve read a few of Emma Lord’s books and this just didn’t have the usual spark that I’ve loved about her other books/characters. It all felt a bit rushed and the fake dating premises wasn’t executed to its full potential. I found the MFC a tad annoying to be honest.

You get the distinct impression throughout the book that they belong together but they’re not ready. The whole book is leading up to them getting together, for them to not until right at the end when they still hadn’t had ‘the big chat’.

Other than that, it was a cute story. I wish we could have seen more of Mateo and Dylan’s to be honest as I thought they were great characters.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Perfect summer read??? Why yes indeed it was
If you loved beach read then look no further this one is the perfect option to read this summer

There’s tension, there’s yearning, there’s some mmc you want to shake so hard he’ll finally see what’s in front of him, but don’t worry it’s part of the story for him to come on his own. He’ll make up for it don’t worry.

June was such a cute character i loved her, she is what i look for in a fmc and i love how she was portrayed. The tension between her and levi was the absolute best and their cute moments 🥹🥹
The found family was perfect and the small beach town was so so good i felt i was with them in the story

Thank you so much netgalley and the publisher for the arc i had a great time

ARC Review: *The Break Up Pact* by Emma Lord

Rating: 5/5🌟

Emma Lord's *The Break Up Pact* is a heartwarming and thoroughly entertaining novel that expertly blends humor, emotion, and romance. The story of two best friends reuniting after a decade of silence and pretending to date to save their reputations and businesses is as delightful as it is deeply moving.

The premise of the novel is captivating: June and Levi, once inseparable as teenagers, are now navigating the complexities of adulthood and the repercussions of viral break-ups. June, struggling to keep her beloved beachside tea shop afloat, and Levi, a disillusioned hedge fund manager and aspiring novelist, are brought back together by a chance photo that ignites a social media frenzy. Their decision to fake a relationship to ride the wave of public interest and help each other out leads to a series of events that are both hilarious and heartwarming.

Lord's writing shines with wit and charm, making *The Break Up Pact* a joy to read. The chemistry between June and Levi is palpable, and their journey from estranged friends to fake lovers to something more genuine is beautifully portrayed. The five dates they go on are wonderfully crafted, each filled with moments that range from laugh-out-loud funny to deeply touching, showcasing the depth of their connection and the unresolved feelings they both harbor.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, with June's determination and Levi's vulnerability making them endearing protagonists. The secondary characters, including the quirky customers at June's tea shop and Levi's overbearing ex, add richness and humor to the story. Lord does an excellent job of weaving in themes of forgiveness, self-discovery, and the importance of following one's heart, making this more than just a lighthearted romance.

One of the novel's strengths is its ability to balance the fake-dating trope with genuine emotional stakes. The past tensions and misunderstandings between June and Levi are explored with sensitivity, adding layers to their relationship and making their eventual reconciliation all the more satisfying. The progression of their feelings feels natural and earned, leading to a heartwarming and satisfying conclusion.

In summary, *The Break Up Pact* by Emma Lord is a delightful and emotionally resonant read that fans of contemporary romance will adore. With its engaging plot, lovable characters, and perfect blend of humor and heart, this novel is a testament to Lord's talent for crafting stories that linger long after the final page. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a feel-good romance with depth and charm.


A must-read for fans of Emma Lord and contemporary romance enthusiasts alike. *The Break Up Pact* is sure to leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.

This is such a good book. The perfect summer read. Fake dating trope. A failing cafe. Loved the whole reading experience.

Very cute. I really enjoyed this and I'm incredibly glad the refusing to properly communicate thing June had going on didn't last too long (it's the trope I find the most frustrating so I was worried for a chapter or two). Fun story, good characters. Would recommend.

The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord
Rating: 3.5/5
Release Date: 13 August 2024


"The Break-Up Pact" by Emma Lord follows June and Levi, former best friends who haven't spoken in a decade. When their respective breakups go viral, a coincidental photo of them together convinces the internet they're a couple. Seeing an opportunity, they agree to fake a relationship to help June's struggling tea shop and make Levi's ex jealous. As they stage swoon-worthy photo ops, they must confront their rocky past and unexpected feelings. What starts as a mutually beneficial pact soon becomes a journey of rediscovery and potential romance.

Emma Lord's "The Break-Up Pact" offers a blend of humour and romance in a beachside setting, but falls short of the author's previous works in young adult fiction. While the premise is engaging, the execution leaves something to be desired.

The character development of June and Levi, while present, is hindered by lingering miscommunication tropes from their high school days. This results in a sense of immaturity that persists throughout the novel, making it difficult for readers to fully connect with their journey.

The friends-to-lovers trope, a staple of the genre, feels unnecessarily prolonged and complicated. The characters' indecision, despite their single status and fake relationship, creates confusion and slows the narrative's progression.

While the Benson Beach setting provides a pleasant backdrop, and there are moments of genuine humour, the overall pacing of the novel is problematic. The story often drags, with unnecessary length contributing to a loss of impact in key emotional moments.

Despite these shortcomings, "The Breakup Pact" isn't without merit. It offers entertainment value and light-hearted moments that some readers will appreciate. However, those familiar with Lord's previous works may find this novel lacking in comparison.

In conclusion, while "The Break-Up Pact" provides a decent escape into a world of fake dating and rekindled friendship, it doesn't quite achieve the emotional depth or narrative tightness that readers might expect. It's a book that doesn't inspire strong dislike, but also fails to capture the love and engagement that Lord's best works evoke.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK | Piatkus, and the author, Emma Lord, for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Break-Up Pact is Emma Lord's eagerly anticipated new book, set to be released in August 2024. This novel marks Lord’s first venture into Adult Romance.
In this story, we follow June and Levi, once inseparable as teenagers. However, a misunderstanding right before Levi left for college caused them to drift apart. Years later, they both find themselves back in their hometown, Benson Beach.
June is trying to keep her sister's beachside tea shop afloat while dealing with the aftermath of a humiliating and very public breakup, which has made her the subject of social media mockery as 'the crying girl.'
Levi has also returned to Benson Beach after his own highly publicized breakup, where his long-time girlfriend left him for a celebrity. Looking to escape the media frenzy and find some peace, Levi decides to leave New York City and refocus on his writing back home.
As they reconnect, June and Levi begin to catch up on lost time. A viral photo of them in a suggestive pose pushes them to pretend they are a couple. This not only stirs up local gossip but also boosts business for June's shop and makes their exes jealous.
I’ve always loved the fake-dating trope, and I think it’s done very well here. June and Levi are compelling characters, and I enjoyed delving into their past and watching them rediscover each other.
They are both facing real-life challenges—career uncertainties and recent heartbreaks—which gives the story a more serious tone than Lord’s previous works. This shift feels appropriate as it reflects the complexities of adult life. The narrative explores themes like struggling businesses, unfulfilling careers, the regret of past relationships, and the search for belonging. These are experiences that many readers will find relatable.
My concern is that some readers might expect a light, witty Rom-Com and be surprised by the more thoughtful, serious aspects of the story, which might affect their rating. It’s important to approach this as an Adult Contemporary novel with a well-executed fake-dating plot, rather than expecting constant humor and swooning, although those elements are present too.
I believe this book marks a successful transition into adult fiction for Emma Lord. The characters are richly developed, and it was heartwarming to watch June and Levi’s relationship evolve. They complement each other perfectly as a couple.
The pacing of the book was well done. It starts with a lively introduction, slows down to explore their relationship deeply, picks up with the excitement of the fake dating, and speeds towards a satisfying conclusion.
The supporting characters also add to the story’s charm. June’s best friend, who helps with the fake-dating scheme, and her brother and his fiancé, all bring warmth and support to the narrative.
Overall, The Break-Up Pact is a heartfelt and solidly crafted story. I enjoyed following June and Levi on their journey of self-discovery and rekindling their bond.
Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin's Griffin, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I’m a huge fan of Emma Lord and look forward to reading more of her work. This was a delightful read, and I’m proud to see her exploring new territory in Adult Contemporary fiction. Well done!