This was not for me as it read like a lower budget Emily Henry novel. Not much happened and it felt rather cookie cutter. The tension wasn’t there for me and I’d say my favourite was probably the first 20% and then it all kind of just flatlined.

This was a really sweet fake-dating romance with a lot of slow-burn if that's not your style. The perfect pallet cleanser for a soft romance.

I've loved the author's previous work and was excited to see her branch out into non YA fiction. This did not disappoint. The characters were well drawn and easy to root for. Loved the family backstory and setting. Highly recommend!

The Break Up Pact is Emma Lord’s adult debut, and although I really enjoyed it, I feel like it’s missing something from the young adult books that Lord has previously written.


The Break Up Pact follows June and Levi who both had very public gone viral break ups, and decide ti fake date to get back at their exes. Levi is also a writer and June is trying to keep a cafe afloat. This book also explores the theme of grief through Annie, June’s sister and Levi’s friend, though her death happened a while ago and there are moments in the book where the characters are thinking about what Annie would be doing, what she would’ve done, and them coming to terms with that they will always be older than she ever was. Of course there are old feelings that also surface.

This book is friends-to strangers- to fake dating- to soulmates, sprinkled with miscommunication (which is one of my least favourite tropes unfortunately!) and a third act break up.


Although the epilogue made me smile a lot and I loved it, I think this book was missing the easy hope and happiness that Emma Lord’s YA books usually have throughout, this one had it more at the end.


I still enjoyed this book, though I prefer her young adult books, and I am excited for the next one! I am giving The Break Up Pact 3.5 stars.

The Break up pack is perfect for fans on Emily Henry

Unfortunately it was quite forgettable for me, I usually love a good fake dating story but the slow burn was a little too slow for me and I just wanted more banter from the main characters.

overall a good quick read, the perfect pallet cleanser to break up fantasy or suspense style books

“I don't think anyone ever gets to be settled in life. I think you just fine people who weather it with you.”

Rounding to 3 stars! - minor spoiler ahead -

I really liked the premise of the story but I think something was missing in terms of pacing?

I think the idea of the premise, how it was set-up and the writing style (I really enjoyed the writing style) was exciting! I love the fake dating trope and how it was approached in this story. There were so many aspects of the story and the writing that I loved, but the overall execution of it all together did not mesh.

I think the issues began at the flip, flopping of the character's motivation and choices and also the direction of the story itself. I was expecting there to be some kind of 'third act breakup' but it seemed to be one that never happened but also never stopped; I appreciated that the problems weren't immediately solved without anything happening but I think the resolution of their issues were pushed aside by the need to tie off all the other plot points as well. I think with a more focused singular plot point, this might have worked better?

Thank you to Piaktus for an eARC, I am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Break-Up Pact was a funny, comforting read. While it was not my favourite of its genre, it still made for an entertaining escapist read.

I'd recommend it to fans of Emily Henry and Ali Hazelwood!

This was a cute read. Light, funny and sweet. I’ve downloaded the authors other books to read now after reading this. Thanks netgalley and the publisher.

This was a just a great read. I was just all in the story.
Loved the MCs. Lovely written book. i enjoyed more than I expected I would

Firstly, a big thank you to Little, Brown Book Group UK/Piatkus and Net Galley for the ARC.

This was a four star read for me. If you’re a fan of the fake dating trope, then this book is for you; brilliantly executed. We immediately jump into the story, learn about both viral break ups and instantly discover the chemistry and history between June and Levi. This book has spice, burning chemistry, and a connection that cannot be denied. Two childhood friends with an undeniable spark reuniting and helping each other find a way to use their mutual humiliation to their benefit. Exquisite.

I always adore a small-town setting, especially a small seaside town. This added a bit of extra charm to the story.

The only reason I didn’t give this book five stars is that some parts of the story felt rushed. For example, Levi agrees to the fake dating pact in order to make his ex jealous but then all of a sudden decides he isn’t bothered about reconnecting with his ex. I feel that this would have been a more gradual decision rather than impulsive. I think he definitely would have taken more time to figure out where his past and present separate.

This book is written in 1st person from June’s perspective and I think this worked really well. Maybe some chapters from Levi would have been good too, especially so we could see each breakup from both of their perspectives. But, June was a great narrator and I enjoyed following the story through her eyes.

I’m so happy that we got a proper, long, not rushed epilogue. We got a very cute ending with the engagement and it was good to see all characters at great points in their life.

I also think the exploration of grief from two different relationship types (Sister and friend) was handled sensitively, and honestly and in a realistic manner.

This was very sweet, and I think Emma Lord's writing style lends itself really well to adult romances. However, the miscommunication is RIFE in this book, and a lot of it is down to June, our main character, just being way too stubborn. I loved the friends-to-lovers aspect, and mixed with fake dating made for a very fun time. With friends-to-lovers though, I like being shown their history, and it felt like we were really just being told it - that, mixed with the fact these characters haven't seen each other for years, meant that I struggled to really believe in their friendship.

I did really like the beach town setting though, and the teashop! That was so adorable, I could easily picture myself there. I also really liked the aspect of grief depicted in this, with June having lost her sister Annie unexpectedly two years prior to the start of the book. The cast of side characters were all really lovely, and there's a fun wedding planning sideplot going on that I enjoyed.

But the miscommunication was just too much, and ruined my enjoyment sadly. However I have loved Emma Lord's YA books, so I'm open to reading more adult romances from her!

It was a fun and heartwarming rom-com that delivers on both humor and emotion. The chemistry between the characters is electric, and the author captures the complexities of friendship and romantic tension beautifully. The witty banter and lighthearted moments make for an enjoyable, fast-paced read. While some of the plot twists are predictable, the emotional depth and genuine character development keep you engaged. It’s a feel-good story that perfectly blends romance with relatable life challenges, making it a delightful read for fans of contemporary romance.

okay so i have been on a ROLL with reading this month, 5 books in 6 days? like who am i? i just about saved myself from the deep, dark pits of a reading slump and i fear that if i do not pick up a thriller immediately after writing this review, i’ll fall back into it🫠

i could not gel with either one of these characters at all! first of all, levi seemed to have more affection and love in his heart for his cheating ex than he did for june.

this book has confirmed the fact that i cant stand books that over mention the use of tiktok & current day social media because i was getting so frustrated!!

we all know that i am an absolute sucker for second chance romances but this one just was not it. i don’t usually mind the miscommunication trope but when said miscommunication happened when you were in high school & now you’re both adults?? pls grow up!!

the authors writing itself is good but sometimes that just isn’t enough! i need to be able to connect with the characters. i need to feel their emotions like they are my own but i didn’t care one bit about the characters. i cared more about the side characters😩

(thank you to netgalley & for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! ✨)

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘗𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘬𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘈𝘙𝘊.

Two ex-besties enter into a fake dating arrangement when their respective break-ups go viral on social media. Will they be able to rebuild the relationship they once shared while trying to attract the attention and jealousy of their exes? Or will they catch... feelings (shock horror) as they're confronted with forced proximity (their choice) and hoards of fans shipping them online.

Unfortunately when TikTok becomes a major player in a book's plot it takes me out completely. As in life, if characters are staring at their phones and living chronically online, they never look up and engage with the world around them. Don't weaponise social media for your own ends if you can't deal with the consequences! I won't feel any sympathy for you or your scones, girlie.

I think we're told a lot more than we're shown, which means the two main characters never quite grew into the three-dimensional beings I wished them to be. Sometimes, for whatever reason, you can't engage with a protagonist and their plights, and The Break-Up Pact was a classic case of this for me. The plot takes a straight-line journey (no real narrative surprises), but I wouldn't have been all that upset if the two mains never got together in all honesty. I just wanted it all to go a little deeper. There were the whisperings of themes, tensions and traumas of real interest, but they were never fully realised. There's no denying the potential though!

5/10

I absolutely loved The Break-Up Pact. I mean who isn't a sucker for a fake relationship that turns into a real one? I loved Emma Lord's writing and I enjoyed reading June and Levi learn about each other all over again. I loved how there was a more serious tone to the book in the way that things don't always go the way you expect and bad things happen. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fake dating romance.

Thank you netgallery for allowing me to read an ARC of The Break-Up Pact in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for approving my request for this book, it was really enjoyable and I loved the tropes in this story. I think Emma has a great writing style and I was excited to read the break-up pact.

Thank you NetGalley, Little Brown Book Group and Emma Lord for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Looking for a delightful read that's as sweet as a summer's day? 🌼 Look no further than "The Break-up Pact" by Emma Lord!

Meet June, a determined sister who’s doing everything she can to keep her sister's dream alive. 🌟 Just when things start to take a twist, Levi reappears in her life. Once the best of friends, the spark has dimmed—until a pretend relationship throws them back into the limelight. Can they navigate the ups and downs of fake dating and rekindle that lost connection? 🤔💕

This charming romance is the perfect blend of fun, laughter, and heartwarming moments. If you're in the mood for a quick and cute read, this is the one!

I love Emma Lord and this new book did not disappoint. The cute cover made me want to jump all in....and I did just that! I loved the characters - I laughed so hard at times and especially loved Levi and June and June's bestie. It was a fabulous romance set in a small town.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed June and Levi's story and the way the online world can impact what we know to be true about ourselves.
As much a story about grief and living in the past as it is a 'fake dating' romance, I loved both the main characters. It definitely gave real teenager in love vibes and I wondered what it would be like to meet my high school crush again as an adult after not seeing them for over a decade! The supporting characters are fun and the mouth-watering descriptions of the bakery and tea shop June runs will definitely leave you hungry for more!

4/5 stars from me. Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an honest review in exchange for an ARC,

I loved Emma's YA books, particularly Tweet Cute, so I was hugely excited to see she was planning a book for adult readers.

Sadly, it just didn't hit all the right spots for me. I found it odd they went right from "we haven't spoken in years" to "let's fake date" with very little work to reconnect.

The reason for their falling out was also rather dumb in my opinion, and barely discussed.

Given that this was her first adult book, I was hopeful for the steamy scenes Emma would write, but left a little disappointed.