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.

The characters in this were hilarious. I loved watching the impact of the side characters on Levi and June. I loved Sana I thought she was a great best friend for June, being an intellectual character who made me invested in her own story. I enjoyed the uniqueness of the story and enjoyed the innocence and exploratory nature of the romance between Levi and June. Both dealing with a traumatic event in their own ways, pulling away from each other rather then towards. The guilt and loyalty between June and her sisters and Levi and his best friend was a great them to look at. I think the pace of the book was great. Overall a great romance book set in a small-town but without an aggressive small-town vibe.

The Break Up Pact was a fun, heartwarming story and a great fake dating trope.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

June and Levi were best friends in school, however haven’t spoken for ten years. Then they are suddenly catapulted back into each other’s lives after both having media frenzied break ups. So when they are pictured together and the world begins to think they have gotten together, they decide to go along with it to get back at their exes.

I do really like a fake dating trope, and this one was good. I guess I only gave it three stars as I was a bit unsure about Levi for most of the story, he almost seemed like he wanted the best of both worlds at times.

I would however recommend this to anyone who likes a fun, quick romance read.

Thank you Emma Lord, Griffin and Netgalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Piatkus for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have loved Emma Lord's books since Tweet Cute came out. So I was super happy that I got approved for the e-ARC for The Break-Up Pact. TBUP is Lord's first adult contemporary romance. Two best friends who haven't talked properly for 10 years are back in town. They both had exceptionally viral break-ups, so the public is also interested in them. As the title probably gives away, June and Levi start a break-up pact, aka fake dating ❤. Along the way, June tries to keep open Tea Tide, the tea and scone café her late sister started, and Levi tries to finish his sad boy in New York manuscript. This novel has everything from celebrity intrigue, mean exes, grief and life next to the beach.

I really enjoyed the book although the pacing felt a little slow. I enjoyed seeing June and Levi getting closer again and how deeply rooted their friendship is.

If you like spicy romance books, this one might not be for you. But it is adorably cute!

<spoiler>I also liked that the misunderstanding happened 10 years ago and this is how they resolved it. </spoiler>

Highly recommend if you want a cute, summery read!

*2.5 stars*

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for a review.

The romance between Levi and June had the potential to be one that I really adored, with it being second-chance friends to lovers with fake dating. Those are probably my favourite tropes ever in romance novels, but for some reason this one didn't quite hit the way I wanted it to.

I think the first half of the book felt extremely slow, and like there was a lot of angst and not a lot of time with the couple. It was more about external issues, which were still important to the book, but were not themes that I wanted to be prioritised over the romance e.g. the running of the Tea Tide store, their previous relationships that have blown up online, etc.

I really enjoyed the fake dating parts, as the dates themselves were really fun, and you could definitely tell there was a connection between Levi and June. However, I feel like there wasn't enough time spent with the couple being happy together, but we instead had too much of them struggling, which is just a personal preference thing.

I do feel like this book would really work for a lot of people, as it had really great characters and it dealt with some really great themes, but it just wasn't a new favourite for me.