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!