The Break-Up Pact

Content warnings: grief, loss of a sibling

Childhood friends Levi and June fake date to stick it to their exes.

June moved back home from traveling the world with Griffin, the guy who dumped her on national television and turned her face into a meme called "Crying Girl." She runs a tea and scone shop by the beach called Tea Tide that June and her sister started. But Tea Tide is in trouble and the Crying Girl tourists are bolstering sales. Her sister died prior to the novel, and June is struggling with keeping the business faithful to her sister's vision.

June's childhood crush and BFF Levi comes back to town after his also public breakup, and a photo of the two together makes #RevengeExes a social media sensation. June and Levi agree to keep the Revenge Ex thing going to help June's business and Levi's relationship. But all the things they buried after high school come bubbling back to the surface...

The novel is a fun beach read, but June is also a complicated character that is refreshing in a romance novel. She has major flaws that she will need to confront before she can be with anyone, because she doesn't know how to be alone. Recommended for readers who are looking for a beachy summer romance.

Author: Emma Lord

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Length: 320 pages

Release Date: August 13, 2024

Representation: Asian-American side character

I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.