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3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great summer read book! Finished in 2 days on vacation. Likeable, but flawed characters. Enjoyable
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
They should have had the voice actors do their own lines in the other’s povs because it was jarring to hear their different voices for each other. In terms of the story, I enjoyed Hannah’s. I Lainey and Tyson’s romances didn’t feel as believable to me. My biggest issue was the way the book dealt with race. The approach felt forced and sterile, and made the characters a little insufferable at times
medium-paced
I liked the characters and felt they had depth but the story felt so slow and then the ending was rushed and just happened because
Maybe a 3.5 rounded up?
I didn’t plan to read this book when I did, but I’m glad I did. It kind of works out with it being currently NYE and this is about three friends in their 30s hitting the reset button.
TW: suicide.
I do appreciate how thoughtful Giffin is in writing a trigger warning at the beginning of her book and the kind note at the end of her acknowledgements.
The writing was easy and one storyline was a little obvious, but I was enjoying the escapism of Hannah, Lainey, and Tyson escaping their lives and others’ expectations.
These three met in college and had a fourth friend who died by suicide right before college. As a result of losing their friend, they agree to always be there for each other and never miss a call. They even name their promise the Summer Pact after her. (When I first saw this title, I thought it was seasonal summer, not a person Summer.)
I will say Hannah got a little annoying. Her character is so well written because a lot of us know people like her who are living to appease their parents and traditions. She thought she knew what was best for others, but rarely acted on what’s best for her.
I think Tyson was my favorite because of how direct he was and didn’t leave anyone guessing. He was very logical and reasonable.
Lainey. Sweet girl. She has been through it with her family and is in a career that leads to a lot of mental health struggles. Yes, she does have rage or diva tendencies, but I still have a soft spot for her.
I didn’t plan to read this book when I did, but I’m glad I did. It kind of works out with it being currently NYE and this is about three friends in their 30s hitting the reset button.
TW: suicide.
I do appreciate how thoughtful Giffin is in writing a trigger warning at the beginning of her book and the kind note at the end of her acknowledgements.
The writing was easy and one storyline was a little obvious, but I was enjoying the escapism of Hannah, Lainey, and Tyson escaping their lives and others’ expectations.
These three met in college and had a fourth friend who died by suicide right before college. As a result of losing their friend, they agree to always be there for each other and never miss a call. They even name their promise the Summer Pact after her. (When I first saw this title, I thought it was seasonal summer, not a person Summer.)
I will say Hannah got a little annoying. Her character is so well written because a lot of us know people like her who are living to appease their parents and traditions. She thought she knew what was best for others, but rarely acted on what’s best for her.
I think Tyson was my favorite because of how direct he was and didn’t leave anyone guessing. He was very logical and reasonable.
Lainey. Sweet girl. She has been through it with her family and is in a career that leads to a lot of mental health struggles. Yes, she does have rage or diva tendencies, but I still have a soft spot for her.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I sped through it, HOWEVER Lainey and Tyson barely made sense as friends let alone as people who are going to get married? Also was almost patronizing when explaining cultural differences like okay we get it
challenging
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
The Summer Pact began by jumping straight into a difficult event, so saying it was a “lighthearted” or “easy” read seems wrong. But that’s what it felt like - difficult subject matter written about in a non-heavy way. I enjoyed spending time with Lainey, Tyson, and Hannah, even with the difficulties they faced.
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide