1.62k reviews for:

The Summer Pact

Emily Giffin

3.3 AVERAGE

mnreadingmama's review

3.0

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Emily Giffin is one of my auto-read authors and has been for years, so of course I was thrilled to get a copy of her newest release.

The Summer Pact follows a group of college friends as they navigate their friendship in the wake of a tragedy and as they grow into adulthood. This book was definitely a quick read and was entertaining enough, but ultimately, it wasn’t a hit for me.

While it did make it an easy read, the writing felt pretty juvenile and simplistic to me. It’s told in alternating points-of-view from 3 characters but none of them had a discernible voice, so I kept forgetting whose POV I was reading. The characters felt like they could have been much more developed in general.

The plot had a lot of potential to really explore some difficult concepts but it felt like there was too much going on without really my going deep into any of it. Ultimately I just didn’t feel invested in any of the characters or their stories. And the end felt like too much was crammed in at once and it ended in such a tidy bow, it felt overly saccharine and forced.

This book was fine. I didn’t hate it but it left me wanting more and ultimately was pretty forgettable.

Thanks to @netgalley and @ballantinecorp for the free egalley in exchange for an honest review.

hauntinglife's review

4.0

emotional funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

mtysiak14's review

3.0

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

cthrope's review

3.5

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Suicide

Moderate: Death of parent

bherrmann525's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

beachreading1's review

3.0

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I went into this book blind as I do with most books to avoid any spoilers. I have read several of Emily’s past books and always look forward to the next one. This one took me be surprise as I was not expecting a heavier topic in a book with such a fun summer type cover. The story is about three friends who make a pact during college to always be there for one another. Hannah, Lainey and Tyson form a friendship during college and after college go about their lives across the country. They are reunited when Hannah calls in the pact. The audiobook is narrated by JD Jackson, Karissa Vacker, and Alex McKenna.

jhahn13's review

3.0

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Decent but deals with some serious issues. I just want to know how these young professionals have so much money to travel!

chelsnichole's review against another edition

4.25

emotional inspiring lighthearted 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

action_chatman's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful sad tense 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

kailpb's review

3.0

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes