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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
This is a generous 3, more like a 2.5. Linden is everything I hate in a MMC, which meant I couldn't even root for these two. Not to mention ridiculously stupid third act break ups will always automatically lower the rating too.
Yup another great book by Karina Halle!
I finally saw a book which touched the every day problems of 20 to 30 years old people. Linden and Stephanie are these two heroes. They begin with a funny act; they make a pact in which they will marry each other by the time they turn thirty. But what happens when they come to realize that they do have feelings for each other, apart from friendship?
Stephanie is the first POV. She is sweet, funny with deep thoughts about her future and her dreams. As the book progress we see her transform from an outgoing woman into an adult with more thoughts about her closest people and soon she realizes that Linden is more than a simple friend. She is also afraid about how this part will affect their friendship.
Linden, as the second POV, is Scottish, pilot and sexy. What more can I say? His moments on the book are the one I laughed and cried the most. Especially since I didn't expect the last part close to the end of the book.
All the characters on the book struggle, love and hate, cry and become stronger through their mistekes. It's a deep emotional book and one of Karina's best ones, after "Love in Spanish."
I finally saw a book which touched the every day problems of 20 to 30 years old people. Linden and Stephanie are these two heroes. They begin with a funny act; they make a pact in which they will marry each other by the time they turn thirty. But what happens when they come to realize that they do have feelings for each other, apart from friendship?
Stephanie is the first POV. She is sweet, funny with deep thoughts about her future and her dreams. As the book progress we see her transform from an outgoing woman into an adult with more thoughts about her closest people and soon she realizes that Linden is more than a simple friend. She is also afraid about how this part will affect their friendship.
Linden, as the second POV, is Scottish, pilot and sexy. What more can I say? His moments on the book are the one I laughed and cried the most. Especially since I didn't expect the last part close to the end of the book.
All the characters on the book struggle, love and hate, cry and become stronger through their mistekes. It's a deep emotional book and one of Karina's best ones, after "Love in Spanish."
I could've really loved this one if Linden didn't make me so angry. I have to deduct a star because of his poor decision making skills. I still loved him though and I enjoyed this book.
Zbyt dziwna nawet jak dla mnie. Nie mogę się wczuć, zrozumieć bohaterki i patrzeć na ten absurd pomylek
I loved this book. From the minute I heard about it I was stalking the author's facebook page looking for when it was coming out. I just knew I was going to love this. Books that I feel that strongly about can sometimes disappoint but not this. Yes there was some stupidity (Linden!!) but it wasn't so much that I wanted to throw my ipad across the room. It was sweet and fun and sexy. Just perfect. I know this book was a departure for the author and she just nailed it. I think it would be AMAZING if we got a little novella sometime down the line revisiting Linden and Steph. They are seriously one of my favorite couples ever. Amazing job! I hope you write more like this in the future!!
Karina said she was nervous switching over to something less gritty and not suspenseful as her usual style, but she did not have to worry. She writes contemporary romance like she’s been doing it all along. It was sweet, it was romantic, and it was just the right kind of angsty. A great read when you’re looking for something to make your heart soar for a little while without worrying about having your heart torn to shreds in the process.
“And yet for all its warmth and gentleness, the way his lips linger luxuriously on mine, it undoes me. As if I were held together with string, this kiss is the knife that slowly cuts me loose.”
Stephanie and Linden are best friends…who are both attracted to each other, but keep it to themselves. Over one drunken night, Linden and Steph agree on a pact–if they are both single at the age of 30, they’ll get married. Steph doesn’t believe it’s a serious bet, but she agrees. She pinky swears, which is a big deal. This happens in their early twenties. We see how their lives change chapter by chapter as they each get a year older starting at age 26. One of those “someone is always with someone so they don’t really have to worry about that attraction just yet” things happen each year they age. Makes me think of those romances that fate has a hand in, like neither of them were ready for what they could be to each other until a certain point in time. So, they both tried to find their relationships each year.
“This was so good. Too good. My Linden. This was with my Linden. I don’t think I will ever be the same. No. I know I won’t be. I can’t be, not after this. There is no going back.”
Steph was funny. She was completely someone that any common woman could relate to. A woman with a plan of what she wants to be, and wants nothing more than to make that dream come true–opening her own clothing store. And while she’s looking for love, that doesn’t define her and I loved that. Her and Linden’s friendship was truly sweet. They worked really well as best friends. We all know the best kind of relationships are the ones who build that friendship first. Linden is Scottish…I should have said that way up in the first paragraph, huh? It’s a pretty big thing, he says things like, “aye.” Which, hello, *swoon*. I digress…he’s never been loved before. He has parents who are the kind that only have kids for selfish reasons, maybe furthering their career or the public view on the household. So he grew up not really ever having that closeness or any sort of bond. It seems the only close bond he has is with Steph.
“‘Nine years. I’ve been waiting nine years for this. Nine years to finally have you the way I’ve always needed you.'”
I don’t want to give too much away, so that’s all I’ll say giving a bit of the story background. What I will say, though, is their first kiss…WOWSA. That’s all I’m saying, but holy cow. Karina has a way with words, truly, whether that be with suspense, paranormal, or contemporary romance. She can really write in any genre (as long as it’s romance, because..duh…the men she writes), but I truly enjoyed The Pact. The build-up, the friendship, the relationship, and even the bit of heartbreak all worked out to make a great story. It’s a light, fun story that also brings heat and passion along with it. Definitely a great story!
“He’s steady. He’s reliable. He is my rock. He is my Linden. Always has been. Always will be.”
“And yet for all its warmth and gentleness, the way his lips linger luxuriously on mine, it undoes me. As if I were held together with string, this kiss is the knife that slowly cuts me loose.”
Stephanie and Linden are best friends…who are both attracted to each other, but keep it to themselves. Over one drunken night, Linden and Steph agree on a pact–if they are both single at the age of 30, they’ll get married. Steph doesn’t believe it’s a serious bet, but she agrees. She pinky swears, which is a big deal. This happens in their early twenties. We see how their lives change chapter by chapter as they each get a year older starting at age 26. One of those “someone is always with someone so they don’t really have to worry about that attraction just yet” things happen each year they age. Makes me think of those romances that fate has a hand in, like neither of them were ready for what they could be to each other until a certain point in time. So, they both tried to find their relationships each year.
“This was so good. Too good. My Linden. This was with my Linden. I don’t think I will ever be the same. No. I know I won’t be. I can’t be, not after this. There is no going back.”
Steph was funny. She was completely someone that any common woman could relate to. A woman with a plan of what she wants to be, and wants nothing more than to make that dream come true–opening her own clothing store. And while she’s looking for love, that doesn’t define her and I loved that. Her and Linden’s friendship was truly sweet. They worked really well as best friends. We all know the best kind of relationships are the ones who build that friendship first. Linden is Scottish…I should have said that way up in the first paragraph, huh? It’s a pretty big thing, he says things like, “aye.” Which, hello, *swoon*. I digress…he’s never been loved before. He has parents who are the kind that only have kids for selfish reasons, maybe furthering their career or the public view on the household. So he grew up not really ever having that closeness or any sort of bond. It seems the only close bond he has is with Steph.
“‘Nine years. I’ve been waiting nine years for this. Nine years to finally have you the way I’ve always needed you.'”
I don’t want to give too much away, so that’s all I’ll say giving a bit of the story background. What I will say, though, is their first kiss…WOWSA. That’s all I’m saying, but holy cow. Karina has a way with words, truly, whether that be with suspense, paranormal, or contemporary romance. She can really write in any genre (as long as it’s romance, because..duh…the men she writes), but I truly enjoyed The Pact. The build-up, the friendship, the relationship, and even the bit of heartbreak all worked out to make a great story. It’s a light, fun story that also brings heat and passion along with it. Definitely a great story!
“He’s steady. He’s reliable. He is my rock. He is my Linden. Always has been. Always will be.”
slow-paced
Third act breakup was what made me DNF. I loved Linden but breaking up with Steph was stupid. I hated that the beginning of the book is the FMC aging 5 years and the ONLY way she describes herself getting older is by her body weight. I had two books of Karina’s in my cart, and deleted them. I’m not reading anymore of this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
I really do enjoy Karina Halle's books, however this one wasn't my favorite. There wasn't enough to separate this book from so many others in the genre, so while it was an enjoyable read, it doesn't get four or five stars from me. It's sort of a typical friends to lovers story. Also, there is a sort of love triangle, which I know irks some people (doesn't really bother me) but it felt like there were almost too many conflicts, such that when the make or break conflict hits at around 80% the reader sort of feels like, "really? He's really going to do that, now?" It just didn't make sense to me. Also the fact that the resolution takes three months and a move across country to attain, felt both unnatural and irritating to me.
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes