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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
Because it was legit FREAKY. And a little too graphic. *shudders*
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This narrative evokes shades of a Hallmark movie infused with a modern touch, incorporating elements like TikTok. Instantly captivating, I found myself deeply immersed in the storyline. The character development of both protagonists resonated with me, and witnessing the evolution of their relationship was truly heartwarming.
Exploring themes of fake dating and second chances, the plot felt engaging overall, although there was a slight sense of something missing, though elusive. The subplot involving the sister's disapproval of the characters' union, while intriguing, lacked substantial background or rationale. It seemed somewhat disconnected from the narrative, serving primarily to illustrate the protagonists' initial discord, albeit in a somewhat contrived manner.
Despite these minor qualms, my overall fondness for the book remains unwavering.
Exploring themes of fake dating and second chances, the plot felt engaging overall, although there was a slight sense of something missing, though elusive. The subplot involving the sister's disapproval of the characters' union, while intriguing, lacked substantial background or rationale. It seemed somewhat disconnected from the narrative, serving primarily to illustrate the protagonists' initial discord, albeit in a somewhat contrived manner.
Despite these minor qualms, my overall fondness for the book remains unwavering.
Thank you to St. Martin and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.
I was instantly intrigued at the start of this book. Our female protagonist, June, is a constant underdog. She is a people pleaser, seemingly drowning under the guise of holding it all together.
The love interest, Levi, is depicted as a shy, sensitive guy who goes through the motions of life.
Both characters are emotionally stunted adults. They tend to either go status quo or choose avoidance when faced with change.
The book falls flat in the middle. It gets repetitive with fake dating, and in my opinion, not enough tension is built up. It isn't until the two leads get drunk that they are able to finally let go of their self-control. This is the point in the book where the book shines and builds momentum.
There is a spicy scene, and I would give it a heat index of 2/5.
June finally found her voice by the end of the book. She started to trust others, but more importantly, herself. I loved her story arc and found her to be such an endearing character
Overall, Levi and Jane's love story was very sweet. I loved how the ending came full circle.
The highlight of this book is Jane's best friend. She lit up the pages in every scene she was in.
Romance tropes: Second chance romance and fake dating
I was instantly intrigued at the start of this book. Our female protagonist, June, is a constant underdog. She is a people pleaser, seemingly drowning under the guise of holding it all together.
The love interest, Levi, is depicted as a shy, sensitive guy who goes through the motions of life.
Both characters are emotionally stunted adults. They tend to either go status quo or choose avoidance when faced with change.
The book falls flat in the middle. It gets repetitive with fake dating, and in my opinion, not enough tension is built up. It isn't until the two leads get drunk that they are able to finally let go of their self-control. This is the point in the book where the book shines and builds momentum.
There is a spicy scene, and I would give it a heat index of 2/5.
June finally found her voice by the end of the book. She started to trust others, but more importantly, herself. I loved her story arc and found her to be such an endearing character
Overall, Levi and Jane's love story was very sweet. I loved how the ending came full circle.
The highlight of this book is Jane's best friend. She lit up the pages in every scene she was in.
Romance tropes: Second chance romance and fake dating
“The Breakup Pact” had an intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver for me. June and Levi, once inseparable friends, reconnect under the guise of a fake relationship after their humiliating break-ups go viral. While the setup promised a fun exploration of rekindled romance and friendship, the execution felt a bit lackluster.
I struggled to connect with the characters; their backstory and the emotional depth of their past felt rushed and not fully developed. The pacing also dragged in parts, making it hard to stay engaged. The fake-dating trope can be delightful, but here, it often felt predictable and lacking in real tension.
While there were moments of humor and charm, they were overshadowed by a lack of genuine connection and depth. I wanted to love this book, but it left me wanting more. Overall, it’s a light read, but it didn’t resonate with me as I had hoped.
I struggled to connect with the characters; their backstory and the emotional depth of their past felt rushed and not fully developed. The pacing also dragged in parts, making it hard to stay engaged. The fake-dating trope can be delightful, but here, it often felt predictable and lacking in real tension.
While there were moments of humor and charm, they were overshadowed by a lack of genuine connection and depth. I wanted to love this book, but it left me wanting more. Overall, it’s a light read, but it didn’t resonate with me as I had hoped.
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Actually likable main characters and a sweet story
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A solid 3 star read. There was something nostalgic about the book that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. The book had almost everything I need for a great romcom- fake dating, cute setting, characters with similar interests to me…… but I just didn’t connect to the characters. I still would recommend - the writing was great! Wasn’t expecting the spice but it was a welcome addition too!
emotional
funny
inspiring
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:
Complicated