We have a lot of eARC’s and we want to promote them a little bit more. So we decided to do some more Bookish Beginnings On Friday. Today I wanted to share the beginning of The Break-Up Pact with you all. I don’t read a lot of romance books, but I do love a good story about fake dating! So I just had to give this one a try. Let’s see how it starts!
Two best friends who haven’t spoken in ten years pretend to date after break-ups with their respective exes go viral, in this delightfully fun and deeply emotional novel from New York Times bestselling author Emma Lord.
June and Levi were best friends as teenagers—until the day they weren’t. Now June is struggling to make rent on her beachside tea shop, Levi is living a New York cliché as a disillusioned hedge fund manager and failed novelist, and they’ve barely spoken in years.
But after they both experience public, humiliating break-ups with their exes that spread like wildfire across TikTok rabbit holes and daytime talk shows alike, they accidentally make some juicy gossip of their own—a photo of them together has the internet convinced they’re a couple. With so many people rooting for them, they decide to put aside their rocky past and make a pact to fuel the fire. Pretending to date will help June’s shop get back on its feet and make Levi’s ex realize that she made a mistake. All they have to do is convince the world they’re in love, one swoon-worthy photo opp at a time.
Two viral break-ups. One fake relationship. Five sparkling, heart-pounding dates. June and Levi can definitely pull this off without their hearts getting involved. Because everyone knows fake dating doesn’t come with real feelings. Right?
Before I took over Tea Tide, I imagined running a tea shop by the ocean would be like something out of a Hallmark movie. I’d wear dainty outfits with Peter Pan collars. Customers would wave on their way in and greet me by name. My doting boyfriend would interrupt the morning rush to plant a quick kiss on my cheek at the register, and he’d marvel at how fast my confections were selling.
I definitely wouldn’t be wearing the same pilly leggings and flour-stained apron for the third day in a row as a wide-eyed stranger walks up to the counter and demands; “Are you Crying Girl?”
The first bit didn’t grab me right away and just based on that I don’t think I would’ve continued reading. However, the next bit got me immediately! “Are you Crying Girl?” Uuuh, what’s going on there?! My curiosity was triggered right then and there and I continued reading for a bit.
From the first chapter I gathered that I enjoy the writing style and the tone of the story. I don’t love the main character but overall I do enjoy reading about the characters. Hopefully that will continue to be the case!
I have pretty high hopes for this one based on the beginning. For someone who doesn’t read and enjoy that much romance, this might be a good book for when you do want some romance. I will update you all once I’ve finished the book! Do you want to read this one? What do you think based on the first couple of sentences? Let me know in the comments down below!
