3.5 stars

DNF I didn't find myself likening the characters, especially James. I also got tired of reading about Linden and Steph dating other people. The book just seemed to drag.

This was so bad.

The supposed best friends had absolutely no chemistry as friends and even less when they became lovers.

"I wanted people to close the book (or shut off their Kindle) and smile and enjoy the last five hours they spent reading it."

Well, Ms. Halle I'd have to say you definitely delivered. The Pact not only made me smile, but I truly enjoyed it. Halle definitely stepped outside her usual style with this one and I'm glad she did. If you're expecting a gritty novel then you aren't going to find it here. Instead, what you'll find is a light, fun great romantic read. Though there is definitely some angst - after all it wouldn't be a Karina Halle novel without it.

The Pact delivered on the "Friends to Lover" trope phenomenally. I was eating up every interaction between Linden and Steph - anxiously awaiting to see when they would finally kiss. While it took a while to get there, it was definitely worth the wait. There's nothing I love better than a book with a slow burn and this had that in spades. There was some serious tension between Linden and Steph - I couldn't believe they waited so long to act on it.

Not only was the romance great, but so were Steph and Linden, and almost all of the secondary characters. There were a few characters I wouldn't have minded slapping across the face. I know this is a standalone, but I would not be disappointed if Halle decided to write a book featuring some of the other characters we had the pleasure of meeting - maybe Bram or James and Penny ;)

If you love Karina Halle, you'll love The Pact. And if you've never read a book by Halle then I definitely suggest you check this one out. You'll become a Karina Halle fanatic in no time.

2.5 stars. I liked Stephanie and I enjoyed the chemistry between her and Linden. However, Linden was so immature and too concerned about his image. I just wanted to smack him throughout the entire book. And the bros before hos thing keeping them apart? It felt like they were trying to make something out of a whole lot of nothing. Why hide their relationship when they finally got together? They were 30, not 13!

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MINI REVIEW

DNF at 72%

I love stories regarding friendships blossoming into relationships but for me The Pact did not engage me as much as I had hoped. It was pretty inevitable that something was to happen between the main characters and when it did I felt rather uncomfortable reading it that much so I didn't feel I could carry on with the book.

This was a fun read. Hello Scottish hunk Linden and your dirty talk. I enjoy a good friends to lovers book, and this one didn't disappoint. I had no big lovies for Linden's friend James though. What an a-hole! I did wish they would've gotten together sooner, the book was half over. It was still a great story!

Lindon's voice narrator was HOT. Who doesn't love a nice Scotsman???? Could have had the whole story in his POV and I would have swooned the whole thing.

I love the concept. I know I set one with a friend many years ago, but we both found love way before we were 40 (our set age). This one was a bit different b/c Lindon was actually in love with Stephanie. He should have just jumped ahead and dated her instead of waiting. I get (sorta) why he did it, but still when I made mine it wasn't b/c I secretly loved him, it was a true Plan B.

My other issue was that epilogue, I loved the little blindfolded scene, then it just got wordy. I needed need introspective monologue, I wanted future outcome.

One word to describe this. ANGST. Oh so much angst in first half of this book. And yet again later on in the story, it was quite frustrating at times because I wanted the story to go one way & it just wasn't. But at the same time, brilliant job on Karina's part for eliciting such emotions from me with her writing. Of course, she finally gave me what I wanted, only to change again & keep me on my toes. I couldn't put this book down. I wanted to finish it & have her give me exactly what I wanted at the end.

The characters were just wonderful. I really loved Stephanie & Linden. I mean who wouldn't, they were both great characters. And Linden, oh man what a hunk. Add him to the book boyfriend list. Stephanie is a very strong female character & it was such a pleasure going through this story with her. I really did like James & I thought his character was just what the story needed. I absolutely adored Penny, I thought she was just perfect for the story. That being said, as I'm sure it's not a surprise, I really hated Nadine. But I think that was the point of her character, she was just never shown as a likable character, but then again the story needed her too. Without each of these characters, the story wouldn't be complete.

I was hooked from the synopsis because I always like stories where best friends take a chance on something more for whatever reason. I always think those are the best relationships because they have the most to lose so you're willing to fight even harder for the relationship. This is the first book that I've read by Karina, although I have plenty on my to-read list, and this did not disappoint. I definitely look forward to reading her other books.

Halle does a great job in doling out the narrative in alternating perspectives. I really enjoyed the characters and story, but I listened to the audiobook and neither of the performers could manage a decent Scottish accent. Most of the time, Linden sounded Irish, and maybe that wouldn't bother some listeners who can't distinguish between the two, but I found it really distracting.