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.

2.5-2.75 Stars
The story wasn't convincing enough. Just because they have sexual chemistry, it doesn't mean love. Also not much was happening plot wise and what was there was predictable.
It wasn't awful, but it wasn't amazing either.

Overall, an average read.

Holy fucking shit...it's 6:30 am and I just finished reading this and I LOVED It!! Linden & Stephanie gave me life and I would personally love to thank Karina Halle for creating such amazing characters. This story has so much depth and realness with the right amount of humor and sexiness. The tumultuous relationships in the book gave me freaking whiplash and had me begging for more and that is exactly what I got. This was my first Karina Halle book and it will not be my last!!

P.S. Karina I am not opposed to a sequel.

One of those novels I enjoyed but just couldn't quite buy all the way into. Like, and I have no delusions that 4 days in the country makes me an expert but Linden's use of Scottish slang words was off ("when I was a wee lass"...pretty sure only girls can be lassies) and it was definitely sporadic...but now I've started with the nitpickiest bit of critique.

I connected with the characters fairly well, but couldn't stand the little dramatic run up to the conclusion. I get that every syory needs some dramatic tension and lots of romance novels do this but if you're going to do a breakup and get back together either make it convincing or use that stupid reason/miscommunication/etc, at least make it a little messier on the get together. Because if one party isn't getting that they are good enough for the relationship, that they "don't deserve" the other person, there are serious issues in the relationship to work out. But it is such a common trope and plot device and I am only a month into my latest romance binge and I have seen enough of it already.

Loved this book! James, Linden, and Steph were such interesting people. I enjoyed seeing their relationships change & grow. Wanted to knock James upside the head several times during the story, but was happy to see him get things figured out in the end. Cowboy and Baby Blue...where to begin. The evolution of their romance was so much fun to follow. I really appreciated the fact that they each went out and did their own thing, while remaining close friends. I loved that their romance was a "slow burn" up to the point that they became lovers. Excellent story telling, terrific characters, and a hot romance! One of my favorite books of the year!