Wasn't my favorite Halle book, but since all her books are awesome, it was still damn good.

My Thoughts: I so completely love Karina Halle; I'd read her grocery list. Everything she writes is so freaking good, and despite The Pact being much different than any of the other books she's written, it was just as perfect as the others

The story: Linden and Stephanie are best friends. They've been best friends since the moment Stephanie walked into his friend James' Bar and got a job there, and began dating James. As you can imagine, Steph and James broke up and moved on with their lives and Linden, Steph, and James became best friends. Of course, the chemistry between Steph and Linden had been hot from the moment she met him, though he didn't/couldn't make a move because James snatched her up first, and with the whole "bro's before ho's" mentality, she had become off limits to Linden.

Fast forward a few years and a few drinks. Linden and Steph are at the bar, both complaining about their relationship woes, and they decide on a friendly pact. If neither of them are in a serious relationship by 30, they'll just marry each other. Stephanie thinks Linden is joking, though he's dead serious, and the two agree nonetheless. James hates the idea, of course, because he may still be in love with her. What ensues is an amazing story that begs the question, can men and women actually be "just friends"

Verdict: I loved this book so much. Stephanie and Linden are so perfect for each other, and the characters themselves are just flawed enough to be realistic. I also liked that this story was absolutely believable. Even I made a deal with a best friend that I would marry them if I reached 40 and had no prospects. Of course, she was a girl despite me being a heterosexual, and it was made as a joke, but still. The only thing that stopped me from giving this book a perfect 5 stars was James' character. Sometimes I felt he said things aloud that no person would actually admit, and it frustrated me a bit. Still, 4.5 stars and an awesome read.

Worth the wait!

Ever since Christmas I have had a gift card burning a hole in my pocket. Ever since I found out about this book I was so ready for Karina to take my money. Even though there was a little delay yesterday, it was definitely worth the wait!

4 stars

Very sweet and sexy story about friends to lovers. Heavy on the angst that makes you root for them to end up together. So different for this author, but I liked it.

I'm surprised by the DNFs here, but I listened to the audiobook, so maybe that made a difference here. There were times I didn't love the H and h, but it felt like how I thought the characters would act in real life, if that makes any sense. Friends to lovers is my favorite trope, so I enjoyed the book.

4.5 stars

Good read, I just wish they didn't take so long to get together!

Una storia unica e per niente scontata.
Stephanie e Linden sono dei protagonisti con la P maiuscola.
Steph con il suo amore unico che finalmente prende vita.
Linden che da playboy diventa serio per l'unica ragazza che veramente ha amato.
Letta tutta d'un fiato perché non si può non leggere questa storia.

This was a free download from Bookbub but I wanted it because I read "Smut" by Karina Halle and really enjoyed it. I also felt like I needed some "light" reading after reading a heavier subject. And for thinking that, I'm sorry because too many people relegate "romance" novels into the lighter category but for that author, they still put their heart and soul into writing that book and I'm sorry for thinking it was less than.

Now, the book. Linden and Steph make a drunken pact when they are 25 that if they are not in serious relationships by the time they are 30 they will get married. Then we see how the following years treat Linden and Steph and the various relationships they have but the marriage pact is always in the back of their mind.

Steph was a very strong female character who took shit from no one and actually said "I want someone to want to fight for me!" and you go girl! We should all have that someone. Linden pissed me off when he thought he was doing the right thing but for the most part, he was a dreamy character. I enjoyed this book immensely and I must say, it's a sexy, hawt book while at the same time is full of the feels. 5 stars from me!

3 stars!

I've read other books by Karina Halle and loved all of them, so when I read The Pact I was expecting something else... To me, it was a pretty shallow story in comparison of what I was used to from this author, to be honest.

I still liked it a lot, but it didn't made me feel anything, except for the last 15% or so.. that was when I was finally waiting to see how everything was going to get fixed.

At first, It was a very entertaining and fast read, but then it took me so long to finish it. I kept reading but the only thing I wanted was to get to the end as soon as possible, and that's not a good thing about a book.

However, my favorite character of the story was with no doubt Steph. I loved her, she was strong, independent, brave and very real. I felt her, and that's one of the things I like when I read something.

Linden was not my favorite hero. I mean, I kinda liked him when he was friends with Steph, but then suddenly it was all sex and dirty remarks from him and nothing else. I was expecting more from the way things got complicated, their relationship or situation wasn't an easy one, and yet the only thing that seemed to change were the benefits.

Okay, there was hot sex, but still... I needed something more. And the way things happened at the end fixed it a bit, but still it was an easy way out to make things right.

I liked Penny and the rest of the girls a lot, and I didn't even like James from the start. He was so selfish and full of himself. He didn't deserve my pity or compassion for him at any moment. He was an annoying character to me.

But still... it was a nice read, I love those stories where they go from friendship to the next level, this one just didn't do for me. I'm not sure if I'll read the next books of the series, I'd like to give them a try because I really like this author and her writing style. So we'll see.