Reviews with content warning for Suicide - The Summer Pact

The definition of fine - an easy quick read but nothing groundbreaking. Take it or leave it. The first 85% of the book was very compelling, but I found the last 15% very very rushed unsatisfying

My main qualm is Giffin’s writing of Tyson - it felt very much like a white woman trying to write a black man. I also didn’t love

Tyson and Lainey’s romance

in this book that’s supposed to be about friendship? Also in one of the last chapters she uses Lainey’s name when it’s supposed to be her POV? “Lainey says”

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littlecaryl's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Emily Giffin's The Summer Pact is a captivating novel that delves into the complexities of friendship, love, and betrayal. The story revolves around three college friends, Sloane, Carter, and Ben, who reunite after twenty years. As they reconnect, old secrets resurface, and new tensions arise, threatening to unravel their carefully constructed lives.

A departure from Giffin's usual chick-lit, romantic comedies, the exploration of themes such as forgiveness, loyalty, and the enduring power of friendship elevate the novel.

Highly recommend it to anyone seeking a compelling, emotional and thought provoking story.

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b00kluvrbea's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

had higher hopes and naively thought it was literally going to be a happy ish summer thought.

Honestly the leadup to summer was pretty triggering.

and the resolutions weren’t very strong across all 3 characters. or did they really delve into their relationships with summer and

her death

. overall a fine read that i was engaged with though. wouldn’t necessarily recommend

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mgierosky's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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yarrowlinden's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.5

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laurenhans20's review against another edition

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Writing felt very childish and couldn't distinguish each character from the next

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heidilreads's review against another edition

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3.75

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strawberrymivvy's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This was an OK read, but the introduction, whilst potentially important, was also a huge spoiler for how the novel is going to go.

The characters were somewhat two dimensional and made life-changing decisions seemingly at the drop of a hat with little consideration, but likeable for all that.

I didn't like that the story played into the trope that you can't just be friends with a person of the opposite sex, and everyone needs a happy ever after. The route to getting there was a little different to normal, particularly the travel element, but again, it all felt a little too perfect.

Good for a wet Sunday afternoon or an easy beach read

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