Thank you to William Morrow Avon, and Netgalley for an ARC of this book! I’ve willingly read and reviewed it. All opinions are my own.

At this point in my reading career, I can confidently say I am a Jill Shalvis connoisseur. I’ve read almost all her books and the commonality between all of them is that they’re enjoyable. You’re never going to get a Shalvis-authored book where you’re rolling your eyes at the cliches or annoyed by the characters.

However, THE FRIENDSHIP PACT, though just as enjoyable as all Shavis’s other books, had something extra special. I loved the main characters: Tae and her mother April (an even closer GILMORE GIRLS-like relationship, if you can imagine) who practically grew up together and have overcome numerous obstacles together, and Riggs, one of Tae’s only friends from her miserable high school days and maybe one of my favorite Shalvis heroes ever.

THE FRIENDSHIP PACT follows Tae as she reconnects with Riggs when he comes into town for the summer to help out his brother with their company that offers support and fun activities for wounded warriors and the disadvantaged. Immediately they recognize that the spark that ignited when they were teens never dimmed and, if they have any chance of going their separate ways when Riggs has to leave for a big job in Washington, D.C. at the end of the summer, they need to make a pact to remain just friends to avoid getting hurt when their time together ends.

Both Tae and Riggs have similar issues that have kept them from really getting into lasting and meaningful relationships, but unlike a lot of other novels where these issues are explored, both characters work on their insecurities and they don’t become the reason behind the dreaded 80-90% breakdown of the main relationship. I loved that Tae and Riggs were each able to eventually recognize their previous patterns and thus came to conclusions about their relationship without it being the main conflict.

There were so many aspects of THE FRIENDSHIP PACT to love, and to write about them would have this review going on longer than necessary. Bottom line: I loved it and I’m already looking forward to the next in the series and anything else Jill Shalvis writes.

The Friendship Pact, book two in the Sunrise Cove series, is no exception to the fact that every time I read a book by Jill Shalvis I fall in love with the characters she creates.This story exemplifies Shalvis’ sense of humor, the personalities she gifts unto her characters, allowing the reader to connect with each of them. This amazing story is about how the past, family, and friends can affect our present and how hard it is to open up and faith in others again; even love again.

This is a second chance, emotional romance about two broken people, who need each other as much as they don’t believe they need each other. Riggs Copeland came from a tough home life and then became a Marine for years, while Tae Holmes, grew up, with her teenage mother and no father; taking care of her mother more than her mother took care of Tae. April has a role in this story, one that can affect the outcome of Tae’s search for her dad and her relationship with Riggs. Tae and Riggs, had their own demons, that they effectively used as a shield to protect them from emotional entanglements, especially in their adult lives. Tae and Riggs each saw something in the other that makes them want to lower those shields to see what could come of actually letting someone in on a deeper level. Being able to find someone who was able to see past the devil-may-care attitudes to the real person underneath; finding ways to validate and help heal each other, as well as themselves.

Once again Ms. Shalvis delivers a sweet, lovable story. Tae and Riggs need each other almost as much as Tae needed to build a relationship with her father and it becomes the perfect life for them, living in Sunshine Cove. The passion, the snark, the laugh-out-loud moments, the tears, the difficult situations, the pain, the memories, are all handled with a sense of empathy or compassion so the reader falls more in love with the characters and the story. I highly recommend The Friendship Pact to other readers and look forward to what’s next in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Yikes the school scene made me extremely uncomfortable

5/5 ⭐️
Romance, 384 pages
No Spoilers Review

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this book, I found it to be a fantastic read! The author does an amazing job of creating life-like characters and then throwing them into situations that are not only very realistic, but for many people, very familiar as well. The result is a story that is as relatable as it is captivating. I went through quite a range of emotions while reading - from being happy and cheering Tae on, to being angry and wanting to shake some sense into Riggs.

I read the book in two sittings, but could have easily done it in one if I had had the time. It definitely grabbed my attention early, and stubbornly refused to let it go until the very end.

Things I liked: 
* The characters being so life-like
* The witty humour mixed in
* How real the story was
* The evolving dynamic between Tae and Riggs

Things I didn’t like: 
* The only thing I can think of worth mentioning here is so minor I almost didn't include it. The relationship between Tae and April seemed a bit off to me. Can't quite put my finger on why.

☀️ I would recommend this book to anyone. Just read the first chapter, and the book will do the rest!