Couldn’t get into anyone in this book. Too much jumping perspectives, avoided communication, and wasn’t in the mood to watch the mother-daughter bond disintegration that was being heavily foreshadowed.

I am a huge fan of Jill Shalvis and was thrilled to receive an early copy of The Friendship Pact. This is a small-town, second-chance romance, set in Sunrise Cove, Lake Tahoe, California. Each novel in the Sunrise Cove series is a standalone, so you don't need to worry about reading them in order.

Tae and her mother April have lived their lives teetering on the edge of poverty since April became pregnant with Tae at the age of fifteen - and was promptly disowned by her family. Twenty-seven years later, April and Tae are incredibly close, determined that nothing will come between them, until a chance remark by a stranger sets Tae on the trail of the father she thought was dead. She's helped on her quest by her ex-high-school boyfriend, Riggs, recently returned to Sunrise Cove to help his brother Jake run an adventure company for people with disabilities, including ex-soldiers - both Riggs and Jake are veterans.

Despite being intensely drawn to each other, Tae and Riggs agree to remain just good friends, but as they spend more and more time together, keeping their relationship platonic becomes impossible. Should they give up and have a short fling? After all, what could possibly go wrong?

The Friendship Pact is as much about family and friends as it is about romance. It is lovely to see the close bonds between Tae and April, and Riggs and Jake. But both Tae and Riggs have been hurt badly in the past, can they move on from that?

I loved the start of the story, where Tae, who is having a nightmare of an evening, accidently gets into Rigg's car, thinking he's a Uber driver, then walks straight into what appears to be a hold-up at a grocery story - all because she wants to drown her sorrows in ice-cream! Another favourite is the scene where Jake tries to teach Riggs about feelings: in particular, talking about them! It's both hilarious and touching.

The Friendship Pact is a feel-good romantic comedy about second chances and the importance of talking through problems, rather than trying to avoid them, and opening up emotionally - otherwise, how is anyone you care about going to know how you feel?!! It would suit anyone who loves romantic comedy with heart and fans of Sarah Morgan and Susan Mallery. The third story in this series, The Backup Plan, will be out in January 2023 - I can't wait!


Thank you to Jill Shalvis and Headline Eternal for my copy of this book, which I requested via NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.

Such a good story.

Tae and Riggs know each other from high school. Both had home lives that were not the best. Tae stayed and made a great business out of party planning. Riggs got out and joined the military. Now home, he sees her and all the feelings come back from high school.

Loved the story and would love to hear more about the town.

I really enjoyed this story. Whatever I felt like Jill was missing in the previous Sunrise Cove novel, she delivered this time. I think I just love the "he falls first" trope, and Riggs was smitten. There were certain parts that I couldn't figure out why they felt like such a big deal, but I've also never been through those life events so I recognize that perhaps I can't relate. This was a nice little palate cleanser after some tougher books and I'm thankful for that.

What I read: The Friendship Pact by Jill Shalvis

Why I picked it up: Found it on the shelf at the library and I think I’ve read her before and liked her. Susan Mallery endorses her, and I think I’ve read all of Susan’s books now.

How I read it: On paper in two days (a common timeline for me).

What it’s about: Tae and her mother, April, are very close as they practically raised each other. April got pregnant with Tae at 15 and most of their life has been quite the struggle, but now things are going pretty well. Then Riggs comes home for the summer – and now Tae can’t get that one night when she was 17 out of her head. Will they pick up where they left off, or will they just be friends.

What I liked: Tae goes searching for her birth father throughout this story, and that was quite interesting to read about.

What I disliked: April lied to Tae her whole life – as someone who understands what that’s like, it was hard to read.

Genre: Single mother, second chances, closed door.

Rating & Recommendation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and yes – it’s part of a series of 3, but I haven’t read the others yet, so I think it can stand alone.

This is the second book of the Sunrise Cove series but can totally be read as a stand-alone. The characters are different just the setting is the same (Lake Tahoe).

This story is primarily told through the POVs of Tae and Riggs, who were once HS sweethearts and are brought back together when Riggs returns back to Sunrise Cove after being in the marines. Both characters have had tough pasts and hide their vulnerability through their tough exterior, but they are the MCs you’ll want to route for, especially as they begin to break down their walls.

The second plot focus on Tae and her mother April. As April had Tae when she was only 15 and her father was never in the picture, they’ve had a pretty codependent relationship. In this story, their relationship hits a rough patch (don’t want give any spoilers), and their chapters dive into the complexity of this mother/ daughter duo.

As a whole, I liked this story a lot and found it to be the perfect balance between dysfunction family drama and a second chance romance. Great dialogue, witty banter and a great HEA for all!!

When Tae mistakes a car for her Uber she doesn't expect to come face to face with Riggs, she hasn't seen him since high school, and she definitely didn't expect their night to take a turn after an incident at the grocery store.

Riggs is back in town but only for the summer, he hopes to help his brother with their business and take a break after he just left the military and prepares for his next job.

While he is in town Tae and Riggs have to work together and the proximity is bringing back memories and hidden feeling for both but Tae is looking for a long-term relationship while Riggs is only staying in town temporarily.

Tae is questioning a lot of thing in her life, her father was a mystery for her whole life, she is ready to get some answers but her mother doesn't seem willing to help, she must find out on her own.

I liked their chemistry and the romance a lot, the relationship proceed in a slower pace due to the uncertainties that surrounded them byt it was very fun to see them rediscovering their attraction.

* I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.