NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In the wake of tragedy, a group of friends makes a pact that will cause them to reunite a decade later and embark upon a life-changing adventure together—from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Meant to Be.
“Juicy, page-turning escapism.”—The New York Times
Four freshmen arrive at college from completely different worlds: Lainey, a California party girl with a flair for drama; Tyson, a brilliant scholar and aspiring lawyer from Washington, D.C.; Summer, an ambitious, recruited athlete from the Midwest; and Hannah, a mild-mannered southerner who is content to quietly round out the circle of big personalities. Soon after arriving on campus, they strike up a conversation in their shared dorm, and the seeds of friendship are planted.
As their college years fly by, their bond intensifies and the four become inseparable. But as graduation nears, their lives are forever changed after a desperate act leads to tragic consequences. Stunned and heartbroken, they make a pact, promising to always be there for one another, no matter how separated they may become by circumstances or distance.
Ten years later, Hannah is anticipating what should be one of the happiest moments of her life when everything is suddenly turned upside down. Calling on her closest friends, it soon becomes clear that they are all facing their own crossroads. True to their promise, they agree to take a time out from lives headed in wrong directions and embark on a shared journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and acceptance.
In this tender portrayal of grief, love, and hope, Emily Giffin asks: When things fall apart, who will be at our sides, helping us pick up the pieces?
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"Want to indulge in juicy, page-turning escapism? The Summer Pact is about a group of friends... [and] a reunion tour, a decade after college, inspired by a long-ago promise to turn to one another in times of need. [They] take turns narrating their trip to the Italian island of Capri, where closure may or may not await." —New York Times
"Giffin is at her best when she’s delving into the hard and sometimes outwardly questionable choices that her characters make in their pursuit of happiness, and her latest harks back to her bold, layered debut, Something Borrowed (2004). This thirty-something coming-into-one’s-own tale feels true to life, messy in all the best ways, and hopeful. A triumph."—Booklist (starred review)
"If you need a break from love and crime stories, try The Summer Pact, a novel about friendship. . . . Grief and redemption are big themes of this book. It’s not lighthearted reading, exactly, but it is deeply heartfelt."—Harper’s Bazaar
"A tender, heartfelt journey. . . Great writing is great storytelling—and that is what Emily Giffin does time and time again.” —Woman's World
In a story about friendship, grief, love and connection, Emily Giffin delivers another unforgettable tale." —SheKnows
"If Giffin is writing it, I’m going to be reading it."—Marie Claire
"I am a huge fan and so excited to read Emily’s new novel!"—Britney Spears (People)
"The Summer Pact is a great vacation read, filled with descriptions of wonderful food, fashion, breathtaking landscapes, and, eventually, romance. It has just enough serious topics—ranging from infidelity to suicide to alcoholism—to lend its situations and characters heft and substance, and to make their eventual happy endings that much harder-won. And it has just enough escapist moments to make it an ideal choice to pick up this summer, whether you plan to read it on the beaches of Capri or in a hammock in your own backyard." —Bookreporter
Overall rating: 3.9473684 / 5 from 38 reviews.
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Review highlights
Reviews
Love Emily Giffin But …. .
"I am a huge fan of Emily Giffin and have read all her books. This was a nice easy read but not one of her top books."
— Christine (3/5)
Great writer
"Love Emily Giffin novels. She really knows how to develop relationships on a page and make you feel for the charscters."
— Tina (5/5)
A keepsake, not just a good read
"The Life Thats Waiting is a book to pick up when you need a pick-up. Something you can come back to and re-read as many times as needed."
— Shelby (5/5)
Amazing Book!
"This book is about friends who come together to help each other through hard times in life. It is uplifting, captivating and an easy read."
— Chris (5/5)
Always read the disclaimer
"Book gets you hooked almost right away, found it a little hard to identify with the characters"
— Hind (4/5)
Not satisfied
"The last part seemed very rushed. I would love to return it and get my money back."
— Isa C. (3/5)
Poorly written
"I have been a huge fan of Emily Giffin and her novels. I feel that her writing has slipped with regards to her past two novels. This novels reads as if Giffin is an inexperienced writer, which she is not. She could always be counted on for her rich character development, but this novel misses that mark. I never really got to know or care about her characters. I miss her writing like it was- in """"Something Borrowed', for example."
— Lisa L. (1/5)
Great Read
"The Summer Pact is a quick read where friends come together for each other when friends need each other."
— Christina (4/5)
The title suits the storie
"I enjoyed Emily's latest. The beginning made me struggle with my own feelings of loss of a good friend, but like all her books I couldn't put it down."
— Aqua (5/5)
Another hit!
"Loved this story! Easy read, interesting characters. Read it on the beach. Great vacation read."
— Talie (5/5)
Q&A
Published date: Jul 01, 2025
Language: English
No. of Pages: 368
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
ISBN: 9780385688635
Dimensions:
5.5" W x
0.76" L x
8.18" H
EMILY GIFFIN is the author of twelve internationally bestselling novels: Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, Love the One You're With, Heart of the Matter, Where We Belong, The One & Only, First Comes Love, All We Ever Wanted, The Lies That Bind, Meant to Be and The Summer Pact. She lives in Atlanta with her family and two dogs.
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