We’ve all had those magical friendships that define our youth – the ones forged in late-night dorm room chats, shared dreams, and inside jokes that only your inner circle understands. But what happens when tragedy strikes and shatters that perfect bubble of carefree connection? In her latest novel The Summer Pact, Emily Giffin explores the complex bonds of college friendship and how they evolve (or unravel) in the face of heartbreak and the harsh realities of adulthood.
As a longtime fan of Giffin’s warm, relatable writing style, I was eager to dive into this story of four college friends reuniting a decade after a devastating loss. While The Summer Pact delivers Giffin’s signature blend of romance, drama and female friendship, it also attempts to tackle weightier themes like grief, addiction and sexuality with mixed results. Though uneven at times, this emotionally-charged tale still packs an emotional punch and will resonate with anyone who’s ever lost touch with old friends or wondered “what if?” about the paths not taken in life.
Plot Summary
The novel opens with Hannah, our narrator, reflecting on the intense friendships she formed as a college freshman with three very different women:
- Lainey – a free-spirited party girl from California
- Summer – a driven, perfectionist athlete from the Midwest
- Tyson – a brilliant, ambitious aspiring lawyer
Through Hannah’s eyes, we see their bond deepen over four years of college hijinks and heart-to-hearts. But just before graduation, tragedy strikes when Summer dies by suicide, leaving her friends reeling. In their grief, Hannah, Lainey and Tyson make a pact to always be there for each other in times of need.
Flash forward 10 years, and Hannah is about to marry her longtime boyfriend Grady when she catches him cheating. Devastated, she reaches out to Lainey and Tyson, who are facing their own personal crises. True to their pact, the three friends decide to take time away from their messy lives and embark on a European adventure together.
As they travel to Italy and beyond, old tensions resurface and new feelings emerge. Hannah grapples with her sexuality after an unexpected connection. Lainey confronts her alcoholism and family trauma. And Tyson must decide if he’s truly happy with his high-powered legal career. Through it all, the friends lean on each other and rediscover the unbreakable bonds that have tied them together all these years.
Writing Style and Pacing
Giffin’s breezy, conversational prose makes for an easy, engaging read. The dialogue feels natural and she has a knack for capturing the intimacy and shorthand of longtime friendships. The pacing is brisk, with short chapters alternating between the three main characters’ perspectives.
However, the structure can feel disjointed at times as we jump between past and present. The college flashbacks, while crucial for establishing the history between the friends, sometimes drag and feel repetitive. The present-day sections have more energy and forward momentum as the characters navigate their personal journeys.
Strengths
- Authentic depiction of female friendship dynamics
- Snappy dialogue and relatable characters
- Beautiful descriptions of European settings
- Emotionally impactful scenes dealing with grief and loss
Weaknesses
- Uneven pacing, especially in flashback sections
- Some plot points feel contrived or overly dramatic
- Attempts to address serious issues like addiction sometimes feel surface-level
- Resolution wraps up a bit too neatly given the complex issues at play
Character Development
The three main characters are all distinct and well-drawn, though they sometimes veer into stereotype territory (the wild child, the type-A overachiever, etc). Hannah makes for a sympathetic if somewhat bland protagonist – her growth arc as she discovers her sexuality feels genuine, if a bit rushed.
Lainey undergoes the most dramatic transformation as she confronts her demons and works toward sobriety. Her struggles with alcohol are depicted with nuance and compassion. However, her backstory involving her father’s affair sometimes reads like soap opera fodder.
Tyson is the least developed of the trio. While likable, his internal conflicts about his career path don’t pack the same emotional punch as the women’s journeys. The hints of romantic tension between him and Lainey also feel underdeveloped.
The loss of Summer looms large over the story, and Giffin does a nice job of making her feel like a fully-realized character even in absence. The few flashback scenes from her perspective are some of the novel’s most poignant moments.
Themes and Social Commentary
While ostensibly a story about friendship, The Summer Pact attempts to tackle some heavier themes with varying degrees of success:
Grief and Mental Health
The depiction of the friends’ lingering trauma over Summer’s suicide rings true. Giffin doesn’t shy away from the messy, non-linear nature of grief. However, the treatment of depression and suicidal ideation lacks depth and nuance at times.
Addiction and Recovery
Lainey’s struggle with alcoholism is one of the more compelling storylines. The scenes of her hitting rock bottom and committing to sobriety are raw and impactful. That said, her recovery journey sometimes feels glossed over or overly simplified.
Sexuality and Self-Discovery
Hannah’s unexpected attraction to a woman is handled sensitively, if a bit predictably. While it’s refreshing to see fluid sexuality depicted in mainstream women’s fiction, the “straight girl falls for lesbian” trope feels a bit dated.
Career vs. Passion
Tyson’s dilemma about leaving his prestigious law career to teach high school touches on relatable millennial anxieties about finding meaningful work. However, this thread isn’t explored as deeply as it could be.
Comparisons to Other Works
Fans of Giffin’s previous novels like Something Borrowed and Love the One You’re With will find familiar territory here in terms of tone and themes. The Summer Pact also shares DNA with other tales of college friends reuniting, like The Big Chill or the more recent The Weekend by Charlotte Wood.
The focus on female friendship and European travel brings to mind popular “chick lit” titles like Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, though Giffin aims for a more mature take on similar themes. There are also echoes of LGBTQ+ coming-of-age stories like Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney in Hannah’s journey of sexual self-discovery.
Final Verdict
While The Summer Pact doesn’t quite reach the heights of Giffin’s best work, it remains a solidly entertaining read with moments of genuine emotional resonance. The central friendship between Hannah, Lainey and Tyson feels authentic and lived-in. Their journey of healing and rediscovery makes for a satisfying arc, even if some of the plot contrivances strain credulity.
Giffin deserves credit for attempting to tackle weightier issues around mental health, addiction and sexuality. However, the treatment of these topics sometimes lacks the nuance and depth they deserve. The tidy resolution also undercuts some of the story’s more serious themes.
Ultimately, The Summer Pact is best enjoyed as a wistful, escapist tale of friendship and second chances rather than a profound meditation on grief and identity. While it may not win over new readers, Giffin’s existing fans will likely find plenty to enjoy in this bittersweet story of love, loss and the enduring power of our closest connections.
Recommended for:
- Fans of Emily Giffin’s previous work
- Readers who enjoy stories of female friendship and found family
- Anyone nostalgic for their college days and first adult friendships
- Those looking for a beach read with a bit more substance
Not recommended for:
- Readers seeking a deeper exploration of mental health issues
- Those who dislike multiple POV narratives
- Anyone triggered by depictions of suicide or substance abuse
In Summary
The Summer Pact offers a poignant, if sometimes uneven, exploration of how the friendships that shape us in our youth continue to resonate throughout our lives. While it doesn’t quite stick the landing on some of its weightier themes, Emily Giffin’s latest still delivers an emotionally satisfying journey full of humor, heart, and the healing power of human connection. Pack this one in your beach bag for a dose of nostalgia and a reminder to cherish the friends who know us best—flaws and all.
