Their backgrounds couldn't have been more different. Even so, shortly after arriving at college they bonded and for the next four years, they were inseparable. Just before graduation, there is a tragedy and as a result, a pact was made. They would always be there for each other. No matter what. Ten years later this pact was tested when one of the group had her life upended. The friends unite and embark on a trip that will change their lives.
THE SUMMER PACT, by Emily Giffin, is a story about friendship. However, what makes this story unique is how different the characters are from each other. Even so, they have come together to form an enduring relationship that tolerates any transgressions. For me, that is the power of the story. Skillfully told, difficult situations are handled with sensitivity. The characters are not afraid to forgive. While the dialogue is often witty, there is much meaning and seriousness behind the words. There are emotional scenes and much soul-searching. Part of the story is set in Capri and the author does a beautiful job of detailing the island's history, beauty, and mouth-watering culinary delights.
THE SUMMER PACT deals with serious matters such as grief, loss, and betrayal, but it is also a story of hope and unbreakable bonds. It is a story about the true meaning of friendship. Highly recommended.
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.
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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