Meghan Quinn

I haven't seen her in three years.I haven't talked to her since the kiss.So why am I on a plane, flying across the world to spend a week with her in Germany?One word: Pops.My life's a mess.My possible football career is hanging on by a thread.I'm driving the roads of Germany in honor of Pops with the one girl I can never have.And I'm sharing a bed with her, the girl I've measured everyone else up to, while desperately trying to not to touch her.We made a pact growing up, never to get romantic with each other - never fall in love.And I'm about to break that pact. For good.

The Romantic Pact

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️ 

 Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂 

The Romantic Pact is a story that surprised me in many different ways. This is a book that was a picky for the romanceopoly reading challenge for this year and I am so happy that I was able to pick this one up here. And it was quite perfect for this time of year. I didn't even read the blurb before I started this book here. I will say that you can easily go into this book blind, but if you are in the mood for a Christmas book, this is a story that you need to read. It wasn't as football focused as I would have liked, but it delivered in other regards that compensated for it. 

Crew and Hazel grew up together and became best friends while working on his grandfather's ranch. Right before Crew was to leave for college to play football and live his dreams, Hazel kissed him and Crew panicked as he felt the same for her but didn't know how to deal with the expectations so he fled to college as fast as he could. Its now been three years, and Crew's grandfather has passed away and he is shocked to learn that his grandfather had plans for him and Hazel that he never expected. His last request, was for Crew to go on a trip to Germany and his companion will be none other than Hazel Allen, the girl he never forgot and the girl he hurt more than anyone else. Hazel and Crew are forced together on a journey to explore Germany and a love is kindled in ways neither expect. 

The Romantic Pact was a vibrant story that fed many atmospheric Christmas vibes, the setting of Germany was so unique and I loved how the author really made the story come alive with the unique details that connect you as the reader. There are so many tropes in this book that just seemed to work so very well in this one. I was so intrigued by the manner in which this story developed, especially the romance. They had a great fun banter, and you can see once they get beyond their issues, their friendship becomes even more solid than what they had before. The chemistry really grows between them. You see how their friendship quickly turns into something deeper. Both are afraid of the future, but they also don't want to deny what they feel for each other. Seeing Crew and Hazel explore their relationship on a deeper romantic level just sang to me. It was almost magical. Seeing how their situation was resolved was a bit heartbreaking at times, so buckle your seat belts, but once its resolved, it really becomes so finalized in a satisfying happy ending. 

Some of the humor was a bit off putting, especially if you don't read rom com's too often. Its been a long time since I have read one, so it did detract from the enjoyment at times. But once I got halfway through, it was a lot better. So I do think that aspect was more of a "me" issue. The third act was interesting, I wasn't a fan of how it was implemented though. It just was so angsty and it felt so dramatic that will result in the reader feeling so grumpy at times. It just felt so depressing and wish how it resolved just had a bit more satisfying feeling to it then what was delivered. 

I really enjoyed the narration. Not perfect or anything, but it was very solidly performs and really struck home on the emotional experience of the characters. 

I found The Romantic Pact to be a festive road trip adventure that was packed with charm and just plain fun with the beautiful cadence of Germany. 

Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy 

Character Types: Athlete, Farmer/Rancher 

Themes: Heart/Touching, Laughs/Giggles, Friendship-Male Bonds 

Tropes: Road Trip Adventure, Second Chance, Childhood Sweethearts, Friends to Lovers, One Bed

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book

Lover of Romance 

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review. 

 Book Evaluation: 
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️ 
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
 Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂 
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧
 Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
The Romantic Pact is a story that surprised me in many different ways. This is a book that was a picky for the romanceopoly reading challenge for this year and I am so happy that I was able to pick this one up here. And it was quite perfect for this time of year. I didn't even read the blurb before I started this book here. I will say that you can easily go into this book blind, but if you are in the mood for a Christmas book, this is a story that you need to read. It wasn't as football focused as I would have liked, but it delivered in other regards that compensated for it. 

First Line 
See those three boys over there? 

The Main Protagonists 
 The Hero: Crew Smith 
 The Heroine: Hazel Allen 

Summary 
Crew and Hazel grew up together and became best friends while working on his grandfather's ranch. Right before Crew was to leave for college to play football and live his dreams, Hazel kissed him and Crew panicked as he felt the same for her but didn't know how to deal with the expectations so he fled to college as fast as he could. Its now been three years, and Crew's grandfather has passed away and he is shocked to learn that his grandfather had plans for him and Hazel that he never expected. His last request, was for Crew to go on a trip to Germany and his companion will be none other than Hazel Allen, the girl he never forgot and the girl he hurt more than anyone else. Hazel and Crew are forced together on a journey to explore Germany and a love is kindled in ways neither expect. 

What I Loved 
The Romantic Pact was a vibrant story that fed many atmospheric Christmas vibes, the setting of Germany was so unique and I loved how the author really made the story come alive with the unique details that connect you as the reader. There are so many tropes in this book that just seemed to work so very well in this one. I was so intrigued by the manner in which this story developed, especially the romance. They had a great fun banter, and you can see once they get beyond their issues, their friendship becomes even more solid than what they had before. The chemistry really grows between them. You see how their friendship quickly turns into something deeper. Both are afraid of the future, but they also don't want to deny what they feel for each other. Seeing Crew and Hazel explore their relationship on a deeper romantic level just sang to me. It was almost magical. Seeing how their situation was resolved was a bit heartbreaking at times, so buckle your seat belts, but once its resolved, it really becomes so finalized in a satisfying happy ending. 

What I Struggled With
Some of the humor was a bit off putting, especially if you don't read rom com's too often. Its been a long time since I have read one, so it did detract from the enjoyment at times. But once I got halfway through, it was a lot better. So I do think that aspect was more of a "me" issue. The third act was interesting, I wasn't a fan of how it was implemented though. It just was so angsty and it felt so dramatic that will result in the reader feeling so grumpy at times. It just felt so depressing and wish how it resolved just had a bit more satisfying feeling to it then what was delivered. 

Narration 
I really enjoyed the narration. Not perfect or anything, but it was very solidly performs and really struck home on the emotional experience of the characters. 

Overall View 
I found The Romantic Pact to be a festive road trip adventure that was packed with charm and just plain fun with the beautiful cadence of Germany. 

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy 
Character Types: Athlete, Farmer/Rancher 
Themes: Heart/Touching, Laughs/Giggles, Friendship-Male Bonds 
Tropes: Road Trip Adventure, Second Chance, Childhood Sweethearts, Friends to Lovers, One Bed

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict 

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Emma Hart 
Devney Perry 
Susan Elizabeth Phillips 

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as a standalone 

Steam/Spice Explanations 

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy 
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments. 
 Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. 
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Narrators: 
Tim Paige, Kelsey Navarro

After the death of his grandfather, known as "Pops," Crew Smith can't seem to move on from his grief.  His final college football season suffers as do his grades.  When he comes home for winter break, Crew finds that Pops has left him instructions he is to follow that include a trip to Germany with a mysterious traveling companion.  His childhood friend, Hazel, turns out to be the companion, and they set off together, directed by a series of letters, packages, and reservations all planned out by Pops prior to his death.  The journey leads Hazel and Crew to more than just places on a map.

The Romantic Pact is not a sports story, as the cover would suggest, but is a road trip romance through idyllic Germany at Christmas time.  Also, serious topics are raised including loss and grief that the characters must face as well as their complicated feelings for each other.  Through the majority of the story, the reader experiences the sights, sounds, and tastes of Germany in great detail with Crew and Hazel.  The real conflict comes near the end of the book when the trip is over, making the pacing feel a bit uneven.  Overall, The Romantic Pact has moments of fun and exploration grounded in the real life problems the characters must face.

Lynn Braden

After the death of his grandfather, known as "Pops," Crew Smith can't seem to move on from his grief.  His final college football season suffers as do his grades.  When he comes home for winter break, Crew finds that Pops has left him instructions he is to follow that include a trip to Germany with a mysterious traveling companion.  His childhood friend, Hazel, turns out to be the companion, and they set off together, directed by a series of letters, packages, and reservations all planned out by Pops prior to his death.  The journey leads Hazel and Crew to more than just places on a map.

The Romantic Pact is not a sports story, as the cover would suggest, but is a road trip romance through idyllic Germany at Christmas time.  Also, serious topics are raised including loss and grief that the characters must face as well as their complicated feelings for each other.  Through the majority of the story, the reader experiences the sights, sounds, and tastes of Germany in great detail with Crew and Hazel.  The real conflict comes near the end of the book when the trip is over, making the pacing feel a bit uneven.  Overall, The Romantic Pact has moments of fun and exploration grounded in the real life problems the characters must face.

Nikki

Cat Nunez 

This is the second book of the series and I absolutely loved it!🤩 We follow Crew and Hazel on their trip to Germany and I loved every second of it. They were friends growing up but after some time Crew didn’t keep in contact so they see each other after 4 years thanks to his Pop.

I loved reading about their relationship with Crew’s grandfather and how amazing he was for giving them the trip to reconnect and catch up on their lives.

Hazel has always worked on Pop’s farm so she’s hardworking and honest, and I really enjoyed when she kept Crew on his toes. Besides their banter was always fun to read. 

Crew was amazing too, his relationship with his parents was really good and it was fun reading the interactions between him and his mom and uncle. He’s always known football as a career and after failing he’s really indecisive about what to do, so going on the trip with Hazel was the perfect solution to clear his mind.

In the last chapters I shed a few tears, but in the general the story was perfect, I loved Crew, Hazel and their family.

Now I can’t wait to finish the story with Hollis’s story.

The Romantic Pact

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