This story is quite intriguing. I wasn't sure what was going to happen from one moment to the next.

Jake and Alice are your normal everyday people trying to make a go at a great marriage.

When things seem to perfect to be true, run for the hills as quickly as you can! I now we all wish we had some extra guidance, some path or rules to follow to get us to our desired location in life. But remember, nothing is ever free, they will always be a cost somewhere. Be sure the cost isn't your life.

This story made me so happy to have a normal marriage without the interference of The Pact. I know things would have been different and some things wouldn't have even played a part in our marriage if we were members of the past, but at the same time, I doubt we would have been as happy as we are today.

Grab a copy!

Wow! This book is amazing. I could not put it down. It makes you ask questions about your marriage. This is a book you will talk to everyone about after you have read it. The characters are so real you experience what they are going through in the book. The end has a twist you don't see coming. I would highly recommend this book, and it is one I will read again and again! Powerful, emotional, a page turner!!

Far fetched and gruesome! I just did not enjoy this book at all.

I'm giving this one a 3.5 - 4.0
I wasn't sure what to make of it as first...was this a suspense? Was it romance? thriller? twisted dark suspenseful romance thriller? It was a bit of everything.

From the opening chapter, I was kept wondering what this secret pact was, who created it, why it was created, and why on earth any one would sign up for the darn thing! In concept, it sounds great: remember the little things to value your partner and keep a long, healthy relationship alive. In reality, the twisted punishments, strange rules, secret schemes, and odd leadership made this one scratch my head a few times. It was a lot to take in, but kept me engaged through to the end.

What a good book! I've read a couple others by Richmond so I was intrigued to get this one, especially after the buzz I had read about it in Book Page, Goodreads, etc. Very fast paced and smart and had me on the edge of my seat throughout the book.

Alice, an attorney, and Jake, a psychologist, are just starting their married lives together, when they receive a very mysterious wedding gift from a new friend that they don't know well. As they learn more about the gift and The Pact and it's rules (including rules like always answer when your spouse calls, exchange gifts monthly and take quarterly trips together and most importantly, never mention The Pact to anyone else), they discover they may have got more than they bargained for when they signed their life over to The Pact. As they learn that there are brutal consequences for even small infractions, they realize that they have to leave The Pact at all costs.

There were lots of twists and turns throughout the book and this was one that I regretted having to put down every time I had to go to bed or to work, I couldn't wait to see if Jake and Alice made it out of The Pact or if The Pact would win our or get the best of them. I've already recommended it to several friends (just regular friends, not Friends...)

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC copy of this book.

Never mention The Pact to anyone.

The premise of the story has the Jake and Alice invited to join The Pact, an exclusive and mysterious organization with the goal of keeping marriages happy and intact. They sign up without much hesitation – or even reading the contract in detail – which was a little unbelievable since Alice is supposed to be a top notch attorney and Jake is a therapist (who des marriage counseling, no less!). You would assume two well educated people would at least read it carefully before signing. However, they’re influenced by the wealthy and powerful Finnegan as well as their own needs that brought them together in the first place. But they soon find out that for adherents to The Pact, membership, like marriage, is for life. And The Pact will go to any lengths to enforce that rule.

Jake spends much of the book trying to outwit the group, while Alice seems to be much weaker and wishy-washy. The ending of the book seemed a bit removed from the rest of the story, and I didn’t really feel like there was enough depth in spots to feel like a true “psychological thriller”. The author has great writing style though, and I will look for some of her other work

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This creepy story focuses on a cult of marriage, where a young couple find themselves mired in a predicament no one could have foreseen. In the guise of friendship, an older man provides the young woman with a gift to begin her wedded life with her new husband. But that gift could very well end not only their marriage, but their lives.

This was a excellent book. It had me hooked from the very beginning. I found myself so involved with the characters, sometimes rooting for them , other times wondering what they had done. Although it is a fictional story, it makes me wonder what might really be out there.

Being one who has been married and divorced 3 times and also have 2 adult children and 1 grandchild, this book really lifted my spirit. It also smashed it into micro-bit pieces that will never be found. I could not tell you how many times I have heard, "If only marriage came with a manual...." and 'Kids should come with a manual....', I've said them myself. Us, as the human race, are always looking for an easier way 'to get there' in our relationships and our lives. Unfortunately, life doesn't come with a manual other than the Bible and that is so confusing. So we 'wing' it until we either find out how it works with us and those around us, or we give up and walk away.

"The Marriage Pact:" by Michelle Richmond could be the start of a new way to the light at the end of the tunnel in actually making a marriage work. Any couple could read this book and get some fantastic ideas to start with before they are married, during the first few years of their marriage, and so on. Michelle Richmond really hit the nail on the head, ALMOST.

Why ALMOST? Well it is because this is NOT A SELF HELP BOOK . It is, however, a book telling the fictional story of a young married couple who are 'invited' to join a club/cult called 'The Marriage Pack'. 'The Marriage Pack' is a set of rules and 'guidelines ' to follow to insure your marriage will last 'till death' do you part. Some examples would be something like this: Set a date night and stick to it so you are not putting the importance of your marriage on the back burner. Give your spouse something (a gift) to show them how much they mean to you and how lucky you feel to have them as your spouse. It doesn't have to be anything expensive but it does HAVE to be something that will please your spouse so they know you are thinking of them. Always show your spouse respect in private and in every day life but also while in the presence of other people/couples. Put the phone, iPad, Laptop, etc. in another room and leave it there while you are spending time with your spouse and even more so on date night. Always remember your spouse comes first, even before your job....

Quite frankly, I could go on and on about the fantastic ideas in this book for hours.

BUT, there's a catch...there's ALWAYS A CATCH!!!! For example: if you do such and such for me I will mow your yard 1 to 2 times a week until I die kind of CATCH. The 'Marriage Pack' has a lot of catches... A LOT OF CATCHES! So much so that you NEVER leave 'The Pack' unless of course you DIE and that can be arranged.. 'The Marriage Pact' members are spread all throughout the world so there's no hiding, nor running, nor changing your name. Also, it would not do you any good going to the authorities because THEY WON'T HELP YOU! since they are also members.

I am going to stop now or I will be writing a book about this book and I just don't have time to do that.

This is not a book about self help but one about what it MIGHT be like if there really was a manual. Trust me, you don't want to join 'The Marriage Pact'! You DO want to read this book though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't get into this book. The description sounded interesting when I requested it, but when I began reading I could tell immediately I didn't like it. First, the concept of a group telling others how to run their marriage is so objectionable to me, although it's fiction. Perhaps others will enjoy the story, but for me, this book was a miss.

This book will work ok. The main plot is mostly all in the description. A few things are far fetched, but over all it's a reasonable read for a plane or trip. I don't think certain things were plausible, but suspending that it can be read like it's a solid B grade movie. I happen to like that kind of movie when I'm in the mood for it. I could see this couple and this pact being on TV. I'm glad I got to read the book first. This is a gritty thriller/horror read.

My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts, my opinions and my review are my own.

Story of an extreme plan to strengthen the institution of marriage and how the plan has been used for unsavory purposes.

Do you know that feeling you get when you happen across a book that grabs on to you at the very first page and doesn't let go until the very last? Well, The Marriage Pact was that book for me. Wow! From the start, Richmond designed a story so innovative and extreme that I could honestly not bear to turn away. If you have any delusions of starting this book and then being able to put it down temporarily to go about your daily life, I suggest you forget them now. Kiss your children and/or significant other, tell them you'll see them in several hours, then quickly lock yourself away where you can read til your heart is content and your mind is blown. Because, yes, this book is trippy as heck!

When Alice and Jake get married they're looking forward to their years of wedded bliss, but they're both nervous how the act of being married itself will change their lives. Will they be able to make it work? Can they keep the excitement alive? Alice is a bit of a risk taker and Jake is curious about anything that could help guarantee his and Alice's happiness together. This is why, when given a supremely unique wedding gift, they decide to see where it takes them. It can't be too bad, right?

Little do Jake and Alice know that couples who sign the Pact can never unsign. There is no out clause- from the group or your marriage! And the Pact will go to great lengths to ensure that every member is a good member, every marriage a successful marriage. What starts out innocently enough quickly turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse, a game where nobody really wins.

I'd like to extend a massive thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this incredible book. I've not previously read anything by this author; however, if her other books are anywhere near as good as this was I simply must get my hands on them straightaway. Thank you!!

This book was very intriguing yet complicated. The tale that was told between the two characters actually captured my attention and held me. The way this author told the tale was just amazing yet simplifying as complex as the words that were written. To me, the evil versus an anger moment told its tale with precision. Though we all have different views this book was a joy at times and scary too.

Creepy and disturbing with an odd premise and a page turner for the first bit. As the book went on though, I felt it dragged on and I found myself skimming through the pages.

Newlyweds Alice and Jake receive a wedding gift from a client of Alice's - an invitation to join exclusive and mysterious group known only as The Pact.

From the book's synopsis: "The goal of The Pact seems simple: to keep marriages happy and intact. And most of its rules make sense. Always answer the phone when your spouse calls. Exchange thoughtful gifts monthly. Plan a trip together once per quarter. . . . Never mention The Pact to anyone."

It kind of reminded me of a Stephen King novella called Quitter's Inc., Big Brother meets NSA to the extreme.

I lost interest about midway and the ending was less than appealing. But, without a doubt, it did make for an interesting and thought provoking read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine and Michelle Richmond for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond.

Alice, former rock n roller, now attorney marries Jake, the therapist. Finnegan is Alice's new high profile client from the law firm. She invited him and his wife to attend the upcoming wedding. A mysterious wooden box arrives at their house from him and the note says to open after the honeymoon. Not knowing signing the contract in the box from "The Pact" will change their lives forever. Members must adhere to "The Manual" that outlines the rules and regulations of this secret society. If you don't follow "The Manual" there will be consequences.

A strange wedding gift that sounds good but they would really like to return the longer they have it. Full of strange twists and turns this story keeps you reading. You want your marriage to last, and having friends to help you sounds great, but not everything is what it seems. Maybe it was the story, but I never trusted it to be telling me the "truth". Definitely an interesting and different idea that keeps the pages turning (but it does start off a little slow). Not one you will want to pick up and put down a lot unless you have a good memory for details.

4 out of 5 stars to [book:The Marriage Pact|31748890], a thriller and suspense novel written by [author:Michelle Richmond|84728] and set to be released on July 25, 2017. Many thanks to the author, NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Bantam, for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC). I really enjoyed reading this novel and felt it had a lot of contained suspense, as I couldn't put it down but it wasn't the kind where you were scared; you just desperately wanted to know what was going to happen.

<b><i><u>Why This Book</u></i></b>
I'd seen the book on a few people's Goodreads To Read or Currently Reading lists, and it looked interesting. I requested a ton of books on NetGalley to try to earn my 80% badge, and I got lucky when they approved this request.

<b><i><u>Plot, Characters & Setting</u></i></b>
Alice and Jake had been finalizing the list of 200 guests for their upcoming wedding when she won a big case at her law firm and felt compelled to invite one more guest and his wife: Liam Finnegan, a client who made a point of telling Alice's boss how instrumental she was to winning the lawsuit. When they arrive home from their honeymoon, Jake and Alice open the Finnegan's gift, an invitation given only to a select few to join "The Pact," a group of married couples who call each other "Friend" and help ensure everyone's marriage is successful. At first, it seems a bit odd but given their history as a couple, both think it's a good idea and jump in with open arms. They meet Vivian, who is their guide for the initial few months, and begin reading the bylaws, a huge tome of a contract that dictates how often they must give each other gifts, plan vacations, see other Friends, talk to one another, et al. And if they do not, there are consequences with differing levels of punishment. As the weeks go by, Alice and Jake don't take the group too seriously and begin accidentally committing minor infractions. The punishments begin, and it starts to completely unnerve them both. When they push back and try to leave The Pact, they're essentially told "No one ever leaves The Pact. And The Pact never lets anyone go." Alice and Jake attempt to follow all the rules, but work gets in the way, and Jake meets another Friend, whom he once knew before he was married. The woman tells him about the dangers of The Pact, but it's too late to save themselves, she warns. Weeks go by where Alice and Jake try to balance everything, but frequently find themselves with intrusive and harmful punishments... all culminating in Alice's disappearance and Jake flying to Ireland to find the creator of The Pact, in hopes he can convince the strange woman to let them leave.

<b><i><u>Approach & Style</u></i></b>
I read the novel through a Kindle Reader on my iPad. It has about 5200 lines, which works out to about 400 book pages. There are over 80 chapters, as each one is short and focused on a multitude of events happening in Alice and Jake's lives.

The novel is told in past tense (with a few exceptions for present tense) and with Jake as the first person narrator whose point of view and perspective dominates the story.

It took me about 5 hours to read the novel. I read 20% the first day and then 80% the second day. I couldn't put it down on the second day and only did so to go out for dinner. I found myself so interested in the middle section that I sometimes skimmed pages to get to the action, as I was shaking trying find out what was going to happen.

<b><i><u>Strengths</u></i></b>
The idea behind The Pact and the story is excellent. The divorce rate is too high. People take one another for granted. You're often left on your own to solve marital issues unless you push yourselves to attend therapy. It sounds like a fantastic idea: a group of Friends meant to help you focus on your life as a couple, some rules and guidelines to ensure you are constantly thinking about the other person and minor punishments meant as little reminders not to get off track. But when it gets out of hand, and you realize this is more like a cult who like to torture one another, wow... the subtle actions and words really leave you right on the line, trying to decide is this really happening? Is this one bad apple making the group worse than it really is? Are they truly a cult or is it all a game? Who is behind this? And it quickly becomes a page-turner, where you don't want to put it down.

The book can seriously play on someone's fears about marriage. It makes you think what the point of it is, how and when you separate yourselves as a couple and two individual people. You see the love between a newlywed couple being ripped apart over minor issues in the hope that it will teach them not to ever let something big or bad happen between them. The intricacies of how The Pact always knows what's going on, how they simply just accept what happens to them and the balance of power between all the couples... really gets you ignited and passionate over what's right and wrong in this book. All good stuff, especially when you have such an emotional gut reaction to what's happening. The descriptions of the behavior, the punishments and the setting really help create the suspenseful drama.

<b><i><u>Concerns</u></i></b>
When I read a book, I throw myself into it, usually letting most unbelievable things go if they are meant to drive the action or plot forward. I'm pretty forgiving when a situation happens that probably wouldn't or couldn't in real life. It's a book. That's what drama is for. If I want reality, I'll look at my own life. And that's what readers will have to do with this book -- let some things go --
as there's a 1 and a million chance something like this could ever happen, but there are at least 10 situations where some readers are going to say "No way. That's ridiculous." And they're right, but then again, this is a story meant to entertain and scare you. So... I worry that some readers are going to be disgruntled with parts of the plot, and I can't say much as I don't want to give away spoilers. But a few easy examples... (don't read the next paragraph as it's not really a spoiler, but does give a bit of action away).

Why would a lawyer sign The Pact without reading it? How could they not go to the police? How did The Pact know things about Jake and Alice's past? Why would you not ask the question to the leaders: "What should I do? If I don't attend your meeting today, you will punish me. But if I miss this court date, I lose my job. It's not that you aren't important... but without a job, how do I live?" That last comment is in reference to a major part of the plot where Alice is asked to do something by the same person who is helping her move forward at the law firm... and if she does do what they ask, she'll get in trouble at work. Something just didn't jive well for me there. I kept thinking to myself.... ask them what they want you to do and stop saying "I just won't show up to the meeting with the Friends." At that point, they'd already been punished a few times... why??? And they also hadn't read the full bylaws. I wanted to smack them for not reading the whole thing.

I loved the first 80% of this book. I put it down to go to dinner at a point where it was absolutely unreal and intense in the suspense and drama. I was so excited to finish it when I got home. And then I did. But the ending was not sufficient for me. It's a good ending, but it wasn't the one I wanted. Alice and Jake are essentially faced with a choice in the last few chapters, one which as they learn more about The Pact, they realize what has truly happened in the last few months. And they have a decision to make which is a good thing, but wow... I think I might not have done that if I were in their shoes!

<b><i><u>Author & Other Similar Books</u></i></b>
Michelle Richmond has several other books which I will definitely peruse, as I enjoyed her writing style, characters and plot very much in this one.

The story felt like a cross between "The Stepford Wives" and the movie "The Gift." The people in The Pact all feel like a cult being controlled by someone behind the scenes as the Wellingtons do Stepford. And Jake and Alice receives strange gifts with scary alternative meanings and consequences as occurs in the movie "The Gift."

<b><i><u>Questions & Final Thoughts</u></i></b>
I really like this book despite a little concerns with the ending. It's the kind of book where I want to keep talking about it. But I won't give away spoilers. So... a choice for you: (1) Read the book and then let's talk about it, as there is a lot to say, or (2) Don't read the book and we can talk about it but I'm gonna reveal all the spoilers so you totally understand it!

<b><i><u>About Me</u></i></b>
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. <i>Note</i>: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.

On the eve of their wedding, Jake and Alice receive a mysterious gift, a wooden chest to be opened after their honeymoon. When a woman arrives to discuss the Marriage Pact, Jake and Alice are both intrigued and suspicious at the same time. Despite their misgivings, they sign the Pact, launching themselves into a secret group. When Alice spends too much time at work, the Pact comes calling, punishing her for not devoting everything to the marriage. What unravels is a complex web of punishment, as the Pact gains total power over their lives.

Overall, this was a fascinating book. Jake and Alice were intriguing characters. I enjoyed the statistics Jake included on marriage and thought they wove nicely into the story line. Overall, highly recommended.