This was m first book by this author and one place f my first in this genre. I was pleasantly surprised with both. This was a great story line and it kept me interested and there was a lot of suspense and I have now found a new author too read

Compulsively readable but the whole premise was unbelievable. The Marriage Pact is, to put it bluntly, a weird book. Like really weird. Our main characters are newlyweds Jake and Alice, and for some bizarre reason (read: there really isn’t a good reason), they decide to sign The Pact in hopes to have their marriage last forever.
My main issue with this book is that the decision to sign The Pact makes zero sense. For example, Alice is a lawyer. And yet she signs a contract without really thinking about it, or reading the fine print. That made absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. And Jake just kind of goes along with whatever Alice says because he doesn’t want to lose her. And when things start to go oddly, both Alice and Jake just ignore all of the warning signs. Alice gets on someone’s bad side and it starts off with her having to wear a tracker bracelet. And both Alice and Jake seem to be amused about it all. It was very weird. Things escalate from the tracker bracelet, and I won’t spoil that here, as part of the readability of The Marriage Pact is that you know things will go downhill, but you don’t know exactly what is going to happen. I would’ve read this book in one sitting if I had the opportunity to; I was desperate to know what was going to happen next! And the ending is, well, it was a letdown for me, but only because it was bizarre, a bit disturbing, and a tad ambiguous.
The Marriage Pact was a book that I didn’t want to put down, so I would definitely start this at a time when you can devote a few hours to either reading this in one sitting or in two sittings. It’s one of those books where the character choices really don’t make a lot of sense (when you are running from people with all kinds of resources, it’s probably best to NOT take your cell phone or use your credit card….just sayin’….), and there were just some very weird things in the book, but I did read the book quickly and can’t stop thinking about it, so it gets three stars from me!

Bottom Line: Bizarre, but utterly readable and engrossing even though it was unbelievable and far-fetched.

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.