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.

5 stars hands down! Very intriguing premise. Couldn't wait to see where the story lead. Best book I've read in a long time. .

This was a fantastic book! I loved the style, the adventures, and the main characters. Flawed but perfect!

While I found the plot of The Marriage Pact implausible, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book (now that's good writing!). So sit back and enjoy the fast paced ride. My only complaint is that the ending left me wanting more!!

I was hooked from the very first page and when I wasn't reading this one I was thinking of it. It was an all consuming read for me and I loved every single moment of it. What an amazing premise for a book. It was brilliant.

At first I was so drawn into the seeming perfectness of The Pact, as were our heroic couple. But then it became sinister and scary and absolutely something to be feared. I loved the way it all went so wrong, and to be honest I was a basket case wondering how they were going to figure things out and make things okay again. That journey is what makes the book so fabulous. And it was definitely worth each heart palpitation to arrive at the journeys end.

I highly recommend this one to anyone who loves a fabulous thriller, with a very likeable but imperfect couple who you cheer for the whole way through. I loved this one.

What a good story,reminded me of the stepford wives.Alice and Jake are a young professional couple who decide to join a group called the Pact.The rules seem livable,you just have to follow them and not tell anyone about the group.They enjoy the rich lifestyle,til one of them breaks the rules.A suspenseful story that had me turning pages from beging to end.

Maybe being married 50 years has focused my attention on working together and working it out. This book is scary from my experience. The couple newly married are ask to join the marriage pact by a client of the wife. As they become involved in this group they find their lives controlled by the group including punishment and really terrible situations when they don't follow the manual.

If this is the future of marriage I feel very sorry for the young people. My marriage of 50 years has weathered many storms but is solid and loving. I gave this a 3 star rating but not sure I should.

Intriguing thriller! This book was totally engrossing and the writing is really good. Newlyweds Alice and Jake get tapped to join this secret society known as The Pact. They see it as a way to strengthen their marriage and make it successful. They had no idea what they were getting into. This society has some major rules that can't be broken and Jake and Alice seem to, unintentionally, break a lot of them. There is some violence here, so if you're squeamish you might have a problem with this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would certainly recommend it as a good read.

Thanks to Michelle Richmond and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

In Michelle Richmond’s ‘The Marriage Pact,’ Till Death Do Us Part Jokes Write Themselves

Marriage is a once-indomitable institution in decline. Books like Rebecca Traister’s All the Single Ladies and Kate Bolick’s Atlantic article of the same name confirm this for us. We’re getting married less, and staying married less often.

So what should we do about it? In Michelle Richmond’s thriller The Marriage Pact, power couples have decided to take the power of marriage back, by any means necessary. Meet the namesake Pact, a secret society intent on developing great marriages. Think of a chic, jetsetting, Scientology-esque group of obsessive mate-pleasers.

But just what makes a successful marriage? When Alice and Jake are invited to join the secret club after their wedding, they’re all in. Every newly-wedded couple can use some help, right? What sounds simple becomes a controlling and torturous power game, as The Pact takes things to another level. Spousal support of all kinds is demanded, and The Pact will be there to enforce the rules when they aren’t followed.

Sure, it sounds cheesy, right? And it is, a bit. The best thrillers are aware of the genre and not afraid to dive on into the deep end. Or they draw themselves on out of it and head away from the genre entirely. But I digress. I judge straight thrillers solely on how well they keep me craving the next page, drawing me forward into the story, not on how well they reinvent the wheel. The Marriage Pact had me falling deeper and deeper through a rabbit hole of exhausting demands with Alice and Jake. The novel’s exploration of society’s expectations of marriage was an interesting and thoughtful twist, like slowing down to peer at emotional wreckage while speeding ahead on a thrill ride.

While this was one thrill ride I thoroughly enjoyed, I was disappointed when it abruptly ended and I was forced to get off. The Marriage Pact‘s ending was the book’s only letdown, as it felt forced, but perhaps left an opening for a follow-up. I didn’t buy the character’s choices in the last few pages, but of course I’ll buy the sequel if there is one. I’m a lover, not a fighter. Pact, I’m here for you, ’till death do us part.

A combination of life as a Stepford Wife/member of Grisham's "The Firm", once you're in, you can't get out.....or can you? You literally want to shake the main characters and tell them to get out of The Pact before it's too late!

It’s quite hard to discuss The Marriage Pact without giving anything away so this is going to be a short review. I think it is best to go into this book without reading any spoilers. The Marriage Pact is intense, creepy, and disturbing. The story is unique and the writing style is very engaging. I found very hard to put the book down, I kept reading even as I was horrified by what was happening. There are a lot of twists that kept me on the edge of my seat till the last page. The Marriage Pact would make for a great movie, in fact the movie rights have already been sold, and I can’t wait to see it.

This book was.... interesting to say the least. At times I found it engaging and enjoyable, and at others, I was completely turned off by it. To begin with, I'm having trouble with the fact that two people who were supposedly as intelligent as Jake and Alice were did not see right away that this "pact" was a bad idea. She's a lawyer and he's a counselor (of marriage among other things), and neither one of them had to brains to think that this was quite obviously the stupidest thing they had ever heard? The rules were asinine, the punishments downright inhumane (done mostly it felt like for the sheer shock factor), and the "all-seeing eye of the Pact" just unbelievable. Now sure, when you read a fiction novel, you know you are most likely going to have to suspend some part of reality in order to enjoy it, but I just cannot fathom how these people knew of every little infraction this couple supposedly committed.

Overall, it felt like the Stanford prison experiment, but with marriage. Although, they had a prison as well don't get me wrong. The author did, for the most part seem to have a strong writing style (although I sincerely hope I had an early un-edited copy as the grammatical and spelling errors were far too numerous for my liking), however this concept just did not come together in the way I think they were hoping. There was one or two interesting twists to the story, which is why I rated it a three instead of a two, although the ending left a bad taste in my mouth as it is done in an almost cliff-hanger type of way leaving the reader wondering just what happened to dear old Jake and Alice.

All things considered, I am sure this story may still appeal to those who enjoy psychological thrillers.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Thanks to Netgalley. Bantam publishing and Michelle Richmond for this ARC. I do love this book.
I've never read anything quite like it. The pact is an interesting idea to keep a marriage strong, but the consequences are so severe. It had me wondering if something like this could exist. All the parallels running between all the storylines was so thought provoking. I couldn't see the end result for Alice and Jake, but then finally got why they were chosen.
I liked their choice in the end..
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I still need to let this book sink in a bit more first. !
Really, really a great book !

This story itself is flawed in terms of what a character would/would not do. An attorney would not sign a contract with minimal review. I did stick it out, though, and kept reading. Parts of it were interesting but towards the end it became a bit much. I almost felt as though the author didn't quite know how to end the story and thus, the ending was very disappointing to me.

I was very hooked at the beginning of this book I wanted and needed to know what was the pact about and what would happen to the couple that goes in to blindly this weird club or sorts. I loved the plotline and I could have even kept going and finish this book but by half way through there is so much unnecessary parts to the book that are added that it just drags out the book instead of adding more flavor to the already thrilling plotline. I started to feel frustrated and inpatient with the book instead of curious and fascinated so I couldn't keep going I really think that if the author took out so much of the boring unnecessary parts and kept more to the point of the plotline this could be a fantastic book.

I could not put this book down! It was very thought provoking about marriage, and also suspenseful and unpredictable. Without spoilers I found the end unsatisfying. I think one more page or even line could have made it a five star book. Thanks to Netgalley for the book!

I enjoyed the beginning of this more than the end. It became a little over the top. After reading the description, I thought I would enjoy it more than I did. Overall a good read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House

Wow - other reviews are not kidding when they say this is a can't-put-down read. I was drawn in immediately and enjoyed the fullness of the characters paired with the increasing paranoia (I felt.. who can you trust!) - overall excellent.