I was initially interested in this book by the premise. But then the story itself seemed a little unrealistic and I just kept asking myself - would these characters really do this? Not for me.

Jake and Alice get married and soon after are approached to join a group called The Pact. The group was formed to help couples stay married. Sounds like a good thing, right? Nope. These folks are like the Scientology of Marriage. What happens in The Pact stays in The Pact. Loved this book!

At first, I thought The Marriage Pact was intriguing (and definitely made me VERY anxious, as though I was experiencing The Pact myself). That said, I ended up giving up on the book at about 50% of the way through.

I thought Jake's narration had a bizarre Carrie-Bradshaw-eque rhythm to it (think: "I couldn't help but wonder_____" type reflections at the end of each chapter), which didn't feel authentic. The random facts about marriage and the fact that The Pact is referenced so repetitively were both turn offs for me.

I imagine this could have been seen as a way to update The Stepford Wives for the technology era, but it still felt a little too forced. After all, we are introduced to The Pact very early on in the book, whereas I think a more "slow" introduction into this cult-ish association would've made for a more believable story line.

I would still totally be willing to read another book by this author, especially as she has original plot ideas and knows how to get readers into the heads of the protagonist.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy!

The author is a good writer, captured my attention quickly and took me into her story. It was well-developed up to a point. I began to question any basis in reality as the plot thickened. However, the author did her research and developed the husband’s role as a therapist quite well. Her development of the marriage pact was based on solid marriage theory. That definitely had substance. I finished the book and overall felt the ending was a decent completion. Can’t say I was mesmerized, but it held my interest out of pure curiosity.

I'm sorry but I couldn't get into this story. I didn't leave a review- I only do so if there's something very wrong with the book.

I am sorry for not reviewing fully but I don’t have the time to read this anymore. I believe that it wouldn't benefit you as a publisher or your book if I only skimmed it and wrote a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for not fully reviewing!

I was given an advanced copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

3.5 Stars since 1/2 are not available.
Wow, this book was highly unexpected and pretty intense! This had a lot of crazy scenarios and situations that just was not what I thought would happen, which is always nice when a book can keep you on your toes.

I love the premise of the novel, having this couple get involved with a group that is really supportive and intense about working on your marriage and ensuring it survives....and oh my goodness does that get INTENSE! Honestly, while reading this novel I kept thinking to myself this not only sounds very cult like (they do say that in the novel many times) but it genuinely sounds a lot like Scientology too! Just with the amount of funds and technology and so forth that this organization had to pursue the goals of keeping marriages together.

This novel primarily focuses on Jake and his wife Alice as they are wed and, really, only a few months into the marriage after they are invited to join this marriage pact group. In the beginning it seemed the marriage pact group had a lot of good, sweet ideas and were helpful with keeping their marriage on track. How things changed when Alice seemingly broke one rule...and then another and the punishments that were doled out got harsher and harsher and seemed exaggerated and unexpected. But, with any good cult, once you are in, can you ever really get out?

I would have rated this novel higher, the only reason why I gave it 3.5 stars is because the very, very , very ending frustrated me a bit....but I don't want to say more as it may ruin the novel. I just feel like there should have been an added epilogue or something of that manner.

This book wasn't what I thought it was going to be. It had great momentum leading into the last third and then it just *poof* disappeared for me. The first 2/3 I was suited up and ready to go, to see how their Pact played out and I'm one of those people who love reading about marriages. But the author should have taken that left turn in Albuquerque... overall the book was just on the lower side of ok for me. 2.5 stars..

As a wedding gift, Alice and Jake receive a rather intriguing offer from someone they hardly know. It's to join a group called The Pact and promises to strengthen their marriage. It comes with a book of rules and requires them to sign a contract. They give the documents a cursory glance and then sign the contract. What harm could come from a group that seems to promise only good things for their marriage?

Holy smokes - this was TWISTED. At first I was miffed because it seemed that Alice was bearing the brunt of rule violation. I felt she came across as wimpy, and no matter what punishment she received, it was ok because she was doing it "for her marriage". But then Jake is caught with a supposed infraction and oh boy - does he pay.

The author gets brownie points for coming up with something ttuly off base. I'm not sure what it says about me that I found this to be totally entertaining. But there you go.

My thanks to Random House/Ballantine - Bantam and Netgalley.

I spent this entire book wondering what the heck is wrong with these people! I'm sure most people can relate to wanting their relationship to be great and last forever...or at least a long time. That's what Jake and Alice wanted. Enter The Pact. The group that says they can make your marriage last forever. They have some good ideas, like random gifts and trips. That being said, they're insane. The rules and punishments they have are a whole new level of crazy. Even crazier are the people who think this is all a great idea. Even though I was frequently shaking my head and wondering who comes up with these kinds of things, I really enjoyed this book!

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book.

From the opening page until the last line, you are gripped in a thriller like no other. This will keep you up at night and thinking long after you close the back cover.

Grabbed me from the first page and kept me captive the entire ride. The only thing keeping me from 5 stars is the ending. It seemed to wrap up a little too quickly in comparison to the rest of the story and I didn't like that. The journey of Alice & Jake from their wedding to the joining of The Pact to the exciting conclusion had me quickly turning the pages. It was an interesting premise, and if you've ever been fascinated by cult mentality I think you'd really like this one. This author is now on my short list of trusted authors.

I had to take a few days to think about this review. This book definitely deserves one. The premise was interesting to me. Though there are quite a few books out there with this title (as it turns out), I hoped I wouldn’t get stuck with a dud. I didn’t. Not at all....

The one thing I can say most about this book is it had a lot of substance: in the characters, in the settings, in the situation. I felt really connected to the narrator, Jake, the husband in the marriage “pact.” He seemed like a real guy and a great person. Take that, another likable character (his hot lawyer wife) and add a f’d up situation, and you got some good shtuff.

There were things about the pact that really made me think. And some of the thoughts and statistics that Jake talks about (he being a marriage and family counselor) it made me think about my own marriage and what it takes to make one work. Going on my second marriage, a lot of these ideas and data made sense. And studies provided by Jake were also enlightening. The punishments and mind games were absolutely cray cray. Like I said, a lot of substance along with some bat shit antics.

Definitely give this one a try some time.

Another mediocre book that started off so good and simply went downhill. Would not recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley for the copy of the book.

The reader has to suspend some disbelief, as there are shades of a sci-fi quality to the story. For instance, how is the Pact all-knowing when an infraction occurs when there are thousands of members across the globe? It’s best to not think too hard on minor points as these and just enjoy the story. I enjoyed seeing Jake and Alice work together as a couple, and I liked the statistics and insights on marriage that were included.

Creepily disturbing yet thought-provoking, I found this one a compelling read and I recommend it.

The book seems far fetched, but it reminded me of the stuff you hear from former Scientology members. That to me was the best part that I felt like it could be real. I found myself analyzing people to see if they were in the pact.

it is a shame it took me so long to get to this book. i really enjoyed this story. My anxiety levels were high as i was reading this unique story,

Alright, where should I start. It's creepy, weird and when you read this book it will mess up with your head and make you question a lot of things, trust me. So, let's do this: Alice and Jake are newly weds, Jake is a therapist and he owns his own practice with two other people. Alice was a singer in a well known rock band, but she is now a successful lawyer. They live in San Francisco and their life just getting started...just before their wedding Alice wins a case from a really good client who pretty much invites himself and his wife to their wedding. They then send a gift to Jake and Alice, but not just any gift, they send an exclusive invitation to a mysterious group named The Pact.

The Pact seems simple, keep marriages happy and intact, there are rules but they seem pretty simple and don't doesn't like to receive gifts every month and plan trips? The only thing they must never do is: never mention The Pact to anyone. So, Alice and Jake are in.

But, when one of them breaks a rule things take a turn to side they never saw it coming. The Pact takes marriage for life very, very seriously and they will do everything and whatever it takes to make sure they follow that rule. When Jake and Alice realize that The Pact is so not what they thought it was it may be a little too late to get out of it. So, what do they do?

Things get crazy in this book, for one thing for once I really enjoyed reading from the male POV and Jake? Oh man, he was pretty amazing, he was pretty honest about everything, about The Pact, about his feelings, about his marriage, about his work, pretty much about everything. And this guy was not going to stop at nothing to have the marriage that he dreamed of. And he fights until the end...and you just have to read to find out what Jake and Alice do, will they go through live with The Pact and they crazy rules? Will they find a way out? Remember, there is no way out with The Pact...

4 out of 5 stars for this one.

This book had the potential of a great read since the premise is so unique, however that is also it's shortcoming. When something becomes too unbelievable, it makes it harder for the reader to ignore what realistic people would do.

A great thriller, especially if you are married or in a relationship. You can see how a program designed to keep marriages strong would appeal and draw people in. But you can also see how it's unrealistic in both the psychological and physical requirements. Rules like answering every time the phone rings or never gain more than 5% of your body weight? Not something most of us can do. The third act gets a little crazy and hard to believe at times, like how is the program being funded, but overall it's a highly satisfying read.