About a third of the way into this book I almost put it down. Being a therapist myself, I thought, "Come on, really?! What professionals would get duped into something like this?!" But forcing myself to read on, I realized that, like the main characters here, we each have insecurities and weaknesses behind our professional facades that shrewd people can prey upon. Although a bit surreal, The Pact shows, albeit in a creepy way, how anyone can be drawn into a situation - this one potentially deadly - by letting doubt and insecurities lead our decision making. Being a fan of solid resolution at the end of my books, I was left unsettled at the final pages of this one; however, I suppose it was fitting for this story.

Disgusting and creepy. Bad writing. And for the love of all things good, I do NOT need to know EVERY detail of the character's married life.

An unknown friend, and unknown gift with no known key. Newlyweds, new fears and challenges, this was not the same old chick shtick; a very nice surprise.

This was the first book of Michelle Richmond's that I have read and I really wasn't sure what to expect or what I was getting myself into. I vountarily am reviewing an advance reader copy of this book. Alice and Jake's story was unlike anything I have read before. It was well written and certainly kept me turning the pages as quickly as i could to find out what was going to happen. I found parts of it to be very unrealistic, however for the story it worked. I would certainly entertain reading additional books by Michelle again in the future.

I was lucky enough to receive an early reader copy courtesy NetGalley. Wow! What a ride this book was. Alice and Jake are the typical newlyweds until they receive a gift from one of her legal clients. The gift is strange - pens in a box. Then one day a woman shows up and explains the gift to them and they sign papers agreeing to abide by the Pact rules thinking it will make their marriage stronger. But the Pact is not what it seems and nobody ever gets out of the Pact – alive. Just the kind of page-turning, twisty, psychological suspense story that I thirst for.

Redmond does not disappoint and the action moves at lightning speed through every page. Any thriller fan will be awestruck by the good writing, plot twists and character development.

A very disturbing look at what a couple would go through to keep their marriage intact. Breaking the "Marriage Pact" has unforeseen consequences. A real page turner.

This psychological thriller really is hard to put down. The story starts with Alice and Jake, young, ambitious and ready to get married and start their lives together. They invite one of Alice's top clients to the wedding and the gift he gives them changes them dramatically. At first the Marriage Pact seems like a great idea. Ways to help keep your marriage strong and healthy - small gifts to each other, date nights, parties to attend hosted by members of the Pact, but behind it all is mystery and some devastating actions if you break any of the Pact's rules. How far would you go to show your spouse you truly love them? What can the Pact find out about your past that can damage your marriage. This book would be great for a book club as it opens up a slew of questions for discussion. Thanks to the publishers for allowing me an advance copy through Netgalley, for my honest review.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I can't name five things I liked about this book. I wanted to, the concept sounded interesting, and then it turned completely cult like and I just couldn't handle it. Also I realize this is an advanced copy, but would it hurt to have some spell checks?

The Marriage Pact is one of those books that seems almost plausible, and yet has an air of unreality about it. When Jake and Alice get married, they are given “The Pact” as a gift. At first it seems like a fairly innocuous gift- a way to help them have a great marriage that won’t end in divorce. But once you’re in; you’re in, and there’s no getting out. The rules are law and the punishments severe. It was the kind of book that makes you feel a bit uncomfortable and yet one that you just can’t put down. I found myself almost skimming through the book as I flew through the pages- needing to find out the ending.

Recommend- Yes

The story is riveting, the characters are dynamic, and overall a very suspensful plot. Some of the events seemed a little over-the-top, but the author weaved it all together into a crazy, terrifying, and satisfying story.

Pretty fast-paced, especially the second half of the book. I loved the plot, but the ending left too much open for my taste, and overall the events felt a little unlikely and hard to relate to.

This book is much more creepy than I thought when I first started reading and I LOVED it. It really adds to the dark atmosphere and hooks readers to the plot. While there were some moments where I felt myself shaking my head in dismay of the characters actions and thoughtlessness, it didn't deter me from finding overall enjoyment of the story. In fact, I really liked it A LOT. I found it to be quite unique and thrilling and wanted to read it from start to finish because I was so intrigued to find out what would happen next. So to say this one is a page turner would be an understatement. It's more like a page-flipper where readers will be anxiously flipping the pages- one after another- because they can't stop reading! Highly recommended!

This wasn't what I expected. It was suspenseful with just a touch of creepy. I didn't like the main characters & found myself not really able to feel any sympathy for them. The book was well- written, but not my cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this novel.

I received this book "The Marriage Pact" from Netgalley for my honest review.

I would have to say that this book is "different". I didn't know what to think in the beginning as it was hard to grab my attention. I liked the concept of the story so I kept going. The book did get interesting about the time that Jake and Alice decided they wanted out of the Pact. I would say this book is kinda weird but I got to know the characters and I wanted to follow along their story and see what would happen to them. I hated the ending - it just ended - just like that the book was done. I feel like maybe there should have been more - I was left hanging about what happened to Alice and Jake... so what happened to them?

I have no idea how Michelle Richmonds mind works, but the Marriage Pact is one of her best.
It is a love story and a syfy thriller tied up into one!
Amazing!

I thought the idea for this book was very unique and I enjoyed reading it. I wondered a few times why Alice and Jake would sign a contract without doing more research about the organization, but not many people would think a pact designed to help their marriage would end badly. This was the first thriller I have read that focused on a couple and I liked seeing how Alice and Jake handled being involved in the pact both together and separately. I loved this story and I look forward to reading more by Michelle Richmond.

Very interesting premise, but book reads very slow. I struggled to finish. And regretted having spent the time reading it.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. So many twist and turns, you have no idea what's coming next. Well done !!!

i wanted to turn the page, I didn't want to turn the page. That is how you'll feel when you read this book. Alice and Jake are a newly married couple who get involved with a marriage cult, thinking it would lead them to a happy marriage but is that what happens? To say I was freaked out is putting it mildly!!!!

Wow! The premise behind this book was quite imaginative and intelligent! At times I felt horrified by what I was reading; almost embarrassed to read on like a voyeur who couldn't get enough. As a marriage counselor myself, I was intrigued by the mere notion and theory of the Pact, which made sense but required too much. I couldn't get enough and I wasn't disappointed with the ending. Very well written and quite cleaver and unique!