An amazing thriller, with a pov you would expect to be different. Make sure you follow "the manual" or you may not like what comes next. Definitely a book that kept you reading to see what's next!

I would like to thank NetGalley, Michelle Richmond and the publisher for the chance to review this book. I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into when I first started this book as to me it was a bit slow going but eventually picked up the pace and left me questioning the characters of the story on who might have done what. The only thing I really didn't like was that it seemed to start out a little to slow and at times I felt like maybe there was a bit too much detail going on. Another thing that kind of got to me is Jake and Alice are both supposed to be intelligent people but really I guess you can say they lack common sense, which you will understand what I mean as you read the rest of this review.



Newlywed's Jake (psychiatrist) and Alice (lawyer) sign a contract for The Pact without reading the fine print so to speak, but they both feel like they can use the support for their marriage as they both want it to last forever. The Pact believes in supporting one another, keeping the marriage intact and happy. Of course, everything sounds like a good idea till they realize that like marriage you can't ever leave The Pact and some of the rules are just a bit too much, while other ones make sense. Once every quarter you need to take a vacation, every month you need to get each other a thoughtful gift, must answer all calls from one another, attend these lavish parties getting to know the other members and oh surprise weigh-ins. If it seems like you are putting work before your spouse you get stuck wearing some device that they monitor to make sure you are putting more effort into your marriage. Also NEVER mention The Pact to anyone.

What Jake and Alice thought was going to be the "perfect" marriage turns into a nightmare they want to escape, but have no way to. When rules aren't followed things take a darker turn and of course there are some twists along the way that are thought-provoking. Jake and Alice just want out but is there really a way out or will they end up just disappearing as well.
©Liz R

Friend, you must read this thriller! A newlywed couple is invited to join the Pact. They think it’s all fun and games until they break some of the rules because they didn’t read “The Manual.” Some of the punishments are really out there and extreme. I really liked the two main characters, Jake and Alice - and the book is told from Jake’s POV which is refreshing.

I loved following Alice and Jake as they went on this crazy ride. I didn’t know what was coming, but the unexpected twists and details kept me wanting more! The Pact was such an interesting concept and I’m glad Richmond gave it the attention it deserved. I also enjoyed learning so much about the characters- they were described well and portrayed consistently throughout.
Another recommended read!!!

Bantam and NetGalley provided me with a copy of The Marriage Pact and I also won the book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I was under no obligation to review the book and my opinion is freely given.

As a wedding gift, Alice and Jake are given entry into The Pact, an exclusive marriage club that rivals no others. With the goal of happy and fulfilling partnerships, the members are required to follow a specific set of rules. After the couple realizes that they may be in for more than they bargained for, will Alice and Jake be able to extricate themselves from the group unscathed?

The psychological aspects of the book help to boost the suspense, making The Marriage Pact feel more like the plot to a movie. I definitely liked Jake more than Alice, as the story almost demanded that I would. The book flowed nicely until the last few pages, which I thought were a cop-out. The story ended so abruptly and was not as successful as the rest. Readers who like psychological thrillers and suspense will like The Marriage Pact for its fast pace and thrilling twists. I found the book to be entertaining overall and look forward to reading more by author Michelle Richmond in the future.

I should have heeded the warning when I saw two reviewers I respect rated the book as OK or good. I walked away with the same opinion. While the book flowed well from a writing perspective, I found the story aspect (from two professionals getting involved in the "pact") to be totally unbelievable. As a result, I ended up dragging out the reading of it and replacing with books that kept my attention.

Arc from Netgalley

I enjoyed this story. The idea of a pact to keep marriages together was intriguing. I loved the characters. Great read!

This story flew along like a black SUV through the desert. The premise of the story - an authoritarian, violent, cult designed to keep people married - is far-fetched. The main characters are barely married before they’re induced to sign the Marriage Pact. Both Jake and Alice are most afraid of the unknown, and that’s all their experience with the Pact is - one surprise after another. They finally realize, each in their own time, that true control is an illusion. They each have their own lives, pre-marriage. As they become closer in their marriage, they each need to work at discovering how much of themselves they will give to each other. Will they work towards an idealized marriage, conforming to the rules of the Pact, or will they yield control of themselves to each other, and their mutual affection? This made me think about my own marriage and how far I would go to protect it, and myself at its expense.

I hope the many typos and misspellings were cleaned up before publication. I received an ebook advance copy of this book from NetGalley.

DNF. I could not get through this novel at all. I attempted to more than 5 times, but I couldn't do it. I have a rule, read 30 pages in or 3 chapters, whichever is longer. Just reading that far was extremely painful. It was an intriguing concept for a novel but it did not grip me at all. It started out as long and drawn out, and there was no stopping that. And lastly I will mention the one rule of the marriage pact, "Do not mention the pact," what is this a Fight Club reference. A poorly done one at that. This novel had so much potential, but it let me down.

Having said all that I am willing to give this author another chance, and I look forward to that chance.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and author, through NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I was never quite sure where this story was headed, and when I thought I could guess a twist, and once again I ended up surprised! So good!

This was a solid 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the book and finished it quickly. As others have stated, I was disappointed in the ending as I felt like it was a bit of a cop out. I liked the overall intrigue of the book though, so I wasn't completely put out by the ending.

I really enjoyed this book. Loved the twists and turns of the plot and was intrigued by the entire idea of The Pact. Quick read and grips your attention. Very well written and easy to read. I would recommend.

This was a great thriller and a total page-turner. Will recommend.

This read was a very fast paced suspense and left me on the edge of my seat to find out what was going to happen.

Jack and Alice are given a very strange wedding gift by a client of Alice's, Liam. The gift is a locked box. Alice, once a singer, is now a lawyer and Jack is a therapist that works in a well know practice of psychologists. Liam tells Alice and Jack that they are to open the box upon returning from the honeymoon. This seems strange to them, but they do as they are told.

When Alice and Jack get back from their honeymoon, Vivian tells them about the pact. Liam had questioned them about their marriage before they had gotten married and now they find a Marriage Pact that details a sort of club that they are being asked to join. This club is a very exclusive and rich group. Vivian explains the rules and regulations of the pact in order to help them make sure their marriage succeeds. They are presented with a manual that outlines what is expected of them. They are to answer every phone call from their spouse, buy each other gifts, travel, etc. If they fail to uphold these rules, it will result in penalties for them.

So, Alice and Jack are interested in joining the pact and without reading all of the rules and regulations as well as the penalties, they both sign the Marriage Pact. At first everything seems to be going good and Alice and Jack are invited to all these glamorous parties with the members of the pact. They refer the each other as "friend".

Before too long, Alice's job obligations lead her to break some of the rules of the pact and everyone eerily seems to know what she has done. Penalties are enforced and things begin to get strange. Alice and Jack's only problem now is that they can't get away from these people. Once in the pact, always in the pact. What?? What kind of cult is this?

This is a very good suspenseful read that will leave you turning the pages faster and faster. Michelle Richmond has a way with drawing you in until the bitter end. What will happen with Alice and Jack and their marriage? You need to read this one to find out!

This was a fascinating and disturbing book. The reader may have to suspend disbelief, but overall I found it an enjoyable read and thought about it for long after I finished it.

An interesting read about a newlywed couple ,Alice and Jake who are given a rather unusual gift. After Alice wins a major case the client takes a liking to her. Upon discovering she is about to be married he voices interest and Alice invites the client Finnegin and his wife to the wedding. Such a decision leads to a spiral of events and rough challenges when the newlyweds are brought into an exclusive group known as the Marriage Pact. After discovering it seems the Pact is more like a cult than a group to help marriages last they try to get out. Unfortunately getting out isn't that easy. The Pact is not at all what it seems as Alice and Jake soon learn.

The Marriage Pact wasn't bad. As a married woman it oddly made me evaluate how I have been in my own marriage. The book makes you think. It's an interesting read to say the least

This was a very scary book because it was so realistic. It had lots of suspense and I couldn't put it down for long. The interaction between the married couple was something that was very plausible and believable. Highly recommended for mystery readers.

Gripping and will keep you on the edge of your seat. I read this book in two days and keep thinking about this story long after.

I choose not to publish my review opinion about this novel because I was unmotivated to finish reading at the 40% mark. I found the story inane and ludicrous. Sorry, not every book works for every reader.

Not what I expected. I truly enjoyed reading this book!