A very interesting concept. Great mystery. I liked Alice and Jake as characters, they're relationship was realistic and believable. I enjoyed the open "happy" ending.

*Thanks to NetGalley for a digital copy of this book!*
This book is about a couple, Jake and Alice, who are invited after their wedding to join The Pact. This is an exclusive group of couples, expected to follow the marriage rules. The book was well written, and at first, was interesting. The dynamics of the relationship between Alice and Jake were odd ; he married her so he wouldn't lose her. This made me think their relationship was a little fragile to begin with. Alice is a lawyer, who used to be a rock star and Jake is a marriage therapist. The story is told from Jake's perspective. This is not the standard set-up so I thought this was interesting, but at the same time, made Alice's character harder to understand.
This is a hard book to review - I'm not sure if I liked it or not. I was caught up in the story and it drew me in, but at the same time, so much of it was just ridiculous. It was just all too much. Why would a successful professional couple sign an agreement given to them by someone they barely know without any consideration at all? Some of the rules seemed harmless enough, although are still rules enforced by people you barely know. But the level of all seeing and all knowing that the group had was too sci-fi. And the discipline handed down for violations? Alice had to wear a neck collar around everywhere and wasn't crazy angry about it? Electric shock and jails and torture? They were expected to put their jobs second to the pact? The reason they were asked to join was because of their status - but they didn't mind their members risking that status?
It was interesting at first but quickly lost my sympathy. It was billed as a psychological thriller, but ended up being so far-fetched that it lost me. As I was reading, I kept asking "are you serious?" too many times. I think I was hoping that the ending would have some great twist, or blow me away, but I'm not even sure that I understood it. It was too ambiguous and blah. I know I enjoyed parts of this story, and the premise of this story, but so much was too many extremes.

I had very high hopes based on the buzz that the Marriage Pact was receiving. While I enjoyed the book and read it very quickly, I did feel that the books could have come to it's climax a bit quicker. I enjoyed how Jake would do anything for Alice, even risking his life. Although he couldn't give up looking into The Pact and eventually that would lead them down a road that they couldn't move off of. I do think this would be a good movie if handled the right way and with the right cast.

This book had great potential, but for me the suspension of disbelief required was slightly too much. I was intrigued from the beginning, and loved the idea of a pact to both make marriage stronger and to find like-minded individuals. When our narrator opened the box I was right there with him! But the plot twists became increasingly too much for me. I think this book has an audience, but perhaps I'm not the target at this time. Either way, I found the writing engaging and would still recommend it as a unique spin on the thriller.

This book was super twisted. It takes a lot to keep a marriage together, and Jake should know he is a marriage counselor. However when a friend nominates them to join an exclusive club that's main goal is to ensure they have a long and happy marriage they decide to do it.

Everything starts to seem too good to be true and consequences are doled out. They start to wonder exactly what they signed up for and how to get out. Twists, turns and just plan scary moments and I couldn't put it down.

Beginning with an intriguing wedding gift from a couple they barely know, newlyweds Alice and Jake become members of an exclusive group making a marriage pact to help each other do anything it takes to have a successful marriage. It doesn’t take long before they realize how dangerous this group is, and then discover that nobody ever leaves the pact....alive.
This book reminds us that extremes can be dangerous, and you have to be careful choosing friends.

I was super excited to read The Marriage Pact after hearing nothing but great things about it and reading the intriguing blurb. After reading the book, I am left with mixed feelings.
The idea of The Marriage Pact and its characters were original and intriguing. Plus,  I really liked Jake as a narrator. Most narrators are female, so reading an entire book from a male perspective was a nice change.  At times Jake's thoughts could end up on a tangent that I felt was unnecessary and didn't really add to the plot. If his thoughts had been a bit more controlled, I feel like the book would have been paced better. The story was slow to start and even after it picked up Jake's tangents could cause what felt like a lull. Overall, I enjoyed the book and once I was about a third of the way through, I couldn't put it down.
I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unique, provocative premise, but poor execution. Defies common sense at best. More than ridiculous; it is LUDICROUS! Two highly educated people agreeing to such a pact is absurd, especially a lawyer, no less,! Signing a contract without due diligence? Really now. My suspension of disbelief was taxed into overload, but I kept reading, reading, reading..... waiting for the climax and resolution. That, too, was a disappointment. I know I am in the minority and wish I could join the throngs of captivated readers.

This book kept me turning the pages and I could not put it down! I really enjoyed the premise of the idea of a marriage pact and I loved that it was told from Jake's POV who, as a therapist, threw in quite a few facts about marriage and insights that I felt added to the narrative. I would have liked to see some things from his wife's point of view but at the same time, I felt that sticking to one point of view mirrored what a marriage is really like--you never REALLY know what your spouse is thinking and going through when they aren't with you.

The things that kept this from being a 5 star book for me were the way that the pact itself was handled in the plot and the ending. I felt like we didn't get enough of a honeymoon period with the pact. From the very start, there was an ominous feeling about the pact and I was suspicious of what it would entail, as were our main characters. Of course, they should have been suspicious at first but once they were in, I think it would have been a harder fall from how awesome the pact was to its realities had we had more shiny and pretty moments with the pact and it's members. I also felt that the pact was very rigid in a "one size fits all" type of way and expected unrealistic things from its members (such as leaving work quite a lot to be reasonable) leading to the incredulity I felt toward it from the very start. That was a minor annoyance and of course, this is a fictional world.

The ending was lacking, not in that it wasn't what I wanted to happen--because I didn't care one way or the other (which could be another downfall), but because it wrapped up everything nicely in a pretty bow. When I read a thriller or suspenseful novel, I enjoy endings that leave me wondering what would happen if the book continued or if there was a sequel. This book did not give me that. It simply ended.

Overall, I recommend this book. I think that it's suspenseful and intriguing and the writing style kept me turning the pages. The tidbits about marriage were interesting enough that I almost felt like I was reading a book about how to be a better spouse mixed in with a suspenseful narrative and the combination was definitely enjoyable.

Disclaimer: I received this e-book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinions on this book in any way.

I received an ARC of the Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond in exchange for an honest review. I had heard a lot about this book on social media and a few other sites so I just had to read it. What a psychological thriller!! This story focuses on a newlywed couple, Alice and Jake. Although they have totally different personalities, they are a perfect match that just seem to compliment each other. For a wedding gift, a client of Alice entices them with a gift. In the box the gift was received is something called The Pact. The Pact is suppose to make you a better person and help you become the perfect couple.

Alice and Jake have to decide if they want to join but instead of thinking about it, Alice jumps at the idea and both Alice and Jake sign a contract. The rules of the pact are to keep marriages happy and intact and most of the rules are logical. But, weird things being to happen and punishments start to get harsh. And, you can tell no one about the Pact. The Pact is for life!

Everything is great until one of them breaks the pact and punishments get harder and harsher. That is when the nightmare begins and the happy couple is no longer impressed with the lavish parties and there widened social circle. I would definitely recommend this book, looking forward to more by the author!!

If you can suspend your disbelief just a tiny bit, and allow this book to take you where it wants to go, you're in for a real treat.

Jake and Alice are excited to begin their lives together as a married couple. Out of obligation, Alice invites a colleague she doesn't know very well to the wedding, assuming he'll decline. He and his wife attend, however, and leave a most unusual gift. It's an invitation to join "The Pact," which promises to make your marriage unbreakable. Alice, a former famous-ish musician, finds the idea appealing, and Jake wants what Alice wants. They agree to join, but soon find out that the people in The Pact are VERY serious about the rules. Saying anything else ventures into spoiler territory...

Jake is our narrator, and whether or not he's a reliable one is up for debate through the entire novel. He is a charmer, though, for sure, and I loved being inside his head. The ending is frustrating yet satisfying all at once. The pacing is brilliant--what a roller coaster plot! Yes, it's a little bit out there, but it's fiction, so I'm okay with that.

Not sure what I was expecting from this book..wasn't exactly my cup of tea. I couldn't exactly understand why Jake, and Alice would just sign the damn contract. I'm not married but I can see the appeal about keeping my marriage forever to be happy? But this seems forced what about their jobs, friends, their lives outside of each other. I need to hear from Alice, why Alice? I do how the signs were there for both Alice and Jake to run but no they kept getting close to the fire, they both got burned.

Jake and Alice get an unusual wedding gift. When they return from their honeymoon, they learn what the gift is all about -- staying happily married by following the rules if they join. They do but they didn't read the rules. At first, they enjoy the social activities, etc. however when they start breaking rules, they get punished. What happens when they break a rule? What is the punishment if Alice works late? As punishments occur, Alice and Jake see a darker side of this group that is beginning to look more like a cult.

A novel that reminds me of the movie "Stepford Wives" in that each person in a marriage is subject to changes they never expected. Only this time in this novel, both the man and the woman must do what it says in the manual or else. This is a suspenseful novel. It is a novel I won't forget.

2.5 stars. The writing is pretty darn good, so no problem with turning the pages. BUT...as I got into the story, I had so much trouble believing that Jake, a therapist and Alice, a lawyer could/would allow themselves to sign "The Pact" so willy-nilly. Then you have the really bizarre things happening that I just couldn't get behind. Too far out there for even me.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond
Book blurb:
"Newlyweds Alice and Jake are a picture-perfect couple. Alice, once a singer in a well-known rock band, is now a successful lawyer. Jake is a partner in an up-and-coming psychology practice. Their life together holds endless possibilities. After receiving an enticing wedding gift from one of Alice's prominent clients, they decide to join an exclusive and mysterious group known only as The Pact.
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.
Alice and Jake are initially seduced by the glamorous parties, the sense of community, their widening social circle of like-minded couples. And then one of them breaks the rules. The young lovers are about to discover that for adherents to The Pact, membership, like marriage, is for life. And The Pact will go to any lengths to enforce that rule. For Jake and Alice, the marriage of their dreams is about to become their worst nightmare."

Let me be blunt; if you're about to get married and someone offers you the opportunity to join "The Pact" run away. Run away as quickly and as far as you possibly can, and then run a bit further. Unless it's an ice cream pact, that might me ok, but a Marriage Pact: No, just No.
This book is creepy and engaging, like watching an episode of the old TV series "The Twilight Zone" or "Tales from The Darkside". If you're old enough to know what I'm talking about and you enjoyed those shows, this book is up your alley. If you like twisted and unexpected, it's probably also up your alley.
The story itself is told from Jake's point of view. I was a little worried that style would be grating as I find that type of POV doesn't usually hold my attention. However, in this instance it worked well and kept the story flowing. After completing the book I was surprised to find that I really didn't like Jake. I found his motives throughout the story suspect and multiple times I thought he was kind of a tool.
As for the ending, no spoilers but I'd be willing to guess that there will be some who find it a bit ambiguous as it leaves on opening for the reader to interpret what happens next. Usually, I find that frustrating but again it works with the storyline.
I picked this book up from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Unique and page-turning domestic drama and psychological thriller. A just-married couple receive a gift of membership in "The Pact," a secret and exclusive group dedicated to helping people stay married. Needless to say, before too much time passes, things take a turn for the sinister. Very entertaining read and while some of it was (intentionally) kind of crazy and out there, it also had some interesting stuff to say about ordinary marriages as well.

As somebody that is married, one thing that you always hope for when you take that step and decide to get married is that your marriage will last forever. When Jake and Alice decide to get married, that is their exact hope as well. So when they receive an unexpected wedding gift that gives them the opportunity to join a special group called The Pact that guarantees their marriage will last forever, they jump at the opportunity. Little do they know that The Pact and its members are not what they seem.

I stayed up late several nights reading this book and literally couldn't put it down. It took a while to figure out what The Pact was all about, but I think that was part of the appeal of the book. If you're looking for a good thriller with a little bit of a different premise, definitely make sure to pick up The Pact!

This book makes you wonder what people would do for a perfect marriage. We meet Jake, a psychologist and sort ofmarriage counselor, and Alice, a former rock musician and now lawyer. They get invited to join "The Pact". What is the Pact you might ask? They figure out it is a club with a goal of keeping marriages thriving..
They sign a contract and join, seemingly without much thought really.

They like the parties and find everyone friendly. But then, things start to happen that make them question, but their doubts get brushed aside.

They continue to be tested by the pack, which seems to be like a cult. And they seem oblivious!

I found the ending to be a HUGE let down and probably would have rated it higher if not for that.

Thanks to Netgalley & Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honst review.

A great psychological thriller with just the right number of twists and turns. Fast paced and suspenseful!!!

Be ready to be pulled into a psychologically twisted funnel that sucks you into a vacuum of self-awareness, self-doubt, moral and ethical dilemmas, and psychologically-challenging situations. If you love books that challenge you to think, "What would I do in this situation?", then this is a great read for you. The psychological elements were masterfully intertwined with a completely unexpected plot that isn't your usual thriller or theme. The unusual plot and individual characters were fascinating. That's the word I'd use to describe this book....just fascinating.