In the most part this book was a page-turner, it kept me gripped to the end. There where some information I feel was not needed within the book. I did find some of the reading to be unlikely or over the top. I did enjoy this book for the most part. I was expecting the book to have more of a thriller aspect. This is my first to me with one of Michelle's books, and I would reach for one in the future.

Just not for me. It started out in a good, thrillery, intriguing way but descended after that and got unbelievable and unenjoyable. I'm sure that lots of people will enjoy it but it didn't tick my boxes.

I found this really fascinating, the whole premise of a pact/club to help keep your marriage on track was intriguing and soon exposed as cult-like. I was quite shocked at where they went with this, it kept me guessing and despite not really liking any of the characters I did enjoy reading about them all!

What a good book! I've read a couple others by Richmond so I was intrigued to get this one, especially after the buzz I had read about it in Book Page, Goodreads, etc. Very fast paced and smart and had me on the edge of my seat throughout the book.

Alice, an attorney, and Jake, a psychologist, are just starting their married lives together, when they receive a very mysterious wedding gift from a new friend that they don't know well. As they learn more about the gift and The Pact and it's rules (including rules like always answer when your spouse calls, exchange gifts monthly and take quarterly trips together and most importantly, never mention The Pact to anyone else), they discover they may have got more than they bargained for when they signed their life over to The Pact. As they learn that there are brutal consequences for even small infractions, they realize that they have to leave The Pact at all costs.

There were lots of twists and turns throughout the book and this was one that I regretted having to put down every time I had to go to bed or to work, I couldn't wait to see if Jake and Alice made it out of The Pact or if The Pact would win our or get the best of them. I've already recommended it to several friends (just regular friends, not Friends...)

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC copy of this book.

A good intro thriller but not for me, unfortunately. Just a bit too unconventional and predictable. I was left feeling a bit underwhelmed, unfortunately.

Jake and Alice two very different people drawn to each other eventually married. They were determined that theirs was a union for life. So, they had no second thoughts when offered an unusual wedding gift that promised just that. Well, at least not at first. With barely any hesitation, the naive couple signed the dotted line despite the fact that many of their queries went unanswered. After all, they intended to stay faithful to each other. It was highly unlikely they will encounter the various scenarios that would result in retribution. Moreover, this was merely a club for the married, quite a rarity. To belong to something that endorsed their newly wed status appealed to them. What follows is tyrannical intimidation and coercion of nightmarish proportions by what appears to be a cult in sheep's clothing. In the Marriage Pact Richmond takes this simple premise and spins a delectably taut yarn, which one found wholly immersive. She milks its every aspect keeping the pace and pages turning until the very end. True the end seemed a tad drawn out but that could well have been Richmond's intention. The pace soon picks up with a surprising finish. Despite it being, a standalone, and an HEA of sorts the finish is open-ended. Is there a hint of a sequel? From start to its unusually thrilling finale, there is no doubting her genius. Richmond has certainly proved herself to be, one of 2018's thriller queen.

I had put this to one side until it was highly recommended to me ny a friend and I'm glad I picked it up again.
This is a real tension builder with a couple entering a seemingly innocent pact, suddenly realising things are about to get a lot more serious.
The novel is certainly graphic and quite brutal at times, to the point of being wierd but it all ties in well at the end and was certainly an entertaining read.

An interesting story line although at times a little far fetched. I felt on edge the whole time I read this story which is what you want from a good thriller. I enjoyed this book and would definitely read something by this author again! I enjoyed the writing style and struggled to put the book down.

The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond is an intense story about a newly married couple that are given a gift of never divorcing by signing a 'marriage pact' with lots of rules and regulations they cannot break. Well, at first I thought, isn't that what's supposed to happen with your wedding vows? LOL I was totally sceptical about this plot, because I really couldn't see how it would differ to any other story about a normal married couple going through a bad time, with an ending (in fiction) where they break the rules and one of them ends up killing the other? That's what most domestic thrillers are about right?

But this is different. The marriage cult is a lot more extreme and it's the other members of this elite club they have to watch out for. This marriage pact is a cult and it's for life, no one leaves! By inadvertently dropping themselves in trouble and breaking one of the endless list of rules, it seems that Alice and Jake cannot escape the cruel punishments for their misbehaviour.

The ending had a twist I never saw coming and Richmond kept the pace going throughout, especially as the end drew near. It's one of those open-ended stories and I can't help feeling there's more to come, although I understand that's not always the case and the idea is to have us think more about the ending for ourselves. It certainly does that.

A tense domestic thriller, which borderlines science fiction - a fascinating mix!

A great read! Initially I was a little sceptical of the storyline; an apparently happily married couple, Jake and Alice, are invited to sign a 'marriage pact,' which gives them entry into an elite group of specially selected people dedicated to remaining married, contented and faithful to each other 'for as long as ye both shall live.' Obviously the readers are supposed to feel a little suspicious of this, otherwise why write a story about it; however, I must admit to having been scathing rather than suspicious, wondering why on earth this intelligent, motivated couple would even consider entering into such an arrangement. As the story progresses however, and the couple inadvertently begin to fall foul of the pact and its endless rules, it becomes increasingly clear that whatever way Alice and Jake turn, they are trapped. So begins a bitter struggle to escape the strict rules and intense punishments of 'the marriage pact' before somebody dies....
This was a four star read for me.

First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes your first big mistake.

How far are you willing to go for the perfect relationship? Newlyweds Jake and Alice are offered a mysterious wedding gift - membership of a club which promises its couples will never divorce. Signing The Pact seems the start to a perfect marriage. Until one of them breaks the rules. The marriage of their dreams is about to become their worst nightmare. Because The Pact is for life. And its members will do anything to make sure no one leaves . . .

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

As someone who is now counting down the days to my wedding next year, this book has definitely put me off agreeing to any unusual gifts!! I liked the story, though parts of it were quite dry and the lengthy descriptions were off-putting at times. It does get a bit mental in the middle and the ending is a bit of a damp squib. However, the idea of a marriage cult is an intriguing one (though I won't be looking for one to join). Not as good as I thought it would be but still worth the read.

R ir s t I would l I me to thank Michelle Richmond for allowing me to review this psychological thriller. What a brilliant idea of a plot that raises the question how far would you go in your marriage. The end left me a little bit disappointed but a thoroughly enjoyed h good read none the less.

This is a gripping book about what happens when a marriage is turned on its head and it is no longer a union of two equal parts. It also involves people who are far to invested in the marriage and what they will do to ensure they get their way.

A tense and chilling book. Though the plot is at times far-fetched, it is also unusual and unsettling, leaving the reader paranoid and on edge throughout.

3.5 Stars

“Strive to be all good, but know that you are not,” I said. “Try to enjoy every day, but know that you will not. Try to forgive others and yourself. Forget the bad stuff, remember the good. Eat cookies, but not too many. Challenge yourself to do more, to see more. Make plans, celebrate when they pan out, persevere when they don’t. Laugh when things are good, laugh when things are bad. Love with abandon, love selflessly. Life is simple, life is complex, life is short. Your only real currency is time—use it wisely.”

The Marriage Pact is the latest offering from Michelle Richmond, and my first book by this author. I was initially pulled in by the blurb as it was filled with intrigue, with a dash of suspense…which is right up my street.

When newlyweds Alice and Jake return from honeymoon they receive a rather alluring wedding gift from one of their guests which is to join an elite member only club called The Pact. The objective of The Pact seems simple enough, to keep marriages happy and intact and the majority of its rules makes sense. Always answer the phone when your spouse calls. Exchange thoughtful gifts monthly. Plan a trip quarterly…Never mention The Pact to anyone.

To begin with Alice and Jake are seduced by the glamorous parties, the sense of community, their widening social circle of like-minded couples. But that soon changes when one of them breaks the rules. The couple are about to discover that for devotees 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…

Although I enjoyed the premise of the story, and was gripped for the get go, I felt like the ending fell short, without going into detail and giving away the plot had the ending matched the rest of the book it would have easily been a five-star read.

I would recommend to fans who like domestic suspense reads.

**Arc received with thanks from the publisher via NetGalley**

The Marriage Pact is a cracking little read, although you do have to suspend belief a bit. The concept that perfectly sane educated people would join what is essentially a cult that dictates how they have to act in their own lives is clearly not something that would happen in real life. However when you put that to one side this was a story that kept me hooked through to the end. The characters whilst a little annoying are quite likeable, and you feel for Alice as she tries to keep the full force of the punishments away from Jake. Yet on the other side you do wonder why both her and Jake don’t just say no!
I enjoyed the plot of this novel and the writing is good. The story is told from the point of view of Jake, and I think that was made me prefer Alice to him. He works as a marriage guidance counsellor and yet seems to completely miss the signs that there might be problems in his own relationship.
The Marriage Pact is an intriguing tale, and whilst it is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea due to the unrealistic plot, personally I really enjoyed it.

I am an avid and engaged reader - however, I could not get into this book!! I think it was the characters that I struggled with. I just could not engage with them at all - I found it difficult to form any kind of attachment to them.

I was therefor unable to finish the book - which is extremely rare for me!!!

I'd rate the book 3/5. Mostly - interesting and intriguing, but because of the ending - I wouldn't call it my favourite book. I couldn't drop the feeling that sometimes the main characters acted naively and without common sense. Good read though, but without a 'spark'

The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond is a great story that kept me interested.. although at some points a bit unbelievable.

Jake and Alice two very different people drawn to each other eventually married. They were determined that theirs was a union for life. So, they had no second thoughts when offered an unusual wedding gift that promised just that. Well, at least not at first. With barely any hesitation, the naive couple signed the dotted line despite the fact that many of their queries went unanswered. After all, they intended to stay faithful to each other. It was highly unlikely they will encounter the various scenarios that would result in retribution. Moreover, this was merely a club for the married, quite a rarity. To belong to something that endorsed their newly wed status appealed to them. What follows is tyrannical intimidation and coercion of nightmarish proportions by what appears to be a cult in sheep's clothing. In the Marriage Pact Richmond takes this simple premise and spins a delectably taut yarn, which one found wholly immersive. She milks its every aspect keeping the pace and pages turning until the very end. True the end seemed a tad drawn out but that could well have been Richmond's intention. The pace soon picks up with a surprising finish. Despite it being, a standalone, and an HEA of sorts the finish is open-ended. Is there a hint of a sequel? From start to its unusually thrilling finale, there is no doubting her genius. Richmond has certainly proved herself to be, one of 2018's thriller queen.