I really struggled to get into this book, however, I still did want to read the book to see how everything ended. I didn't expect the ending at all and I am pleased I read to the end to discover it. I imagine if I read this book in a few years time I could enjoy it more.

This was a very thought provoking book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. At first I felt like I was not going to as it seemed to be heavy on the legal texts of the manual. However once I got over that I found that I was very keen to return to it.
Certainly a different slant on a psychological thriller. Very enjoyable.

This is the story of Jake, a therapist and Alice, an attorney, who have recently got married. One of their wedding presents, from Alice's newest client, Finnegan is a box which is entitled 'The Pact', they are both intrigued and following a meeting with Vivian who has come to explain what is involved, they have signed contracts and joined the club which has been brought about by a woman who wants to ensure that marriage is for life and should anyone threaten this then they have to face the consequences as written in 'The Manual'

Told by Jake, the story is intriguing, as it unfolds that all is not as it seems and once you join 'The Pact', how easy is it to leave? I found that even though the plot wasn't always believeable, it wasn't easy to put down as you just had to see what happened next and I could actually see this being made into a tv drama.

I would like to thank Penguin Random House for the approval to read this book, I will post my review on Goodreads now and on Amazon UK & US on publication day.

Thought provoking and gripping.
Alive and Jake are busy professionKs and newlyweds who want their marriage to work. When a wedding guest offers them the gift of joining the Marriage pact they accept. It starts as a simple concept a manual to follow to make your marriage work with other members to support you. Then there is the dark side of consequences should you not follow the manual precisely.
I really enjoyed this book and it is perfectly placed in today's society with high rates of divorce within marriage. At first the pact seems a great idea and something many couples would happily sign up to but then it becomes much darker.
I read this in one sitting and loved it. Would definately read a book by this author again.

Brilliant. This book had me gripped the whole way through. It is a totally unique idea. The writing style is great and makes it an easy read. The characters are well explained and it was easy to empathise with them. It can't be easy having your marriage being policed in that way. I did not notice time passing as I was totally engrossed in this book. I wanted to know the ending. I thought the ending was the perfect way to finish the book.

This book was amazing. The author added the right amount of suspense to leave you thinking about it long after you finished, everything about it pulled you into the story Ms Richmond definitely has a knack for storytelling.
5 Stars from me.

Well this book is really like no other. What a thrilling read that keeps you guessing until the final page.
Would I want to join the Pact? I'm not sure. But this book make me think about the values of marriage and the trials and tribulations. Fantastic plot!

This is a psychological suspense thriller with an interesting premise. In a world where so many marriages fail, what would you be prepared to do to make sure your marriage will be successful? Jack and Alison are given a box as a wedding present from Liam Finnegan, a client of Alice. Once a singer, Alice is now a lawyer and Jake is a therapist. part of a successful psychology practice. Liam asks them questions about their marriage where upon they are invited to join a rich and exclusive group. On returning from their honeymoon, Vivian explains The Pact, and the rules and regulations which aims to ensure that their marriage succeeds. They are presented with a manual with the rules which include that they have to answer every phone call from their spouse, give gifts, travel etc.. Failure to uphold the rules will result in penalties. The Pact was set up by Orla upon the failure of her marriage to support marriages. The story is told through Jake's perspective.

For different reasons, Jake and Alice are drawn to joining The Pact and without looking closely at the contract, sign it. At first, things are hunky dory, Jake and Alice's social life become a string of glamorous parties held by members who refer to each other as 'friend'. However, Alice's professional obligations, like preparing for trial, impede her capacity to adhere to the rules. In some strange and eerie way, The Pact appear to be remarkably well informed on their infractions, and punishments are enforced. Jake meets someone who implies that The Pact are a sinister organisation that controls couples and their marriages. There is only one problem, it is difficult to disassociate themselves from this cultish group. The Pact never leaves you and you never leave The Pact. Jake and Alice have fallen down a very dark rabbit hole.

The novel requires a fair degree of suspension of disbelief to get the most out of the story. However, if you are prepared to do that, then this is a fast paced and entertaining story with shades of the Stepford Wives. Jake and Alice are educated people operating from a place of insecurites and misplaced hopes to surrender control of their marriage to an outside agency and signing contracts without fully understanding what they were letting themselves in for. Michelle Richmond's writing is really good in enticing you into the book and in sustaining your interest through out with suspense. The Pact is a seriously creepy phenomena, I was imagining it being imposed throughout society, yikes! Whilst this not a novel without its flaws, I enjoyed reading it. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.

The 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.

For the first 15% I really didn’t like this book that much. But I carried on reading and I’m glad I did. I was absolutely shocked with what happened (no spoilers) and wow what an ending! 4*

I must admit at first I wasn't sure. It seemed a little like Stepford Wives.
How wrong I was! It very soon became a psychological thriller in its own right. Alice and Jake are inextricably drawn into a chilling nightmare, and struggle to escape.
I don't want to give any more details as that would spoil the suspense.
Well worth a read

Chilling! When presented with an invitation to join an exclusive club why would alarm bells ring? The newly weds were keen to be accepted until they realised the cost of leaving. This story could, worryingly , be reported in current news media as fact.

I found this book quite intriguing, with lots of twists and turns, always unsure of where it was going to go.

What an amazing book!!! The Marraige Pact reminds me of the book THe Firm..... a couple get married and get sucked into a bizarre world involving a Pact which has scary consequences....this book I could not put down!!!! I walked along the street reading and could not put it down! It was everything I wanted it to be from the description....please read it if you want a book to be devoured!!!!

An absolutely gripping psychological thriller, lulls you into a false sense of security with a slightly slow start before grabbing you a little way in. You'll be unable to put this down! Will be included in the Sarah Hurley Book Club after publication.

This was a very intriguing read. The newlyweds join the pact and see it as a way of strengthening their marriage although they don't really understand what they are getting themselves into. They manage to break some of the rules of the pact although not meaning to. It can get a bit violent in places so it's not really for the faint hearted but all in all a good read.

This book is about a young couple called Alice and Jake. Alice is a former rock star turned lawyer and Jake is a counsellor. A big client of Alice's firm more or less invites himself to Alice and Jake's wedding. After they return from honeymoon they receive a mysterious gift from the client. It turns out they are invited to join an exclusive group called the Marriage Pact. On the surface the group seem harmless enough, just a group of people who are willing to follow a set of rules to ensure a successful marriage. The reality of the group is a bit more sinister.

This book felt a lot different to my usual psychological thrillers. It is the first book in a long time that I thought about constantly, it even invaded my dreams. It really made me think a lot more about marriage and also whether there may be groups/cults like this that really exist. I thought that the characters made a few mistakes but I really don't know what I would do in that situation. I am very unsure about the ending and it was not the ending I hoped for.

It took a while to get into this book but after the first couple of chapters I couldn't put it down! It was a little odd in places but very intriguing, I didn't expect the ending and wasn't convinced I liked it but after stepping back for a couple days I think it ended in just the right way. A way written and compelling read, definitely worth a read!

An extremely clever book, I thoroughly enjoyed this twisted tale. Thought provoking and terrifying all at once, the story took me in so many directions. Definitely a page turner!

OMG !!!! a well and truly chilling thriller ,i couldn't put it down , would recommend

I found this book both compelling and fascinating. I rather enjoyed the concept and the many twists and turns. When reading I enjoy trying to guess what happens next but the author took it in a slightly different way each time. Just when I thought I had a handle on the plot and could predict where it would go, I was led down a different path and I found that fascinating. I would recommend this book to others, although it really isn't suitable for under 18s so I wouldn't recommend it to my students.
Thank you for allowing me to read it.