Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: July 25th, 2017
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
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Blurb from goodreads:
In this relentlessly paced novel of psychological suspense, New York Times bestselling author Michelle Richmond crafts an intense and shocking tale that asks: How far would you go to protect your marriage?
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.
My Thoughts:
"The Marriage Pact" kept me swiping my Kindle right until the end. I sat down to read and didn't stop until the book ended. While there were some bits that were predictable, it had lots of twists and unexpected events. It did stretch plausibility quite a bit but it also was provocative. It made me think about marriage - what it is, expectations of it, how you make it work, what happens when things go wrong, as inevitably they will. It also made me think about the future of marriage as a social construct, peer pressure, and commitments, not just the marital kind. When you sign up for something, you agree to the good and the bad. But at what point does the bad outweigh the good and is it right to keep that commitment in those circumstances?
The Pact seemed like a good thing, and a harmless one, at first. Alice is both a free spirit and someone who's strongly competitive. Her husband Jake admits, to the reader, that he 'trapped' Alice into marriage. He was afraid of losing her and hoped marriage would help tether her to him. What neither expected was just how strongly Alice would buy into The Pact when it was offered to them. Jake is more lackadaisical about it than Alice is, though initially he's more committed to the marriage. And at first, Jake loves the changes in Alice's behavior that The Pact brings about. But he starts to have doubts, starts to question The Pact, and that's a major no-no. That's when the action really kicks into high gear.
As I mentioned, there were some implausible bits but they're spoilers so I don't want to get specific. But, The Pact is a full-time commitment, that takes precedence even over your job. It's also not for anyone on a budget or who might be considered lower class. It's quite elitist. Even with the implausible bits, it was an engrossing story that kept me guessing. The next time you are in the mood for a psychological thriller, pick up The Marriage Pact.
This sounds really spooky and intriguing especially since nothing in the blurb sounds particularly threatening! Those are always the creepiest. I definitely need to add this to my list.
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