How far is too far when it comes to protecting your marriage? Find out in this relentlessly paced novel of psychological suspense for anyone who loved The Couple Next Door.“Ranks with The Stepford Wives and Gone Girl as a terrifying look at what it really means to say ‘I do.’”—Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author of The Switch Newlyweds Alice and Jake are a picture-perfect couple. … Switch
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.
Praise for The Marriage Pact
“This fast-paced nail-biter goes in unpredictable directions. . . . It also raises thoughtful questions about individual agency and marital commitment. With strong writing, intriguing characters, and a compelling conceit, this psychological thriller seems destined for the top of summer reading lists. Recommended as a fresh voice for readers of Gillian Flynn or Ruth Ware.”—Library Journal (starred review)
“Creepy and engrossing . . . [The Marriage Pact takes] readers deep into the heart of a marriage and exposes some of the darker drives, such as possession and control, that can lurk within even the most harmonious of unions.”—Booklist
“Gripping, thought-provoking, and irresistible.”—Dean Koontz
“Riveting psychological suspense! This book will keep you up all night, while making you second-guess everything you know and everyone you’ve ever loved.”—Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Right Behind You
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Very original, fast paced, thought provoking
4 out of 5 stars to The Marriage Pact, a thriller and suspense novel written by Michelle Richmond and set to be released on July 25, 2017. Many thanks to the author, NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Bantam, for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC). I really enjoyed reading this novel and felt it had a lot of contained suspense, as I couldn’t put it down but it wasn’t the kind where you were scared; you just desperately wanted to know what was going to happen.
Why This Book
I’d seen the book on a few people’s Goodreads To Read or Currently Reading lists, and it looked interesting. I requested a ton of books on NetGalley to try to earn my 80% badge, and I got lucky when they approved this request.
Plot, Characters & Setting
Alice and Jake had been finalizing the list of 200 guests for their upcoming wedding when she won a big case at her law firm and felt compelled to invite one more guest and his wife: Liam Finnegan, a client who made a point of telling Alice’s boss how instrumental she was to winning the lawsuit. When they arrive home from their honeymoon, Jake and Alice open the Finnegan’s gift, an invitation given only to a select few to join “The Pact,” a group of married couples who call each other “Friend” and help ensure everyone’s marriage is successful. At first, it seems a bit odd but given their history as a couple, both think it’s a good idea and jump in with open arms. They meet Vivian, who is their guide for the initial few months, and begin reading the bylaws, a huge tome of a contract that dictates how often they must give each other gifts, plan vacations, see other Friends, talk to one another, et al. And if they do not, there are consequences with differing levels of punishment. As the weeks go by, Alice and Jake don’t take the group too seriously and begin accidentally committing minor infractions. The punishments begin, and it starts to completely unnerve them both. When they push back and try to leave The Pact, they’re essentially told “No one ever leaves The Pact. And The Pact never lets anyone go.” Alice and Jake attempt to follow all the rules, but work gets in the way, and Jake meets another Friend, whom he once knew before he was married. The woman tells him about the dangers of The Pact, but it’s too late to save themselves, she warns. Weeks go by where Alice and Jake try to balance everything, but frequently find themselves with intrusive and harmful punishments… all culminating in Alice’s disappearance and Jake flying to Ireland to find the creator of The Pact, in hopes he can convince the strange woman to let them leave.
Approach & Style
I read the novel through a Kindle Reader on my iPad. It has about 5200 lines, which works out to about 400 book pages. There are over 80 chapters, as each one is short and focused on a multitude of events happening in Alice and Jake’s lives.
The novel is told in past tense (with a few exceptions for present tense) and with Jake as the first person narrator whose point of view and perspective dominates the story.
It took me about 5 hours to read the novel. I read 20% the first day and then 80% the second day. I couldn’t put it down on the second day and only did so to go out for dinner. I found myself so interested in the middle section that I sometimes skimmed pages to get to the action, as I was shaking trying find out what was going to happen.
Strengths
The idea behind The Pact and the story is excellent. The divorce rate is too high. People take one another for granted. You’re often left on your own to solve marital issues unless you push yourselves to attend therapy. It sounds like a fantastic idea: a group of Friends meant to help you focus on your life as a couple, some rules and guidelines to ensure you are constantly thinking about the other person and minor punishments meant as little reminders not to get off track. But when it gets out of hand, and you realize this is more like a cult who like to torture one another, wow… the subtle actions and words really leave you right on the line, trying to decide is this really happening? Is this one bad apple making the group worse than it really is? Are they truly a cult or is it all a game? Who is behind this? And it quickly becomes a page-turner, where you don’t want to put it down.
The book can seriously play on someone’s fears about marriage. It makes you think what the point of it is, how and when you separate yourselves as a couple and two individual people. You see the love between a newlywed couple being ripped apart over minor issues in the hope that it will teach them not to ever let something big or bad happen between them. The intricacies of how The Pact always knows what’s going on, how they simply just accept what happens to them and the balance of power between all the couples… really gets you ignited and passionate over what’s right and wrong in this book. All good stuff, especially when you have such an emotional gut reaction to what’s happening. The descriptions of the behavior, the punishments and the setting really help create the suspenseful drama.
Concerns
When I read a book, I throw myself into it, usually letting most unbelievable things go if they are meant to drive the action or plot forward. I’m pretty forgiving when a situation happens that probably wouldn’t or couldn’t in real life. It’s a book. That’s what drama is for. If I want reality, I’ll look at my own life. And that’s what readers will have to do with this book — let some things go —
as there’s a 1 and a million chance something like this could ever happen, but there are at least 10 situations where some readers are going to say “No way. That’s ridiculous.” And they’re right, but then again, this is a story meant to entertain and scare you. So… I worry that some readers are going to be disgruntled with parts of the plot, and I can’t say much as I don’t want to give away spoilers. But a few easy examples… (don’t read the next paragraph as it’s not really a spoiler, but does give a bit of action away).
Why would a lawyer sign The Pact without reading it? How could they not go to the police? How did The Pact know things about Jake and Alice’s past? Why would you not ask the question to the leaders: “What should I do? If I don’t attend your meeting today, you will punish me. But if I miss this court date, I lose my job. It’s not that you aren’t important… but without a job, how do I live?” That last comment is in reference to a major part of the plot where Alice is asked to do something by the same person who is helping her move forward at the law firm… and if she does do what they ask, she’ll get in trouble at work. Something just didn’t jive well for me there. I kept thinking to myself…. ask them what they want you to do and stop saying “I just won’t show up to the meeting with the Friends.” At that point, they’d already been punished a few times… why??? And they also hadn’t read the full bylaws. I wanted to smack them for not reading the whole thing.
I loved the first 80% of this book. I put it down to go to dinner at a point where it was absolutely unreal and intense in the suspense and drama. I was so excited to finish it when I got home. And then I did. But the ending was not sufficient for me. It’s a good ending, but it wasn’t the one I wanted. Alice and Jake are essentially faced with a choice in the last few chapters, one which as they learn more about The Pact, they realize what has truly happened in the last few months. And they have a decision to make which is a good thing, but wow… I think I might not have done that if I were in their shoes!
Author & Other Similar Books
Michelle Richmond has several other books which I will definitely peruse, as I enjoyed her writing style, characters and plot very much in this one.
The story felt like a cross between “The Stepford Wives” and the movie “The Gift.” The people in The Pact all feel like a cult being controlled by someone behind the scenes as the Wellingtons do Stepford. And Jake and Alice receives strange gifts with scary alternative meanings and consequences as occurs in the movie “The Gift.”
Questions & Final Thoughts
I really like this book despite a little concerns with the ending. It’s the kind of book where I want to keep talking about it. But I won’t give away spoilers. So… a choice for you: (1) Read the book and then let’s talk about it, as there is a lot to say, or (2) Don’t read the book and we can talk about it but I’m gonna reveal all the spoilers so you totally understand it!
Ms. Richmond has come up with a very interesting story in The Marriage Pact and a premise that made me want to look over my shoulder. Jake and Alice are newlyweds, both successful in their own right. They receive a strange wedding gift from a near-stranger, an invitation to join The Pact, a group that wants to help couples take care of their marriages. At first, Jake and Alice think, “Why not?” and they join with some enthusiasm, as well as a little trepidation. It becomes clear The Pact will do almost anything to preserve a marriage, even doling out its own punishments if a member husband or wife strays in any way. The creepy factor is off the charts on this one. It begins slowly enough and neither main character seems to think their Pact “Friends” are anything more than eccentric. However, it soon becomes clear that this isn’t just any group of like-minded people. Jake fears it’s a cult. It really picks up toward the end and the finale is dramatic. If you enjoy suspense, and don’t mind analysing your own marriage at the same time (because it will make you do that), you will enjoy this story.
Alright, where should I start. It’s creepy, weird and when you read this book it will mess up with your head and make you question a lot of things, trust me. So, let’s do this: Alice and Jake are newly weds, Jake is a therapist and he owns his own practice with two other people. Alice was a singer in a well known rock band, but she is now a successful lawyer. They live in San Francisco and their life just getting started…just before their wedding Alice wins a case from a really good client who pretty much invites himself and his wife to their wedding. They then send a gift to Jake and Alice, but not just any gift, they send an exclusive invitation to a mysterious group named The Pact.
The Pact seems simple, keep marriages happy and intact, there are rules but they seem pretty simple and don’t doesn’t like to receive gifts every month and plan trips? The only thing they must never do is: never mention The Pact to anyone. So, Alice and Jake are in.
But, when one of them breaks a rule things take a turn to side they never saw it coming. The Pact takes marriage for life very, very seriously and they will do everything and whatever it takes to make sure they follow that rule. When Jake and Alice realize that The Pact is so not what they thought it was it may be a little too late to get out of it. So, what do they do?
Things get crazy in this book, for one thing for once I really enjoyed reading from the male POV and Jake? Oh man, he was pretty amazing, he was pretty honest about everything, about The Pact, about his feelings, about his marriage, about his work, pretty much about everything. And this guy was not going to stop at nothing to have the marriage that he dreamed of. And he fights until the end…and you just have to read to find out what Jake and Alice do, will they go through live with The Pact and they crazy rules? Will they find a way out? Remember, there is no way out with The Pact…
4 out of 5 stars for this one.
Interesting premise. Surprise ending.
Michelle Richmond is, without a doubt, a talented writer with a gift for storytelling. That said, I did have some problems with this particular tale.
The Marriage Pact started out well enough, it was suspenseful and gripping. The problem was that I kept feeling like I had read something similar. Then, it hit me. The idea of the marriage pact was different, but the fundamentals, the lengths the people behind the pact would go to achieve their goals, were very reminiscent of a Stephen King short story from the late 70’s, one that was also featured later in a movie anthology.
I decided to let that go and just enjoy the story for what it was, but again, much like King’s work from around that same period, the story veers off several times with extraneous details that, in my opinion, were nothing more than a distraction.
As mentioned, the story is a Psychological Thriller and as I said earlier, it does require quite the suspension of belief. It is certainly creepy at times will have a reader’s heart racing, but once the people behind the pact take action, there isn’t much in the way of realism.
Jake and Alice are both educated people in their 30’s. He’s a therapist and she’s a lawyer. To say too much would give spoilers, but I found myself unable to envision any circumstance that would have these two educated adults succumbing to the dictates of pact rules and punishment – a fact that had me rolling my eyes through much of the story.
That said, there was a interesting twist at the end that I certainly didn’t see coming, one that is the reason for that third star in my rating.
Of course, this is just one person’s opinion, so if you enjoy Psychological Thrillers, by all means, check this one out. I will say that the author’s writing style and talent are such that this one book will not deter me from reading future books by her.
The main characters of Jake and Alice are young professionals who are getting married. Before the wedding they are given a mysterious gift, part of the gift can only be opened after the wedding by a representative of “The Pact” with a key. As Jake and Alice sign the documents agreeing to the terms of marriage according to “The Pact” they have every intention of their marriage being forever. The Pact must be a wonderful club of like-minded couples who will support and befriend each other through the years, right??
What they do not realize is, they must live each day of this marriage according to the strict rules outlined within The Manual. It is all legal and binding, and ….terrifying! Free will is no longer an option for Jake and Alice as they come to terms with “The Pact”. The psychological and physical punishment for failure to meet the laws and conditions of the “The Pact” is fearfully horrible.
There are times in the story when I think Alice is “in” on what is happening, for some unknown reason. But then again…maybe not!?!?
Can they escape it? Should they surrender themselves and try to just stay below the radar of the “The Pact” enforcers?
For me, the ending leaves questions, which may be intentional by the author. Just remember as you read the book…. “ You don’t leave The Pact, and The Pact doesn’t leave you”… “No one Leaves alive”!
Relationships are difficult… but this one takes it too a new extreme of difficulty. This one is frightening, nerve shredding and at times creepy. With lots of thought provoking concepts and cultish vibes, The Marriage Pact is a thriller that won’t let you down.
Great book! I don’t normally read thrillers but this book was fantastic. I was scared at various parts but the way the author wrote it made me want to the turn page to see what happens next. The ending was a pleasant surprise.
This is a stand out book. It’s got an unusual and unique plot for one thing. With so many thrillers on the market, that’s a must. A suspense filled book, very gripping from the start.
Great read! So good! I needed something different from my usual to read and this one fit the bill eminently. Did not disappoint and kept me reading until late into the night. Always a sign of a great book : )
Michelle Richmond is, simply put, a great storyteller. And THE MARRIAGE PACT, without gimmicks or tricks, is a twisting, suspenseful, keep-you-up-all-night thriller. But it’s more than that, too. It’s a deep, insightful, nearly voyeuristic view into modern marriage…A smart, engrossing, scary read!
The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond
2017
I received an unedited digital ARC from NetGalley for review.
I really enjoyed her novel, No One You Know, so I am hoping this one doesn’t disappoint.
Not only was I not disappointed but overwhelmed as this book exceeded my expectations. The Marriage Pact is an eerie psychological story about how easy it can be to allow other people to tell us what’s best for us. The incredible journey of the mind where you questions only lead to more questions. When the narrator, Jake says, “In hindsight, I realize we should’ve known, right then, something was wrong” you can prepare yourself for a long outrageous ride. When Jake states, “The Pact had the mysterious draw of those things that both repulse and attract you at the same time” I thought that’s exactly how to describe this story! This book is too good for anyone to provide spoilers. The only negative aspect from my opinion were the meanderings of Jake’s thoughts as the story is told from his perspective. Again, that is my impatient bias as I enjoy psychological novels and like to predict where they will lead.
It was a good read. The plot was different, original. It stretched in places.
Lawyer Alice and therapist Jake are deeply in love. They decide to get married.
When Alice announces the wedding at her firm, her prominent client, Liam Finnegan, overhears and says, “I love weddings!”.
Alice invites him thinking he will never show up. But show up he does, along with a mysterious wedding gift. His friend, Vivian, will explain everything.
Alice and Jake learn that the gift is an offer to join a group known as “The Pact”.
The goal of The Pact is to keep marriages happy and together.
There are rules and mostly they make sense. Mostly.
One big rule: Never mention The Pact to anyone.
There are also punishments for breaking rules. They’re not really specified.
With a little hesitation, they both want to express how committed they are, they sign the contract.
They are now “Friends” of The Pact.
It will be the biggest mistake of their lives.
They will soon discover how pervasive and invasive The Pact is.
How easy the rules are to break.
How bizarre and increasingly dangerous the punishments are.
How all-knowing The Pact is.
Before long, they desperately want out of The Pact. But no one leaves The Pact….alive!
This is a fast-moving thriller with a premise that grabs you from the start.
It also offers many interesting observations on modern marriage.
Just how far will Jake and Alice have to go, if they even can, get out of……THE PACT.
Loved this book!!!! Couldn’t put it down once I started reading it.
Wasn’t crazy about the whole premise.
never finished it, it was boring.
Great story, right up until the ending, which was disappointing.
As a working woman-I had a hard time with some of this- was an easy read and was unique in the storyline. Not sure how an attorney would sign a contract without reading it first.
If you want a story that is a little different than the usual, check it out.