Review: The Marriage Pact

The Marriage Pact

by Michelle Richmond

Why did you choose this book? The synopsis intrigued me  

When did you read this book? March 2017

Who should read this book? Readers of psychological thriller/suspense

Source: Netgalley

My Rating: ✰✰✰ ½    3½ Stars

Here is a synopsis of Marriage Pact 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 Review

I requested this one from NetGalley because the synopsis was intriguing. I read it a few weeks ago but am just now writing my review, because it’s taken me this long to decide what I think of the book.

The story starts off well enough. Jake and Alice are about to be married and, through a chance meeting, Alice invites a client who is something of a celebrity to attend their wedding. Surprisingly he does and he sends an intriguing gift. The result is that Alice and Jake decide to join an exclusive group whose mission is to act as a support group to ensure that all marriages of members of the group remain strong — no divorce allowed! Sounds intriguing, right? Still, Alice is an attorney and when she was rushed into signing the paper to commit the couple to the ‘Marriage Pact’ you would think that would be a red flag to slow down. However, the prospect of hobnobbing with the rich and famous also had its intrigue for Alice and Jake, and they willingly committed to follow all rules.

As they become more enmeshed with the group and it’s rules, they learn this little group is not really a support group at all, but a cult, and when seemingly minor rules are broken, the consequences are severe...and sometimes a little weird. They look for a way out, but unlike social groups, this commitment is for life! Because the group is ‘secret’ so they can not  discuss it with anyone outside the group or ask for help. Suspense builds as they try to make their escape. I have to say that this book kept me reading, and while some of the scenes were a little creepy, I realize what a creative mind it took to write this book! Eventually the couple meets the the founder of the group. Though she was misguided, I found myself drawn to her and can understand why others may have been. Things come to a head and the couple are given a choice, with consequences.

I enjoyed the book even though at many times I was asking myself why the people involved stayed involved. It was creative and I never knew what would happen next, or who was calling the shots. I do wish there had been a bit more at the end, letting me know the results of the decision Alice and Jake made.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book for review purposes.