I feel like I need to give a book a terrible review, because almost all the reviews I’ve written are pretty good. And lately, the last couple books I’ve read I have really enjoyed! But still, I wonder if it would improve my credibility if I wrote a couple scathing reviews?
The thing is, most of the time I’m pretty picky about the books I read. With Netgalley, I only request a book if I’m pretty sure I’m going to like it. And in most cases, even if I don’t 100% like it, it’s probably good enough for me to give the book 3 stars.
And then there are times that I’m so stinking excited to get my hands on the next book by a favorite author that I just know it’s going to be amazing. And even if it isn’t, I still usually like it well enough.
Okay, maybe I am too nice. But please don’t let my leniency weigh on my review of The Marriage Pact. Because I really really did like this one. In a completely above average way. It was fantastic.
From the Publisher:
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:
“The first rule of fight club is you do not talk about fight club.” And it’s the same in the Marriage Pact. Do not talk about The Pact. It’s the same sort of secret club like in Skulls or Eyes Wide Shut. Young couple Jake and Alice are invited to become members and since they think a little extra accountability might help their marriage, and the first quarterly dinner party is amazing, they say yes.
Of course from here, things get a little crazy. And the reader, along with Jake and Alice starts to wonder what is The Pact actually protecting?
In today’s world, where 50% of marriages end in divorce by year seven, it’s definitely an intriguing premise. And Jake, who is a counselor (with some marriage clients), a super doting husband, and kind of a voice of reason is a great polarizing character in this slightly apocalyptic type story.
But this one really surprised me. I actually hadn’t heard much about it, but I had probably seen it on a couple lists to request it from my library. But I really enjoyed it. A good solid story with some dramatic twists and real suspense. I really think this one would make a fantastic movie.
I’m thinking Paul Rudd as Jake and maybe Kristen Bell as Alice? Or we could bypass Paul Rudd and just cast Dax and Kristen? Because they are just the best doting couple and I bet they would play the parts perfectly! What do you think?
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