Book Review - Michelle Richmond's The Marriage Pact

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for providing me with an advance copy of Michelle Richmond's novel, The Marriage Pact, in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT- Jake is a psychologist in a small private practice and Alice is a former rock star turned lawyer. After a short courtship, they decide to take the plunge and get married. At the last minute, Alice jokingly invites a client, a famous musician whose case she worked on, to their wedding. Not only does he attend, but the singer and his wife give Alice and Jake an unusual wedding present. Their present is an invitation to an exclusive club called "The Pact."

The Pact is a group of like-minded couples, powerful couples, who enforce a set of rules designed to strengthen their marriages. When they return from their honeymoon, Alice and Jake are met with a representative from The Pact who asks them to formally sign a contract to seal their membership. Alice and Jake sign, not fully realizing the impact that joining will have on their lives. 

The Pact actively monitors their marriage, looking for any cracks. Alice and Jake are given a hefty instruction manual, which details the actions they must take, like booking quarterly vacations and always picking up the phone when their spouse rings. When they don't take their responsibilities seriously, they face the consequences, quite severe consequences. Jake discovers an old college girlfriend is also in The Pact and she tries to warn him. According to her, those who do not obey mysteriously vanish. Who is the mysterious group leader named Orla? Why were Jake and Alice chosen? Can they get out of The Pact alive?

LIKE- The Marriage Pact has a Twilight Zone/Black Mirror type quality to it. The tone is ominous, unsettling, and creepy through-out. I never quite knew where the story was heading, but I was happy to keep turning the pages. The intrigue and pacing never dropped. 

I didn't account for how dark Richmond's story would go. The Marriage Pact is utterly disturbing. There are many chapters with scenes of detailed and imaginative torture. I'm left with imagery that will likely never leave my mind. I'm talking stuff like in the Saw film franchise. It's horrific. 

The story is told in first person with Jake narrating. This is an interesting choice, because early on, all of the terrible things happen to Alice, leaving Jake ( along with the reader) imagining and worrying about what is happening. My stomach was in knots. The Marriage Pact is a visceral reading experience. Jake and Alice are both affable characters and it's easy to root for both their marriage and their individual characters to succeed. They are every-day people caught up in a completely mad situation. Richmond is brilliant with her character development.

I was worried that the ending would fall short and I felt like this until the final twist and the final chapter. Richmond has written the perfect ending. I can't imagine anything else working.

DISLIKE- I was left with a few questions. How did The Pact manage to grow and become so powerful? At what point did Orla lose her grasp? Although the concept was intriguing, I felt I had to seriously suspend my disbelief. I just can't imagine so many people going along with this group. I wanted more backstory on the group and its founder.

RECOMMEND- Yes, if you like creepy suspense stories and if you can handle highly disturbing content. The Marriage Pact is a thrill ride and Richmond is a fabulous storyteller. 

Book Review - Kimberly Rae Miller's Beautiful Bodies

Thank You to Little A for providing me with an advance copy of Kimberly Rae Miller's memoir, Beautiful Bodies, in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT- In her memoir, Beautiful Bodies, Kimberly Rae Miller explores her relationship with her own body; the confusion she feels over body image and her never-ceasing diets. 

LIKE- I loved Miller's previous memoir, Coming Clean, about growing up with parents who are hoarders, and I was thrilled to be approved for a galley edition of her latest memoir. Miller is a talented writer who is very open with sharing the intimate details of her life. This openness and vulnerability is what makes her writing so accessible. When I read her books, I feel like I'm being told a story by a close friend. Admittedly, I did not find the subject of body image to be as fascinating as her being raised by parents who are hoarders, however Miller's writing is so good, that I'd likely pick up any book she writes.

What Miller really hits on is the disturbing problem of very young girls dieting and having negative thoughts about their body. Honestly, I don't remember personally having these issues, but I see it in elementary-aged girls that I know; the fear of being fat and the obsession with dieting. It's scary! Along with her personal dieting stories, Miller throws in some dieting history. I love how she blends in the historical perspective, providing some Trivial Pursuit worthy tidbits. 

Miller analyzes how her body image has impacted her relationships, including that with her husband, Roy. It is hard for Miller to trust that Roy accepts her body with all of its changes, including pregnancy. 

DISLIKE- Nothing. Miller is brutally honest and often very funny.

RECOMMEND- Yes!!! If you are unfamiliar with Miller's writing, I highly recommend that you read both Coming Clean and Beautiful Bodies. She has a strong voice and unique perspective. 

Book Review- Taylor Bell's Dirty Rush

PLOT- Taylor Bell recalls her true story of her time in the Beta Zeta sorority at a college in Delaware. Initially, Bell is reluctant to join the sorority, but as a legacy, she is actively pursued to rush. 

LIKE- I picked up Dirty Rush based on positive professional reviews and a fun endorsement from Jen Lancaster. I adore Jen Lancaster. Somehow, I didn't realize that Dirty Rush was based on a true story until I had started reading, which made everything even more outrageous.

I was never in a sorority and the colleges that I attended didn't even have them. I don't think any of my close friends were in sororities or fraternities. Basically, I'm unfamiliar with them, except for what I've seen in popular culture. That said, I find the entire set-up fascinating. I just can't understand who would willingly put themselves through rushing and dealing with all of the drama. Bell does come out of the experience with some close friends, but I'm definitely not convinced of she wouldn't have made deep connections if a sorority hadn't been part of her college experience. Her friendships are solidified when the president of the sorority goes after Bell, releasing a doctored sex tape and trying to assassinate Bell's character while getting her tossed from Beta Zeta, Some of the other sorority members see what is happening and as Bell gathers proof, they stand by her side. There is a surprise twist when we find out about a terrible secret that Bell's older sister, a former sorority member, has kept hidden from her sister. Bell's story is truly shocking.

I loved that Bell was able to get Rebecca Martinson ( the sorority president who went viral for her scathing rush instruction email) to write a forward. It sets the tone for the entire book, letting the reader know that Bell has a good sense of humor regarding her experiences. Despite the intense bullying that Bell endures, her memoir has plenty of laughs. 

DISLIKE- This is a guilty pleasure read. A few years ago, I would have been embarrassed to admit to reading Dirty Rush. But you know what? I'm going to own it. Sometimes, you need a little trashy reading.

RECOMMEND - Dirty Rush is certainly not going to be everyone's cup of tea. It's shocking and has a scandalous/ TMZ type of vibe. Bell's humor and the quick pace make this a perfect beach read. I enjoyed the ride.