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The Marriage Pact #1
The Marriage Pact
*Revised September 2013 - Includes Preview Chapters of REGRETS ONLY!*
Marci Thompson always knew what life would be like by her 30th birthday. A cozy suburban home, charming husband and two brilliant children. A celebrated career as an established writer, complete with wall-to-wall mahogany shelves and a summer book tour. A life full of adventure with her friends and family by her side.
Instead, Marci lives alone in 480 square feet of converted motel space next to a punk rock band, hundreds of miles from her friends and family. She works in a temporary accounting assignment that has somehow stretched from two weeks into nine months. And the only bright spot in her life, not to mention the only sex she’s had in two years, is an illicit affair with her married boss, Doug. Thirty is not at all what it is cracked up to be.
Then the reappearance of a cocktail napkin she hasn’t seen in a decade opens a long-forgotten door, and Marci’s life gets complicated, fast. The lines between right and wrong, fantasy and reality, heartache and happiness are all about to get very blurry, as Marci faces the most difficult choices of her life.
Marci Thompson always knew what life would be like by her 30th birthday. A cozy suburban home, charming husband and two brilliant children. A celebrated career as an established writer, complete with wall-to-wall mahogany shelves and a summer book tour. A life full of adventure with her friends and family by her side.
Instead, Marci lives alone in 480 square feet of converted motel space next to a punk rock band, hundreds of miles from her friends and family. She works in a temporary accounting assignment that has somehow stretched from two weeks into nine months. And the only bright spot in her life, not to mention the only sex she’s had in two years, is an illicit affair with her married boss, Doug. Thirty is not at all what it is cracked up to be.
Then the reappearance of a cocktail napkin she hasn’t seen in a decade opens a long-forgotten door, and Marci’s life gets complicated, fast. The lines between right and wrong, fantasy and reality, heartache and happiness are all about to get very blurry, as Marci faces the most difficult choices of her life.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2011
146 people are currently reading
2592 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Pullen
8 books235 followersM.J. Pullen (a.k.a The Distracted Writer) is the author of playful women's fiction and complex, funny contemporary romances. She lives in the Atlanta area with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
March 13, 2016
Marcy is working at a temp job on the day she turns 30. In Texas, away from her family..the girl is lonely. But then you realize....she is having a dang affair with one of her bosses.
She knows this affair is going to end with one of them getting hurt. She just has in her head some kind of warped logic that everything will be okay. Yeah, right. Doug is one of the partners in the firm where she is working to beat all. She lives basically pay check to pay check..so money isn't even a plus in this whole hot mess. She has told no one of her situation, not her two best friends Suzanne and Jake, not any of her family. I kept expecting the crap to hit the fan Cheaters style.
Of course, that crap does not work out. IT FRIGGING NEVER DOES, PEOPLE!
Marcy comes back home to Georgia, remembering her past with her friends. Her bestie Jake and she had drunkenly made a pact that if neither of them are married by thirty that they will marry each other.
I just can't like this character. Marcy got on my nerves the whole book. She is thirty but sooo freaking naive, supposedly a college graduate and can't see her way out of the paper bag she has gotten herself into. Then turns around and is re-bounding with someone who she should not want to hurt?
I gots the frustration with this.
So why the three stars? I rounded up..because I did love Suzanne's character and will actually read the next book because she is the main character. I liked the writing. It did keep me reading the book even when I was wanting to punch some cheating faces. I liked the wedding scene and that whole part of the book. I LOVED the authors depiction of Georgia. You can tell how much she loves our state and that did come across.
Booksource: Library. I attended a book festival this weekend that featured this author and was curious about her writing. I didn't get the book finished beforehand though because I've been slacking.
Now several of my friends have read this book and they all seemed to enjoy it. (two starred it fives and one three) so I'm in the minority with them. None of them did a review so I'm just picking this one to highlight.
She knows this affair is going to end with one of them getting hurt. She just has in her head some kind of warped logic that everything will be okay. Yeah, right. Doug is one of the partners in the firm where she is working to beat all. She lives basically pay check to pay check..so money isn't even a plus in this whole hot mess. She has told no one of her situation, not her two best friends Suzanne and Jake, not any of her family. I kept expecting the crap to hit the fan Cheaters style.
Of course, that crap does not work out. IT FRIGGING NEVER DOES, PEOPLE!
Marcy comes back home to Georgia, remembering her past with her friends. Her bestie Jake and she had drunkenly made a pact that if neither of them are married by thirty that they will marry each other.
I just can't like this character. Marcy got on my nerves the whole book. She is thirty but sooo freaking naive, supposedly a college graduate and can't see her way out of the paper bag she has gotten herself into. Then turns around and is re-bounding with someone who she should not want to hurt?
I gots the frustration with this.
So why the three stars? I rounded up..because I did love Suzanne's character and will actually read the next book because she is the main character. I liked the writing. It did keep me reading the book even when I was wanting to punch some cheating faces. I liked the wedding scene and that whole part of the book. I LOVED the authors depiction of Georgia. You can tell how much she loves our state and that did come across.
Booksource: Library. I attended a book festival this weekend that featured this author and was curious about her writing. I didn't get the book finished beforehand though because I've been slacking.
Now several of my friends have read this book and they all seemed to enjoy it. (two starred it fives and one three) so I'm in the minority with them. None of them did a review so I'm just picking this one to highlight.
August 16, 2023
Nice. Contemporary. Romance. Story.
You probably heard this one before – if we aren’t married or involved with someone by the time, we are thirty, then we will marry each other.
Well, then, what happens when that is where we are both standing at the time?
One reviewer said this about the story, “the book equivalent of potato chips, fine but not filling.”
Oh we can be so picky, can’t we?
You probably heard this one before – if we aren’t married or involved with someone by the time, we are thirty, then we will marry each other.
Well, then, what happens when that is where we are both standing at the time?
One reviewer said this about the story, “the book equivalent of potato chips, fine but not filling.”
Oh we can be so picky, can’t we?
June 28, 2015
What girl, over the age of 25 and single, hasn’t thought about doing this? It’s brilliant. But the question remains, would you follow through? This novel takes you on a bit of a no holds barred joy ride into the lives of individuals just trying to make it through the trials of everyday life. Not only is this storyline very well and eloquently put together, but Pullen’s writing style also draws you in. As a reader you begin to feel like you are surrounded by the characters. You can hear them talking and see them acting out their everyday lives. It’s an amazing feeling.
The characters in this novel are brilliant. I became quite attached to them. They were like old college friends, to the extent that I wanted to throw a pillow at them once or twice for being ridiculous. But at the same time, they were being real people. It was so nice to get to know characters who actually let you into their lives as a whole, rather than simply giving you sneak peeks into certain aspects.
As a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these characters and cannot wait to continue on throughout life with them. I also wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys romance with a dash of reality added in for good measure.
The characters in this novel are brilliant. I became quite attached to them. They were like old college friends, to the extent that I wanted to throw a pillow at them once or twice for being ridiculous. But at the same time, they were being real people. It was so nice to get to know characters who actually let you into their lives as a whole, rather than simply giving you sneak peeks into certain aspects.
As a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these characters and cannot wait to continue on throughout life with them. I also wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys romance with a dash of reality added in for good measure.
June 16, 2012
As I read this story I found myself rooting for the main characters to do the right thing lol. The beginning hooked me but I did get a little distracted with in the middle as it gave a retro review to show insight to a friendship. As i read those few chapters I found myself thinking... Hurry to present day because I wanted to know what was happening with Marci and jake and it was taking to long. I think that the trip down memory lane was needed to show the relationship/ friendship aspect with jake but it maybe should have came sooner in the story. Just a thought.
Man I really was upset with Marci toward the end thinking, what kind of mistake did she make by meeting the ex and causing her to potentially lose the best thing to ever happen to her but with a lot of time lapse all was righted.
I found myself smiling a lot with the storyline of Marci and Jake and thinking... what are you thinking Marci with the storyline of her and Doug. In the end I did like this story and was happy with the outcome! Cute idea, a marriage pact and the way it happened was totally a believable circumstance that I feel was able to make the story relatible... Drunken night napkin writing!!!!
Man I really was upset with Marci toward the end thinking, what kind of mistake did she make by meeting the ex and causing her to potentially lose the best thing to ever happen to her but with a lot of time lapse all was righted.
I found myself smiling a lot with the storyline of Marci and Jake and thinking... what are you thinking Marci with the storyline of her and Doug. In the end I did like this story and was happy with the outcome! Cute idea, a marriage pact and the way it happened was totally a believable circumstance that I feel was able to make the story relatible... Drunken night napkin writing!!!!
January 25, 2014
The Marriage Pact by M.J. Pullen is a 2011 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Marci gets a temp job and meets Doug. For six months they have been seeing each other. The problem is Doug is married. Marci puts up with all the clichés of having an affair with a married man. They can't see each other whenever they wish, they have to meet in secret, and of course, he has to slip away to call his wife whenever they are together leaving Marci feeling bad about herself. Just when it looks like things might be looking up, Doug drops a bombshell on Marci.
Heartbroken and humiliated, Marci takes off to visit her parents and reunites with her best friend from college, Jake.
Now, there is quite a bit of history between Jake and Marci. In college they made a pact that if neither of them were married by their 30th birthday, they would marry each other. Since Marci just turned 30 and it appears she is once again single, the old pact is looking better and better all the time.
This contemporary romance switches back and forth between the present and Marci's college days. Now that time has sort of crept up on her, Marci is remembering the relationship she and Jake had and thinks that maybe the two of them are compatible enough to make a marriage work. So, why not?
Things aren't that simple of course. Doug keeps trying to find Marci and truthfully she needs a get all that mess straightened out before she marries Jake. But, Marci's meetings with Doug cause Jake to begin having second thoughts.
Should Marci cut her loses and start all over with a clean slate? No Doug, no Jake? When a family situation takes over Marci's life, the truth about how she feels and how others feel about her will set her life onto a new and much more stable course that will leave you feeling very good about Marci's future.
I had heard a little bit about this book when it was first released. I kept wanting to find out what the buzz was all about, but with so many books in the TBR, it got lost in the shuffle. I am glad I finally got around to reading it. This was a good story with a great deal of character growth for Marci. She matures, realizes what is really important to her, learns that she can make it on her own, and gets her own HEA in the end.
If you enjoy contemporary romance I recommend that you check this one out. This is the first book in a series. Overall this one is an A.
Marci gets a temp job and meets Doug. For six months they have been seeing each other. The problem is Doug is married. Marci puts up with all the clichés of having an affair with a married man. They can't see each other whenever they wish, they have to meet in secret, and of course, he has to slip away to call his wife whenever they are together leaving Marci feeling bad about herself. Just when it looks like things might be looking up, Doug drops a bombshell on Marci.
Heartbroken and humiliated, Marci takes off to visit her parents and reunites with her best friend from college, Jake.
Now, there is quite a bit of history between Jake and Marci. In college they made a pact that if neither of them were married by their 30th birthday, they would marry each other. Since Marci just turned 30 and it appears she is once again single, the old pact is looking better and better all the time.
This contemporary romance switches back and forth between the present and Marci's college days. Now that time has sort of crept up on her, Marci is remembering the relationship she and Jake had and thinks that maybe the two of them are compatible enough to make a marriage work. So, why not?
Things aren't that simple of course. Doug keeps trying to find Marci and truthfully she needs a get all that mess straightened out before she marries Jake. But, Marci's meetings with Doug cause Jake to begin having second thoughts.
Should Marci cut her loses and start all over with a clean slate? No Doug, no Jake? When a family situation takes over Marci's life, the truth about how she feels and how others feel about her will set her life onto a new and much more stable course that will leave you feeling very good about Marci's future.
I had heard a little bit about this book when it was first released. I kept wanting to find out what the buzz was all about, but with so many books in the TBR, it got lost in the shuffle. I am glad I finally got around to reading it. This was a good story with a great deal of character growth for Marci. She matures, realizes what is really important to her, learns that she can make it on her own, and gets her own HEA in the end.
If you enjoy contemporary romance I recommend that you check this one out. This is the first book in a series. Overall this one is an A.
June 19, 2012
Marci Thompson always dreamed about life would be like by her 30th birthday. She wanted to be have a career as an established writer and a summer book tour. A life full of adventure with her friends and family by her side. All Marci did for ten years was run from failed loves, failed jobs, and create an uncertain future. For a while the bright spot in her life, not to mention the only sex she’s had in two years, is an illicit affair with her married boss, Doug. She is finally offered the job she really wanted and the same day Doug breaks up with her saying his wife is pregnant. She runs back to Georgia with Jake her bff and former love.
It was a great read, just put together wrong. I think the history and back-story could have been added as a flashback instead of flipping back and forth.
All in all she decides maybe Jake is the right one for her and they get engaged. In the end I was happy with the book and story, just not the order they appeared.
It was a great read, just put together wrong. I think the history and back-story could have been added as a flashback instead of flipping back and forth.
All in all she decides maybe Jake is the right one for her and they get engaged. In the end I was happy with the book and story, just not the order they appeared.
June 8, 2013
There were several times throughout this book that I wanted to stop reading it, but I struggled through. I thought Marci was awful and Doug was no better. I have a hard time believing that a thirty year old is so immature, stupid and selfish. I couldn't stand either of them...the only person in this story that I liked was Jake and I thought he could have done better and almost feel sorry for him. It is rare that I read a book that I don't like and don't recommend but this is one of them:(
(for the record I am not saying the story was written poorly as far as the writing goes it wasn't bad it was just the storyline and the characters that I didn't like)
(for the record I am not saying the story was written poorly as far as the writing goes it wasn't bad it was just the storyline and the characters that I didn't like)
January 8, 2016
Wanted to enjoy this one more than I did. I really liked the idea of it more than the execution. I wish there had been more of an emphasis placed on Marci and Jake's present day relationship than there was on the past. I struggled at times to feel their connection. I actually felt like I knew Doug, the married man with whom she had an affair with, more than I did Jake.
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September 24, 20172.5?
January 2, 2013
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The Marriage Pact by M.J. Pullen is a wonderful and fun read. At only 99 cents on Amazon I thought it sounded interesting and was a great price, I decided to buy it. I am so glad I did! I could not put it down and read the book in about 6 hours. I laughed out loud at scenes and found myself jealous of the friendship the group had. As well as having a sweet guy like Jake in love with you!
The Marriage Pact stars with 30 year-old Marci having an affair with her married boss, Doug. The affair turns series when he tells her he loves her and wants to leave his wife. At the same time, Marci recently turned 30 and received an email from her best friend, Jake whom she made a pact with during college that if they are not married or in a series relationship by the time they are 30 they will marry each other. Now the time has come and Marci seems to ignore the email focusing on her affair.
As time goes on, Doug tells Marci he is staying with his wife and leaves her heartbroken. She returns to her home state to star over and get away from her troubles. She calls her best friend, Jake to come take her home. The two finally decide to get married to each other but things don't go as plan. Marci has to work out her issues and resolve issues with Doug... Does she still love him? Does she love Jake like he loves her? All these questions get answered in The Wedding Pact.
REVIEW: I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a cute "chick flick" or "chick book" in this case. The idea of making a pact isn't original but the way Ms. Pullen creates her character and other aspects of the story line to make the story is own. I really enjoyed the way the story was outline, starting out in 2004, then going back to 1994 during the time in college, back to 2004, then to present time. I liked being able to look back in the mind of Marci and the timeline of events. Especially her time in college with Jake. He is a sweetie! :)
I also enjoyed that Marci was never truly happy until she worked on herself, she didn't need a man even though she was in love with one of them (I won't say who). Once her life was put together, she was able to live her happy ever after. The story line with Doug was different to read and I actually liked the story line. His letter to her was very heart touching and it made me think the story may end differently then I had thought it would. It was a very beautiful letter I have to give Doug credit for.
Only two negatives I have for the book is I felt the story of her Aunt Mildred could of benefited the story more but it kind of just went away. I think it could of been brought up at the end to help Marci decide her future. It seemed too random. Also, the two days before her sister's wedding and during her sister's wedding I found very boring. Only part of the book I found myself getting bored and wanting to skim the chapter.
Over all, I give the book 3.5 stars- 4 total because it kept my interest, it was unique, and was only 99 cents! There is a sequel Regrets Only telling Suzanne's story (Marci's best friend).
The Marriage Pact by M.J. Pullen is a wonderful and fun read. At only 99 cents on Amazon I thought it sounded interesting and was a great price, I decided to buy it. I am so glad I did! I could not put it down and read the book in about 6 hours. I laughed out loud at scenes and found myself jealous of the friendship the group had. As well as having a sweet guy like Jake in love with you!
The Marriage Pact stars with 30 year-old Marci having an affair with her married boss, Doug. The affair turns series when he tells her he loves her and wants to leave his wife. At the same time, Marci recently turned 30 and received an email from her best friend, Jake whom she made a pact with during college that if they are not married or in a series relationship by the time they are 30 they will marry each other. Now the time has come and Marci seems to ignore the email focusing on her affair.
As time goes on, Doug tells Marci he is staying with his wife and leaves her heartbroken. She returns to her home state to star over and get away from her troubles. She calls her best friend, Jake to come take her home. The two finally decide to get married to each other but things don't go as plan. Marci has to work out her issues and resolve issues with Doug... Does she still love him? Does she love Jake like he loves her? All these questions get answered in The Wedding Pact.
REVIEW: I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a cute "chick flick" or "chick book" in this case. The idea of making a pact isn't original but the way Ms. Pullen creates her character and other aspects of the story line to make the story is own. I really enjoyed the way the story was outline, starting out in 2004, then going back to 1994 during the time in college, back to 2004, then to present time. I liked being able to look back in the mind of Marci and the timeline of events. Especially her time in college with Jake. He is a sweetie! :)
I also enjoyed that Marci was never truly happy until she worked on herself, she didn't need a man even though she was in love with one of them (I won't say who). Once her life was put together, she was able to live her happy ever after. The story line with Doug was different to read and I actually liked the story line. His letter to her was very heart touching and it made me think the story may end differently then I had thought it would. It was a very beautiful letter I have to give Doug credit for.
Only two negatives I have for the book is I felt the story of her Aunt Mildred could of benefited the story more but it kind of just went away. I think it could of been brought up at the end to help Marci decide her future. It seemed too random. Also, the two days before her sister's wedding and during her sister's wedding I found very boring. Only part of the book I found myself getting bored and wanting to skim the chapter.
Over all, I give the book 3.5 stars- 4 total because it kept my interest, it was unique, and was only 99 cents! There is a sequel Regrets Only telling Suzanne's story (Marci's best friend).
November 4, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book! I look forward to reading more by this author.This book had a lot of happy scenes, but by the same token a lot of sad and regretful parts as well. It was hard at first for me to try to understand the main character Marci, as she had loved her friend Jake almost all of her life, and yet she always ran away when things got tough, and this story showed this!The problem was she never took a serious job, she was always a temp. and at the beginning of the book she is turning 30! Marci has been seeing a married man for the last 6 months, and things are starting to get too serious, so in a drunken state one night calls Jake, her best friend to help her go home!She has just been given a great permanent job! The man she loves that is married, broke things off with her as his wife is pregnant. Devastated, she goes home and moves in with her best friend.
Jake is an awesome man, and always has been, and he has always loved Marc; in fact he wrote on a napkin ten years ago that if they were both single by the time they turned 30, they would get married! Jake saved that napkin and pulls it out and slips his grandmother's ring on her finger! What should have been the happiest time in their lives turns out far from that!
Read this book and find out what happens, I loved this story and I hope that you will too! I really love the way that Marci finally realizes that she is about to do a stupid thing and how she goes about correcting things to make sure she and Jake will have a chance at that "happily ever after!"
I gave this book 4**** stars and look forward to more by this author!
Jake is an awesome man, and always has been, and he has always loved Marc; in fact he wrote on a napkin ten years ago that if they were both single by the time they turned 30, they would get married! Jake saved that napkin and pulls it out and slips his grandmother's ring on her finger! What should have been the happiest time in their lives turns out far from that!
Read this book and find out what happens, I loved this story and I hope that you will too! I really love the way that Marci finally realizes that she is about to do a stupid thing and how she goes about correcting things to make sure she and Jake will have a chance at that "happily ever after!"
I gave this book 4**** stars and look forward to more by this author!
April 17, 2012
I saw this book on amazon.com as one of the 'better' romance novels out there. At only 99 cents, I got the sample and decided 'what the heck...it's only $1!"
Some parts dragged on for far too long. It got boring in some parts. I skimmed and flipped through some pages at one point. I liked the 'main' story...about a woman (Marci) who is entangled in a love triangle with a married man...but only about 45% of the book seemed to be about that specifically. It kept jumping back to Marci in college and it distracted from the whole storyline. And then it went on to her and another man that has always had feelings for her. And then back to the married man some time later. I guess I was just looking for a good, juicy, 'my-wife-cant-find-out-about-us' type of book. And this wasnt it at all.
I only gave the book three stars because I did like the ending. Some parts made me smile but overall, I wouldn't read it again.
Some parts dragged on for far too long. It got boring in some parts. I skimmed and flipped through some pages at one point. I liked the 'main' story...about a woman (Marci) who is entangled in a love triangle with a married man...but only about 45% of the book seemed to be about that specifically. It kept jumping back to Marci in college and it distracted from the whole storyline. And then it went on to her and another man that has always had feelings for her. And then back to the married man some time later. I guess I was just looking for a good, juicy, 'my-wife-cant-find-out-about-us' type of book. And this wasnt it at all.
I only gave the book three stars because I did like the ending. Some parts made me smile but overall, I wouldn't read it again.
April 12, 2013
I'm having a hard time coming up with descriptive words for this book. I guess I'd call it mediocre; it's a simple, somewhat predictable chick-lit book. It started out a bit slow for me. Parts of the story dragged and I found myself skimming paragraphs and pages here and there. There is also a strange time shift at some parts of the book, where we get a look at the past - it did not work well at all.
Meh... It was ok.
Meh... It was ok.
May 23, 2012
Free on Amazon, the book equivilant of potato chips, fine but not filling.
August 31, 2017
Took about 100 pages to really get into this book and for the suspense to build. Interesting idea about marriage and what it takes to make it a success.
July 17, 2016
A friend recommended another book in this series, but I felt the need to start at the beginning and read the books in chronological order (because I'm OCD like that!). The Marriage Pact chronicles a year or so in the life of Marci Thompson who's turning thirty without much to show for it. She's been working a boring, data entry temp job at an ad agency for the better part of year when what she really wants is to be a copywriter and she's conducting a clandestine affair with her married boss who doesn't seem to be in any hurry to leave his wife. Because of this affair, she blows off friends and doesn't really date. She's miserable and unfulfilled, but doesn't want to admit it. When she's reminded of a pact she made with Jake, her closest guy friend since college, that they would marry each other if they were both still single at thirty, Marci wonders if that's a viable option.
There were a lot of things I enjoyed about this story. It was extremely well-written, and I got a kick out of it being set in my hometown of Atlanta so that I recognized most of the places that were mentioned. The supporting characters were beautifully nuanced and jumped off the page - particularly Marci's bridezilla sister, Nicole, her sassy bestie, Suzanne, and her Great Aunt Mildred, who had a very touching and surprising backstory. And I was crushing hard on Jake, Marci's friend/potential hubby, all throughout the book. He was just plain dreamy. We should all be so lucky as to have a Jake in our lives. Not that he was perfect, because that would be boring. He had his flaws and felt real throughout the book. There were some swooningly romantic moments in the book and others that brought tears to my eyes (most of these involved Marci's interactions with Jake's family).
I will confess to struggling with the character of Marci. I understood how she got involved with Doug, her married boss, but hated to see him manipulating her and her putting up with it over and over again. I kept wanting to give her a shake and yell, "Snap out of it!" because she just wouldn't let the Doug thing go and she didn't seem to be appreciating what Jake had to offer. Marci really is her own worst enemy for a good part of the book. Thankfully, she did eventually learn and grow from her experiences, and I was glad the book ended with her in a good place.
I will definitely be reading the next book in this series because I need to find out what happens with Suzanne. She did not have a very long attention span when it came to men in The Marriage Pact, so I'm interested to see what kind of guy it takes to bowl her over.
There were a lot of things I enjoyed about this story. It was extremely well-written, and I got a kick out of it being set in my hometown of Atlanta so that I recognized most of the places that were mentioned. The supporting characters were beautifully nuanced and jumped off the page - particularly Marci's bridezilla sister, Nicole, her sassy bestie, Suzanne, and her Great Aunt Mildred, who had a very touching and surprising backstory. And I was crushing hard on Jake, Marci's friend/potential hubby, all throughout the book. He was just plain dreamy. We should all be so lucky as to have a Jake in our lives. Not that he was perfect, because that would be boring. He had his flaws and felt real throughout the book. There were some swooningly romantic moments in the book and others that brought tears to my eyes (most of these involved Marci's interactions with Jake's family).
I will confess to struggling with the character of Marci. I understood how she got involved with Doug, her married boss, but hated to see him manipulating her and her putting up with it over and over again. I kept wanting to give her a shake and yell, "Snap out of it!" because she just wouldn't let the Doug thing go and she didn't seem to be appreciating what Jake had to offer. Marci really is her own worst enemy for a good part of the book. Thankfully, she did eventually learn and grow from her experiences, and I was glad the book ended with her in a good place.
I will definitely be reading the next book in this series because I need to find out what happens with Suzanne. She did not have a very long attention span when it came to men in The Marriage Pact, so I'm interested to see what kind of guy it takes to bowl her over.
November 17, 2015
4.5 stars.
Fast-paced with a wonderful cast of characters, The Marriage Pact by M.J. Pullen is an engaging novel about friendship and love.
Marci Thompson has made a career of temp work, but her latest job has lasted much longer than her previous gigs. The other big difference on this job is her six month relationship with her married boss, Doug Stanton. Their romance is exciting and passionate but being "the other woman" is beginning to wear thin. However, Marci continues to remain hopeful Doug will finally leave his wife and fully commit to her. When her thirtieth birthday rolls around, her college friend Jake Stillwell reminds her of the pact they signed ten years earlier that if neither was married by their thirtieth birthday, they would marry each other. Marci has always loved Jake, but she is also heavily invested in her illicit romance with Doug which makes it very difficult for her to know which man she should choose.
Despite being a bit self-absorbed, Marci is a likable and mostly sympathetic character. She is ashamed of her affair and despite knowing she should end their relationship, she lacks the willpower to make a clean break from him. She has a long history of avoiding conflict and her knee-jerk reaction when things go wrong is to run away. A snap decision brings positive changes for her life, but it is not until she is on the verge of losing what she holds most dear that Marci reflects on what she truly wants.
The supporting cast of characters is well-developed and for the most part, likable. Suzanne is Marci's best friend and she provides her with unconditional support. Jake is very sweet and just like Suzanne, he is willing to drop everything to help Marci when she needs assistance. Rebecca is the least appealing of the friends since she is more concerned with pursuing her own agenda than supporting Marci when everything begins to fall apart.
The Marriage Pact by M.J. Pullen is a charming novel with a realistic storyline. The characters are multi-faceted with true to life flaws and imperfections. An entertaining read that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in The Marriage Pact series.
Fast-paced with a wonderful cast of characters, The Marriage Pact by M.J. Pullen is an engaging novel about friendship and love.
Marci Thompson has made a career of temp work, but her latest job has lasted much longer than her previous gigs. The other big difference on this job is her six month relationship with her married boss, Doug Stanton. Their romance is exciting and passionate but being "the other woman" is beginning to wear thin. However, Marci continues to remain hopeful Doug will finally leave his wife and fully commit to her. When her thirtieth birthday rolls around, her college friend Jake Stillwell reminds her of the pact they signed ten years earlier that if neither was married by their thirtieth birthday, they would marry each other. Marci has always loved Jake, but she is also heavily invested in her illicit romance with Doug which makes it very difficult for her to know which man she should choose.
Despite being a bit self-absorbed, Marci is a likable and mostly sympathetic character. She is ashamed of her affair and despite knowing she should end their relationship, she lacks the willpower to make a clean break from him. She has a long history of avoiding conflict and her knee-jerk reaction when things go wrong is to run away. A snap decision brings positive changes for her life, but it is not until she is on the verge of losing what she holds most dear that Marci reflects on what she truly wants.
The supporting cast of characters is well-developed and for the most part, likable. Suzanne is Marci's best friend and she provides her with unconditional support. Jake is very sweet and just like Suzanne, he is willing to drop everything to help Marci when she needs assistance. Rebecca is the least appealing of the friends since she is more concerned with pursuing her own agenda than supporting Marci when everything begins to fall apart.
The Marriage Pact by M.J. Pullen is a charming novel with a realistic storyline. The characters are multi-faceted with true to life flaws and imperfections. An entertaining read that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in The Marriage Pact series.
July 17, 2016
There wasn't a lot of romance in this romance novel. What there was a lot of was angst. After all the tears, I expected an epic payoff...and there wasn't. It was all very tepid in the end. I don't even feel like I got to know who Jake (the love interest) even was. There was so little of him on the page. At least in present day. There was a lot of time spent on him in college set flashbacks, but in present day information was just dumped occasionally. So it was hard to get invested.
Another thing, this book is largely set in Atlanta. Almost every character was white. The only black characters were a maid, a nurse, etc. The help. Every time their skin color was pointed out, they had a few lines of dialogue (if that), and they were never heard from again. The main character's sister gets married to an Indian man, but that storyline was full of cliches. He had an arranged marriage (of course) he backed out of to be with the sister. His parents wanted him to be a doctor (of course). His mother didn't approve of the marriage (of course). And there didn't seem to be a lot of research put into Indian wedding traditions. The word "exotic" was trotted out. Now, this book is set in the very white Buckhead area, but there are people of color there. And we're not all the help or running from an arranged marriage.
I really wanted more from this book. More romance, more love, more (any) diversity.
Another thing, this book is largely set in Atlanta. Almost every character was white. The only black characters were a maid, a nurse, etc. The help. Every time their skin color was pointed out, they had a few lines of dialogue (if that), and they were never heard from again. The main character's sister gets married to an Indian man, but that storyline was full of cliches. He had an arranged marriage (of course) he backed out of to be with the sister. His parents wanted him to be a doctor (of course). His mother didn't approve of the marriage (of course). And there didn't seem to be a lot of research put into Indian wedding traditions. The word "exotic" was trotted out. Now, this book is set in the very white Buckhead area, but there are people of color there. And we're not all the help or running from an arranged marriage.
I really wanted more from this book. More romance, more love, more (any) diversity.
September 25, 2015
I received an ARC at the RT Booklovers Convention in exchange for an honest review.
Once I started reading, I couldn't put this book down. The novel centers on Marci, who's about to turn thirty and in a dead-end relationship, and a dead-end job, and seemingly unable to make her life better. I really felt for her right away. Even though I wouldn't necessarily make the same choices she did, I empathized with her and found her very relatable, like a friend. At the beginning of the book, Pullen really captured the loneliness of her life, and the sadness of being in love with a married man, and living far away from your circle of friends and family. When Marci returns to her hometown for a wedding, she is reminded of an old friend, Jake, with whom she once made a pact (somewhat jokingly) to marry if neither had done so by thirty. The novel then follows their relationship.
The book is more women's fiction with romantic elements than straight romance since it focuses more on the woman, but those are the kinds of novels I tend to love most! It was by turns sweet, funny and poignant, and there were twists and turns I didn't see coming. All in all a very compelling read!
Once I started reading, I couldn't put this book down. The novel centers on Marci, who's about to turn thirty and in a dead-end relationship, and a dead-end job, and seemingly unable to make her life better. I really felt for her right away. Even though I wouldn't necessarily make the same choices she did, I empathized with her and found her very relatable, like a friend. At the beginning of the book, Pullen really captured the loneliness of her life, and the sadness of being in love with a married man, and living far away from your circle of friends and family. When Marci returns to her hometown for a wedding, she is reminded of an old friend, Jake, with whom she once made a pact (somewhat jokingly) to marry if neither had done so by thirty. The novel then follows their relationship.
The book is more women's fiction with romantic elements than straight romance since it focuses more on the woman, but those are the kinds of novels I tend to love most! It was by turns sweet, funny and poignant, and there were twists and turns I didn't see coming. All in all a very compelling read!
June 15, 2012
Entertaining, relatable, and slightly frustrating at times. As a woman, you want to shake the main character (Marci) sometimes and say, "Don't you get what is going on here? Don't you see?!" For being 30 years old, you would think Marci were 19 the way she handles things. There were points I had to stop reading and put it down due to frustration at her actions, as if I was walking away from the argument or situation to cool off before returning more clear minded and more civil. But, if you ask me, this means the author did a good job! Whenever an emotion like that is stirred, you are invested.
It is definitely not an intellectual read. I felt as if it were a guilty pleasure read due to the ease of it, and the tabloid-gossip-feel that came with it in certain circumstances. It screams "chick flick" all over it. But, let's be honest...who doesn't like a good "chick flick" now and again?
It is definitely not an intellectual read. I felt as if it were a guilty pleasure read due to the ease of it, and the tabloid-gossip-feel that came with it in certain circumstances. It screams "chick flick" all over it. But, let's be honest...who doesn't like a good "chick flick" now and again?
March 29, 2016
This is a nice contemporary romance story.
The story revolves around a promise made between two friends that they will marry each other if they are not married by the time they are 30. It is written in a present-past style that gives you background into the friends-to-more relationship.
The characters are likeable, and the story has enough drama, heartache, romance and humour to keep the story flowing nicely.
It is a sweet, easy read. Perfect for when you're looking for something light and fluffy.
This review can also be found on www.whatsbetterthanbooks.com
The story revolves around a promise made between two friends that they will marry each other if they are not married by the time they are 30. It is written in a present-past style that gives you background into the friends-to-more relationship.
The characters are likeable, and the story has enough drama, heartache, romance and humour to keep the story flowing nicely.
It is a sweet, easy read. Perfect for when you're looking for something light and fluffy.
This review can also be found on www.whatsbetterthanbooks.com
June 8, 2012
Not exactly my kind of book, although I found myself furiously turning the pages. The depth of Marci's character was refreshing. It wasn't a simple black and white love story - there were a great many twists and turns. Doug and Jake were both interesting characters. I prefer a little more steam in my romances.
April 6, 2012
I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. I thought it had good character development, but I felt like it was a little long winded at times. I also didn't feel as much of a connection between Marci and the guy she ends up with, but with that being said it still was a good read.
September 14, 2016
Frustrating most of the time and I skimmed through some of the long-winded descriptions but I was happy with the end. I felt that some of the scenes had far too much detail while the most important ones were lacking in substance.
September 14, 2016
What a yawn-fest. Thank goodness it only took a couple of hours to read. It's basically an entire novel of pointless, uninteresting minutiae. No excitement. No tension. No romance, either. Disappointing.
May 2, 2012
Only giving this a "4" because I felt I had to skim through some unnecessary details to get to the "meat and potatoes " but a really good read.
October 24, 2012
I am a sucker for a good love story
June 9, 2016
I hate cheaters....
June 16, 2020
Uncomfortable affair.
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I usually pride myself on picking out books that I am interested in the premise of because I am a synopsis reader. I know what I like to read and what I don’t like to read. Usually even when a synopsis is ambiguous I can still pick out some clues that lead to me to think it’s a book for me. Well, I made a mistake with this one. I’m going to go ahead and blame it on Covid-19 because this was in the massive library haul I had before shelter in place. Nothing like the threat of libraries closing to make you grab whatever you can find.
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I really thought this was going to be a marriage of convenience rom com type book. Nope. The first third of the book is about a woman in an affair with her married boss. I don’t like to read about affairs. It’s uncomfortable and depressing. The second third of the book is about her getting over the affair. Still too much affair talk for me. By the time we get to the final third of the book I was over it. Even with the happy ending it was kind of a downer for me. Next time I’ll read the synopsis.
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What is a subject you don’t like reading about?
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Clean rating: 🧼🧼 for sex that isn’t too detailed or passionate, unless you are into the dangerous aspect of getting caught.
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I usually pride myself on picking out books that I am interested in the premise of because I am a synopsis reader. I know what I like to read and what I don’t like to read. Usually even when a synopsis is ambiguous I can still pick out some clues that lead to me to think it’s a book for me. Well, I made a mistake with this one. I’m going to go ahead and blame it on Covid-19 because this was in the massive library haul I had before shelter in place. Nothing like the threat of libraries closing to make you grab whatever you can find.
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I really thought this was going to be a marriage of convenience rom com type book. Nope. The first third of the book is about a woman in an affair with her married boss. I don’t like to read about affairs. It’s uncomfortable and depressing. The second third of the book is about her getting over the affair. Still too much affair talk for me. By the time we get to the final third of the book I was over it. Even with the happy ending it was kind of a downer for me. Next time I’ll read the synopsis.
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What is a subject you don’t like reading about?
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Clean rating: 🧼🧼 for sex that isn’t too detailed or passionate, unless you are into the dangerous aspect of getting caught.
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May 20, 2017
I chose this book in the hope that it would be an amusing, light read that I could finish in a day or so. I was immediately disappointed, this book was dull, angsty, boring and annoying. The main character who, even though I JUST put the book down I've forgotten her name, is beyond irritating. She is thirty but reads much younger, and she's a total cliche. Involved with her married boss and delusional about the future. She's just clueless about, well everything. The other prospective relationship in her life that we readers are supposed to see as inevitable, or meant to be seemed less interesting than the affair, which is a huge author failure. There were a couple of side characters in this book that were interesting and I believe they have a central role in other books in this series. I probably won't read them though. I hate to feel that any time spent reading was wasted but even though it was only a few hours that's how I feel about The Marriage Pact.
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