What do you think?
Rate this book
The Anti-Marriage Pact: A Novel
AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER
Four friends. One pact. Zero compromises... Until now.
When EJ and her three roommates swear off marriage and motherhood with their infamous "Anti-Marriage Pact," they think they've got life figured out. No white dresses, no baby fever, no losing themselves to societal expectations. Just fierce friendship, creative ambitions, and the gritty freedom of Brooklyn.
But the bonds that once felt unbreakable start to fray as one friend and then another begins to find love. Meanwhile, Chris walks into EJ's life—a buttoned-up tax accountant who dares to question everything she believes about love, commitment, and what it really means to live on your own terms. Now EJ finds herself caught between loyalty to her sisters-in-arms and the terrifying prospect of opening her heart to something she's spent years rejecting. As her carefully constructed world begins to crack, EJ must confront the possibility that maybe, just maybe, she's been wrong about everything.
A wickedly funny and brutally honest exploration of modern feminism, female friendship, and the courage it takes to rewrite the rules of your own life.
Four friends. One pact. Zero compromises... Until now.
When EJ and her three roommates swear off marriage and motherhood with their infamous "Anti-Marriage Pact," they think they've got life figured out. No white dresses, no baby fever, no losing themselves to societal expectations. Just fierce friendship, creative ambitions, and the gritty freedom of Brooklyn.
But the bonds that once felt unbreakable start to fray as one friend and then another begins to find love. Meanwhile, Chris walks into EJ's life—a buttoned-up tax accountant who dares to question everything she believes about love, commitment, and what it really means to live on your own terms. Now EJ finds herself caught between loyalty to her sisters-in-arms and the terrifying prospect of opening her heart to something she's spent years rejecting. As her carefully constructed world begins to crack, EJ must confront the possibility that maybe, just maybe, she's been wrong about everything.
A wickedly funny and brutally honest exploration of modern feminism, female friendship, and the courage it takes to rewrite the rules of your own life.
320 pages, Paperback
Published June 2, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
June 26, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!!
3.5 ⭐
HOLY character development!! I have yet to read a book where the main character grows this much in one book!! I loved loved EJ's story and her awakening!! This is very women rights/feminism forward! She had some amazing ideas and opinions and some other crazy ideas lol. Sometimes she was super unhinged.
This is set in New York City, we walk through the streets, take the subways, talk about life in the big city. If you are near New York and/or understand the street and block names then this will be so fun for you!! We are REALLY set in New York!
You know, we have a saint in this book and that's Olivia. This girl was such an understanding person to deal with her bf and his "friend" that is always there.
Speaking of Olivia having to deal with EJ, she can cause some freakin trouble. EJ just wreaks havoc everywhere she goes. Before she "woke up" she was AWFUL. She is lucky her friends loved her anyway. She still keeps a lot of her beliefs after she realized her ways, she didn't do a full 180, but she became more mellow, sweet, and understanding. I loved the character she turned into!
3.5 ⭐
HOLY character development!! I have yet to read a book where the main character grows this much in one book!! I loved loved EJ's story and her awakening!! This is very women rights/feminism forward! She had some amazing ideas and opinions and some other crazy ideas lol. Sometimes she was super unhinged.
This is set in New York City, we walk through the streets, take the subways, talk about life in the big city. If you are near New York and/or understand the street and block names then this will be so fun for you!! We are REALLY set in New York!
You know, we have a saint in this book and that's Olivia. This girl was such an understanding person to deal with her bf and his "friend" that is always there.
Speaking of Olivia having to deal with EJ, she can cause some freakin trouble. EJ just wreaks havoc everywhere she goes. Before she "woke up" she was AWFUL. She is lucky her friends loved her anyway. She still keeps a lot of her beliefs after she realized her ways, she didn't do a full 180, but she became more mellow, sweet, and understanding. I loved the character she turned into!
August 15, 2026
Thank you Lindsay MacMillan and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.
3.75 Stars
It is worth pushing through. The beginning of this novel was a bit rough for me. Not because the quality of the writing but because the main character was insufferable and pretentious and everything I dislike about the label feminsim. In the times we are living in 2026, there is a serious gender war happening for many reasons but one has to wonder if there isn't some happy medium and thats what feminism means to me, that the woman gets to make her own choice regardless of what direction that takes her in her life.
Pigeon holing women to be one specific way is still oppression so I was happy to see the main character learn and grow while still being her quirky self. The latter half really resonated with me and helped me see how some of the hate in my heart is due to trauma and not just that men are bad and marriage is bad etc.
I can definitely see how the main character and the heavy feminist ideals will throw some readers off especially how she portrays them but I liked the novel far more by the end then I expected.
The narration performance was spectacular, I really enjoyed it.
Decent read.
3.75 Stars
It is worth pushing through. The beginning of this novel was a bit rough for me. Not because the quality of the writing but because the main character was insufferable and pretentious and everything I dislike about the label feminsim. In the times we are living in 2026, there is a serious gender war happening for many reasons but one has to wonder if there isn't some happy medium and thats what feminism means to me, that the woman gets to make her own choice regardless of what direction that takes her in her life.
Pigeon holing women to be one specific way is still oppression so I was happy to see the main character learn and grow while still being her quirky self. The latter half really resonated with me and helped me see how some of the hate in my heart is due to trauma and not just that men are bad and marriage is bad etc.
I can definitely see how the main character and the heavy feminist ideals will throw some readers off especially how she portrays them but I liked the novel far more by the end then I expected.
The narration performance was spectacular, I really enjoyed it.
Decent read.
July 15, 2026
I had very mixed feelings about this book. At first I enjoyed EJ. I liked her strong feminist beliefs and her willingness to vocalize them. But she eventually began to weigh on me. There is a redemption arc for her but holding on while getting there is tough. The romance with EJ is so freaking weird. It’s not really miscommunication (which I hate) but you’re left wondering the entire book what is going on in their minds. Her friends are a nice balance to her outspokenness and bring levity to the story overall. I would be interested in reading other books by this author. Her plot lines and character development are strengths in her writing.
Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the arc of this book.
Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the arc of this book.
June 17, 2026
I’m all for strong women, but the main character is next level in the worst way. EJ’s attitude toward anyone who feels differently than she does is awful, and she comes across as genuinely unlikable, judgmental and self-absorbed throughout the entire story. The narrative is completely dominated by EJ’s opinions, and we barely get to know the other Redstockings members as individuals. They feel more like props for her story rather than fully realized characters. Meanwhile, EJ internally portrays her family as awful people, even at one point considering alienating them completely, yet they come across as an average family. There’s no abuse or toxicity, just different perspectives that she can’t tolerate.
EJ operates under the assumption that every married woman is a “trad wife,” which shows an incredibly narrow and judgmental worldview. She believes that if anyone feels differently than she does, they’re automatically wrong or inferior. She’s exhausting to follow as a protagonist. At the end of the book, I felt like I was supposed to accept her sudden attitude change as meaningful character growth when she develops feelings for a man and briefly shows a vulnerable side. After spending the entire book watching her be dismissive and superior to everyone around her, this shift feels unearned and convenient rather than genuine development. EJ is simply an unlikable, judgmental character who made the entire listening experience unpleasant. Instead of feeling empowered by a strong female protagonist, I found myself frustrated by her inability to respect different viewpoints or show basic empathy toward people who don’t share her exact beliefs.
I finished this ALC because I am appreciative that the publisher provided me with an advanced copy.
All thoughts shared here are my own.
EJ operates under the assumption that every married woman is a “trad wife,” which shows an incredibly narrow and judgmental worldview. She believes that if anyone feels differently than she does, they’re automatically wrong or inferior. She’s exhausting to follow as a protagonist. At the end of the book, I felt like I was supposed to accept her sudden attitude change as meaningful character growth when she develops feelings for a man and briefly shows a vulnerable side. After spending the entire book watching her be dismissive and superior to everyone around her, this shift feels unearned and convenient rather than genuine development. EJ is simply an unlikable, judgmental character who made the entire listening experience unpleasant. Instead of feeling empowered by a strong female protagonist, I found myself frustrated by her inability to respect different viewpoints or show basic empathy toward people who don’t share her exact beliefs.
I finished this ALC because I am appreciative that the publisher provided me with an advanced copy.
All thoughts shared here are my own.
July 8, 2026
BLURB:
EJ and her 3 roommates vow to reject marriage through an anti-marriage pact, but when their lives take unexpected turns and a new friend, Chris, challenges her beliefs, EJ is forced to question everything she thought she knew about happiness.
REVIEW:
I grabbed a copy of this one because I’m a huge fan of Abigail Reno’s narration, and this was a different genre (lit. fiction) from what I’ve listened to her narrate in the past. I went in blind, expecting a slower-moving literary book, and instead I got an engaging literary drama with a subtle romance, a complex (and initially unlikeable) protagonist, and a story that surprised me. EJ lives in Brooklyn with roommates and has some very rigid beliefs about marriage, relationships, and society’s expectations. Her rebellious attitude and sometimes annoying behavior are front and center from the start, so I knew I’d have to be patient and see whether her growth throughout the story would eventually make me connect with her more. Thankfully, sticking with this book and her journey mostly paid off.
The story is told entirely from EJ’s first-person POV, and it was definitely entertaining to get pulled into her very opinionated inner monologues. Right away, I was intrigued by her dynamic with her three roommates, Hal, Jenny, and Tara, who call themselves the Redstockings, and their Brooklyn basement apartment they call “The Inn.” Initially, it seems they all share similar views about marriage and society, but as time goes by, it becomes clear that each woman is complex and has her own needs that change her—and EJ is by far the most rigid in her beliefs. I liked how the group dynamic evolved throughout the story. It was difficult for EJ to stomach the disappointments, but she needed them, and it felt realistic and relatable.
When EJ meets Chris at an art gallery show, their first interaction is anything but romantic, and she brushes him off. But as fate keeps bringing them together, they slowly develop an unconventional friendship while he’s dating someone else. If you’re hoping for a romance, that’s not really what their relationship is for most of the book. There’s a mutual growth between them, and EJ’s personal transformation is propelled forward after meeting him.
This book’s reviews are all over the place, and I understand why. EJ is an unlikeable character who will frustrate and annoy a lot of readers. Even though some of her views are limited and hurtful, and she seems oblivious to how she negatively affects people at times, I can’t say I disagreed with everything she said—she also makes some very valid points about societal expectations and conformity. Later in the story, she’s forced to confront her owncontradictions and realize she doesn’t have all the answers, which is where I started enjoying the book more.
The writing is straightforward, feeling more like contemporary women’s fiction than anything lyrical or especially literary. EJ goes through a rapid shift in her mindset near the end after a life-changing experience. I didn’t completely buy into it, as she was still so set in her ways and deeply rooted in her beliefs only a few chapters earlier. That being said, it was still satisfying to see her become less stubborn and recognize her own flaws.
I also appreciated that the ending, especially regarding the romance, didn’t go into unrealistic happily-ever-after territory (thank goodness!)—that would have been very at odds with this story. The absolute highlight for me, though, was EJ’s relationship with Chris’s dog, Arnie. Their connection was a fun and heartwarming addition and honestly elevated my rating from 3.5 to 4 stars!
If you’ve seen this one around and the premise intrigues you, I highly recommend experiencing it as an audiobook. Abigail Reno elevates this story and brings EJ, the roommates, and the Inn brilliantly to life. I laughed more than a few times during several of EJ’s rants, and I think you will too!
EJ and her 3 roommates vow to reject marriage through an anti-marriage pact, but when their lives take unexpected turns and a new friend, Chris, challenges her beliefs, EJ is forced to question everything she thought she knew about happiness.
REVIEW:
I grabbed a copy of this one because I’m a huge fan of Abigail Reno’s narration, and this was a different genre (lit. fiction) from what I’ve listened to her narrate in the past. I went in blind, expecting a slower-moving literary book, and instead I got an engaging literary drama with a subtle romance, a complex (and initially unlikeable) protagonist, and a story that surprised me. EJ lives in Brooklyn with roommates and has some very rigid beliefs about marriage, relationships, and society’s expectations. Her rebellious attitude and sometimes annoying behavior are front and center from the start, so I knew I’d have to be patient and see whether her growth throughout the story would eventually make me connect with her more. Thankfully, sticking with this book and her journey mostly paid off.
The story is told entirely from EJ’s first-person POV, and it was definitely entertaining to get pulled into her very opinionated inner monologues. Right away, I was intrigued by her dynamic with her three roommates, Hal, Jenny, and Tara, who call themselves the Redstockings, and their Brooklyn basement apartment they call “The Inn.” Initially, it seems they all share similar views about marriage and society, but as time goes by, it becomes clear that each woman is complex and has her own needs that change her—and EJ is by far the most rigid in her beliefs. I liked how the group dynamic evolved throughout the story. It was difficult for EJ to stomach the disappointments, but she needed them, and it felt realistic and relatable.
When EJ meets Chris at an art gallery show, their first interaction is anything but romantic, and she brushes him off. But as fate keeps bringing them together, they slowly develop an unconventional friendship while he’s dating someone else. If you’re hoping for a romance, that’s not really what their relationship is for most of the book. There’s a mutual growth between them, and EJ’s personal transformation is propelled forward after meeting him.
This book’s reviews are all over the place, and I understand why. EJ is an unlikeable character who will frustrate and annoy a lot of readers. Even though some of her views are limited and hurtful, and she seems oblivious to how she negatively affects people at times, I can’t say I disagreed with everything she said—she also makes some very valid points about societal expectations and conformity. Later in the story, she’s forced to confront her owncontradictions and realize she doesn’t have all the answers, which is where I started enjoying the book more.
The writing is straightforward, feeling more like contemporary women’s fiction than anything lyrical or especially literary. EJ goes through a rapid shift in her mindset near the end after a life-changing experience. I didn’t completely buy into it, as she was still so set in her ways and deeply rooted in her beliefs only a few chapters earlier. That being said, it was still satisfying to see her become less stubborn and recognize her own flaws.
I also appreciated that the ending, especially regarding the romance, didn’t go into unrealistic happily-ever-after territory (thank goodness!)—that would have been very at odds with this story. The absolute highlight for me, though, was EJ’s relationship with Chris’s dog, Arnie. Their connection was a fun and heartwarming addition and honestly elevated my rating from 3.5 to 4 stars!
If you’ve seen this one around and the premise intrigues you, I highly recommend experiencing it as an audiobook. Abigail Reno elevates this story and brings EJ, the roommates, and the Inn brilliantly to life. I laughed more than a few times during several of EJ’s rants, and I think you will too!
July 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook of The Anti-Marriage Pact by Lindsay MacMillan! This was such a fun and different book! At first EJ frustrated me with her rigid beliefs and resistance to change but once the story peeled back her layers, her perspective made so much sense. Watching her grow was genuinely satisfying and the ending tied everything together beautifully. The power of female friendship was beautiful to see as the women entered different times of their lives. Abigail Reno’s narration added so much personality to the story, too.
July 18, 2026
Thank you @booksparks @harpermusebooks and @lindsaymacwrites #MacmillanAudio2026 for the gifted copy of this book...this is my honest review.
🎧📖 The Anti-Marriage Pact 📖🎧
Author: Lindsay MacMillan
Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Audiobook Publisher: Harper Muse Audio
Narrator: Abigail Reno
Length: 10 hours, 40 minutes
Publisher: Harper Muse Books
MY RATING: 4.25/5⭐
(Rounded Down to 4⭐)
The Anti-Marriage Pact, from Lindsay MacMillan, was an endearing coming-of-age novel about a group of four female friends in their twenties, living their best lives in Brooklyn, who commit to never losing themselves to societal expectations and to never give up their creative ambitions by getting married or accepting the complacency of being just a housewife and mother.
I actually read this book as a combo of the ARC I received as part of a book tour and the audiobook, narrated by the brilliant Abigail Reno. Reno's narration was so perfect for this book and really made this story pop -- I definitely recommend the audiobook!
I loved the carefree manner in which EJ and her three roommates lived their lives - bucking society's expectations and committing to going against the grain. Of course, it was easy to anticipate the four main characters wouldn't be able to honor their pact to never get married -- it just wasn't realistic. It sure was entertaining to watch the four of them try, though!
In the first half of the book, I started to feel that female MC EJ was almost becoming insufferable with her sarcasm and strict adherence to the anti-marriage pact. I mean, the girl really committed to it and made sure everyone around her knew just how committed she was. Her sweet relationship with Arnie the dog saved her character in my eyes, as their relationship was so sweet.
However, when a secret about EJ's past was unexpectedly revealed later in the book, it completely changed the way I saw her character and made me have a much greater understanding of her quirks. The last third of the book felt almost like a complete 180 to the first two-thirds of it, and I really enjoyed the trajectory of her character. The push-pull of the love stories within the book are quite compelling, and the themes of found family and healing families of origin added a wonderful touch to the entire read.
If you're a fan of contemporary fiction and women's fiction, I think you'll really enjoy this book! It melds a coming-of-age story with found family and love stories, without any spice. It also reminds the reader that our personalities are always evolving and that it's never too late to give yourself the love you deserve. Such a fun read!
#TheAntiMarriagePact #LindsayMacmillan #BookSparks #TheAntiMarriagePactTour #HarperMuse #HarperMuseAudio audiobooks #ARC #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
🎧📖 The Anti-Marriage Pact 📖🎧
Author: Lindsay MacMillan
Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Audiobook Publisher: Harper Muse Audio
Narrator: Abigail Reno
Length: 10 hours, 40 minutes
Publisher: Harper Muse Books
MY RATING: 4.25/5⭐
(Rounded Down to 4⭐)
The Anti-Marriage Pact, from Lindsay MacMillan, was an endearing coming-of-age novel about a group of four female friends in their twenties, living their best lives in Brooklyn, who commit to never losing themselves to societal expectations and to never give up their creative ambitions by getting married or accepting the complacency of being just a housewife and mother.
I actually read this book as a combo of the ARC I received as part of a book tour and the audiobook, narrated by the brilliant Abigail Reno. Reno's narration was so perfect for this book and really made this story pop -- I definitely recommend the audiobook!
I loved the carefree manner in which EJ and her three roommates lived their lives - bucking society's expectations and committing to going against the grain. Of course, it was easy to anticipate the four main characters wouldn't be able to honor their pact to never get married -- it just wasn't realistic. It sure was entertaining to watch the four of them try, though!
In the first half of the book, I started to feel that female MC EJ was almost becoming insufferable with her sarcasm and strict adherence to the anti-marriage pact. I mean, the girl really committed to it and made sure everyone around her knew just how committed she was. Her sweet relationship with Arnie the dog saved her character in my eyes, as their relationship was so sweet.
However, when a secret about EJ's past was unexpectedly revealed later in the book, it completely changed the way I saw her character and made me have a much greater understanding of her quirks. The last third of the book felt almost like a complete 180 to the first two-thirds of it, and I really enjoyed the trajectory of her character. The push-pull of the love stories within the book are quite compelling, and the themes of found family and healing families of origin added a wonderful touch to the entire read.
If you're a fan of contemporary fiction and women's fiction, I think you'll really enjoy this book! It melds a coming-of-age story with found family and love stories, without any spice. It also reminds the reader that our personalities are always evolving and that it's never too late to give yourself the love you deserve. Such a fun read!
#TheAntiMarriagePact #LindsayMacmillan #BookSparks #TheAntiMarriagePactTour #HarperMuse #HarperMuseAudio audiobooks #ARC #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
July 8, 2026
This one was a fun surprise! Maybe it's just the old lady in me, but I enjoyed EJ's snarky, albeit jaded, outlook on marriage. She definitely had some junk to work through, but who doesn't?
And then, *the epiphany*, and the entire story took a 180. Not in a bad way necessarily, but the tone changed so dramatically it was a bit of a shock to the system. Still, there were some profound moments and I ended up really enjoying the overall themes. I would've loved more of the friend group!
🎧 Abigail Reno's narration was fantastic! Highly recommend the audio.
Thanks to Harper Muse, Booksparks, and LibroFM for my gifted copies!
And then, *the epiphany*, and the entire story took a 180. Not in a bad way necessarily, but the tone changed so dramatically it was a bit of a shock to the system. Still, there were some profound moments and I ended up really enjoying the overall themes. I would've loved more of the friend group!
🎧 Abigail Reno's narration was fantastic! Highly recommend the audio.
Thanks to Harper Muse, Booksparks, and LibroFM for my gifted copies!
June 16, 2026
Several chapters into this novel, I nearly quit reading - I thought it was just another Rom Com: 4 New York City pals sharing the rent and vowing to never marry ... ho hum. But I kept listening (I rented the audio version) and it turned out there was a lot more to the Anti-Marriage Pact, even if there were times I could have sworn I had read the book before, or one that was very similar. The interactions between the women seemed very familiar to me, but when the main character, from whose viewpoint the story is told, has a revelation in a place she didn't expect to ever find herself, I knew the book was indeed unique from most RomComs, and had a different story to tell.
August 27, 2026
4.5/5 this turned out to be really good. A story of growth, friendship, and finding yourself in your early thirties. The narrator is pretty annoying and contrarian in a performative way at the beginning, but as things change and shift around her she opens up her worldview. She also uncovers some of her own trauma that she had unknowingly repressed. I think a lot of people would enjoy this but it’s not talked about very much. I just discovered it in my library and I’m so glad!
June 24, 2026
Thank you to Book Sparks, HarperMuse, and Libro.fm for the gifted early reader and listener copies. All opinions are my own.
This was almost a DNF for me. I was thisclose to throwing in the towel because EJ, the FMC, was off the charts obnoxious. She was rude, opinionated, dismissive, self centered, and generally not very likable. I continued reading because I wanted to see her suffer the consequences of her behavior. (Yes, I was rage reading!)
And then something incredible happened. Author Lindsay MacMillan made this wholly horrible character sympathetic. The redemption arc stunned me. Truly. The slow chipping away at the cocoon of nasty that EJ shrouded herself in revealed a damaged soul trying to protect herself the only way she knew how.
How she got there is a journey I won’t spoil. There are elements of romance here, but the overriding themes are of self discovery, forgiveness, and acceptance.
Readers who are willing to dig through the muck in search of an elusive gem will find this book satisfying. Be warned, however, that getting there will test your patience. I struggled with how to rate this book and ended up at 3.25 ⭐️. The transformation from almost DNF to a strong ending left my overall rating somewhere near the middle.
This was almost a DNF for me. I was thisclose to throwing in the towel because EJ, the FMC, was off the charts obnoxious. She was rude, opinionated, dismissive, self centered, and generally not very likable. I continued reading because I wanted to see her suffer the consequences of her behavior. (Yes, I was rage reading!)
And then something incredible happened. Author Lindsay MacMillan made this wholly horrible character sympathetic. The redemption arc stunned me. Truly. The slow chipping away at the cocoon of nasty that EJ shrouded herself in revealed a damaged soul trying to protect herself the only way she knew how.
How she got there is a journey I won’t spoil. There are elements of romance here, but the overriding themes are of self discovery, forgiveness, and acceptance.
Readers who are willing to dig through the muck in search of an elusive gem will find this book satisfying. Be warned, however, that getting there will test your patience. I struggled with how to rate this book and ended up at 3.25 ⭐️. The transformation from almost DNF to a strong ending left my overall rating somewhere near the middle.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
The story was hit and miss.
The romance for the main character was hit and miss. Really slow but also obvious while wondering how these 2 characters would make it work-they were very different.
The main character was so extreme that she bordered on being annoying. Even given her place in life, and her past, she was annoying.
At the same time there was redemption, change, growth for all of the characters. The writing wasn't bad and the reader did want to know what was going to happen.
The shocker plot twist didn't receive the time it should have. Very similar to its impact on the character's life.
I won this book from the publisher and have given my honest, unbiased review.
The romance for the main character was hit and miss. Really slow but also obvious while wondering how these 2 characters would make it work-they were very different.
The main character was so extreme that she bordered on being annoying. Even given her place in life, and her past, she was annoying.
At the same time there was redemption, change, growth for all of the characters. The writing wasn't bad and the reader did want to know what was going to happen.
The shocker plot twist didn't receive the time it should have. Very similar to its impact on the character's life.
I won this book from the publisher and have given my honest, unbiased review.
March 11, 2026
*Thank you Goodreads for the ARC of this book. These opinions are my own.*
WOW. When I started this book, I wasn’t sure if I would make it through. EJ is so over-the-top against societal norms that it was kind of annoying to read about. I stuck with it though and very, very slowly things began to evolve. I don’t want to give too much away, but the transformation that takes places in her is genius, and I am so glad I had a chance to read this book. I will be thinking about this one for a long time!
WOW. When I started this book, I wasn’t sure if I would make it through. EJ is so over-the-top against societal norms that it was kind of annoying to read about. I stuck with it though and very, very slowly things began to evolve. I don’t want to give too much away, but the transformation that takes places in her is genius, and I am so glad I had a chance to read this book. I will be thinking about this one for a long time!
June 17, 2026
If the girls from Girls were Gen Z feminists, you'd get The Anti-Marriage Pact.
I had suuuuch a good time with this audiobook.
EJ somehow manages to be both incredibly self-aware and completely oblivious at the same time. She can dissect exactly why she's making a terrible decision...and then happily make it anyway. That made her feel messy, complicated, and very human. I genuinely loved spending time with her, even when she was making me shake my head.
It also takes a seriously talented writer to pull off a character like that. Lindsay MacMillan somehow made EJ frustrating, hilarious, vulnerable, and incredibly real, all while making me laugh out loud.
I also loved watching her, and really the entire friend group, grow throughout the book. It captures that season of your twenties where you're so convinced you've got life figured out, only to slowly realize you're still becoming the person you're going to be. Their growth felt earned, and I found myself completely invested in where each of them ended up.
The audiobook itself was REALLY great. Abigail Reno was the perfect narrator for EJ. She absolutely nailed the humor, the sarcasm, and the contradictions that make EJ such an entertaining character. Her performance brought so much personality to the story that I honestly can't imagine experiencing this book any other way.
While there is a romance, I'd definitely consider it more of a subplot. At its heart, this is a story about female friendship, identity, and learning that there's no single "right" way to build a happy life.
By the end, I was genuinely sad to say goodbye to the Redstockings, but so happy they each ended up exactly where they were supposed to be.
I had suuuuch a good time with this audiobook.
EJ somehow manages to be both incredibly self-aware and completely oblivious at the same time. She can dissect exactly why she's making a terrible decision...and then happily make it anyway. That made her feel messy, complicated, and very human. I genuinely loved spending time with her, even when she was making me shake my head.
It also takes a seriously talented writer to pull off a character like that. Lindsay MacMillan somehow made EJ frustrating, hilarious, vulnerable, and incredibly real, all while making me laugh out loud.
I also loved watching her, and really the entire friend group, grow throughout the book. It captures that season of your twenties where you're so convinced you've got life figured out, only to slowly realize you're still becoming the person you're going to be. Their growth felt earned, and I found myself completely invested in where each of them ended up.
The audiobook itself was REALLY great. Abigail Reno was the perfect narrator for EJ. She absolutely nailed the humor, the sarcasm, and the contradictions that make EJ such an entertaining character. Her performance brought so much personality to the story that I honestly can't imagine experiencing this book any other way.
While there is a romance, I'd definitely consider it more of a subplot. At its heart, this is a story about female friendship, identity, and learning that there's no single "right" way to build a happy life.
By the end, I was genuinely sad to say goodbye to the Redstockings, but so happy they each ended up exactly where they were supposed to be.
August 25, 2026
Initially I really didn’t like EJ. for about 70% of this book, I didn’t enjoy her personality. I found her to be extremely immature, pessimistic, bitter and just cruel.
I wanted to stop reading, honestly it felt like it was going on forever and nothing was happening…
It was frustrating to see her having more of a relationship with the dog Arnie than with the guy Chris… I found it weird how they became friends, anyways. She was unnecessarily judgemental and rude to Olivia- but I appreciate how she can self evaluate and in the end she grew as a person and called herself out.
This is a story about a woman, with unprocessed and unhealed childhood trauma- it’s a story of exploration and friendship. Growing into yourself, being free, and being honest with yourself. Not being perfect, but being whole.
I enjoyed her friends so much, I want friends like that!
In the end, chapter 34 made me cry and helped me understand why EJ was the way she was, and I enjoyed the book more. I still felt like it dragged on and on- but I did enjoy her development. You go girl! 🤭
EJ: “You can’t get lost if you’re never found”
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC
Thank you to the Author Lindsay MacMillan for such a wonderful story of growth and healing
And thank you to Harper Muse for the ALC
(ALC: Advanced Listeners Copy)
I wanted to stop reading, honestly it felt like it was going on forever and nothing was happening…
It was frustrating to see her having more of a relationship with the dog Arnie than with the guy Chris… I found it weird how they became friends, anyways. She was unnecessarily judgemental and rude to Olivia- but I appreciate how she can self evaluate and in the end she grew as a person and called herself out.
This is a story about a woman, with unprocessed and unhealed childhood trauma- it’s a story of exploration and friendship. Growing into yourself, being free, and being honest with yourself. Not being perfect, but being whole.
I enjoyed her friends so much, I want friends like that!
In the end, chapter 34 made me cry and helped me understand why EJ was the way she was, and I enjoyed the book more. I still felt like it dragged on and on- but I did enjoy her development. You go girl! 🤭
EJ: “You can’t get lost if you’re never found”
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC
Thank you to the Author Lindsay MacMillan for such a wonderful story of growth and healing
And thank you to Harper Muse for the ALC
(ALC: Advanced Listeners Copy)
July 10, 2026
The Anti-Marriage Pact by Lindsay MacMillan | Narrated by Abigail Reno
This one took me a little while to warm up to, and I think that is worth being honest about. EJ is fiercely, unapologetically feminist to a level that initially felt a little hard for me to connect with personally. I believe in women, I believe in equality, and I absolutely consider myself a feminist, but I also always wanted to get married and have a family and I genuinely love that part of my life. So EJ’s all or nothing stance gave me some pause early on.
But here is the thing: once I settled into the story and understood what the book was really asking, I found myself genuinely invested. Because at its heart this is not really a story about whether marriage is good or bad. It is a story about figuring out who you are when the people and principles you built your identity around start to shift, and whether being true to yourself means holding the line or being brave enough to evolve. That is a question worth sitting with.
The friendship dynamics are the real heartbeat of the book and they are handled with a lot of honesty and complexity. Abigail Reno’s narration suits the Brooklyn energy of the story well.
A solid 3.5 stars and a new to me author I will definitely be watching going forward. I spotted this one on Amazon Vine and honestly regret not requesting it there, but I am very glad I got to listen through NetGalley and discover a new to me author in the process.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.
This one took me a little while to warm up to, and I think that is worth being honest about. EJ is fiercely, unapologetically feminist to a level that initially felt a little hard for me to connect with personally. I believe in women, I believe in equality, and I absolutely consider myself a feminist, but I also always wanted to get married and have a family and I genuinely love that part of my life. So EJ’s all or nothing stance gave me some pause early on.
But here is the thing: once I settled into the story and understood what the book was really asking, I found myself genuinely invested. Because at its heart this is not really a story about whether marriage is good or bad. It is a story about figuring out who you are when the people and principles you built your identity around start to shift, and whether being true to yourself means holding the line or being brave enough to evolve. That is a question worth sitting with.
The friendship dynamics are the real heartbeat of the book and they are handled with a lot of honesty and complexity. Abigail Reno’s narration suits the Brooklyn energy of the story well.
A solid 3.5 stars and a new to me author I will definitely be watching going forward. I spotted this one on Amazon Vine and honestly regret not requesting it there, but I am very glad I got to listen through NetGalley and discover a new to me author in the process.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.
August 20, 2026
I had an idea for a book several years ago that was very similar to this. It was gratifying to read a book where someone else had written the story and executed it very well. I might still write my version of the story someday, but for now this was so well done that I’m quite happy with this version.
My idea centered around the trope of the “Manic Pixie Dream Girl” and getting to see the world from her perspective. EJ is exactly this. This is what it’s like for the Manic Pixie Dream Girl to be a fleshed out, thinking person who makes mistakes and learns and grows. EJ is insufferable at the beginning of this book, which makes her growth all the more satisfying at the end.
Her romantic relationship with Chris, the too-buttoned-up man who is usually the protagonist of the story, takes a back seat to EJ and her internal struggles, as well as the increasing strain on her friendships caused by EJ’s inability to get her head out of her own ass.
My only minor gripe is that the author definitely seems to be in the “I’m Spiritual Not Religious” camp, which I think dampens some of what could’ve been some really impactful spiritual truths explored in this story.
Read this if you’re up for an unlikeable/unreliable narrator who goes on a journey of emotional growth.
My idea centered around the trope of the “Manic Pixie Dream Girl” and getting to see the world from her perspective. EJ is exactly this. This is what it’s like for the Manic Pixie Dream Girl to be a fleshed out, thinking person who makes mistakes and learns and grows. EJ is insufferable at the beginning of this book, which makes her growth all the more satisfying at the end.
Her romantic relationship with Chris, the too-buttoned-up man who is usually the protagonist of the story, takes a back seat to EJ and her internal struggles, as well as the increasing strain on her friendships caused by EJ’s inability to get her head out of her own ass.
My only minor gripe is that the author definitely seems to be in the “I’m Spiritual Not Religious” camp, which I think dampens some of what could’ve been some really impactful spiritual truths explored in this story.
Read this if you’re up for an unlikeable/unreliable narrator who goes on a journey of emotional growth.
May 20, 2026
While the main character was extremely unlikeable for about 90% of the book, I’m happy to report that she in fact experiences a character arc by the end! And when I wasn’t rolling my eyes at EJ’s proclamations, I sometimes found myself agreeing with her insights: “What if you’re so determined not to let other people down that you let yourself down in the process?”
Did Not Finish
July 21, 2026(Audiobook) DNF 35%
June 12, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
Thank you to Libro.FM and Harper Muse for providing me with a gifted ALC copy of The Anti-Marriage Pact. All opinions are my own.
Format: Audiobook (Libro.FM)
Narrator: Abigail Reno
Time: 10 hours 40 minutes
The Anti-Marriage Pact is a character driven story that takes a look at feminism, friendship, and romance through the lives of four women roommates in NYC. MacMillan explores a lot of complex issues including the effects of child s*xual abuse and the loss of a loved one into adulthood through EJ and Chris’s characters.
I enjoyed EJ as a character because she was committed to her beliefs but was able to grow and change once some of those beliefs didn’t quite hold up anymore to the place that she was in her life. I also liked that the romance wasn’t rushed and the story kept most of its focus on the female characters and the choices that they were making.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* CW: Grief, Child S*xual Abuse, Suicidal Thoughts
* Feminist Views
* Friend Group
* Opposites Attract
* NYC Setting
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 🌶️
This one worked well as an audiobook and was a quick listen for me. If you enjoy contemporary fiction with characters who have strong feminist ideals, female friendships, and self discovery journeys, then I would recommend The Anti-Marriage Pact.
Thank you to Libro.FM and Harper Muse for providing me with a gifted ALC copy of The Anti-Marriage Pact. All opinions are my own.
Format: Audiobook (Libro.FM)
Narrator: Abigail Reno
Time: 10 hours 40 minutes
The Anti-Marriage Pact is a character driven story that takes a look at feminism, friendship, and romance through the lives of four women roommates in NYC. MacMillan explores a lot of complex issues including the effects of child s*xual abuse and the loss of a loved one into adulthood through EJ and Chris’s characters.
I enjoyed EJ as a character because she was committed to her beliefs but was able to grow and change once some of those beliefs didn’t quite hold up anymore to the place that she was in her life. I also liked that the romance wasn’t rushed and the story kept most of its focus on the female characters and the choices that they were making.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* CW: Grief, Child S*xual Abuse, Suicidal Thoughts
* Feminist Views
* Friend Group
* Opposites Attract
* NYC Setting
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 🌶️
This one worked well as an audiobook and was a quick listen for me. If you enjoy contemporary fiction with characters who have strong feminist ideals, female friendships, and self discovery journeys, then I would recommend The Anti-Marriage Pact.
July 16, 2026
*tw sexual assault
The novel follows EJ and her group of roommates as they live their late 20s in their Brooklyn flat, swearing off matrimony and children with their anti-marriage pact so as not to lose themselves to misogynistic societal expectations. EJ meets Chris, a normie (and loaded) accountant manager whose dog she takes care of once in a while, and she slowly falls in love with him whilst stubbornly refusing to acknowledge it. EJ eventually experiences a spiritual epiphany in the woods with a ‘divine woman’ where she realises that her radfem politics are a result of her repressed sexual trauma from being molested as a child. At the same time, her friends have been slowly leaving the pact after deciding to get married and have children, and soon EJ dissolves the pact after realising the error of her ways. Not all men are bad, perhaps there is freedom in choosing monogamy, and by the end she is a semi-successful indie playwright and founder of a women’s stock investment group. She begins softly dating Chris.
EJ is an infuriating protagonist, and I applaud anyone who read the book till the end. She is a contrarian provocateur, one-dimensional and flat, presented as entirely unlikeable because of her rage-baiting variant of radical feminist politics. She preaches to people about misogyny and patriarchy to antagonise them because she enjoys riling them up and making them angry. EJ doesn’t have any real values – she will say whatever it takes to anger the other person. If the NRA calls her for a donation, she’ll say guns should be banned for killing America’s children, but if an abortion fundraiser volunteer calls her, she’ll say abortion is murder before hanging up the phone. So EJ’s feminism mostly exists as an excuse to bother the people around her with her wokeness because there are no real progressive ethics that she actually adheres to. She’s vegan, but not really. She wants to save the planet but pollutes the river. She’s a feminist but she antagonises other women, especially Olivia, Chris’s girlfriend and fiancée.
EJ (for Emily Jane, by the way) is deeply annoying, and most readers have granted the book three stars over this, but I need you to understand that she’s annoying because she’s ridiculously woke. I cannot quote directly because I read an uncorrected proof, but I can paraphrase. There is a moment where Chris says he and Olivia will have a walk to see the foliage, and EJ interjects to say that actually, this is racist because you are preferring the colour of some trees over others whilst people are murdered due to the colour of their skin. Yes, EJ is white. Chris disagrees and EJ immediately begins doubting herself. Shit, he’s right. Maybe enjoying trees is not racist. She then tells Chris to join her in a women’s rally because he needs to check his privilege. Right. Okay. There’s another scene where Chris tells her to come to his place (a penthouse) at seven p.m., and she tells the reader that actually, she does not adhere to something as constrictive and misogynistic as time! Because time puts people in boxes and women are made to feel they have to rush and marry and have children. Okay? These are absurd moments of wokeness that don’t make sense, and EJ spends most of the novel spouting some woke nonsense before loosely tying it to women’s oppression. I smelled a rat. EJ is a caricatural social justice warrior that feels deeply unsettling, insulting even. It’s a blast from the past, reminiscent of 2016 YouTube videos where SJWs are ‘owned’ in street interviews and university lectures. Is this what people think radfem young women are like? Is this what the average woke citizen believes?
If you take a step back, you will realise that EJ’s character is quite pornographic in the sense that a woman being woke and anti-establishment, but finally surrendering to heterosexual love, is a male fantasy*. It’s why conformists love ‘manic pixie dream girls’ – they love a woman who is different and quirky, but eventually they want her to ditch the unnatural hair colour and piercings. The converted woman is deeply problematic, especially as EJ does actually experience a sort of spiritual conversion, despite remaining adamant that religion is patriarchal and repressive. But I guess the divine can be feminine so it can’t be all bad, can it? It’s vaguely the same pipeline that leads to pink bibles with glitter-sprayed edges as EJ experiences all her personal, financial, and creative success after her church-led spiritual awakening.
*I must also point out that EJ is vaguely not-straight, preaching to Chris that everyone is a little gay (ha ha), but spends the entire novel just wanting Chris. She is sexually adventurous and says she had a crush on Hal during college, and there is a page and a half saying she had a thing with a non-binary person, but all of this comes across as a plot device to show that EJ is woke and sexually liberated. She has tasted the rainbow but still chose Chris by the end. I got the idea that a) queer sexuality is only used to make her seem different and woke, or that b) heterosexual love is the final destination no matter how sexually adventurous EJ is shown to be. Unimpressive either way. It’s giving ‘I’m bisexual during family dinners to piss off Mum and Dad, but I will end up with a man either way.’
The reason I’m rating this book so low and have written this whole thing is that I want readers to understand just how harmful a book like this is right now. You could say that EJ is unlikeable and just move on, and perhaps the reader's resistance to liking her is somewhat subversive in of itself. Women don't owe you nice! But I'm not buying it. Despite the fear-mongering from certain news outlets and from incompetent Western politicians who need a scapegoat to avoid confronting the fact they cannot solve a debt crisis, ‘woke people’ are a minority. At this very moment, we live in a right-wing reactionary landscape where the blue-haired, septum-pierced non-binary friend is in fact at risk of being abused in public for being a symbol of the intolerant left who groom children in drag queen shows. ‘Woke’ books are being banned from US and UK schools left, right and centre. We are seeing the erosion of rights for minorities. And a narrative where a ‘woke’ woman finds God (a female spirit in the woods – correction!) and realises her politics are a result of repressed sexual trauma, that actually not all men are bad, and yes she could possibly marry the rich accountant cishet normie, is harmful. It perpetuates the idea that all women will eventually enter the fold. And that everyone (yes, everyone) will eventually crave the stability provided by matrimony. I want to emphasise that every single character from the pact chooses marriage; three marry men and one married a woman (but the lesbian marriage also happens for green card reasons). And EJ is all but buttered up for it by the end as she and Chris attend a wedding together. All I’m seeing is a re-affirmation of conservative family values. That wokeness is a phase in the long road to healing oneself from trauma. There is also something harmful in portraying a female characters conforming after connecting with a feminine spirit. It’s like seeing an ad for a spiritual retreat in Bali where one holds hands with other women whilst meditating on the divine feminine and entering your ‘soft era.’
I knew I smelled a rat here, and I was proven correct about the politics of this book just near the end. By this point EJ relinquished her radfem streak and stopped rage-baiting people after finding the female spirit, and was allowing herself and her friends to find romantic love. Out of nowhere, EJ decides to repackage her wokeness into something palatable by forming a women’s stock trading group called ‘Women’s Revolt.’ Yes, that’s right. The character who spent the entire novel working as an Uber driver and barista, who struggled to pay her rent, suddenly reveals that she is actually financially competent enough to trade stocks. But the nail on the coffin is this bit where EJ says that stock trading could be her contribution to women’s revolution because money is power. Yes, I becoming rich is women’s lib. I am paraphrasing for technical reasons, but there was a line that said roughly: you can sit back and point the middle finger to patriarchy all you want, or you can do the work it takes to change the system from the inside. #BossNotBossy.
I knew it – I knew this was a liberal feminist stunt hiding behind a radfem facade. The revolution uses stocks! I mean yeah, capitalism is super bad and exploitative (I trade stocks) and we should protect the planet (I drive for Uber and threw Chris’s letter in the river), but if you want to beat them you gotta join them! In matrimony even (*wink wink*). Behind every fake woke is a liberal feminist who feels alienated from the powerful men in the room. But who, at the end of the day, no matter how sexily contrarian she is with the snarky comments she makes about how you are not her type, all she wants is to be with the guys in the room. And gals! Women belong in business too! How sexist of you to forget.
I expected a book where choosing platonic partnerships over romantic love would be treated seriously. Where women’s separation politics would be treated with empathy and understanding. A punky, subversive novel. But instead I got whatever this is.
The novel feels like satire – it has to be. Nothing this bad could be sincere, could it? But it’s not satire if it’s coming from an outsider. Punching down at best, demeaning and exploitative with a hidden conservative agenda at its worst. I’d say only a man could write this, but I, too, am a woke feminist who understands that actually women can be just as bad as men. One star.
The novel follows EJ and her group of roommates as they live their late 20s in their Brooklyn flat, swearing off matrimony and children with their anti-marriage pact so as not to lose themselves to misogynistic societal expectations. EJ meets Chris, a normie (and loaded) accountant manager whose dog she takes care of once in a while, and she slowly falls in love with him whilst stubbornly refusing to acknowledge it. EJ eventually experiences a spiritual epiphany in the woods with a ‘divine woman’ where she realises that her radfem politics are a result of her repressed sexual trauma from being molested as a child. At the same time, her friends have been slowly leaving the pact after deciding to get married and have children, and soon EJ dissolves the pact after realising the error of her ways. Not all men are bad, perhaps there is freedom in choosing monogamy, and by the end she is a semi-successful indie playwright and founder of a women’s stock investment group. She begins softly dating Chris.
EJ is an infuriating protagonist, and I applaud anyone who read the book till the end. She is a contrarian provocateur, one-dimensional and flat, presented as entirely unlikeable because of her rage-baiting variant of radical feminist politics. She preaches to people about misogyny and patriarchy to antagonise them because she enjoys riling them up and making them angry. EJ doesn’t have any real values – she will say whatever it takes to anger the other person. If the NRA calls her for a donation, she’ll say guns should be banned for killing America’s children, but if an abortion fundraiser volunteer calls her, she’ll say abortion is murder before hanging up the phone. So EJ’s feminism mostly exists as an excuse to bother the people around her with her wokeness because there are no real progressive ethics that she actually adheres to. She’s vegan, but not really. She wants to save the planet but pollutes the river. She’s a feminist but she antagonises other women, especially Olivia, Chris’s girlfriend and fiancée.
EJ (for Emily Jane, by the way) is deeply annoying, and most readers have granted the book three stars over this, but I need you to understand that she’s annoying because she’s ridiculously woke. I cannot quote directly because I read an uncorrected proof, but I can paraphrase. There is a moment where Chris says he and Olivia will have a walk to see the foliage, and EJ interjects to say that actually, this is racist because you are preferring the colour of some trees over others whilst people are murdered due to the colour of their skin. Yes, EJ is white. Chris disagrees and EJ immediately begins doubting herself. Shit, he’s right. Maybe enjoying trees is not racist. She then tells Chris to join her in a women’s rally because he needs to check his privilege. Right. Okay. There’s another scene where Chris tells her to come to his place (a penthouse) at seven p.m., and she tells the reader that actually, she does not adhere to something as constrictive and misogynistic as time! Because time puts people in boxes and women are made to feel they have to rush and marry and have children. Okay? These are absurd moments of wokeness that don’t make sense, and EJ spends most of the novel spouting some woke nonsense before loosely tying it to women’s oppression. I smelled a rat. EJ is a caricatural social justice warrior that feels deeply unsettling, insulting even. It’s a blast from the past, reminiscent of 2016 YouTube videos where SJWs are ‘owned’ in street interviews and university lectures. Is this what people think radfem young women are like? Is this what the average woke citizen believes?
If you take a step back, you will realise that EJ’s character is quite pornographic in the sense that a woman being woke and anti-establishment, but finally surrendering to heterosexual love, is a male fantasy*. It’s why conformists love ‘manic pixie dream girls’ – they love a woman who is different and quirky, but eventually they want her to ditch the unnatural hair colour and piercings. The converted woman is deeply problematic, especially as EJ does actually experience a sort of spiritual conversion, despite remaining adamant that religion is patriarchal and repressive. But I guess the divine can be feminine so it can’t be all bad, can it? It’s vaguely the same pipeline that leads to pink bibles with glitter-sprayed edges as EJ experiences all her personal, financial, and creative success after her church-led spiritual awakening.
*I must also point out that EJ is vaguely not-straight, preaching to Chris that everyone is a little gay (ha ha), but spends the entire novel just wanting Chris. She is sexually adventurous and says she had a crush on Hal during college, and there is a page and a half saying she had a thing with a non-binary person, but all of this comes across as a plot device to show that EJ is woke and sexually liberated. She has tasted the rainbow but still chose Chris by the end. I got the idea that a) queer sexuality is only used to make her seem different and woke, or that b) heterosexual love is the final destination no matter how sexually adventurous EJ is shown to be. Unimpressive either way. It’s giving ‘I’m bisexual during family dinners to piss off Mum and Dad, but I will end up with a man either way.’
The reason I’m rating this book so low and have written this whole thing is that I want readers to understand just how harmful a book like this is right now. You could say that EJ is unlikeable and just move on, and perhaps the reader's resistance to liking her is somewhat subversive in of itself. Women don't owe you nice! But I'm not buying it. Despite the fear-mongering from certain news outlets and from incompetent Western politicians who need a scapegoat to avoid confronting the fact they cannot solve a debt crisis, ‘woke people’ are a minority. At this very moment, we live in a right-wing reactionary landscape where the blue-haired, septum-pierced non-binary friend is in fact at risk of being abused in public for being a symbol of the intolerant left who groom children in drag queen shows. ‘Woke’ books are being banned from US and UK schools left, right and centre. We are seeing the erosion of rights for minorities. And a narrative where a ‘woke’ woman finds God (a female spirit in the woods – correction!) and realises her politics are a result of repressed sexual trauma, that actually not all men are bad, and yes she could possibly marry the rich accountant cishet normie, is harmful. It perpetuates the idea that all women will eventually enter the fold. And that everyone (yes, everyone) will eventually crave the stability provided by matrimony. I want to emphasise that every single character from the pact chooses marriage; three marry men and one married a woman (but the lesbian marriage also happens for green card reasons). And EJ is all but buttered up for it by the end as she and Chris attend a wedding together. All I’m seeing is a re-affirmation of conservative family values. That wokeness is a phase in the long road to healing oneself from trauma. There is also something harmful in portraying a female characters conforming after connecting with a feminine spirit. It’s like seeing an ad for a spiritual retreat in Bali where one holds hands with other women whilst meditating on the divine feminine and entering your ‘soft era.’
I knew I smelled a rat here, and I was proven correct about the politics of this book just near the end. By this point EJ relinquished her radfem streak and stopped rage-baiting people after finding the female spirit, and was allowing herself and her friends to find romantic love. Out of nowhere, EJ decides to repackage her wokeness into something palatable by forming a women’s stock trading group called ‘Women’s Revolt.’ Yes, that’s right. The character who spent the entire novel working as an Uber driver and barista, who struggled to pay her rent, suddenly reveals that she is actually financially competent enough to trade stocks. But the nail on the coffin is this bit where EJ says that stock trading could be her contribution to women’s revolution because money is power. Yes, I becoming rich is women’s lib. I am paraphrasing for technical reasons, but there was a line that said roughly: you can sit back and point the middle finger to patriarchy all you want, or you can do the work it takes to change the system from the inside. #BossNotBossy.
I knew it – I knew this was a liberal feminist stunt hiding behind a radfem facade. The revolution uses stocks! I mean yeah, capitalism is super bad and exploitative (I trade stocks) and we should protect the planet (I drive for Uber and threw Chris’s letter in the river), but if you want to beat them you gotta join them! In matrimony even (*wink wink*). Behind every fake woke is a liberal feminist who feels alienated from the powerful men in the room. But who, at the end of the day, no matter how sexily contrarian she is with the snarky comments she makes about how you are not her type, all she wants is to be with the guys in the room. And gals! Women belong in business too! How sexist of you to forget.
I expected a book where choosing platonic partnerships over romantic love would be treated seriously. Where women’s separation politics would be treated with empathy and understanding. A punky, subversive novel. But instead I got whatever this is.
The novel feels like satire – it has to be. Nothing this bad could be sincere, could it? But it’s not satire if it’s coming from an outsider. Punching down at best, demeaning and exploitative with a hidden conservative agenda at its worst. I’d say only a man could write this, but I, too, am a woke feminist who understands that actually women can be just as bad as men. One star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2026
I received The Anti-Marriage Pact as an ARC from NetGalley. It is an interesting story of romantic elationships, friendships, forgiveness, growth, and healing.
When one by one the members of their Anti-Marriage Pact fall in love, EJ is left wondering about herself - her past and her future. EJ is seemingly a person determined to keep her love life a mess. Chris suddenly enters her life. He seems to have it all together. He's got a great career, a loyal dog, and a beautiful fiancé. Through their new found friendship, EJ begins to confront her current life and her past.
EJ is such a relatable character. I could see my younger self in her. Watching her struggle and grow was healing for my heart too!
When one by one the members of their Anti-Marriage Pact fall in love, EJ is left wondering about herself - her past and her future. EJ is seemingly a person determined to keep her love life a mess. Chris suddenly enters her life. He seems to have it all together. He's got a great career, a loyal dog, and a beautiful fiancé. Through their new found friendship, EJ begins to confront her current life and her past.
EJ is such a relatable character. I could see my younger self in her. Watching her struggle and grow was healing for my heart too!
May 31, 2026
EJ and her three best friends make a pact to stay single and never have kids, convinced they don’t need marriage or traditional family life to be happy. They’re focused on their careers, their friendship, and living life on their own terms. But things get complicated when her friends start falling in love and EJ meets Chris, a tax accountant who makes her question everything she thought she believed about relationships. As her world starts to change, EJ has to figure out whether sticking to the pact is really what she wants or if it’s time to rethink the future she always imagined.
What a hidden gem of a novel this is! I picked it up on NetGalley after reading the description, and I’m so glad I did.
I really loved it. I loved EJ, who is very unique and outspoken, and a passionate advocate for women’s liberation. I completely agreed with many of her views, but I also appreciated her growth and maturity throughout the story. The changes she goes through felt natural and appropriate.
I loved the New York setting, and I loved how witty and funny this novel was at times.
I felt all of EJ’s heartbreaks throughout the book and really felt for her.
My only complaint is that I wanted more of EJ and Chris! Bonus epilogue perhaps? 😊
This novel might not be for everyone, but I loved it.
This was also my first book by Lindsay MacMillan, and I’m excited to read more of her work!
Thank you so much NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC!
I loved the audiobook just as much!
Abigail Reno was the perfect narrator for EJ. She captured EJ's voice exactly the way I imagined it when I first read the book, making the story feel even more immersive.
Whether you choose the physical book or the audiobook, you really can't go wrong. I highly recommend experiencing this story in whichever format you prefer!
What a hidden gem of a novel this is! I picked it up on NetGalley after reading the description, and I’m so glad I did.
I really loved it. I loved EJ, who is very unique and outspoken, and a passionate advocate for women’s liberation. I completely agreed with many of her views, but I also appreciated her growth and maturity throughout the story. The changes she goes through felt natural and appropriate.
I loved the New York setting, and I loved how witty and funny this novel was at times.
I felt all of EJ’s heartbreaks throughout the book and really felt for her.
My only complaint is that I wanted more of EJ and Chris! Bonus epilogue perhaps? 😊
This novel might not be for everyone, but I loved it.
This was also my first book by Lindsay MacMillan, and I’m excited to read more of her work!
Thank you so much NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC!
I loved the audiobook just as much!
Abigail Reno was the perfect narrator for EJ. She captured EJ's voice exactly the way I imagined it when I first read the book, making the story feel even more immersive.
Whether you choose the physical book or the audiobook, you really can't go wrong. I highly recommend experiencing this story in whichever format you prefer!
July 1, 2026
2.75⭐️ The description of this one had me so excited to receive an early listener copy from NetGalley! Four friends, living in NYC, putting their friendship and their beliefs before societal norms - no marriage, no babies, no conforming - no matter what! What could possibly go wrong?!
I love a strong woman who isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in, but EJ is next level, and not in a good way. She has to be one of the most unlikable characters I’ve ever read. Because I listened to this immediately after reading another book with a very unlikable character, I almost couldn’t do it and thought about DNF’ing. Because it was an early listen audio, and the narrator was actually fantastic(!!), I decided to push through. I’m glad I did.
EJ is steadfast in her beliefs, and it’s admirable, at first. But the way she refuses to let anyone in her life believe anything even a little different is uncomfortable, to say the least. It’s great to fight for those beliefs, but the world is not black and white. There are moments when it seems EJ recognizes this, but instead of thinking about those feelings, she decides everyone else is simply wrong, and despite some enlightening internal dialogue, she just blames everyone else. Perhaps it was to really drive the strength of her convictions, but I felt like her reactions to her friends’ growth were pretty awful and selfish, and that it took far too long for her own character development to begin. I think the book could’ve been a bit shorter and would’ve been just as effective, but possibly more enjoyable? That said, if the current political climate has taught us anything, it’s that people refuse to admit when they are wrong or even try to see the other side of any viewpoint, so maybe it is more realistic than I wanted to believe? I did like enjoy the friend group, and appreciated that they knew their girl, and despite their differences, still supported her. A strong friend group is hard, especially as adult women in different stages of life. That part of this story was my favorite part. And the dog. A good pup is always the best addition to a story!
While it wasn’t a favorite of mine personally, it eventually got where it was going and I did ultimately enjoy it. I would say the narrator, Abigail Reno was a big reason for my sticking with it and enjoyment. Regardless of how I felt about her, she really brought EJ’s character to life. I don’t know that I would have felt the same reading the text. I am not sure this will be for everyone, but I will definitely recommend it, specifically the audio, to the right person - and I actually have a few in mind!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, HCCP & HCF Audio | Harper Muse, and author Lindsay MacMillan, for the ALC of The Anti-Marriage Pact.
I love a strong woman who isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in, but EJ is next level, and not in a good way. She has to be one of the most unlikable characters I’ve ever read. Because I listened to this immediately after reading another book with a very unlikable character, I almost couldn’t do it and thought about DNF’ing. Because it was an early listen audio, and the narrator was actually fantastic(!!), I decided to push through. I’m glad I did.
EJ is steadfast in her beliefs, and it’s admirable, at first. But the way she refuses to let anyone in her life believe anything even a little different is uncomfortable, to say the least. It’s great to fight for those beliefs, but the world is not black and white. There are moments when it seems EJ recognizes this, but instead of thinking about those feelings, she decides everyone else is simply wrong, and despite some enlightening internal dialogue, she just blames everyone else. Perhaps it was to really drive the strength of her convictions, but I felt like her reactions to her friends’ growth were pretty awful and selfish, and that it took far too long for her own character development to begin. I think the book could’ve been a bit shorter and would’ve been just as effective, but possibly more enjoyable? That said, if the current political climate has taught us anything, it’s that people refuse to admit when they are wrong or even try to see the other side of any viewpoint, so maybe it is more realistic than I wanted to believe? I did like enjoy the friend group, and appreciated that they knew their girl, and despite their differences, still supported her. A strong friend group is hard, especially as adult women in different stages of life. That part of this story was my favorite part. And the dog. A good pup is always the best addition to a story!
While it wasn’t a favorite of mine personally, it eventually got where it was going and I did ultimately enjoy it. I would say the narrator, Abigail Reno was a big reason for my sticking with it and enjoyment. Regardless of how I felt about her, she really brought EJ’s character to life. I don’t know that I would have felt the same reading the text. I am not sure this will be for everyone, but I will definitely recommend it, specifically the audio, to the right person - and I actually have a few in mind!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, HCCP & HCF Audio | Harper Muse, and author Lindsay MacMillan, for the ALC of The Anti-Marriage Pact.
July 3, 2026
Look, I'm not going to say there are no women out there who so deeply misunderstand and misappropriate feminist theory as EJ does, but I don't get the sense the narrative here fully understands what it's satirizing. The Anti-Marriage Pact touts itself as "an exploration of modern feminism," but instead reads like a caricature of some retro version of the movement.
That being said, I do love a messy main character, and here Anti-Marriage Pact delivers in spades. EJ is a fiercely independent and utterly self-involved young woman living in the Big City with three roommates with whom she has sworn off marriage and children. You know, like the real feminists do. EJ is a failed actor-turned-playwright who enjoys nothing more than hanging with her besties and, with increasing frequency, dog-sitting for cute account-next-door Chris, whom she definitely does not have a crush on. But don't let the blurb fool you: EJ's journey is far more one of self-discovery than it is a girl-meets-boy romcom, and I was pleasantly surprised to find the plot hinged much less on a male-centric meet cute than on EJ's changing relationships with her, let's just say, not-so-married-to-their-principles friends.
EJ is necessarily a divisive character, in large part due to her frequent feminist diatribes (all of which seem plucked straight from your boomer parents' nightmares). But beneath all the bluster, EJ has some genuinely wholesome qualities. She's a passionate hype man for her friends, a stickler for following one's principles, and at heart an idealist who demands nothing less than the best from herself (even if she doesn't always succeed). These qualities set up a major turn in the last third of the book that will satisfy some readers, while leaving others rolling their eyes.
Overall, the world of The Anti-Marriage Pact feels strangely anachronistic, and I couldn't help feeling I'd buy the characters much more if this story were set in the 80s or 90s. As is, many of the jokes just don't ring true, and not just the ones about feminism. At one point in the story, an inspiration-challenged EJ, in boredom and desperation, asks AI to write a script for her. She immediately abandons the script, but the fact she even considered, let alone used it, felt unrealistic (do you know how much Gen Z--and especially creatives--hate generative AI?). The good news is, readers will discover right away if they gel with the narrative's particular outlook, and based on the other positive reviews I've seen thus far, this book is finding its niche.
Not my cup of tea, but with some charm and a surprisingly female-centric story. Thank you to Net Galley for the free copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
That being said, I do love a messy main character, and here Anti-Marriage Pact delivers in spades. EJ is a fiercely independent and utterly self-involved young woman living in the Big City with three roommates with whom she has sworn off marriage and children. You know, like the real feminists do. EJ is a failed actor-turned-playwright who enjoys nothing more than hanging with her besties and, with increasing frequency, dog-sitting for cute account-next-door Chris, whom she definitely does not have a crush on. But don't let the blurb fool you: EJ's journey is far more one of self-discovery than it is a girl-meets-boy romcom, and I was pleasantly surprised to find the plot hinged much less on a male-centric meet cute than on EJ's changing relationships with her, let's just say, not-so-married-to-their-principles friends.
EJ is necessarily a divisive character, in large part due to her frequent feminist diatribes (all of which seem plucked straight from your boomer parents' nightmares). But beneath all the bluster, EJ has some genuinely wholesome qualities. She's a passionate hype man for her friends, a stickler for following one's principles, and at heart an idealist who demands nothing less than the best from herself (even if she doesn't always succeed). These qualities set up a major turn in the last third of the book that will satisfy some readers, while leaving others rolling their eyes.
Overall, the world of The Anti-Marriage Pact feels strangely anachronistic, and I couldn't help feeling I'd buy the characters much more if this story were set in the 80s or 90s. As is, many of the jokes just don't ring true, and not just the ones about feminism. At one point in the story, an inspiration-challenged EJ, in boredom and desperation, asks AI to write a script for her. She immediately abandons the script, but the fact she even considered, let alone used it, felt unrealistic (do you know how much Gen Z--and especially creatives--hate generative AI?). The good news is, readers will discover right away if they gel with the narrative's particular outlook, and based on the other positive reviews I've seen thus far, this book is finding its niche.
Not my cup of tea, but with some charm and a surprisingly female-centric story. Thank you to Net Galley for the free copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
July 20, 2026
This story starts out a bit rough- honestly I had no idea where we were going for a while and whether or not I even liked the book. Our main character, EJ, is a raging feminist who is struggling in her NYC life. She has a lot of hard opinions and the way they are delivered in the book makes her sound like a trope of herself. It was frustrating at first because I felt that the author was going to twist this into an anti-feminist /pro-trad wife kind of story and I was not here for that. Thankfully, we go a different direction lol
EJ and her three roommates and best friends form an anti-marriage pact which EJ takes very very seriously. Then as the story progresses, one by one, we lose a friend to marriage/ long term relationships, and each time EJ is heartbroken that a friend "defected". It's quite dramatic in my opinion.
Throughout all of this, EJ kind of randomly meets a guy named Chris and a little bit becomes obsessed with him. She starts watching his dog while he and his girlfriend (at the time) go off on weekend trips, and they form a loose friendship. There are hints of romance, but it is pretty tame and slow over all.
The climax comes when EJ ends up pushing Chris away and undergoing her own self-discovery journey. And that seems to be a turning point for her, as she realizes many of these hard, defining mottos she lives by have actually been hurtful for her own growth and held her back. She takes time to change and reshift her perspectives and goals, and becomes a MUCH better person for it. She stops resenting her friends for finding partners, she owns up to her own mistakes and tries to leave Chris in the past (unsuccessfully) and she shifts to actual feminist, loving views. And in the end, Chris panics and leaves his girlfriend and EJ and chris can finally try to make it work.
I am happy that there was this character development for EJ because truly she was insufferable in the beginning-I can see now that that was kind of the point, but it was tough for a while to relate to her in any capacity. She becomes a much more "human" like character after her self discovery journey.
I also found it interesting- the author must know NYC very well as it felt like we also "lived" there with EJ- describing the specific buses and trains to take around the city, how everything connected, sub-neighborhoods within the boroughs, etc. That was a fun educational experience.
Overall, this was a nice "self growth" kind of story and a very easy read. Definitely think this wouldve been perfect for like a beach read or something casual.
And thank you to Net galley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!
EJ and her three roommates and best friends form an anti-marriage pact which EJ takes very very seriously. Then as the story progresses, one by one, we lose a friend to marriage/ long term relationships, and each time EJ is heartbroken that a friend "defected". It's quite dramatic in my opinion.
Throughout all of this, EJ kind of randomly meets a guy named Chris and a little bit becomes obsessed with him. She starts watching his dog while he and his girlfriend (at the time) go off on weekend trips, and they form a loose friendship. There are hints of romance, but it is pretty tame and slow over all.
The climax comes when EJ ends up pushing Chris away and undergoing her own self-discovery journey. And that seems to be a turning point for her, as she realizes many of these hard, defining mottos she lives by have actually been hurtful for her own growth and held her back. She takes time to change and reshift her perspectives and goals, and becomes a MUCH better person for it. She stops resenting her friends for finding partners, she owns up to her own mistakes and tries to leave Chris in the past (unsuccessfully) and she shifts to actual feminist, loving views. And in the end, Chris panics and leaves his girlfriend and EJ and chris can finally try to make it work.
I am happy that there was this character development for EJ because truly she was insufferable in the beginning-I can see now that that was kind of the point, but it was tough for a while to relate to her in any capacity. She becomes a much more "human" like character after her self discovery journey.
I also found it interesting- the author must know NYC very well as it felt like we also "lived" there with EJ- describing the specific buses and trains to take around the city, how everything connected, sub-neighborhoods within the boroughs, etc. That was a fun educational experience.
Overall, this was a nice "self growth" kind of story and a very easy read. Definitely think this wouldve been perfect for like a beach read or something casual.
And thank you to Net galley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As someone who is in her late 20’s, closer to her 30’s, this book came as a delightful option. Is there any category of “coming of age”, but for adults pushing 30? Because this book would be a great example.
Emily Jane (EJ) is the book’s main character. I think that she was so well built, with such an incredible development, that at the same time that I’d hate some of her attitudes - she definitely would be that friend that is too woke - I would also cheer for EJ, because she is amazing e also because she is someone that I, reader, could also be.
The frustrating of feeling constantly unmotivated to chase your dreams - just like every single time that EJ would find a reason to not write -, but knowing that you're capable to be someone bigger than you are today, aka the 30s crisis, it’s amazingly portrayed, specially that “thing” of when you look at the people around you and all of them seem to have their life’s done, growing up, while you are just… stuck, even tho those people are incredible and always available to help and support you (even in some crazy pacts).
For me, one of the book’s highlights are EJ’s friendships. When you are a woman, being surrounded by other women is essential, because it’s there where you’ll learn how to be truly loved and to feel belonged. In the book, it’s amazing to see how EJ’s friends are a true toll to make her develop and also how they stayed by her side, even she was trying to avoid them,
Honestly, I’m in love with this book. But truth be told: I’d have loved an epilogue, but it’s absence didn’t ruin the experience - Lindsay MacMillan, please please please, consider publishing a short story or a novella just to give me some updates about EJ, I truly care about her.
If I could, I’d give this book to all of my friends, in particular to those who, just like me, feel lost in a world that is so complex and tuff, but still hold a little bit of faith.
Thanks NetGalley and Harper Muse for giving me the incredible chance to be part of thar journey.
Emily Jane (EJ) is the book’s main character. I think that she was so well built, with such an incredible development, that at the same time that I’d hate some of her attitudes - she definitely would be that friend that is too woke - I would also cheer for EJ, because she is amazing e also because she is someone that I, reader, could also be.
The frustrating of feeling constantly unmotivated to chase your dreams - just like every single time that EJ would find a reason to not write -, but knowing that you're capable to be someone bigger than you are today, aka the 30s crisis, it’s amazingly portrayed, specially that “thing” of when you look at the people around you and all of them seem to have their life’s done, growing up, while you are just… stuck, even tho those people are incredible and always available to help and support you (even in some crazy pacts).
For me, one of the book’s highlights are EJ’s friendships. When you are a woman, being surrounded by other women is essential, because it’s there where you’ll learn how to be truly loved and to feel belonged. In the book, it’s amazing to see how EJ’s friends are a true toll to make her develop and also how they stayed by her side, even she was trying to avoid them,
Honestly, I’m in love with this book. But truth be told: I’d have loved an epilogue, but it’s absence didn’t ruin the experience - Lindsay MacMillan, please please please, consider publishing a short story or a novella just to give me some updates about EJ, I truly care about her.
If I could, I’d give this book to all of my friends, in particular to those who, just like me, feel lost in a world that is so complex and tuff, but still hold a little bit of faith.
Thanks NetGalley and Harper Muse for giving me the incredible chance to be part of thar journey.
June 24, 2026
The Anti‑Marriage Pact isn’t a romcom — it’s a story about identity, friendship, and the terrifying moment in your late 20s when the life you imagined collides with the life you’re actually living. It has a Gen Z Little Women energy at its core: four friends bound by loyalty, idealism, and a pact that feels unbreakable… until life begins to pull them in different directions.
What struck me most is how honestly this book captures the emotional architecture of that transition into your 30s — the fear of being left behind, the ache of outgrowing people you love, and the courage it takes to rewrite your own rules. The Brooklyn setting adds a grounding authenticity (especially the “how you order a slice tells if you’re local” detail), and the friendships feel lived‑in, messy, and real.
But the heart of this novel is EJ.
She bursts onto the page with all the “Go girl!” energy in the world — funny, bold, chaotic, and instantly likable. And then something shifts. As her friends grow, evolve, and step into their adult lives, EJ stays defiantly static. She becomes prickly, self‑centered, even emotionally younger than her age, and my feelings toward her changed. I admired her commitment to the Redstockings Sisterhood, but I didn’t always like her.
And that’s the point.
EJ’s discomfort — and ours — is the engine of the book. Her late‑20s‑to‑30s transition is foundational, necessary, and deeply human. This isn’t a quest for romance with Chris; it’s a quest for a relationship with herself. By the final third, I was rooting for her to reconnect with her own identity, survive the truths she uncovers, and step into the stability and success she deserves.
Readers who stop when EJ becomes difficult will miss the entire emotional payoff — the transformation of a woman I didn’t want to leave by the end.
The Anti‑Marriage Pact is a thoughtful, emotionally honest exploration of friendship, identity, and the courage it takes to grow up when everyone around you seems to be doing it faster. It’s not loud, it’s not flashy — it’s real. And that’s what makes it powerful.
What struck me most is how honestly this book captures the emotional architecture of that transition into your 30s — the fear of being left behind, the ache of outgrowing people you love, and the courage it takes to rewrite your own rules. The Brooklyn setting adds a grounding authenticity (especially the “how you order a slice tells if you’re local” detail), and the friendships feel lived‑in, messy, and real.
But the heart of this novel is EJ.
She bursts onto the page with all the “Go girl!” energy in the world — funny, bold, chaotic, and instantly likable. And then something shifts. As her friends grow, evolve, and step into their adult lives, EJ stays defiantly static. She becomes prickly, self‑centered, even emotionally younger than her age, and my feelings toward her changed. I admired her commitment to the Redstockings Sisterhood, but I didn’t always like her.
And that’s the point.
EJ’s discomfort — and ours — is the engine of the book. Her late‑20s‑to‑30s transition is foundational, necessary, and deeply human. This isn’t a quest for romance with Chris; it’s a quest for a relationship with herself. By the final third, I was rooting for her to reconnect with her own identity, survive the truths she uncovers, and step into the stability and success she deserves.
Readers who stop when EJ becomes difficult will miss the entire emotional payoff — the transformation of a woman I didn’t want to leave by the end.
The Anti‑Marriage Pact is a thoughtful, emotionally honest exploration of friendship, identity, and the courage it takes to grow up when everyone around you seems to be doing it faster. It’s not loud, it’s not flashy — it’s real. And that’s what makes it powerful.
June 29, 2026
EJ is a revolutionary. She and four friends are living in a Bushwick basement, calling themselves the Redstockings after the radical feminist group of the 1970s. They’ve made a pact to thwart societal expectations: no marriage, no kids, platonic female friendship for life. Until some of them start pairing off and EJ wants to do nothing else but cut them off.
The more I think about this book, the more I like it, and believe me, there were times I did. not. like. it. Let me rephrase, there were times (the majority of it, actually) when I did not like EJ. She’s awful. Insufferable. Completely and utterly delulu, y’all. And I ate it up. She’s got a stance on everything. All the world’s ills are someone else’s fault. She’s self-righteous. She thinks she’s a brilliant playwright, but doesn’t have any self-discipline to finish what she starts. She’s an unsupportive friend when her friends want something else from their lives than she does. She’s mean toward her family and it doesn’t make any sense for 75% of the book. And yet, the journey, my eye-rolling frustration with EJ and all, was worth the ending. I have a feeling some audiences will toss this aside and choose not to finish before getting there, but I am so glad I didn’t.
EJ’s self-revelation comes with this odd friendship, situationship, with Chris - a rich accountant and so not her type because her type is falling in lust with 8 different people per night at the club. Chris makes her see a different perspective and she him. They get each other out of their echo chambers. But don’t be fooled into thinking this is a typical romance.
At its core this is a story of someone recognizing that by creating her own rules to break all the rules, she’s caged herself. I’ll be real, the free version of EJ is still obnoxious which tracks with her character, but her growth was brilliant.
Thank you BookSparks for including me as an ambassador in the summer reading challenge and to Harper Muse for partnering with them for the finished copy of this book.
The more I think about this book, the more I like it, and believe me, there were times I did. not. like. it. Let me rephrase, there were times (the majority of it, actually) when I did not like EJ. She’s awful. Insufferable. Completely and utterly delulu, y’all. And I ate it up. She’s got a stance on everything. All the world’s ills are someone else’s fault. She’s self-righteous. She thinks she’s a brilliant playwright, but doesn’t have any self-discipline to finish what she starts. She’s an unsupportive friend when her friends want something else from their lives than she does. She’s mean toward her family and it doesn’t make any sense for 75% of the book. And yet, the journey, my eye-rolling frustration with EJ and all, was worth the ending. I have a feeling some audiences will toss this aside and choose not to finish before getting there, but I am so glad I didn’t.
EJ’s self-revelation comes with this odd friendship, situationship, with Chris - a rich accountant and so not her type because her type is falling in lust with 8 different people per night at the club. Chris makes her see a different perspective and she him. They get each other out of their echo chambers. But don’t be fooled into thinking this is a typical romance.
At its core this is a story of someone recognizing that by creating her own rules to break all the rules, she’s caged herself. I’ll be real, the free version of EJ is still obnoxious which tracks with her character, but her growth was brilliant.
Thank you BookSparks for including me as an ambassador in the summer reading challenge and to Harper Muse for partnering with them for the finished copy of this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews