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The Anti-Marriage Pact: A Novel
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100 copies available
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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
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
- GenresFictionFriendship
320 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 2, 2026
5994 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I picked up The Anti-Marriage Pact because the idea felt very real to me. Four friends making a pact to skip marriage and kids and just focus on their lives and ambitions? I can absolutely see a group of women doing that in their twenties and feeling completely sure they’ve figured everything out. Life has a funny way of testing those kinds of declarations though, and that’s really what this book explores.
What I liked most was the friendship between the women. It felt messy in a believable way. They support each other, they argue, they judge each other a little, and sometimes they struggle when their lives start moving in different directions. That part rang true to me. Friendships change as people grow, and the book doesn’t pretend that’s always smooth or easy.
EJ was interesting to follow, especially when Chris enters her life and starts challenging everything she thought she believed about relationships. I appreciated that the story didn’t rush that shift. You can see her slowly wrestling with her own ideas about independence, loyalty, and what she actually wants versus what she once promised her friends.
For me, this landed at three stars because while I enjoyed the story, I didn’t feel deeply attached to the characters the way I hoped I would. I liked them, but I didn’t love them. There were also moments where the pacing felt a little uneven, like some emotional beats deserved more time.
Still, I’m glad I read it. It’s thoughtful, a little funny, and it raises interesting questions about how our beliefs evolve as we get older. Sometimes the rules we set for ourselves in one stage of life don’t quite fit the next, and this book captures that tension well.
What I liked most was the friendship between the women. It felt messy in a believable way. They support each other, they argue, they judge each other a little, and sometimes they struggle when their lives start moving in different directions. That part rang true to me. Friendships change as people grow, and the book doesn’t pretend that’s always smooth or easy.
EJ was interesting to follow, especially when Chris enters her life and starts challenging everything she thought she believed about relationships. I appreciated that the story didn’t rush that shift. You can see her slowly wrestling with her own ideas about independence, loyalty, and what she actually wants versus what she once promised her friends.
For me, this landed at three stars because while I enjoyed the story, I didn’t feel deeply attached to the characters the way I hoped I would. I liked them, but I didn’t love them. There were also moments where the pacing felt a little uneven, like some emotional beats deserved more time.
Still, I’m glad I read it. It’s thoughtful, a little funny, and it raises interesting questions about how our beliefs evolve as we get older. Sometimes the rules we set for ourselves in one stage of life don’t quite fit the next, and this book captures that tension well.
Review of advance copy received from Shelf Awareness Pro
Fair warning, the main character of this book, EJ or Emily Jane is extremely annoying and unlikable. She enters into (or coerces her friends into) an Anti-Marriage Pact as a way to maintain her life as a carefree, anarchist who refuses to compromise herself and her art. Hijinks ensue.
As stated, EJ is incredibly prickly and quick to anger over the smallest slights. Somehow she has charmed three other women into being her die-hard friends while she whines and complains, sporadically drives Uber, parties at the crusty bars in her neighborhood, and changes her contact lenses to change her eye color every day. It's at one of these endless shindigs that she meets an accountant named Chris who intrigues her enough to follow up with him later. She ends up being his dog sitter, and occasional witness to his small, predictable life while she insists she is not interested in him, and would never pursue a relationship with him. Interestingly, as the story moves along, we learn more about EJ and Chris, and the traumas they have. With EJ, I became especially sympathetic, even as I never liked her much. However, her growth throughout the story was unexpected, and really well done, as she never once loses her annoying edge, yet slowly lets go of her judgments of everyone, including herself.
I wouldn't say I liked the book, or the characters by the end, but I did find a small admiration for them, and even for the story as a way a person can grow from their flaws into a new understanding of the world around them.
As stated, EJ is incredibly prickly and quick to anger over the smallest slights. Somehow she has charmed three other women into being her die-hard friends while she whines and complains, sporadically drives Uber, parties at the crusty bars in her neighborhood, and changes her contact lenses to change her eye color every day. It's at one of these endless shindigs that she meets an accountant named Chris who intrigues her enough to follow up with him later. She ends up being his dog sitter, and occasional witness to his small, predictable life while she insists she is not interested in him, and would never pursue a relationship with him. Interestingly, as the story moves along, we learn more about EJ and Chris, and the traumas they have. With EJ, I became especially sympathetic, even as I never liked her much. However, her growth throughout the story was unexpected, and really well done, as she never once loses her annoying edge, yet slowly lets go of her judgments of everyone, including herself.
I wouldn't say I liked the book, or the characters by the end, but I did find a small admiration for them, and even for the story as a way a person can grow from their flaws into a new understanding of the world around them.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I won this book as part of a giveaway and I enjoyed reading it.
I was able to relate to some of the main character’s views on life (at least in my younger years), however I did feel she was a bit intense, narcissistic at times, and quite controlling. While halfway through the book, she was starting to annoy me, like a person around you with such bad energy that you end up wanting to break free from them. I realized that the author did a great job with getting me to feel emotion while reading, and that’s what I want from a book (don’t we all?). Three quarters into the book, the main character had an epiphany and that changed where this story was headed. The author did a fantastic job of capturing the ideals of 4 friends (that started off the same), and changing them one by one as new people were introduced into their lives. As someone that’s almost 50, I can say the story is quite true to life. What we think and how we feel at one stage of our lives, is not the same a decade or two later. Kudos to the author and wish her much success with this book!!
I was able to relate to some of the main character’s views on life (at least in my younger years), however I did feel she was a bit intense, narcissistic at times, and quite controlling. While halfway through the book, she was starting to annoy me, like a person around you with such bad energy that you end up wanting to break free from them. I realized that the author did a great job with getting me to feel emotion while reading, and that’s what I want from a book (don’t we all?). Three quarters into the book, the main character had an epiphany and that changed where this story was headed. The author did a fantastic job of capturing the ideals of 4 friends (that started off the same), and changing them one by one as new people were introduced into their lives. As someone that’s almost 50, I can say the story is quite true to life. What we think and how we feel at one stage of our lives, is not the same a decade or two later. Kudos to the author and wish her much success with this book!!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
A group of women questioning traditional expectations around marriage and motherhood is such a good setup, which is why I was excited to read this book.
But I really struggled with the main character. She was constantly talking down on everything. Marriage, long-term relationships, the idea of children, and men in general all seemed to be treated with the same level of disdain. Her inner thoughts are packed with nonstop pop-culture references, buzzwords, and commentary about capitalism and the patriarchy. I don’t mind those themes at all. They make sense for the story. But the delivery is so constant that it becomes repetitive and exhausting. It pulled me out of the story again and again.
I really liked the premise and the focus on questioning expectations of women in our society, but the execution wasn’t good. It was tough to get through and almost ended up as a DNF. #giveaway
#giveaway
But I really struggled with the main character. She was constantly talking down on everything. Marriage, long-term relationships, the idea of children, and men in general all seemed to be treated with the same level of disdain. Her inner thoughts are packed with nonstop pop-culture references, buzzwords, and commentary about capitalism and the patriarchy. I don’t mind those themes at all. They make sense for the story. But the delivery is so constant that it becomes repetitive and exhausting. It pulled me out of the story again and again.
I really liked the premise and the focus on questioning expectations of women in our society, but the execution wasn’t good. It was tough to get through and almost ended up as a DNF. #giveaway
#giveaway
March 20, 2026
I really liked the idea of this—four friends making a pact to never get married or have kids and choosing each other instead. It felt fresh and different.
But honestly… EJ kind of drove me crazy. She might be one of the more annoying main characters I’ve read in a while—so stubborn and stuck in her ways that it got frustrating. That said, I do think she was written that way on purpose, and in that sense, it was well done.
The story follows her as her friends start breaking the pact and moving on with their lives, and I did like how messy and real those friendships felt. People change, priorities shift, and not everyone grows at the same pace.
Chris added some tension, but I didn’t feel super invested in their relationship. I also wish the other friends had more depth since they’re such a big part of the story.
Overall, an interesting premise with realistic friendship dynamics, but the main character made it harder to fully enjoy
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC
But honestly… EJ kind of drove me crazy. She might be one of the more annoying main characters I’ve read in a while—so stubborn and stuck in her ways that it got frustrating. That said, I do think she was written that way on purpose, and in that sense, it was well done.
The story follows her as her friends start breaking the pact and moving on with their lives, and I did like how messy and real those friendships felt. People change, priorities shift, and not everyone grows at the same pace.
Chris added some tension, but I didn’t feel super invested in their relationship. I also wish the other friends had more depth since they’re such a big part of the story.
Overall, an interesting premise with realistic friendship dynamics, but the main character made it harder to fully enjoy
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was exactly the book I needed right now. As someone who loves novels set in New York, Lindsay McMillan absolutely nailed it. I felt like I was right there in the city, exploring different neighborhoods alongside the Redstocking group.
The writing is so immersive that by chapter three, I felt like I was the fifth member of their circle!
For the most part, The Anti-Marriage Pact is a hilarious, lighthearted ride. I found myself laughing out loud every few pages. However, don’t let the “light” label fool you—the last 50 pages took a turn I never saw coming.
It tackles a very heavy subject with a lot of heart. It surprised me, moved me, and made me love the story even more. ( I am not going into details because I don’t want to spoil the novel). Highly recommend!
The writing is so immersive that by chapter three, I felt like I was the fifth member of their circle!
For the most part, The Anti-Marriage Pact is a hilarious, lighthearted ride. I found myself laughing out loud every few pages. However, don’t let the “light” label fool you—the last 50 pages took a turn I never saw coming.
It tackles a very heavy subject with a lot of heart. It surprised me, moved me, and made me love the story even more. ( I am not going into details because I don’t want to spoil the novel). Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
EJ and her three roommates make an “Anti-Marriage Pact,” rejecting marriage and motherhood in favor of friendship, ambition, and independence. EJ's friends start falling in love rupturing the pact and she meets Chris. After a lot of denial, she is forced to question her beliefs about love, loyalty, and the life she thought she wanted.
it is well written but all the anti-everything discourse gets old really quickly making the book full of clichés and a bit youngadultish. I also think that it could have been shorter. Still, it can be a fun light read with some deeper moments.
Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the advanced copy.
it is well written but all the anti-everything discourse gets old really quickly making the book full of clichés and a bit youngadultish. I also think that it could have been shorter. Still, it can be a fun light read with some deeper moments.
Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oof! Pounding the pulpit really hard on all the non traditional trends- like “name dropping” every single cultural buzz point. The premise lured me in with the notion of something a bit edgy and more lighthearted. It really could have been a fun read. The MFC was a horribly over the top obnoxious person. Every time I started this book, I would get annoyed within a few sentences, and ultimately DNF’d when the chemistry b/n her and Chris seemed so bland.
Book cover is cool!
Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Muse.I received a complimentary ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Book cover is cool!
Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Muse.I received a complimentary ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5/5
A group of friends that have an anti-marriage pact find themselves struggling to really stick to that pact (as much as they may try).
I do think that this is more of a literary fiction story about friendship and going through different stages of life with those friendships than a romance.
But there definitely is still a subplot of romance.
I had fun reading this. I found it to be refreshing and easy to read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
A group of friends that have an anti-marriage pact find themselves struggling to really stick to that pact (as much as they may try).
I do think that this is more of a literary fiction story about friendship and going through different stages of life with those friendships than a romance.
But there definitely is still a subplot of romance.
I had fun reading this. I found it to be refreshing and easy to read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Did Not Finish
February 19, 2026I had high hopes for this book billed as a literary book with an unhinged FMC. EJ is unlikeable alright, but I didn’t like her because she comes off as an unintelligent try-hard. If you are intentionally counter-cultural, you shouldn’t be surprised when you receive pushback. We have a lot of the same beliefs…but somehow they don’t come up in my every conversation explicitly. It was a lot of tell instead of show. She’s a playwright who hasn’t made it because of the patriarchy…but she’s never finished a play.
Thank you Harper Muse for the review copy.
Thank you Harper Muse for the review copy.
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!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I will preface this by saying I’m not usually a big romance reader, but I really enjoyed The Anti-Marriage Pact. It’s especially relatable if you’re in your late 20s/early 30s and question the whole dating scene of today.
I thought the main character was very ironic and also kind of relatable. She sort of lacked self-awareness but in a way that I felt was highly entertaining. It’s also a slow-burn romance, which I think worked great for the character.
Was it predictable? Yes. Did I still enjoy it? Yes!
I thought the main character was very ironic and also kind of relatable. She sort of lacked self-awareness but in a way that I felt was highly entertaining. It’s also a slow-burn romance, which I think worked great for the character.
Was it predictable? Yes. Did I still enjoy it? Yes!
Read
March 22, 2026(won in a giveaway)
This was an ...interesting book. It was certainly well written but the protagonist was so insufferable, I can't necessarily say I fully enjoyed it. It was clear that that was intentional and there was character growth and it's possible it was just my mood making it difficult but I found myself just reading so I could see her world crumble around her as karma. If you're okay with that, I do recommend reading this book because it was well written and the character growth was significant but I can't say I truly enjoyed it.
This was an ...interesting book. It was certainly well written but the protagonist was so insufferable, I can't necessarily say I fully enjoyed it. It was clear that that was intentional and there was character growth and it's possible it was just my mood making it difficult but I found myself just reading so I could see her world crumble around her as karma. If you're okay with that, I do recommend reading this book because it was well written and the character growth was significant but I can't say I truly enjoyed it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Almost a 3.5/4 but the FMC was actually annoying and the story a bit slow. Those being my drawbacks, I will say there were some positives to note here. I loved that this was a “coming of age” for a bit of an older character - not old, just not closer to teenager years. The friendships felt real and believable. (This whole story was very friendship fiction.) And there was some growth which was nice. The story was slightly predictable and a little drawn out but I feel like it could be relatable for women of the same age today.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
It’s well-written but I just don’t like the main character. Her default is counter to any viewpoint. She accepts employment planning to skip shifts and be purposely late to work. She’s almost 30 and doesn’t yet know that true freedom is ability to choose conventional or unconventional paths in life, and unique choices within those life paths. I would never have her as a friend, she’s extremely annoying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
MacMillan can write — the prose and pacing kept me turning pages. That said, I didn’t connect with the story’s overall stance. I liked the premise and what it was trying to explore, but the “anti” tone across the board began to wear on me after a while. EJ, especially, frustrated me because she seemed fully aware she was sabotaging her own life, and I struggled to root for her.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This book was a journey. Honestly, EJ irritated me most of this book, but I think that was partially the point. Her character development was done very well. Life’s journey is not the same for everyone, and that’s okay! This ending was exactly what it needed to be.
Thank you Harper Muse for sending me an Advanced Reading Copy
Thank you Harper Muse for sending me an Advanced Reading Copy
Review of advance copy received from Author
Exactly what i needed to read. The book was so relevant and necessary and smart and therapeutic and brilliant. I think it would be relevant whenever bit as a women in my 30s it was especially timely for its smart insight. Must read for all women !
February 1, 2026
I enjoyed this sweet romcom with a feminist edge and an undercurrent of trauma that wasn't fully exposed until later in the novel.
Wonderful characters and very well-written.
Wonderful characters and very well-written.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I had a hard time reading this book. I just did not like the FMC and couldn't buy the romance. I dnf'd at 35%
Review of advance copy
Thanks @HarperMuse and @Goodreads for the ARC. This read was just not my cup of tea.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews