The Pact

Okay, so I'm going to attempt a spoiler free beginning.

The plot of the novel is two children, Chris and Emily, who were best friends and grew up like brother and sister because their families were so close. This later blossomed into a romantic relationship that was so close, they were basically the same person. But one day, Emily ends up dead and Chris in the hospital with stitches in his head due to a supposed botched suicide pact. But as we delve further into the lives of Chris and Emily and their families, we see another story emerge.

Pros: I couldn't put it down. I HAD to know what happened. In fact, as I was finishing this book, I sat down and told my husband that my reading time was important to me and he had to stop trying to show me YouTube videos because I had to know what happened at the end.

I appreciated the plot point of look what forcing two people together can do. We often see the enemies to lovers trope. But Picoult pointed out that she wanted the opposite, star crossed lovers who's families pressured them together all of their lives and the affect this can have on two people as well. It was really interesting, a narrative I haven't read before and enjoyed.

Listen, I'm an INFJ and I'm ALL for a sad book. And this one was devastating and heartbreaking for Emily and the families of these kids. It made my heart ache at points. This is a pro for me. Any book that actually makes me feel something is okay, even if I irrationally feel for characters that are total idiots. Which brings me to ...

Cons: I hated the main character, Chris. I understand that he was supposed to be a teenager and maybe just making bad decisions, but COME ON. Okay and HERE COME THE SPOILERS SO STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED.
Chris is the worst character. I was an absolute imbecile as a teenager, I made such bad choices. But I would NEVER have agreed to assist in someone's suicide, even if they were the person I loved the most. ESPECIALLY if they were the person I loved the most. That's not love. I'm sorry, but it's not. And if Chris was supposed to be so wise beyond his years and so in love with Emily, then he would have known to reach out, tell anyone. When she opened up to him about suicidal thoughts, he should have, and any rational person would have, sought help from anyone they could have. The idea that he would help her kill herself because she asked him to is ABSURD.
Second con, absolutely NO WAY he would have been found not guilty. That was the dumbest thing I've ever read. I don't even need to elaborate.


Would I recommend this? Yes. Although this is a controversial novel, I think Jodi Picoult is a great storyteller that always leaves me wanting more. If you want a good story with a sad plot, this is it. But trigger warnings: sexual abuse, suicide.

This marks my 20th Jodi Picoult novel, it was okay, since her older books are not that good imo. The characters were well written, their conflicting thoughts and emotions felt so raw and real, the writing incredible as usual. The book did well showing how people may react in these circumstances. The parents and Chris all had visible changes in character and demeanor as the novel went on.?? The trial was fun to read too, this was the one Jordan McAfee book I missed until now, and his intelligence and adaptability is always a pleasure to see.

However, there were some issues. The pacing of the book was kind of strange, since the trial actually started at around 70% in. All the previous pages were building up to the trial, and it was fairly drawn out and could turn boring. The trial should be the climax, but it was so far into the book that half the anticipation was gone by then. Some pet peeves: Kate was totally forgotten at the end of the book, and Melanie's destructive behavior was simply disgusting.??

Overall, a nice complex book, albeit having a few problems. Definitely need a lighthearted novel after this one!

Picoult explores the topic of teen suicide in this novel, which opens with a gunshot in the first few minutes. While later courtroom scenes keep you on the edge of your seat, I found the parents responses to the actions of their children to be a little unbelieveable, especially considering their close relationship to one another. Overall, a good read.