Rating: 
Summary: Very Powerful!
Review: "The Pact: A Love Story" is an amazing book with so many layers. The main story of young love is easily thought of as the binding force, but I think the story of these two families is the real heart and soul of this novel. These two families have shared everything, been everything to eachother and in one night all their hopes are dreams are crushed. A friendship cannot withstand the heartbreak and deception that is told in this story. There is only so much that people can take before they crack. This book is amazingly powerful, emotional and thought provoking. I was completely transfixed and engrossed in this story of young love and loss. It's a wonderful book!
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing!
Review: I as unable to put this book down, and when I would it was all I thought about. Jodi Picoult is an extrememly talented story teller. The Pact was the most mesmorizing story of two young lovers and that grew up together and shared everything (almost). I have given this book to every single person I know that loves a good love story, and they have passed it on as well!
Rating:
Summary: Don't miss this one!
Review: No one could have forseen what would happen. Not the Golds nor the Hartes who have been friends and neighbors for over 18 years and watched their children grow up together and fall in love. When the late night call comes and bring news of Emily's death, a death by gunshot from a gun that the Hartes own, and Chris is found with her, thus begins the hell for both sets of parents. Disbelieving the suicide pact Chris insists was to happen before he fainted and the police arrived, the detective in charge of the case begins to wonder why two popular and well adjusted teenagers would decide to kill themselves. As the investigation proceeds, Chris finds himself on trial for the murder of Emily. The two families, once together, now divided, struggle to accept the truth and begin to wonder how well they actually knew their own flesh and blood. This book is told in series of flashbacks and the present to tell the story of Emily and Chris. The final truth is heartbreaking and leaves you wondering how well do we know anyone at all.
Rating:
Summary: Made for each other, hmmm.
Review: Like most readers, my soul cried while reading this book. I was completely captivated as I struggled to compose my thoughts. However, after the emotional ride subsided and I put the story into perspective, the cracks in the plot became clear. Too many questions are left unanswered. Emily's rationale for wanting to die is unconvincing. The brother-sister conflict is inconsistent with Emily's desire to be with Chris every waking moment. Furthermore, Chris did not emerge looking like Romeo. In fact, sometimes he was cruel and selfish. Remember the ski trip? Think about Donna? And, Chris pressuring Emily to engage in other activities that she clearly did not wish to take part in. And let's not forget Chris' rage. Why is he so angry? Think about the trial. Still, a good read full of drama and suspense. The childhood relationship works but the teen relationship could use some improvement. If this book becomes a film, I hope the screenwriter cleans up the plot, makes better use of the diary, and for heaven's sake let Chris in on Emily's haunting feelings.
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking and heart-breaking
Review: Reading this book is like watching someone open and disect a wound. It was painful to go through the pain with the families. My heart broke with them as they dealt with their loses, but I could relate to the feelings that Emily had in dealing with her future. I couldn't put the book down until the end, and often while reading the book I cried.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: When I fist looked at this book in a bookstore I thought this was going to be too depressing to read. The next time I found it I had to pick it up because it inticed me. When I started reading this book I was amazed by the bond between Chris and Emily and it was SO very different than high school realtionships. They were so close it was such a great because they loved eachother so much but It was so tragic. I loved the way their relationship was described because you could definitly feel such the strong emotion. I also loved the parents, and things that happened with them. I loved this book and I felt for Chris and Emily through this book right to the final page especially Chris. Jodi Picoult is such a great author. I found Chris's semi-friendship with Steve was very interesting to me. Everyone should read this book becuase one of the best books i've read and I know "Couldn't put the book down" is such a cliche but it was really true with this book and all I could do was read it untill it was finished, but now that it is i am sad that it is.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book group selection
Review: This book, about a teen romance gone sour, is not one I would've picked on my own. But this book sticks with you, exploring family dynamics on many levels and the repercussions of love and the ties that bind. A real page turner! The ending will be the cause of much discussion if you read it for a book group. POW!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely breathtaking ! !
Review: Jodi Picoult is an amazing writer. As I read this book, I felt like i was a part of the story. Her writing was so real that I felt like I was there, watching what was going on, feeling what Chris and Emily felt toward eachother..Every emotion in this book comes through the pages and into your heart. Everything that happens in this story hits home somehow whether its the amazing bond of love between two people, the feeling of wanting to meet our parents expectations, the confusion of whether you are making the right decision or not, and many other trials and tribulations of everyday life. This book is gripping, sad, beautiful and totally unforgettable. This book has been with me on the NY subways, crossing the crazy NY streets (yes with book open!) on lines at the grocery store and simply laying on my bed to see what was going to happen next...and when i wasn't reading, it didnt fail that I thought of Chris and wondered how he was doing, and I wondered what Emily could have been feeling that she wanted to take her own life.......This book is absolutely incredible (have i said it enough ?)It is a story that will stay with you forever ! I happened to be reading a very emotional part (When Chris and Emily were by the carousel with the gun in hand) and I was sitting in a diner (my friend went to the ladies room and i picked up the book ! ) well a really sad song came on, and reading this book I had a huge lump in my throat, the same feeling I got when I saw Titanic for the first time......Filled with emotion ( I maintained myself from bawling in the diner!) I have to say, I cant wait until the movie comes out ! JODI you are blessed with a talent for writing ! Jodi Picoult is now on the top of my list. I have already started reading KEEPING FAITH.
Rating:
Summary: A very scary love story.
Review: This book will stay with me for a very, very long time. As a commuter to Manhattan, I read on the express bus. Many times I had to stop because of the sadness this book made me feel. Didn't want to cry on the bus. It made me sad, happy, angry, horrified. And in today's world, with all the pressures on today's teenagers to be perfect in every way in addition to the problems of the world, this situation is so possible. No matter how much you love someone, whether parent, friend or lover, do you EVER really know them? This is the first time I ever read a book that involved a shooting, whether suicide or murder, and I'm a true crime fan, where I could not make a decision as to guilt. I would never want to be a juror in a situation like this. I wanted the McDonald's incident and Emily's journal to come out, so that Emily's mother could get past a little of her hatred and realize that her daughter did have a few problems. This book was fantastic. Right now I have about five pages to go, but I'm too heartbroken to continue at this moment. For anyone who's ever been in love, this book is a must. Can you love that much?
Rating:
Summary: Classic love story with an unusual twist
Review: This was one of the best books that I have ever read. The content moved me in ways that few books do. Jodi Picoult captured the very heart of traditional childhood friendship that turned into love. Chris Harte was someone to admire, Melanie Gold was someone to loathe and Michael Gold is someone to love. Gus Harte is the picture perfect mom and James Harte is someone to be hated. Emily Gold is someone to love throughout time, although I think she should have told someone what happened to her in the restroom at McDonald's. Flawless characters. Flawless storywriting. Picoult is my heroine.
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