The Pact: A Love Story by Jodi Picoult

I have had this book on my for quite awhile.  I had previously read My Sister’s Keeper by Picoult and loved it.  So, why did it sit on my shelf?  The answer is simple; fear of the emotional nature of the subject matter.  The Pact: A Love Story follows two families who are neighbors and best friends. They have to deal with a suicide pact gone wrong.  This story follows each of the characters as they deal with the impact of this loss.  The teenagers’, Chris and Emily, and their parents’ lives are forever changed.  I was fearful that the story might be too much for me.  It was not and I enjoyed the book.  One thing that surprised me, was the writing made me forget it was fiction.  I enjoy reading true crime and the feel of this book reminded me of that genre of book.  I found myself fretting over Chris’s situation and Emily’s state of mind just as I do when reading non-fiction.  The way that the book is set up you slowly learn how the families are connected.  You get a chapter on what is currently happening in their lives and then you get a chapter that delves into their pasts.  I love that you get to see many different points of view.  I love that you see Katie’s jealousy.  I found that I was disappointed that Melanie and Chris don’t find out everything that led to Emily’s state of mind and the suicide.  But upon retrospection, this is what happens when a loved one is lost to suicide.  You don’t always get the closure and answers you deserve or want.  I think that you could still enjoy the book even if you don’t enjoy true crime.  It is just how I reacted to the writing.   I absolutely enjoyed reading this Picoult book and plan to read more from her in the future.