Wow, how twisted is the mind of John Marrs? This books follows in the same world he created in The One and Passengers although you don’t need to have read them to read this one. It is set in a futuristic time where a marriage can be “upgraded” to a smart marriage which comes with benefits like a bigger and nicer house, nicer car etc. The people within the marriage agree to have smart apps which can randomly listen and record their conversations which can show if a marriage is in trouble. If a marriage is in trouble there are several levels of intervention that can happen. Without giving any spoilers we follow lots of different people who are all at different stages in their lives and marriages and learn how the “smart marriage” status affects them and how these peoples lives and experiences may overlap.

There were places in the book where I actually gasped and a few parts that made me snigger. Overall the book does make you think about life, social media and how that can affect your relationships and the possibility of a future which is far more “big brother is watching you”

John Marrs books just keep getting better and better!

As with John’s other books this is intensely clever, very contemporary and absolutely chilling mainly because of its plausibility.
In a world, not too far off from our current one, marriages can be upgraded earning the participants much privileges and better lifestyles but at what cost? The marriage is monitored and scrutinised and there is enforced intervention if it’s deemed to be anything less than perfect.
I loved how John’s previous books and their ethos were referenced so as to join the dots, although it’s not imperative you had read them.
It is a real, eye opening, tale of the darkness of human nature in combination with the big brother style actions that technologies can implement with too great an ease. Terrifyingly brilliant.

I so love John Marrs books and this one did not disappoint. I was glued to each page as the story evolved. My mind was unnerved about how possible this could be! I adored this book and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a great plot, brilliant characters and has a mind that loves to ask 'What If?'

I would love to have a creative mind which could conceive of the stories written by John Marrs.

I loved the concept of The One and the Marriage Act is in a similar vein. In this novel, Marriage is 'actively' promoted by government, in particular Smart Marriages which give the individuals health and financial benefits but come at the cost of increased in-home surveillance.

The story, like The One, is told from the perspective of several individuals some of whom are in agreement with the Act, others rebelling against it.

I loved the format of the book, jumping between different characters, teasing out the plot lines and just keeping you going for just one chapter more. A few hours later the book was still in my hands.

Really enjoyable read which you should set a few hours aside for as once you pick it up, you won't be putting it down.

Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

4-5 stars

From the fertile imagination of John Marrs who gave us The One and The Passengers, both of which are referenced here, he now offers us a vision of a Britain controlled by The Marriage Act. A smart marriage brings multiple benefits such as tax perks, a starter home in a purpose-built town and NHS+. So sign up now at www.smartmarriage.co.uk.

What’s the catch? Well, I dare say if you don’t mind the presence of Audite which monitors and listens in 24/7, registering any marital problems and then sending in a relationship responder, then there isn’t one. However, if you don’t want the control or manipulation then you might consider joining FFA – Freedom for All. The novel follows the progress of several couples who may or may not have signed the marriage act in this multilayered plot which presents a nightmarish, frightful vision of a possible future where power over an individual seems absolute.

Well, he’s done it again! As ever the author has me glued to the pages in his latest clever, creative, fast paced and powerful novel which challenges your thinking via the individuals and their marriages. Each one has a fascinating backstory allowing you to see how they have arrived at their current situation. It’s a bleak view, it’s dark, it rattles your cage, making you reflect on developments we actually do have in the present day. Of course, it’s full of suspense and tension which are de rigueur in one of his plots. As for twists, well, if you read a novel of his before that’s a given! Although it’s set in the future the way it’s written makes it feel authentic and plausible enabling you to completely buy into the concept even if it makes you shudder. It feels especially realistic in the use that is made of social media as situations develop. I like how it all pans out in the end and it feels right.

Overall, another immersive well written and well thought out novel that is thought provoking as well as entertaining.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pan McMillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

It’s no secret I love this author’s books,ever since 'The One’ I have eagerly awaited every new book and enjoyed them,’The One’ has always remained my favourite……until I read this….written in the same formula,each chapter relating to a different character and each chapter left on a cliffhanger,superbly done and had me transfixed the whole way through
‘The Marriage Act’ encourages via life benefits and incentives people to enter into this marriage contract and if you decide not to then you have limited health options and you live in an undesirable area,all marriages who register agree to having their conversations recorded and have input as to how to protect and improve their unions……with people coming to stay and help you if the Govt think you need it,a recipe for lies,cheating and disasters and the book follows all of these ( and more ) as the couples get into various situations
Brilliant writing, John Marrs has a sure winner with this,it is one of the best books I have ever read

10/10
5 Stars

John Marrs is a very talented either so I was super excited to have been accepted to read The Marriage Act.

I found it a little slow starting at first and was slightly confused by the different characters (each chapter is from a different characters perspective) but once I started to get to know the different characters and the story got going I was completely hooked!

A very clever thought out storyline. One that’s unique but thought provoking.

I loved how it was told through the different perspectives, it actually fit so nicely. Each one gaining more insight into what was happening.

Even though the theme is a little far fetched, John Marrs brings in a bit of ‘real life events’ and you start to actually question if this could happen!? It’s like a scary prediction of the future.

Overall a different but fabulous read. Thank you NetGalley and pan macmillan for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A gripping thriller by this amazing writer. Set in the future I love how he interweaves snippets of the previous like The One. Such a creative and gifted author this is another page turner exploring the dimension of divorce and marriage issues under the scrutiny of the modern fictional government. I could read his books all day!!

Scary stuff

Chilling as this could be true in this crazy world of ours

People are forced into marriage and monitored by the government. Northamptonshire has been carved up into regions a bit like Corona virus zones.......

I have really enjoyed this dystopian plot
Having different stories unfolding added to the enjoyment and trepidation of this book
The writing, as always, from this author was easy to read and spellbinding
I was drawn into this unsavoury world and found the characters both hateful and surprising in their way of dealing with the controlling Marriage Act.
I am always shocked at the thought that any government could be so controlling but fearful that this book, as with some of the authors other books, is so near to what is happening and to what can happen.
A chilling but a must read book

Brilliant twisty thriller that had me hooked from the get go. I LOVED the premise and the element of truth to the dystopia. Excellent read.

Devoured this book in one glorious sitting. Marrs is such a distinctive voice in the literary world at the moment, his ability to create unnerving thrillers is second to none. Fantastic reas

'...𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥.'

To start off, I want to confirm that although it is a stand-alone and you can very much read it if you haven't familiarised yourself with other works of this author from "The One Universe", I'll still highly recommend checking out: The One, Passengers and The Minders first. It will just give you a better understanding and immerse even further into the story.

About the book itself:

We have several POVs of people who are somehow related to 'The Marriage Act'. '𝐎𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫'. Now, ask yourself, will that promised "happy ever after" is and ultimate utopian best choice? I will purposefully omit explaining anything else, as I think that it is better to get into this book without knowing too much, reading the synopsis will be more than enough, imo. The setting is the near-future-UK and it has this "Black Mirror" vibe to it, where you can't help but genuinely consider that something like this may actually happen, and it is terrifying as hell.

This book has this subtle suspense that holds you from the beginning to end. To be completely honest, all authors' books I've read so far have it. I mean, it is unputdownable (2.45 am me reading chapter 79 says hello). John Marrs is a master of cliffhangers and plot twists! He builds up tension and exceeds all your expectations, digs deep into psychology and experiments with a canon of an ordinary thriller to a point that leaves you speechless. I haven't encountered such writing style anywhere but in his works.

One more aspect I want to talk about is that the book explores several problematic messages, f.e. how online life impacts your reality and a reality of others, how nothing is as it seems at first glance, imperfections of our society, topics of poverty against abundance of power and wealth, and many others. After reading the whole thing you keep coming back to some of those subjects in your mind.

As to the characters, they all are a pure treat to follow. Each person is multi-faceted, some of them are very morally grey, which make them even more credible and convincing. I do have my new favourites (Noah and Luca, I root for you both infinitely). Oh, and the psychopath here is the one you constantly want to punch, so well developed.

Even though this review is already an essay long, it will not be complete without a word of praise to the designers! Those tiny images at the beginning of each 'Act' (yes, I see the resemblance with a theatrical play here), and website-like pages, and leaflets - all this makes the book so much more interactive.

I can't wait to put my hands on a physical copy once it's out and then longingly wait for the next work John Marrs comes up with, while savouring remaining unread books of his that patiently wait their turn on my shelves.

The Marriage Act by John Marrs.
Britain. The near-future. A right-wing government believes it has the answer to society’s ills – the Sanctity of Marriage Act, which actively encourages marriage as the norm, punishing those who choose to remain single.But four couples are about to discover just how impossible relationships can be when the government is monitoring every aspect of our personal lives, monitoring every word, every minor disagreement . . . and will use every tool in its arsenal to ensure everyone will love, honour and obey.
A brilliant read. Love this author. 5*.

John Marrs writes books that make you think. His subject matter is often based on current affairs or everyday issues, but he always seems to weave a nuanced story that grabs you, and doesn't let go!

Those of us with an Alexa or similar device will recognise that feeling of uncertainty about how much they listen in to your daily life. Add in a little subversive AI to control the populous and you get the drift of The Marriage Act.

I work with AI, and I know the ethical demands that are required to keep it principled. This book shows what might happen when sight of this is lost.

Thought provoking and very current.

John Marrs excels at writing black mirror esque fiction. What happens if the government gets too involved in their citizens lives. I was propelled to finish this book. I also think it would be a great audiobook because of the formatting of straight novel mixed with government announcements.

Marrs always paints such a frightening picture of the future, I think partly because he bases his story on real tech, and partly because its the way I can see things going in our current world.
It's fun to visit his dystopian future, but I'd run screaming the minute somebody wanted to put a listening device in my home.
All of these storyline seem so plausible, that's the very creepy thing.
I enjoyed how they all connected to each other, and how he references some of his past books.
There's some likeable characters that I was firmly on side with, and the government as the big bad guy. Sounds familiar.
Fast paced, lots of surprises, and jolly good fun.

The Marriage Act by John Marrs is set in a similar time to two of his’ previous books, But what makes this one so unique and so terrifying is a right-wing Government that promotes “happy” marriages with large incentives. Better NHS, better housing, etc., all of which sound beneficial (sound familiar?), but if these marriages are monitored by hearing devices placed strategically all over the house, whatever couples do or say may incite different levels of Government concern, amounting to the possibility of an in-house therapist.

In a desperate attempt to right devastated marriages, this plausible tale involves control in a dystopian landscape. For me this is the perfect medium for abuse. Singletons are forced into a lower and less sustainable existence. Their struggles are frighteningly real, forcing many to consider the love, honour and obey scheme carved out by the The Sanctity of Marriage Act. But for those already choosing to live within this oppressive structure, life isn’t quite so rosy. Think The Handmaid’s Tale meets The One.

The book follows several characters, which may be a little confusing to start with.. Each have secrets and motivations which will ultimately put their place in society at peril. Each have a backstory that allows the reader a hint of how they arrived at their current status and the extreme measures they endured. After filling out a questionnaire, matches are made for individuals. But how will they evade the ears that hear? I can’t imagine such an intrusive society, listening into every aspect of your private life, and where one couple were forced to write conversations on scraps of paper to dodge the Audite.

With a map at the start of the book to orient the reader to regions etc., this is a very well-constructed novel , the type readers have come to expect from John Marrs. The book promises challenges that far outweigh the norm, together with aspects of horror to keep you glued to each page. This is a speed-rap of a story, brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and John Marrs for allowing me the privilege of reading an advance copy of this fabulous book. A full five stars from me!

Oooooh he is a clever one that Mr Mars isn't he! We are back in the not to distant future which is what he does best! A great story, that's just crazy enough to be entertaining, but believable enough to terrify you. This is not an easy thing to do, yet he seems to do it effortlessly. Bravo!

I have loved all of John Marrs' books, and this one is up with the best of them.

Set in the time of The One and The Passengers this book is a complete stand alone story with a nod to genetic matching to find your ideal match, and self driving cars which can be controlled by outside forces.

In the near future Government research shows that people in happy marriages are healthier, live longer, and are a lesser strain on the state. To this end they decide to encourage marriage by offering huge financial incentives, better housing on the right side of town, better NHS care and various other incentives to promote marriage. This might sound like a good, and possibly plausible scenario, however there is a darker side. All these marriages are heavily monitored by Audibles - Alexa/Google Assistant type speakers all around the home and on 'wearables' on your wrist. You are checked in and if the Artificial Intelligence thinks your marriage is in trouble you will receive more and more 'support' culminating with an in person therapist - who can recommend that you have a happy marriage (with their guidance) or should be divorced - even if you don't want to!

John is the master of taking a plausible scenario and taking it to the ultimate 'what if' situation. His plots are often dark, distrurbing, and suspenseful - all in the best possible way. His books will leave you reading until late in the night for 'just one more chapter'. John Marrs is the master of his craft and if you haven't discovered this incredible author yet - you are in for a real treat.