Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - The Marriage Act

This is the third John Marrs book I've read and the third I've greatly enjoyed!
Thank you to Harper Collins Canada and Bookclubbish for my giveaway win copy of The Marriage Act!
It's the not-so-distant future. Marriage in Britain is greatly encouraged, and by formalizing through The Marriage Act, aka "Smart Marriage". Couples in such are privvy to benefits in the economy and service access.
But the Act also comes with serious consequences if the requirements aren't met. Relationships are continually monitored, and can be intercepted at the first hint of issue.
John Marrs has created a most detailed and fascinating dystopian thriller, told in alternating chapters among four couples in differing relationships.
The opening chapter is a shocking indication of what's to come.
Recommended, and enjoy!

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved John Marrs’s The One and The Passenger so was keen to pick up his new release The Marriage Act which is set in the same world. The British Government sees value in couples being married and offers incentives to people who have a Smart Marriage - basically one monitored by the government and where couples face forced interventions if surveillance detects any hint of trouble in the marriage. This is a fast paced thriller set in a scarily believable future. The short chapters with cliff hanger endings and multiple perspectives kept me turning the pages. The inclusion of newspaper articles , advertisements and the like added interest and believability. I liked the way this story highlighted and forced me to think about important current issues - things like government and business collusion and corruption, a divided society, privacy, social media, technology and more. A solid read but for me not as good as the previous two.

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