When EJ and her three roommates swear off marriage and motherhood with their infamous “Anti-Marriage Pact,” they think they’ve got life figured out. No white dresses, no baby fever, no losing themselves to societal expectations. Just fierce friendship, creative ambitions, and the gritty freedom of Brooklyn.
But the bonds that once felt unbreakable start to fray as one friend and then another begins to find love. Meanwhile, Chris walks into EJ’s life—a buttoned-up tax accountant who dares to question everything she believes about love, commitment, and what it really means to live on your own terms. Now EJ finds herself caught between loyalty to her sisters-in-arms and the terrifying prospect of opening her heart to something she’s spent years rejecting. As her carefully constructed world begins to crack, EJ must confront the possibility that maybe, just maybe, she’s been wrong about everything.
I grabbed a copy of this one because I’m a huge fan of Abigail Reno’s narration, and this was a different genre (lit. fiction) from what I’ve listened to her narrate in the past. I went in blind, expecting a slower-moving literary book, and instead I got an engaging literary drama with a subtle romance, a complex (and initially unlikeable) protagonist, and a story that surprised me. EJ lives in Brooklyn with roommates and has some very rigid beliefs about marriage, relationships, and society’s expectations. Her rebellious attitude and sometimes annoying behavior are front and center from the start, so I knew I’d have to be patient and see whether her growth throughout the story would eventually make me connect with her more. Thankfully, sticking with this book and her journey mostly paid off.
The story is told entirely from EJ’s first-person POV, and it was definitely entertaining to get pulled into her very opinionated inner monologues. Right away, I was intrigued by her dynamic with her three roommates, Hal, Jenny, and Tara, who call themselves the Redstockings, and their Brooklyn basement apartment they call “The Inn.” Initially, it seems they all share similar views about marriage and society, but as time goes by, it becomes clear that each woman is complex and has her own needs that change her—and EJ is by far the most rigid in her beliefs. I liked how the group dynamic evolved throughout the story. It was difficult for EJ to stomach the disappointments, but she needed them, and it felt realistic and relatable.
When EJ meets Chris at an art gallery show, their first interaction is anything but romantic, and she brushes him off. But as fate keeps bringing them together, they slowly develop an unconventional friendship while he’s dating someone else. If you’re hoping for a romance, that’s not really what their relationship is for most of the book. There’s a mutual growth between them, and EJ’s personal transformation is propelled forward after meeting him.
This book’s reviews are all over the place, and I understand why. EJ is an unlikeable character who will frustrate and annoy a lot of readers. Even though some of her views are limited and hurtful, and she seems oblivious to how she negatively affects people at times, I can’t say I disagreed with everything she said—she also makes some very valid points about societal expectations and conformity. Later in the story, she’s forced to confront her owncontradictions and realize she doesn’t have all the answers, which is where I started enjoying the book more.
The writing is straightforward, feeling more like contemporary women’s fiction than anything lyrical or especially literary. EJ goes through a rapid shift in her mindset near the end after a life-changing experience. I didn’t completely buy into it, as she was still so set in her ways and deeply rooted in her beliefs only a few chapters earlier. That being said, it was still satisfying to see her become less stubborn and recognize her own flaws.
I also appreciated that the ending, especially regarding the romance, didn’t go into unrealistic happily-ever-after territory (thank goodness!)—that would have been very at odds with this story. The absolute highlight for me, though, was EJ’s relationship with Chris’s dog, Arnie. Their connection was a fun and heartwarming addition!
If you’ve seen this one around and the premise intrigues you, I highly recommend experiencing it as an audiobook. Abigail Reno elevates this story and brings EJ, the roommates, and the Inn brilliantly to life. I laughed more than a few times during several of EJ’s rants, and I think you will too!
If you’ve seen this one around and the premise intrigues you, I highly recommend experiencing it as an audiobook. Abigail Reno elevates this story and brings EJ, the roommates, and the Inn brilliantly to life. I laughed more than a few times during several of EJ’s rants, and I think you will too!
Narrator Performance
The Anti-Marriage Pact is read by award-winning narrator Abigail Reno. At the beginning of the story, Reno gives EJ a confident, almost unstoppable energy. You can hear how committed EJ is to her Anti-Marriage Pact and her beliefs about rejecting society’s expectations around relationships and marriage. She almost sounds too secure in her choices, especially in her early dialogue with her roommates Hal, Tara, and Jenni. Reno does a great job giving each of the roommates a distinct voice, making the dynamic of the “Redstockings” feel realistic. Hal is given a more relaxed, free-spirited energy, suiting someone who moved into the Inn to distance herself from her parents and be herself. Tara, who is the closest match to EJ’s beliefs, is portrayed with a similar conviction in her voice. Jenni, the roommate whose life takes a different direction after she gets married and starts a family, is given a softer, more grounded voice. When Jenni leaves the apartment, and the dynamics with Hal and Tara begin changing as everyone’s lives move in different directions, you can hear the doubts and frustration slowly creeping into EJ’s inner dialogue.
One of the biggest highlights of the narration is the dynamic between EJ and Chris. From their very first encounter at the art gallery, Reno establishes their contrasting personalities. Even though there’s tension and a bit of hostility between them, she captures the underlying chemistry that neither of them admits. As fate continues bringing them together and an unconventional friendship develops, especially once EJ becomes Chris’s dog sitter, Reno makes their dialogue sound completely natural, and you can feel the growing trust and affection between them.
Another highlight of Reno’s performance is how she narrates EJ’s passionate rants. Whether EJ is explaining her beliefs about marriage to her family, her roommates, or Chris, Reno’s comedic timing and commitment are spot on. EJ’s views on societal expectations, conformity, and patriarchal conditioning are sometimes extreme, but Reno brings so much personality and humor to these scenes that I found myself laughing out loud multiple times! By the end, when EJ goes through a transformative experience, Reno adjusts her performance to reflect her growth. While I didn’t buy how quickly EJ’s mindset shifted, Reno makes the change more believable by giving her a softer, more reflective voice as she recognizes her flaws and becomes more open-minded.
If you’re considering picking up this, I highly recommend the audiobook. EJ is very much an unlikeable character for most of the story, but Abigail Reno’s performance brings humor, emotion, and so much personality to the role, making it enjoyable from start to finish!
Narrator Performance
The Anti-Marriage Pact is read by award-winning narrator Abigail Reno. At the beginning of the story, Reno gives EJ a confident, almost unstoppable energy. You can hear how committed EJ is to her Anti-Marriage Pact and her beliefs about rejecting society’s expectations around relationships and marriage. She almost sounds too secure in her choices, especially in her early dialogue with her roommates Hal, Tara, and Jenni. Reno does a great job giving each of the roommates a distinct voice, making the dynamic of the “Redstockings” feel realistic. Hal is given a more relaxed, free-spirited energy, suiting someone who moved into the Inn to distance herself from her parents and be herself. Tara, who is the closest match to EJ’s beliefs, is portrayed with a similar conviction in her voice. Jenni, the roommate whose life takes a different direction after she gets married and starts a family, is given a softer, more grounded voice. When Jenni leaves the apartment, and the dynamics with Hal and Tara begin changing as everyone’s lives move in different directions, you can hear the doubts and frustration slowly creeping into EJ’s inner dialogue.
One of the biggest highlights of the narration is the dynamic between EJ and Chris. From their very first encounter at the art gallery, Reno establishes their contrasting personalities. Even though there’s tension and a bit of hostility between them, she captures the underlying chemistry that neither of them admits. As fate continues bringing them together and an unconventional friendship develops, especially once EJ becomes Chris’s dog sitter, Reno makes their dialogue sound completely natural, and you can feel the growing trust and affection between them.
Another highlight of Reno’s performance is how she narrates EJ’s passionate rants. Whether EJ is explaining her beliefs about marriage to her family, her roommates, or Chris, Reno’s comedic timing and commitment are spot on. EJ’s views on societal expectations, conformity, and patriarchal conditioning are sometimes extreme, but Reno brings so much personality and humor to these scenes that I found myself laughing out loud multiple times! By the end, when EJ goes through a transformative experience, Reno adjusts her performance to reflect her growth. While I didn’t buy how quickly EJ’s mindset shifted, Reno makes the change more believable by giving her a softer, more reflective voice as she recognizes her flaws and becomes more open-minded.
If you’re considering picking up this, I highly recommend the audiobook. EJ is very much an unlikeable character for most of the story, but Abigail Reno’s performance brings humor, emotion, and so much personality to the role, making it enjoyable from start to finish!
The Anti-Marriage Pact is read by award-winning narrator Abigail Reno. At the beginning of the story, Reno gives EJ a confident, almost unstoppable energy. You can hear how committed EJ is to her Anti-Marriage Pact and her beliefs about rejecting society’s expectations around relationships and marriage. She almost sounds too secure in her choices, especially in her early dialogue with her roommates Hal, Tara, and Jenni. Reno does a great job giving each of the roommates a distinct voice, making the dynamic of the “Redstockings” feel realistic. Hal is given a more relaxed, free-spirited energy, suiting someone who moved into the Inn to distance herself from her parents and be herself. Tara, who is the closest match to EJ’s beliefs, is portrayed with a similar conviction in her voice. Jenni, the roommate whose life takes a different direction after she gets married and starts a family, is given a softer, more grounded voice. When Jenni leaves the apartment, and the dynamics with Hal and Tara begin changing as everyone’s lives move in different directions, you can hear the doubts and frustration slowly creeping into EJ’s inner dialogue.
One of the biggest highlights of the narration is the dynamic between EJ and Chris. From their very first encounter at the art gallery, Reno establishes their contrasting personalities. Even though there’s tension and a bit of hostility between them, she captures the underlying chemistry that neither of them admits. As fate continues bringing them together and an unconventional friendship develops, especially once EJ becomes Chris’s dog sitter, Reno makes their dialogue sound completely natural, and you can feel the growing trust and affection between them.
Another highlight of Reno’s performance is how she narrates EJ’s passionate rants. Whether EJ is explaining her beliefs about marriage to her family, her roommates, or Chris, Reno’s comedic timing and commitment are spot on. EJ’s views on societal expectations, conformity, and patriarchal conditioning are sometimes extreme, but Reno brings so much personality and humor to these scenes that I found myself laughing out loud multiple times! By the end, when EJ goes through a transformative experience, Reno adjusts her performance to reflect her growth. While I didn’t buy how quickly EJ’s mindset shifted, Reno makes the change more believable by giving her a softer, more reflective voice as she recognizes her flaws and becomes more open-minded.
If you’re considering picking up this, I highly recommend the audiobook. EJ is very much an unlikeable character for most of the story, but Abigail Reno’s performance brings humor, emotion, and so much personality to the role, making it enjoyable from start to finish!
