The Marriage Pass

Wow! This book was so unexpected and such a great read. Not only was my mouth dropping every other page but I was completely wrong about the storyline. The author did a fantastic job with the details, character development, and the pace of the story.

First, I am not a fan of the whole, “marriage pass” idea but to each its own. Shantae seemed to want to spice things up in her marriage but she was married to a serial cheater. Like, no, girl!
Dorian was quick to give in to the temptation of sleeping with his sister-in-law, Raegan. He bit off more than he could chew. This was fatal attraction at its finest. Raegan played her role too well and it makes me wonder if she truly has some mental health issues, lol. And now she has a part of Dorian forever. I am speechless.

Dorian deserved everything that happened to him- minus losing his mom (that part was sad). But he was greedy and felt like he could handle both women. He was losing his mind, fighting friends, and being reckless. Dorian had an anger issue also. If anything, his true colors were shown with the way that he handled the whole ordeal.

I think Shantae’s plan was genius but I would love to know if she also participated in this pass- it doesn’t say who she chose. And she played her role very well also. I could tell that she was fed-up and scorned. It’s like she married Dorian just to get back at him for all that he put her through over their 10- year relationship.

I give this book 5✨I truly enjoyed everything about it. It kept me on my heels and I am eager for more from this author!!

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The release date is February 23rd!

So, before I start this review, let me preface 2 things. 1. I thought this was a straight up romance, not an erotic thriller. 2. Cheating is a trope that I really don't like.

So with that said, I have to give Briana Cole credit for making this book engaging and interesting despite my 2 things that are usually a big nope for me. I did almost DNF them at one point because of them.

Dorian is an epic douche, and I was not a fan of his character. All of the characters were well written for sure.

This was my first Briana Cole book. Though it wasn't a win with the actual story, the writing intrigued me enough to seek out another of theirs to try.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Marriage Pass is a bit of a mess, mostly in that it is marketed as a romance, but fails to live up to genre expectations, and also is hard to categorize as anything else (closest would be erotic thriller, but it’s neither titillating or thrilling in my personal opinion).
We mostly follow the most unlikable protagonist in the world, and while I’m down for a bit of mess, this one just crossed a line for me. I couldn’t read about all the cheating and backstabbing and still feel engrossed in the story, whereas an effective thriller can make unlikable leads work for me.
In short, if you’re expecting genre romance with an HEA, skip this.

The Marriage Pass seemed simple enough. One night of passion. No questions. No constraints. No more than one night. Dorian had always been a cheater, so when his wife presented the idea, it should’ve been his ultimate fantasy. At first, it wasn’t. He was appalled, because despite his past, he’d been faithful. Bored and slightly irritated, but faithful. At first. When Dorian decides to partake in his wife’s offer, his dream comes true with none other than —her baby sister! Wowzers! Trust us, that isn’t even the best part.

Dorian and Shantae’s lives spiral after the freebie, and the twists and turns that come with this pass from hades prove lethal. The explosive ending will leave you clutching your imaginary pearls. Friendships are tested, bonds are broken, and alliances are formed as this couple finds out when it comes to the consequences of sharing your marital bed, even once can be too much.

Thank you NetGalley for this book and we are voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I was expecting a romance, and it wasn't one. So then I felt like...would I have read this book differently if I knew all along that it wasn't going to be a romance? I think this is really a case where it would have been better served by clearer marketing about this attempting to be suspense rather than a romance.

This book was juicy and drama filled, but lacked the romance or depth I was hoping for. The characters were mostly unlikeable, though that I’m sure was intentional, it made it hard to get through on the slower parts or care about what was going to happen.

The Marriage Pass is one messy, but enjoyable book. The plot is centered around a couple, Dorian and Shantae Graham, that have reached a stagnant point in their relationship. They've been together for a long time but have only been married for a year. One their one year anniversary, Shantae proposes a marriage pass, that she thinks will help spice up and strengthen their relationship. One night with anyone, and no questions asked afterwards. At first Dorian is reluctant because what's the point of being married if you're going to step out even if you have permission to do so? Sounds like a disaster to me! But after his new found lust in Shantaes' sister, Dorian decides to give it a go. To me, that was his first mistake. From that point on, the novel is full of twists, turns, and messy surprises! I didn't know what to expect when I started this book, but it was a page turner from beginning to end! The way Cole keeps us on our toes throughout the entire novel is a testament to how well crafted the plot is. The only thing I wish I had more of is the relationship between Shantae and her sister Reagan, I definitely feel as though there was more to unpack there. Overall, if you're looking for a drama filled read, I recommend checking out The Marriage Pass.

In true Briana Cole fashion, The Marriage Pass gives you drama, deceit, lust, and MORE drama before a big plot twist. I love this author’s ability to frustrate you with her characters but never to the point that you want to put the book down. Needless to say, this was another great book by her!

As an erotic thriller it’s fine. Not great, but ok. It’s sexy and suspenseful— with copious amounts of lying, cheating, and backbiting, and a double cross at the center. But It’s marketed as romance and romantic suspense. If you read it that way you might be as disappointed as I was. The other thing I find truly objectionable is a false accusation of assault against a Black man in order to use the criminal justice system against for financial gain. I don’t think that’s cute. Anyway, I really hated how misrepresented this book was. There’s no love story here. Or true HEA. One character thinks she might get an HEA. But she has a very twisted sense of what that entails. Imagine if Gone Girl was billed as romantic suspense. There’s also some very questionable editing but maybe that will be worked out before the release.

Honestly this is more like 1 star for me, but I’m trying to be kind, and I know this book will work for some people. But don’t use the banner of “own voices | romance” to get access to an audience and then do a bait and switch. It’s offensive.

First time reading a book by Briana Cole. Briana this book had me saying OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG. The Marriage Pass was informative, easy to read, entertaining, pager turner, twisted, action packed, awesome characters, great word building and deception. I would love seeing “The Marriage Pass” on the big screen in a movie.

Dorian, is rich and is a plastic surgeon. He and Shantae have known each other since their college days and are now married to each other. Dorian has cheated on Shantae throughout their college years; but according to him he is now faithful to Shantae. Shantae doesn’t believe him and is always making accusations that he’s being unfaithful. What’s a guy to do?

It is now their first-year anniversary and Shantae surprises Dorian with a one-night marriage pass with a no questions asked, no holds barred, no consequence etc. Dorian thinks it over and decides to take Shantae upon her offer. As I’m reading the book, I’m say don’t do it Dorian. Dorian decides that his one-night pass will be with Shantae’s sister Reagan who is wild, hot, curves all in the right places and is gorgeous. Reagan is all to happy to accept the marriage pass since she has the hots for Dorian anyway. I really don’t think that I would’ve accepted what Shantae offered to Dorian and if I were Dorian; and my pass would have most definitely not been my wife’s sister. Way too much drama. Oh well what can I say?

I highly recommend “The Marriage Pass”. It is all that and some. You will not want to miss out on “The Marriage Pass”. This would make an awesome movie on the big screen.

This book was emotionally exhausting. I wanted to smack Dorian across the head the whole book. The author did an excellent job making the reader feel all the emotions. This story was so messy but I was here for it. The plot twist at the end??? Good god. Excellent and also SO DESERVED. I binged this story because I couldn’t get enough. I knew everything was going to hit the fan and the suspense of it made me not want to stop. A fantastic, messed up, read.

What a messy read and I was here for it, lols. But at the end of it all, this story begs the question. What is one willing to do to save...or sink their marriage/relationship? Briana Cole does an amazing job at keeping readers ingulfed in the story of The Marriage Pass. A deceptive game is being played by two sisters, one of those sister's husband has bait set in front of him that is hard to look away from. Question is, is the bait worth is marriage? Will he let is sink or survive?

Book Review ✨

#QOTD : How Do You Feel About Hall Passes ?

I Personally Could NEVER!, Why Are We Married If You Need A Hall Pass Every Now And Then.

“The Marriage Hall Pass” by Briana Cole Was Messsssssssssssy. I Seriously Had To Pause Sometimes & Yell OMG No He Didn’t Or OMG I Can’t Believe This Is Happening. This Book Is A Must Read & Has So Many Plot Twist 😩


Dorian Graham Is Your Typical F- Boy. He Has Been Cheating On His Wife Shantae For Years. So On Their First Wedding Anniversary She Offers Him A Hall Pass. One Night, No Questions Asked. At First He Is Hesitant & Thinks Is Some Sort Of Trap ( Which It Is ) But His Little TRIFLING ASS Just Couldn’t Pass Up The Offer.
He Has Been Lusting After Someone & This Was His Opportunity To Act On It. Instead Of Finding A Random, He Choses To Sleep With His Wife’s SISTER, Reagan. Of Course One Night Isn’t Enough For The Serial Cheater, Especially When Reagan Is Wild & Free In Comparison To His Conservative Wife. The More Time He Spends With Reagan, The More He Has To Lose. Dorian Is Going To Wish He Would’ve Appreciated His Wife.

“Be Careful What You Lust For “

Dr. Dorian Graham has just completed his first year of marriage and man, what a hardship that was for the serial cheater. To celebrate, his long-suffering wife, Shantae, offers him a one-time offer to sleep with any other woman of his choosing and she won't consider it cheating. My husband and I just exchanged paper for our first anniversary, as is custom, but maybe Shantae wrote it on paper and then handed it to her husband. "Is this a trap?" Dr. Graham wonders. YES IT IS A TRAP. Stupid. He still takes her up on the offer, though, because men are stupid. Lots of bad things happen to him and that's why you don't think with orgasms instead of your brain.

Perhaps the lesson at the end of the day is this: don't use your Hall Pass with someone too close to home. Use the internet. Find someone on Craigslist. Take your chances with a potential killer instead. Somehow that feels like it would end in a happier ending. I guess another lesson would be don't repeatedly cheat on your wife. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Oh, and I gave this book five stars and added it to my 'best books of 2021' list.

I love me some Briana Cole! She always come through, and The Marriage Pass is another great read. Ms. Cole writes in such a manner that it draws you into the story and keeps you engaged even when the subject matter is outside the norm. Her exploration of love, lust, and monogamy makes you consider the ‘what if’ and takes the answer above and beyond.
You’re married. Your significant other comes to you and offers you the opportunity of a free pass. In other words, you both have the chance to spend one night with another person. What happens next? Can you suspend the rules of marriage for one night and then just pop back in the next day as if nothing ever happened? Will it cause you to continue to want someone or something outside of your marriage? Will you wonder if the person that your spouse slept with offers more than you? What if the “just one night” person doesn’t want it to end at just one night? What if you don’t either? So many questions. So many different scenarios. Read this book. You won’t regret it. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book. Looking forward to the next one!

The Marriage Pass was quite different, in my opinion, from its description. I was intrigued by the synopsis, but sadly the storyline just didn't deliver for me.

This book was really good I read it in 1 day. I’m not surprised, however - I’ve read other books by this author that were equally good. There were definitely some twists and turns that I didn’t see coming so I appreciate it not being your typical infidelity ridden story. Thanks NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Dr Dorian Graham has been married to Shantae for a year. She suggests they each have a one night stand. Dorian can think of only one person, Shantae's sister. One night is not enough, he wants more.