Taylor Chamberlain Dilk co-founder + CEO of Vitality on Habits, Routines, Motherhood + Business

The Pact by Jodi Picoult tells the story of Chris Harte and Emily Gold, who have been inseparable since birth. Their families have been close friends, and their friendship blossoms into a romantic relationship in high school. However, their lives are shattered when Emily dies from a gunshot wound, and Chris is arrested for her murder. The novel explores the aftermath of Emily's death, the trial of Chris, and the profound grief and questions that arise among their families. Through flashbacks, the book delves into the lives of Chris and Emily, revealing the complexities of their relationship and the events that led to the tragic night. The novel raises poignant questions about how well we know our children and the dynamics of intimate relationships under stress.

The book tells the story of Evelyn Hugo, a reclusive Hollywood movie icon who, at the age of 79, decides to reveal the true story of her life to unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant. Evelyn's life is chronicled through her seven marriages, her rise to fame in the 1950s, and her struggles with identity, love, and the harsh realities of being a Cuban and bisexual woman in a repressive culture. The novel explores themes of ambition, friendship, and forbidden love, and how Evelyn's life intersects with Monique's in tragic and irreversible ways.