I've been sitting here wondering how I feel about Split-Level by Dance But its Berger. I'm not sure what to write. I was interested in reading this book when I saw when the story takes place (the 70s) and did not pay attention to the rest of the description. I wish I had. I am not interested in reading about wife swapping. By the time I realized that was a major factor in this book, I was already reading it and I decided to finish the book. Alex is a stay-at-home mother with two young girls and a very childish husband. Donny is a selfish jerk, there is no other way to describe him. He used intimidation, petulance, anything and everything to get his way. Alex spends her time feeling afraid of everyone's opinions, of not doing the "right" thing, of, well, everything. She spends her life trying to confirm to what other people think she should be, on how other people think she should behave. Or maybe just what she thinks other people expect. It could be either. By the time she decides to do what she wants, life is very different than what it may have been had she believed in herself earlier. Many characters in the book seem to hold her responsible for how things end up, they seem to blame her for choices Donny (and others) made. Somehow that jerk gets a pass (as does, bizarrely Paula), unfortunately, that seems very real. Often women are blamed for the behavior of their spouses. In fact, I had the feeling, at times, that the book was not particularly sympathetic to Alex and her plight. Yes , she made some bad decisions (especially acting on her feelings for Charlie) but she also felt trapped. Whether she was actually trapped may be debatable to some but she felt it. Many of us are not brave, do not feel strong; many of us may be fragile, unheard, easily bullied. I wasn't a fan of any adult characters here but I do feel a little for Alex.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC Kindle copy of Split Level. The story is set in the 1970's up north - split level homes, stay-at-home moms, working dads lots of 1970's brand placement and reminders. Alex and Danny are a young married couple, with two small children. Their marriage has seen better days. Danny works for his father's business, while Alex stays home with their girls, with her own small, budding t-shirt business. Danny's unhappiness in the marriage is evident and he seeks ways to liven up the marriage and gets information on Marriage Mountain, a retreat which is basically a cover for the concept of open marriage. Alex initially is not interested and is repelled by the idea, but goes along to the retreat. When they return, the couple starts befriending other couples in the neighborhood and it leads to spouse swapping with a couple - Charlie and Pauline. Jealousies and betrayals ensue. At first, I didn't think I would enjoy the book - at the beginning there was a lot of 1970's brand name mentions just to remind me of the time period, but that eventually tapered off and the story evolved to a study of marriages, lost love, 1970's relationships and divorce. I found it much more interesting as the story progressed. I would rate split-level between 3.5 and 4 stars.

A wonderfully well-written book about marriage in the 70's, Set in suburbia, this story explores open marriage from both sides, the guilt and the consequences of their actions. It was not an erotic story, but rather a thought provoking exploration of marriage in the 70's. Loved the setting of the 70's as I was also a young wife and mother then. Can't imagine myself as part of that exploration, but found the book quite enjoyable. Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read the advance copy.

Growing up during this time period, I was really looking forward to diving into this book and having a fairytale summer interlude. That was so not the case. It was such a disappointment. I can’t even provide you with one redeeming quality about this book. The characters were ALL unlikable. The story was boring and drawn out. The writing just okay. I had to force myself to finish and it took forever. Half the time I couldn’t bring myself to pick it back up.

Split-Level by Sande Boritz Berger is a depressing look into life in the swinging 70s when pot smoking and open marriages were quite the rage. It is a commentary on American marriage and the effect of the times on relationships. Alex and her husband become friends with another couple and (almost) against her will begins a relationship that leads her to question everything she believes about herself, marriage and life. I found this to be a sad look at what conforming to the social mores of the time can do to a marriage.

It took me a while to get into "Split Level." At first, the dialogue was somewhat choppy and forced, but after a few chapters, I found myself carried along by the story and interested in finding out what became of the characters and their marriages. Overall, I think Boritz-Berger managed to effectively capture the feel of the early '70s and the confusion and ennui felt by a young couple who realize they may not be living the life they really wanted. I don't want to give spoilers, but I also think she conveyed the events and their aftermath realistically. The characters are people that you can recognize and care about. As I was reading, I kept thinking of it as a more serious version of Judy Blume's "Wifey." I would recommend it to those who enjoy more literary women's fiction and also to book groups. A solid 3 1/2 stars.

The premise of Split-Level was intriguing but unfortunately, this book just fell flat for me. I had a harder time connecting with the characters and the storyline. I did enjoy the look back at the 70s and Boritz Berger did a wonderful job setting the scene in such an effective and detailed manner. Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

I was giving a free advanced copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Barely a 3 star read. I found this book to be tedious and really quite dull considering the material that was covered. You would think a book focused on the swingin' 70s would have had a pulse but this one barely breathed. I did not feel a connection to Alex or any of the characters really and it was mostly like watching a train wreck. You don't want to look away but you have to just to see how it turns out. There was a lot of continuity problems that I hope were flushed out before final publishing. I was pretty disappointed in this read.

I don't think I've ever read a book like Split Level before. Having just gotten married, and very anti-cheating, the premise of the book was hard for me to get on board with. However, I will say that just because I view an open marriage as cheating, doesn't mean everyone else does. The writing was good, but it was an unlikeable plot, filled with unlikeable characters, and for me, it was unfortunately a miss.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love the 70s and the premise caught my eye- a couple is finding their way through an open marriage. I would have liked a little more current events mixed in- there were some Easter eggs that I appreciated and probably some others that went over my head. I liked Alex's character and felt for her- but in the end I didnt love this one. Not enough happened- it may just have been too literary for my tastes.

2.5 stars.

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

I was intrigued by the premise of this book - 70's housewife explores an open marriage. There was also talk of Nixon in the description but this book is not really political at all. Unfortunately, it's also not nearly as exciting as the description made it seem. I felt for Alex and her place in life, but I just felt like nothing exciting really happened. Somehow, maybe because of Alex's internal dialogue, even the exciting parts came off as kind of blah. I would recommend skipping this one.

Well I gave this a try..but it fell flat. Didn't much care for any one in the book and cared even less for the topic. Living in the 70s was enough. Don't want to relive it!

This book centers on the life-altering discovery that Alexandra has lost herself in the staid, 70's suburban life that she's been living. How she approaches that discovery is gripping.

The premise of this book was very intriguing...it asks the question, can a marriage survive partner swapping?

Alex Pearl is almost 30 years old and is feeling like there's something missing from her 7-year marriage to Donny. An acquaintance recommends Marriage Mountain, a weekend retreat for couples to reflect on their marriages. It is there that Donny becomes obsessed with the idea of partner swapping and two couples living together happily ever after. Will this really save Alex and Donny's marriage?

"The solidity, once relied upon, has quickly eroded into a pile of pebbles. Donny and I are down to the last fragile layers, our marriage, chipped away like shale."

I enjoyed this story and rooted for Alex the whole way through. "I don't know a damn thing about the future, except, I am ready to move on.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy; all opinions are my own.

Split-Level by Sande Boritz Berger is my first encounter with this author. I was drawn to this book because I grew up in the 70’s and this book intrigued me. I enjoyed this book but did not fall in love with the characters, it was well written the storyline was very interesting, the characters though immature were realistic. This was a fun, quick and easy read.

I was drawn right into this novel Alex a housewife raising her kids in the suburbs in the seventies a normal marriage till eyes start to wabder Parties get wilder couple start swinging.The author brings us back to this place and time to the couples whose marriages completely changed.So well written so engrossing any woman will feel for the women struggling to adjust to this new world.#netgalley #shewritespress.

This book is a marriage tale from the 70s with suburbia and open marriage and guilt and consequences.

All of it is from one of the women's points of view as she juggles motherhood and a "hobby" (ie: creative job that brings in extra cash) while worrying about her relationship. It was strange how instead of the open marriage feeling empowering, it felt like something happening TO her, orchestrated by the men. It felt pretty anti-feminist in the context of the book, and I definitely didn't like that.

It had traces of the pieces I liked from Light Years by James Salter, but I far prefer the writing in that novel.

Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s I thought I would really enjoy the nostalgia of the times. I guess I was busy growing up, not focusing on the “open marriages” that may have existed. I have to admit that none of the characters were likable, especially Donny, and I couldn’t relate to their life style at all. The only ones I could relate to were the children, feels no much pity for them, along with concern for their future ability to have a fulfilling relationship. Thank you to Sande Boritz Berger, She Writes Press, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read this arc.

Set in the 1970s a wife named Alex find out what it means to be in an open marriage. Can a marriage stand this transgression from both Alex and her husband Donny?

Growing up in the 70’s, I was drawn to the setting of this book. I enjoyed the nostalgic elements, but that’s about it. I couldn’t relate to (or even like) the characters. I had to force myself to finish the book.