I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

This book was… interesting. I knew going in that it was about an attempt at saving a marriage but it just didn’t give off the rom com, heartfelt vibes that I was expecting. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

I'm not usually a fan of novels that include couples as characters who actively participate in open relationships, but author Taylor Hahn executed this story so well and I felt myself empathizing with the plight of Georgina, the novel's protagonist. There were many funny scenes in this book that were not only about swinging, but how swinging fit into their every day lifestyle.

In the end, this book is a little teaser look into the swinging lifestyle: the ways it strengthens a relationship and the ways it doesn’t, the dangers, the joy, the benefits, the growth into oneself.

This was an interesting read... A little more dramatic than I expected. I wouldn't exactly call it heartwarming as the book summary describes it.

“The Lifestyle” is a novel by Taylor Hahn. The book tells the story of Georgina Wagman, a successful lawyer who discovers her husband Nathan in a compromising position with a junior associate. In an attempt to save their marriage, Georgina proposes that they become swingers. Along with their friends Felix and Norah and their respective partners, they embark on a journey of self-discovery and sexual exploration. However, things get complicated when Georgina runs into an old flame at a swingers’ party.

I thought the premise sounded really good and was expecting a bit more than the story gave me. It was really hard to like and connect with any of the characters and wish there had been more steam involved. The last 25% of the book I was slogging through.

I wanted to love this one, I thought it would be a unique concept but this wasn't really for me. I might be an outlier, so if this sounds up your alley, definitely give it a try!

I don’t know what exactly I expected from this book going in, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would! I loved the female power message throughout when this lifestyle is traditionally focused a lot on the men.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book. My reviews can be read on my GoodReads account here: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1335387-kelly

This book certainly had me intrigued. This book is an Emma retelling but with swingers. I didn’t hate the book, but I also didn’t love it. I thought it was well done, but I don’t think I was the right audience for it. It was very well written and thought provoking.

I am trying to say this as nicely as possible, but this book is a disaster. It's a mess. It makes no sense. It isn't relatable at all. The characters are completely unbelievable. The drama is nonexistent for a book filled with cheating. And somehow for a book about swinging and sex, which is what makes this last bit the worst of all, it's boring. Mind numbingly boring.

A sexy twist on a typical romcom, which I totally enjoyed, partially because it was well-written but partially because it was just not a set-up that I'd read before. Hahn is a great writer, and I look forward to her next work.

The way of life is quite Jane Austen, but without the clothes. Take a sip of your appletini while listening to Janet Jackson's best hits and get ready for an indoor hot tub filled with plenty of nude body parts. When there are sex parties, who needs couples therapy?

Thank you for complex characters!

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, but I enjoyed it. The subject was very interesting. It made me laugh at times. I enjoyed all of these characters. Fun read.

This was a unique book about a woman trying to figure out what she wants in life although this was a bit all over the place. This book follows Georgina as she walks in on her husband cheating. In a last ditch effort to save her marriage Georgina and her husband decide to join the lifestyle or become swingers. Through the lifestyle Georgina is learning more about what she truly wants in life.I can honestly say I have not read a book like this before so I was really expecting to enjoy this peak into the swingers lifestyle but this book felt like unnecessary drama without the drama with all the cheating affairs but it was all handled as if no one was angry. Also this book was somehow classified as romance which I guess I get because of some of the scenes in the sex club but this book did not feel romantic at all. I was interested in learning more about swingers lifestyles as I have not encountered that before but I don’t think I would take this as a fair representation. I would like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

The Lifestyle" by Taylor Hahn is a debut novel that explores the complexities of swinging, marriage, and matters of the heart. The story revolves around Georgina Wagman, who seemingly has the perfect life until she catches her husband Nathan in a compromising position. Determined to save her marriage, Georgina proposes the idea of swinging, roping in her friends Felix and Norah and their partners to join her on this adventurous journey.

The novel attempts to infuse the spirit of Jane Austen's "Emma Woodhouse" with a modern twist of partner-swapping. While the book is well-written, it lacks the necessary drama and intensity to fully engage the reader. The storyline, although playful, fails to deliver the expected steaminess one would anticipate from a novel centered around swinging.

Despite these shortcomings, "The Lifestyle" does have its redeeming qualities. Taylor Hahn's writing style is engaging, and the novel manages to capture moments of humor and lightheartedness. Additionally, fans of authors like Jennifer Weiner and Sophie Kinsella may appreciate the book's playful homage to Austen's work.

In conclusion, "The Lifestyle" offers a unique and potentially intriguing premise, but it fails to deliver the desired level of drama, intensity, and emotional depth. It may appeal to readers seeking a light and humorous summer read, but those expecting a captivating exploration of swinging and complex relationships may be left wanting more. Overall, I would rate "The Lifestyle" 3.0 out of 5 stars.

This novel surprised me in so many ways that I don’t really know where to begin. The story focuses on Georgina, a lawyer who prides herself on being a perfectionist in her personal and professional life. She’s never wrong. She made the best decision when she married Nathan, another attorney who works at the same firm. Her matchmaking efforts always work out, with her friends and family. She got everything under control, but she feels that something is a bit off.
Georgina surmises that she should add a little romance to her marriage since things feel a little formulaic. A client of hers suggests swinging to improve her marriage. Shocked by this suggestion, Georgina feels it would be better to do more traditional things, such as surprising her husband with a romantic evening.
There’s just one problem.
She discovers that he’s already occupied.
In his office.
With the young associate she’s mentoring.
Yeah. It goes there.
I’m going to be honest; I really felt her betrayal when she walked in on her husband. This is a man who she never expected would do something like this. First, he never seemed the type to cheat. Second, she didn’t realize he could ever be that kinky. He sure wasn’t kinky with her.
Reading that scene hit me harder than I expected. She goes through the five stages of grief during that one scene. She just can’t believe what she’s seeing, then reality hits her when she looks at her husband. All these thoughts flood her mind about how this could happen, what she did, the relationships at stake, etc.
It gets really messy from there.
Feeling hurt, confused, and angry, she takes some time to reflect on what happened and decides that swinging might save her marriage, after all. If there are sexual needs that aren’t met at home, it might bring them closer together in the end. It worked for her friend. Nothing could go wrong, right?
Georgina’s sexual journey in this book takes some very unexpected turns, and I appreciated that I could not predict what happened next.
I think the most important realization she experiences is self-reflection. Georgina thinks that she has the picture-perfect life in which nothing could go wrong. Until something went very wrong. It throws so many things into question in her life, and I think it’s something she truly needed to wake her up.
I enjoyed the way the author wrote this character. The female lead is very smart, but she lacks self-awareness. She realizes that she’s not as good a wife, friend, mentor, or matchmaker as she thought she was. She realizes that there are things that can’t be planned out, and that’s okay.
I don’t want to spoil it any more than that, but this book does not take the typical route you’d expect. That’s what I really loved about it. I did not anticipate the ending, but I really liked what happened. I really do recommend this book.

I couldn't finish this book. It was just so boring.
Thanks, Netgalley for the copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel. I was not able to finish so won't be leaving a full review at this time.

I appreciate being sent an early release of The Lifestyle in exchange for my honest review and being honest I can say it’s not for me. I felt like it glamorized a lot of things that don’t align with my beliefs so that made me not be able to enjoy it. This author has talent but the subject matter wasn’t my cup of tea.