I had my reservations about requesting an ARC of this story. While I love the description, the use of an illustrated cover had me questioning the actual content. I should have stuck with my gut. The story is not bad. It’s also not at all what is advertised. Quotes from other authors saying it’s hilarious and sexy. Calling it heartwarming and a beach read. I found none of these things to be true. Like I said, it’s not bad. I went into this book expecting a whole other story than what I got.

One of the things that had me interested is the reference to Jane Austen’s Emma. I love Jane Austen. Emma is by no stretch my favorite, but still. Now, I will say there are certainly times that it’s obvious that story was an inspiration for this story. Yet somehow, in this day and age, the way the MFC was written did not work for me. I even thought, at first, I was being too harsh on Georgina. I did the little test with my self whenever she would annoy me asking, “if this was a MMC would I still have issue with her actions?” The answer was always yes.

*This is marketed as a contemporary romance. In my mind it is women’s fiction. I never felt the romance was central to the story. At one point, I wondered who I was supposed to be rooting for to get their HEA or HFN. While it would seem this story would be about Georgina and her marriage, it really wasn’t. Only in a peripheral way.

I love Georgina’s best friends. While I think there are times they should maybe be a bit more blunt with her, they are really what kept me reading this story. At times, I still didn’t know who or what I was rooting for in their situations since we see everything from Georgina’s point of view, but I knew her viewpoint was skewed. (That is not a knock on the storytelling, it is obviously intentional for the reader to see Georgina has her own way of viewing her surroundings.)

Now let me get to the meat of this story…the lifestyle. The swinging lifestyle that is. After what I’ve said so far, it may surprise you that I feel the author did a good job of laying out the “rules”, so to speak. Georgina is told on multiple occasions that in order for the lifestyle to work for a couple they have to be open about what they want and need, they have to be honest about what happens while they are at a party or other lifestyle situation, they have to communicate above all else. At no time in this story do Georgina or her husband actually communicate. While I’m pretty sure that’s intentional, it isn’t ever really addressed by any of the other characters. Not even the old-timers who have been swinging for years and years. While Georgina is crumbling not only her own life and relationship, she’s wreaking havoc on the others in the group they were invited to join. I understand being patient and giving newbies leeway, but it goes beyond that and it was annoying.

There is a distinct lack of intimacy in this book. I’m not just talking about sex, although that was extremely tame. I mean, it barely banged and it’s supposed to be about a woman exploring the swinging lifestyle. But even putting that aside, there were not many moments of intimacy. Not between Georgina and her husband. Not between her and her friends. Not even much between her and her old boyfriend. This story is really about a woman who has to make some discoveries about herself and learn what she really wants in life and what will make her happy. It’s not about romance, her marriage, or the lifestyle. It’s not a funny book at all. In fact, I found it quite depressing.

Although time got a bit wonky in this book (mostly because nobody seemed to talk to one another), it had a decent flow for the most part. I would have loved to see more of a connection between all of the characters. I want to believe they actually care about each other and not just themselves. So much could have been done with this concept and it just fell flat.

This book was an unexpected pleasure to read. While I have never read its inspiration, Emma, I enjoyed this retelling immensely. We follow three couples, tied through college friendships: Georgina and Nathan, perfect biglaw golden couples until Georgina walks in on him en flagrante delicto with a junior associate; Norah and Ari, parents to three kids and a seeming mismatch; and Felix and his girlfriend (whose name escapes me) where Felix seems to be changing himself to fit her mold. For various reasons, all three couples decide to becomes swingers--or enter "the lifestyle," as it is apparently called nowadays. And for all three couples, this decision has different effects--some good, some bad, some immediate, some simmering. Perhaps saying this is a retelling of Emma is, in fact a spoiler, but for those like me who haven't read it, I won't say much more about the conclusion.

I wouldn't quite call this book a romantic comedy or romance, though there are certain romantic elements and a surprising HEA, but fiction seems too broad and does not encapsulate the steamier moments in this read. I think it's best to go into this book with no preconceived notions or box you're attempting to put it into, and just read it for what it is. For me, it was tough to put down and ultimately a nice breather from my sometimes predictable contemporary romance.

Thanks to Anchor Books for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Also, Anchor Books--the cover is terrible. The woman looks SO CREEPY with her big bug eyes I think I may have to burn the paper copy I have. I can't even look at it. Such a poor illustration--I recommend recommissioning a new cover ASAP, or at least for the paperback release.

5 stars - 8/10

Review 3.5 stars.

Georgina Wagman and her husband, Nathan, have it all. Or so she thinks. She gave up the love of her life because he didn't fit her ideals for her future. Nathan fits those plans perfectly. Until he doesn't. After Georgina catches him with a first year lawyer at their office, her life is thrown upside down. While she flounders a bit, a client tells her about "the Lifestyle". Next thing you know Georgina not only has Nathan trying it out but all her friends are roped into doing it. As you can imagine, there are widely varied levels of enthusiasm, mostly less than excited. Georgina isn't bothered by her friend's lack of excitement. She knows they need it. Just like she's always know who should be with whom, who needs what to repair/excite their relationships and what will make her life picture perfect.

That last sentence is why I struggled with this story. I didn't like Georgina. Her holier-than-thou pushiness was too much. I'm shocked her dad and friends hasn't distanced themselves over it but apparently they gave her a pass because they liked her. I never found her endearing or likable. Nathan isn't my kind of man either because he's got no depth. He's just a lost pretty boy. I liked the other characters more. I was pleased that Ari and Norah's answers where not the ones Georgina dreamed up. I found Georgina's dad and his partner fun and their relationship was cute.

I did like Whitaker and was pro Georgina and him getting together. Maybe that's the answer. Maybe I'd have enjoyed the Georgina Whitaker first met and fell in love with. She was much less buttoned up and seemed to enjoy her time with him. Until she decided to let him go. It's a bit of a struggle to win Whitaker back. As it should be.

The Lifestyle never really seemed to fit the characters and it seemed an odd way for them all to find their happiness. It was perhaps realistic that not everyone really participated and that was a good indication of their commitment and love to each other.

I know it may sound like I really didn't like the book but it was an enjoyable way to pass a few hours.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC.

THE LIFESETYLE is Taylor Hahn's debut novel. Hahn is an attorney, as is her protagonist, Georgina and her husband Nathan.
When the "has it all together' Georgina walks in on her husband engaged in a sex act with a first year associate she considered a mentee in his office after hours, she realizes her life isn't that perfect. This leads her and the friend group to explore THE LIFESTYLE, swinging. This is a sexy rom com with charming characters and some hilarious scenarios.

The Lifestyle refers to a swingers club in NYC. Can swinging save marriages - well you are about to find out. Georgina's perfect life has been upended after finding her husband on his desk, intertwined with a junior associate from the firm. Intriguing premise, but it is truly more than that.

This book is sexy, funny and explores the dynamics of friendships and relationships. The characters are relatable, lovable and flawed but each find there way to happiness.

The Lifestyle is a smart, addictive and perfect for #summerreading

The lifestyle is one way to "fix" your marriage. Insanely interesting book where I learned more about the lifestyle then I ever have before. The details about the parties and clubs are so believable, especially in a large area like NYC. But, really I can imagine it in my own small town, as well. As we follow these couples along their journey I was highly entertained. Recommend for an easy read.

Thank you Net Galley for the e-arc!

I rate books solely based on vibes, how much I enjoyed it, and how the story made me feel. I absolutely adored Taylor Hahn’s debut novel, “The Lifestyle”. Never in my life I have read a book like this but I enjoyed it all. Started at midnight and finished reading at 3 a.m.

Georgina‘s life is perfect. She has the perfect job, the perfect husband, the best friends, and lives in one of the greatest cities on Earth. Everything comes to a stop when she walks in on her perfect husband, Nathan and her mentee, Meredith in a very comfortable position in his office. However, divorce isn’t an option for them. So, in an attempt, to make things work she listens to her client’s advice about how swinging (oh so 70s) aka the lifestyle saved her marriage. Walk into the world of friendship, the lifestyle, old lovers, and what happens when you allow yourself to go after what you really want instead of what you think you need.

I loved the characters. I enjoyed this unique story. I can’t wait to read what else Taylor Hahn writes.

This is book about a woman, who works at the same law firm as her husband, trying to fix her marriage after she walks in on her husband and another woman in his office. In her quest to fix her marriage she, her husband, and some friends try swinging. I don't think I've ever read a book about swinging before so that was somewhat eye-opening. Overall though, the book was just okay for me - I skimmed through lots of it just to finish it.

I received an ARC of this ebook by the publisher via Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.

It's not every day that you come across a book that's marketed as a Jane Austen modern retelling of Emma.... about swingers. I'll be honest, I went in expecting a train wreck, but I was pleasantly surprised. However, I feel like marketing this book as a Jane Austen retelling does it a great disservice. If you go into it expecting a scene-by-scene retelling, you're going to be disappointed. I'd say the main character in The Lifestyle is loosely inspired by Emma Woodhouse.

I think The Lifestyle should've been marketed as its own thing. Sure the main character likes to think she's a master matchmaker, but the book is about so much more than that. It tackles issues that have become very prevalent in our day-to-day lives, such as this need our culture has with presenting a perfect life.

The novel began slowly for me, and it wasn't until halfway through where I found myself drawn into the story. It's also ironic that for a novel that focuses on the swinging lifestyle there wasn't very much smut. I give The Lifestyle 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

2.5 stars. For a book that is centered around couples getting into swinging, this sure did end up being a bit boring. It feels harsh to say that because this was well written and I didn't hate or really even dislike anything specific about the book, but more than once I found myself to be bored during what were supposed to be pretty pivotal scenes. I also felt like this book was a lot more...tame??? than I feel like the synopsis would lead you to believe. I kept waiting for the sex party scenes or the sex club scenes to really pop off but, while not being entirely fade to black, they were just kind of underwhelming and not nearly as dramatic as I was hoping for. With all that being said, I would still try reading more from Taylor Hahn in the future because the writing itself had so much promise! Unfortunately the plot of this one just ended up not quite being the right fit for me and I am pretty bummed about it.

Definitely different and not my kind of usual read. I guess I am old fashion but I am sure this book will appeal too many other readers. Several couples, all friends, are discontent and struggling in their relationships. They all decide to use extreme measures (sex) to find their lost passion in order to "fix" their problems. Are they successful? You will have to read the book to find out.

I ask for two things: don’t judge this book by it’s cover and keep an open mind. I was intrigued by this book but shocked by how much I loved it.

It is like a modern day “Emma” with swinging. Kind of. But also not really. It does have moments of secondary embarrassment which is my main trigger warning for this book.

It also has some lovely friendships, thirty something’s who have troubled marriages, a lot of humor, and some romance.

There were some predictable bits but I enjoyed the journey so very much.

I was looking forward to reading this book based mostly on the “best retelling of Emma since Clueless” claim. This may be an overstatement, but I was pleasantly surprised that while this wasn’t the book I thought I would be reading, it was extremely entertaining.

Georgina is willing to do anything to save her marriage following her husband’s infidelity - which leads her to the lifestyle of swinging. I’m probably the most unbelievable aspect of this book, she’s able to convince her best friends and their partners to give it a go too.

And don’t worry about the spice - there is just the right amount in my humble opinion - there is some kink, but I don’t think anything that would cause you to clutch your pearls and throw the book out the window.

CW/TW: infidelity, swinging, open relationships

Idk how I feel about this one. Obviously it’s about swingers…and trying it to save a marriage on the rocks.

The premise is…unique, the say the least. But the characters were not my fave and the whole resolution of it without much real reflection/discussion felt rushed and premature.

I know some people loved it but it was just not my jam. 🤷🏼‍♀️

A novel premise for an Austen adaptation, which I appreciated. Enjoyed the writing style. Surprisingly chaste (and almost prudish) for a book seemingly all about sex. Never got to know the love interest much, which limited how engaged I was in the romance element.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Anchor Books for an ARC!

Georgina Wingman she is a people pleaser. She believes she has a perfect marriage, job and friends. Little did she know that once she has no control over everything, her life starts to unravel. With the advice of a client, she decides that swinging {The Lifestyle} is the way to get her marriage on track. Only she found it more liberating. Her two best friends went along with it for her. The results were not what she expected. Once she starts down the path of finding when her life went off the rails, she has to figure out how to get it back. Or whether she wants it back the same way. A possibility of changing jobs. A second chance at true love with the man who set her on fire.

To be honest, I was not sure if I would like this book based on the description. I am so happy that I gave it a chance, because it is a fun story that was hard to put down to go to work. Georgina and her husband Nathan are lawyers at the same law firm in NYC. When one of Georgina’s clients raves about how swinging saved her marriage, she is surprised. Shortly after that she catches Nathan in a compromising position and when someone else mentions swinging, Georgina suggests it to Nathan as a way to help them and brings some close friends along with them. They all learn important lessons along the way and figure out what matters to them.

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Lifestyle was a fun, fast-paced read with many funny scenes that were not only about swinging but how swinging fit into their everyday Lifestyle.

Georgina Wagman is a star. Not in the Hollywood sense, but, she is a woman who has it all together. Dream job, hot husband, and a circle of friends any woman would wish to have. Everything seems perfect until she walks in on her junior associate learning a few things from her husband not taught in law school...

To keep up her image, Georgina decides not to divorce her husband and is instead open to the idea of a new lifestyle from one of her clients turned friends. She and Nathan will become swingers and they've decided to bring their friends along for the ride.

Everyone is open to the idea of the new lifestyle until they attend their first party. Georgina's old flame is there, and running into him brings up a whole new batch of feelings for them both. Not only that, the new lifestyle brings about problems with others in the group. Will their friendship and marriages survive? Will they come back from this stronger than ever?

Hahn explores the ideas of infidelity, marriage, friendships, and adulthood all in one big package in The Lifestyle.

I wanted to love this book but it just wasn't for me. I really enjoyed the premise and the nods to Jane Austen's Emma. The journeys the characters go on and the way the main character takes control of her life is admirable. I just didn't love the way that she did it. She was extremely difficult to like as were most of the side characters. It was really hard to root for Georgiana at all. That being said, I have seen great reviews for this book out there so I think this is just a personal preference. I would say go into this one with an open mind as it may work for you.