3.5 stars- This was a funny exploration of marriage. thanks netgalley and to the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review

I LOVED this book. The humor. The absurdity. The raw honesty. It walks a perfect line between being laugh-out-loud funny and deeply real in a way that hit me right in the gut. I swear I’ve had almost every thought the main character had, every ridiculous conversation about relationships, every moment of doubt and longing.

The writing is sharp and fearless, the characters vibrant and complicated in the best ways. But what really stayed with me were the themes: choice, freedom, identity, and the quiet power of reclaiming your own life.

I want to hand this book to every woman I know and say: You own your story. You get to decide what freedom means to you. This book is funny, smart, and empowering without ever being preachy. One of my absolute favorites this year.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest thoughts!

Named a Best Book of Summer by the New York Post. Could one night off a year save a marriage--or destroy it? In this bold and sexy debut, a young couple agrees to open their marriage, but they soon discover that a little freedom has surprising consequences.

Dominic and Daphne met in their first week of college, and they've been happily married for three years. They love each other deeply but perhaps have become too comfortable, and their sex life isn't what anyone would call thrilling. So, on New Year's Day, Dominic blurts out a suggestion before it's fully worked out in his mind: what if they open up their marriage?

Daphne agrees--with conditions. They can sleep with one other person, one night a year, and the agreement has a five-year expiration date. It's not a total free-for-all on their vows, but an amendment. They call it the Freedom Clause.

It isn't long before Daphne and Dominic find themselves--and their marriage--altered in unexpected ways. Embracing the spirit of the Clause, Daphne pushes herself to be more assertive in asking for what she wants. She begins chronicling her journey of self-discovery in an anonymous newsletter, sharing recipes inspired by her conquests, and soon realizes that one night off a year isn't a small change . . . it's a seismic one.

Eventually, Daphne and Dominic are reconsidering everything--each other, their relationship, and themselves. Can they survive the Freedom Clause? Do they even want to?

A sharp, funny exploration of marriage, infidelity, and modern relationships with biting wit. Entertaining yet grounded in emotional truth.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Not sure I like the idea of a night off a year in a marriage as that’s not something I personally believe in. With that being said it was well written and I like the development of the female character throughout the book. Enjoyable read, would recommend.

This was a very good read. I lived Daphne and how she handled herself throughout this whole thing! The ending was BEAUTIFUL Very satisfying overall

I liked Daphne’s growth and confidence throughout the book. But I really disliked Dominic the whole way through. He made excuses the whole time about why it was important to have the freedom clause, but couldn’t follow the rules. Even at the epilogue he was so narcissistic, wanting all the power for himself and resenting Daphne for her growth in confidence.

It was an interesting topic and journey, but overall it was just ok. A lot of added drama that I didn’t think was necessary.

I featured this book in a new release video prior to publication and was very excited to read about such a unique relationship dynamic!! I love when authors explore situations that don't follow a typical arc, and extramarital activities [ok let's call it that lol] is such a wild way to learn more about a character. And an approved one?? what a wild way to learn more about a couple lmao. Will update when final review posts, but I'm expecting 5 stars!

This was a phenomenal debut. After I finished, I looked up the author to see what else she had coming and unfortunately I couldn't find anything! Hopefully she has a new novel soon. I don't know why this book hasn't been talked about more, I could not put it down!

Dominic and Daphne married right out of college, and they were their first everything. Now in their late 20s, they are discussing their marriage and Daphne brings up that she wishes she had dated more. Dominic pounces on this, and suggests a one-night a year pass so that they can see what they missed out on. Daphne is not so sure, but agrees. The repercussions are enormous, yet they affect the couple in unexpected ways.

I've read some similar stories (most recently, After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid), though this was a different type of novel. I hated the decisions Dominic made and found him so selfish. Still, I adored the arc of Daphne's transformation. Like her, I am a Capricorn and so the first few pages endeared me to her! I found the story so fascinating in terms of what each part of the couple learned from this agreement. It brings out the worst in Dominic, yet Daphne becomes so self-confident and really considers the trajectory of her life. There were so many parts of this book that made me uncomfortable - as a typical Capricorn I hate conflict and when people don't follow rules! - yet the journey was highly satisfying and a deep character study of both protagonists. Finally, the recipes of the Highly Emotional Cook were an amazing part of the story and I may save some to try!

Warning to readers, it does have some explicit scenes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! I really enjoyed this read and found it to have a fun, fresh, and unique premise (+ I love when stories incorporate recipes)!

Dominic and Daphne have been together since college and happily married for three years. But like many couples, they hit a bit of a rut in their sex life. So, Dominic suggests something radical: opening up their marriage with one night off a year to be with someone else. They call it the Freedom Clause.

What really hooked me was how this seemingly simple agreement led to such profound changes. Daphne’s transformation is especially captivating. She becomes more assertive, starts an anonymous newsletter chronicling her journey, and shares recipes inspired by her new experiences. It’s not just about the physical freedom; it’s about self-discovery and growth.

The book doesn't shy away from the emotional rollercoaster that comes with such a bold decision. Watching Daphne and Dominic navigate their new reality, reconsider their relationship, and ultimately themselves was both gripping and thought-provoking. The character growth was fantastic, and the ending was incredibly satisfying. I think opening the conversation about differing relationship styles in literature is so important, and Hannah Sloane successfully navigated that in this novel.

Thanks so much to Random House, Hannah Sloane, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!

This started out cute but also infuriating. I ended up not finishing because of the premise — which I really should have picked up from the synopsis. If the idea behind the book doesn’t bother you, the writing was good and I’m sure it would have been a decent read.

A longtime couple, Daphne and Dominic, decide to open up their relationship for one night a year, for five years. However, both parties find that this arrangement comes with some unexpected consequences. I liked Daphne and loved seeing her character development throughout the novel. With that being said, this plot was all over the place and I would have enjoyed this title more with some slight editing. Overall, The Freedom Clause was good, but not great.

I love a book that has recipes! Reminds me of Heartburn by Nora Ephron.

The Freedom Clause was such an enjoyable book to read! Two people who meet at 18 and then get married and then have a once a year pass to sleep with someone else.

I loved seeing the growth of Daphne throughout the years.

This was a quick, fun and unique book that I enjoyed reading. I really loved how the recipes were mixed into the plot at the end of each chapter... very clever.

Not sure I like the idea of a night off a year in a marriage, but this was written well and I truly enjoyed it. Can't say I've read a book like this before, which is hard to say when I mainly read romance and all the tropes are done over so many times. Well done.

This one was fun. I love that non-monogamy is becoming more popular however, I have yet to find one that does it justice.

I loved the recipes that were shared at the end of each chapter. The rest of the novel, not so much. It had a fast pace but I just couldn’t relate to the open marriage aspect.

This book was predictable and the main characters were unlikable. Two stars because I finished it and the idea behind the book is interesting, if not a little outside many people's comfort zone.

Daphne and Dominic were college sweethearts who got married after graduation. Now they are in their mid-twenties and their marriage is in a slump. Dominic suggests The Freedom Clause: one night a year, they each can have sex with a stranger, no questions asked. Daphne adds a few rules, but agrees to it.

I'm sure we can all see where this is going. Dominic has one mishap after another; the clause sure didn't work out the way he thought it would. Daphne has an amazing 5 years: great sex with strangers, a dream job, a successful cooking column. She really came into her own, while Dominic kept sinking.

Neither of the main characters are pleasant people. They are both self-involved and shallow. I'm sure the book was supposed to show us what can happen when we come out of our shells and ask for what we want. It was pretty heavy-handed.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book has such a great premise - it was so ridiculous that I had to keep reading to see how it would all turn out for the main characters! I went into this book completely blind and was so not expecting what I got myself into!

I was rooting for Daphne the whole time and seeing how she grew and changed year over year was fascinating. Dominic gave me slimy vibes from page one and I loved how their pact turned out by the end of the book.

I really enjoyed this book, it was like nothing I’ve ever read before! It also has some hilarious recipes to follow along with as you read!

Read this if you:
- Have ever thought about having a hall pass
- Read the blurbs before a recipe on a food blog
- Married your first love

Dominic and Daphne have been together since college and although they’ve only been married for 3 years, they’ve lost the spark in their relationship despite being completely in love. When Dominic brings his idea of opening up their marriage to Daphne, she agrees with conditions - one person, one night per year, for the next 5 years. This becomes The Freedom Clause and it brings big changes to their relationship and to themselves.