This book is a great example in the lesson of "you are not your relationships and you deserve to love yourself as much as you want to be loved."

I so enjoyed this novel and I felt a deep sense of connection with our main character. I was rooting for her to win the entire way through and I felt like I could empathize with both her struggles and her wins.

Goodness I don’t even know what to say about this book! It was not quite what I was expecting but it was so freaking good!! I can not wait to see more people talking about this book.

The premise of this one – a couple agrees that one night each year they can sleep with someone else (with guidelines of course). This does seem to be a subject that is getting more attention, and one that I'm fascinated by. While there were some things that maybe seemed unbelievable, and at times I was frustrated by both people, I did find it interesting and entertaining. It was nice to see a female lead come into her own, both in her own confidence and in terms of her sexuality. There was something about it though bugged me a bit, and I'm still trying to sit with it and figure out what that was.

#FirstLine ~ Dominic isn't expecting to meet the best thing to ever happen to him during his first week of university.

Hannah Sloane's novel, The Freedom Clause, opens with an intriguing promise that it more than fulfills. Set against the backdrop of the idyllic yet mysterious town of Havenbrook, the story weaves a tapestry of hidden truths, complex relationships, and the pursuit of liberation. Sloane's eloquent prose brings the characters to life, their struggles and aspirations resonating with readers on a deeply human level. As the layers of secrecy begin to unravel, the novel's grip on your imagination only tightens. With each chapter, The Freedom Clause draws you further into its world, navigating a delicate balance between heartache and hope. This is a tale that delves into the intricacies of human connections and the power of unveiling the past. A captivating journey that echoes with the quiet strength of its opening line, Sloane's novel is a compelling testament to the resilience of both individuals and communities.

Wow! This is a book that will really make you think about the role of women in marriage and society.

Daphne and Dominic were university sweethearts who are now married. They were each others' firsts. When Dominic suggests that they open up their marriage - with caveats - they call it the Freedom Clause. One night a year, for 5 years, no repeats, no discussion with friends and family. Af first, Daphne is hurt and humiliated.

Daphne, growing up with a former fashion model mother, has self-esteem issues. But, as she leans into the Freedom Clause, she gains confidence. She creates an online journal of her escapades, along with recipes that fit the mood.

Dominic, on the other hand, is struggling. His weaknesses are on display. His dreams are slipping through his fingers.

I am so conflicted about the way it ended, and I guess that's good because it made me think. Does happily ever after have to be the goal? Can you be happy for now? How do we change the perception and role of women in society?

Thank you to Random House, Dial Press Trade Paperback and NetGalley for the digital ARC in return for an honest review.

The Freedom Clause is about just what you'd think. Daphne and Dominic are married, and to sort up "rev up" their sex life, Dominic suggests that they both be allowed to have sex with one person a year. This may sound like it would be exciting, but both find otherwise. The book is predictable. And I really found both characters to be annoying, so it was hard to cheer for either one.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Freedom Clause.

The Freedom Clause definitely hooked me from the very beginning! Dominic and Daphne are at a crossroads in their relatively new marriage and in a desperate attempt to liven things up, they agree to an open marriage. The parameters include one night, no questions asked, once a year for five years. I couldn’t imagine how this was going to play out and I was hooked on The Freedom Clause from the beginning. It was interesting to witness how changing the “rules” of marriage can alter how individuals explore their own true passions and pursuits. While I couldn’t help cringing often at the choices Daphne and Dominic make, or their communication styles, The Freedom Clause will definitely be one of this Fall’s most entertaining reads. Part drama, part romance and all parts complicated, this one should not be missed! Without a doubt, this novel is a great choice for book clubs and late night discussions.

A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. Such an interesting premise and I was more invested in the main character's story than I thought I would be. Great for a debut author, and I think it would make for a very fun book club pick!!

I enjoyed reading this book more than I anticipated. Reading about this couple’s Freedom Clause and the lessons each of them learn over the course of five years gives you interesting insight to the dynamics of not just our main character’s relationship but relationships as a whole. I loved the humor and stories laced through Daphne’s recipes and the personal growth she has in the span of the five years the book covers. Highly recommend.

This has an intriguing premise: What would happen if a married couple gives each other an out one night a year? Daphne and Dominic create the Freedom Clause, which changes their lives in some unexpected ways.

The Freedom Clause is story about a couple trying to save their marriage. Dominic and Daphne had instant chemistry when they met in college and they got married but now their relationship in a rut. They are tying to find ways to spice up their relationship and they decided to try to open their marriage up. I don't mind stories about open marriages but there was something about this story overall that I never really enjoyed. I didn't really like either of the main characters so it was hard for me to get into this story. I did find the writing overall to be great but I just didn't love the story.

A clever plot that can be thought provoking. I enjoyed the recipes!
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me this Advanced Readers Copy of The Freedom Claus by Hannah Sloane!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Selling Pitch:
Do you want to read the life behind one of those food bloggers who trauma dumps on their readers before they even post the recipe that you came looking for off Google? Do you like watching the dissolution of relationships? Do you want to read the sexual empowerment and self-love journey of a girlypop in her twenties?

Pre-reading:
I was so excited to read this book when I first stumbled across it, was ever so kindly given it as an ARC, and then promptly forgot about it, and now, the fact that it’s “overdue” in my dumb little brain has made me not want to pick it up. God, I hope it’s good.

Thick of it:
She’s appealing because she’s quiet? Fuck right off, sir. This is doomed from the start.

What a shitty professor.

We don’t have time for insecure men. We don’t. Ugh, he’s gross.

How did she know? It’s obvious, my dude. That’s not a normal answer.

Alexa, play Labour by Paris Paloma.

Your partner should make you feel beautiful always, but you have to fix your insecurities and sense of self for yourself.

Just say Brita.

I mean, it’s bad news for the book, but it’s been one chapter, and I already don’t want them together.

As an attention-starved mildly neglected girlie, I would much rather random interaction than no interaction.

She told you to go do something. Go do it, you fuckhead.

Yeah, I feel like it’s every insecure girly’s dream to be wanted by many.

Oh fuck, a Capricorn bitch. It’s a me. (And she does give Capricorn.)

So here’s the thing, I don’t like him, but my type is black haired blue eyed fucks and people calling me Capricorn like it’s my fucking identity.

So, buy some socks, loser.

Dude, what the fuck? This is terrible advice. They had incompatible sex drives that’s all. Probably because he sucks at it.

Yeah, literally where did three-way come from, dude?

I would be so beyond pissed if my husband said this to me.
I mean, this type of man would never be my husband in the first place, but how dare you?

There’s absolutely room for jealousy. I’m already jealous. I’m already like you’re not obsessed with me? Goodbye. Oh, you want someone else? Goodbye.

Why are you bringing up the sweater that makes her insecure when she’s already insecure? God, I hate this man.

You don’t need to go practice on other people to get better, sir. Watch a fucking YouTube video.

I couldn’t handle not knowing.

ONLY!

I repeat, I hate this man.

Break up with him. Break up with him. Divorce him immediately.

You don’t want children, he does. Divorce him. (Better yet, have these conversations before you agree to marry someone!)

I want so much more for her. She seems so wonderful.

No birthday sex? Awful.

I lean towards him being an Aries, but where is the anger?

Caps and Aries have brilliant hate sex, just sayin’

This is cheating on your wife. Like this just is.

Honey, you’re a Capricorn. You’re smarter than this.

I don’t think that was the time or place to have that conversation.
Also, make the money. Money makes people happy. It just does.

She knows you’re married, and she’s doing this shit? She’s not a good person, either.

She did not just call him that.

Is this some dream fantasy?

Oop, it’s a nightmare. To be fair, I did not see that coming, so good on you, book.

The cover really does a disservice because she looks thin and beautiful on the cover. It’s like Margot Robbie saying she’s not pretty anymore in Barbie.

Y’all are going to catch something.

I mean, this book is very honest and real. It has a bit of an immature voice, but I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing because its characters are so young.

What an asshole.

But like she’s got cum in her hair. Don’t you have to wash that out? You can’t just walk on the street with cum in your hair?

Wait a second, did all this happen over the course of one night?

I thought she and the bartender had been friends for a while now and were like seeing each other every week. They bonded FAST.

That salad sounds delicious.

Oh my god, he did just send her around town with cum in her hair. Let a bitch use the bathroom!

You can say he wasn’t an asshole, but he was a giant asshole.

She really said I’m gonna tell the story about the girlies who write their deeply personal food blogs. Like girlies, I just want the recipe. Save it for your therapist.

It’s giving Confessions of a Shopaholic.

It’s a little homoerotic to me, sir.

I would be pissed. This is a very backhanded compliment. My birthday gift is not you telling me that I need to work out and be more active in bed and supply lube because men don’t turn me on. How about she seeks out men who actually turn her on?

His dad is an ass.

Reading the slush pile is my dream job.

She works in books. She loves a story. Of course, your trauma turns her on. Stories are intimate.

Sadie seems lovely.

I like Lucinda. The women in this book of fundamentally likable. The men, not so much, but such is life.

I hate Dominic. I understand why he’s the way that he is, but she deserves so much better.

Call me a prude, but I think it’s weird to be topless around your nanny or in see-through shirts around your children, and even weirder for your children to be swimming naked with the nanny. I get that she’s trying to seduce him, but do you have to scar your children to do it?

It reminds me of Conversations with Friends.

I’m really enjoying this book. I don’t think it’s five stars. I think it’s four, but I am really liking it.

I just realized that I’ve been so caught up in this and enjoying this book so much that I’ve forgotten to summarize it as I went. I’ve been fucking myself over every time I go to write my unhinged summaries like I’ll just remember. Bitch, no you won’t.

I don’t think unhinged summaries work for lit fic though.

I like Daphne so much.

No, she didn’t enjoy it, you twat. It was her hair.

Oh, just play together, you idiots.

Leave him bestie. He’s dogshit.

You promised, you fuckhead. Leave. Him.

Oh my god, Dominic’s mommy issues are exhausting. Go to therapy, you loser.

I thought she was fat. How would she fit in her model-thin mother’s clothes?

Oh yikes, that is familiar dialogue.

Please don’t put the horny in funerals. Actually, do. It’ll be messy and delicious.

The writing is getting more mature as the book goes on, and I think that mirrors the characters well, and I find that because it’s maturing, I don’t mind how immature the writing was at the beginning of the book anymore.

insouciantly

He’s gonna fuck her sister.

Oh my god, I hate Dominic so much.

My jaw dropped. He went down on her sister while she’s on her period, and his wife caught him from seeing the blood on his mouth. There are no words.

I want more to this ending or a sequel.

Post-reading:
A very, very high four stars. I honestly toyed around with 5, but I’m a stingy girl with those.

It’s a fun book. It’s a drama-filled romp. It’s just sexy enough without being salacious.

The relationship feels real and honest. The characters all feel real and concrete. The fights and relationship red flags are pointed and weighty. The writing voice grows and matures with the characters.

I think my only criticism for it is that I think it could go darker and angrier if it wanted to settle more firmly into lit fic with some teeth, but as it is, it’s girly and young and a self-love journey. Not quite an angry sad girl book, but definitely a book for the girlies in their twenties. Highly recommend.

Who should read this:
Girlies in their twenties
Character studies of doomed relationships

Do I want to reread this:
Maybe? I want to try that salad recipe for sure haha.

Similar books:
* Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella-rom com of an article writer who learns life lessons
* Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney-married people cheating on each other character study
* Social Engagement by Avery Carpenter Forrey-doomed relationship, character study
* We Are Too Many by Hannah Pittard-angry, sad girl book about the dissolution of a marriage, unique construction
* Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler-dad girl book about mental health, doomed relationship
* Sam by Allegra Goodman-angry sad girl book, character study
* The Lifestyle by Taylor Hahn-woman realizes she settled in her relationship
* Corinne by Rebecca Morrow-bittersweet, realistic romance
* Book Lovers by Emily Henry-sharky woman and family drama, romantic sub plot
* Happy Place by Emily Henry-miscommunication ruined relationship, second chance romance, family drama

The Freedom Clause by Hannah Sloane is a wonderful, liberating, interesting novel! Excellent depiction of self-growth, exploration, and drifting, despite efforts in a marriage. Creative concept blended with fun and quirky experiences, as well as lots of recipes. I very much enjoyed it! Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

Not horrible but also not my cup of tea. This story is just a bad idea all around but well written. I would give this author another chance though.

The Freedom Clause is about a young couple's pact to give each other one night a year for an extra marital fling, but it's really about Daphne's sexual awakening. Daphne and Dominic met at university, and while you can feel their attraction, what you mostly sense is they should have had a college romance and moved on. As twenty something newlyweds they only have sex a handful of times a year and lack the maturity to realize this is a major problem that one night every 365 days won't solve .The Freedom Clause is graphic but not excessively, and the sexual nature fits the plot perfectly. While Dominic is an aspiring writer, it's Daphne who forges a career as a social media influencer, focusing on her cooking skills-Daphne needs no education in the kitchen!! Sprinkled throughout The Freedom Clause are Daphne's recipes along with her observations as to what she and Dominic learn about themselves and each other through their agreement. The recipes sound delicious-you'll want to make them all. The Freedom Clause is is fun and feisty, but also sad as we watch Dominic and Daphne blow their marriage up while trying to convince themselves they belong together. The Freedom Clause is Hannah Sloane's debut novel, and it's a good one-but she has a very promising future as a cookbook author!

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.

Hannah Sloane does a great job of writing characters you can root for. Even if the actions are adverse to their best interest, you want to see where they go and follow them until the end!

This book includes recipes. I love love love when a book utilizes multiple formats, but it doesn't always fit the narrative. Here - it was executed perfectly. It is definitely a book you can finish in one sitting/day.

I thought the story may take on the cheesy quality of the movie Hall Pass, but it was actually realistic and satisfying.

The Freedom Clause is an unexpected gem. It felt unique and fresh! Two people meet and get married at a very young age...but wonder if they have settled down too young. Could opening their marriage make it...or break it? I love the concept and the writing kept me intrigued throughout. The recipes were an added bonus! Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. 4 stars.

Dominic and Daphne have only been married for three years, but he feels that something is missing from their marriage. In an effort to spice up their relationship he proposes an open marriage. Once each year they can have a night off from their spouse and have relations with someone else. While Daphne opposes the idea, she finally agrees with certain provisions. It can only be one night, not an affair. It can not be with someone they know. They can not reveal the details of the encounter and it is limited to five years. Their stories are revealed one year at a time.

The years bring big changes to both Dominic and Daphne. Dominic was on track to become a managing director in his firm until he misread the signals from one of the women on his team. Rather than having his first experience he lost his job. Daphne’s first encounter was also a disaster. With the advice from Ash, a bartender that she befriended, she turns it into a positive experience. She has a passion for food and with Ash’s help she begins an anonymous on-line journal called Confessions of a Highly Emotional Cook. . As Dominic struggles and watch’s his dreams all apart, Daphne grows and becomes stronger.. The clause was supposed to cement their relationship but jealousy, lies and secrets may destroy what they hoped to build if they can not find a way forward. The Freedom Clause explores relationships and growth accompanied by some mouth watering recipes that I can not wait to try. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House - Dial Press for providing a copy of this book for my review.