This book does have a lot of promise but never fully delivers. The synopsis makes it sound like it will be an easy breezy scandalous summer read, but it lacks that oomph. It’s a very quick read, but none of the characters are likable. Just when I was starting to think I was going to like the book I was let down by the ending.

This was a story that I don’t know if I would’ve picked up had the cover not caught my eye. The 70s have always held my interest. The free love era and throw in some swinging and I was hooked. It had good pacing. I really enjoyed the book.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Set in the 70’s, 2 couples explore wife swapping. The story is told through one wife, who is conflicted about this arrangement. In this story we see her find her voice and take control of her choices. I wasn’t empathetic toward any of the characters and did not like them. But the writing kept me engaged in the story, I wanted them all to find their way by the end.

I found this to be a very interesting read. It definitely brought to mind the '70's decade very well and "those neighbors" that always seemed to have something going on. I found Alex to be a very multi-faceted character and her insights to be at times funny and heartbreaking. Overall, an interesting read. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

I was drawn to this book because of the time period of the seventies, but also because I wanted to read the story about a marriage that changes when one spouse suggests they attempt sharing partners with another married couple.
Alex and Donny have been married 7 years, live in suburbia NJ and have two young daughters. Alex is a stay at home mom and Donny, who used to be a musician is now working with his dad in a company making bras for women.
After attending a seminar called Marriage Mountain, Donny is given a book by another member there with his spouse on the benefits of co-existing in spouse swapping. Eventually Alex and Donny meet Charles and Paula Bell. There is a mutual attraction between all four couples and a sexual relationship begins with each others spouses. This book was definitely not a trashy erotic novel. Instead it delved into the psychological changes each character experienced, mainly focusing on Alex. Very well written and insightful. I received a complimentary ebook via Netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

This was an interesting take on marriage at a time when the rules were changing. Alex goes along with Donny's wishes to start a relationship with another couple. I don't think she's particularly happy with him, although she wants to be; she feels like there should be more to their relationship, and that maybe by going along with what he wants maybe things will improve between them. Based on their mothers' reaction to the situation, she was raised by a generation of women who bit their tongues and looked the other way when their husbands had wandering eyes and they feel she should have done the same. But the times are changing, and if the men can do it, why can't the women? I was proud of Alex when she decided it wasn't for her, and Donny wasn't for her either.
I wish there was a little more depth to the characters in this book, but since it's told from Alex's point of view I guess it makes sense that we don't get more insight on these characters. I would have liked to have gotten a point of view from some of the other characters. Overall though, I enjoyed the book and it definitely provides food for thought on relationships.

Split-level wasn’t the most fitting title for this book which I was hoping to love?! I was drawn to the idea of a book set in 70s/80s for the nostalgic descriptions of rotary phones, etc. but this wasn’t really it? The naivety of the main character from the on set of the book was frustrating! It’s hard to imagine any woman in today’s day and age excusing their husband hitting on the babysitter?!! She ultimately redeems herself in the end which was nice to see. Overall just not my favorite book!

It is the 1970's. Alex Pearl is a young mother and wife. Hey life has been set out before her, not always by herself. Her husband, Donny is still a boy at heart. Not really talking anything seriously. She sees his wandering eye. Maybe a couple retreat could help them reconnect.
Then they are introduced to Charlie and Paula, new arrivals to the neighborhood. The immediate attraction that Donny has for Paula in unmistakable. But then, she finds herself attracted to the handsome lawyer husband, Charlie.
The couples become couples, switching partners. What happens is an awakening in Alex that she never anticipated. She is tired of having everyone determine where her life will go. She is ready to make her own decisions. She has finally come into her own. She has the power to make her own life. And she will, no matter what.
An interesting take in two couples in the 1970's.
Strong characters.
Good storyline.

Alex Pearl lived in the 1970s where pot parties and tie-dyed fashions were the in-things. Since her husband is looking at other women and bringing up open marriage or swinging, she decides to try it, although it's not something she really wants. She wants her marriage and love and faithfulness. If she agrees try this kind of life, what will she win or lose? She's an artist and mother. Is this the only identity she has? Once they meet Charlie and Paula, they form a relationship. What happens when love comes into the picture? Well written and captures the time. I received this book from Net Galley and the publisher for a honest review. This book was voluntarily read.

In Split Level, author Sande Boritz Berger explores the consequences of tugging at the one loose thread in a marriage leading slowly and inevitability to its entire unraveling. Set in the 1970s New Jersey suburbs, young mom of two, Alex Pearl seems to have it all, house, kids, and a charming husband, but is still discomfited by a longing for her abandoned art career and her husband’s suspected infidelities. When Alex’s husband urges them to become swingers, essentially dating another couple in their community, Alex is confused, repelled, attracted, and self-loathing. Compelling storytelling and well drawn characters carry the reader to the engaging conclusion, while the evocative 1970s setting is itself a poignant counterpoint to the narrative.

I loved this author's style! Something about her NJ based 70s era novel sounded like a Judy Blume book and that is a compliment of the highest order. I loved the true sense of the 70s, drinking tab, children watching The Magic Garden, her special doeskin blouse. Alex is a compelling, relatable heroine. However, the whole swinging thing became slow and drawn out. I enjoyed Alex's musings on motherhood and neighborhood life so much more than the central drama of this novel. I enjoyed the first half much more than the second half.

I do, however, hope to read more from the immensely talented Sande Boritz Berger.

I really wanted to enjoy Split-Level. It seems like it would have been a book right up my alley. It's a completely different lifestyle than my own. It's seemingly filled with juicy drama that I'd devour. However, it just didn't work for me.

There's numerous flaws. The book is so slow. Like, slow. I don't mind a slow-building story, but this was just disappointing. On top of that, it wasn't very detailed. I missed so much of the depth (emotion, details, conversations, etc.) that makes a book like this appealing to me. And to top it all off, these characters were just bland. I couldn't bring myself to care about any of them.

I think there was potential here. The premise was interesting. The writing was decently done. If it had been more than a surface level, beachy type read, I think I would have really enjoyed it.

Thanks Netgalley for the advance copy. This book is about a thirty year old housewife in the seventies, and what happens when her husband convinces her to try swinging with another couple (spoiler: what happens is pretty much what happens in every story like this, ever aka spouse swapping = bad). While the plot is slightly predictable, the writing is truly excellent and really carries the story, which would otherwise not be as memorable. This book accurately captures the feel of the seventies, and the feelings of the titular character as she comes to realize that the life that she's been leading is ultimately not the life that will bring contentment or joy. I do feel that the story could have been more fleshed out in a few places, mainly where Alex's parents are concerened, but I do reccomend this to anyone who wants a little tiny bit of scandal, but nothing graphic.

This was one of those books where I know if I go back in a year or so and read again I will still find things to wrap my head around.

Imagine being an almost 30 year old stay at home mom living in suburban New Jersey in summer of 1974. The times had changed but at the same time were still very stuck in fixed roles.

This book is as much about Alex Pearl discovering who she truly is as it is about the Pearl marriage and the expected 'roles' that were still so set and how those roles had to change. It is a 'coming of age' story when you realize that one's identity can be evolving and what we think we want and know might not be what is right for us.

I am not being purposefully vague. In reading some other reviews I felt like some people focused on the more 'salacious' parts of the book not realizing the times were different and by focusing on that you lose sight of the character growth.

I think it is definitely worth the read!

This is the story of Alex and Donny, a couple who have been married seven years and have two children. They live in the suburbs in the early to mid 70's and the setting becomes a character of its own. Alex and Donny meet Charlie and Paula and begin a relationship square that has serious repercussions.

The writing was good, for the most part, but I often felt like I was missing something. It could be a little jumpy and jerky from to!e to time. I think it could be a good book club read, giving the group a lot to reflect on.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sande Boritz Berger and She Writes Press for this ARC.

This was a fun, quick read perfect for the beach. I enjoyed it.

Split-Level is a great exploration of feelings. Wanting to feel more, wanting to feel passion, wanting to feel alive. Alex Pearl is hoping to tap into these feelings in the hey-day of the 70s. This book truly explores what a journey through marriage looks like and how to navigate what happens when you are wanting to try something new. This was a great read and I loved being transported to a time that I did not live through but wish I could have seen firsthand. Genuine and funny, worth the read! Thank you NetGalley!

I started this book and really liked the premise, but I couldn't get past page 20. I won't post a review because I don't do negative reviews.

Split-level by Sande Bortiz Berger is set in the 70's and features Alex Pearl, a woman who is struggling with feeling quite different than everyone else. Swinging is slowly introduced into their lives. Alex and her husband Donny are often hard to understand or like in this novel that is more appropriate for beach reads than in depth thought. Although there are times that Alex is hard to relate to, there are other times when she is easy to relate to.

Overall, I thought the pace was slow, there didn't seem to be as much chemistry as I would have expected for a book about swinging in the 70's. I did like that there was plenty of time to get to know Alex, what she thought about herself and her place in the world. Her journey is why this book is 4 stars and not 3.

This is a story of a couple who decide to try swapping and find that it's terribly disruptive on their families.