I liked the writing style of Sande Boritz Berger, she writes with lots of details and the characters seem so real. The drama seems like a historical fiction being set in the 1970’s however that just seems like yesterday; not to mention I was raised in the 1970’s.
Thank you She Writes Press and NetGalley for the ARC of Split-Level.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this free ARC. All opinions are honestly my own.
This book is the story of Alex, Donny, their 2 little girls and their extended family and friends. Picture the 70's, tie died shirts, sunken living rooms, neighbors visiting neighbors. Those were the good old days (although I don't remember much as I was a baby). Alex and Donny have entered the seven - year itch phase of their marriage and fall into an unexpected test of their fragile marriage... We then proceed to witness their doubts and misguided attempts to bring life back into their marriage. I was a little disappointed with the pace of the story and the ending. It was a realistic glimpse into the past and when viewed that way was very believable.

Thank you to She Writes Press and Net Galley for an ARC!
3 stars

In "Split-Level," Berger offers up an interesting glimpse into the fast-n-free lifestyle the 70s have been known for--easy and customary recreational drug use, open marriages and the exploration of sexual boundaries and seemingly hands-off parenting styles where kids were a bit more free-range and without the burdens of technology and helicoptering that have become part of the norm nowadays (and justifiably so in many instances).

Alex Pearl, an almost-thirty mom of two and recent transplant from the city to the suburbs of New Jersey, knows the threads of her marriage are fraying, but she sees the bottom falling out when her husband is accused of sexual transgression. (Notably, the fallout from this event isn't really explored or explained any further than an angry phone call with the mother of the babysitter her husband *may* have been appropriate with.) This event is the catalyst that compels Alex to convince her husband to go to "Marriage Mountain," a couples' retreat sold as healing and restorative to marriages in all seasons of life. (Again, the repercussions of going to this retreat are not really fleshed out after the Pearls return home). From here, we begin to see Alex ripen to the idea of opening their marriage and after a few flirtatious encounters with their neighbors, the Bells,... well, we already know where this is going.

Berger takes us inside the foursome as they meander in and out of each other's beds, dens and lives. Along the way, slowly revealing layers of Alex and her husband (definitely written to be a jackass). There's a bit of a twist (no spoilers here), which predictably sets Alex on a path where she chooses to live with more intention and truth to herself (good things of course).

On balance, a good, quick read, set in a time I haven't seen a lot of authors delve into (the 70s), but my main issue with it is that Berger while introduces a lot of interesting story lines/character development opportunities, there's
a failure to follow through on most of them. The lack of development leaves the reader with a 2-D experience and a lack of investment in any of the characters. Example: There is clearly something going on with Alex's folks--why did her father essentially force her mother to move to Florida, away from the family/grandkids that she so clearly wants to be closer to? What's with the weird power dynamic between Alex's mother and father? Alex and her father? Or, what's the deal with Paula and Charlies's oddball marriage? And Alex's off-putting relationship with her supposed best friend Rona? Alex clearly has some self-deprecating stuff going on, where does that come from? Can we draw a line between her folks' relationship and why she seems to believe she isn't worth more than the sh*t sandwich her husband, Donny, offers up on the regular?

Like other readers, the book moved at a bit slower pace than I would have expected for what we end up with--a partially-baked story about a somewhat vanilla main character torn between her arsehole husband and the man she could have a meaningful connection with. There are missed opportunities throughout the book and the reader feels rushed out the door, so to speak, at the end of the book with no sense of how the course of events changed/impacted our main character. But then again, since we aren't encouraged to be particularly invested in our characters, not knowing what happens to them after the final page closes doesn't feel like much of a loss.

On balance, I'd say--pick up this book if you're in the mood for a novel set in a nostalgic time (if the 70s is such for you), be ready for the reminders of the social culture regarding women at the time, don't worry if you end up skimming a bit, because you won't really be missing any key details or events. Perhaps good for a beach read or an audiobook you can breeze through while doing other things.

Title: Split-Level
Author: Sande Boritz Berger
Publisher: She Writes Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Split-Level" by Sande Boritz Berger

My Rationalization:

I will say this was indeed one interesting 1970's nostalgia that will definitely keep you turning the pages to see what next is going on with these two main characters What will happen as Alex and Donny Pearl enter into an 'open marriage and become swingers?' I found this story quite interesting as we find Alex is definitely searching for her identity. Now for her husband Donny I found him somewhat off and strange in that all of a sudden he becomes 'obsessed with the idea that couples can live together, swapping spouses and be able to live happily ever after.' Now how will this work out for them? Will they be able to fix their marriage by following in the footsteps of another couple? Well to find out how this well-written story will go you will have to pick up "Split-Level" to see what is in the cards for these two people. I liked how this author talks about "the concept of marriage, communication, honesty, family friends, love, hope along with the mentions of alcohol and drugs that seem to play a good part in their decision making of the story." By the end of the story, the reader will get quite a rollercoaster ride. The ending was quite a surprise with the reader will be given something to ponder over long after the read with the family dynamics really being brought to light from this read.

It's the 1970s, post-Nixon, and Alex and Donny Pearl appear to have the typical marriage, complete with two darling little girls. Alex is a devoted wife and mother, but also feels stifled by society's expectations of her in those roles. A friendship with another couple offers something new and different, but will test her marriage and her loyalties, while also giving her room to explore and develop who she is regardless of what society dictates.

Split-Level is set in 1970s New Jersey, but it also felt like it could be anywhere, any time. The words and phrases placed this book in the 1970s (though there's almost no mention of Nixon or what life is like post his presidency) and the location is clearly stated as New Jersey. The societal ideals are also squarely in that time period, where women were more often teachers than doctors and their most likely place was married and at home with the kids. At the same time, it also felt like it stretched a little to encompass a wider time period and could take place anywhere in the country. Every point in time has its ideas of what women should and shouldn't do, even our current one. And, at every point, there are women who struggle against it, who fight it and try to make their own way. While it might not necessarily be married with kids, the core struggle of woman against society's standards is still present. This book presented an intriguing story of one woman struggling between conforming to society and being true to herself, something women across generations can identify with. It may be set in the 1970s, but it could be thought of as taking place at any point in time.

I appreciated the story the author was telling, could identify with Alex's struggles, but really struggled with the characters. Alex really bothered me. She came off as naive, a little slow, and self-serving. She went with the flow and, when it came crashing down, just wanted to maintain her innocence in it all. As a mother, I was mostly irritated with her lack of responsibility for her daughters. Throughout the book, she maintained she was a devoted mother, but there were few interactions between her and her daughters and she was always willing to let someone else take care of them while she went traveling or just wanted to paint. The other characters, as seen through Alex's eyes as she was the narrator, all fell incredibly flat. They were one note and served their purpose in the story and Alex's narrative. I suppose she didn't find any of them to be exceptionally interesting? I'm not sure, but the only character I really liked was Gussie, Alex's in-laws' housekeeper, who came off as both droll and caring.

As much as I disliked Alex, though, I also thought it was smart to see her in conflict with just about every other character. It served to highlight how she was and felt different from everyone else around her, especially the women, and most especially the women who seemed to have it all together. Her interactions helped her craft a sense of who she was and what society demanded she be, and, when we're in her head, we get the collision between the two as she struggled to make her place in society while also longing for something more and different.

What I found most interesting was how the story was laid out. It takes place over about a year and each chapter explores, more or less, a particular segment of time. With each chapter, the story moves along and provides a new story within the greater story. It was almost episodic, and I was a little dissatisfied when it seemed to leave off on a cliffhanger, though it was resolved in the next few pages. But it was also nice that it was laid out this way. It prevented the story from becoming bogged down in any point in time and kept it moving at a nice clip.

Overall, this was both annoying and satisfying. There were parts of it that annoyed and frustrated me, but, given time to think about it, I also developed an appreciation for the story the author wove. At its heart, it's about about a woman (any woman) who wants something other than what society dictates.


Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Every once in a while, I'm drawn to media that lays bare a lifestyle foreign from my own (a bingeworthy show about polygamy, a book series about being Amish, a subscription to Martha Stewart Living), so I was intrigued by Split-Level, a book set in 1970s Jersey that reveals the motivation and lifestyle associated with being a swinger.
The author takes a long (long loooonggggg) time to introduce any actual swinging, though it's hinted at earlier on while the two main characters, Alex and her husband Don, hang out and converse with friends. Be warned, if you're hoping for something with a bit of spice, that for a book about swinging, there's very little in the way of actual sex or anything erotic, for that matter. I believe there are more references to sweaty pajamas and flannel pants than the goings on one typically equates with swinging.
I found the two main characters to be fairly flat and dull, both of them equally selfish and primarily concerned with their own happiness. The setting and drama could have made up for this, but any references to the 70s felt like throwaways (vague outfit descriptions, random name brand dropping, brief allusions to Nixon). Throughout the book, I struggled to care, which made it difficult to continue. Other readers may enjoy the slower pacing, but this book wasn't for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance reading copy, which had no bearing on my review.

I received a copy of this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review..

I'm giving this book 3 stars. I thought the premise of the story would be more involved than it was. Swingers in the 70's?? Sure, why not? Except it was basically 2 couples swapping spouses. Not quite what i was imagining. They are supposed to be an early 30-ish couple who i kinda wanted to shake and say, get your heads out of your asses. I felt like the reader never got very involved with Alex or Danny. You never really find out what makes them tick.

It wasn't until the last 50 pages or so that I was really getting into the book and wanted to know more.

That being said. This is a fun read, perfect for the beach where you can easily pick up the story from where you left off.

2.5 stars rounded up because I loved the nostalgia and it got me remembering my 70's childhood. The "open marriage" trend of the 70's I could do without. Judy Blume has done this already--remember reading Wifey when you were 14?? I did like Sande Boritz Berger's writing style, she gives good details and the writing flows. However, I did not like the main characters-not a one.. nor any of the minor characters. Alex and Donny's kids were the only ones I liked and they are small children tossed around between the actions of two very immature parents. I felt so sorry for them that they had two dingle berries/knuckleheads for parents--yeesh. I am on the fence about recommending this book but if you like marriage melodrama set in the early 70's I think you would like to read this book. Otherwise, read "Wifey" by Judy Blume.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review.

First, I would like to thank She Writes Press and NetGalley for providing me with a free Kindle ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Reading the synopsis, I imagined that this book would be edgy and push the limits of matrimonial morality. I imagined overwhelming lust and emotion, edge-of-your-seat passion and discord, and controversial sexual freedom pushing back against the patriarchal and traditional nuclear family. Instead, I was dealt immeasurable boredom and exhaustive accounts of Alex’s passive aggression. Her inability to handle confrontations in an adult manner was off-putting. Despite the fact that she indulges in the foursquare tryst, for example, Alex spitefully buries her husband’s adored swingers’ manifesto in the neighbor’s garbage can. Alex is completely incapable of accepting responsibility for ANYTHING and blames Donny for EVERYTHING, even though she is equally culpable for the events that occur. She is also entirely indecisive. She pushes away anyone who would show her attention and although she recognizes the impact of her behavior on her children, she fails to act in a constructive manner to repair what she has damaged. The plot was predictable, and the characters were devoid of depth, so the only thing redeeming this book is its beautiful writing style. If you read this book for no other reason, read it for the writing style. I felt as though there was no true climax, no real conflict, no finite resolution. The ending leaves you questioning what Alex decides and there is nothing worse than a vague conclusion.

#netgalley #split-level

I loved this novel! I felt as if I was taken on a journey through the 70's, only with the benefit of hindsight. Boritz-Berger did a wonderful job recreating that iconic era. I felt as if I'd stepped back through time & got an insightful look into the past. Donny & Alexandra (Alex) Pearl are 30-ish Jewish couple married for 7 years with 2 little girls. He works in his father's company, H Pearl & Sons, a custom lingerie company. Being his father's son, Donny daily incurs the wrath of his father. He's blamed for every company screw up. Instead of being treated well, being the owner's son, Donny is treated like an indentured servant. Donny is all stressed out because of this. Being that the setting was in 1974, Alex is a stay-at-home mother. She has a home business making tee-shirts to order. In college she was an art major, so her home business is tailor made for her background. Donny develops what was formerly called "the 7-year itch". He drafts Alex (very gradually) to surrender to the concept of "swinging", as it was called in the 70's. They swap partners with a nearby couple Charley & Paula Bell. As the affairs continue, Alex is swept further & further away from Donny. As Alex begins to examine her motivations, she realizes she never actually made a conscious consent to their swinging lifestyle. Rather, she was dragged along into this situation by Donny. As I don't want to reveal any spoilers, that's about all I'm going to say about the novel's plot.
The author injects a good deal of humor into "Split-Level", making this novel a hilarious read in part. The other part of the story is heartbreakingly sad. The novel ends on an ambiguous note. Read it & see. It's definitely worth the read.
The author's writing style draws the reader into the story. She perfectly captures the flavor & essence of the 70's. Boritz-Berger writes this novel like it was the present. The characters are well-drawn & perfectly real.
Thank you, She Writes Press & NetGalley for the opportunity to read & review this novel. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

This book was very intriguing to me. I was married in 1965 and raised my children in a split level ion NJ in the 70’s.
I heard all about the “parties, switching and smoking.” Happily , I didn’t take part in any of it.
Even so, I related to Alex Perl and her very 70’s life.
I really enjoyed this book.

Alex Pearl is married with two small children in the swinging seventies. She and her husband live in the suburbs of New Jersey and live a quiet life that changes once they attend a Marriage Encounter-type group to explore their feelings and what they can do to make their marriage better. What they end up with is a changed lifestyle as they become friends with another couple and decide to swing. I remember those days very well, as I am about the same age as these couples. The book was reminiscent of the scene that went on at that time; the drugs, the sex, and the music.

Before long I was really into this new lifestyle as I read about their experiences. That's when I decided these people weren't very nice and I actually didn't find them endearing at all, although that's not necessarily a bad thing. I found the book to be quite interesting as I had no idea how it would progress and finally run its course. I recommend the book to find out what happens to these four people moving into the future. They would be my age today, which is very interesting to me. I enjoyed this book and give it four stars.

I want to thank netgalley and Sande Boritz Berger for this opportunity to read the book and give my honest opinion.

I obtained this advanced reading copy through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. I had read Ms. Berger's first book, 'The Sweetness' and thoroughly enjoyed every page. I was anxious to read her second book, 'Split-Level' because I know what a fine writer she is. This book was very different and it explored a the lives of a young couple, Alex and Donny Pearl. They married in the seventies, lived in a nice home and had two picture perfect little girls. Donny, however, had a few issues that Alex turned a blind eye to. She quietly chose not to come out of her comfort zone--until one day Donny had the great idea of 'swinging' with another couple. Alex went along with it, but made the mistake and actually falling in love with 'the other man'. No one expected that to happen and what follows is more of the unexpected.

Berger spins an interesting tale of an interesting time about two people who weren't exactly made for each other. Get your copy and prepare for wild ride!

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

This book is close to a 3.5 as I enjoyed most of the book, refreshingly set in the mid 1970s. I enjoyed Alex's point of view as a somewhat inexperienced young wife with 2 young daughters she loves very much. This book gently guided us into the backdrop of the time, along with the pot smoking at parties and easy sexual banter. Alex started out pretty happy in her relationship although not really satisfied in the bedroom. The ovolacto vegetarian line threw me because she proceeds to make beef, chicken for her family. Her foray into swinging was gradual and then swift. Her family and inlaws didn't really understand although they warned her mostly of husband's straying ways. So as liberated as women might have felt, she was the one mostly judged for being with another woman's husband, while her husband may have impregnated the wife of the man Alex was sleeping with, it seemed more Donny's idea than hers... she should have been more angry her husband might have knocked up Paula except she didn't, maybe because she was out of love with him. The ending is a little ambiguous to me. Also, maybe because my parents generation in the 70s but I really DO not want to imagine those days of swinging and key parties so much. The writing was pretty strong.

Split-Level is a world that seems to have that hazy filter that so many movies of the 70s had. Think about how glowy The Stepford Wives or Carrie was - that's what reading this was like. Additionally, Wifey by Jude Blume already talked about marriage and the sexual revolution - and that book blew my mind the first time I ready it ....at age 14.

Split-Leve...did not. While the story is familiar - family, 1970s, wife-swapping, etc etc etc - it just kind of was blah for me. It just kind of gave me buzzwords - shag carpeting, wallpaper, Family Circle, etc etc. Both Alex and Donny were kind of the worst - and their children were more of an afterthought.

Again - Wifey did it better.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The author did a brilliant job of capturing the time period in this novel. The characters and plot were also well written. This was a great piece of historical fiction!

Having been a young housewife and suburban mother in the 70's, and being keenly aware of the temptations facing young couples (mostly with commuting husbands), I should have related strongly to Berger's novel. Yes the boredom and temptations abounded and many whispers about neighbors, split-ups and re-combinations were seen amongst neighbors. Yet the entire book made me supremely uncomfortable. I kept wanting to shout out to Alex, Donny, Paula and Charlie, "Don't, don't, it's a mistake". Yet this book could be read as a titillating morality play and a stirrer-up of memories if you are the right age.

The accurate portrayal of the Marriage Encounter movement (here called Marriage Mountain) was well described with the exception of some of the actual working of the program. Yes, it was a communication workshop that was faith-sponsored, but the couples involved were told "If you have a good marriage it will make it better. If you have a bad marriage, don't go!"

I will admit that the book was hard to put down just because I wanted to see where it was going, and then being disappointed on where it went. It's not Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice, but if that was a favorite film of yours, you will love Split Level. If you were a 70's suburbanite, it will also bring you back to those bad old days.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this advance copy.

What a fun book. Definitely a top favorite this year so far. Characters and plot make this a great book, not to be missed.

Thanks to author,publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free,it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

Alex is a frustrated mom for sure. She’s a stay-at-home mom of two small girls and is basically just going through the motions. Her mom is not exactly a motherly figure and lives far away in Florida to boot. Alex was an artist but now makes some extra money on the side painting shirts for summer camps. Anyone who has been a stay-at-home mom (or dad) for any length of time has been there.
Early on in the book, her husband suggests throwing a Valentine’s Day party. And that party is everything. She has purpose for the weeks leading up to the party–make all the food, invite all the guests, etc. etc. A project! I remember feeling that way about re-doing a bedroom or decorating a nursery. Something to do besides change diapers and clock watch.
Don’t get me wrong, kids are amazing. But those years when they are little and constantly need stuff? The years are fast but the days are hella long! And it’s so easy to have a mental crisis in the middle of it all–questioning your worth and purpose.
Donny, Alex’s husband, is bored too. I’m sure we can all probably identify or relate to him too. He used to come home to hot artist wife and now, she’s probably covered in cheerios and too exhausted to be anything but a mom when gets home. It’s just the perfect storm of having small kids.
So, when a friend’s husband dies, and Alex and Donny are faced with their own mortality, they decide to spice things up with some mutual friends of the deceased.
I thought Berger did an amazing job writing real, multi-dimensional characters. I really identified with Alex. And I think the breakdown of her marriage and of their friends’ was a very realistic portrait of the dangers of that type of relationship. There are just so many fine lines that can be crossed. The book also captured the 70’s well, and gave me that groovy vibe I was so hoping for when I picked it up.
Special thanks to Netgalley and She Writes Press for an e-galley in exchange for my honest review. My review will be posted on my blog, Women in Trouble Book Blog on May 18, 2019.

As someone born in the 70’s I was very intrigued by the premise of this book. It is the story of Alex, a 30 year old mother of two who moved to the suburbs and is discontent in her marriage and life in general. Her and her husband become aquatinted with another couple and their relationships get very messy and complicated. I could empathize with Alex’s feelings of discontentment but found it hard to understand why she was feeling this way. I think the author did a very good job of describing the era and making you feel like you were there. I also appreciated Alex's choice at the end. There is a lot to like about this book I just wish the characters were a little more developed.