Incredibly slow-paced, I waited for something to jump and, unfortunately, this book left me unsatisfied. Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this story.

A well written book that is full of interesting reflections and with a dysfunctional cast of characters.
Even if I liked the style of writing and the plot I didn't feel connected to any of the characters that were not really likable.
It's an interesting read.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Linda's Book Obsession Reviews "Split Level" by Sande Boritz Berger, She Writes Press, May 2019

Sande Boritz Berger , Author of "Split-Level" has written a unique, thought-provoking and entertaining novel. The Genres for this Novel are Fiction and Women's Fiction. The timeline for this story is in the 1970s after Nixon was President. The story takes place mostly in an affluent community in New Jersey. The author describes her dysfunctional cast of characters as complex and complicated.

This is a Novel that questions what marriage should be. Alex Pearl will soon be thirty, has two young children, is very artistic, and seems to have it all. She has a family, a beautiful house, yet there are certain questions that are bothering her. Somehow, she has doubts about her husband Donny.  After a certain incident, Alex insists that she and Donny go to a Marriage Encounter of sorts. It appears that  Donny is obsessed with the idea of more of an open marriage. Alex is conflicted what she wants.

I appreciate that the author discusses the concept of marriage, communication, honesty. family, friends, love, and hope. The author also mentions the use of alcohol and drugs, which seems to play a part in decision-making. When is it time to grow up and take responsibility? What happens if you try to change tradition? I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy a though-provoking novel.

What I liked best about this novel was the early 1970s setting. But aside from a few random mentions of Tab and Fresca, the venue could have been in any decade of the last forty years. Alex is a housewife who is dissatisfied in her marriage. She and her husband decide to swap partners with another married couple and something very significant happens to change the dynamics of their arrangement. Although I read this book very quickly, I didn't really care for any of the characters. They all seem very self absorbed and uncaring about the consequences of their actions. I liked the two Pearl girls the best.