I LOVED the multiple POV's throughout this book and thoroughly enjoyed the perspectives from each of them. The names got a little confusing at times, but I found it rather funny they all started with the letter J. Parts of this book honestly felt like a dream and I think that's strange because I don't get that feeling from literary fiction often, so I really enjoyed how much detailed Marcy included. Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

A hot air balloon falls from the sky into a suburban pool. This starts a madcap days-long adventure into swinging sex, divorced coupling, and too-smart kids. While that could be a hackneyed plot, it quickly moves along, and the characters are interesting, very saucy, and original. Apart from their similar names -- which normally would annoy me but turns out okay -- the novel is a fun read and the makes for some funny scenes and interactions. While one of the couples are exceedingly wealthy, they use their wealth sometimes wisely and sometimes not, and that also drives one of the subplots that could easily turn out trite but has some depth. I found once I got into the novel I couldn't put it down for long, and highly recommend it.

I enjoyed this book, but it was also kind of strange. It's written with this tongue-in-cheek satire quality, but in spite of that *seeming* obvious in the story-telling, there are also moments where I found myself confused about if the character's actions and personalities were supposed to be motivated and deep, or if they were all supposed to be a little ridiculous--especially in the first fifty pages. I feel like the tone is a little uneven and could've benefited from more editing. That being said, I found parts of the story very interesting, but I had to push past a feeling of the characters feeling awkward and forced.

First off, I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the ARC of this book.

Hot Air starts off with a bang; when Joannie and her new love interest, Johnny, are in the middle of a date at his house, an old flame (plus his wife) quite literally appears out of thin air and into Johnny's pool. Quickly and hilariously, the couples decide to make a night of the mishap and new and unlikely relationships are formed.

While this read was very short, (130 pages or so) I did appreciate the subtle message of the "grass isn't always greener on the other side" that appears in multiple different perspectives of each character. It seemed as though the author wanted to impress upon the reader that you should be grateful for what you have, rather than looking elsewhere for validation and security.

I liked how the story was written, in multiple viewpoints switching back and forth between each character, but I got confused because the names were too similar to differentiate- Julia/Joannie/Johnny/Jonathan. I also think this could've been a lot longer, and we could've benefitted from hearing more of Vivian's side of the story and more of her background, as I had an inkling there was more to be told between her and Jonathan.

Overall I'm giving this a 3/5 because it was a quick read that kept me mostly interested and entertained.

Like all of Dermansky's novels, Hot Air features quirky characters who get into unusual situations. This book takes place over the course of a single weekend and switches perspectives to include many of the characters. it was a fun, quick read!

I had a lot of fun reading this one. While it’s not my favorite from the author, I still found it hard to put down. I loved the dynamics between the characters, especially the women.

I genuinely loved this book! Super fast read, wild pacing, juicy details throughout - it reminded me of a White Lotus-esque plot in the suburbs in terms of the tempo and odd turns. I was tickled by it through and through. Just a clean little book all around. Would recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

Marcy Dermansky I was unfamiliar with your game. From what I have seen, the author’s other books move similarly to this making me want to read her entire catalogue. I finished this one in a day, two sittings, and couldn’t stop thinking about how much I wanted to pick it back up whenever I was away from it. The development of every character in such a short book was impeccable and I had a constant sense of “this could go literally anywhere and I am so nervous” while reading. Hot Air being my first read that is a 2025 release makes me excited for the current direction of litfic. Highly recommended for fans of messy entangled relationships in a similar vein to Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney and Luster by Raven Leilani.
3.75 ⭐️ rounded up!

Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf for the e-ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and Marcy Dermansky's publishing team for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I don't believe I've ever read a book that I didn't enjoy any of the characters. The plot was unclear throughout and there was no depth in the plot or the characters. The beginning started out like the awkwardness and quirkiness of something that reminded me of the Great Gatsby and so I was convinced to continue but all the characters were selfish, entitled, and just awful. The same things were repeated and it perpetuated female cattiness over men that I just don't enjoy.

The ending was decent, but predictable.

I was glad to get this new novel By Marcy Dermansky thru NetGalley because I had read Hurrican Girl previously. Again I read this novel in ONE day! The story is as the blurb says “unhinged” and kept me enthralled through every page. An excellent author who knows how to grab your interest and create unique situations and characters.

Joannie is stuck: her first novel was successful, but she hasn't written anything since before the Pandemic. Her marriage has ended, and she and her daughter are just barely getting by. Then comes the bizarre first date in a very long time: there's a terrible first kiss with a sweet guy with a wonderful pool and then, abracadabra, a hot air balloon crash-lands in that pool. At the helm? Joannie's first crush, a foolhardy billionaire trying to impress his wife.

This maelstrom of coincidence sparks an equally chaotic swirl of desire set against the inevitable power imbalances bred by extreme wealth. Told in seemingly artless declarative sentences from the various perspectives of the four adults (each of whom has a name beginning with J) at the pool, in addition to that of the billionaire's nubile assistant. I found the novel by turns irritating and captivating. I'm an old-fashioned reader, and I admit, I like a redemptive character arc.

Each "narrator" sounded naive, underbaked, and even childishly self-absorbed to me. Yet still, are people not selfish and naive? Particularly in pursuit of id-ish desire? And each character pursues a desire: a longing to be a mother, the wish for home, carnal lusts, hunger for power, thirst for money, the desire to do good (and to be recognized doing good!), and, in the form of Joannie's daughter, the intense wish to go to Harry Potter's Wizarding World theme park.

Dermansky's masterfully (and deceptively!) simple style has earned her critical acclaim in earlier novels, and I have no doubts that this too will get plenty of attention.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf for the eARC in exchange for my unfettered opinion.

I absolutely love the unpredictable journey that Marcy Dermansky's books take the reader on. Hot Air is no exception.

Joannie is finally on her first post-divorce date with Johnny. She is trying to determine if she can get past his terrible kissing when a hot air balloon piloted by a billionaire (who also happens to be her childhood summer camp crush) crashes into his swimming pool. What follows is a story full of terrible choices, awful people, too much money, and the Rainforest Cafe. I loved it.

While I wish the ending packed a little more punch, this is another excellent and unhinged book from the incomparable Dermansky.

Before I get into the review. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

This story and style of writing are very different than what I'm used to. I don't hate it, but I didn't love it either. It often left me wondering "what in the world is happening?" several times. The plot seemed to be lacking and the story was completely unhinged. One minute we have a date happening in the backyard, and the next a hot air balloon is landing in a pool? If that wasn't unlikely enough, the couple from the hot air balloon decides to stay and hang out! From there it got weird fast. BUT, I still found myself intrigued by the thoughts of everyone's views. I found myself thinking that all of these people were in such different points in their lives and what they wanted out of life, while being jealous of the next person.

I won't be posting my review to goodreads, as I don't think this writing style is for me.

3.5 stars rounded to 4 because it felt unhinged and I’m sort of confused about the plot and story in general but still somehow loved it and would recommend to others. LOL!

I drank this up in a day! It was a good, easy read about strangers who get together in the most unconventional way. While Joanie questions everything she’s doing as a mother, her rich counterparts are having very stupid, very rich people problems. The whole book takes place over a day or two. Everyone is weird and entertaining, even the kids!

This is my first time reading a Marcy Dermansky book. After reading this one, I need to check out her backlist! The story line is strange and nothing really happens in the book but yet I really enjoyed it! The pacing, the characters and the writing are all so good!

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my review!

Another great book by Demansky. The writing is crisp and wonderfully descriptive. This book focuses on a divorced mother, depressed and broke. Joannie has a date with a local dad when a hot air balloon lands in the backyard swimming pool. Joannie dives in and rescues the male, and that moment begins an absolutely delightful book of coincidences and the actions of the super wealthy couple.

Julia turns this into an adventure, moving from partner swapping to Disney World! So much fun. Amazing to see how a wealthy woman uses her wealth to guide the plot.

This is a really fun book. Joannie is a likable heroine. I definitely recommend this novel.

Thank you Netgalley for an arresting Demansky novel.

This was wild! I do not think I have read anything like this before. It was fun and crazy and totally different. You have a full cast of characters, a hot air balloon, lots of money... what could go wrong. This was a quick read that will have you shaking your head at the antics of rich people.

Hot Air is short, incisive, and engrossing. The multiple POVs work so well here and give the story a dynamic and intimate feel. The plot is funny and absurd, with a sprinkling of tenderness.

There is so much action packed into the story which takes place over a few days. Joannie is on a first date with Johnny (his kissing skills need improvement, but his home and pool are amazing). When their date is interrupted by a hot air balloon crashing into Johnny's backyard, Joannie is shocked to see that the people in the balloon include a well-known billionaire (and the first person she kissed decades ago during summer camp). The night takes an unexpected turn as the lives of Joannie, Johnny, Johnathan, Julia (and Vivian) intersect.

I'm a big fan of the author and her other works and absolutely loved this. Her characters are rarely likable yet I can't help but feel utterly pulled into their petty dramas. Recommended to everyone!

Thank you very much to Knopf and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this delightful novel.

I didn’t hate it, I didn’t love it. I won’t post to Goodreads just yet. Based on other reviews, this is this author’s style and she is well liked. I would like to read other books by her before giving a full review of this one. I believe if I would have gone into this book knowing what to expect, I may have a better opinion. I’ll update before publication.