When I began reading Swing Set by Joanna Kadish, I was intrigued by the idea of a swingers story. Of course, I have my own thoughts on the swinger’s lifestyle and all the many ways that being a swinger can ruin a relationship. When I think of being in love, it never crossed my mind to share my partner with anyone else. As a matter of fact, I feel like the swingers lifestyle can open up the doors for cheating. Personally I could never see myself getting involved in such a lifestyle where I could allow my partner to give away what I consider mine.
Swing Set made me really curious how this story would progress and eventually end. Shelly and Steve Isaacson are pretty normal married couple looking to spice up their sex life. The couple has a pretty normal life, normal friends, decent jobs and enjoying smoking pot. Shelly seems to become a little freakier when she is high. Although they were in love and happy with each other, Steve has such an interest in other women, and Shelly becomes curious. Shelly is open to the idea, but her best friend Mattie is not an option. Even though Steve often makes it clear that he wants a turn with her. This provokes a bit of jealousy in Shelly, and rightfully so.
The couple decides they want to try a swingers club. They talk about their boundaries and agree that if either gets uncomfortable, they would both agree to stop and leave, making sure that they both are having fun. Somewhere along the lines, these boundaries get crossed, and things go a little crazy.
After the swingers club fail, they set up an online profile in hopes to meet other couples. This leads them to a few couples, but when it comes down to it, Steve turns into a complete prick. Shelly has always had insecurities when it came to sex, and after they begin swinging together, she comes out of her shell. But it seems like the more she enjoys herself, the worse Steve acts. His controlling nature surfaces and makes him completely unlikeable, to the point where I no longer cared if they made it to the end of this novel as a couple.
Shelly is such a passive character. The kind that you might find yourself wanting to smack around a little bit and scream “get yourself together and get your man in check” kind of thing. Steve is a momma’s boy and only thinks of what was best for him. Everything in between is extremely passionate, sexy and full of steam. There is nothing lacking in the bedroom and from page one, well…hot.
Swing Set comes with one issue for me that dropped it from a five star read to a four star read. The opening chapter is in the present. Shelly is the narrator and goes from her naughty happenings then off to how her and Steve met and got where they are. The end of the book did not come full circle and wrap up how the book initially started. Once I got to the end, I was like okay…it started this way but ended that way. I did not find it to be a big deal, but I didn’t find true closure to the story based on how it started. Otherwise, the book is beautifully edited, and, boy, was it a fun and sexy read.
I have already suggested Swing Set by Joanna Kadish to my friends, and they are interested. This book was so good that it had me questioning if I could pull off trying the swinger’s thing, even if it was for only one night.