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bookmadbarlow's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A book about open relationships, not whether they are right or wrong, but how they can work and how they might not.
When I saw this, I was intrigued as to how this book would go, and I think it did the job it was intending to do. I did find Holly's character slightly annoying, but I understand why she was portrayed that way. I loved Fliss as a character and her storyline and how that flowed as a counterbalance to Holly through the book.
A well-rounded novel, and I will be interested to see what the author does in the future.
When I saw this, I was intrigued as to how this book would go, and I think it did the job it was intending to do. I did find Holly's character slightly annoying, but I understand why she was portrayed that way. I loved Fliss as a character and her storyline and how that flowed as a counterbalance to Holly through the book.
A well-rounded novel, and I will be interested to see what the author does in the future.
katie_having_fun's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
I enjoyed the parallel stories of one couple jumping into opening a relationship while another jumped into closing it. In both cases the importance of actually communicating with your SO and doing real introspection felt genuine and not just like a life lesson or moral of the story thrown in at the end.
prominent_v's review
4.25
As someone who has been in both monogamous and polyamorous relationships, this was absolutely realistically messy representation. And it's such important representation to have so I was really excited to read it and have it in my back pocket for people looking for that rep. But, hoo boy, did I get mad at the characters SO MUCH. Don’t get me wrong, the writing was absolutely spot on and all of their decisions made perfect sense for their characters. But it did impact my enjoyment to not be able to just reach into the page and slap them over their heads. At one point, I actually shouted a TikTok meme at my e-Reader in the middle of a crowded airport. Needless to say, many people (including my primary partner) were extremely confused when I shouted “Hit him with your car!” (iykyk) Really super excellent rep, but I was so angry for the whole second half of the book.
kaylanoellesims's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love a friendship that starts in a women’s bathroom so of course I love this book that begins just like that! Open minded follows the lives of two women who are facing opposite situations, Holly’s partner wants to enter an open relationship - Fliss’s partner wants to become exclusive. The two begin their journey trying to give guidance and advice to the other as they navigate these relationship changes, but in the end they learn more about themselves and what they want and need out of a relationship! Though this book is fiction, I feel like I learned so much about open relationship and ethical non-monogamy and the different dynamics that play into open relationships. This book was such a fresh and new take on a book centering romance!!!
eralbesu's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book felt like a slog for me to get through and it wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy parts of it, but it had a few things that I had to overcome as a reader. First, I do not enjoy pop culture references and there were nonstop pop culture references throughout the story. Second, the dual POV made so much sense, but in instances when the story wasn’t directly overlapping, it felt like it was just drawing out the story.
Though, I’m not certain how accurate a depiction of healthy polyamory this book portrayed. So, buyer beware of that.
Now, for what I enjoyed! I liked Fliss. Her perspective was an interesting one and it was probably the first time I’ve ever read from a perspective like hers. And I like the journeys our main characters were on. It felt real and I think the author did a good job showing the different approaches to similar situations.
I’d recommend this story to anyone who’s looking for a story about two young women trying to find their way in love and to anyone who needs a reminder of how comparison is the thief of joy.
Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Though, I’m not certain how accurate a depiction of healthy polyamory this book portrayed. So, buyer beware of that.
Now, for what I enjoyed! I liked Fliss. Her perspective was an interesting one and it was probably the first time I’ve ever read from a perspective like hers. And I like the journeys our main characters were on. It felt real and I think the author did a good job showing the different approaches to similar situations.
I’d recommend this story to anyone who’s looking for a story about two young women trying to find their way in love and to anyone who needs a reminder of how comparison is the thief of joy.
Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
thehaikubandit's review
I was looking for a nice poly romance and this didn't really hit the spot. It felt like none of the characters actually liked being poly, and the lack of open and honest communication was frustrating.
blopez99's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this e-arc (from NetGalley and HarperCollins) of Open Minded by Chloe Seager!! It’s easy to put differences in relationships out of your mind when it isn’t something you’re necessarily going through. I liked seeing both sides, and reading about both women gaining a better sense of self.
rachelisathomas22's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to the publisher William Morrow and NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Overall 4/5 star read for me.
Open Minded by Chloe Seager is a book with gumption and heart. Two women, Holly and Fliss, find themselves in each other’s position at the start of the book and bond over their role reversal as they navigate their new relationship status. Holly finds herself begrudgingly beginning an open relationship after her boyfriend of almost a decade says this is how they can move forward, and Fliss finds herself in a newly exclusive relationship after three years in an open relationship. What ensues is a delightful exploration of what constitutes a good relationship and how do we find out what we need for ourselves.
I enjoyed both Holly and Fliss as characters and thought the author did a good job helping them grow throughout the story. These are not perfect women; they are messy and stubborn and kind and anxious which make them feel well rounded and interesting to read about. The romantic leads were intriguing and fulfilled their intended purposes well. I loved the other pieces of both of these women’s lives, like their friends, families, and professional lives that contributed to each of their stories.
The biggest reason this is not a five star read for me is there were a few points throughout the book, especially with Holly’s arc, that felt a bit too obvious. I personally would have enjoyed a bit more unraveling to discover certain truths/reveals. This is truly a personal preference as a reader for an already enjoyable read.
Overall 4/5 star read for me.
Open Minded by Chloe Seager is a book with gumption and heart. Two women, Holly and Fliss, find themselves in each other’s position at the start of the book and bond over their role reversal as they navigate their new relationship status. Holly finds herself begrudgingly beginning an open relationship after her boyfriend of almost a decade says this is how they can move forward, and Fliss finds herself in a newly exclusive relationship after three years in an open relationship. What ensues is a delightful exploration of what constitutes a good relationship and how do we find out what we need for ourselves.
I enjoyed both Holly and Fliss as characters and thought the author did a good job helping them grow throughout the story. These are not perfect women; they are messy and stubborn and kind and anxious which make them feel well rounded and interesting to read about. The romantic leads were intriguing and fulfilled their intended purposes well. I loved the other pieces of both of these women’s lives, like their friends, families, and professional lives that contributed to each of their stories.
The biggest reason this is not a five star read for me is there were a few points throughout the book, especially with Holly’s arc, that felt a bit too obvious. I personally would have enjoyed a bit more unraveling to discover certain truths/reveals. This is truly a personal preference as a reader for an already enjoyable read.
dorigray's review against another edition
funny
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Well written, laugh out loud funny, relatable (even if you've never been in an open relationship), interesting and informative. Open Minded is about two women: Holly, whose long term boyfriend suggests an open relationship before getting married and Fliss, who is in a successful long-term open relationship -- until her boyfriend suggests closing their relationship. They meet in a restaurant bathroom and become friends and advisors to each other as they navigate circumstances neither wants to be in.
The book switches perspectives from Holly to Fliss, and the cast of characters are well developed and feel real. You do get a sense of where the book is going with Holly and Fliss, but it doesn't take away from the story. Written with heart and (British!) humor, I recommend this book.
Thank you William Morrow Books and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
The book switches perspectives from Holly to Fliss, and the cast of characters are well developed and feel real. You do get a sense of where the book is going with Holly and Fliss, but it doesn't take away from the story. Written with heart and (British!) humor, I recommend this book.
Thank you William Morrow Books and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
shonataylor's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0