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Lost in Austin #1
Up for Air
Am I happy? How would I know? What is the measure of happiness?
Deep thoughts to indulge on my birthday, while at a funeral. As I stare down into my grandfather-in-law’s grave, it’s all I can think about. When was the last time I felt truly happy with my life?
Those questions linger long after the funeral, eating away at my tranquility like a necrotic wound, until one night I finally ask my husband if we can open our marriage to "live a little." Surprisingly, he says yes.
I throw myself headlong into an adventure through the bars and bedrooms of Austin, Texas. For the first time in my life I’m living in the moment - sex and kink, karaoke and drink - new friends, new lovers, new boundaries to cross. It's all just innocent, no-strings fun...until I meet Alex. Alex changes everything.
During hedonistic self-discovery, have I stumbled across love?
Book one of the award-winning Lost in Austin series, Up for Air, is an unconventional romance that can be read as a standalone. It won several awards including the 2021 Good Sex Awards for “Sexiest Consent” and the 2021 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal for Romance – Sizzle.
Deep thoughts to indulge on my birthday, while at a funeral. As I stare down into my grandfather-in-law’s grave, it’s all I can think about. When was the last time I felt truly happy with my life?
Those questions linger long after the funeral, eating away at my tranquility like a necrotic wound, until one night I finally ask my husband if we can open our marriage to "live a little." Surprisingly, he says yes.
I throw myself headlong into an adventure through the bars and bedrooms of Austin, Texas. For the first time in my life I’m living in the moment - sex and kink, karaoke and drink - new friends, new lovers, new boundaries to cross. It's all just innocent, no-strings fun...until I meet Alex. Alex changes everything.
During hedonistic self-discovery, have I stumbled across love?
Book one of the award-winning Lost in Austin series, Up for Air, is an unconventional romance that can be read as a standalone. It won several awards including the 2021 Good Sex Awards for “Sexiest Consent” and the 2021 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal for Romance – Sizzle.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2021
511 people are currently reading
3724 people want to read
About the author
Christina Berry
12 books409 followersChristina Berry is an award-winning author of smart, smutty romance. A citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Christina is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and currently resides in Austin, Texas. When not writing, she can be found helping her husband with their never-ending home remodeling adventure or spoiling their amazing dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
January 9, 2025
I don’t know how many times I said it to myself while reading, but this is simply one of the best books I’ve ever read.
As a counsellor, I see a lot of cases where individuals feel an element of anxiety when they’ve settled down at a really young age. These people aren’t necessarily unhappy with their partners or their lives, but sometimes they’re just left wondering if there’s things that they’ve missed out on, and that’s what this book is generally about.
Ari’s story has an empowering and inspiring concept behind it. Ari is struggling with a sense of discomfort and claustrophobia from her very comfortable life. She realises there’s so many things that she’s yet to accomplish or to try, so she asks her husband for an open marriage. What follows is a lot of self-discovery and growth for Ari.
Not only as a counsellor, but as a reader as well, I felt really proud of the character. I was rooting for her the entire time, because I think it’s really important to know what’s out there in the world before you settle down into your later life.
I found Ari very relatable and wonderfully brilliant. Greg and Alex are both very in-depth and phenomenal characters alongside Ari as well.
This book has some amazingly raw steamy scenes. Some that are sweet and loving, others that are rough and passionate. It is definitely a book for mature audiences due to the adult themes and language, however, it think this is a book that anyone would enjoy.
I received this book for free thanks to Christina Berry, Black Rose Publishing ( @BRPublishing ) and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
As a counsellor, I see a lot of cases where individuals feel an element of anxiety when they’ve settled down at a really young age. These people aren’t necessarily unhappy with their partners or their lives, but sometimes they’re just left wondering if there’s things that they’ve missed out on, and that’s what this book is generally about.
Ari’s story has an empowering and inspiring concept behind it. Ari is struggling with a sense of discomfort and claustrophobia from her very comfortable life. She realises there’s so many things that she’s yet to accomplish or to try, so she asks her husband for an open marriage. What follows is a lot of self-discovery and growth for Ari.
Not only as a counsellor, but as a reader as well, I felt really proud of the character. I was rooting for her the entire time, because I think it’s really important to know what’s out there in the world before you settle down into your later life.
I found Ari very relatable and wonderfully brilliant. Greg and Alex are both very in-depth and phenomenal characters alongside Ari as well.
This book has some amazingly raw steamy scenes. Some that are sweet and loving, others that are rough and passionate. It is definitely a book for mature audiences due to the adult themes and language, however, it think this is a book that anyone would enjoy.
I received this book for free thanks to Christina Berry, Black Rose Publishing ( @BRPublishing ) and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
January 7, 2021
Ari is a woman in a completely fine but unfulfilling marriage, and we join her just as she is beginning to realize the extent of her unhappiness:
"If happiness is not binary, not black and white but rather a spectrum of gray, then what shade of gray am I? Am I charcoal, gunmetal, slate? Maybe my happiness is taupe. Is taupe even a shade of gray, or is it more of a beige? Hell, maybe my shade of happiness is beige. For f**k's sake, please don't let my happiness be beige."
The normality of Ari makes her easily relatable and engaging as we watch her open up her marriage and begin a period of new experiences: she dates, makes new friends, playfully pursues a bucket list of challenges, explores her sexuality, and pushes herself outside of her comfort zone.
This book was a compelling, steamy ride but the biggest impact on me was the unsettling REALNESS of the whole story. I usually read fantasy/sci-fi books so am used to navigating my way through new world building, but this book plopped me down into my own backyard, among a variety of characters that I felt I knew, and into situations that could have happened to anyone - and a lot of it hit too close to home for my comfort! The unnerving quality of reality did not fade but only got stronger as the book progressed and we accompanied Ari on her adventures, good and bad. I wanted to strangle both her and other characters at various times and force them to communicate more: as a reader I'm used to being simply fed the motivations and opinions of characters but just like reality you cannot change the nature of people nor force them to behave the way you want, no matter how much it would benefit them. The frustrations of real world relationships were irritating, but in the best way. I laughed, cringed, desired, related, and mourned as Ari. I was left with a rawness and vulnerability that took me completely by surprise.
The author did a fantastic job of keeping us on our toes, avoiding predictability while being so relatable. My loyalty swapped from husband to lovers to Ari being alone to her best friend (I was really rooting for Jake for most of the book!) - and I did not think that I'd be as satisfied with any ending as I was. I could not be more thrilled that more books will follow!
"If happiness is not binary, not black and white but rather a spectrum of gray, then what shade of gray am I? Am I charcoal, gunmetal, slate? Maybe my happiness is taupe. Is taupe even a shade of gray, or is it more of a beige? Hell, maybe my shade of happiness is beige. For f**k's sake, please don't let my happiness be beige."
The normality of Ari makes her easily relatable and engaging as we watch her open up her marriage and begin a period of new experiences: she dates, makes new friends, playfully pursues a bucket list of challenges, explores her sexuality, and pushes herself outside of her comfort zone.
This book was a compelling, steamy ride but the biggest impact on me was the unsettling REALNESS of the whole story. I usually read fantasy/sci-fi books so am used to navigating my way through new world building, but this book plopped me down into my own backyard, among a variety of characters that I felt I knew, and into situations that could have happened to anyone - and a lot of it hit too close to home for my comfort! The unnerving quality of reality did not fade but only got stronger as the book progressed and we accompanied Ari on her adventures, good and bad. I wanted to strangle both her and other characters at various times and force them to communicate more: as a reader I'm used to being simply fed the motivations and opinions of characters but just like reality you cannot change the nature of people nor force them to behave the way you want, no matter how much it would benefit them. The frustrations of real world relationships were irritating, but in the best way. I laughed, cringed, desired, related, and mourned as Ari. I was left with a rawness and vulnerability that took me completely by surprise.
The author did a fantastic job of keeping us on our toes, avoiding predictability while being so relatable. My loyalty swapped from husband to lovers to Ari being alone to her best friend (I was really rooting for Jake for most of the book!) - and I did not think that I'd be as satisfied with any ending as I was. I could not be more thrilled that more books will follow!
July 8, 2021
I’m still wondering if I read the same book as people on here who have rated it so highly . I finished it but really found it sugary, trite and utterly unrealistic .
May 28, 2021
This week, I finished “Up for Air” by Christina Berry. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ari has recently been taking stock of her life, her safe choices and her “goody two shoes” image. Married to Greg, she is content but wants more. She suggests opening their marriage, and he agrees.
What follows is a somewhat chaotic tumble through the bars of Austin, trying lots of new sexual experience with various partners. In the end, Ari finds love with Alex, a man she meets soon after she opens her marriage.
I appreciated that this book was approaching polyamory in a very open and affirming way. But it’s pretty clear that Ari and Greg’s marriage is doomed from the get-go. The two have been married for a while, so I had hoped for some more open and honest conversations between them. And frankly, there needed to be more clarity about safe sex for me. That’s one of the rules between the two and it’s an important one.
In the end, both Greg and Ari find love with another person, but they basically leave their marriage to enter into another monogamous relationship. I wish we heard more from Greg or about Greg. Overall, it was just hard for me to get very emotionally invested in any of the characters.
This book definitely had steam, and if you are interested in reading a story about trying an open marriage or learning new things about oneself through new sexual experiences, then you may enjoy this book!
Ari has recently been taking stock of her life, her safe choices and her “goody two shoes” image. Married to Greg, she is content but wants more. She suggests opening their marriage, and he agrees.
What follows is a somewhat chaotic tumble through the bars of Austin, trying lots of new sexual experience with various partners. In the end, Ari finds love with Alex, a man she meets soon after she opens her marriage.
I appreciated that this book was approaching polyamory in a very open and affirming way. But it’s pretty clear that Ari and Greg’s marriage is doomed from the get-go. The two have been married for a while, so I had hoped for some more open and honest conversations between them. And frankly, there needed to be more clarity about safe sex for me. That’s one of the rules between the two and it’s an important one.
In the end, both Greg and Ari find love with another person, but they basically leave their marriage to enter into another monogamous relationship. I wish we heard more from Greg or about Greg. Overall, it was just hard for me to get very emotionally invested in any of the characters.
This book definitely had steam, and if you are interested in reading a story about trying an open marriage or learning new things about oneself through new sexual experiences, then you may enjoy this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2021
[Snack-Size Review] Up For Air, by Christina Berry
Quick Bite: The hit of heat that we’ve all been craving.
What It’s About: Ari has always lived her life in safe mode - she’s married to her high school sweetheart, has never done drugs or been drunk, doesn’t even risk driving. But when she turns 29, she realizes that she is craving all the adventure she’s never let herself have, so she does the obvious thing: she asks her husband to open their marriage.
A Word From The Nerd: I don’t usually read romance, so I don’t have a lot to compare this book to, but let me just say that it is definitely some heat in the middle of the current deep freeze. Ari’s escapades range from the steamy to the scary to the side-splitting. It’s mostly but not all hearts and roses, is what I’m saying. Although I expected some scenes to go way darker (Ari regularly gets drunk while out on the town by herself), the scenes dealing with her marriage felt very real. And I must add that I’ve never been or wanted to go to Austin, but this love letter to the city has me rethinking my position.
The Nerd’s Rating: FOUR HAPPY NEURONS (and a polvorón, because they sound freakin delicious.)
Quick Bite: The hit of heat that we’ve all been craving.
What It’s About: Ari has always lived her life in safe mode - she’s married to her high school sweetheart, has never done drugs or been drunk, doesn’t even risk driving. But when she turns 29, she realizes that she is craving all the adventure she’s never let herself have, so she does the obvious thing: she asks her husband to open their marriage.
A Word From The Nerd: I don’t usually read romance, so I don’t have a lot to compare this book to, but let me just say that it is definitely some heat in the middle of the current deep freeze. Ari’s escapades range from the steamy to the scary to the side-splitting. It’s mostly but not all hearts and roses, is what I’m saying. Although I expected some scenes to go way darker (Ari regularly gets drunk while out on the town by herself), the scenes dealing with her marriage felt very real. And I must add that I’ve never been or wanted to go to Austin, but this love letter to the city has me rethinking my position.
The Nerd’s Rating: FOUR HAPPY NEURONS (and a polvorón, because they sound freakin delicious.)
April 28, 2021
I honestly cannot say a single bad thing about this book, which is extremely rare for me!
On some occasions I found sentences I may have worded differently, but it didn’t take anything away from the story and, my god, was it a good story!
I’d describe this book as 50 shades of grey with polyamory. The connection that Ari and Greg have is strong, but it is obvious it’s nothing compared to their other relationships. When Ari meets Alex, she truly feels like a person, not just a character.
I could not stop reading this book - chapter after chapter my interest never faltered.
I’m known for guessing the end of books with no spoilers, and right up until the last few pages, I had no idea whether Ari was going to stay with Greg, or if she’d end up with Alex.
I cannot recommend this book enough for any romance readers!
On some occasions I found sentences I may have worded differently, but it didn’t take anything away from the story and, my god, was it a good story!
I’d describe this book as 50 shades of grey with polyamory. The connection that Ari and Greg have is strong, but it is obvious it’s nothing compared to their other relationships. When Ari meets Alex, she truly feels like a person, not just a character.
I could not stop reading this book - chapter after chapter my interest never faltered.
I’m known for guessing the end of books with no spoilers, and right up until the last few pages, I had no idea whether Ari was going to stay with Greg, or if she’d end up with Alex.
I cannot recommend this book enough for any romance readers!
May 2, 2024
DNF -
First, as a clinical counselor I can tell you that open relationships do not work. An affair - whether sexual or emotional - is a major barrier closeness.
Ari is incredibly immature and selfish for a 29’year old woman. She is lucky enough to have been with one man since she was 17 years old, and a man who gives her orgasms 12 years later - that is a freaking dream to me.
She seems like a bored and spoiled child and I felt very sad for her husband Greg. I’m not sure if I will read his book (book #3), as this one really turned me off.
FYI, if you are bored in your marriage, go to couples counseling, a marriage retreat, or just get a book by a psychologist who can help give you advice about how you can improve your marriage all by yourself.
First, as a clinical counselor I can tell you that open relationships do not work. An affair - whether sexual or emotional - is a major barrier closeness.
Ari is incredibly immature and selfish for a 29’year old woman. She is lucky enough to have been with one man since she was 17 years old, and a man who gives her orgasms 12 years later - that is a freaking dream to me.
She seems like a bored and spoiled child and I felt very sad for her husband Greg. I’m not sure if I will read his book (book #3), as this one really turned me off.
FYI, if you are bored in your marriage, go to couples counseling, a marriage retreat, or just get a book by a psychologist who can help give you advice about how you can improve your marriage all by yourself.
July 17, 2025
This is a hard one to rate and review because I hated our narrator, Ari throughout the entirety of Up for Air. Like flames licking up my face, hate. She was the most selfish FMC I’ve read in quite a while and I was tempted to DNF each new chapter I came to. I didn’t because I wanted to see her redemption. Wanted to like and understand her, plus I had to know how it ended for her and her husband Greg. Spoiler alert: Not good.
Don’t get me wrong I knew from the blurb our fmc was opening her marriage up, but what I thought would be a fun, sexy story of a loving couple enhancing their already strong sex life, was more a relationship on the verge of dying. I was so sad the whole time Ari was living her “open” married life because I knew it was going to blow up in their faces. None of her exploits included her husband, nor his including her. Basically they took the sex out of their marriage and made themselves more like roommates coming and going. So much of what Ari was looking for, which she didn’t even know most of the book what it was she was missing, came at a pretty high priced. Based in Austin, Texas, Ari spends the next 6 or so months exploring all the things she missed out on settling down with her husband her senior year of high school. The author was very good at pulling you into the city of Austin itself and the after hours things it offers.
Don’t get me wrong, I married (and divorced) my high school sweetheart, and I was very inexperienced like Ari in well everything. So when my 20’s hit , I did feel like I missed out on things like Ari. The difference is I included my spouse in experiencing those new things together (Bars, clubs etc.). We tried to grow together, which when you get down to it is the secret of a good marriage…but I’m on marriage number 2, so maybe don’t listen to me. I digress… When Greg asked like 2 questions before agreeing to her idea….I found it unbelievable they only set two or so rules and boom like week later party time. Never discussed including each other or the mechanics of it… which may be why I didn’t think what they were doing was Polyamory, but I may have a different viewpoint…
I wish it was more a Stella Got Her Groove Back or Waiting to Exhale or something like that, where her spouse is a douche so you cheer for the new guy/girl, but Greg didn’t suck. I tried but he wasn’t a bad guy. He was a guy who’s wife gave him the green light for new tail. I really liked new guy Alex so it was hard to think Ari was deserving of him.
Ok, rant over. I gave book 4 stars because as much as I hated Ari and her wanting her cake and eating it too, it was written very well. I couldn’t put it down and I’ve DNF’d for not liking the main character. And it got me so incensed I wrote this long ass thing. Not sure if I’m sticking with series. Next book is Ari and Gregs BFF, Jake and then after Greg gets a book. We’ll have to see.
Don’t get me wrong I knew from the blurb our fmc was opening her marriage up, but what I thought would be a fun, sexy story of a loving couple enhancing their already strong sex life, was more a relationship on the verge of dying. I was so sad the whole time Ari was living her “open” married life because I knew it was going to blow up in their faces. None of her exploits included her husband, nor his including her. Basically they took the sex out of their marriage and made themselves more like roommates coming and going. So much of what Ari was looking for, which she didn’t even know most of the book what it was she was missing, came at a pretty high priced. Based in Austin, Texas, Ari spends the next 6 or so months exploring all the things she missed out on settling down with her husband her senior year of high school. The author was very good at pulling you into the city of Austin itself and the after hours things it offers.
Don’t get me wrong, I married (and divorced) my high school sweetheart, and I was very inexperienced like Ari in well everything. So when my 20’s hit , I did feel like I missed out on things like Ari. The difference is I included my spouse in experiencing those new things together (Bars, clubs etc.). We tried to grow together, which when you get down to it is the secret of a good marriage…but I’m on marriage number 2, so maybe don’t listen to me. I digress… When Greg asked like 2 questions before agreeing to her idea….I found it unbelievable they only set two or so rules and boom like week later party time. Never discussed including each other or the mechanics of it… which may be why I didn’t think what they were doing was Polyamory, but I may have a different viewpoint…
I wish it was more a Stella Got Her Groove Back or Waiting to Exhale or something like that, where her spouse is a douche so you cheer for the new guy/girl, but Greg didn’t suck. I tried but he wasn’t a bad guy. He was a guy who’s wife gave him the green light for new tail. I really liked new guy Alex so it was hard to think Ari was deserving of him.
Ok, rant over. I gave book 4 stars because as much as I hated Ari and her wanting her cake and eating it too, it was written very well. I couldn’t put it down and I’ve DNF’d for not liking the main character. And it got me so incensed I wrote this long ass thing. Not sure if I’m sticking with series. Next book is Ari and Gregs BFF, Jake and then after Greg gets a book. We’ll have to see.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2022
Remember to come up for air
The main character, Ari, annoyed me with her naivety. This is not a criticism. Berry has captured the personality of this 29yo female protagonist, who has led a sheltered life, perfectly. After all, that sheltered life is why Ari feels suffocated so of course she's not going to be the most mature woman as she embarks on this emotional and sensual journey of self-discovery.
Berry's narrative is richly descriptive and her sentences read like poetry. There was not one moment when I didn't know exactly how Ari was feeling, and I often felt it right in my bones. She has such a way with words!
Now, let's talk about the sex, because this novel won the 2021 Good Sex Award for "Sexiest Consent". The sex scenes were keep-your-vibrator-fully-charged erotic. They were is-it-hot-in-here-or-is-it-just-me? steamy. They were I-need-a-cold-drink-of-water spicy. One was also realistically horrible (I'm looking at you, Chris Nix) and still makes me shudder. But, back to the good stuff - yes, the consent scene was undeniably beautiful and well-deserving of the award.
Read this book. I've already downloaded the second in the series.
The main character, Ari, annoyed me with her naivety. This is not a criticism. Berry has captured the personality of this 29yo female protagonist, who has led a sheltered life, perfectly. After all, that sheltered life is why Ari feels suffocated so of course she's not going to be the most mature woman as she embarks on this emotional and sensual journey of self-discovery.
Berry's narrative is richly descriptive and her sentences read like poetry. There was not one moment when I didn't know exactly how Ari was feeling, and I often felt it right in my bones. She has such a way with words!
Now, let's talk about the sex, because this novel won the 2021 Good Sex Award for "Sexiest Consent". The sex scenes were keep-your-vibrator-fully-charged erotic. They were is-it-hot-in-here-or-is-it-just-me? steamy. They were I-need-a-cold-drink-of-water spicy. One was also realistically horrible (I'm looking at you, Chris Nix) and still makes me shudder. But, back to the good stuff - yes, the consent scene was undeniably beautiful and well-deserving of the award.
Read this book. I've already downloaded the second in the series.
December 15, 2021
As the blurb suggests, Ari is unhappy in life. She feels that if her and her husband Greg, has an open marriage, this will help her discover what’s missing. So Ari sets out on a life-changing journey of self discovery.
This is a really well written book. I was engaged the whole time. I couldn’t put the book down. This story is about having the courage to change your life if you aren’t happy. It’s sexy, and funny, and romantic. You can’t help but fall in love with every character in this book. I can not wait for the next book in this series! I’m so glad I discovered a new favorite author!
This is a really well written book. I was engaged the whole time. I couldn’t put the book down. This story is about having the courage to change your life if you aren’t happy. It’s sexy, and funny, and romantic. You can’t help but fall in love with every character in this book. I can not wait for the next book in this series! I’m so glad I discovered a new favorite author!
December 30, 2020
Well written. Clever, sweet, definitely passionate. Ari is a curious and gentle soul, with a heavy dollop of picante sauce on the side.
June 29, 2021
🖤 Just a heads up... my reviews are
not spoiler free 🖤
4 sexy ⭐ for this gem!
This is a story where a married couple, Greg and Ari, agree to open their marriage in order to engage in sexual relationship with others. They both fuck with other people but we read Ari's pov. If you get triggered by married women playing around with other men..well..think it again before you read this.
What these two are doing, of course comes with risks for their marriage, their relationship and their emotions. In the beginning everything goes well and they both fuck around, but later...they both find a significant person who makes them question their decision to open their marriage. Because they thought that it will be safe. It was gonna be only sex. Now though? Emotions are through the roof.
The sexy scenes were good. They were not super explicit or long because the author concentrated more on the whole "open marriage" issue but they were definitely hot and well written.
Alex is the man who stirs the deepest emotions within Ari. She is afraid of the feelings that are growing between them. Alex is not having sex with Ari until the very end because as he says..she's not gonna get in his pants until she gives him her heart.
What annoyed me in this? Let me tell you. I was not bothered by the whole I'm-not-gonna-fuck-you-yet attitude. What bothered me is that their sex happened literally in the last 2 pages of the book. How is this gonna be ever enough!? 🙈
You see, I really liked Alex and I wasn't very happy with the fact that their steamy moments came at the VERY end 🙈. I wanted them earlier. I wanted them to be longer. 🙈 I think the story overall needed more Alex. He was mentioned a little bit at the beginning and then he was mentioned again towards the end. What!?
I.WANTED.MORE.OF.HIM. 😈
Maybe I liked him that much that even a book dedicated to him wouldn't be enough 🤷😂
Anyways, that was a great book with a passionate story and I'm sure that whoever reads it, will enjoy it.🖤
* I don't own the pictures, just the edit*
December 22, 2020
**I received this book for free to read and review from NetGalley.
Simply one of the best books I’ve ever read, and I’ve read hundreds of books. As someone who has gone through romantic uncertainty and dabbled with polyamory in my life, Ariana rings true, so true it’s painful at times. I had to put down my e-reader several times during the book to...wait for it, come up for air myself.
There are no cliches in thus book; only realities of the characters in it, mainly the lead character Ariana who tells the story.
This is the first book I read by Christina Berry, but I will be looking up her other writings and seeking them out as she weaved an intricate quilt of raw human emotions with intelligent and artistic excellence. One technical praise is the mastery of telling the story from the first person point of view in the present tense, which is difficult to perfect in most cases, but Miss Berry nailed it, she nailed it to the wall and left me clapping and howling “Brava!” in my head.
My other favourite aspect is incorporating the city of Austin in the book; I live in Houston and am a frequent visitor to Austin and, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, that rings true as well.
Excellent book.
Simply one of the best books I’ve ever read, and I’ve read hundreds of books. As someone who has gone through romantic uncertainty and dabbled with polyamory in my life, Ariana rings true, so true it’s painful at times. I had to put down my e-reader several times during the book to...wait for it, come up for air myself.
There are no cliches in thus book; only realities of the characters in it, mainly the lead character Ariana who tells the story.
This is the first book I read by Christina Berry, but I will be looking up her other writings and seeking them out as she weaved an intricate quilt of raw human emotions with intelligent and artistic excellence. One technical praise is the mastery of telling the story from the first person point of view in the present tense, which is difficult to perfect in most cases, but Miss Berry nailed it, she nailed it to the wall and left me clapping and howling “Brava!” in my head.
My other favourite aspect is incorporating the city of Austin in the book; I live in Houston and am a frequent visitor to Austin and, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, that rings true as well.
Excellent book.
April 9, 2022
So Many Mixed Feelings
4.5 Stars
Admittedly I stayed up two nights in a row until my eyes blurred trying to figure out how this would turn out.
My thoughts are all over the place. I wanted to love Ari and pretty upset that I don’t. I see it as using the “open marriage” concept as an excuse with her contradictory thoughts and actions. By definition, an open marriage is an exploration of ones need to test themselves and their limitations and since Greg was her one and only, it made sense. But going into a “label” without rules was a recipe for disaster because they agreed that they, Ari and Greg were the most important thing. I don’t trust Ari. Alex is a brand new toy, the second serious relationship that is only a couple of weeks old. I’m sorry, I am #teamGreg and my heart breaks for him. I wanted his POV especially after the awkward encounter with Kate at the restaurant, I don't feel enough was told about the dissolving of the marriage that was happening right before your eyes and for this reason, I gave it four stars I want his book more than Jakes right now but I will take what I can get. I did love the relationship between the three best friends, Ari, Gre
4.5 Stars
Admittedly I stayed up two nights in a row until my eyes blurred trying to figure out how this would turn out.
My thoughts are all over the place. I wanted to love Ari and pretty upset that I don’t. I see it as using the “open marriage” concept as an excuse with her contradictory thoughts and actions. By definition, an open marriage is an exploration of ones need to test themselves and their limitations and since Greg was her one and only, it made sense. But going into a “label” without rules was a recipe for disaster because they agreed that they, Ari and Greg were the most important thing. I don’t trust Ari. Alex is a brand new toy, the second serious relationship that is only a couple of weeks old. I’m sorry, I am #teamGreg and my heart breaks for him. I wanted his POV especially after the awkward encounter with Kate at the restaurant, I don't feel enough was told about the dissolving of the marriage that was happening right before your eyes and for this reason, I gave it four stars I want his book more than Jakes right now but I will take what I can get. I did love the relationship between the three best friends, Ari, Gre
April 13, 2021
When I first stumbled upon Christina Berry / Up for Air on Instagram, I was super excited because it has a similar trope to my latest release—an exploration of polyamory between a married couple. But Up for Air is in a league of its own. Berry's writing shines, and the relationships among the three main characters (Ari, Greg, Jake), their arguments and behaviors, are all too real. Ari's struggles to come into her own are also relatable. The bit about being driven everywhere by other people despite having a license? IT ME, and for much the same reasons. And the sex was ample, and sizzling! There's even a slight smattering of kink. None of it is gratuitous, as each liaison teaches Ari more about herself and her self-worth. If you're looking for a modern romance (which takes place in 2005, btw, so it's modern but also a trip to the past!), check out Up for Air. I'm definitely looking forward to the next books about Jake and Greg!
December 21, 2020
Wow....I don’t even know where to start or what to say about this book. Up for Air by Christina Berry starts with a funeral and ends with a re-birth so to speak. Ariana feels like she has become complacent in life and in her marriage. So her and her husband, Greg decide to open their marriage. What follows are some steamy scenes and a self-proclaimed bucket list for Ariana. Little did she realize though, that her first night out on the town with this open marriage she would be meet Alex and he would change her world as she knew it. This book completely took me off guard. I think in the back of many married women’s minds they always wonder what it’d be like to do something like this. It’s a new and interesting twist on a romance novel, that’s for sure! Since I got this as an ARC through NetGalley from the publisher, I have to say, it was new, hot and a unique read.
September 26, 2021
This is an astonishing book.
I wasn't quite sure how the subject would pan out but it kept me engrossed. Ari has only ever known one man, her husband, but feels like her life is already over. She feels suffocated even though she loves her husband, and wants to experience more out of life. She suggests they open up their marriage but neither of them really know how it works or what to expect. A lot of Up for Air is uncomfortable reading, and this is what makes it so powerful. It's not a fantasy, it's a clear and sometimes traumatic depiction of the highs and lows of casual encounters and falling in and out of love.
It's also brilliantly written and well deserving of all the awards it has won! Highly recommended reading.
I wasn't quite sure how the subject would pan out but it kept me engrossed. Ari has only ever known one man, her husband, but feels like her life is already over. She feels suffocated even though she loves her husband, and wants to experience more out of life. She suggests they open up their marriage but neither of them really know how it works or what to expect. A lot of Up for Air is uncomfortable reading, and this is what makes it so powerful. It's not a fantasy, it's a clear and sometimes traumatic depiction of the highs and lows of casual encounters and falling in and out of love.
It's also brilliantly written and well deserving of all the awards it has won! Highly recommended reading.
January 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this book (although the second was the one that really got me). I loved the main character's exploration beyond her marriage but at times she did wind me up a bit. I felt really torn over her husband but I hope he has a HEA. Overall this was a superb romance read with spicy moments that will have you thigh clenching!
August 9, 2021
Love love love!
Although this book took me a little out of my comfort zone - I couldn’t help but be captivated in the story. I felt the emotions of every single character involved. I laughed, yelled and almost cried but my god, I loved it.
I can’t wait to read Jake’s story!
Although this book took me a little out of my comfort zone - I couldn’t help but be captivated in the story. I felt the emotions of every single character involved. I laughed, yelled and almost cried but my god, I loved it.
I can’t wait to read Jake’s story!
October 14, 2021
I am speechless
Sometimes a book comes along that keeps you up all night turning pages after page. This was that book.
The emotional rollercoaster, the passion, the journey, just. Wow.
Sometimes a book comes along that keeps you up all night turning pages after page. This was that book.
The emotional rollercoaster, the passion, the journey, just. Wow.
Want to read
January 23, 2024🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/18/2021)! 🎁
April 7, 2023
Reads like horny/angst fanfiction (the beloved kind to which you'll return time and again because it's touching and wholesome in ways you didn't expect.
August 18, 2023
Ah-Mazing ♡
I can't get over the fact that this is a debut novel it was so good. Honestly the angst was so real this book it had me in so many feels 🥺 I can't wait to read the other stories in this series.
On the outside Ariana has it all the perfect husband, job and life but on the inside she's drowning. Marrying at a young age Ari feels like she hasn't experienced life, she's never even been drunk and she's pushing thirty. It never bothered her before but as she sits at her husband's grandfathers funeral someone who often spoke of all his life's adventures she realizes she's had none. She loves her husband but she also wants the freedom to explore all life has to offer and so she asks for an open marriage, after setting some ground rules they both reluctantly agree.
Their relationship quickly changes as they both begin to explore outside the marriage but whilst Ari looks at everything as fun as she has one night stands her husband starts seeing his assistant something Ari wasn't prepared for. She thought they were just having fun but jealousy starts to enter on both sides.
When it all began, on her first night out she met Alex they connected shared a drunken kiss and went their separate ways she'd hoped to see him again but in her six months since her open marriage she never did. By the time their paths do eventually cross again Ari is not the same shy girl he met that night she's had a taste of a different life. Alex confesses that meeting her changed everything for him and he felt a connection he hasn't been able to forget.
The problem is that Ari can't deny the connection she feels too but admitting that feels like heading into troubled waters. When does her marriage start to feel like the lie and what she feels with Alex real.
She never started this adventure to end her marriage but eventually she's going to have to face the fact that maybe it was the beginning of the end for her and her first love. ♡
Definitely Recommend Reading 📚
I can't get over the fact that this is a debut novel it was so good. Honestly the angst was so real this book it had me in so many feels 🥺 I can't wait to read the other stories in this series.
On the outside Ariana has it all the perfect husband, job and life but on the inside she's drowning. Marrying at a young age Ari feels like she hasn't experienced life, she's never even been drunk and she's pushing thirty. It never bothered her before but as she sits at her husband's grandfathers funeral someone who often spoke of all his life's adventures she realizes she's had none. She loves her husband but she also wants the freedom to explore all life has to offer and so she asks for an open marriage, after setting some ground rules they both reluctantly agree.
Their relationship quickly changes as they both begin to explore outside the marriage but whilst Ari looks at everything as fun as she has one night stands her husband starts seeing his assistant something Ari wasn't prepared for. She thought they were just having fun but jealousy starts to enter on both sides.
When it all began, on her first night out she met Alex they connected shared a drunken kiss and went their separate ways she'd hoped to see him again but in her six months since her open marriage she never did. By the time their paths do eventually cross again Ari is not the same shy girl he met that night she's had a taste of a different life. Alex confesses that meeting her changed everything for him and he felt a connection he hasn't been able to forget.
The problem is that Ari can't deny the connection she feels too but admitting that feels like heading into troubled waters. When does her marriage start to feel like the lie and what she feels with Alex real.
She never started this adventure to end her marriage but eventually she's going to have to face the fact that maybe it was the beginning of the end for her and her first love. ♡
Definitely Recommend Reading 📚
September 18, 2022
WOW. That was my first reaction after finishing this book.
It is incredibly honest and the intensity of it blew me away.
.
Ari is feeling stagnant in life despite having “it all” good job, loving husband, place to call home, Family etc. But there’s something missing in her life and she doesn’t really know what it is. One day out of the clear blue nowhere she tells Greg that she wants to open their marriage. Greg is understandably taken aback and shocked at first but then once they talk out some particulars he gives the green light for both of them to start seeing what else and who else is out there.
Ari is shocked and honestly I’m not even sure that an open marriage was what she was really wanting but she was craving change and excitement so I guess that’s one way to go about it.
What happens next is just…..wow……
Ari’s first night out she meets Alex who instantly captivates her in more ways than one. At the end of the night she’s left with a kiss and a feeling that she just can’t shake.
The experiences she has over the next months change her and start to change Greg too. Even though they swore not to lose sight of each other and their marriage that’s not exactly what happens. After a couple really awkward and embarrassing encounters with Greg’s “side girl” you start to think “Yep they’re gonna end this whole thing and go back to the way things were”
NOPE. Not even a little bit.
When feelings start evolving into something completely different they are faced with the decision of “what do we really want?”
.
I swear this was the most raw and honest book about the troubles that some couples face and how they find their way through them.
The ending was incredible and not what I was expecting at all.
This is book one in a series and I’m extremely excited for the next!
.
5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3/5🌶🌶🌶
.
It is incredibly honest and the intensity of it blew me away.
.
Ari is feeling stagnant in life despite having “it all” good job, loving husband, place to call home, Family etc. But there’s something missing in her life and she doesn’t really know what it is. One day out of the clear blue nowhere she tells Greg that she wants to open their marriage. Greg is understandably taken aback and shocked at first but then once they talk out some particulars he gives the green light for both of them to start seeing what else and who else is out there.
Ari is shocked and honestly I’m not even sure that an open marriage was what she was really wanting but she was craving change and excitement so I guess that’s one way to go about it.
What happens next is just…..wow……
Ari’s first night out she meets Alex who instantly captivates her in more ways than one. At the end of the night she’s left with a kiss and a feeling that she just can’t shake.
The experiences she has over the next months change her and start to change Greg too. Even though they swore not to lose sight of each other and their marriage that’s not exactly what happens. After a couple really awkward and embarrassing encounters with Greg’s “side girl” you start to think “Yep they’re gonna end this whole thing and go back to the way things were”
NOPE. Not even a little bit.
When feelings start evolving into something completely different they are faced with the decision of “what do we really want?”
.
I swear this was the most raw and honest book about the troubles that some couples face and how they find their way through them.
The ending was incredible and not what I was expecting at all.
This is book one in a series and I’m extremely excited for the next!
.
5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3/5🌶🌶🌶
.
July 11, 2021
Christina Berry’s Up For Air is the tale of one woman’s quest to breathe, feel free, and essentially find herself as realizes she is suffocating in her marriage. Ari loves her husband but is honest with herself and with him enough to admit she needs, wants more. This leads to an agreement to venture into an open marriage. This unchartered territory is told in an enticing and intriguing way. Berry also uses Ari’s foray into an open marriage as a means of introducing readers to the Austin night-life scene and the eclectic cast of characters that inhabit the bars and clubs after dark. She expertly weaves this scene and group of secondary characters that usher Ari into this new lifestyle in a way that leaves the reader wanting to know as much about their lives and backstory as we want to know about Ari herself. This book will make you want to wander through the same bars hoping to meet some of Ari’s cohorts.
I love the way Berry keeps readers laughing, aroused with the right amount of heat, and yet keeps the story grounded in the seriousness of Ari and her husband, Greg’s marriage experiment. Despite the fun and newness of the bedroom drama, the gravity of what is at stake is never minimized or glossed over. As we see this marriage change, we get to see Ari develop feelings for another, an unintended side effect of Ari’s first night in the Austin bar scene. As that relationship boils over and feelings reach extremes Ari never anticipated, readers are left on the edge of their seat rooting for Ari’s happiness and waiting for her to come up for air, take that breath, and feel alive for the first time. Invigorating, surprising, and a perfect mix of sex, rock and roll, and love.
I love the way Berry keeps readers laughing, aroused with the right amount of heat, and yet keeps the story grounded in the seriousness of Ari and her husband, Greg’s marriage experiment. Despite the fun and newness of the bedroom drama, the gravity of what is at stake is never minimized or glossed over. As we see this marriage change, we get to see Ari develop feelings for another, an unintended side effect of Ari’s first night in the Austin bar scene. As that relationship boils over and feelings reach extremes Ari never anticipated, readers are left on the edge of their seat rooting for Ari’s happiness and waiting for her to come up for air, take that breath, and feel alive for the first time. Invigorating, surprising, and a perfect mix of sex, rock and roll, and love.
January 8, 2022
Up for Air
Overall: 2/5
Plot: 1/5
Detail: 3/5
Continuity: 3/5
Character development: 1/5
Character Chemistry: 1/5
Spice: 4/5
Just for clarification, this didn’t get four out five for spice because it was a steamy, thigh-clenching book. It got four out of five because of the amount of boring, pointless sex the author dumped into the book.
This book annoyed me.
Juvenile writing, dialogue, and characters. There was no chemistry between any characters, not even the supposed best friends.
It was flat, and if it weren’t for my determination to not DNF a book in 2022, I wouldn’t have finished.
How this won an award, I will never understand.
The characters are immature and lack any depth or growth throughout the entire book.
I read reviews about how wonderful this was and that Ari was strong for finding herself, but that is not what I read.
Ari was a selfish irritant of a character. The husband is an insignificant afterthought who wasn’t developed at all. Jake was also an underdeveloped character with no real purpose, but his minimal appearances provided a sliver of personality to the book. It’s the only reason I gave this two stars instead of one.
There is a barrage of undeveloped relationships you're just supposed to be invested in. The entire book is telling, and there was little to no showing to draw me in as a reader.
This book failed at heartfelt moments and what I assume were supposed to be humorous moments.
I rolled my eyes and cringed at least once a paragraph--needless to say, my head is killing me now.
I wouldn’t recommend this book on any level for any reason.
Overall: 2/5
Plot: 1/5
Detail: 3/5
Continuity: 3/5
Character development: 1/5
Character Chemistry: 1/5
Spice: 4/5
Just for clarification, this didn’t get four out five for spice because it was a steamy, thigh-clenching book. It got four out of five because of the amount of boring, pointless sex the author dumped into the book.
This book annoyed me.
Juvenile writing, dialogue, and characters. There was no chemistry between any characters, not even the supposed best friends.
It was flat, and if it weren’t for my determination to not DNF a book in 2022, I wouldn’t have finished.
How this won an award, I will never understand.
The characters are immature and lack any depth or growth throughout the entire book.
I read reviews about how wonderful this was and that Ari was strong for finding herself, but that is not what I read.
Ari was a selfish irritant of a character. The husband is an insignificant afterthought who wasn’t developed at all. Jake was also an underdeveloped character with no real purpose, but his minimal appearances provided a sliver of personality to the book. It’s the only reason I gave this two stars instead of one.
There is a barrage of undeveloped relationships you're just supposed to be invested in. The entire book is telling, and there was little to no showing to draw me in as a reader.
This book failed at heartfelt moments and what I assume were supposed to be humorous moments.
I rolled my eyes and cringed at least once a paragraph--needless to say, my head is killing me now.
I wouldn’t recommend this book on any level for any reason.
September 30, 2022
📖 𝕖𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 📖
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚: 𝘜𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘈𝘪𝘳
𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧: 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘉𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘍𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯
𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨: 338
𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙜: 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘺 - 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘜𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘈𝘪𝘳
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
*** Thank you to the author @authorchristinaberry and @katieandbreypa for giving me a change to read this book.**
___________💭𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜💭_____________
"𝘐𝘧 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘮 𝘐? 𝘈𝘮 𝘐 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘭, 𝘨𝘶𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭, 𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦? 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘱𝘦. 𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘱𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘺, 𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘦? 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘦... 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘦."
𝙐𝙥 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙞𝙧 is a story of one woman’s quest to breathe, feel free, and essentially find herself as realizes she is suffocating in her marriage. Ari loves her husband but is honest with herself and with him enough to admit she needs and wants more in life. This leads to an agreement to venture into an open marriage.
This book was a compelling and a steamy one, but the biggest impact on me was the unsettling realness of the whole story. To be honest, at times I wanted to strangle Ari and other characters and force them to communicate more lol. Reading this book absolutely transported me into its world. I felt like I was totally immersed in Ari's life. The characters are so authentic and complex, it seemed like I was reading about real people.
I have to admit at times I was getting a bit bored and just wanted to stop reading because the story felt a little repetitive, but I am glad I read this book to the very end because I was surprised where this book went because outcomes I expected were not what happened.
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚: 𝘜𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘈𝘪𝘳
𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧: 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘉𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘍𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯
𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨: 338
𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙜: 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘺 - 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘜𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘈𝘪𝘳
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
*** Thank you to the author @authorchristinaberry and @katieandbreypa for giving me a change to read this book.**
___________💭𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜💭_____________
"𝘐𝘧 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘮 𝘐? 𝘈𝘮 𝘐 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘭, 𝘨𝘶𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭, 𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦? 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘱𝘦. 𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘱𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘺, 𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘦? 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘦... 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘦."
𝙐𝙥 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙞𝙧 is a story of one woman’s quest to breathe, feel free, and essentially find herself as realizes she is suffocating in her marriage. Ari loves her husband but is honest with herself and with him enough to admit she needs and wants more in life. This leads to an agreement to venture into an open marriage.
This book was a compelling and a steamy one, but the biggest impact on me was the unsettling realness of the whole story. To be honest, at times I wanted to strangle Ari and other characters and force them to communicate more lol. Reading this book absolutely transported me into its world. I felt like I was totally immersed in Ari's life. The characters are so authentic and complex, it seemed like I was reading about real people.
I have to admit at times I was getting a bit bored and just wanted to stop reading because the story felt a little repetitive, but I am glad I read this book to the very end because I was surprised where this book went because outcomes I expected were not what happened.
January 21, 2021
Overall Rating = 4.75
Storyline & Concept = 5
Writing & Delivery = 4.75
Editorial = 4.5
Feeling trapped in a stale relationship, Arianna suggests to her husband that they open their marriage. When he accepts, she is faced with the realities, joys, and complications of the decision. Up for Air is the first novel in the Lost in Austin series by Christina Berry.
The protagonist in this entertaining and riveting novel needed to brace herself for the adventures she discovered in her headlong dive into sex and hedonism, and so does the reader. Although this story can be funny, frolicking, and carefree, it also explores relationships between couples, friends, and complete strangers. The excellent character development gives us an insight into Ari’s journey from a quiet, slightly naïve woman who married young to someone who casts her fears and doubts aside to embrace new experiences. Although some of those experiences could be accompanied by a warning label, if the author set out to convey the message to live life to the fullest and to follow your heart, she succeeded in spades.
It should be noted that this novel would merit an R rating for sensitive readers. For those who are less sensitive, grab a copy and enjoy!
Sublime Line: “Up for Air is a raunchy, rollicking, and thoroughly entertaining story with a heart-wrenching undercurrent of love and romance.”
Storyline & Concept = 5
Writing & Delivery = 4.75
Editorial = 4.5
Feeling trapped in a stale relationship, Arianna suggests to her husband that they open their marriage. When he accepts, she is faced with the realities, joys, and complications of the decision. Up for Air is the first novel in the Lost in Austin series by Christina Berry.
The protagonist in this entertaining and riveting novel needed to brace herself for the adventures she discovered in her headlong dive into sex and hedonism, and so does the reader. Although this story can be funny, frolicking, and carefree, it also explores relationships between couples, friends, and complete strangers. The excellent character development gives us an insight into Ari’s journey from a quiet, slightly naïve woman who married young to someone who casts her fears and doubts aside to embrace new experiences. Although some of those experiences could be accompanied by a warning label, if the author set out to convey the message to live life to the fullest and to follow your heart, she succeeded in spades.
It should be noted that this novel would merit an R rating for sensitive readers. For those who are less sensitive, grab a copy and enjoy!
Sublime Line: “Up for Air is a raunchy, rollicking, and thoroughly entertaining story with a heart-wrenching undercurrent of love and romance.”
February 6, 2021
I had no idea what to expect from this book going into it, except for perhaps some steamy scenes – and it most definitely delivered in this regard. WOW. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Ari and Greg have been happily married for twelve years, but lately the “happily” part seems to be in question. Ari knows she loves Greg, but she isn’t too happy with their stagnant life together. Putting together a bucket list of out-of-her-comfort-zone things to do, Ari and Greg agree to open their marriage in order to explore the life they haven’t been living. But what they face is far from what they ever expected.
This read was captivating. I read it in a single day and needed to see what happened and what other situations Ari found herself in (although I could have done without Nick… ugh). But it wasn’t until the story shifted to Ari and Alex that I found myself truly in love with the story. I wanted more of them, but once we meet Alex – for more than one night – it almost seems as though the book ends too quickly.
This book, while incredibly steamy (seriously, once things get going, there’s a sex scene to some capacity in every chapter it seems), covers topics of happiness, finding oneself, and the potential outcome of a relationship that hasn’t grown alongside the people within it. It's about suffocating when you should otherwise feel alive. Filled with love for one another, Ari and Greg have to figure out what to do when they realize their relationship might not come first anymore.
Ari and Greg have been happily married for twelve years, but lately the “happily” part seems to be in question. Ari knows she loves Greg, but she isn’t too happy with their stagnant life together. Putting together a bucket list of out-of-her-comfort-zone things to do, Ari and Greg agree to open their marriage in order to explore the life they haven’t been living. But what they face is far from what they ever expected.
This read was captivating. I read it in a single day and needed to see what happened and what other situations Ari found herself in (although I could have done without Nick… ugh). But it wasn’t until the story shifted to Ari and Alex that I found myself truly in love with the story. I wanted more of them, but once we meet Alex – for more than one night – it almost seems as though the book ends too quickly.
This book, while incredibly steamy (seriously, once things get going, there’s a sex scene to some capacity in every chapter it seems), covers topics of happiness, finding oneself, and the potential outcome of a relationship that hasn’t grown alongside the people within it. It's about suffocating when you should otherwise feel alive. Filled with love for one another, Ari and Greg have to figure out what to do when they realize their relationship might not come first anymore.
December 10, 2025
Ari is suffocating in her life. After the death of grandpa chuck she starts questioning her life. Realizing she’s not happy or unhappy but numb, she decides to make changes starting with asking her husband for an open marriage. It’s an interesting journey of Ari trying to discover her joy with out breaking all the men in her life or herself for this matter. Not sure where I expected this story to go but I like where it went. I kind of wish it had gotten there sooner and stayed longer because whew. I was getting a little bored 1/3 of the the way threw because Ari’s repetitiveness in both her personal actions and reactions to the choices she made when confronted with the other side. There were occasions I was screaming at her because REALLY!!! I am glad I powered through because was surprised where this book went because outcomes I expected were not what happened.
Adding that I listened to this book as an audiobook and the narrators do a great job capturing the characters but honestly it just made me dislike Ari even more. The female narrator does such a great job capturing her whiny self absorbed no regard for any one else but her self attitude that I was once again yelling at her (Ari) because she was expecting everyone to accept her and her choices but got mad when Greg did exactly what she asked him to do or got mad when anyone didn’t 100% agree with her. Honestly Greg was a Saint in that book and she didn’t deserve him at all.
Adding that I listened to this book as an audiobook and the narrators do a great job capturing the characters but honestly it just made me dislike Ari even more. The female narrator does such a great job capturing her whiny self absorbed no regard for any one else but her self attitude that I was once again yelling at her (Ari) because she was expecting everyone to accept her and her choices but got mad when Greg did exactly what she asked him to do or got mad when anyone didn’t 100% agree with her. Honestly Greg was a Saint in that book and she didn’t deserve him at all.
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