An Open Marriage: a bwwm interracial romance

by Sonia Bolden

I had no idea what I was missing.

When my husband approached me about an open marriage, I was appalled. I grew up in a strict conservative family, and he was my first lover. I believed he was my soulmate, so at first I was completely against the idea. Then I met Steve and had a change of heart.

Now my husband wants to end our open marriage “experiment,” but I don’t. I’m not sure I can because I’m enjoying myself too much. Steve is exciting, and I’m starting to believe that he’s my real soulmate—not my husband.

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2025

Reviews

[Amee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short novella, but surprisingly filled with a lot of plot! I’ll never understand men who push their partner for open relationships when she’s not into it. Someone better always comes along! And in the most unlikely places too. Definitely will read the previous books in series as I started reading with this one. Thanks to BookSirens for this fun ARC. My opinions are my own.

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unexpected surprise

I’ve been keeping up with this series and had no idea there was a new release. I thought the last book was the last in this series. To my happy surprise I’m glad the author was inspired to write another one. Michelle’s husband wants an open marriage. She is devastated. However, true love comes her way through this experiment in Steve. They had instant attraction and passion for one another. For them it was never an experiment but the makings of real love. Her husband soon realizes what he lost in Michelle. Usually, I’m not one for cheating stories but this author always makes it a situation where it’s clouds of grey and the connections are always deeper and free of superficial feelings. This one is a definite must read.

[CLorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Open Marriage: Cheating Hearts, Book 5 by Sonia Bolden is another look at the many computations of cheating. So far we have seen a husband give his wife a free pass due to his own many infidelities, ex-spouses cheat on their current partners, a committed woman and her cantankerous boss have an explosive encounter that becomes a love affair and in the fourth story, a couple finds their way back to each other, even though she has a whole husband😊! In Ms. Bolden’s latest book, An Open Marriage, Michelle is happily married to the only partner she has ever had; and she is sure that Barry is her soulmate. Subsequently, her entire world is tilted when Barry asks for an open marriage, feeling that this arrangement will bring some excitement and variety to their dynamic. Holding out hope that Barry will reconsider, Michelle finds herself in a place she never expected to be, waiting at home for her husband to return from a date! Despondent and hurt, Michelle tries to complete her normal tasks and takes her car in for servicing. She notices the handsome owner of the shop and speculates about approaching him as a candidate for her open marriage. While a dual POV story, we get most of our information from Michelle as she wrestles with her hurt feelings, her attraction to the attentive and kind Steve, and her misplaced loyalty to her disloyal husband. Steve had his own issues due to his dysfunctional upbringing; his father was a poor role model in his approach to romance. Steve emulated his father until he met and almost immediately fell for Michelle. Readers are aware that Barry on his best day was around a five on the attraction scale and he had in his possession a true “dime” in Michelle. Steve was not going to make the same mistake, and he let Michelle know in no uncertain terms that he valued her above all others! But when Barry comes out of his selfish fog (and of course he does) will he reclaim Michelle as solely his and send Steve back to a life of soulless and joyless connections? This book is one of my favorites in the series, Michelle and Steve were so right together, and while I was eager for Barry’s comeuppance, I did feel a bit sorry for him because he seriously ruined his whole life on what turned out to be a whim. Ms. Bolden gives us another cute, heartfelt book and reminds us that just sometimes cheaters DO win!
Favorite Lines”
Then if you love me, you’ll let me do this
“Sorry, sweetheart, but normal has left the building,”
“I was happy. I thought he was happy.”
Looking at him now, I can admit that he was fortunate to have found a woman like me.
I had never wanted to be claimed before, but that’s exactly what I had wanted.
“Would you believe me if I said I didn’t want you to go and I’ve never felt this way about a woman before?”
“Talk to him. Repair your relationship and get the memento.”
You were right. Opening our marriage didn’t turn out the way I expected.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

https://theretiredreader.com/f/an-ope...

[Salima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle and Barry have been married for years and Barry wants to have an open marriage so that he can basically sleep around. Not thinking that his wife may want to sleep with others. He was banking on her love for him that she would just wait around at home till he got his fill. Have his cake and eat it to. Well be careful what you wish you. Steve is a hot man that knows a good thing when he sees it. He sees Michelle and she sees him. Steve cherishes her and shows her how truly beautiful and special she is. Barry is not so happy anymore and wants them to stop their open marriage that he suggested. I guess Michelle found out the grass is greener on the other side.

Absolutely loved this book. Can’t wait to read more from the author!!!!

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Open Marriage was a good book that left me with mixed emotions. The main characters had a good marriage at least, it seemed like it, until the male lead wanted to explore other options. What he did not expect was for his wife to do the same. Sometimes, a good thing can open the door to great thing.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[SynergyQuest · Rating 4 out of 5]

interestimg

First, I only learned that this is a BW/WM romance after finishing this read. That is not evident while reading. There is little discussion about Steve's hair which might lead someone to assume he's white However, there is no indication that Michelle is black. That said, it's a good read about a topic I know little about. which made the concept interesting to me.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW, JUST WOW 🤔😲

Wow, what a story this one caught me off guard. Be careful what you wish for. This was a good read and a good storyline and good characters. I loved it and would absolutely recommend reading this book to anyone who enjoys getting a second chance at love again. This was quite an interesting story 🤔.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An addictive read. Predictable but enjoyable read. Would read more books from this author happily.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight

The story is fine. Is short so it kinda feels rushed but it still a good read. The gun part could’ve been left out.