OPEN

by Marisa Rae Dondlinger

When Alex and Lila married, they dreamed of having a big family. Fourteen years, two children, several miscarriages and a stillbirth later, Lila is devastated when Alex torpedoes that dream by getting a vasectomy without telling her. Alex, a doctor, doesn’t believe another pregnancy would be safe for her health or her heart. Lila shuts down—her body, mind, emotions—unable to cope with her guilt from the stillbirth, Alex’s betrayal, and her unrelenting ache for another child. They grow apart, functioning as little more than co-parents.

Trust broken, intimacy extinct, Alex proposes an open marriage. A proposal he quickly regrets. Guilt, frustration, and heartache shadow him after each hookup as he realizes there is no substitute for Lila. But it might be too late. Time apart from Alex drives Lila closer to Geneva, a dynamic, yet haunted woman who helps awaken Lila’s passion and voice. Secrets, sex and lies come to light, causing Alex and Lila to reassess their motives and desire to save their marriage.

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2021

About the author

Marisa Dondlinger lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two young daughters. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, Marisa practiced law for several years before devoting herself to writing fiction. She’s the author of three books, Scenes From a Bar, Open, and Gray Lines. When not writing, she enjoys reading, going for walks, and watching her daughters play sports.

Reviews

[Julie_Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bottom line::Communication is so important. Well written. The characters made me angry with their thoughts, decisions and lack of communication—-but this made it real as these are things that most people struggle with. Loved the Madison references.