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Permission: Can your marriage survive if you’re both sleeping with other people?
Can your marriage survive if you're both sleeping with other people?After more than 20 years of marriage, Fay and Steve are happy enough, though life's become routine and lacks excitement. Fay believes an open relationship could reignite the spark they've lost. But can sex ever just be sex?
Steve eventually agrees to the idea of sleeping with other people, but first they must set some ground rules; no sex with friends, no telling the kids, and a limit on how many times they can see the same person. Can their marriage survive non-monogamy - even if they have permission?
From the author of Ridley Road, now a major BBC TV drama.
Steve eventually agrees to the idea of sleeping with other people, but first they must set some ground rules; no sex with friends, no telling the kids, and a limit on how many times they can see the same person. Can their marriage survive non-monogamy - even if they have permission?
From the author of Ridley Road, now a major BBC TV drama.
- GenresFiction
272 pages, Paperback
Published July 28, 2022
About the author
Jo Bloom
3 books4 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Jo's debut novel, Ridley Road, was published in 2014 and adapted into a major four-part series for BBC One in 2021. Jo has worked as a freelancer in the communications field for over twenty years, with a focus on arts publicity and e-learning. She also contributed to the book review section of Time Out, London for a few years. Prior to this, she lived and worked in Prague and New York. She now lives in Brighton with her family. Permission is Jo’s first contemporary novel.
Jo's debut novel, Ridley Road, was published in 2014 and adapted into a major four-part series for BBC One in 2021. Jo has worked as a freelancer in the communications field for over twenty years, with a focus on arts publicity and e-learning. She also contributed to the book review section of Time Out, London for a few years. Prior to this, she lived and worked in Prague and New York. She now lives in Brighton with her family. Permission is Jo’s first contemporary novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 9, 2022
My review is on my website https://bookread2day.wordpress.com/20...
Today I’m shouting loudly Permission by Jo Bloom is the perfect book choice for book clubs to discuss, and for all book bloggers.
Can you even imagine being married for 20 years when when your partner suggests after having sex, to try an open relationship. How would you feel? I would be absolutely livid.
Faye and Steve are happy enough after being married for 20 years. After one evening of them having great intense sex, Faye asked her husband have you ever thought what it would be like to have an open relationship? Just try something different? Faye loves her husband but she is the force behind this as she likes the idea of a little sexual adventure.
I got the feeling that Faye here seems to pulling all the strings, being the boss making this decision, that her and her husband should have sex with different partners. After Faye went to a catholic school, I couldn’t quite believe that she has thought up this idea having sex with a stranger.
However for Steve he is not into this kind of thing that his wife wants him to do. For Faye it might be an easy thing to do having sex with someone else, considering she fancies a guy at her spin class.
Before Faye starts having sex with anyone, Steve is quite savvy he prints out some rules for consensual non-monogamy that Faye must sign.
To me they both seemed to have a happy sex life.
Having an open relationship will this help Faye and Steve to grow closer? Could this recharge their sex life? I couldn’t wait to read on to find out how this was going to plan out.
I highly recommend reading Permission by Jo Bloom, as we always think this type of thing having an open relationship would come from a man’s point of view, so I loved it that the table was turned and twisted by a wife who wants the open relationship.
Today I’m shouting loudly Permission by Jo Bloom is the perfect book choice for book clubs to discuss, and for all book bloggers.
Can you even imagine being married for 20 years when when your partner suggests after having sex, to try an open relationship. How would you feel? I would be absolutely livid.
Faye and Steve are happy enough after being married for 20 years. After one evening of them having great intense sex, Faye asked her husband have you ever thought what it would be like to have an open relationship? Just try something different? Faye loves her husband but she is the force behind this as she likes the idea of a little sexual adventure.
I got the feeling that Faye here seems to pulling all the strings, being the boss making this decision, that her and her husband should have sex with different partners. After Faye went to a catholic school, I couldn’t quite believe that she has thought up this idea having sex with a stranger.
However for Steve he is not into this kind of thing that his wife wants him to do. For Faye it might be an easy thing to do having sex with someone else, considering she fancies a guy at her spin class.
Before Faye starts having sex with anyone, Steve is quite savvy he prints out some rules for consensual non-monogamy that Faye must sign.
To me they both seemed to have a happy sex life.
Having an open relationship will this help Faye and Steve to grow closer? Could this recharge their sex life? I couldn’t wait to read on to find out how this was going to plan out.
I highly recommend reading Permission by Jo Bloom, as we always think this type of thing having an open relationship would come from a man’s point of view, so I loved it that the table was turned and twisted by a wife who wants the open relationship.
July 22, 2022
A very unique story about a couple,Steve and Fay,who ‘decide’ after 20 plus years together to have an ‘open relationship’ this is more on Fay’s wanting than Steve’s although he does after some thought agree
Fay after a false start finds someone she can relate to and wants to have sex with whilst Steve seems for me to choose someone totally wrong for the character we have got to know,the story then goes on to show what happens to their relationship and how things start to affect their daughter
It is intriguing and interesting at times,but I didn’t really engage with any of the characters too much and found Fay at times demanding and wanting the best of all worlds
None the less a very different and readable book exploring a subject that is spoken about much more openly than used to be
7/10
3 Stars
Fay after a false start finds someone she can relate to and wants to have sex with whilst Steve seems for me to choose someone totally wrong for the character we have got to know,the story then goes on to show what happens to their relationship and how things start to affect their daughter
It is intriguing and interesting at times,but I didn’t really engage with any of the characters too much and found Fay at times demanding and wanting the best of all worlds
None the less a very different and readable book exploring a subject that is spoken about much more openly than used to be
7/10
3 Stars
July 31, 2022
A very different take for a romance story especially one that’s published as trad pub.
I found it very interesting overall. It talk more openly than any other story that I’ve read about similar plots. What I found more interesting was actually the way the author has put a big spotlight on the relationship after they agreed to an open one.
However, I couldn’t connect with any of the characters unfortunately. She seems too selfish and self-centred while wanting the best from both lifestyle even if it hurts her marriage and her daughter.
The ending? Was a big deal for me as I was expecting something totally different but I guess I’ll take it as it is and move on as the couple did.
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley
I found it very interesting overall. It talk more openly than any other story that I’ve read about similar plots. What I found more interesting was actually the way the author has put a big spotlight on the relationship after they agreed to an open one.
However, I couldn’t connect with any of the characters unfortunately. She seems too selfish and self-centred while wanting the best from both lifestyle even if it hurts her marriage and her daughter.
The ending? Was a big deal for me as I was expecting something totally different but I guess I’ll take it as it is and move on as the couple did.
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley
November 28, 2022
Permission is a contemporary novel that had such an intriguing storyline I knew that it was a book I needed to read! I find books about marriage, relationships and family life completely fascinating and in Permission there are so many different themes appropriate to modern day relationships. As the reader becomes more involved in the intricate details of an open marriage, not everybody will have the same opinions about how the characters react and judgements will be made (and sometimes reversed!) but I don’t think anyone will be able to predict their own feelings about what happens to Kay and Steve…
As with many marriages, it always seems to be one partner who makes the decision to enter an open relationship and one partner who goes along with it for usually for many other reasons but NOT because they want an open marriage! And here it’s Kay who wants to try something new whilst Steve agrees to go along with it to keep Kay happy. They are very adult and business-like about it , setting up ground rules so that no one will get hurt that way…or will they? A no strings affair without feelings attached is the ideal isn’t it but Steve struggles to raise much enthusiasm about a sex only relationship with another woman. Whereas Kay fully embraces her new role, Steve is left coping with the fallout at home and it becomes clear that their arrangement isn’t just affecting them…
This is a character driven domestic drama that will probably divide its readers but for me personally, Kay was an incredibly unsympathetic character whereas Steve maintained the dignity within their home life. This could be because of my own feelings about infidelity but I felt that I knew from the start that what Kay was suggesting was far more than an “adventure” and so the author very cleverly lets her actions speak for themselves. The underlying issues that led to this couple making such a decision are gradually revealed leading to some very emotional confrontations.
Permission is a beautifully written book that may divide its readers depending on their own views about the sanctity of marriage and how it needs both parties on the same page to even attempt the things described here. But the author has used the premise to create a believable storyline with characters you will either love or hate but who will burrow their way into your heart anyway.
Highly recommended by me.
As with many marriages, it always seems to be one partner who makes the decision to enter an open relationship and one partner who goes along with it for usually for many other reasons but NOT because they want an open marriage! And here it’s Kay who wants to try something new whilst Steve agrees to go along with it to keep Kay happy. They are very adult and business-like about it , setting up ground rules so that no one will get hurt that way…or will they? A no strings affair without feelings attached is the ideal isn’t it but Steve struggles to raise much enthusiasm about a sex only relationship with another woman. Whereas Kay fully embraces her new role, Steve is left coping with the fallout at home and it becomes clear that their arrangement isn’t just affecting them…
This is a character driven domestic drama that will probably divide its readers but for me personally, Kay was an incredibly unsympathetic character whereas Steve maintained the dignity within their home life. This could be because of my own feelings about infidelity but I felt that I knew from the start that what Kay was suggesting was far more than an “adventure” and so the author very cleverly lets her actions speak for themselves. The underlying issues that led to this couple making such a decision are gradually revealed leading to some very emotional confrontations.
Permission is a beautifully written book that may divide its readers depending on their own views about the sanctity of marriage and how it needs both parties on the same page to even attempt the things described here. But the author has used the premise to create a believable storyline with characters you will either love or hate but who will burrow their way into your heart anyway.
Highly recommended by me.
September 21, 2022
Jo Bloom, the author of Ridley Road, brings us Permission, her first contemporary novel. It is an intricate and intoxicating examination of marriage in middle-age, with characters who are often flawed and complex.
Fay and Steve have been married for 20 years, they have two children and appear to be content. Fay feels that there’s a lack of spark and excitement in their relationship. It has all become very routine. Her answer is to suggest that they try an open relationship, in the hope that this will reignite their marriage.
At first, Steve is wary and uncomfortable with the idea, but eventually he agrees. They have rules; no sex with friends, their children should not be told and they can only see the same person a certain amount of times.
Many women will relate to how Fay is feeling; a long marriage, the demands of elderly parents and children, hitting middle-age, and wondering if this is it? However, I’m not sure that Fay’s answer to her problem would work for many.
Fay and Steve are totally unprepared for what comes next. It all sounds easy, but can sex ever be just sex? Fay becomes involved in what can only be described as a toxic relationship, ignoring the rules that they set down, getting deeper in whilst Steve struggles, both with the no-strings sex with others and how distant Fay has become.
This a brutally honest look at marriage, it is thoughtful and sometimes a little terrifying. Bloom’s characters and dialogue are carefully created. There’s such a feeling of reality about this story. It is complex, emotive and satisfying..
Fay and Steve have been married for 20 years, they have two children and appear to be content. Fay feels that there’s a lack of spark and excitement in their relationship. It has all become very routine. Her answer is to suggest that they try an open relationship, in the hope that this will reignite their marriage.
At first, Steve is wary and uncomfortable with the idea, but eventually he agrees. They have rules; no sex with friends, their children should not be told and they can only see the same person a certain amount of times.
Many women will relate to how Fay is feeling; a long marriage, the demands of elderly parents and children, hitting middle-age, and wondering if this is it? However, I’m not sure that Fay’s answer to her problem would work for many.
Fay and Steve are totally unprepared for what comes next. It all sounds easy, but can sex ever be just sex? Fay becomes involved in what can only be described as a toxic relationship, ignoring the rules that they set down, getting deeper in whilst Steve struggles, both with the no-strings sex with others and how distant Fay has become.
This a brutally honest look at marriage, it is thoughtful and sometimes a little terrifying. Bloom’s characters and dialogue are carefully created. There’s such a feeling of reality about this story. It is complex, emotive and satisfying..
August 3, 2022
Can a marriage survive an open relationship is quite a tagline and it totally made me want to read this book. I was intrigued as to how the author would delve into this topic and I felt that it was very well carried out and clever too.
Fay and Steve decide to have an open relationship, their sex life is good, but Fay wants to try something new.
Gosh I felt the awkwardness emanating from the page as Fay has her first encounter and I felt the cringe factor so much, but then things change and rules that were set are starting to be broken and this is where you will swing one way or the other towards either character.
There is a lot of other storylines too, including mental health and bullying which all comes together eventually and I felt these were all well done.
A devisive read I think, but one that would make an excellent book club pick.
Fay and Steve decide to have an open relationship, their sex life is good, but Fay wants to try something new.
Gosh I felt the awkwardness emanating from the page as Fay has her first encounter and I felt the cringe factor so much, but then things change and rules that were set are starting to be broken and this is where you will swing one way or the other towards either character.
There is a lot of other storylines too, including mental health and bullying which all comes together eventually and I felt these were all well done.
A devisive read I think, but one that would make an excellent book club pick.
August 7, 2022
Would you give your other half PERMISSION to sleep with other people?!
Bit of a taboo subject this isn't it!
This book explores one couples' relationship after 20 years of marriage when they touch upon the idea of an open marriage.
The idea is to bring life back into their own marital home. But is this ever really going to work? Will it stop at sex? Or will feelings get hurt along the way?
When I heard about this book I thought it might be a bit of a fun read with some hot scenes etc... it really isn't though, its a much deeper look into two people, who are stuck in a rut. Who never got a chance to explore themselves before going down the settling route all those years ago.
I liked it a lot and can see it being great on TV.
Bit of a taboo subject this isn't it!
This book explores one couples' relationship after 20 years of marriage when they touch upon the idea of an open marriage.
The idea is to bring life back into their own marital home. But is this ever really going to work? Will it stop at sex? Or will feelings get hurt along the way?
When I heard about this book I thought it might be a bit of a fun read with some hot scenes etc... it really isn't though, its a much deeper look into two people, who are stuck in a rut. Who never got a chance to explore themselves before going down the settling route all those years ago.
I liked it a lot and can see it being great on TV.
October 24, 2022
Review..
Loving Husband and wife of 20 years give each other permission to see other people .. Rule number 1 Use protection.. Rule number 2 No friends.. Rule Number 3 don’t talk about it with each other..that rule didn’t last long.
But what if your wife falls for another woman… and you for your mum’s friend..
This book was a lot more than just about sex… real feelings that no one openly talks about… husband’s character was very believable.. but Throughout this whole book Fay really irritated me..she was a very selfish character…
Loving Husband and wife of 20 years give each other permission to see other people .. Rule number 1 Use protection.. Rule number 2 No friends.. Rule Number 3 don’t talk about it with each other..that rule didn’t last long.
But what if your wife falls for another woman… and you for your mum’s friend..
This book was a lot more than just about sex… real feelings that no one openly talks about… husband’s character was very believable.. but Throughout this whole book Fay really irritated me..she was a very selfish character…
November 26, 2023
Poignant
September 26, 2022
I am a relationship sceptic. Never tried to hide it, and it’s largely to do with my upbringing, but also because I have never quite understood how anyone can say, hand on heart, that they have met the one. If you haven’t met every person on the planet, how do you know that the person you believe you’re in love with is the one and not just the one right now? Told you. A sceptic, cynic, whatever, I always give declarations of devotion and true love the side eye and nod. Reading Permission really hasn’t helped to remove my scepticism as the seemingly near perfect marriage between Fay and Steve descends into a dark and destructive phase after Fay suggests something that Steve would never ordinarily consider - an open relationship.
Now, you could ask how perfect a marriage really is if one partner wants to try sleeping around. In Fay’s defence, it’s made pretty clear that for her, Steve has been it, no other experience as it were, which leaves her wondering. Maybe it will spice up their marriage, maybe it’s just a chance to find that spark that seems to have dwindled between them. And to a certain degree, this is a sentiment I could understand. We are given a good glimpse into Fay and Steve’s lives, the things which have shaped them over the years, the ups and downs that inform their present story, and there are aspects that I can see would lead to the situation they find themselves in. Tensions and emotions not properly explored before that come to a head in pretty dramatic fashion.
Jo Bloom has taken a very interesting premise, a situation that I have no doubt is far more common than any of use might realise, and used it to take a deep dive into the world of long term relationships. To examine the darker side of family life and the way in which even a happy and loving couple could be nursing resentments and desires that they hide from their partner. How the constant wondering of the what if might eat into that happiness and creating small fractures that, if untreated, could be come whopping great fissures.
I can’t speak from experience as I have never been married, but I know how I struggle with long terms friendships so I can only imagine what a train wreck a marriage would be for me. And no matter your relationship status, many will be able to identify with the challenges and difficulties that Steve and Fay have to face head on including difficult relationships with equally difficult parents (hard relate), children who are facing up to bullying at school and acting out in unexpected ways or even the rekindling of friendships with people whose lives seem far more exciting and exotic than your own.
I didn’t necessarily warm to Fay, although I kind of understood where she was coming from. Steve is perhaps more sympathetic, although there were so many times I wanted to scream at him not to be such a doormat, to stand up for himself. But love or loathe them, they got under my skin and I wanted to experience both the good and bad with them both.
The story does take a slightly surprising turn early on, but then maybe it not really that surprising at all. It is the story of someone trying to discover who they are, to give their lives context and to understand some self destructive but utterly compelling attractions that cannot be ignored, no matter what it means to you and your family. It is also an exploration of getting older, of how that fear and uncertainty, a need to feel desired, might drive behaviours that even the most ardent proponents of the ‘open relationship’ are not that sure of.
There is a sense of authenticity with this story, even if it is not your typical family drama type of tale. The characters are complex, their emotions carefully portrayed and all used to drive the story onward. It’s a mid-life crisis taken to the extreme, but a brutally honest look at how succumbing to only your emotions can have a devastating impact on those you purport to love.
And it still hasn’t got me convinced about marriage. Not in the slightest. Sorry.
If you like a searingly honest look into real family life this very likely will be the book for you. Happy reading.
November 11, 2022
Permission by Jo Bloom asks an interesting question: can your marriage survive if you're both sleeping with other people? The concept of an open marriage was what drew me to this book as I was fascinated by the effect it would have on the characters.
Fay and Steve are very happily married. They have two children, grown-up Billy and six year old Rose, a much-longed for second baby. Their life is good but Fay brings up the question of an open marriage and Steve reluctantly agrees to give it a go. It's fair to say that Steve is more than happy with what he has with Fay whereas Fay, although similarly happy, is also curious and wants to experiment more. She sells it as something that might give their marriage a bit of a kick. I think it's more a case of being careful what you wish for and having permission to do something doesn't necessarily mean you should do it. I guess it could be termed as a mid-life crisis for Fay, a point when she is on the precipice between having the opportunity to live in a different way and have new experiences, or simply carrying on as she has been doing ad infinitum.
This is a well-written and thought-provoking book. It doesn't just tackle the ins and outs of a marriage but also looks at how what's going on in the home can affect children. No matter how well you think you are hiding things the underlying effects are hard to disguise and the secondary storyline about Rose illustrates that very well.
I liked Steve much more than I liked Fay. I recognise that Fay is a complex character and I felt that maybe there was more underneath the surface with her. Steve also has his demons but he felt like a much easier-going character. The characterisations are excellent and complicated and there's an intensity to the writing that made for quite compelling reading, albeit with the sense of watching a car crash about to happen in slow motion.
An honest and sensitive portrayal of a modern marriage with scenarios to make you ponder.
Fay and Steve are very happily married. They have two children, grown-up Billy and six year old Rose, a much-longed for second baby. Their life is good but Fay brings up the question of an open marriage and Steve reluctantly agrees to give it a go. It's fair to say that Steve is more than happy with what he has with Fay whereas Fay, although similarly happy, is also curious and wants to experiment more. She sells it as something that might give their marriage a bit of a kick. I think it's more a case of being careful what you wish for and having permission to do something doesn't necessarily mean you should do it. I guess it could be termed as a mid-life crisis for Fay, a point when she is on the precipice between having the opportunity to live in a different way and have new experiences, or simply carrying on as she has been doing ad infinitum.
This is a well-written and thought-provoking book. It doesn't just tackle the ins and outs of a marriage but also looks at how what's going on in the home can affect children. No matter how well you think you are hiding things the underlying effects are hard to disguise and the secondary storyline about Rose illustrates that very well.
I liked Steve much more than I liked Fay. I recognise that Fay is a complex character and I felt that maybe there was more underneath the surface with her. Steve also has his demons but he felt like a much easier-going character. The characterisations are excellent and complicated and there's an intensity to the writing that made for quite compelling reading, albeit with the sense of watching a car crash about to happen in slow motion.
An honest and sensitive portrayal of a modern marriage with scenarios to make you ponder.
July 14, 2022
Can a marriage survive non-monogamy even if you have the permission?
When I heard this is about a married couple in their 40’s trying an open marriage, I knew I could expect a lot of drama from messy relationships. Yes, you’ll get it. But so much more.
This book really is about a happy marriage in a slump (that can happen) and midlife blues that make people feel like the life is passing them by. There is nothing wrong with their life and marriage. Everything seems to be going well. So in the beginning, I was irritated by Kate because she seems to have been taking an unnecessary risk just because she was bored. I felt m empathy for Steve who was trying to please her and seems to care about the marriage and their daughter more than Kate did. But that changed because the book took an unpredictable turn and started to really dig into Kate’s character.
Midlife malaise is a tricky one to write about. Without good character development, readers wouldn’t feel empathy towards the characters for the mess they have created unnecessarily. But the author did such an amazing job with Kate’s character development. Kate is one of the most complex and real characters I have ever read in a book. I came to understand her and felt for her. She wasn’t an annoying character anymore. She was a real person in my mind going through self-reflection and identity crisis.
So yes, you will get messy drama. But at the end of the day, this book is for lovers of character-driven books who love complex characters and relationships.
When I heard this is about a married couple in their 40’s trying an open marriage, I knew I could expect a lot of drama from messy relationships. Yes, you’ll get it. But so much more.
This book really is about a happy marriage in a slump (that can happen) and midlife blues that make people feel like the life is passing them by. There is nothing wrong with their life and marriage. Everything seems to be going well. So in the beginning, I was irritated by Kate because she seems to have been taking an unnecessary risk just because she was bored. I felt m empathy for Steve who was trying to please her and seems to care about the marriage and their daughter more than Kate did. But that changed because the book took an unpredictable turn and started to really dig into Kate’s character.
Midlife malaise is a tricky one to write about. Without good character development, readers wouldn’t feel empathy towards the characters for the mess they have created unnecessarily. But the author did such an amazing job with Kate’s character development. Kate is one of the most complex and real characters I have ever read in a book. I came to understand her and felt for her. She wasn’t an annoying character anymore. She was a real person in my mind going through self-reflection and identity crisis.
So yes, you will get messy drama. But at the end of the day, this book is for lovers of character-driven books who love complex characters and relationships.
November 3, 2022
This was a very different read to my normal read but I did find it quite engrossing. The tagline “Can a marriage survive an open relationship” basically explains the whole ethos of the book alongside the issue of school bullying and the effects it can have on a child. I thought it was well written and although I didn’t really connect with the main characters I did find the story engaging. There are two threads to the book: the main thread is the relationship between Fay and Steve but there is a strong secondary thread about their daughter Rose and this thread I found quite upsetting.
Briefly, Fay and Steve have been happily married for 20 years but Fay feels like she is missing out on something. She suggests that they try an open relationship and despite his misgivings Steve agrees, but there are rules. Whilst Steve enters the dating arena reluctantly Fay is straight out there, but it’s not as easy as she expected. But when she unexpectedly meets someone she feels a connection to the rules change - for her.
Fay is really quite a selfish character, although she clearly loves her family, when push comes to shove she puts herself first. I had more sympathy for Steve but let’s be honest he was a bit of a doormat and Fay was happy to walk all over him. There are a number of issues dealt with in the book including bullying, mental health, difficult relationships with parents as well as that of open relationships in marriage. I found this a good read and I would read this author again.
Briefly, Fay and Steve have been happily married for 20 years but Fay feels like she is missing out on something. She suggests that they try an open relationship and despite his misgivings Steve agrees, but there are rules. Whilst Steve enters the dating arena reluctantly Fay is straight out there, but it’s not as easy as she expected. But when she unexpectedly meets someone she feels a connection to the rules change - for her.
Fay is really quite a selfish character, although she clearly loves her family, when push comes to shove she puts herself first. I had more sympathy for Steve but let’s be honest he was a bit of a doormat and Fay was happy to walk all over him. There are a number of issues dealt with in the book including bullying, mental health, difficult relationships with parents as well as that of open relationships in marriage. I found this a good read and I would read this author again.
August 14, 2022
Can your marriage survive if you’re both having sex with other people?
Fay and Steve have been happily married for 20 years. Their relationship is predictable and less exciting than it used to be. Fay believes exploring an open relationship will help to ignite the spark they’ve lost. But can sex ever be just sex?
This explores the age old question if traditional marriages can survive a non-conventional structure by inviting other people into it. An open relationship requires an incredible amount of trust between two people to prevent feelings of jealousy, resentment and insecurity.
We observe Fay and Steve navigate this unknown territory trying to trust the process and each other, setting some rules and boundaries. But what they do not anticipate are the complicated feelings involved and the emotions that get mixed up as they experiment new relationships outside of their marriage and discover new things about themselves and each other. Tensions run high as they build separate bonds and experiences, which leads to secrets and deception. It’s a tricky road for the couple to tread.
Being a naturally possessive person, I could never agree to such an arrangement 🤣 so reading this was definitely uncomfortable, frustrating and I found Fay’s actions in particular to be selfish and hurtful.
This is an intimate and fascinating exploration of alternate relationships and the emotional challenges that follow.
Fay and Steve have been happily married for 20 years. Their relationship is predictable and less exciting than it used to be. Fay believes exploring an open relationship will help to ignite the spark they’ve lost. But can sex ever be just sex?
This explores the age old question if traditional marriages can survive a non-conventional structure by inviting other people into it. An open relationship requires an incredible amount of trust between two people to prevent feelings of jealousy, resentment and insecurity.
We observe Fay and Steve navigate this unknown territory trying to trust the process and each other, setting some rules and boundaries. But what they do not anticipate are the complicated feelings involved and the emotions that get mixed up as they experiment new relationships outside of their marriage and discover new things about themselves and each other. Tensions run high as they build separate bonds and experiences, which leads to secrets and deception. It’s a tricky road for the couple to tread.
Being a naturally possessive person, I could never agree to such an arrangement 🤣 so reading this was definitely uncomfortable, frustrating and I found Fay’s actions in particular to be selfish and hurtful.
This is an intimate and fascinating exploration of alternate relationships and the emotional challenges that follow.
August 10, 2022
When I first saw this tour was happening I read the blurb and was instantly intrigued, I had recently read a bit about open relationships in Sally Rooney’s “Conversation with friends” and I found it so interesting to read about so I instantly signed myself up.
The blurb for this one says :
After more than 20 years of marriage, Fay and Steve are happy enough, though life’s become routine and lacks excitement.
Fay believes an open relationship could reignite the spark they’ve lost.
But can sex ever just be sex?
As someone who just personally knows I could never do an open relationship, I found it so interesting to read about.
Fay is obviously very open to the idea where as Steve is very apprehensive.
It’s interesting to watch both dynamics unfold once they begin to experiment with the idea.
This book was such a rollercoaster, I felt so much emotional empathy towards the characters and the feelings they were enduring throughout.
It really shows the lengths people will go to for love, the power of love also has the capabilities to blind people, to trick them into believing they need certain things and this book really delves into it all.
I’d 100% recommend this book, I truly have not stopped thinking about it since I picked it up and I read it in just two sittings, it’s a nice short novel at just 263 pages so it’s worth it!
I’ll definitely be picking up more of this authors works in the future.
It’s publication date was the 28th of July so grab your copy now!
The blurb for this one says :
After more than 20 years of marriage, Fay and Steve are happy enough, though life’s become routine and lacks excitement.
Fay believes an open relationship could reignite the spark they’ve lost.
But can sex ever just be sex?
As someone who just personally knows I could never do an open relationship, I found it so interesting to read about.
Fay is obviously very open to the idea where as Steve is very apprehensive.
It’s interesting to watch both dynamics unfold once they begin to experiment with the idea.
This book was such a rollercoaster, I felt so much emotional empathy towards the characters and the feelings they were enduring throughout.
It really shows the lengths people will go to for love, the power of love also has the capabilities to blind people, to trick them into believing they need certain things and this book really delves into it all.
I’d 100% recommend this book, I truly have not stopped thinking about it since I picked it up and I read it in just two sittings, it’s a nice short novel at just 263 pages so it’s worth it!
I’ll definitely be picking up more of this authors works in the future.
It’s publication date was the 28th of July so grab your copy now!
August 26, 2022
Imagine you are married to the same person over years have two beautiful children and life seems to be going well or so it seems. Your mate approaches you with a proposal to practice an open marriage to spice up your sex life even though it is pretty good already. You reluctantly agree and try to justify and feel good about the possibilities it can bring for you. This is the case for Steve and Fay. But you know how they say careful what you wish for as you just might get it. They agree to a set of rules to follow, do you find yourself having doubts or bouts of jealousy every time your mates phone receives a call or text message? Or every time they leave the house especially in the evening or come home at 3 am. You get to explore all these scenarios with this couple as they move through life. Understanding the premise of this story the main focus almost becomes a secondary subject also if you are concerned
whether this story is graphic I would say it is mildly graphic. The one issue I had with this story is the male character Steve as the best way i could put was as his mother does in the story that he is just too touchy, and I don't mean by physical touch. This story does have a couple of twist or surprises in it. All in all, this was a little better than average.
whether this story is graphic I would say it is mildly graphic. The one issue I had with this story is the male character Steve as the best way i could put was as his mother does in the story that he is just too touchy, and I don't mean by physical touch. This story does have a couple of twist or surprises in it. All in all, this was a little better than average.
August 21, 2022
Thank you so much @legend_times and @jorbloomauthor for my gifted copy of this book and for having me on the blog tour. ❤️
This is a book full of complex, real characters which made me feel so much frustration and sadness and yet joy.
SYNOPSIS: Can your marriage survive if you’re both sleeping with other people? After more than 20 years of marriage, Fay and Steve are happy enough, though life’s become routine and lacks excitement. Fay believes an open relationship could reignite the spark they’ve lost. But can sex ever just be sex?
Steve eventually agrees to the idea of sleeping with other people, but first they must set some ground rules; no sex with friends, no telling the kids, and a limit on how many times they can see the same person. Can their marriage survive non-monogamy - even if they have permission?
This book is messy, full of tension as Fay and Steve navigate a new stage in their relationship, both unsure of the rules and making them up as they go along. If you love a character-led book with beautifully crafted and developed characters, this one is for you.
It was so interesting to watch he different dynamics unfold, from Fay who was really keen to try out the open marriage, while Steve was slightly more nervous about it and it isn’t something that he would have chosen.
There were many points in this book where I could not stand Fay, although it should be noted that this is a good thing (in a lot of my favourite books, there are points where I strongly dislike the protagonist). She seemed to just not care about Steve or their daughter, and was just wading through whatever she wanted to do selfishly, rather than sticking to their agreement. Steve was so supportive of her, and it felt at times like she was throwing it back in his face.
This book will make you feel so many different emotions. You will want to tear your hair out but also cry at the same time. You’ll feel empathy for these characters and become invested in them, despite the fact that every situation they find themselves in is their own doing.
This is a book full of complex, real characters which made me feel so much frustration and sadness and yet joy.
SYNOPSIS: Can your marriage survive if you’re both sleeping with other people? After more than 20 years of marriage, Fay and Steve are happy enough, though life’s become routine and lacks excitement. Fay believes an open relationship could reignite the spark they’ve lost. But can sex ever just be sex?
Steve eventually agrees to the idea of sleeping with other people, but first they must set some ground rules; no sex with friends, no telling the kids, and a limit on how many times they can see the same person. Can their marriage survive non-monogamy - even if they have permission?
This book is messy, full of tension as Fay and Steve navigate a new stage in their relationship, both unsure of the rules and making them up as they go along. If you love a character-led book with beautifully crafted and developed characters, this one is for you.
It was so interesting to watch he different dynamics unfold, from Fay who was really keen to try out the open marriage, while Steve was slightly more nervous about it and it isn’t something that he would have chosen.
There were many points in this book where I could not stand Fay, although it should be noted that this is a good thing (in a lot of my favourite books, there are points where I strongly dislike the protagonist). She seemed to just not care about Steve or their daughter, and was just wading through whatever she wanted to do selfishly, rather than sticking to their agreement. Steve was so supportive of her, and it felt at times like she was throwing it back in his face.
This book will make you feel so many different emotions. You will want to tear your hair out but also cry at the same time. You’ll feel empathy for these characters and become invested in them, despite the fact that every situation they find themselves in is their own doing.
July 31, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and Legend Press for the advanced reader copy.
This week’s headline? You have permission to proceed.
Why this book? I needed another ARC for July.
Which book format? ARC
Primary reading environment? Couch and public transit
Any preconceived notions? Not really expecting much since it was a last minute addition.
Identify most with? “old-fashioned coyness”
Three little words? “a soft halo”
Goes well with? Candles, burner cell phones
Recommend this to? People considering opening their relationship.
Other cultural accompaniments: https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-h...
Grade: 3.5/5
I leave you with this: “I hate artificial conversation. What happened to old-fashioned awkwardness? Is it so bad if we stumble through a few pauses or talk over each other?”
“It was too easy to become part of someone else’s problems when they were out of control.”
📚📚📚
Permission is about a middle-aged couple who’ve been together for twenty years who decides to open their marriage. While this isn’t a new concept for a novel about marriages in recent years, it doesn’t feel slow like others I’ve read. Oddly enough, it’s a page turner. It’s thought provoking and the dialogue feels real.
I’m giving it three and a half stars because while I did like it and recommend it to people who are intrigued by the synopsis, I won’t read it again as I feel it’s a one and done situation.
Permission is available now.
This week’s headline? You have permission to proceed.
Why this book? I needed another ARC for July.
Which book format? ARC
Primary reading environment? Couch and public transit
Any preconceived notions? Not really expecting much since it was a last minute addition.
Identify most with? “old-fashioned coyness”
Three little words? “a soft halo”
Goes well with? Candles, burner cell phones
Recommend this to? People considering opening their relationship.
Other cultural accompaniments: https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-h...
Grade: 3.5/5
I leave you with this: “I hate artificial conversation. What happened to old-fashioned awkwardness? Is it so bad if we stumble through a few pauses or talk over each other?”
“It was too easy to become part of someone else’s problems when they were out of control.”
📚📚📚
Permission is about a middle-aged couple who’ve been together for twenty years who decides to open their marriage. While this isn’t a new concept for a novel about marriages in recent years, it doesn’t feel slow like others I’ve read. Oddly enough, it’s a page turner. It’s thought provoking and the dialogue feels real.
I’m giving it three and a half stars because while I did like it and recommend it to people who are intrigued by the synopsis, I won’t read it again as I feel it’s a one and done situation.
Permission is available now.
August 30, 2022
I switched between the Kindle edition and the Audio version of this book, due to my own commitments, but this has not impacted my review.
As the blurb suggests this story follows Faye and Steve as they embark on an open relationship. Considering the topic of the storyline, this was moderately spicy and does not contain anything offensive or graphic.
Unfortunately, I didn't really like either character. I thought Faye was very eager to enter the new relationship status and was focused on her own desires, rather than her marriage to Steve. I just couldn't connect with Steve, as there were elements of his character that made me cringe, but I can't put my finger on it. Despite this, I did enjoy the concept of the implications on their family dynamics.
After reading this, I don't think I will be watching the BBC Drama adaption.
Overall, an average read for my preferences but recommended to anyone who likes to explore relationships and marriages.
Thank you NetGalley and Legend Press for a gifted copy.
As the blurb suggests this story follows Faye and Steve as they embark on an open relationship. Considering the topic of the storyline, this was moderately spicy and does not contain anything offensive or graphic.
Unfortunately, I didn't really like either character. I thought Faye was very eager to enter the new relationship status and was focused on her own desires, rather than her marriage to Steve. I just couldn't connect with Steve, as there were elements of his character that made me cringe, but I can't put my finger on it. Despite this, I did enjoy the concept of the implications on their family dynamics.
After reading this, I don't think I will be watching the BBC Drama adaption.
Overall, an average read for my preferences but recommended to anyone who likes to explore relationships and marriages.
Thank you NetGalley and Legend Press for a gifted copy.
July 9, 2025
I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this one. Three starts. It wasn't awful. The writing is fine, for what it is. I just wasn't wildly impressed.
October 8, 2022
Permission follows the story of Fay and Steve. They have been together for twenty-two years and have a son called Billy who is off at university and a primary school aged daughter, Rose.
Their friends Katie and Matt have recently split following Katie's five-month long affair with a man named Nathan. This then forces Fay to have a look at her own relationship and although she and Steve are quite a strong couple, she introduces the idea of a open relationship. Steve isn't enthusiastic but goes along with the idea as it is what Fay wants. Fay however gets in a little too deep causing a whole host of familial issues.
I really did enjoy the exploration of marriage and societal norms but the characters did a lot of things that made me want to scream. I just didn't agree with most of their behaviours. I felt really sorry for Steve, but he had a wonderful character arc with regards to his relationship with his mother against his relationship now with Fay.
Their friends Katie and Matt have recently split following Katie's five-month long affair with a man named Nathan. This then forces Fay to have a look at her own relationship and although she and Steve are quite a strong couple, she introduces the idea of a open relationship. Steve isn't enthusiastic but goes along with the idea as it is what Fay wants. Fay however gets in a little too deep causing a whole host of familial issues.
I really did enjoy the exploration of marriage and societal norms but the characters did a lot of things that made me want to scream. I just didn't agree with most of their behaviours. I felt really sorry for Steve, but he had a wonderful character arc with regards to his relationship with his mother against his relationship now with Fay.
April 5, 2022
Thanks so much to Legend Press for sharing an advance copy of the incredibly captivating Permission by Jo Bloom.
“After more than 20 years of marriage, Fay and Steve are happy enough, though life's become routine and lacks excitement. Fay believes an open relationship could reignite the spark they've lost. But can sex ever just be sex?”
These complex characters feel so real thanks to the author’s masterful use of dialogue and small, brilliant details. Poignant and thought-provoking, this novel skillfully explores midlife malaise and the consequences of trying to answer the question, “Is this all there is?”
Putting my own marriage at risk, I was so engrossed I didn’t realize my husband was talking to me on multiple occasions while I was reading. 😂
I literally couldn’t put it down!
“After more than 20 years of marriage, Fay and Steve are happy enough, though life's become routine and lacks excitement. Fay believes an open relationship could reignite the spark they've lost. But can sex ever just be sex?”
These complex characters feel so real thanks to the author’s masterful use of dialogue and small, brilliant details. Poignant and thought-provoking, this novel skillfully explores midlife malaise and the consequences of trying to answer the question, “Is this all there is?”
Putting my own marriage at risk, I was so engrossed I didn’t realize my husband was talking to me on multiple occasions while I was reading. 😂
I literally couldn’t put it down!
July 31, 2022
Permission lets us inside the heads of the people trying out the open marriage. This is not an easy topic, and we probably have all thought about it at least once. Can you do it, or does anyone does it successfully? It was super interesting to go through the emotional hurricane inside both partners and understand a little more about what it brings into people's lives, good or bad.
I enjoyed the story because it was not about a 20-something-year-old millennial couple. It was a pair in their 40s trying to grasp the modern dating scene, le-learning the rules of love and discovering themselves. I guess it meant that I could relate to them a little more! As you may imagine book brings a lot of drama, moral dilemmas and surprisingly, not as many sex scenes as I initially thought!
An exciting and engaging story about modern love and marriage!
I enjoyed the story because it was not about a 20-something-year-old millennial couple. It was a pair in their 40s trying to grasp the modern dating scene, le-learning the rules of love and discovering themselves. I guess it meant that I could relate to them a little more! As you may imagine book brings a lot of drama, moral dilemmas and surprisingly, not as many sex scenes as I initially thought!
An exciting and engaging story about modern love and marriage!
May 30, 2022
An interesting take on the usual books you read about a stale marriage. Fay and Steve decide to try an open relationship, with one person wanting it more than the other. It takes them on different journeys and puts their marriage under the spotlight.
I enjoyed this book. It never veered into cliches and the dialogue between the two main characters felt real. Some of the side characters felt a bit extraneous (her dad, his mam) to the story. I think it was wrapped up a bit too quickly but it definitely kept me reading.
I enjoyed this book. It never veered into cliches and the dialogue between the two main characters felt real. Some of the side characters felt a bit extraneous (her dad, his mam) to the story. I think it was wrapped up a bit too quickly but it definitely kept me reading.
September 26, 2022
I absolutely loved Permission, a novel about the relationship between Fay and Steve, a couple who have been together for over 20 years and have two children. When Fay suggests that having an open relationship could bring a spark back into their marriage, Steve is initially reluctant but then draws up some ground rules and agrees.
This was such a compelling read with believable characters and scenarios. The author sensitively and empathically portrays both of the characters, and we are given real insight into how their relationships with their parents have impacted on them.
This was a novel that made me think deeply about relationships and I would highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
This was such a compelling read with believable characters and scenarios. The author sensitively and empathically portrays both of the characters, and we are given real insight into how their relationships with their parents have impacted on them.
This was a novel that made me think deeply about relationships and I would highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
October 11, 2022
I loved Jo's first novel Ridley Road and was eagerly anticipating her next book. Permission is a very different beast to Ridley Road, a contemporary novel about a relationship in flux. Without revealing any of the plot, I felt that this domestic drama is paced like a thriller with each chapter ending with a desire to read on and on. This is a very skillful writer at play, her pacing is excellent and her clear, memorable characters are relatable and human in their foibles, pretensions and reactions. I loved this book and can't recommend it highly enough. Looking forward to the next one!
November 9, 2022
A unique story about a marriage and what happens when your spouse wants to try an open marriage after 20 years? This could be the perfect book club book as you discuss the aspects of this one. At times it is brutally honest, but I was engrossed and could not put it down.
It’s more than just about sex as it broaches relationships and the pieces of that relationship. While I didn’t really connect with any of the characters, I was intrigued to see where the story went. And how two people with very different ideas on the subject would compromise.
It’s more than just about sex as it broaches relationships and the pieces of that relationship. While I didn’t really connect with any of the characters, I was intrigued to see where the story went. And how two people with very different ideas on the subject would compromise.
July 28, 2022
I was completely absorbed by this compelling story about modern love and marriage. Beautifully written and subtly observed, it's full of believable characters whose every feeling and behaviour makes perfect sense. They really did feel real to me, such that afterwards I wondered how they were doing! It's written with such emotional intelligence but it's also a pacy page-turner; I sped through it and now need to read it again more slowly to savour it properly.
August 17, 2022
Can your marriage survive if you’re both sleeping with other people? Fay and Steve are about to find out.
Fay and Steve have a good marriage but Fay suggests sleeping with other people feeling that in her 40’s her life is just passing her by and she wants to experience more. Steve isn’t sure as their sex life is great and is worried about the consequences but he decides to give it a go. What concludes is a messy, drama, emotion filled journey of discovery but do they survive?
I loved reading this book. This story is something I’ve not come across in any other book. It’s unique, exciting and completely character driven. Following their journey I felt complete empathy for Steve. I cringed, laughed and I felt immersed in their lives. It’s a great read which I would love to see televised.
*I was gifted the book as part of the book tour with Legend Press*
Fay and Steve have a good marriage but Fay suggests sleeping with other people feeling that in her 40’s her life is just passing her by and she wants to experience more. Steve isn’t sure as their sex life is great and is worried about the consequences but he decides to give it a go. What concludes is a messy, drama, emotion filled journey of discovery but do they survive?
I loved reading this book. This story is something I’ve not come across in any other book. It’s unique, exciting and completely character driven. Following their journey I felt complete empathy for Steve. I cringed, laughed and I felt immersed in their lives. It’s a great read which I would love to see televised.
*I was gifted the book as part of the book tour with Legend Press*
November 9, 2022
Interesting concept, it could have been so much more. I felt the story line was disjointed at times with parts to it that didn't need to be there. I also felt that the storyline lacked depth and I never warmed to Steve ot Fay.
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