When the death of a relative sends Ariana Hendricks into a tailspin, she’s driven to re-evaluate her marriage. Does her husband, Greg, truly make her happy? Ari and Greg agree to open their marriage. She leaps back into the dating pool, only to throw her life into turmoil when she falls for another man. Are she and Greg cut out for polyamory, or is their marriage destined to fail?
Christina Berry’s UP FOR AIR is a romance, but it’s centered around Ari’s journey of self-discovery. Ari, who feels stifled by her lifelong relationship with Greg, is drawn to adventure. She wants to kiss a stranger, have a one-night stand, and participate in a threesome. Ari’s urge to explore new facets of her identity is easy to relate to for readers of all backgrounds. She finds new friendships, new relationships, and new levels of passion. Her ongoing character growth is the backbone of the story, which gives the book’s plot plenty of depth and emotional impact. Another unique aspect of UP FOR AIR is Ari’s relationship with her husband. Despite their new foray into an open marriage, Ari and Greg still have strong feelings for one another. The shifting dynamics between Ari and Greg add another layer to UP FOR AIR’s story. Greg’s character is carefully balanced so that he never crosses the line into unlikable; the reader is bound to want what’s best for both Ari and Greg, which leads to emotional upheaval as their individual relationships become more and more complicated.
UP FOR AIR is the perfect mix of serious storyline and sensual seduction. The relationship drama is top notch and Berry writes sex scenes that are deliciously steamy. Under the guidance of a string of new lovers, Ari dips her toe into the world of kink and is teased, spanked, gagged, blindfolded, and dominated. She has sex with friends, strangers, bartenders, and musicians. Her sexual awakening isn’t always simple or safe, but it is always enthralling. Readers, especially those who’ve only ever experienced a “vanilla” lifestyle, can vicariously explore their limits alongside Ari.
UP FOR AIR is a passionate, well-written novel that strikes the perfect balance between racy and riveting with a stunning narrative about self-discovery wrapped in the sensual embellishments of an adventurous love story.
~Stephani Hren for IndieReader