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OPEN

An Uncensored Memoir of Love, Liberation and Non-Monogamy

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About this listen

 *****

'A sexy, messy, necessary look at polyamory' -Advocate

'All the makings of a juicy beach read-romance - sex, deception, and twists - except it's an account of a real-life open relationship.' -VOGUE

Rachel Krantz is a 27-year-old journalist living in Brooklyn when she meets Adam, who is non-monogamous. The concept isn't entirely new to her and the possibility of that kind of freedom is as exciting as it is daunting. If there's a chance that she could date, have sex and connect with different people alongside a loving and supportive long-term relationship, why wouldn't she seize it?

In intimate detail, OPEN takes us inside the highs and lows of Rachel's journey of self-discovery and the different ways power dynamics manifest when the rules of engagement have fundamentally changed. Sharp, provocative, and engrossing, it asks what true sexual liberation looks like, and if the pleasure is ever worth the pain.

'A starkly naked story of a young woman's adventure of self-discovery, told with a striking lack of shame or apology. Highly recommended.' -Dr. Christopher Ryan, author of Sex At Dawn

'Smart, original, ambitious, and deeply absorbing memoir... She succeeds by bringing us deftly and irresistibly into her most intimate pains and joys, stretching our understanding of what commitment and autonomy mean.' -Dr. Wednesday Martin, author of Untrue & Primates of Park Avenue

'The only problem I had picking up this book was putting it back down. Open compels, entertains, and may ultimately transform its readers.' -Dr. Terry Real, internationally recognised Family Therapist, author, and founder of the Relational Life Institute©2021 Rachel Krantz Human Sexuality Love, Dating & Attraction Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Sociology Memoir

Critic reviews

[A] sincere and curious reckoning with the cultural messaging we all receive about gendered expectations and power dynamics in romantic and sexual relationships.
[Krantz's] breathtaking honesty in probing the serious downsides of polyamory while eschewing outmoded patriarchal codes of morality should allow for an overdue dialogue about what makes any relationship work.
Generous and fearless... Open is an insightful and compassionate reminder that nonmonogamy-like any other intimate relationship-is only as viable as the humans involved make it
All the makings of a juicy beach read-romance, sex, deception, and twists-except that it's [a]... real-life open relationship.
All stars
Most relevant
Amazing, entertaining read. Elephant in the room: the narrators voice does take some getting used to. but do stick with it, it’s worth it. It’s also nice that the author is narrating. It makes the story much more personal. Would definitely recommend.

Engaging and Thought Provoking read

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Most of this book reads as a story of gaslighting and emotional abuse in a context of non-monogamy. I was worried it would paint non-monogamy in a bad light - easy to do when many monogamous people blame the relationship style for the relationship's problems.

But the author handles this well, weaving in facts and scientific studies as she navigates her own path of personal growth. She shows surprising compassion for her abuser as she begins to understand what is happening.

I really enjoyed it and it left me with several books to read afterward. Thanks for the journey, Rachel.

Growth and abuse in a non-monogamous context

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Un not that far into the story to comment about it, so far it didn’t catch me but what makes it difficult is her voice. The narrator’s voice is not pleasant. It seems it is hard for her to speak and she doesn’t make it easy to know who is talking. She doesn’t show emotions on certain exclamations and other phrases where you would expect it.
Not for me.

Sorry but her voice…

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