Open All the Way

Confessions from My Open Marriage

By: Sadie Smythe

Narrated by: Sadie Smythe

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

Open All the Way marks Sadie Smythe's foray into long-range storytelling. Most well known for her outspoken commentary on her blog, about relationship paradigms and the navigation through her own alternative arrangement with her husband Scott, Sadie is very excited to offer her loyal readers a larger-lensed view into her openly married life. Each chapter of Open All the Way is an individual story in itself. But the combined ensemble compellingly chronicles her journey. Sadie, in her straightforward style, discusses openly and honestly the numerous pitfalls she and her husband encountered along the way while intellectually and entertainingly supporting her choices. It's sexy, smart, and provocative prose; a full, fascinating glimpse into an untraditional relationship.

©2011 Sadie Smythe (P)2013 Red Planet Audiobooks

Don't bother with the audio version, annoying!

As per my usual I went with Audible (with a membership I always have at least 1 credit to spare). So as for the book, well first off I have to say Sadie does have a nice sexy voice, I'm sure it helped her flirt with and seduce men (and women) BUT she has this super-annoying habit of pausing frequently throughout. It was weird as it reminded me of the way William Shatner did Star Trek back in the 60's. It is also obvious at times that the book is stitched together and whole chapters were not recorded in one go (which is also a drawback). As other reviewers have pointed out Sadie also does this incredibly amateurish (and also annoying) of using the word "fuck" constantly. Curse words are supposed to add emphasis to a story and to be used sparingly, when you use them constantly they lose all effect and just bore the reader. That is another serious problem that an editor (if she had one) should have picked up on and fixed.

Enough though about technical issues. The story itself is interesting (at times) and also quite arousing (at times). It's more than about her open marriage, she also discusses being sick for 2 years (don't remember the name of the condition), having a child, moving, different jobs, alcoholism, treatment, sobriety and briefly her Mom. While the book focuses on her sexual exploits, the other material is thrown in (I would say tacked on) perhaps unnecessarily.

I found myself bored with a lot of the book. Several of the men she meets turn out different than she expected (with at least two he ran away from as it seemed a dangerous situation) and for a book about sex, most of the time she isn't nearly descriptive enough. She does provide insight into why she chose an open marriage, how it affected her husband (most of the time quite well as he finds plenty of women) and ultimately why she became an alcoholic and ultimately how she makes her marriage successful.

If Sadie reads this I do want to say I have nothing against you personally. She sounds like a very sexy person, intelligent, friendly, very outgoing and obviously quite open-minded. My issue is only with the way this book was written (and spoken, perhaps someone other than the author would have been a better choice). I think with the right editor she could become a good writer but has a ways to go yet. Also I have to say that the little music at the start of each chapter? Terrible, just annoying and the end it is even longer with some kind of rap crap thrown in!

Parts of the book did make me think about relationships and sexuality (and a few chapters did turn me on) but with all the detractors mentioned above it took away from the overall experience. Please don't let children read this, ages 19+. I would recommend this but only as a paper copy, that way you could only read the chapters that were of interest to you.

Loved this book!

What did you love best about Open All the Way?

To learn more about the ups and downs of an open marriage.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book made me laugh so many times!

Any additional comments?

I thought the entire book was engaging and full of great information that I needed to hear.

Couldn't get through it

What disappointed you about Open All the Way?

This book is awful. I read a lot and have a high tolerance for a large variety of styles, but this is just terrible writing. On top of that, the author reads it herself and her reading style is completely annoying. I mean every minute of it is annoying. She uses the "F" word constantly. Now I'm not offended by the "F" word; I use it a fair amount myself. But now I know why talented writers don't use it much in their books. It lowers the quality of the writing by several degrees.

I was very interested in the topic: open relationships. But I can't recommend this book at all.

Has Open All the Way turned you off from other books in this genre?

No, not at all. This is simply a bad writer.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Sadie Smythe?

I'm not sure, but she definitely should have had someone else read her book. Usually I like when the author reads, but not this time.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Annoyance.

Any additional comments?

Don't waste your money. I'm returning it.

Memoirs of a Sex Addict

I thought this book might provide some insights and thoughts on open marriages. Not so. This book is a detailed and often graphic description of the authors various sexual adventures, punctuated by some of her thoughts on the subject of open marriage.

Unfortunately, while it gives plenty of details about the various sexual acts and some details about those involved, little or no voice is given to the authors husband and who, appears almost coerced into the open marriage by his sex addicted wife.

It also, offers little insight into what drives the author in her relentless pursuit of extra-marital relationships. At times, I almost felt sorry for her, as there appears to be some deep unfilled need inside her. But unfortunately, this is never really explored in depth.

This is easy listening, soft porn, but offers few insights.

Exceptional book far beyond its topic

So while this book focuses on an often taboo topic, with its sexy facets and challenges, but it's so much more.
While it breaks down and dives into polyamory from the experience of the author, it goes far beyond that really getting to its core; intimacy and the quest for it. Sophie's vulnerability in the chapter named after her is clear and palpable with sincere heartache and hope.
My expectations were outstandingly exceeded and I walked away with not only knowledge, but an investment in looking inward at times rather than outward.
Thank you, Sophie Smythe!

EXTREMELY WELL PERFORMED

While the book is basically a novel,it is an extremely realistic view of the concept of open marriage, and open relationships in general !
Intensely well performed, and brings you into the performance as if you were living it on a personal level !
I highly recommend the listening experience to anyone who is considering the lifestyle !

100% Real and Powerful

I loved Sadie 's open and honest journey into non monogamy. Her heartfelt replay of the joys and challenges as well as the battle of addiction and of finding herself was truly inspiring

Open an Honest

Many smiling moments, really enjoyed peaking into an open lifestyle. Very well narrated lovley voice with emotion, passion an honesty.