The Freedom Clause - by Hannah Sloane (Paperback)

About the Book

"Dominic and Daphne have been happily married for three years. They've settled into a comfortable life, but Dominic worries they might be too comfortable. They're stuck in unsatisfying jobs, have difficult relationships with their families, and their sex life isn't exactly exciting. So on New Year's Day, he has an idea to lift them out of their funk and reignite their spark: What if they opened up their marriage? Daphne is shocked at first, but to make her husband happy, she agrees-with conditions. They can sleep with one other person, one night a year, and this agreement has a five-year expiration date. So not a total free-for-all on their vows, but an added "freedom clause." As they commit to this experiment, Daphne and Dominic find themselves, and the shape of their marriage, altered in unexpected ways. Dominic expected a steamy, exciting escape from his unfulfilled goals, but he finds himself face-to-face with his own insecurities and personal flaws instead. Meanwhile, Daphne is struggling to process this cataclysmic shift in her relationship-until she begins documenting her experiences with the Freedom Clause in an anonymous newsletter that goes viral as she finally gets in touch with her sexual desires. Will the Freedom Clause tear Dominic and Daphne apart before it even expires? Or will it force them to rethink everything they thought they know about each other-and themselves?"--

Book Synopsis

What happens if you find your true love too soon? Could one night off a year save your marriage--or destroy it? In this bold and sexy debut, a young couple discovers that a little freedom has surprising consequences.

"A delicious novel . . . Nora Ephron fans will delight in this debut."--Amanda Eyre Ward, New York Times bestselling author of The Jetsetters

Dominic and Daphne met in their first week of college, and they've been happily married for three years. They love each other deeply but perhaps have become too comfortable, and their sex life isn't what anyone would call thrilling. So, on New Year's Day, Dominic blurts out a suggestion before it's fully worked out in his mind: what if they open up their marriage?

Daphne reluctantly agrees--with conditions. They can sleep with one other person, one night a year, and the agreement has a five-year expiration date. It's not a total free-for-all on their vows, but an amendment. They call it the Freedom Clause.

It isn't long before Daphne and Dominic find themselves--and their marriage--altered in unexpected ways. Embracing the spirit of the Clause, Daphne pushes herself to be more assertive in asking for what she wants. She begins chronicling her journey of self-discovery in an anonymous newsletter, sharing recipes inspired by her conquests, and soon realizes that one night off a year isn't a small change . . . it's a seismic one.

Eventually, Daphne and Dominic are reconsidering everything--each other, their relationship, and themselves. Can they survive the Freedom Clause? Do they even want to?

Review Quotes

"The Freedom Clause is a delicious novel featuring rich, complex characters exploring deep questions: How can we love fully and remain true to ourselves? What happens when lovers bound by marriage try one night of freedom per year? I couldn't put the book down and cheered at the perfect conclusion. Nora Ephron fans will delight in this debut."--Amanda Eyre Ward, New York Times bestselling author of The Jetsetters

"You'll want second helpings of this delectable, sexy debut about a woman learning how to prioritize her pleasure. I ate it right up."--Courtney Maum, author of The Year of the Horses

"A raw and propulsive portrait of a marriage on the brink, Sloane's novel is fun, surprising, and nuanced. The Freedom Clause will expand your perspective on what true fulfillment can look like with an exciting, unique bonus: delicious recipes!"--Caitlin Barasch, author of A Novel Obsession

"An honest, empowering, and sexy tale of a young woman finding her voice, finding her strength, and finding great orgasms along the way."--Taylor Hahn, author of The Lifestyle

"The Freedom Clause is a bold, honest examination of a young marriage that hooked me from its first page. Creative in concept, rich in self-discovery, and written with warmth and nuance, Sloane's is a saucy and smart debut you won't want to miss."--Carola Lovering, author of Tell Me Lies and Can't Look Away

"As surprising as the proposal itself, The Freedom Clause is a beautifully written deep dive into marriage and the critical importance of finding one's own voice. This novel is an emotional journey that reads like a thriller--I couldn't put it down."--Annabel Monaghan, author of Nora Goes Off Script

About the Author

Hannah Sloane was born and raised in England. She read history at the University of Bristol. She moved to New York in her twenties and she lives in Brooklyn with her partner, Sam. The Freedom Clause is her debut novel.