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Reviews
Sex Talks: The Five Conversations That Will Transform Your Love Life by Xander Marin, Vanessa Marin
banjax451's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Like others have said, I really wish this book had existed (and I had read it) 30 years ago when I was in my 20s. Sex can be such a taboo topic for so many people (my own Protestant Midwestern upbringing is only one example) - and yet it is such a core part of the human experience. Vanessa Marin and her husband Xander have put together an outstanding guidebook to both sexuality AND the problems of communication that can get in the way. An excellent guidebook that manages to skillfully skirt and blend the lines of self-help, information delivery, step-by-step guides and practical tips and "how tos" for the sorts of conversations we should all be having with our partners...and do so without being too dry (portions can be laugh out loud funny!).
I have learned so much and come away with a bunch of practical ideas and tips for things to discuss in the future and recommend this whole-heartedly to everyone.
I have learned so much and come away with a bunch of practical ideas and tips for things to discuss in the future and recommend this whole-heartedly to everyone.
victoriadiesattheend's review
3.0
This was okay! I love talking and reading about sex because sex is awesome :)
This was pretty surface level, BUT if someone is struggling with sex and communication with their partner I could see how this could benefit them. It was more like a workbook with questions and prompts which is fun - for where I’m at in my relationship we sort already have talked about all of these things tbh. It did interest me to follow her IG and learn more from her! And I’ll probably read through the articles and books she mentions in her acknowledgments. I want to say it was inclusive (the author talks about cis/hetero/trans/homosexual/poly/monogamous relationships) but it still did mention of lot of the usual male/female stereotypes (only to say how they aren’t true or are myths, i.e. men are “supposed”
to be the ones to initiate sex, or things like that).
It was written super casual so it was very easy to read!
This was pretty surface level, BUT if someone is struggling with sex and communication with their partner I could see how this could benefit them. It was more like a workbook with questions and prompts which is fun - for where I’m at in my relationship we sort already have talked about all of these things tbh. It did interest me to follow her IG and learn more from her! And I’ll probably read through the articles and books she mentions in her acknowledgments. I want to say it was inclusive (the author talks about cis/hetero/trans/homosexual/poly/monogamous relationships) but it still did mention of lot of the usual male/female stereotypes (only to say how they aren’t true or are myths, i.e. men are “supposed”
to be the ones to initiate sex, or things like that).
It was written super casual so it was very easy to read!
xsleepyshadows's review
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
This was a fine read. My partner and I listened to this in the car...We are really open with each other but we did get a few conversations from this book. We've been together for 14 years, and reading this made us mostly just feel bad for other people who have partners they can't openly communicate with about their wants/needs. We also wanted a bit more balance between the two hosts, but it was mostly Vanessa. It was fine. But honestly, being we hated each other until we started talking and now we have great sex is just a weird take...it's just weird and puts a lot of pressure for people who probably aren't like that.
It was an ok read. I would only recommend it to couples who could use some new conversations but honestly if you are reading this book you probably need couples' therapy instead.
It was an ok read. I would only recommend it to couples who could use some new conversations but honestly if you are reading this book you probably need couples' therapy instead.
dayshereads's review
5.0
It’s true, this book will change your sex life. I highly recommend for anyone stuck in “roommate” land of your relationship. The prompts made it easy to bring up the conversations I wanted to have and the exercises were helpful to figure each other out. Or really anyone who wants to navigate hard or uncomfortable conversations.