Reviews

Don't Hold My Head Down by Lucy-Anne Holmes

bleary's review

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4.0

The main problem most people would have with this book is, I suspect, that it's the sexploits of a straight white cis woman whose not especially interested in other experiences. That's fair, and Holmes' whimsical chick-lit writing style emphasizes the mainstream nature of her sexual identity.

It's hard to imagine any kinkster ever using the phrase "how's your father?", even in jest.

But the weird thing about mainstream sexuality is that it is woefully underdocumented and underexamined. The straights follow an agenda that's defined by PornHub, Cosmo articles on pleasing your lover, and vestigial Christian guilt. Kinksters seem to be much better at things like communication, respect and equal distribution of pleasure.

Holmes does a pretty good job of highlighting some of these problems. An interesting read for the most part.

dotvicky's review

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5.0

Amazing. Loved this book. Funny, sexy, empowering. I was so sick of people considering something like 50 Shades to be 'sexy' when there is so much wrong with it on so many levels but was struggling to offer them something as an alternative. Well, here it is. Run, don't walk to this book. Not so much a "feel good" book but a "feel great!" book. Heheh.

sophielinehan39's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

suuuuper informative, reading a lot at once can be sex overkill but am so glad I read it 

breadforsong's review against another edition

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5.0

I thought this would be all old news but I actually loved it, so informative, radical and vital. I will try to apply what I learned.

mwx1010's review against another edition

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4.0

Recommended by a friend, this is rather good.

Holmes embarks on a voyage of sexual discovery starting from a situation of being rather dissatisfied with her sex life. It's poignant in places, often very, very funny and has a little more than is immediately obvious going on beneath the Bridget Jones-esque writing style.

dave_holwill's review

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5.0

I don't often do the 'everybody should read this book' thing, but I think everybody should read this book. Brilliantly funny, clever and informative.

bigbizliz1991's review against another edition

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4.0

Not really about sex at all - more about the entrenched patriarchal constructs that make it hard for us to enjoy pleasure like men can. A fascinating deep dive into why women can spend their lives having average sex

yleniareads's review against another edition

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funny informative

3.5

renata_oliveira's review against another edition

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funny informative fast-paced

3.75

char_rawlings's review against another edition

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funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

4.0