She is un-self-conscious in her descriptions, recounting length of orgasms, positions tried and the precise tools used to achieve them.

Aronowitz is exceedingly well-read, and her book is stuffed with wisdom gleaned from her elders.

Willis's words and deeds are constant touchstones throughout this light-shedding investigation.

[Aronowitz] entwines her own experiences with a meticulous analysis of society and culture to explore the larger systems (white supremacy, capitalism, the patriarchy) and smaller trends (revenge porn, hookup apps, secretly misogynist activism) that encourage intimacy to fail. The result is an exquisitely researched, joyfully conversational take on sexual oppression and sexual revolutions throughout history, as well as a deeply heartfelt memoir. She references books, movies, and elections that changed sexual history—how they affected her personally and how they effected change in politics or culture. Aronowitz’s endearing commitment to journal keeping offers readers exactly what she was thinking and feeling while navigating nonmonogamy, hot affairs, divorce, casual sex, betrayal, grief, and existential disbelief, often all at once, over the last decade. This genuine and generous emotional offering is sure to make readers feel seen and heard, too..

The subtitle, though, is what takes the book from the personal to the polemical—the text delivers as much of the promised truth, pleasure, and revolution as it does depictions of what is bad about the current state of sex.

The author narrates her mother’s life engagingly.