Wanting Sex Again: How to Rediscover Your Desire and Heal a Sexless Marriage

For someone who pegs wedding cake as a kind of anti-aphrodisiac, sex therapist and Psychology Today blogger Watson is surprisingly optimistic—most sexless marriages, she asserts, “can be saved.” Always frank, Watson begins by debunking the common fear that one’s sex life is unusual, or that a marriage’s problems are unique; the loss of libido after “I do” is not an unusual problem, she argues, but in order to address it, both partners will need to put in a lot of effort, time, and honest communication. In broad strokes, Watson discusses individual and marital circumstances that can affect one’s sex drive—such as hormonal changes and having kids—while offering more detailed advice and practical bedroom tips. She tackles the “[e]lusive” female orgasm, discusses how to negotiate expectations regarding foreplay, and explores how erotica, sex toys, and masturbation can be used to revivify one’s libido and bring a partner back into physical intimacy. She also delves into possible personal hangups, such as childhood misconceptions regarding sex and the difficulty of recovering from an affair. Though aimed at the fairer sex, men and women alike will find plenty of guidance in this compendium of expert advice and case studies. Agent: Stephany Evans, FinePrint Literary Management. (Dec.)