ILL-EQUIPPED FOR A LIFE OF SEX: A Memoir

Once upon a time, Jennifer, a 28-year-old Los Angeles grad student who has never supported herself financially nor had a successful romantic relationship, met John, 31, a nearly broke actor. He's a former alcoholic and drug addict, has long, thinning hair and lives in an apartment that smells of cat urine. Reeling from repeated encounters with unavailable men, Jennifer thinks John's "brilliant, funny, and fun," though he looks "like a troll." John's looks are just the tip of the iceberg. As the title of Lehr's charged memoir suggests, this is a story of sexual dysfunction—and redemption. Though too long, Lehr's narrative moves quickly, as she recalls being a teenager "afraid of having to 'go further' " with boys, trysts with handsome actors and her unfulfilling sex life with John, with whom she falls in love despite her initial lack of attraction. Lehr graduates, John lands a role on a sitcom and their relationship deteriorates. He doesn't want to have sex. She's determined to change that. So the bumpy road to happily ever after begins, including therapy, AA meetings, religious conversion, antidepressants, money fights—and sex, which Lehr describes explicitly. More than 50 photos of the couple throughout the book further personalize a very private tale. Thanks to Lehr's humor and openness, it's one that may help others struggling with similar issues. Agent, Susan Golomb. (Sept. 1)