Detailed and informative overview of using Csikszentmihalyi’s 8 components of flow. The combination of story and research makes for an engaging read.

There's one big underlying theme in the death of desire - when life becomes a performance, when we aren't ourselves, when we're just playing roles the society supposedly expects from us, we shut down avenues for desire and true connection. Everything here about trust, communication, adaptability, vulnerability, connection, etc. starts from the common root - dropping the mask and stopping performing / following the script / going through the motions, but instead trying to meet the other person with curiosity, understanding, honesty and open mind.

The book offers practical exercises and prompts for communication, and presents common problem scenarios that occur in couples (being in a rut, cheating, performance anxiety, shame, emotional walling-off, etc.).

One thing I wasn't a big fan of was how heteronormative this book was - every example was cishet, monogamous and the roles assigned to men and women were very gender-stereotypical despite the author's statement they're an amalgam of various cases not any single client. Yes, the author put a disclaimer about it at the start, but I don't feel that's a sufficient excuse. At least there was racial diversity in the couples presented.

In Five Secrets to Lasting Intimacy, Dr. Emily Jamea shares practical advice on how to keep the spark alive in long-term relationships. She explores five key elements—sensuality, curiosity, adaptability, vulnerability, and attunement—that can help transform your love life. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to deepen their connection and enjoy a more fulfilling relationship.

As far as self help books go, this one was an easy read. I enjoyed it, find the subject matter to be important, and felt like the concepts were easily digestable.

Anatomy of Desire was a fantastic read! It provided a lot of insight into how our every day lives effect our relationships in both positive and negative ways. I like that advice was given that was useful, helpful, and easy to follow.

"Anatomy of Desire" by Dr. Emily Jamea is a captivating exploration into the intricacies of intimate relationships and the pursuit of fulfilling sexual connections. Drawing from years of experience as a sex and relationship therapist, Jamea delves into the essential components that create passion and connection in long-term relationships. Each chapter provides insightful strategies and real-life stories, blending scientific research with practical advice to help couples rediscover their erotic potential. Jamea's compassionate and knowledgeable approach invites readers to reconnect with their partners and themselves, fostering deeper emotional and physical intimacy. This book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to enhance their romantic relationships and embrace the full spectrum of their desires. I highly recommend!

This was a good examination of sexual desire and the things that can stand in the way of it, distort it, or help it to flourish.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I enjoyed this read. It was well-written and easy to digest the advice, which is not always the case with non-fiction, informational books such as this. I thought it was well-researched and useful to readers interested in these topics.

This book is a great read to learn how to deepen connection in relationships. The writing is easy to follow and does not feel like a textbook which can happen with informative reads. If you have an interest in this topic, definitely pick this book up!

This book was much different than what I thought when I chose it for my next read on NetGalley. That being said, it was a well written book with a wealth of advice, recommendations, and examples for how to build and sustain deep connections in relationships. I think that anyone seeking improved connections could benefit from the information provided in Anatomy of Desire.