As a lover of romance novels, I was excited to read this nonfiction book about how desire and sexuality is affected in the US. This was an easy to read, interesting, and informative book!

Fierce Desires by Rebecca L. Davis is a book I would only recommend to certain people. It reads almost like a textbook, where I was invested in learning and eager to hear new perspectives and insights, but I didn’t necessarily feel captivated. This book is a well of information, and anyone already interested in learning more about these topics would gain so much from reading it. It’s truly an amazing historical account.

There were moments when the author did an excellent job presenting the information through the lens of one person’s or one family’s experiences while backing it up with other historical references and points. This helped connect the reader to both the individual stories and the broader history. However, I did feel there were some points and topics that could have been explored further. Still, I can understand why the author framed the book the way they did, particularly given how many books are now delving deeper into issues of sexuality, sexual identity, and gender. Fierce Desires stands apart from much of the commentary and literature currently out there.

Yes, the book felt long, but with the wealth of stories and information on these topics, it could have been even longer. I think the author did a great job of focusing on specific events and occurrences while ensuring they connected through a common thread, making it easier for readers to follow along and retain the information. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to take a deeper look into how sex and gender have played huge roles historically—often in ways we don’t expect.

**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A Provocative and Enlightening Exploration**

Rebecca L. Davis’s *Fierce Desires: A New History of Sex and Sexuality in America* offers a thought-provoking and comprehensive look at the evolution of sexual norms and behaviors in American history. Davis skillfully blends historical analysis with compelling narratives to reveal the complexities of sexual identity and desire across different eras. The book is engaging and informative, providing fresh perspectives on well-trodden topics. While some sections could benefit from more in-depth exploration, the overall narrative is insightful and adds significant value to the discourse on sexuality and social change in America.