Journey Toward Intimacy: A handbook for lesbian couples

Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected, but still worthwhile.
Review: My first disappointment with the book came when I realized that instead of focusing on creating intimacy generally, as the reviews and description led me to believe, the book is actually a guide to increasing sexual intimacy. I did decide to keep the book and found that the exercises are good for helping partners or individuals to clarify their sexual attitudes and explore their comfort zones. The book would be more helpful if more information were included; the format consists of short (1-2 page) introductions to the exercises and checklists of varying lengths. In some cases, however, it's unclear exactly what is meant by some of the items the reader is asked to check or leave unchecked, and it seems that a more fleshed out explanation would help most people. Because the exercises are thought exercises, they can't rely on physical experience to help make clear the goals of each. On the positive side, the book could be a non-threatening first step toward opening sexual communication between partners. I would recommend it to couples who find that they have sexual dissatisfactions they are uncomfortable discussing or unable to discuss in a productive way. The exercises are fairly basic, though, and for couples who are more practiced in communicating, they may not be as helpful.

Rating:
Summary: Fun & helpful...what more could we ask?
Review: This book was exactly what my partner and I needed to help us to overcome our tendency to stay in a comfortable rut. Our long-term relationship was harmonious, but it lacked emotional intimacy. Over time, I believe this led to a deadening of our eroticism as well. Playfully sharing our responses to the exercises in this book offered us the opportunity to get to know each other in new, deeper ways, helping us to move beyond our anxieties about authenticity. The result has been exciting, validating, and very much worth the journey which has led us into passion we've never known together.