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15 min 05 sec
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He Comes Next: The Thinking Woman's Guide to Pleasuring a Man

A sex therapist's guide for women who want to give a male partner deeper pleasure by easing his performance anxiety, reviving desire, slowing his arousal and spreading sensation across his whole body.

Table of Content

Many couples settle into sex that works but rarely thrills, and the usual fix, more focus on erections and stamina, tends to make it worse. In He Comes Next, psychotherapist and sex counselor Ian Kerner argues that a man has his best sex when attention moves away from his penis and toward desire, relaxation and his whole body. Written as a companion to his earlier She Comes First, the book speaks to a man’s female partner and hands her the lead.

Kerner’s argument is direct. Men guard what is below the belt, in body and in mind, and a culture fixated on penetration, porn and pills deepens that guard. Lower it, slow everything down, and pleasure spreads. Along the way you’ll hear why long-term partners lose their spark, how fantasy and daily touch bring it back, and a step-by-step way of pacing that keeps a man near the edge longer, for a stronger finish both partners share.

A half-asleep man crossing a dark room reveals something about how he behaves in bed. His instinct to protect himself runs deeper than anatomy, and it shapes what he lets a partner see and touch.

The drug sold to cure erection problems may be feeding the fear behind them. Kerner traces a chain from teenage embarrassment to porn clips to pills, and shows where couples can break it.

Most men in one survey said their best sex ever was with their current partner. There was a catch, though, and it explains why so many long relationships drift into routine.

Many people hide their fantasies out of shame, even from the person they sleep beside. Kerner sees that silence as a waste, and offers a disguise that makes the first confession surprisingly easy.

Bored men often say the missing piece is not in the bedroom at all. Kerner’s fix starts with a daily ritual that takes seconds, and his advice on touch explains why calm can arouse more than excitement.

Men can climax in two very different ways, and most only know the smaller one. A blindfold, a length of rope and a long massage each push him toward the other.

The strongest orgasm, Kerner argues, comes from repeatedly not having one yet. A three-word method shows a partner when to build, when to pull back and when to finally let go.

He Comes Next argues against something many men believe about themselves. The penis gets the credit for male pleasure and the blame for male failure, and that double load is exactly what keeps so many men guarded, rushed and anxious. Kerner spreads the load across the whole body and the whole relationship. Desire, fantasy, daily closeness and relaxation carry as much weight as any technique, and the techniques themselves work by slowing things down and letting the man hand over control for a while.

For a partner, that points to a few places to begin. Hug him properly three times a day and hold his gaze in bed. Tell him a fantasy dressed up as a dream and see where the conversation goes. The next time you are intimate, start far from his genitals, with a long massage or a blindfold, and when the tension builds, use the squeeze and the pause to keep him near the edge before you let him go.

The men in Kerner’s survey remembered their best sex because of how much they wanted their partner, not because of any position. That wanting can be built again, deliberately, by two people who stop treating sex as a performance.

About this book

What is this book about?

Many long-term couples have sex that works but rarely thrills. The usual fixes, such as focusing harder on erections, stamina or a pill, often make things worse. Psychotherapist and sex counselor Ian Kerner argues that men are held back by a culture that treats sex as nothing more than the penis and penetration, and by their own instinct to guard what is below the belt. Written for women as a companion to his earlier She Comes First, the book moves the spotlight off male performance. Kerner explains how porn habits and Viagra feed anxiety, why desire fades in the attachment stage of a relationship, and how novelty, shared fantasy, daily hugs and relaxation bring it back. He then gives a hands-on method: widening arousal from a local to a global orgasm with nudity, restraint, blindfolds and massage, and a technique he calls please, squeeze and ease, which keeps a man on the plateau of arousal longer for a far stronger climax. Readers get both the reasons behind his pleasure and a practical plan for the bedroom.

Book Information

Rating:

Genre:

Sex & Relationships

Topics:

Sex & Intimacy

Publisher:

HarperCollins

Language:

English

Narrator:

Jenna

First published:

January 10, 2006

Pages:

240

Length:

15 min 05 sec

Get the book:

Amazon

Who it's for

  • Women with routine sex

    Women in long-term relationships whose sex life has settled into a predictable routine.

  • Partners of worried men

    Partners of men who worry about size, erections or finishing too fast.

  • Couples wanting techniques explained

    Couples who want concrete techniques plus the psychology behind male arousal.

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About the Author

Ian Kerner

Ian Kerner is a psychotherapist and sex counselor with a PhD, licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in New York State and certified by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. He treats individuals and couples in private practice and through the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy. His book She Comes First became a New York Times best seller, translated into more than a dozen languages. He founded GoodInBed.com, which carries out original sex research, and has lectured at New York University, Yale and Princeton.

Ratings & Reviews

Ratings at a glance

4.5

Overall score based on 401 ratings.

What people think

Listeners find the material to be skillfully written and educational, portraying it as a superb read that offers a valuable learning experience. They like the empowering tone and find it useful for those in relationships, with one listener highlighting the inclusion of homework assignments. The book earns varied reactions concerning its sense of humor and cost-effectiveness.

Top reviews

Diego

This book completely shifted how I view my role in our sexual dynamic. It is so easy to fall into the trap of thinking men are always ready and always satisfied, but Kerner peels back those layers of societal expectation. The homework assignments were surprisingly helpful and gave us a structured way to talk about things that usually feel awkward to bring up. Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about the clinical tone at first, but the empathy shown toward the male experience is beautiful. It’s an informative guide that prioritizes the 'we' in the relationship over individual performance. My partner actually thanked me for reading it because it made him feel seen in a way most 'advice' books don't. Highly recommend for any long-term couple needing a spark.

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Hugo

Let's talk about the 'homework' because that was actually the highlight of the entire book for us! It transformed the reading experience from a passive activity into an active improvement of our relationship. Kerner provides a safe space to explore the male psyche without shame, which is so refreshing in a culture that often ignores men’s emotional needs. The book is well-written and balances the humor with serious medical and psychological insights perfectly. I felt empowered as a partner to not just 'perform' but to truly understand the nuances of my husband's desires. It’s informative, touching, and surprisingly practical for everyday life. If you’re looking to deepen your intimacy beyond the surface level, this is exactly what you need. One of the best investments I've made for my marriage this year.

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Roongsak

Picked this up because I wanted to be more proactive in our bedroom life, and I wasn't disappointed. This isn't just about 'doing things better'; it’s about understanding the 'why' behind the 'what.' I loved how Kerner emphasizes that the best sex starts long before you ever get under the covers. The technical sections were illuminating without being gross or overly clinical, which I really appreciated. It feels like a complete manual for the modern woman who wants to understand the complexity of her partner’s sexuality. While it’s definitely written from a heterosexual perspective, the lessons on communication and empathy are universal. It’s an excellent read that I think every couple should have on their nightstand. My only regret is that I didn't find this book five years ago!

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Ten

After reading 'She Comes First', I felt like I owed it to my partner to pick this up and understand his side of the equation. Kerner does a fantastic job of breaking down the male psyche, moving far beyond the 'men are simple machines' trope that we see in media. It’s incredibly empowering to realize that intimacy is a two-way street built on emotional safety rather than just physical mechanics. While some of the biological descriptions felt a bit like a high school health class, the insights into performance pressure were eye-opening. The book provides a solid roadmap for couples who want to move past the routine and reconnect on a deeper level. I found the section on 'global' sensations particularly illuminating for our own bedroom life. It isn't just about techniques; it’s about changing your entire perspective on male pleasure.

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Gabriel

Ever wonder why your partner seems distant or stressed even when you're trying to be intimate? This book answers those questions by looking at the emotional hurdles men face that we rarely talk about. I found the section on 'unlearning' what we think we know about pleasure to be the most valuable part of the whole experience. It’s an informative read that balances the physical with the emotional quite well, though I did find the pacing to be a bit slow in the middle chapters. The author’s voice is encouraging and knowledgeable, making it feel like you’re having a chat with a very smart friend. It isn’t just a list of positions; it’s a deep dive into the male heart and mind. I definitely walked away with a new level of empathy for my husband.

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Pongpan

Finally got around to finishing this, and I have to say the practical applications are where it really shines. I wasn't sure if a 'how-to' book would feel too clinical, but the focus on genuine connection kept it from feeling cold. Frankly, the homework assignments were a bit intimidating at first, yet they ended up being the catalyst for some of our best conversations in years. Kerner manages to bridge the gap between biological facts and the messy reality of long-term desire. Some of the humor felt a bit 'early 2000s,' which was a minor distraction, but the core message remains incredibly relevant. It’s a helpful tool for any woman who wants to take an active role in her partner's pleasure while strengthening their bond. Definitely worth the time if you're willing to put in the effort.

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Pita

Kerner has a way with words that makes even the most clinical topics feel approachable and human. I appreciated the emphasis on the psychological components of arousal, especially the parts about how stress impacts desire. However, it’s hard to ignore how incredibly heterocentric the writing is throughout the entire book. While I understand the target audience, a bit more inclusivity would have made the insights feel more universal in today's world. The technical advice in the second half is decent, though I found some of it to be a bit basic compared to other resources available. It’s a well-written primer for heterosexual women who want to understand their partners better, but it lacks the depth for those looking for advanced exploration. A decent read, but not necessarily a game-changer for me.

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Hazel

The truth is, some of the jokes in this book made me cringe a little, but the actual information is solid enough. It’s a strange mix of high-level psychology and very basic technical advice that doesn't always flow perfectly. I think the book excels when it talks about the pressure men feel to perform and how that actually shuts down their pleasure. However, some of the 'lessons' felt a bit tedious and went on much longer than necessary to make a simple point. It’s a good introductory text for someone who hasn't explored these themes before, but seasoned couples might find it a bit elementary. To be fair, the section on the 'global' orgasm was interesting and provided a fresh perspective I hadn't considered. A middle-of-the-road resource for us.

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Darius

I'm going to go against the grain here and say this was a bit of a letdown. While the author is clearly knowledgeable as a therapist, the book felt like it was lecturing me on things that should be intuitive. Look, I appreciate the effort to deconstruct male sexuality, but the generalizations about what 'all men' want felt a bit reductive. Some of the physical tips were okay, but they were buried under mountains of psychological theory that felt more like a textbook than a guide. For the price, I was hoping for something that offered more unique strategies rather than just telling me to communicate better. If you’ve never read a book on the subject, it’s fine, but otherwise, you can probably skip this one without missing much. It’s informative but quite tedious.

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Olivia

To be fair, I expected a bit more 'aha' moments from a best-seller like this one, but I was sorely disappointed. Most of the advice felt like common sense that anyone in a healthy relationship would have already figured out through basic observation. I found the writing style a bit repetitive, and the humor often missed the mark for me, feeling a bit dated or forced. If you are totally new to the world of sexual health, this might be a goldmine, but otherwise, it's just one long 'Well, obviously.' For anyone with a bit of life experience, it feels like a lot of fluff surrounding a few decent points. It certainly didn't revolutionize our relationship or offer the value for money I was hoping for. Honestly, save your cash and just talk to your husband.

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Questions about this book

Kerner argues that men protect their genitals both physically and psychologically, and that a culture focused on penetration, porn and erection drugs feeds their anxiety. Men reach their best sex when the focus moves off the penis and onto desire, relaxation, emotional connection and the whole body. The book teaches a female partner to slow his arousal, take control of pacing and help him toward a stronger, full-body orgasm.

In Kerner’s view, Viagra and similar drugs have given many men unrealistic expectations about how firm and long-lasting an erection should be. He argues that the booming market for these pills has raised the very performance anxiety that helps cause erectile problems in the first place. Since penises respond poorly to pressure, he prefers an approach that weighs psychology and the relationship rather than chemistry alone.

Kerner separates a local orgasm, centered on the penis, from a global one that involves the whole body. To encourage the global kind, he suggests getting the man fully naked, tying him up, using a blindfold and giving a full-body massage. When genital touch begins, it should stay slow, teasing and irregular, ideally while stimulating his upper and lower body together.

Kerner says desire fades in the attachment stage because sex becomes predictable. He recommends adding novelty, surprise and mystery, treating fantasy as part of foreplay and sharing fantasies through his I Had a Dream method, which frames a fantasy as a dream to avoid judgment. Daily intimacy matters too: three long hugs a day and eye contact during sex help restore the emotional connection.

It is Kerner’s method for pacing a man’s arousal. Pleasing means touching and stimulating, with attention to sensitive areas such as the frenulum. The squeeze is a firm press on the head of the penis that pushes blood back and delays climax. Easing means pausing genital touch to kiss or caress elsewhere. Repeated, it keeps him on the plateau longer and makes the final orgasm more intense.

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He Comes Next

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