Smart Sex: How to Boost Your Sex IQ and Own Your Pleasure

This guide is a game-changer for anyone who felt let down by their original sex education. Emily Morse writes with such a non-judgmental tone that you immediately feel at ease. It’s packed with actual facts that strip away the shame often associated with seeking pleasure. I loved how she prioritized the psychological aspects of intimacy before diving into the physical stuff. To be fair, some sections felt a bit basic, but the overall message is transformative. If you want to improve your relationship with yourself and your partner, start here. It's an easy read that manages to be both light and life-changing at the same time.

Finally, a sexual wellness book that feels like talking to your smartest, most non-judgmental friend. Dr. Morse draws on deep research and scientific evidence to explain why we feel the way we do about sex. I found the section on the 'anal gap' and how to talk to partners about it surprisingly helpful and well-researched. The book is incredibly descriptive without being graphic, serving as a how-to guide for embracing the sides of yourself you may have held back. It's the education we never received in school. This is essential reading for any human being who wants to prioritize their own pleasure and self-care.

Dr. Morse has crafted something truly special here for anyone looking to prioritize their own joy. The book is incredibly informative and easy to digest, which is a rare combination for a subject that usually feels taboo. Truth is, her approach to the 'Sexual Bucket List' changed how my partner and I talk about our desires. It turned an awkward conversation into a fun, collaborative exercise that felt safe and exciting. I appreciated the facts provided to help destigmatize masturbation and other healthy habits. This book isn't just about sex; it’s about the importance of self-care and understanding your own body's unique needs.

Not what I expected, but in a refreshing way that prioritizes facts over fluff. Most sex books are either too clinical or way too 'woo-woo,' but Morse strikes a great balance. The emphasis on the fact that anyone with an anus can enjoy pegging or other forms of pleasure was a bold and necessary inclusion. I love how she frames sex as a skill that can be improved through intentionality and open dialogue. It’s a very descriptive how-to book that helps you embrace parts of your sexuality you might have suppressed. This resource is truly life-changing for anyone ready to stop settling for mediocre intimacy.

Ever wonder why nobody taught us the basics of pleasure in school? Dr. Emily takes readers on a beginner's A-Z course that fills in those gaps perfectly. Her tone is very People magazine-y, which makes the heavier topics feel accessible and less intimidating for the average reader. Frankly, some of the exercises, like the 'Sexual Bucket List' where you and a partner check off interests, were the highlight for me. It encourages conversations that most couples are too shy to start on their own. While I’d recommend other books for deeper dives into specific kinks, this is a solid, practical foundation for sexual wellness.

As someone who is currently single, I wasn't sure if this would apply to me, but it really emphasizes self-connection. I listened to the audiobook version and it felt like Emily was personally answering my questions. While a lot of the material is targeted toward those in relationships, the focus on self-pleasure and psychological barriers is universal. The writing style is light and loose, making it a very quick read. To be fair, I did skip some of the more basic 'how-to' sections that felt a bit elementary. Overall, it’s a helpful guide that reinforces the idea that sexual wellness is a key part of overall health.

After hearing her podcast, I knew I had to grab this book to see the full extent of her framework. It starts off very basic—reminding us that masturbation won't cause hairy palms—but the road gets steeper and more interesting. The practical side of the book, especially the communication exercises, is where the real value lies. I think most people will find at least something worthwhile on these pages even if they don't agree with every chapter. My only gripe is that some topics were dragged out for too many pages. Still, it is a thoughtful and engaging piece of work for the modern era.

Picked this up because I’ve been a long-time listener of the podcast and expected a bit more depth from the written version. For a newcomer, this is likely an eye-opening resource, but for those already familiar with sexual wellness, it’s mostly a skimmer. The first two chapters are excellent for understanding communication, yet the later chapters on ENM and kink felt a bit like nonsense to me. Not gonna lie, I rolled my eyes at the 'masculine vs feminine' energy section because it felt so binary. It’s a decent book for cishet couples looking to spice things up, but it definitely has its limitations.

The first half of the book is actually quite revolutionary for anyone struggling with communication in their relationship. Morse correctly identifies that most sexual problems are actually just communication problems in disguise. However, the tone is occasionally awkward and the 'feminine energy' talk was a major turn-off for me. Why do we still need to pretend that being receptive equals being submissive? Personally, I think there are better books like 'Come As You Are' if you want a more modern, gender-inclusive perspective. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, though the practical lists and questions are undeniably useful for breaking the ice with a partner.

While the intent behind the book is clearly to educate, I struggled significantly with the outdated gender tropes sprinkled throughout the text. The author spends a lot of time discussing 'feminine energy' as something submissive and 'masculine energy' as inherently leading or powerful. In my experience, leadership isn't gendered, and these definitions felt incredibly forced and reductive for a modern wellness book. Look, I appreciate the focus on destigmatizing pleasure, but I can't look past the inconspicuous body shaming and rigid roles. It feels like she’s trying to be inclusive, yet she falls back on these binaries that just don’t resonate with everyone. There are some good communication tips, but the framework is frustrating.