I received this in my July Books That Matter box, this a work of non-fiction based upon the author's extensive interviews with three women about their lives and desire.

From the blurb:

"All Lina wanted was to be desired. How did she end up in a marriage with two children and a husband who wouldn't touch her?

All Maggie wanted was to be understood. How did she end up in a relationship with her teacher and then in court, a hated pariah in her small town?

All Sloane wanted was to be admired. How did she end up a sexual object of men, including her husband, who liked to watch her have sex with other men and women?"

On paper this sounded right up my street, but in reality I found it heavy-going. I was infuriated and astonished and saddened, and those are all good reactions. I was emotionally engaged. The author does a good job of illustrating the complexity of relationships, particularly in Sloane’s story, and makes valid points about women and how they are perceived and treated by society, by men, and - in some ways most shockingly - by other women.

But...overall, the book wasn’t what I was expecting. It seems to sell itself on being a book about women’s desire when the reality is the opposite, certainly for two of the women, Maggie and Sloane. Lina’s story is more accessible but even then she’s being exploited. I couldn’t identify with any of them - which is not surprising given that three women could never be, and aren’t intended to be, representative of all women.

Ultimately I think my issue with the book is one of choice of narratives. I can see why each story was chosen as they raise multiple issues. The book is a conversation piece. I would have liked to read stories of desire that included hope and celebration, but I didn’t find it here.

On its way to littleemz88 as it's on her wishlist. I hope you enjoy it!

I received this book as a RABCK from nefertari after she spotted it on my wishlist, so first of all, thank you nefertari for being so kind to send this to me.

Once I've read it I will pass this on again :)