All in all, this book feels like a warm embrace and feeling fully understood.

It took me a bit longer to read through it - mostly, because I wanted to do all the exercises of each chapter first before moving on to the next chapter. And I can definitely say that I had not only many aha moments but also was able to give myself room to reflect and let go of some beliefs.

A definite recommend for anyone that is looking to understand themselves better, their reactions when it comes to their sex life, and to those that want to live a freer life and reclaim their pleasure - for real.

Reclaiming Pleasure is an unapologetic and anti-shame manifesto that should be required reading for all. I love the way the book discusses pleasure as something positive.

3 stars

To start off I feel like it’s necessary to put a disclaimer that if you are not in the right frame of mind or headspace, or further into your healing process this might not be the book/guide for you at the moment. I say that because obviously with the nature of this book it is dealing with very triggering and traumatic subject matter, but also because you aren’t just dealing with your own event(s) but also several of the author’s patients’ stories of sexual assault and trauma; from these snippets of their stories you are then led into journaling prompts to help you sort out your feelings for their event and tie in how you can deal with feelings that were brought up concerning your trauma. So I feel like it should be known before diving in that you should really check in with yourself and see where you are at mentally and emotionally before jumping into this guide.

Regarding the interactive portions of the book/guide, I felt like the journal prompts and other resources were useful, if not a bit repetitive, and felt that they could really help navigate the complicated feelings that arise after reading the patient’s story in connection to your own trauma.

Something that I was turned off by were portions of the book/workbook that I felt really talked down to the reader and potentially negate or invalidate your feelings with the level of high positivity and “you can do this” motivational passages. But overall I felt like this was useful and with the way the guide is laid out it would be easy to skip over the things that don’t work for you and zero in on the areas that you do like, which for me were the interactive journaling and supplemental material.

Above all, be gentle with yourself. Know that you do not have to rush your healing process because others are telling you where you should be mentally, emotionally, or physically go at your own pace.

This advanced copy was given in exchange for an honest review

CW: sexual trauma

Thank you to NetGalley and New Harbinger Publications Inc. for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This nonfiction book is meant to act as a sex-positive guide to help those who read it heal from any sexual trauma they have endured and not just move forward but thrive. It claims to pick up where other guides leave off to carry the reader further. It also recommends using a journal alongside it to log reflections and other thoughts as prompted.

Admittedly, I did not complete this book. However, that does not speak to the quality of the book, but rather, my mindset in being able to process it. I requested this book because I thought it could be good for me, but I am just not in that mental space. This would be great for someone who is willing to put in the work to heal, slowly, without skipping any of the suggested steps or reflections.

Great explanations and easy workbook to aid client's in addition to receiving therapy from a trained clinician

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

This book was informative and helpful great book.