"The Intimate Animal" is a fascinating, expansive, and immensely thorough deep dive into the sociology and science of relational intimacy.

"The Intimate Animal" begins by looking at the nature of intimacy and why humans need it in order to function and thrive. Then, he goes into exploring how we search for partners, dating, sex, commitment & nesting, infidelity, breaking up, and finally wraps up with a look to the future. I was really impressed at the sheer breadth of research that is covered in this book. And not only does it cover a wide variety of research but it also presents opposing findings and pointing out places where the verdict is still out.

If you enjoyed "Attached" by Levine and Heller or "Wired for Love" by Stan Tatkin, you'll certainly find this an enjoyable read. It's worth noting that this is much more of a research oriented book rather than a traditional self help book, so there's less in terms of prescriptive "things to do." I really enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to anyone I know interested in the science of why people fall in love and connect.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for early access to this book. I will be posting my review to Goodreads closer to the publishing date.

Dr. Justin Garcia’s The Intimate Animal is a revelatory and deeply engaging exploration of what it means to love, desire, and connect as human beings. Drawing on his groundbreaking work as Executive Director of the Kinsey Institute, Garcia blends evolutionary biology, psychology, and sociology to illuminate the paradoxes of intimacy—our longing for both sexual freedom and emotional security. His writing is rich with stories, science, and wit, from brothels in the Nevada desert to the neuroscience of love, showing that intimacy, not just sex, is one of humanity’s deepest biological drives. What makes Garcia’s approach so powerful is his ability to translate rigorous science into a compassionate narrative that speaks directly to our lived experience of love and loneliness.
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This book stands out as both a cultural critique and a roadmap for relational healing in the digital age. Garcia helps readers understand why true connection feels so elusive in a world saturated with swipes and screens, and how we can cultivate authentic intimacy amidst it all. His synthesis of evolutionary insight and emotional wisdom reframes intimacy not as a luxury but as a fundamental human necessity—one that shapes our biology, our happiness, and our survival. The Intimate Animal is a masterful and hopeful invitation to reclaim the heart of what makes us human: our boundless capacity to bond, care, and love deeply.
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