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The Sex You Want: A Shameless Journey to Deep Intimacy, Honest Pleasure, and a Life You Love

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You Deserve Great Sex

When it comes to relationships, our society has plenty of expectations. We're supposed to know how to speak up for ourselves in bed, be caring partners, and, of course, love ourselves first. But no one tells us how to actually do all those things, and we are left feeling unsatisfied, confused, and ashamed when we don't measure up.

Former Deputy District Attorney Rena Martine was in that position. After rejecting the ideal white-picket fence life, she embarked on a journey to redefine intimacy in a way that felt true. In the years that followed, Rena defied all of society's sexual norms, built a presence as a global women's intimacy coach, and created the intimate life she craved.

Now she brings those experiences to you! With no-holds-barred honesty, stories from real-life women, and sparkling humor, THE SEX YOU WANT will help you:

Build a secure relationship with your most important partner—YOURSELF
Get in touch with YOUR expectations for relationships so you can date more intentionally
Demystify lifestyle practices outside of the heterosexual-monogamous-vanilla box with frank discussions of female sexual fluidity, kink, and ethical non-monogamy
Find apps, products, and communities to satisfy any curiosity
Bring deep intimacy and exciting variety into your bedroom and beyond

When it comes to intimacy, vulnerability, and connection, you'll find that no two women are alike. THE SEX YOU WANT replaces cookie-cutter advice with powerful self-discovery tools to help you make friends with your own confidence and curiosity, build rock-solid relationships, and embrace what YOU love!

320 pages, Paperback

Published February 6, 2024

33 people are currently reading
1973 people want to read

About the author

Rena Martine

4 books16 followers
Rena Martine is a former sex crimes Deputy District Attorney turned women’s intimacy expert known for her infectious energy, refreshing candor, and straightforward approach. She’s impacted thousands of women globally as a certified coach, educator, and speaker with a mission to reclaim the term “Shameless” as a badge of honor. A native Angeleno, Rena calls Echo Park home and happily lives around the corner from her partner. When she’s not chasing her Siamese cat Chooch around, you can find her connecting with people she loves most, with a smile on her face and (sometimes!) a bourbon cocktail in her hand.

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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Andrew.
119 reviews3 followers
September 19, 2023
3.5 rounded up, but I can absolutely see the target audience for this book rating it higher.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Alluded to above, I am not the target audience for this book. This is intended for women that seek to improve their sex lives and folks that are aware of the "Shameless" program that Martine pilots. I'm a straight, monogamously married dude that just reads a lot of books without discrimination to what type they are. As someone that falls into neither target category, I'm in a really awkward spot writing the first review on this site.

I think The Sex You Want will be important for a lot of readers, but the subject is so taboo that many will not want to admit to reading it - a sad irony, since a main takeaway is to remove the cultural shame associated with intimacy and sexuality. If you read it, I hope you share your thoughts - especially if you're someone that this book was intended for. It would help other readers way better than my take.

It will be impossible to write this review without discussing some of the topics at length. So... be warned, I guess? If you're reading a review about a sexual self-help book, you probably know what you're getting into already.

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The Sex You Want at first feels like a bait and switch from what the title and description might suggest, but it definitely culminates into a book about three things: Knowing yourself, accepting who that person is and what they like, and embracing it. The first 70% or so focuses on self love and acceptance, which ties into being a better partner and lover - even if it's just for yourself. The last few chapters (and one or two interspersed) lean hard on the sexual side of the discussion, as promised in the title. The sections about understanding porn, BDSM, group sex, and Ethical Non-Monogamy are definitely there, but Martine goes to great lengths to make sure that the reader is ready and expects them going forward.

Martine is admittedly big on "baby steps," and the book does a good job of slowly acclimating the reader to what will be covered by the time you get to the more explicit sections. Much of this is done through a near-memoir approach, aiming to establish trust in Martine as an expert. I really liked this approach, and truthfully, I'd love to read more about the balance between being a respected DA and how that lead to becoming a women's sex coach. There are also huge chunks of chapters dedicated to the first hand accounts from customers in the Shameless program - a lot of the anecdotes are neat, but a handful fell flat for inclusion here. I found the sections on communication and self-reflection to be way more engaging than the sections about understanding kinks and the like. One concept that every reader should embrace is the "80 Year Old Badass," which is definitely a highlight.

Martine gives some writing assignments to the reader throughout the book. Some feel like they would be found in any self-help book and have just been re-spun to potentially include BDSM if the reader is comfortable with the concepts (especially the "27 things list," which is referenced a few times throughout). Some of these feel like they make more sense in a coach/mentee dynamic rather than an author/reader one. I do think the book is more effective because of them, but many feel like targeted tools that you'd find in other relationship/self help books.

Another potentially helpful set of tools are the suggested phone apps throughout. If anyone was looking for information about apps that are safe and related to communication with a partner and sex of all kinds from a reputable source (rather than some random thing in a Google search), there's plenty of them recommended throughout. This set of tools does lean into what you probably think you're getting from the book before you pick it up.

I don't think this book is for everyone, but I do think that it will help a lot of folks. I'm overall glad I read this, even if many of the topics really don't apply to me. Hope this long-winded review was useful.
Profile Image for Tressa.
883 reviews
July 30, 2024
2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars: most of the direct sex advice comes in part 3 of a 3 part book so I think the title is a bit misleading. There is some good advice that’s backed by research (fantasies, porn, BDSM, etc.) and this title also leans heavily into exploring consensual non-monogamy.

This book is written for individuals who identify as women. In terms of diversity and inclusion, lesbians and queer experiences are mentioned and there’s (maybe?) a few references to other LGBTQIA+ identities. There IS a chapter on acknowledging and processing trauma but not much in the way of acknowledging disabilities, chronic illness, or sexual dysfunctions. While this book does have examples from women who’ve been sexually traumatized, this title is mostly written for ableist women whose sexual and intimate lives have become “boring”, “not what I want” or “I don’t know how to ask for what I want.”

In general, I do think this is a pretty decent title about ways to reduce/eliminate shame, which may include intimacy & sexual activity along with related areas of body and mind. There are some exercises that explore who you are and what you want and ways (baby steps!) to work on getting them. However, I would also recommend reading something else if you want something that’s exclusively about improving your sex life.
Profile Image for Catrina.
54 reviews6 followers
March 12, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC. While the title may be provocative, at the heart of this book is unpacking shame in and out of the bedroom.

Rena does a great job of weaving her own story of being a former deputy district attorney to certified sex coach. I appreciated the real stories shared of the women she works with and it provided deep reflection around women, desires and the taboos that surround that.

What I loved the most? It’s accessibility and the wealth of resources from podcasts, apps, books and websites making it a legit and informative read.
Profile Image for Adrian Smith.
29 reviews
January 31, 2025
3.5 stars. It was a good book full of stories, resources and is very readable but maybe since I've read books by Esther Perel and others exploring sexuality that some of the tools listed were familiar for me already and it wasn't "knock my socks off good". But would def recommend this to someone. It's a solid read.
Profile Image for Hannah.
3 reviews
November 11, 2023
What would your life look like if shame weren't an option?


Rena Martine's The Sex You Want: A Shameless Journey to Deep Intimacy, Honest Pleasure, and a Life You Love is an excellent read for anyone who is already a fan of Dan Savage, Brené Brown, Emily Nagoski, etc., and is now looking for concrete ways to integrate what is known about sex, wellness, and shame into their day to day lives. The book would also serve as a great entry point to a reader who may not be as familiar with self-help and sexual wellness, giving a wide selection of information ranging from classic adages like "If it is not a fuck yes, it's a no" to brand new (for this reader, at least) tools like getting in touch with your own 80-year-old badass.

While the title may highlight SEX, this book actually spends a lot of time out of the bedroom. In three separate sections, it focuses on one's relationship with theirselves, one's relationships with others, and finally, specific strategies to have, as the title suggests, the sex one wants. Each chapter includes stories from Martine's life, stories from women she has worked with as an intimacy coach, and action steps/exercises to put into practice what you read about in the chapter. I found this style to be incredibly helpful- the stories included from Martine's life were interesting, and reading about the experiences of so many women truly helped remove remaining layers of shame around these topics, leaving me feeling excited to try the exercises by the end of the chapter. I also appreciated the addition of specific "scripts" or questions the reader could use to discuss some of the content in the book with people in their life- this kind of solid direction provides scaffolding that makes potentially intimidating conversations very doable.

As mentioned, the last section of the book is focused specifically on sex, and includes discussion of BDSM, ethical nonmonogamy, the role of fantasy, and other topics that some readers could have qualms with. I think it is important to highlight that all of these are offered as tools and suggestions- Martine invites the reader to have curiosity about these topics, learn, ask questions- but never insists that there is one RIGHT way to be a sexual being. There are so many tools and ideas offered in this book, and the reader is free to take what works, and leave what doesn't.

Overall, The Sex You Want is something I'd recommend to any woman (queer, straight, cis, trans) who is looking to improve their life inside AND outside the bedroom. The amount of information out there about sex and self-help can feel overwhelming- having a book that synthesizes this information into a guide with practical exercises and ideas with sensitivity and humor is invaluable.

Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Monica.
62 reviews
July 29, 2025
Rena Martine, former LA sex crimes DA turned intimacy expert. Rena felt like she was slowly losing herself to her work, losing herself to an unhappy marriage. Realizing one day that the life she was living wasn't her dream. She now coaches " Shameless " women how to achieve the intimacy they want. This book is a collection of personal experiences, guidance, and actionable steps on how to achieve the level of intimacy you have always desired no matter what your preferences are.

I truly enjoyed this book, I didn't know what to expect when I picked it up. What I was seeking was a different perspective on intimacy that may or may not have changed my own. Lets start with the fact that I truly loved Rena's transformation - on the outside she seemed to have the life that many women would have desired. An amazing career that made a difference and what seemed like a happy marriage. Any story involving change where an individual finds what makes the sparkle with passion is one that I love to read, also because it inspires hope.

On to the intimacy. I love everything Rena talked about in this book. You don't have to be straight, bi curious, polyamorous, or anything to read this book. This book gives practical advice for literally anyone that is interested in taking their intimacy to a deeper level.. this book validates those " taboo " topics that many people think about, but don't talk about. Like experimenting with the same sex, swinging, threesomes, BDSM etc. I love that this book creates a space that is comfortable for the reader to explore their beliefs and wants and also given tools on how to execute them. This book gives advice to the couple who has been married for 10+ years, with children, that are dying from a stagnant sex life. This book gives advice to the divorcee who is experiencing single life again and wanting to try things he/she has never done before. This book gives advice to the 24 year old something who isn't sure if they want to be in a "typical" monogamous relationship, but is too afraid to talk about it, too afraid to ask question to be better equipped to understand how to move forward.
I truly enjoyed how freeing this book felt. To talk about sex (a very human NATURAL desire) and FEEL empowered thinking about it, feel empowered to figure out what that means to me.
Profile Image for Garret Biss.
1 review2 followers
March 11, 2024
Permission for self-love and authenticity

Don't judge a book by its cover - I expected the book to be just about the attention-grabbing word in the title, instead, it gets into all the things that affect how we show up in life and in turn, how we show up in the bedroom.  

I never considered how everything from societal norms and expectations, family values and beliefs, pop culture, and our past experiences all intersect to shape who we are behind closed doors.   

Rena peels back the curtain and shares some of the unique and innovative processes she uses with clients who pay thousands to work with her. 

As an author myself, I have to give Rena due credit for mastering the craft of writing. Her seamless blending of stories, science, and coaching makes it an easy, fascinating read. 
I'll be honest, I originally bought the book to support the friend of a friend. I get that I am not the target audience for this book but curiosity struck me so I read a few pages...then a few more...then found it hard to put down. 

I won't pretend to know what it's like to be a woman and to deal personally with the intersection of shame and sex but Rena paints a vivid picture about the journey into shame and the journey beyond. 

Thank you Rena for making such an effort giving permission for others to be authentic and for laying out the path back to wholeness, happiness, and joy (in the bedroom and beyond it).
Profile Image for stephanie cox.
1,168 reviews19 followers
December 23, 2024
The Sex You Want by Rena Martine is an empowering and candid exploration of having the sex you truly desire. This book offers a personal, unapologetic look at the importance of women embracing their sexual needs and desires, breaking free from the societal conditioning that often teaches us to view our sexuality as shameful or wrong.

Martine touches on key topics such as self-discovery, the importance of getting in touch with your own body, exploring non-monogamy, and using products to enhance personal satisfaction. The book is all about building confidence and reclaiming your sexual power, helping women live their best lives and experience the best sex they deserve. It's a liberating and healing read that I would recommend every woman pick up!
Profile Image for Shana Nichols.
13 reviews
November 30, 2024
I very much loved this book! As a somewhat newlywed, things are already super exciting between my partner and I and still I recommend every woman (and man for that matter) read it anyway. The general advice, books, apps, games, etc. and how to spice things up - or keep them spicy - was very thoughtful and useful. The knowledge in this book would have taken me years to have intuitively thought of so it’s nice to have it all in one succinct book. Of course, there will be some stuff that isn’t really your style, I know there was for me. But she doesn’t shove it down your throat and takes an unbiased, shameless approach. 10/10 recommend!
1 review
November 10, 2023
I read Rena's fabulous book "The Sex You Want" in the course of two weeks. I take my time with books, so this was fast for me.

What I can say is: wow.

Coming from the perspective of a once-closeted, former sex-crimes prosecutor, Rena provides an empowering and refreshing take on being the woman you want to be. She helps you eliminate shame, re-program your external messages that caused you to have low esteem, and to get in touch with the true feminine form you can proudly be.

I couldn't recommend her book more. Read The Sex You Want, and get the sex you want!
Profile Image for Kate Laycoax .
1,446 reviews14 followers
November 14, 2023
This is a very personal and shameless look into having the sex that you want. I think more often than we realize, women are afraid to want good sex and to have good sex because society has conditioned us to believe that it's dirty or shameful or that we are wrong. But, this isn't the case and I love that the author explored topics like getting in touch with yourself (literally), non-monogamy and products to satisfy yourself. This book is about self-discovery and gaining confidence so that we can live our best lives and have the best sex we want! It's so healing and liberating and I recommend that every woman read this book!
1 review
November 21, 2023
Rena is provocative, honest and unapologetic in “The Sex you Want.” It was humbling to read about how her past relationships and career led her on this journey to where she is now. The homework assignments were incredibly helpful and I loved her candidness when talking about her sexuality—it was liberating to read a book written by a female that embraces sexuality versus shames it. Highly recommend!
1 review1 follower
November 29, 2023
Loved this book. Both practical and interesting. I so appreciate the authors willingness to share from her own life stories and combine with techniques that she has been using with clients. It's honestly a handbook for self sex coaching!! Highly recommend if you are wanting to understand pleasure more, dive into the world of sexual exploration, or if you are just looking for practical tips to spice things up.
1 review
November 23, 2023
This book is an absolute must read! Rena’s writing is not only easy to read and accessible, but it’s like she’s a dear friend sitting across the table talking to you. She not only shares helpful examples from her coaching practice but she also shares her own stories along with action steps. This book is sure to bring you closer to having the sex you want!
Profile Image for lizzi.
188 reviews4 followers
December 15, 2023
Love, love, love! The Sex You Want was a fantastic read with helpful pointers on how to speak up for yourself and empower yourself to have the Sex You Want, rather than the sex you think you should be having. I appreciated that each point in the book was about empowering and learning what you want and how to ask for it.
Profile Image for Benjamin Wallin.
112 reviews2 followers
January 21, 2024
Best book on sex I've read. It is about the personal pleasure of sex. It is about finding what you want and being clear with partners. Filled with personal stories, this is a great starter for anyone interested in learning about kink, BDSM, poly, anything other than vanilla. Written directly towards women.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
60 reviews26 followers
February 18, 2024
This book is awesome! Super smart and accessible. Great, practical advice. Wonderful tasks to try right now w/o feeling like homework. I would HIGHLY recommend this book. It’s also really positive and makes great sex feel possible. I feel like sometimes these books are too academic or too Debbie downer.
Profile Image for Kelly Pramberger.
Author 13 books60 followers
January 17, 2024
Embracing yourself is a powerful message. I was drawn to this book because I desired to know more about how to get in touch with my needs as I get older. It was written in an easy-to-understand way. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Profile Image for Parker.
1,140 reviews4 followers
June 5, 2024
It's more than just a sex book, it basically comes down to a decent book about relationships that happens to talk about sex. It's definitely aimed at women, but I think there was still lessons I could glean from this regardless.
1 review
August 9, 2024
As a S*x Coach, I love this book. It helped me to be even more open minded to sexuality and also examining ways that in our own lives as women how we donwplay our pleasure and needs and how we can change that. Awesome book and I love her writing style/ tone.
Profile Image for Cat.
94 reviews17 followers
September 1, 2024
First half was good, second half I could take or leave. Idk I'm probably projecting but there's a smugness in the way the author talks about ENM and BDSM, as if anyone not into either of those things is wasting their sex lives.
1 review
November 10, 2023
Loved this book! It helped me so much and can't recommend it enough to my friends. If you are looking to heal shame and connect to your sexual power this book is for you!
Profile Image for Carolyn.
26 reviews
August 13, 2024
This book is nothing short of transformative. We all carry a sense of shame throughout our lives, but we often don’t recognize how it seeps into our inner dialogue, relationships, and self-perception. This book goes beyond typical discussions of sex and intimacy to offer profound, practical life lessons that are genuinely life-changing.

Are you looking to live a life you love, free from the constraints of shame? This book provides invaluable, step-by-step guidance on articulating what you need to be happy, healthy, and emotionally fulfilled. It offers insightful strategies for communicating your needs with your partner, family, and friends, and presents innovative ideas for creating a life that defies conventional norms.

The author writes with a deep sense of empathy and understanding, making it feel as though she’s been your friend all along. The book resonated with me so deeply that I couldn’t resist buying a paperback copy after reading it for free on Kindle.

If you’re ready to break free from shame, explore alternative relationship dynamics, and embrace a more authentic way of living, this book is a must-read. It’s a powerful tool for anyone looking to transform their life and build meaningful connections.
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