Sexual Healing

by Jill Nelson

Jill Nelson, bestselling author of Volunteer Slavery and Straight, No Chaser , has written a steamy and uproarious debut novel that tells the story of Lydia and Acey, two childhood friends who've grown up to become successful midcareer professionals. But their career success is matched by their romantic and sexual frustrations. One night, dissecting their dissatisfactions over a bottle of wine, they concoct a why not develop a business that discreetly supplies handsome black men willing and able to serve the sexual needs of black women? Thus is born the idea for Sexual Healing-a "full--service" spa aimed at meeting all of black women's intimate desires. Launching the enterprise is a struggle, but the conflict is just even as their delighted customer base grows, they face a firestorm of attacks from hostile media, grandstanding church leaders and other outraged parties. From the most dignified black church in Oakland to sex-positive small-town Nevada, from the racks of Loehmann's to the skyscraping executive suites of San -Francisco, Sexual Healing is a page-turning comedy of outraged manners, a blistering satire on American gender and race relations, and a sexually frank exploration of what women really want. Jill Nelson unleashes the storytelling abandon that captivated readers of Volunteer Slavery and gives it full rein in what's sure to be one of the hottest books of 2003. Praise for Jill "Nelson's voice is boisterous, honest and hilarious."-Terry McMillan "Scalding, candid, mordantly funny."- Boston Globe "Tumultuous, funny and ultimately wrenching. . . . And no target is off limits."- Detroit Free Press Jill Nelson is the author of the bestselling Volunteer Slavery (Noble, 1993), which won an American Book Award, and Straight, No Chaser (Putnam, 1997), and the editor of the anthology Police Brutality (Norton, 1999). She is a regular contributor to the Village Voice and MSNBC.com, among other publications. She teaches at the City College of New York and lives in Manhattan.

Genres: Fiction

300 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

Jill Nelson was born and raised in Harlem and has been a working journalist for over twenty years. She is a graduate of the City College of New York and the Columbia School of Journalism. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including The New York Times, Essence, The Washington Post, The Nation, Ms., The Chicago Tribune and the Village Voice. Jill was a staff writer for the Washington Post Magazine during its first years of existence, and was named Washington D.C. Journalist of the Year for her work there. She freelances and lectures widely, and writes a twice-monthly column, “On the Verge,” for NiaOnline.com and is a monthly contributor to the Op Ed page of USA Today. She was a professor of Journalism at the City College of New York from 1998 to 2003. Jill lectures widely on race, gender, politics, media, writing and other topics.

--from the author's website

Reviews

[Marrico Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know, I'm really confused as to why this book has gotten mixed reviews, or poor ones. Opinions are subjective, but I'm afraid readers don't know what good writing is anymore. The details in this book are masterfully crafted. The story is funny. The characters are entertaining and colorful. The book contains what I call a lot of "word candy." The metaphors are vivid and add to the characters and story. Sexual Healing is an excellent read and an example of what great writing and storytelling is. This book and the author should be studied by aspiring writers who want to master their craft. Jill Nelson showcases her skills as a journalist, professor, and published author in this underrated classic novel.

*Towards the end, a misandrist and political view is expressed. I had to push through the last 30 to 40 pages, and the ending was decent.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book told the story of women who want sex not because they were prostitute, but because they were human and had physical needs. Therefore a place was created for these women to go and have their physical needs met without humiliation.

Though the story was fiction, I know that there are a lot of women out there, that can identify with this need for physical intimacy. Which they often ignore because of what others might think of them.

[Jessica Macdonald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Concept: Great
Written: Brilliantly
Raunchy Scenes: Amazing
Rampant bi-phobia and transphobia: Offensive and completely emersion breaking.

[Rachelmallinga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jill Nelson is one of my favorite authors, this is her first novel that deals with a lot of sex politics with issues of image, gender and politics with in middle age African American women. Granted, most of the reviews criticized her language being out dated and her trying to squish a million characters and story lines in it. but its one of the few novels that is sex positive african american women. yeah!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This definitely a summer or beach read. I read the follow up book, can't recall the name. It was one of those page turners...another beach read. Jill Nelson has definitely written better books like Volunteer Slavery, Straight No Chaser and Finding Martha's Vineyard. However, this book is a total ride and it will make you say "What if?"

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

entertaining and enlightening book--light-hearted and sexy but touches on some major racial issues as well.

[Toshana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for the grown & sexy.

[Vicci Divine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters in the book were developed nicely which helped because each chapter was from the viewpoint of a different character. The book explores sexuality, friendships, and business startups

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 women start a brothel for women.

[Adriane Griggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good story of sisterhood, heartache and healing. Don't let the title fool you.. Sexual Healing is more than a Marvin Gaye classic and definitely more than a spa treatment. Two best friends, both at crossroads in their professional and private life decide to open a spa geared towards the sole purpose of pleasing black women. The personal and professional obstacles they encounter are both hilarious and heartbreaking. The bffs have to freak with a thieving ex, a washed up minister and a politician bent on subduing the black race.
Round out the story with a witty supporting cast of characters and this was truly a good read.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hilarious! I was thoroughly entertained. It had the perfect balance of steamy, but not too raunchy sex scenes, and laugh out loud humor. Oh, how I wish I could start a full service spa specializing in "happy endings"! Going into business with your best friend, selling a product as old as time, adds up to the ultimate side hustle. If you are looking for some laughs with a little kink, this is the book. It will never happen in this country, but hey, live a little. I will definitely recommend it to a book club!

[Nashira Washington · Rating 3 out of 5]

it took awhile to get into but once they actually saw the spa as a reality, I needed to find out what happened. I also would've liked to see what happened with other characters like Matthew and lydia's mom

[Rosy Almendarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

no se que esperaba de este libro cuando lo escogí, pero wow

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

What in the world was this book?!

[Dave B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sexual Healing was an interesting and somewhat fun read. I enjoyed the strong woman’s view of sexual freedom and empowerment. My only problem was the details of the story. I enjoyed the way the author brought together all the subplots of the story but was disappointed with the shallow complexity of the main plot. I had the feeling that this story could have explored other factors like strained relationship based on a brothel or the love triangle that could have developed between the three main characters. Over all the book was ok and a very fun idea.

[Jenne · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are several books (like this one) where some women set up a brothel of men to cater to women. Has anyone actually done that? I ask merely out of intellectual curiosity, I promise.
This is not a particularly great example of the genre, however. Butterfly was much better.

[Khyrra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was a bit slow for me. It took longer than I expected to finish it. And it felt to me, towards the end, the story moved so fast as if the author just wanted to finish and get it over with. Overall, I enjoyed the story line and the colorful characters.

[Temptingat40 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was okay but to long to get to the storyline and the language is written in slang. Not everybody doesn't talk like that.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get through 1st chapter.

[M]

I thought it was cleverly done,until I read "What You Owe Me" by Bebe Moore Campbell and saw similarities. The blazing one, the business start up. It's ok.
That's what happens when you read too much.

[A. Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was bored; couldn't get past chapter 8.