The Sex Lives of Married Women

by Saman Shad

Escaping her ‘model migrant’ family life in Australia, Meena flourished in London. After falling pregnant, she and her boyfriend, Owen, fall in love with baby Sasha and bravely head to Sydney. But now Owen barely looks at Meena.

On a backpacking holiday, Sophie meets Todd. After a whirlwind romance she throws in her rising career in New York and follows Todd to Sydney, where she has committed to being the perfect wife, mother, and BFF to Meena. But now Todd’s talking about a treechange, and Sophie’s not sure if the life she built is the one she wants.

Rani came to Australia as an international student and met her husband Daniyal. But raising her son Ali while navigating her husband’s late nights has left her lonely. A simple act of rebellion threatens to upend her marriage, but could it also set her free?

When their paths collide, Meena, Sophie, and Rani form an unlikely alliance. Over coffee, cocktails, and confessions, they share the messy, hilarious truths about marriage, motherhood, and what they really want.

Raw, funny, and heartbreakingly relatable, The Sex Lives of Married Women is an unflinching exploration of the secret lives we all lead and the friendships that keep us going.

Genres: Fiction

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2025

About the author

I am a writer, journalist, editor and playwright and have been involved with storytelling for a number of years now.

​My debut novel, The Matchmaker was released in January 2023. In addition to this, I am working on a number of projects across the page, screen and stage including The Disposables on ABC Me and The Marriage Agency that premiered at the Kings Cross Theatre at the end of 2022.

I was a scriptwriter for a BBC radio series Silver street for five years. I also had an afternoon play on BBC Radio.

Upon moving to Australia I created a few radio programs for the ABC and established my career as a journalist.

​I am a regular writer for several publications including the Guardian, SMH, news.com.au and SBS, where I have recently completed a one year maternity cover as Editor for SBS Voices.

​I am also a playwright with works commissioned by theatres around London and Australia. Most recently I was part of the Next In Line program at Darlinghurst theatre.

I was awarded development funding by Screen Australia to develop a feature film and am hoping to be able to announce some exciting new film projects in the near future.

Reviews

[Anna Loder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t really think this one was for me going in; I’m neither married nor a mother..but instead I devoured it! Like going for cocktails with girlfriends..I laughed, I cried and I feel I’ve walked in another pair of shoes…I also got to think about privilege, adult friendships, family and cultural expectations and sex hahaha the title is appropriate.
Loved it and so grateful I got to read an advanced copy; thanks Penguin!!

[Nerelle Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pleasant surprise….

I went into to this book looking for a quick easy read but ended up with so much more. It was an entertaining and easy read, however it also had its deep and meaningful moments, touched on some sensitive subjects, as well as many funny moments.

Meena and Sophie are best friends whose lives are a bit full-on at the moment, with Meena trying to find that lost spark with her husband, while Sophie is grappling with the news that her husband wants a tree change. Along comes Rani, fresh from an incident that is threatening her marriage.

When these three are together, we are given an insight to three very different women with three very different lives and marriages. The past of each of these women affects and influences what is happening to them, and as they struggle through they have successes and a few setbacks, and some hilarious moments that will have you laughing along.

I loved how Saman showed that even as BFFs, it doesn’t always mean that there are no secrets and that everything is always rosy, but that we are all different and see things in different ways. However, a good laugh together over a vibrator does show how easily conflicts can be forgotten and friendships strengthened.

These stories will have you guessing where they will end up and if their friendships with endure, but what they will do, is give you an enjoyable read of a great book.

I highly recommend grabbing your copy of The Sex Lives of Married Women, taking a journey with Meena, Sophie and Rani and having a little fun along the way.

#thesexlivesofmarriedwomen
#samanshad
#vibratorsurprise
#penguinbooksaustralia

[Lauren Maree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wouldn’t write home about it but would make a good book club read - lots you could unpack from cultural perspectives, privileges etc

[Paige Lowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is easy to read & explores a lot of different perspectives (culturally & psychologically). It unpacks a lot of what women face in their lives, especially in their relationships, romantic or otherwise.
For me it felt a bit unfinished & perhaps lacked some of the emotional suckerpunching I personally prefer in books, but still enjoyable.

[Pian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a slow start for me. But as I progressed, it got me reflecting on my own career, my birth experiences and my transitions from a working professional to a mother.

Thank you for capturing the naunces and complexties of being a wife, a mother and an immigrant.

[Yarden Grinberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

He loves me, he loves me not. I love him, I love him not?! If you're looking for a book that's focused on the plot, with a clear beginning, middle and end, this isn't it. Instead it delves into themes of racism, privilege and womanhood. Really great and easy read I would recommend!

[Hutch Hussein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great easy read with engaging characters that is moving and deep at times.

[Grandma Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful easy read about 3 women in Australia from different backgrounds. Funny, real, honest and at times sad. An easy and compelling read.

[Liz Woodward · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever book that is both easy to read, familiar (even though I'm not a mother), but also thought-provoking. Well worth a read.

[Andrea James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty average read.

[Meg Correia Da Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book for being so relatable to real life.