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Sex Diaries: Real-life Stories of Non-Monogamy and Polyamory

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Intimate, captivating, never-before-seen true stories from the edge of modern sex and dating, compiled by Alyssa Shelasky, in the style of her wildly popular New York Magazine column—with an introduction from Esther Perel, renowned psychotherapist and NYT bestselling author of Mating in Captivity

Polyamory is hardly a new cultural touchstone, yet as it continues to enter the mainstream dating world, its realities often remain opaque. What does the everyday life of someone with multiple partners actually look like? How do you navigate the daily logistics and the competing schedules? How do you deal with jealousy? In this candid, groundbreaking compilation of anonymous accounts, told by real people navigating sex and dating outside the bounds of traditional monogamy, Alyssa Shelasky pulls back the curtain.

A 67-year-old woman keeps a collection of well-endowed lovers in various corners of the world; a restaurant owner is jolted back to life when she gets illicit messages from a married man; a Brooklynite plans a porn brunch for her birthday, reveling in the fact that she finally feels at ease in her body.

Some diarists are just beginning to question their relationship with monogamy, others have been polyamorous for a long-time. Some accounts are graphic and dishy, while others focus on the search for lasting connections that feel genuinely liberatory. Every single one is strikingly honest and authentic, revealing expansive tales of love, lust, longing and desire.

272 pages, Hardcover

Published July 14, 2026

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Alyssa Shelasky

3 books27 followers

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5 stars
6 (9%)
4 stars
18 (29%)
3 stars
23 (37%)
2 stars
11 (17%)
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4 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Jessica Nason.
344 reviews7 followers
July 12, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and provide my honest review.

I honestly struggled with how to rate this book because these are real people’s lives and experiences. It didn’t feel right to take points away simply because their lifestyles aren’t ones I personally relate to, so I’m settling on 4 stars.

This isn’t a book I would normally pick up, and at times it was a difficult read for me. Not because it wasn’t well written, but because non monogamy and polyamory are so far outside of my own life and experiences. Even so, I couldn’t stop reading. I found myself genuinely curious and wanting to understand the people behind these stories.

What I appreciated most was that it challenged me to see perspectives I hadn’t considered before. It even gave me a better understanding of friends in my own life who practice non monogamy, and I walked away feeling like I could better understand where they’re coming from. That alone made this book worthwhile.

Some stories completely surprised me, and others left me thinking long after I finished the diary entry. Whether I agreed with the choices being made wasn’t really the point. The point was learning about people whose lives look very different from my own.

If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend going into it with a completely open mind. You may not relate to every story, but you’ll almost certainly come away with a broader perspective and a deeper understanding of how differently people experience relationships.
Profile Image for Patty Ramirez.
550 reviews6 followers
April 25, 2026
A very intimate look at non-monogamy and polyamory told in 7-day diaries by anonymous contributors. This was an educational and eye-opening book for me as someone who is interested in the dynamics of polyamory.

Loved how open and vulnerable the diarists were and I'm now interested in following this series on New York Magazine.

Read this!

Thank you to Random House and the author for providing a free copy of this book through NetGalley.
Profile Image for Shannon Hall.
505 reviews12 followers
July 22, 2026
This was so good and interesting. Definitely not everyone will pick this one up but I loved a peek into 21 different people’s lives. The only thing I didn’t love was the format—not all the diarists are great writers which is fine, but it’s also hard to go deep with these. I didn’t end up feeling much about these stories beyond curiosity, which I don’t love since I think the point of this book was to not make polyamory a spectacle (for the record I don’t think it did, I just wanted to relate more to these writers).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc!
48 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2026
I’m gonna be so honest, the stories weren’t as exciting as I thought they’d be. Maybe for straight people this is all so shocking? Meh boring
Profile Image for Katherine Tucker.
178 reviews6 followers
July 27, 2026
Those who are familiar with NY Mag's Sex Diaries series will know the cadence and rhythm of this book: anonymous diarists keep a log of a week of their lives with a focus on sex and relationships. These diaries are themed around people engaged in or curious about ENM, non-monogamy, and polyamory.

I picked up an ARC of this book because, while teaching a Gender Studies course last year, I realized that polyamory and non-monogamy were a gap in my knowledge. Though I know what these relationships entail and have some friends who practice ENM, I'm not often prying into their sex lives and interrogating their day-to-day routines and emotions. This book gave me insight into myriad configurations, approaches, and responses to non-monogamy and polyamory. Some diarists I instinctively liked better than others, and it was interesting to me to see where I noticed myself feeling judgemental, curious, empathetic, or even jealous about the diarists' relationships. All relationships are different and all relationships are, in some ways, the same; however, I appreciated Shelasky's work to include a variety of different kinds of people (straight, queer, cis, trans, nonbinary, gnc, etc.) with varying backgrounds and very different approaches to relationships.

I also quite enjoyed the introduction to the book, where Shelasky detailed how she came to write the column, why she chose this theme for the book, and how she solicits diarists. As a fellow nosy person, I would have been fascinated to read more about the process of writing, editing, selecting, etc. Maybe in her next book?

I struggle to rate a book like this, but I did enjoy the process of reading it and I do think it's quite enlightening! Fellow nosy/curious people would likely enjoy this one, too. My gratitude to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for an ARC of this book!
Profile Image for Shantell.
58 reviews
June 27, 2026
3 stars

Sex Diaries offers a raw, detailed look into intimacy, desire, and nontraditional relationship structures. What stood out most was the realism of the perspectives. The book does not flatten polyamory or alternative sexual lifestyles into shock value or simple fantasy. Instead, it presents them as lived experiences with emotions, boundaries, discomfort, curiosity, vulnerability, and self-discovery attached.

This is not simply “threesome porn” dressed up as memoir or erotica. The stronger parts of the book are in how it shows that poly relationships and sexually open dynamics are not only about sex; they are also about communication, identity, negotiation, emotional needs, and lifestyle choices that may be unfamiliar to many readers. For someone curious about polyamory or alternative intimacy, this book can be enlightening because it gives space to perspectives that are often misunderstood, judged, or reduced to stereotypes.

The writing is very candid and extremely detailed, which will work well for readers who appreciate unfiltered accounts of sexual exploration. At the same time, that level of detail may not be for everyone. Some moments can feel overwhelming or intense, depending on the reader’s comfort level with explicit material and unconventional relationship dynamics.

Overall, this is a bold, revealing read that gives voice to experiences outside the mainstream. It may not be universally accessible, but it does offer a realistic and layered perspective on sexuality, polyamory, and the many ways people define intimacy for themselves.
Profile Image for Allison Pace.
91 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 6, 2026
I had a surprisingly hard time settling on a rating for Sex Diaries, which feels appropriate given how mixed my reaction was. In a lot of ways, I liked it but I also felt like something was missing.

The diary-style format was both a strength and a limitation for me. I appreciated how immediate and personal it felt, like getting unfiltered access to people’s daily lives. It kept me engaged and made the book easy to read in short bursts. At the same time, that format often left me unsatisfied. I kept wanting more context; more about each person’s background, how they came to practice ENM, and especially what happened beyond the seven days we’re given.

Each entry was interesting, and I was consistently curious about the people featured, but I never quite felt like I got the full picture. Just as I started to feel invested in someone’s story, it would end. That sense of incompleteness stayed with me throughout.

Overall, this was an engaging and thought-provoking read, even if it didn’t fully deliver on the depth I was hoping for. I don’t have any strong negatives, but I also don’t have anything overwhelmingly positive to point to either. It just sits somewhere in the middle for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for my opinion!
Profile Image for Crystal.
179 reviews19 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 9, 2026
A raw and sexy anthology of personal accounts of intimate relationshipts. Feels like something that would be included in Carrie Bradshaw's column in Season 1 (and specifically, season 1 only).

Perfect for readers who, like me, are nosy.

This collection of personal diary entries is focused on individuals who partake in non-monogomany and polyamory. The accounts are very diverse from people with established relationships, and people who are new to the idea. Each relationship is connected by non-monogamy but that is where most of the similarities between each diary entry stop. A topic that seems taboo and salacious is actually presented in a raw and authentic way from each person, that it normalizes the idea of non-monogamy and, in several cases, makes it seem incredibly normalized and mundane (complimentary).

This read is a perfect pick up and put down kind of collection. I, personally, couldn't read it in one go, but rather picked it up in a spare 15 to 20 minutes here and there and took my time reading through it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Sandrine.
257 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 27, 2026
This is not the type of book I usually read but I was definitely very intrigued by this concept. 21 people are sharing a week in their lives as polyamorous or non monogamous. It was very interesting to get a glimpse of their life and lifestyle. As this is so different from my own life, it brought me a lot of questions. I also discussed some of the stories with my friends and it led to some very interesting and animated conversations.
I think it’s best to go into this book with an open mind and just appreciate the vulnerability and openness that these 21 people shared with the readers. All of them have different reasons and perspectives on polyamory or non monogamy which is what makes it so fascinating.
Overall, it’s a thought provoking book for people who are not familiar with this type of relationships. As a very curious person, I quite enjoyed being in the intimacy of these people’s lives and seeing the pros and cons of this relationship choice !

Thank you to the publisher for an arc of this book, opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Carley Woods.
97 reviews
July 4, 2026
4.25 stars

Thank you so much NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this deeply intimate look into so many different ways of living, loving, and experiencing things in this world. We are thrown into peoples sensual weeks documented for us to read some of the most intimate parts of these peoples lives. This really opened up my eyes and popped the bubble that I found myself living in. I try to always understand and see others ways of life, and this really allowed me to understand that on such a deep level. Even though some of the experiences and beliefs may have made me uncomfortable I believe it is because it is seen as taboo in society but being able to read this and see people living so freely with themselves was beautiful and eye opening. I appreciated the vulnerability of this book, and as a straight CIS women I loved the insight into peoples lives as it allowed me to understand and respect them even more that I already did, while simultaneously taking me out of my comfort zone.
Profile Image for Jessica.
290 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
May 27, 2026
The way to combat stigma about the unfamiliar is to learn about it, and these short stories from people in polyamorous and ethical non-monogamous relationships give the reader that chance. New Yorker columnist Alyssa Shelasky presents each of these accounts as a seven-day diary entry. The stories are varied – some focused more on emotional connection, some on sex; some new to their exploration of non-monogamy, and some in longtime polyamorous relationships.

As is often the case with short story collections, I enjoyed reading some accounts more than others. Overall, I appreciated the compilation for offering a respectful and
straightforward glimpse into a world other than my own. Heed content warnings for your level of comfort, particularly around sexual intimacy. Thanks to Random House, the author, and NetGalley for providing this copy of Sex Diaries for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Charlsey Dyer.
68 reviews
July 31, 2026

Is there anything more juicy than reading someone else’s diary? For me the answer is no. Add in growing up in 90s purity culture complete with true love waits and Don’t ask, Don’t tell; I went into Sex Diaries with high hopes.

To start I felt like it answers some of the questions you don’t want to admit you have, and that you DEFINITELY don’t want to ask.

I enjoyed the forward by Ester Perel and felt the first few diarists were very interesting.
As it went on though, I felt like I couldn’t really make a connection with the diarist’s or more so that I wasn’t interested in getting to know them/their experience because I felt like they came off as self-absorbed, which is really not my jam.

Not a bad book per se, and I tried several times to pick it back up and keep reading, but ultimately, I decided to DNF.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lindsey Wilson.
8 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 2, 2026
This was a very unique, fun, and spicy read. The combination of personal information, monotonous pieces of life, and sexual escapades was like nothing I've ever seen in non-fiction before. As a true monogamous woman, the exploration of ethical non-monogamy was interesting. Some stories were more scandalous than others but the variety was intriguing and kept me coming back excited to meet each new narrator. I wish we would have defined the narrator a bit more at the beginning of each chapter. We get age and relationship status but gender identity may have been helpful because I was guessing a couple pages in for most chapters.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Profile Image for N.J. Gallegos.
Author 38 books114 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 1, 2026
Received this ARC from NetGalley

Admittedly, this topic fascinates me. I first stumbled onto the idea of polyamory watching the Showtime show Polyamory: Married & Dating and binged the series. When I saw this ARC, I knew I needed to check it out.

Alyssa Shelasky had ethically poly folks keep a weeklong diary and these folks run the gamut from financial professionals, sex gurus, and everything in between. We have people with families, comet partners, people traveling to other countries to sex clubs, play parties, and more! The common thread between them is impeccable communication.

While I'm a happily monogamous lesbian, this topic is utterly fascinating to me and maybe there's a bit of a voyeur in me because I rather enjoy a glimpse into lives completely unlike my own.
Profile Image for Cindi.
1,648 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 30, 2026
Although this book isn’t my usual choice, its concept intrigued me. Twenty-one people share a week from their lives as polyamorous or non-monogamous, offering insight into lifestyles that are quite different from mine. The stories spurred thoughtful discussions and raised many questions for me and my friends. Approaching the book with an open mind helps to appreciate the honesty and diverse reasons behind these relationship choices. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking read for those unfamiliar with polyamory. The 7-day diaries provide an intimate perspective on non-monogamy and polyamory.
Profile Image for Kim.
235 reviews2 followers
July 3, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What an interesting and engaging structure for a book! I found the “week of diary entries” really engaging and wondered what my own would look like if I chose to write it out. Just like any book of essays or short stories, it’s only as strong as its weakest entry, which means it wasn’t perfect by any means. But this was a great exploration of a topic many still find taboo, and I loved the normalizing and mundanity of the topic.
Profile Image for Emi Yoshida.
1,730 reviews103 followers
July 20, 2026
This collection, it's not biography, and it's not case studies, not quite erotica; it really is as the title describes, sex diary entries. After the fantastic intro by Ester Perel, I expected to be more captivated but I guess I just felt disconnected, and as if I'd picked up the wrong thing to read. The voices are quite varied, their circumstances differ wildly, but none of them really spoke to me. As The Cookbook Author with Performance Anxiety in Central Park says, "Not my thing but no judgment".
Profile Image for Rae.
217 reviews
July 31, 2026
3.5
This is wonderful for the the voyeuristic/curious folk who wonder how exactly do non-monogamous relationships play out. Stories were in indeed diverse from multiple ages, genders, places, incomes, etc. It did feel a bit like each person came across sex obsessed and I would've liked if some entries were edited better, but overall I think it did the job of showing the ups and downs of this lifestyle.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
Profile Image for Heather.
421 reviews6 followers
August 2, 2026
I always have a hard time reviewing non-fiction. How can you critique someone else's life? This collection of ENM stories was entertaining and educational. I am in a monogamous relationship and always have been but by reading these accounts was able to see the benefits and problems with this lifestyle. Honestly these individuals seem to have a way to live their lives that suits them and makes them happy. And while some have jealousy issues I think that is true of any relationship open or closed.

I enjoyed this collection. I found it to be educational and entertaining.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC of this ebook. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Dawn.
105 reviews1 follower
Did Not Finish
August 2, 2026
I honestly have mixed feelings, but I love how raw and honest these people are! I don't currently have the same relationship with the person I was reading this for, but hopefully if that changes I will finish this book...or if I'm trying to discover more about myself, I honestly don't know. I feel pretty monogamous on my end, but the world is out there and I'm just getting started in getting to know myself!
Profile Image for Ashleyt .
75 reviews
April 26, 2026
An interesting and raw look at ENM and other forms of polyamory. Through several individual diarist you read about their experiences, emotions and relationships in all forms. The collection focuses more on communication and how polyamory works in everyday life for all participants in the relationships.

It was beautiful to see people living the life they wanted at all ages.

Thank you Netgallery for the ARC.
Profile Image for Sonee Singh.
Author 6 books19 followers
May 9, 2026
I was curious about this book because a friend of mine became polyamorous recently and I wanted to understand in a nonjudgmental way, or at least try. I skimmed through many portions but appreciate that each chapter is a 7-day diary from a different person, so it offers a range of perspectives and experiences. It did help me better understand.
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC.
160 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 18, 2026
I plowed through this fascinating, thought-provoking, and often very sexy book. It definitely prompts plenty of reflection about sex, romance, love, companionship, intimacy… also a very interesting glimpse into sexual and romantic relationships that are quite different from your standard monogamous set up.
Profile Image for Ayannah.
274 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 6, 2026
My biggest takeaway is that dating is a lot of work, no matter the relationship structure; it’s still as chaotic as traditional dating in ways that don’t always seem as liberating as portrayed.

I appreciated the different ways people navigate non-monogamy across gender, class, and life stages.

Thanks to Random House for the ARC!
Profile Image for Danika Jaskulak-Gonzalez.
30 reviews
August 3, 2026
So much to learn both about the perspectives of those in poly/enm relationships, but also how they handle and process jealousy and boundaries in their relationships. I think there is value in learning more about these relationships for everyone. I personally am not poly or enm, but found these stories eye opening and made consider how they process emotions for my own relationship.
Profile Image for Karyn Defoe.
97 reviews2 followers
June 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this arc copy of the book. This was very raw and real. It was enjoyable to read a small slice of peoples lives. It helps to normalize experiences as well as emotions that people have as they explore who they are and what relationships mean to them.
Profile Image for mh .
517 reviews40 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 2, 2026
Like most collections, I enjoyed many of these but not all. I liked the honesty and the writing style even if it became a repetitive with the diary format. This felt informative.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.
Profile Image for Elyssa.
1,288 reviews10 followers
July 23, 2026
Oof, props to the authors for sharing. I'm no prude, but I do think some things should be private. This was by far the most awkward audiobook I've ever listened to.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews