Rebel Love

by Chris Donaghue

In Rebel Love, Dr. Chris Donaghue, PhD (The Amber Rose Show with Dr. Chris ), reveals how traditional dating "rules" are toxic, why everything you've learned about dating and relationships is wrong, and how to have the best sex of your life.

Dr. Chris is the sex expert you've been waiting for. He refuses to pathologize those whose sexuality doesn't fit in a neat little box and he doesn't just pay lip service to the pro-sex, feminist, and body-positive mores of the day -- he demands them.

Rebel Love welcomes all sexualities and identities no matter where you fall on the spectrum and empowers people to be authentically who they are both in and out of the bedroom. Dr. Chris's prescription for hotter, healthier sex -- the two go hand in hand -- encourages you to stop participating in patriarchal stereotypes, broaden your sexual horizons, and have amazing sex. Best of all, he shows you how with real-world examples and inspirational case studies.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sexuality, Relationships, Self Help, Psychology

223 pages, Paperback

First published January 8, 2019

Reviews

[Sylwia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend to anyone who wants to ever have sex. Even if you don't relate to 100% of what he's saying, he's coming from an, imo, enlightened viewpoint so I say listen anyway and argue later. There is at least one entire chapter combatting fatphobia so I was definitely the right readership for this.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sex positive without being out of line - I'm not sure why more people have not found this little gem of a book. The audiobook is nicely done.

[Gigi Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Dr. Chris and he makes some amazing points. I love how he steps away from traditional therapy and is much more in-line with my own thinking as a sex-positive educator.

[David Oxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won’t try to summarize all the wisdom that the author includes in this book. Suffice to say that I have yet to read a more practical and encouraging take on sex and relationships. What follows doesn’t begin to do it justice.

All the same, a few of my own takeaways:

- Be unapologetically yourself in celebrating your body, your kinks, and your desires.
- Challenge your preconceived “types” and assumptions of what you like in sexual partners and practices.
- In fact, feel free to challenge everything, from gender roles to relationship types to what constitutes “having sex”.
- And, most of all, have lots of fun, consensual, pleasure-centric, in-the-moment sex without shame or guilt.

Can’t recommend the book highly enough! I will definitely be revisiting it on a regular basis.

[Milone · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we all know the old guard‘s way of relationshipping hasn‘t worked out so well. Yet we‘re so quick to adapt this lifestyle for ourselves without any questioning and exploring. Why not staying open to all possibilities and really see for yourself what’s out there? He did a great job at reminding myself that I don‘t have to choose as my sexuality, desires, and attractions can and should morph over time.

The only path to true (sexual) intimacy is authenticy and vulnerability: being open and honest about every part of yourself. Healthy sexuality is about forward motion, fluidity, and admitting that what works for you may look different from what works for everyone else. I’ll do my best to view my current sexuality as a starting point and am curious to see where that path will take me.

[Gwenn Mangine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. As a Social Work graduate student with an interest in sex education/sex therapy, I have been trying to read lots of different perspectives from sex therapists and educators. I read Donaghue's other book Sex Outside the Lines as well, and honestly it was pretty similar.

I don't know enough yet about the field to know if I agree with all Dr. Donaghue puts forth in this book, however, it's great food for thought. It's great to hear lots of perspectives and I think that Donaghue is really on to something in his assertions that much of what is treated as "disordered" really is just different, and not pathological.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just a few reasons this book is problematic
Ch1 "it's exceptionally hard to have sex with only 1 person." Sounds like a personal opinion to me.
Ch2 "marriage doesn't mean anything." Maybe this is the authors personal pov but a lot of people find meaning in marriage.
The use of "friend zone" in ch 10...ew

Overall there were things in this book I absolutely agree with. Porn is not evil, all bodies deserve pleasure, ENM relationships are valid and wonderful, slut shaming is stupid, etc but I found too many messages in here to be black and white. Largely this just felt like a book on how to be the authors ideal romantic partner.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fact that this book only has 17 ratings (& 10 on Amazon) is a shame. EVERYBODY SHOULD READ THIS BOOK. So much shame is wrapped around sex, in so many different ways, & I think most people don’t even realize it is happening. This book breaks down what thoughts are toxic & why. It gives you ways think sex-positive (while explaining how that can mean different things with every person), treat others with openness, & have better relationships (not just sexual). It’s so much more than a book telling you to have fun & have sex. It’s about connection & acceptance. AND IT IS SO IMPORTANT.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found that this book had a lot of good advice but was quite goofy at times. The author swears far too much! There are, however, a few suitable lessons to take away from this book that make it worth a read. I agree that all bodies can be beach bodies and that one needs to be more open-minded with one's sexuality. If you wish to expand your comfort zone with dating and relationships, this book should be one to consider checking out.

[Kevin Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal research-based resource to help readers explore their current relationship with sex and develop a more authentic, human, and empowering connection to their individual sexuality and the sexuality of their partners. This book helped me to heal from negative past experiences and find love for myself in the process. I definitely recommend to anyone who is looking to develop a strengths-based foundation with their sexual health.

[Victoria Rogers]

One incredibly amazing read

This book has opened my eyes and than some for when it comes to the world of sex and relationships and how we view things. Packed with such great and amazing advice from the good doctor himself. It's definitely one book to check out invest your time commitment and what not in and read.

[Shannon Unger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was more progressive than I am, but I appreciated his insights and feel like there were pieces that will help me become for middle of the road. If you are looking to expand your mind it’s worth the read!

[Rey-Philip Genaldo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes some good points. But in being marketable, Donaghue does the marketable thing, which is take on the tone of a self-help book and breeze over/ignore many complicated details of his statements.

[Lindsay Cortright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great intro to dispelling limiting ideas about love and sex. Very inclusive of sexuality, gender, and relationship orientations.

[你可 · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was...fine?

[Lisandra]

DNF em 55%

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a strange aversion to “self help” books but this one was really good, for those interested in the subject.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read this year. Highly recommend. Sex and body positive in such an inclusive and lovely way. Thank you, Dr. Chris ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿