Awaken Love: The Truth About Sex That Will Transform Your Marriage

by Ruth Buezis

For wives who are starving for real intimacy—and searching for real answers.

After years of buying into the same old messages about sex like “do it for your husband” or “it’s just physical” Ruth Buezis went searching for God’s truth and it transformed her marriage. Now, she's "getting naked" with readers and baring her journey of discovering an incredible sex life with her husband of over thirty years to help other women create real intimacy in their own marriages.

Built on simple concepts of creative intentionality, she invites women into the delights awaiting them and dares to ask the question: Why have we built a chasm between being godly and being sensual? Whether purity messages in the church felt manipulative and set you up for failure, you’ve experienced past sexual trauma or abuse, or you’ve allowed yourself to believe lies about your own beauty, Ruth invites you into a community ready for change and something deeper. In doing so, she opens the door for wives to embrace freedom and become truly known in their marriages.

Genres: Marriage, Relationships, Christian, Nonfiction

262 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2018

Reviews

[Gary Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of books about marriage and even a good number of books about sex in marriage, and I found Ruth’s Awaken Love to be among the best. She writes as a woman to women, but more particularly as a woman who settled for sub-par sex for far too long, and who not only found the way to enjoyment, but who has taught many other women to get there as well. That journey has seasoned her advice and it has aged well.

[Glory Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a newlywed who was deeply steeped in purity culture, this is SO GOOD. Best resource I have found yet.

[Michelle Clippinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just going to say it…reading while unmarried felt slightly illegal… but dang, this book is a new favorite. Yes, I’m not married. No, I don’t regret it.

Honest, practical, and deep...this is the kind of wisdom I want shaping my marriage. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time (and probably rereading it another 100 times)! 10/10 would recommend.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of her general statements about women are not true of me, and heaven knows a lot of what she recommends would be sheer hazardous advice for someone in an abusive relationship. Not a fan of some of her "action items," either, although if she'd called them "some ideas" or "some things to try" or otherwise made clear they were optional rather than assignments, I'd be fine with them.

She states a number of times that "Most husbands adamantly say they want nothing more than for their wives to enjoy sex as much as they do," which is true, so far as it goes. But some of those guys who say that don't mean it, and she never grapples with this fact, or with the fact that the guys who either don't say it or don't mean it are bad risks for a lot of the stuff she recommends. Taking risks to improve your sex life with the average sexually inept Christian husband is one thing; taking those same risks with a guy who is abusive only the wife is in the habit of not admitting that to herself is something else again.

And I would sure like to have had footnotes that tell me where to find some of the studies she refers to!

That said, I found the book far more Biblically solid than most Christian books I have read on sexuality, and I'm very happy I picked it up.

[Rebecca Konold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot not say enough amazing things about this book!!! Ruth did such an amazing job touching on hard topics in such a biblical way. She sought out God in every aspect of sex and how God intended it for marriage. If you are a Christian woman who is struggling with sexual intimacy in your marriage or even if you aren’t, this book is amazing and I would totally recommend! I am also taking Ruth’s class as I read this book and I would recommend that as well! I can confidently say that my intimacy with God and my husband is SO much better thanks to the prayerful and biblical answers in this book! Sex is hard in a marriage but God intended it to be so much better than we could ever imagine, so why not dive into this book and see what God has planned for your marriage?

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Cheat Code” Lucas Graham


I don’t think I’ve ever given a non-fiction book 5 stars so take that to mean what you will but I would read this again and recommend to others. Will ever chapter apply to your personal life? no. but will you find most of the chapters insightful, reassuring and written in a non condescending, honest and positive light? Yes.

[Kitt Schilke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Book On Intamacy

I used to think sex was Intamacy
That is not the case. I am a man and I learned about true Intamacy. Husbands and wives should read this awesome book

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're married or have daughters, read this!!!

[Anna K Baskaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was skeptical at first, but I really liked this book.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only didn’t finish as my wife said she would rather read it first. It isn’t a book for men that I thought it might be beneficial to read it. Haha

[Allison A · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good starting place

Some off the authors assumptions are frustrating to navigate, but her overall message is helpful and a great launch pad to creating increased sexual intimacy and integrity.

[Christina Sabbagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was truly life changing! Most of it was amazing. Some of it was kinda silly to me & I wouldn't say I agree with 100% of it. But, for the most part, it was great.

[Jocelyn Newby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really challenged so many long standing perspectives of sex and marriage. Also has been challenging me to have more open and honest conversations with my girls.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of the book from the author as part of a launch team and I can only rave how phenomenal this book is. Ruth Buezis has written a must-read book for anyone seeking greater intimacy in their relationships with their spouse and their Maker. Building on a solidly biblical foundation, the book explores the transformative power of understanding God’s intent with the precious gift of the sexual relationship within marriage. The many Biblical and practical insights are presented in a well-structured and easy-to-read format.

I loved this book! I liked how the author shared personal stories to illustrate her points. Her book was relatable, and it didn’t feel like I was reading a boring textbook. I couldn’t put this book down, as I found myself saying “just one more chapter…". I believe “Awaken-Love: The Truth About Sex That Will Transform Your Marriage” will touch many lives.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read a copy I received as a member of the launch team, I was not disappointed. I’ve heard a lot of messages on what sex in marriage should look like. This book is one of the few places where I’ve heard wisdom that resonates with what I know of the Bible, God’s heart, and the conviction in my own spirit. It has shifted my perspective for the better. Ruth approaches the topic with wisdom, treating it respectfully and looking at it through the lens of Scripture and God’s love. How will we ever know all the beauty of the gift of sex or the freedom God gives us if we never seek to learn the truth about it? I challenge you to pick up this book and see what God might say to you through it.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you are a Christian or not, this book resonates true with it's themes examined surrounding SEX: baggage & brokenness vs. vulnerability & healing, limitations vs. fun & freedom, bartering vs. serving & giving, sad sex vs. joy filled, mind-blowing sex. With her depth of knowledge and powerful examples and stories of her own, and the countless women around the globe she has taught and heard from over the years, Ruth has woven together a reliable & delightful page-turner written to women but for the benefit of married couples everywhere...one neither you nor or your spouse will want to put down (and you'll both be oh-so-glad you didn't)! Happy reading!

[Beth Meek · Rating 5 out of 5]

As part of the launch team, I have had the opportunity to read Awaken Love. It is an incredible story Ruth shares of her journey to understand God's desire for sexual intimacy in marriage. Ruth strips away the misinformation and bad messages that have clouded our understanding. Biblical truths are clearly presented. The book is filled with ideas and ways to apply what you learn to your relationship with your husband. Reading Awaken Love will change your understanding of intimacy with God and intimacy with your husband.

[Christy Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely, hands down, the best marriage/intimacy/sex book out there. You won’t get this message elsewhere. Ruth’s message is so powerful and relevant for our current culture. Read it. It will change you. And your marriage. And how you talk to your kids. It will change your view of sex altogether and position you to see how to combat our sex-driven society cloaked in God’s truths.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book and I would highly recommend it to all married women. It’s very helpful in improving the intimacy in your marriage! Ruth is very open and honest and she bases everything on God’s Biblical design. It will definitely open your eyes to how God truly intended sex to be in marriage.

[Leah Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book laid out the right principles and theology before drawing particular conclusions. It was incredibly helpful in both these areas (principles and practicalities). Very strong recommend (stronger than any other marital sex book I’ve ever read).

[Rebecca Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know Ruth personally - she loves Jesus deeply and used what God has given her to help marriage relationships. Excellent read if you are married.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great resource for Christian marriages. Very little was new to me but reminders and refreshers are never a bad thing.