Making Love Real: The Intelligent Couple's Guide to Lasting Intimacy and Passion

I just finished reading Making Love Real, and I want to start it all over again right now. This book is full of real, practical information about adult relationships. I feel like some part of me that received painful and untrue “advice” as a child and teenager is being healed just by a first reading.While most books focus on attachment as being the lacking element in adult relationships, this book addresses our need for attachment and for differentiation, without judgment or prescription. In fact, the complete lack of judgment and total equanimity in the writing and examples opens me up to consider: what do I truly desire? what would work for me? what might be possible for me and my partner?I feel so grateful to have found this book— and especially to have found it at a point in my life where I am ready and willing to see what my capacity is, even if I find it disappointing (two more important concepts that I have not really encountered in books about relationships and sex that are covered extensively in Making Love Real!)I am definitely going to return to this over and over— also going to check out the audiobook, so I can integrate on another level.

I was so looking forward to Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirshman’s new book. After reading their first book, Cockfidence, I was impressed with their straightforward and straight-talking approach to helping men navigate their way around the world of love, sex and desire.In their second book, Making Love Real, they bring the same kind of savvy and smart point of view to the complex world of couples. With thousands of hours helping people build strong relationships, these two women know what they’re talking about. Their approach to couples therapy explains theories of secure attachment and individuation, shedding light on how couples can develop unhealthy push and pull patterns of relating without taking into account the underlying core issues. I enjoy the emphasis they place on inner child work between partners in moments of triggering. Through tools of awareness and compassion, disagreements and anger can become opportunities to connect and heal each other of old wounds.What Danielle and Celeste have created over their years of working with clients is a unique and valuable body of experiences and exercises that shed light on the shadowy side of love and desire. Somatica is a beautiful therapeutic modality that takes couples beyond talk, bringing them into their bodies, and making love real!

Celeste and Danielle have really done us a great service as humans in writing this book. It is a comprehensive guide to relationships that touches on many things people are afraid to talk about and does so in a loving and compassionate way that is very inviting to the reader.They hold our hands in exploring the patterns we adopted as children and give us the opportunity to meet ourselves compassionately and care for each other. They gently guide us into the realm of disappointment and reveal that success isn't about getting what we want, it's about knowing what we want and having the courage to ask. And finally they walk us into exploring sex, encouraging us to fully accept our desires and explore ourselves and our partners with curiosity.This book is inclusive of people of varying sexualities and sexual desires and it accurately depicts the gender pressures we all face, without reinforcing stereotypes.The language is clear and concise, without a lot of jargon, and the book is filled with practical exercises that anyone can explore on their own or with partners.I recommend this book to anyone looking to create lasting, loving, sexy, intimate relationships.

This book was mind blowing! Daniella and Celest understand relationships in a fundamental way that few other "experts" do. This is hands down the best self help book of any kind I have ever read and I have read a lot. Often when you open a book of this type you skim past many of the pages to get to the real information. With this book (and their other book) every paragraph on every page is the real information. It is packed with useful information you and put into practice right away. The insight in this book is nothing short of brilliant. If I could give six stars I would. You will never find a better book on this subject. I will always be grateful that this book exists.

This book is a “must-read” for couples who want to make their relationships more satisfying.  It helps us to understand our and our partner’s needs in a way that can significantly enhance connection and intimacy.  And, also, it provides ways to handle our inevitable disappointments with each other.  These two factors alone can make a wonderful difference in our lives.  But the third part of the book is an eye-opening explanation of our needs and fears regarding sex and how to find ways to improve sexual satisfaction through communication, understanding and exploration

Read Celeste and Danielle’s Book, Making Love Real, and learn how to be the best lover to your partner by deeply understanding and connecting with them, and communicating effectively for a stronger, more passionate relationship!

This is a book that takes what can be an overwhelmingly complex matter and breaks it down into simple, easier to digest pieces. If you're like me, you should have several light bulb moments. And because the information is accessible, you can actually focus on implementing some of the solutions they suggest without feeling totally overwhelmed. I've also read their other book, Cockfidence and really love how they present things in a supportive and non-judgmental way. Highly recommend!

You know the old adage "don't judge a book by its cover"... Well this books cover and contents are beautiful. Superbly written, by empathic, caring, accepting souls. The message in Making Love Real is one of loving acceptance. This book will give you tools to have more understanding intimate relationships with others. Helping you to gain insight into yourself, better understand your lovers, & create lasting relationships that come in all variances.

Great book. Practical, wise and worth the investment.