“The Book of Love” with its tag line of “every couple’s guide to emotional and sexual intimacy” is definitely one of the most complete books I have read on the subject of relationships so far. This isn’t exactly saying much, since I have only read a few, though.

I was really wowed by the overall presentation of the book. It contains lots of pictures to help explain the information, with everything printed on glossy paper. The font size is pretty good, so you don’t really need to squint to read everything. This definitely isn’t a book to be reading out in public, since a majority of the pictures contain nudity, partial nudity, or couples in their underwear. The book is in hardcover format, with a paper book jacket over the cover. The 255 pages of the book contain tons of helpful information for just about anyone; however the pictures seem geared more towards the “typical” male-female relationship.

The first few chapters cover pretty much the emotional side of the relationship, including how to share feelings, thoughts, how to get to know one another, fun ways to spice up dates, and some information on keeping both yours and your partner’s bodies healthy. There is also some information on how to make time for each other when there are situations such as putting the kids to bed or going to work. At the end of each section there is a page with some tips to help you out.

The rest of the book covers the sexual side of the relationship. There are different techniques to please your partner manually or orally, as well as tons of tips on sex itself. There are some different positions that are shown with models, which are boasted as “easy for everyone to try.” Some of the positions looked like something you’d have to be in really good shape to not hurt yourself trying.

The book also covers fantasies, BDSM, affairs, parenting, and a few other topics. I was pleased to see a section on safer sex, as well. Pretty much anything you can think of relating to a relationship is in The Book of Love.

The only con I can really think of for this book is who the book is geared to. The writer seemed to expect that everyone reading it would be in a male-female relationship. None of the pictures displayed any couple other than a man and a woman. They had different races, as well as a chubbier looking woman, but no gay or lesbian couples. Most of the information can be used by these couples, but they may feel a bit left out due to the lack of actual support.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. It seems like it would be great for someone who isn’t really sure on what to do with their relationship, or maybe for someone who feels the sizzle has gone out of their marriage. It has tons of tips that just about everyone can apply to their relationship to improve both their happiness and their partner’s happiness.

I personally ordered the book because my sexual relationship with my boyfriend has started to take a downward turn. We both needed some tips and information to help us out, honestly him more than me. Rather than telling him he is starting to be kind of boring, I just said, "I read this great book, I think you'd find it pretty interesting."

After I finished reading the book, I gave it to my boyfriend to read. He has read most of it, though he is very slow at reading it. He hasn't really incorporated anything he has learned into our relationship, though he has been doing things like offering to make dinner or to take me to the movies more lately.