A review by jessicaesquire
The V-Word: True Stories about First-Time Sex by Amber J. Keyser

4.0

If you have a daughter or a niece or a friend that you want to have a really deep sex talk with, you know that talk probably won't go as smoothly as you hope. There's so much you want to tell them, but sometimes you're not the best person to say what they need to hear. This book is perfect to give to young women on the verge of love, romance, and sex. It has several honest stories about girls losing their virginity, from the planned and romantic first time with a long-time partner, to the haphazard and unexpected, with plenty that goes beyond typical heterosexual expectations.

I wish I'd read this book as a teenager or an early 20-something. It'd still be a great choice for college-aged girls or girls who have already lost their virginity, since there is much to learn here about loving yourself, body image, trust, comfort, and much more. The end also has a long list of resources and references that will surely be invaluable.

(Full disclosure: I know two of the contributors to this book.)