Mating in Captivity

Advice from the leading expert on erotic intelligence and an experienced psychotherapist on how to keep the passion of the first days of love alive in long-term relationships.

Entering long-term romantic relationships, we crave calm, stability, and security. But once we get all that, we often lose interest in our steady partner because, at the same time, novelty, mystery, uncertainty, and spontaneity—essential companions of sexual desire—leave our lives.

At first glance, this puts us before a choice: comfort and confidence about tomorrow—or exciting, bright, romantic sex. But Esther Perel argues that overcoming this contradiction is entirely possible. From the book, you’ll learn how to build harmonious relationships in which sexual attraction to your partner and emotional closeness coexist—alongside long-term love and all-consuming passion.

The book contains the results of research, examples from the author’s psychotherapeutic practice, honest and effective recommendations—thanks to which you can change your relationship and revive the desire that belongs to the first days of being in love.