Book Review: “My Not-So-Shameful Sex Secrets” by Girl On The Net

My recent, all too short, holiday allowed me the opportunity to catch-up on some relaxing . . . and exciting . . . reading.

Whilst I do try to spend every free commuting moment to and from work each day buried in my kindle, there is something so much more relaxing and rewarding about lounging by the pool completely lost in a new book. With only the occasional interruption . . . requesting “more sun-screen please, oh and whilst you’re up, I’d like a wine top-up as well!” from Hubby, or needing an hourly, 15-minute dip, in the water to cool me down (from the book as well as the sun!!!) . . . I was able to completely finish three new books during our time away. Each different in their own right, and each certainly very, very naughty and very, very exciting!

I’d brought two books with me . . . and was surprised (and delighted) to find another, very interesting book, on the communal bookshelf in the downstairs outside-lobby of our small apartment complex (See below: Does this count as a “Library” Scavenger Hunt Dee? LOL!!!). But more on that later . . .

. . . BECAUSE, now that I’ve caught your attention . . . !!!

One of those two books I’d brought with me was “Girl on the Net: My Not-So-Shameful Sex Secrets” (Kindle Edition) by one of my most frequent click-to-visit bloggers Girl On The Net.

If you have read even just a few of her always direct and often intriguing blog-posts (and if you haven’t I urge you to visit NOW!!!) you may think you will know what to expect from Carina’s autobio-so-far-ography. But actually it is so, so much more than, certainly I, and I think probably most readers, would have expected!

If I tell you that on one of the most wonderful, relaxing, sexciting, fulfilling holidays . . . in one of the most beautiful and relaxing locations, I’ve ever experienced . . . reading “Girl on the Net: My Not-So-Shameful Sex Secrets” was one of the highlights of my vacation, then you may, just may, sense a tiny amount of the enjoyment I got from losing myself almost completely in Carina’s story.

And I should also tell you that Hubby would often have to tap me on the shoulder and whisper “Sh!” as I burst out into loud giggles of laughter, or exclamations of “yes, yes!!!” . . . so much so that other guests lounging by the pool would, apparently, lift themselves off their sunbeds, or look-up from their own books (or worse, remove their headphones) to enquire “she must have a good book???” as I rolled and shuffled and wriggled in shock, delight and (most often) agreement . . . and (occasionally) “oh no” disagreement . . . of the words as they jumped, squirmed and snaked from my Kindle screen.

To say that Carina’s words are direct, honest and straight-to-the-point, would be an understatement LOL! (there you see, I’m doing it again!!!) . . . but THAT is this book’s strength, appeal and, (dare I say it???), charm.

My life is seemingly completely the reverse of her own . . . I’d never set foot in a university until accompanying my own children on their first exploratory visits, never embarked on my first “fling” with another partner until after 10 years of marriage, never visited swinging or fetish clubs until another 10 years had passed . . . and yet every word, every emotion, every up . . . and every down . . . had me nodding in understanding, wonder and, yes, in agreement.

Girl On The Net’s frank and open narrative of her journey from those first discoveries of those private-bits that we all have, those feelings of doubt, guilt, enjoyment . . . those pressures from parents and peers alike . . . are simply wonderful to see recalled and described in such a simple, emotive and REAL manner.

Through first boyfriends, first loves, first orgasms, first heart-breaks . . . all whilst still at school!!! No preaching, no cry for help, no excuses made, nor expected, as we move chapter by chapter through Girl’s lovers (and loves), gains and losses, highs and lows. Some may be shocked by the language here (and by that I mean both in it’s form and description) . . . and at times I would pause from my nodding in agreement and ask myself “we have a son and daughter not too-much younger, would I be happy . . .?”

But do you know what !!! . . . these words make me think . . . “Yes, yes, I would”. Because?

Because Carina’s words, and emotions, and experiences . . . are real. Emotions that we all feel and experience . . . and yet her directness, her honesty, show an understanding, acceptance, maturity, that far too many people (parents with far too-short memories?), will admit to.

Reading “My Not-So-Shameful Sex Secrets” left me feeling I had been invited to share not just Carina’s story, but all of our stories, described in a way that most of us would be too introverted, worried, or “ashamed” to admit. Difficult, confusing, challenging, worrying . . . incomplete (both figuratively and literally in this case) . . . this book is all of those things and yet it is compelling reading, inspiring and questioning. It states the obvious in a very LOUD voice that demands to know why can’t we see, or admit to, the obvious! It cajoles and challenges with a wonderful sense of wit and humour, dry sarcasm . . . and yes, wisdom . . . that seems to shout “I know, I accept, who I am, but do YOU?”

If I haven’t prefaced the story, described the timeline, mentioned the principles, teased you with the climax . . . that is because I want you, challenge you, to read this book. To ask yourself if you don’t, really, truly, see at least a part of yourself amongst these pages . . . and to hope that in that realisation you, (we all), may think a little differently about how we see, accept or judge both ourselves and those around us.

Modesty Rating: 10 out of 10
Pros: Realworld language, honest, direct, humorous & witty, yet informative & compelling reading.
Cons: I can’t think of any.
Pages: 260pp
Buy Link: Girl on the Net: My Not-So-Shameful Sex Secrets (Kindle Edition)
Blog: Girl On The Net

The Modesty Rider:
I realise, of course, that there are already thousands of long-established Sex Toy Reviewers and Review sites . . . most of whom will be far more adapt at explaining all the technical details and specifications of things. But for me, sexy clothes and lingerie, sexy toys . . . and even sexy books . . . are all about adding a little fun and excitement to things. So that is how I tend to approach my reviews and videos!!! Just to explain “how it was for me” in a fun, and light-hearted, way without taking things too seriously! Chances are that if something makes me giggle and tingle and feel good, it will score higher on my Modesty Rating.

Xxx – K