Renzo and Monica Ortega have written a book that reads like a conversation with a trusted big brother or big sister, except even less awkward, because, well, it’s just a book and you can read it in the privacy of your own home. While it’s contents will hopefully burrow deep into your heart and mind, the entire point is that you become more able to open up and share your heart and mind all the more with your spouse. With an abundance of suggested conversation starters and illustrated by numerous personal anecdotes from their own marriage (seriously, their honesty and vulnerability will absolutely inspire your own), the Ortegas coach readers on how to discover the full potential of their marital embrace by strengthening the spousal relationship in every arena of life - social, emotional, physical, spiritual, etc.
Not every single chapter will be directly or immediately applicable to every reader in his/her current season, but the book as a whole is a worthwhile read for any husband or wife, no matter what length of time you’ve been married.

Easy to read. I read this book in one sitting. If you've listened to the podcast it is pretty similar and follows the episodes they have covered. It does try to go a little deeper than the podcast episodes. This would make a good wedding gift for new couples just starting out. It reads from the couple's personal experiences. Many couples will find it easy to relate to their experiences.

A good consideration for future books would be to interview different types of couples who have struggled through different types of circumstances. In today's society there seems to be a majority of unconventional relationships. I would like to see a book addressing more of these situations and how to bring them to the fullness of the faith.

Lovemaking is a lighthearted, insightful and honest reflection on sexual intimacy - a most important, yet often neglected, topic of discussion for married couples. Too often, we get fixated on how we think our sex lives ought to be. And when that ideal is not realized, we resign ourselves to believing that it will never change, and worse, we avoid talking about it with our spouse. But like everything in life, marriage is both beautiful and messy. It requires courage and willingness to talk about the real struggles, even those in the bedroom. Monica and Renzo Ortega are courageous and willing to talk about it! They bring humanity and raw honesty right into the conversation about marital sex. Through sharing their own story with great humility and humor, they provide married couples practical ways to communicate with deeper intimacy and vulnerability. They remind us how we are uniquely designed as men and women, and how these differences play out in marriage, especially when it comes to sexual desire. Monica and Renzo skillfully put to words what so many of us experience, but haven't yet figured out how to process. After reading the Ortega's book, you will most surely come away refreshed and recommitted to the most intimate relationship that is intended for you and your spouse through lovemaking.

I've read a couple books on Christian sex. This one provided discussion questions that would be perfect for a monthly date night. This would be a great gift for a newly married couple.

I’m not Catholic, but this is an important and thoughtful book. Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I havevit.