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The Intimate Animal: The Science of Love, Fidelity and Connection

by Justin Garcia

Hardback £20
Published 12th February 2026
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Description

Why do we love who we love? Why do we stay in unfulfilling relationships, or stray from rewarding ones? Why do some couples crash and burn while others stay madly in love?


In The Intimate Animal, Dr Justin Garcia - one of the world’s leading experts on the science of love and sex – reveals that the answer to these questions lies in our evolution. We are biologically wired to connect with each other, yet our inner intimate animal is often at odds with the way we live now.

Dr Garcia explains the multiplicity of human sexual and romantic behaviour using cutting-edge research from his team of researchers at the world-leading Kinsey Institute, including:

- Why we have evolved to live and die for love
- Why searching for ‘the one’ is futile
- Why we are wired for ‘social monogamy’ but not necessarily ‘sexual monogamy’
- Why some people are more likely to cheat

With practical tips on love and lust – the two biological systems often in painful conflict – The Intimate Animal is the essential, research-backed guide for anyone who wants to forge deeper, more intimate connections in these disconnected times.

‘Garcia brings us back to the animal inside to remind us that even when connection, love, and desire feel elusive, it’s exactly what we’re wired for’ Esther Perel, bestselling author of Mating in Captivity

‘Fascinating and useful’ The Telegraph Magazine

‘A thoughtful and well-researched treatise’ The Sunday Times

Details

The Intimate Animal: The Science of Love, Fidelity and Connection
by Justin Garcia

ISBN
9780241425930

Publisher
Penguin Books Ltd

Binding
Hardback

Publication date
Feb. 12, 2026

Dimensions
22.4cm x 14.5cm x 2.7cm

Excerpt