The Intimate Animal
The Science of Love, Fidelity and Connection
Published on 12. February 2026
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-0-241-42593-0 (ISBN)
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
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
Reviews / Votes
Fascinating and useful [...] peppered with practical advice on how to invest in our relationships, and why that is worth doing * The Telegraph Magazine * A thoughtful and well-researched treatise * The Sunday Times * Even when connection, love and desire feel elusive, Garcia reminds us that it's exactly what we're wired for * Esther Perel, psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author of Mating in Captivity * I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! So exciting to see a research-based book that gets to the real fundamentals in understanding what it means to be human. This book is a real page turner, so rare in non-fiction. * John Gottman, author of Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work * Evolutionary biologist Justin Garcia's groundbreaking studies reveal the latest changes in human dating and mating as well as some of our most ancient needs and desires. * Scott Barry Kaufman, author of Rise Above and host of The Psychology Podcast * Brilliant. A must read for anyone curious about the deeper forces behind love, sex, and connection. * Dr Emily Morse, author of Smart Sex * Compassionate, data-rich, and radically hopeful. This book is a revelation. Garcia cuts through noise and shame to map how we bond, break, and begin again. * Lara Love Hardin, New York Times bestselling author of The Many Lives of Mama Love * A daring exploration of how our hunger for closeness shapes every stage of intimacy-and why learning to nurture that hunger may be the most important work we ever do. * Iris Krasnow, bestselling author of Surrendering to Marriage * A must read for anyone interested in the topic of sex, love and human relationships. * Kate Moyle, Psychosexual Therapist and author of The Science Of Sex *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Penguin Books Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 221 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
385 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-241-42593-0 (9780241425930)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
approx. 02/2027
Penguin Life
€14.00
Not yet published
E-Book
02/2026
Penguin Books Ltd
€14.99
Available for download
Person
Dr. Justin R. Garcia is an evolutionary biologist and sex researcher. He is Executive Director & Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute. He is also the Scientific Advisor to Match Group and Match.com, where he provides expertise to the company's annual Singles in America study. His research has been featured in outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, TIME, Cosmopolitan and Vanity Fair.