This book investigates the legal and social complexities surrounding 'sexually transmitted debt,' specifically focusing on the enforceability of surety agreements where one partner guarantees the debts of another. Belinda Fehlberg, a legal scholar, examines the historical and contemporary application of English law in cases where individuals—often wives—are pressured into providing security for their partners' business loans. The work analyzes how courts balance the protection of vulnerable sureties against the commercial interests of lenders, providing a critical assessment of the legal doctrines governing undue influence and misrepresentation.

Legal scholars and practitioners frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the intersection of family law and commercial finance. Experts highlight the author's rigorous analysis of judicial reasoning as essential for those studying the evolution of equitable protections in English law.