VERY GOOD BOOK TO SAVE A MARRIAGE AND/OR IMPROVE ANY RELATIONSHIP
359589
This book is well written, empathetic, specific, and action oriented.  It, along with the books and CD's by Ellen Kriedman on the same subject will change your marriage relationship or any relationship for the better. Highly recommended.  boland7214@aol

PS: I forgot to mention that the book,  "Divorce Busting" is by the same author.  "Divorce Busting" was written in about 1991 and this book was written about 10 years later.  Which is "the better book"?  I dunno.  But, one would think the later book would be an improvement over the earlier book.  I can't say for certain but that's the way it would seem, correct?  But, I do like the title,  "Divorce Busting"!  :o)
4567190
Really puts marriage into perspective and my wife and I wish we read it before getting married. It could have saved us from a lot of headaches, but better late than never. Talks about our culture and how it's all about "me" and getting our personal fulfillment, but that is selfishness and can lead to destruction in a marriage.

Just read it - you will not be sorry. And it would be ideal if BOTH of you could read it together!!
1444733
This is a wonderful book to help with the issues of marriage.  Since most people work, and the roles are not as define as years past, this book is a must read.  It deals with all of the big issues of marriage.  Everyone struggles with "who does what."  The authors use economics to help couples divide up the workload.  Of course it is well written, with a ton of great stories and situations.  They talk about incentives and trade off.  This stuff happens in all marriages, the authors just put the information on the table.  It is better to be up front with the expectations than for them to ruin a marriage because the people just believed that everything would work out in the long run.  This approach might seem "unloving" but it will bring greater happiness to a marriage if the issues are dealt with up front.  Personally, there is stuff I hate more than my wife, and there is stuff that my wife hates more too.  If you can find that balance between these, it will lead to a happy and long marriage.
200436
I genuinely love this book.

I have been married for two years, and have been a Christian for eighteen years. Needless to say, I thought I had it all figured out. I thought my husband and I would have this perfect, godly relationship and we'd live happily ever after. Then I realized that husband's don't always meet expectations. I am a stubborn person, and unfortunately that can make me condescending, jealous, and controlling at times. When I give in to my insecurities, I find that those awful characteristics can really have a grip on me and in return, can hurt my husband.

I purchased this book because I have a true longing to be a loving wife, and I wanted some insight. This book offers very detailed, loving advice and guidance for women who may not be feeling up to par in their marriage, and women who are struggling with the expectations that we have for our husbands.

My favorite feature a list at the end of each chapter that has practical application for each topic addressed. It has been my goal to implement at least one of these aspects from each chapter into my life. I like that the author provides options - it doesn't make sense for all of us to do the same things - and having several ideas of how to improve yourself and your marriage allows for us to make choices that may get us out of our comfort zone, but will ultimately bless our marriage.

The best thing about this book is that it is 100% based on what the Bible says. I can't understand why too many people would be critical of this book - the Bible has clear guidelines about how to be a loving, Christian wife and Elizabeth George provides a wonderful resource to supplement what we already know to be true through the word of God.
4452236
For newly married couples, or couples who are having a hard time communicating, this book is excellent. Couples who have been married a long time learn the hard way, so read the book and save yourself a lot of pain and trouble. Communication is the key to any good relationship, and this book is a great aid in husband/wife communication.
2585292
I give this 4 stars with solid reason, I really wish there was a 4.5 option.

This is my ONLY complaint, there are a few chapters where the dare is simply against the message of the book. When the book directs me as it did, my world opened up. My wife opened up, we talked like we haven't in years. I was being emotionally invested in getting to know my wife again, and ultimately falling in love with her all over again. Then there's a chapter that dares to initiate a sexual encounter. Well, on that day of the awesome long talk, we had we both came to healing about past sexual abuse. Neither one of us had gone that deeply concerning the topic, but we did that day, all based off a Love Dare that changed the way we talk. I wasn't able to check that dare off. There was also another one I didn't check but that's not a big enough to make me not love and appreciate this book.

I worked this with a friend who was more challenged in his marriage than I am in mine. The open hearted conversations he has had with his wife has initiated healing in their marriage and if he sticks with this and finishes the book, better days are ahead.

Love dare showed me how selfish I am, not easy to see. It made me vulnerable to my wife again allowing her needs to get to my heart again like they did early in our relationship. I HEAR her better now, and I LISTEN better too. Remembering the little things that matter to her. I realized thanks to Love Dare that I hadnt been very good lately at helping to carry to her load (she always helps with mine) I learned how to better serve her, and how to accept from her the ways which she serves me.

She has become my hero again.

Love Dare is not flawless. It was the last book I read in 2014. There is no "resolution" for the new year, its a permanent change. Two words of caution. First I talked to a woman at the book store once who was in a marriage with a cheating husband. This book will not help a situation like that. Look at Love Dare as a vitamin, a way to supplement a mostly healthy marriage. Secondly, don't plan on your spouse changing because of what you read in the book. It will change you more than them. IF like my bookstore lady, something is already broken, sadly this book won't help. If you really want to try to fix a marriage like that, professional help is recommended.

Lastly, this book has an AMAZING Appendix. Take my advice and USE it. I went through the scripture list and high lighted all the biblical text in my mens bible to use as a Love Dare field manual so to speak.  There are prayer guides, and a great section on leading your heart vs following your heart.

A great book and I am grateful I was lead to it. As I said, not flawless, but the shot in the arm I needed to be a better husband.
3628576
Those who have criticized this book have clearly not read it in its entirety.  This is a wonderful book, and has the potential to prevent a lot of problems and save many marriages.  At the least it is eye opening regarding preconceive ideas and miscommunication between men and women. My husband and I also attended the seminar he gives and found that to be quite inspirational and empowering.  I highly recommend both.
3786868
A simple guide with practical steps to help improve any marriage. I found the chapters easy to follow and very relevant to the challenges most people face with communication. A good mixture of personal stories, humor, and real-life examples. Definitely worth reading. Ill probably read it again!
4517391
Let me start by saying that considering I am an avid reader, this is the first time I've felt compelled to write a review for a book. Also, I'm probably one of few women who isn't an Oprah "fan". I have nothing against her but I have simply not been motivated enough to be a regular viewer of her show. A big motivation for me to write this review has been from the negative ones I have read.

I personally found this to be a very good book about relationships and facing the truth about what marriage is truly about. As a some times head strong woman (which may be putting it mildly), this book actually made me step back and examine the ways I may have sabotoge my relationships in the past. It helped me to think of ways I can improve myself to thus be a better person for my next serious relationship. Therefore, I don't understand the negative reviews about how this was a male bashing book or that it was biased toward women. In fact, this is one of the things I liked most about the book because of its ability to force me to look at myself (which is what a few of my friends enjoyed about the book, also).

Though I am divorced, I still found this to be very helpful and thus don't understand those who bashed Dr. Robin for not being suited to write on the topic. Those comments are equivalent to someone telling me to never get married again because I failed at it the first time. I mean really do people not have the opportunity to learn and grow from their mistakes? The only thing she has done is applied both her experience and profession to help others, which I thank her for.

I disagree with the person who said this book is advocating people to jump ship in bad marriages. I believe if a couple is open minded enough to both acknowledge and learn from the lies they've told themselves prior to entering into their marriage that they can learn how to improve it. However, it is definitely something each person must first admit and improve within themselves first. For that reason I do agree with a few reviews that suggest this book is probably better suited for people prior to entering marriage. This is the reason I gave it only 4 stars - since it seems a bit harder to apply after you've entered marriage (which is probably when you need help most) as oppose to before. I am however going to suggest my potential marriage partner and I read this together, so we can avoid possible mistakes ahead of time to give us a better chance of having a great marriage.

Last, I was HIGHLY disturbed by a reviewer who said she did not see emotional abuse as a reason to end a marriage. I have very strong views about the sanctity of marriage myself and mourned not just the end of my relationship but also the end of the marriage itself. I say this to say until anyone has actually experienced emotional abuse, they simply CANNOT speak to say a person should have to endure a life under these circumstances. Emotional abuse is very real and sometimes just as destructive, if not more, as physical abuse. I speak from experience.

There, I know I've said a mouth full however, I would have been remised if I didn't take the time to at least speak to some of the negative reviews to give a person considering reading this book an opinion from both ends of the spectrum. It's a worthy read - if you're willing to look at yourself and apply it to improve the person you are in order to be a better mate to someone else.
2524276
I have been reading this book with my wife and we love it.  There have been so many 'ah ha' moments I cannot count them on two hands.  This book is revelation after revelation on how our daily interactions reveal our true feelings for one another.  As a typical guy, I do not readily share my feelings.  After reading, however, it has become easier to do so.  This book can help make a mediocre marriage better, and a good marriage great.
3123713
Very good book for marriage. .  will help through the tough times and teach you how to be a better help meet... talks about a couple things I disagree with hence the four stars. . . but I own it and love it!
3797212
This is the best marriage book I've ever read, along with "A Women after God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George. This book saved my marriage plain and simple. It doesn't imply that everything is the womens fault. It tells a women how to live according to how God and the Bible calls us to live. My husband and I have been married 17 years and we are now happier then we've ever been and it is all due to this book and the Godly wisdom Debi shares in it.
3968243
We all get faced with it over the years in a Marriage. It starts to annoy, frustrate or bore us but it shouldn't be like that.

I bought this book in order to learn some techniques for improving my relationship. This book is really well written and after reading it I feel really optimistic about changing the way I live with my partner. As you read through it you will get a good overview what can destroy our marriage and what can strengthen and improve it so that you become happy with your wife or husband. We all face difficult challenges in life but it is our duty to deal with them in order to overcome them.

I really recommend reading this book if your marriage suffers and needs some new impulses so that you can improve it.
499580
A very good book I have learnt a lot about my self and marriage.... Its a shame that my now ex wife tobe won't read it or take notes. I suggest that if you are having matromonial issues read the book as it could save your marriage or help you move on as friends................
2137973
This is a really good book about the emotional needs of a Husband and Wife in a marriage.  The book is very biblically supported with related scriptures however the message is clear that you have to have mutual submission in order for a marriage to work. I have recenlty been going through a crossroads with my wife in regards to whether we should continue with our marriage due to years of taking each other for granted and this book help me realize what I have been doing wrong in my marriage. After reading it a couple of times, I have built up enough courage to give it to my wife and asking her to read the book as well hoping she can see her part as to why our marriage has gotten to where it is now.  Great Book and highly recommended!!!!!!
4698080
If only I had purchased this book a couple of years ago... I would have (probably) saved my marriage from a lot of pain...
1351568
This is an excellent book for married couples to read. The 7 strategies shared to keep your marriage in or bring your marriage back to a healthy, positive one are great!  I highly recomend this book.