Saving your marriage before it starts – Book Review

Do you ever wish someone had handed you a book when you got married to get you started on the right footing?  Or one that would have helped in saving your marriage from a lot of the struggles you’ve experienced as a couple?

You know, a book that would teach you about communication, intimacy, sex (not the mechanics, but the “other stuff”), expectations, and just generally how to do married life?  Well, Saving your marriage before it starts: Seven questions to ask before – and after – you marry is intended to fill that role.

1. The perfect gift for newlyweds

This book is the perfect gift for any newlywed couple.  In fact, I intend to gift this one to my sister after I write this review.  I believe there are a lot of couples who have been married for years, even decades, who would benefit from its wisdom because many have not yet learned the lessons that all newlyweds should be taught.

Every chapter in this book has some huge learning.  When reading every chapter I had an “oh, that’s good” moment. And honestly, those are rare for me when I’m reading.  Especially after focusing for years on marriage and reading dozens of books on the topic and hundreds of blog posts and articles.  It’s not that there’s not more to learn, but finding things you’ve already been over that isn’t the normal fare for a marriage book is uncommon.  So, this book was a pleasant and refreshing surprise.  Not that every topic was new, but sometimes just the perspective on it was unique, or the way they systematized or categorized it.

So, you don’t need to be a newlywed to gain from this book.   If you’ve been married decades, you’ll find something cool in this book that will help you. Even if you’re a marriage blogger, I think you’ll find this book an interesting read and can help you find new ways of expressing the basic truths about marriage.

2. How the book is organized

The book is split up into seven questions that serve as chapters.  Each one having worksheets to help you apply the lessons and work through the application of them.

Here’s are the questions addressed in each chapter for those who are interested:

1. Have you faced the myths of marriage with honesty?
2. Can you identify your love style?
3. Have you developed the habit of happiness?
4. Can you say what you mean and understand what you hear?
5. Have you bridged the gender gap?
6. Do you know how to fight a good fight?
7. Are you and your partner soul mates?

If you read these questions and answer “No” or even “I don’t know” to any of them, you might want to pick up this book.  Likewise, if you have someone close to you getting married and you wish you had some way to help them get on the right foot from day one, check it out.  It would make an awesome wedding gift.  Much better than a toaster oven I think.

3. If you’re interested

You can check the book out on Amazon in Hardcover or Kindle.  It’s also available on Audiobook for those spouses who aren’t much of a reader.