BookAwards.com
Award-Winning Books from Today's Best Authors
A Free Resource for Book Lovers, Authors, Agents, Publishers and Journalists
Recommend this book:
Disconnected
Portrait of a Neurodiverse Marriage
Eleanor Vincent
2025 Finalist
244 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Relationships
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
Disconnected: Portrait of a Neurodiverse Marriage by Eleanor Vincent is a personal and emotionally raw memoir that explores the complexities of love, communication, and resilience in a late-life marriage. The story follows Eleanor as she marries Lars, a brilliant but emotionally distant database expert, believing their love will last beyond everything and anything. However, as COVID lockdowns begin and Lars loses his job, his frustration and anger drive a wedge between them. As their relationship loses the spark, Eleanor suspects that Lars may be on the autism spectrum. However, he refuses to seek help or acknowledge the possibility. Despite all that, Eleanor holds onto hope for their marriage. But sometimes, love alone may not be enough. Forced to confront hard truths, she must decide whether to fight for their relationship or walk away in search of happiness.
It takes a lot of courage to open your life and heart for the rest of the world to see, and author Eleanor Vincent does exactly that with grace. She writes with honesty, offering an emotional and insightful look at the struggles of a neurodiverse marriage. Her storytelling is both intimate and reflective, capturing the emotional highs and devastating lows of her relationship. She explores the challenges of communication, the impact of unrecognized neurodivergence, and the weight of unfulfilled expectations. While the memoir is deeply personal, it is easy to relate to. It challenges conventional notions of love and compatibility. The narrative style is expressive and moving, making Disconnected a compelling read for anyone navigating complex relationships or seeking a better understanding of neurodiversity in marriage. I highly recommend it to those who want to understand neurodivergence better.
Disconnected: Portrait of a Neurodiverse Marriage by Eleanor Vincent is a personal and emotionally raw memoir that explores the complexities of love, communication, and resilience in a late-life marriage. The story follows Eleanor as she marries Lars, a brilliant but emotionally distant database expert, believing their love will last beyond everything and anything. However, as COVID lockdowns begin and Lars loses his job, his frustration and anger drive a wedge between them. As their relationship loses the spark, Eleanor suspects that Lars may be on the autism spectrum. However, he refuses to seek help or acknowledge the possibility. Despite all that, Eleanor holds onto hope for their marriage. But sometimes, love alone may not be enough. Forced to confront hard truths, she must decide whether to fight for their relationship or walk away in search of happiness.
It takes a lot of courage to open your life and heart for the rest of the world to see, and author Eleanor Vincent does exactly that with grace. She writes with honesty, offering an emotional and insightful look at the struggles of a neurodiverse marriage. Her storytelling is both intimate and reflective, capturing the emotional highs and devastating lows of her relationship. She explores the challenges of communication, the impact of unrecognized neurodivergence, and the weight of unfulfilled expectations. While the memoir is deeply personal, it is easy to relate to. It challenges conventional notions of love and compatibility. The narrative style is expressive and moving, making Disconnected a compelling read for anyone navigating complex relationships or seeking a better understanding of neurodiversity in marriage. I highly recommend it to those who want to understand neurodivergence better.
Recommend this book:
The Romantic Ideal—The Highest Standard of Romance for a Man
A Hopeless Romantic's Exploration of Masculine Intimacy, Sex, and Love
Gregory V. Diehl
2025 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Relationships
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Romantic Ideal: The Highest Standard of Romance for a Man by Gregory V. Diehl is a nonfiction exploration of romance and intimacy from a masculine perspective. Diehl uses different ideas of gender to explore love through the binary of masculinity and femininity. He also examines how different traits typically perceived as one or the other create powerful romantic dynamics. The book has a lot of psychological depth and explanation. The author often shares personal anecdotes from his own life that have sparked these philosophical insights to illustrate the many challenges and rewards of striving for romantic ideals. From the viewpoint of an idealistic and self-described ‘hopeless romantic’ man, Diehl aims to redefine masculinity in relationships, encouraging men to embrace vulnerability and genuine emotional connection, and educating others about the hidden depths beyond what people typically label as masculine emotion.
Author Gregory V. Diehl's exploration of masculinity within the romantic framework is both brave and refreshing. His ability to introspectively examine traditional male roles and present them with nuance sets a new standard for relationship discourse. Diehl's writing style is packed with honesty and vulnerability, and his confidence and belief in his philosophy make for captivating reading. His personal anecdotes humanize the book so that we can see the real roots of where his ideas and feelings come from, but the writing is also accessible and empowers readers to confront their own relationship struggles. A line that especially stood out to me was, “Love is all about two people bonding over who they really are," which really captures the spirit of the work and the honesty with which it is written. Diehl's talent for weaving personal and cultural insights seamlessly allows readers to engage deeply with complex ideas in an accessible and meaningful way. Overall, The Romantic Ideal is a thoughtful and insightful examination of gender dynamics that challenges readers to redefine their understanding of masculinity and romance.
The Romantic Ideal: The Highest Standard of Romance for a Man by Gregory V. Diehl is a nonfiction exploration of romance and intimacy from a masculine perspective. Diehl uses different ideas of gender to explore love through the binary of masculinity and femininity. He also examines how different traits typically perceived as one or the other create powerful romantic dynamics. The book has a lot of psychological depth and explanation. The author often shares personal anecdotes from his own life that have sparked these philosophical insights to illustrate the many challenges and rewards of striving for romantic ideals. From the viewpoint of an idealistic and self-described ‘hopeless romantic’ man, Diehl aims to redefine masculinity in relationships, encouraging men to embrace vulnerability and genuine emotional connection, and educating others about the hidden depths beyond what people typically label as masculine emotion.
Author Gregory V. Diehl's exploration of masculinity within the romantic framework is both brave and refreshing. His ability to introspectively examine traditional male roles and present them with nuance sets a new standard for relationship discourse. Diehl's writing style is packed with honesty and vulnerability, and his confidence and belief in his philosophy make for captivating reading. His personal anecdotes humanize the book so that we can see the real roots of where his ideas and feelings come from, but the writing is also accessible and empowers readers to confront their own relationship struggles. A line that especially stood out to me was, “Love is all about two people bonding over who they really are," which really captures the spirit of the work and the honesty with which it is written. Diehl's talent for weaving personal and cultural insights seamlessly allows readers to engage deeply with complex ideas in an accessible and meaningful way. Overall, The Romantic Ideal is a thoughtful and insightful examination of gender dynamics that challenges readers to redefine their understanding of masculinity and romance.
Recommend this book:
The Alchemy of Love & Marriage
How We Repaired the Cracks and Cemented Our Bond
Arlene Sacks
2025 Bronze Medal
174 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Relationships
Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite
The Alchemy of Love & Marriage by Dr. Arlene Sacks left me saying “wow, wow” over and over. Yes, because the book offers a unique approach to how a couple can repair and deepen their bonds through intentional effort, reflection, and understanding. The book presents marriage as an evolving enterprise—one with a life of its own. The alchemical process of transforming challenges into opportunities for growth is at the center of reflection and asks readers to stop fleeing from problems and focus on finding solutions. Drawing on philosophies such as Greek stages of love, fairy tale symbolism, and Japanese concepts like kintsugi, wabi-sabi, and ikigai, the author argues that love is not static but a continuous journey of growth, repair, and appreciation of imperfection. The core message is that enduring relationships require conscious nurturing, honest communication, and a willingness to adapt and reinvent oneself within the partnership. The result is a strong and resilient bond that survives all kinds of weather.
Dr. Arlene Sacks mesmerized me with her meticulous research, which covers the Greek stages of love—eros, philia, ludus, agape, pragma, and philautia—presented as a framework for understanding relationship development and potential pitfalls. Fairy tales are used metaphorically to illustrate the balance of good and evil, light and darkness, and the importance of choices in shaping love’s destiny. The author argues that decisions, when made with care and awareness, can catalyze positive transformation. Sacks also discusses practical aspects, such as communication, mutual respect, and the significance of shared rituals, like sitting on park benches or dancing, that foster intimacy and trust. The author emphasizes that marriage is a dynamic, three-part entity—comprising two individuals and the relationship itself—that must be actively maintained and nurtured. The author advocates a philosophy of embracing imperfection (wabi-sabi), repairing cracks (kintsugi), and pursuing purpose (ikigai). The Alchemy of Love & Marriage gives readers the ingredients for creating the “happily ever after” from the rubble of human imperfection. This book is one I will be sharing with my wife and those I love.
The Alchemy of Love & Marriage by Dr. Arlene Sacks left me saying “wow, wow” over and over. Yes, because the book offers a unique approach to how a couple can repair and deepen their bonds through intentional effort, reflection, and understanding. The book presents marriage as an evolving enterprise—one with a life of its own. The alchemical process of transforming challenges into opportunities for growth is at the center of reflection and asks readers to stop fleeing from problems and focus on finding solutions. Drawing on philosophies such as Greek stages of love, fairy tale symbolism, and Japanese concepts like kintsugi, wabi-sabi, and ikigai, the author argues that love is not static but a continuous journey of growth, repair, and appreciation of imperfection. The core message is that enduring relationships require conscious nurturing, honest communication, and a willingness to adapt and reinvent oneself within the partnership. The result is a strong and resilient bond that survives all kinds of weather.
Dr. Arlene Sacks mesmerized me with her meticulous research, which covers the Greek stages of love—eros, philia, ludus, agape, pragma, and philautia—presented as a framework for understanding relationship development and potential pitfalls. Fairy tales are used metaphorically to illustrate the balance of good and evil, light and darkness, and the importance of choices in shaping love’s destiny. The author argues that decisions, when made with care and awareness, can catalyze positive transformation. Sacks also discusses practical aspects, such as communication, mutual respect, and the significance of shared rituals, like sitting on park benches or dancing, that foster intimacy and trust. The author emphasizes that marriage is a dynamic, three-part entity—comprising two individuals and the relationship itself—that must be actively maintained and nurtured. The author advocates a philosophy of embracing imperfection (wabi-sabi), repairing cracks (kintsugi), and pursuing purpose (ikigai). The Alchemy of Love & Marriage gives readers the ingredients for creating the “happily ever after” from the rubble of human imperfection. This book is one I will be sharing with my wife and those I love.
Recommend this book:
Fire It Up
Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationship
Carolyn Sharp
2025 Silver Medal
288 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Relationships
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Fire It Up by Carolyn Sharp is a clear and helpful guide that shows readers how to bring happiness and intimacy back to their relationship. Sharp understands that stressful modern lives in today’s world can make relationships difficult, so she presents four simple steps to help couples talk more and draw closer to each other. She writes in a friendly and often funny way, making it easy to understand common relationship problems and what to do about them. Sharp has worked as a couples therapist for many years, and she shares real stories and useful exercises that show exactly how to build stronger connections. I wanted to recommend the book right away to many couples I know because it helps whether your relationship is having serious problems or just needs some fresh energy to make life better.
Author Carolyn Sharp uses her years of experience to explain complex relationship issues in ways that make sense and are easy to use. I was impressed by how she makes her advice feel warm and real, helping readers feel like they can handle even the hardest relationship problems. She gives a clear step-by-step plan that lets people make changes at their own speed, while also helping them understand why people act the way they do in relationships. She mixes scientific research with real examples from couples she's helped, which shows readers exactly how her ideas work in real life. The way she explains things about talking with your partner and sharing feelings has changed how I handle problems in my own relationships. She writes with such understanding that readers will feel supported and heard while they work on making their relationships better. Every page shows how much she cares about helping couples succeed. She includes practical tips that anyone can use, from simple communication fixes to deeper ways of building trust and closeness. Overall, I strongly recommend Fire It Up to any couple who wants to make their relationship stronger and more satisfying, whatever stage they’re at.
Fire It Up by Carolyn Sharp is a clear and helpful guide that shows readers how to bring happiness and intimacy back to their relationship. Sharp understands that stressful modern lives in today’s world can make relationships difficult, so she presents four simple steps to help couples talk more and draw closer to each other. She writes in a friendly and often funny way, making it easy to understand common relationship problems and what to do about them. Sharp has worked as a couples therapist for many years, and she shares real stories and useful exercises that show exactly how to build stronger connections. I wanted to recommend the book right away to many couples I know because it helps whether your relationship is having serious problems or just needs some fresh energy to make life better.
Author Carolyn Sharp uses her years of experience to explain complex relationship issues in ways that make sense and are easy to use. I was impressed by how she makes her advice feel warm and real, helping readers feel like they can handle even the hardest relationship problems. She gives a clear step-by-step plan that lets people make changes at their own speed, while also helping them understand why people act the way they do in relationships. She mixes scientific research with real examples from couples she's helped, which shows readers exactly how her ideas work in real life. The way she explains things about talking with your partner and sharing feelings has changed how I handle problems in my own relationships. She writes with such understanding that readers will feel supported and heard while they work on making their relationships better. Every page shows how much she cares about helping couples succeed. She includes practical tips that anyone can use, from simple communication fixes to deeper ways of building trust and closeness. Overall, I strongly recommend Fire It Up to any couple who wants to make their relationship stronger and more satisfying, whatever stage they’re at.
Recommend this book:
Quiet Love (& Growing It)
14 Rules to Find, Build, and Keep the Best Relationship of Your Life
Matthew Hess
2025 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Relationships
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Be it romance movies and novels, pop music, or social media, external factors have groomed us to believe in things like divine love or soulmates and that declarations of love should always be grand and boisterous. This often leads to unrealistic expectations of love and people entering relationships thinking everything will be smooth sailing. In Quiet Love (& Growing It), author Matthew Hess explores developing strong, loving, and lasting relationships based on the foundation of "quiet love." The book takes a deep dive into fourteen relationship rules, which include building self-confidence and self-esteem, making the first impression, understanding chemistry, taking one's time to progress in a relationship without succumbing to societal expectations, navigating difficult periods, factors to consider before ending a relationship, the core principles of attachment, embracing change, practicing mindfulness, gratitude, and accountability, and much more.
Quiet Love (& Growing It) is your go-to guide for identifying, nurturing, and maintaining healthy relationships that last and become stronger over time. The fourteen rules introduced in this book encapsulate almost everything you need to know about relationships. Matthew Hess uses anecdotes and examples to help readers understand how and why some relationships falter, yet others grow stronger with time. The author offers practical tools and insights readers can apply in their everyday lives and relationships. Technology and social media have enabled everyone to be connected at all times, yet many feel more alone than ever. This is why books like these have become a must-have in the modern world. In conclusion, this is an informative and inspirational guide, and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs help in their relationships.
Be it romance movies and novels, pop music, or social media, external factors have groomed us to believe in things like divine love or soulmates and that declarations of love should always be grand and boisterous. This often leads to unrealistic expectations of love and people entering relationships thinking everything will be smooth sailing. In Quiet Love (& Growing It), author Matthew Hess explores developing strong, loving, and lasting relationships based on the foundation of "quiet love." The book takes a deep dive into fourteen relationship rules, which include building self-confidence and self-esteem, making the first impression, understanding chemistry, taking one's time to progress in a relationship without succumbing to societal expectations, navigating difficult periods, factors to consider before ending a relationship, the core principles of attachment, embracing change, practicing mindfulness, gratitude, and accountability, and much more.
Quiet Love (& Growing It) is your go-to guide for identifying, nurturing, and maintaining healthy relationships that last and become stronger over time. The fourteen rules introduced in this book encapsulate almost everything you need to know about relationships. Matthew Hess uses anecdotes and examples to help readers understand how and why some relationships falter, yet others grow stronger with time. The author offers practical tools and insights readers can apply in their everyday lives and relationships. Technology and social media have enabled everyone to be connected at all times, yet many feel more alone than ever. This is why books like these have become a must-have in the modern world. In conclusion, this is an informative and inspirational guide, and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs help in their relationships.
Recommend this book:
The Game
Winning by Virtue One Move at a Time
HRM Princess Merrilee of Solana
2024 Finalist
252 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Relationships
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
The Game: Winning by Virtue One Move at a Time by HRM Princess Merrilee of Solana looks at the role of love in daily life, urging a reevaluation of concepts such as God, forgiveness, and sacrifice for greater clarity. Princess Merrilee speaks on overcoming ego resistance and leans into personal growth through love and patience as the key to spiritual enlightenment and fulfillment. Self-awareness, self-discipline, and ethical behavior, including boundary-setting and respectful relationships, are deemed crucial for success. Princess Merrilee uses virtues likened to chess pieces—Honor as the King and Faith as the Queen—to illustrate the importance of integrity and spiritual insight. She also proposes a five-gate framework for evaluating individuals—Physical Beauty, Personality, Intelligence, Character, and Spirituality—where true spirituality is seen as a deep, internal connection rather than external practices.
HRM Princess Merrilee of Solana does a wonderful job of merging relatable experiences with genuine spiritual insight to challenge and redefine our understanding of love and self-growth. The Game stands out for its actionable framework and its thorough and thoughtful dive into all that she presents. Princess Merrilee's writing is clean and concise, and she does well in inviting readers to suspend their preconceptions and try to embrace a path of self-awareness and virtue. I felt particularly drawn to her argument that the true mastery of love requires a deep and disciplined approach to personal conduct. She also keeps it real in with firm assertions such as that trust, once lost, is difficult to regain, and that recognizing when the relationship is beyond repair is essential. Overall, The Game is a refreshing blend of philosophy, faith, titular analogies, and practical wisdom, making it a worthwhile read for anyone seeking to enhance their spiritual and personal life. Recommended.
The Game: Winning by Virtue One Move at a Time by HRM Princess Merrilee of Solana looks at the role of love in daily life, urging a reevaluation of concepts such as God, forgiveness, and sacrifice for greater clarity. Princess Merrilee speaks on overcoming ego resistance and leans into personal growth through love and patience as the key to spiritual enlightenment and fulfillment. Self-awareness, self-discipline, and ethical behavior, including boundary-setting and respectful relationships, are deemed crucial for success. Princess Merrilee uses virtues likened to chess pieces—Honor as the King and Faith as the Queen—to illustrate the importance of integrity and spiritual insight. She also proposes a five-gate framework for evaluating individuals—Physical Beauty, Personality, Intelligence, Character, and Spirituality—where true spirituality is seen as a deep, internal connection rather than external practices.
HRM Princess Merrilee of Solana does a wonderful job of merging relatable experiences with genuine spiritual insight to challenge and redefine our understanding of love and self-growth. The Game stands out for its actionable framework and its thorough and thoughtful dive into all that she presents. Princess Merrilee's writing is clean and concise, and she does well in inviting readers to suspend their preconceptions and try to embrace a path of self-awareness and virtue. I felt particularly drawn to her argument that the true mastery of love requires a deep and disciplined approach to personal conduct. She also keeps it real in with firm assertions such as that trust, once lost, is difficult to regain, and that recognizing when the relationship is beyond repair is essential. Overall, The Game is a refreshing blend of philosophy, faith, titular analogies, and practical wisdom, making it a worthwhile read for anyone seeking to enhance their spiritual and personal life. Recommended.
Recommend this book:
Unveiling 11 Relationship Styles: Secrets Nobody Told You
Reinventing Dating and Friendship Apps: Insights from Evolution, Science, and Psychology
Ahmad Aljazeeri
2024 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Relationships
Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite
Relationships are a vital part of human existence. Whether platonic or romantic, people want to have a relationship with someone else, everyone wants to experience love. Relationships may either “make you” or “break you” and it is very important to make wise choices when choosing a partner, something that is never easy. Or perhaps getting someone interested in you and maintaining the relationship is the hardest part. The truth is that relationships are as simple yet as complicated as human beings. With technological advancements, which have steered generational advancements in intellectual, social, cultural, and spiritual abilities and preferences, relationships have become even more complicated. Ahmad Aljazeeri delves deeper into the whole concept of relationships, exploring eleven relationship styles, and elaborating on how to spark and maintain them in Unveiling 11 Relationship Styles: Secrets Nobody Told You.
Ahmad Aljazeeri’s Unveiling 11 Relationship Styles is a must-read for anyone looking to get into or already in a relationship, whether platonic or romantic. I’ve read many books about relationships and love, but this engaging and insightful read is nothing like any of them. Using fictional anecdotes, historical figures and examples, and scientific facts, Aljazeeri breaks down the relationship and dating arena into eleven relationship styles. With an open-minded approach and an unbiased tone, Aljazeeri expertly elaborates his thoughts and ideas on these. After each discussion of a particular relationship style, there are thought-provoking questions that force you to look deeper into yourself, helping you figure out which style suits you, and perhaps your partner. There are also suggestions on activities and places to do them that will not only strengthen your bond with your partner but will also bring you closer to like-minded people with the same preferences. Better yet, Aljazeeri introduces his dating app TerriTie, how it works and its unique inclusivity and consideration of each person’s different preferences, based on everything discussed in this book. This book will change how you view and handle your relationships, and make you a master of them.
Relationships are a vital part of human existence. Whether platonic or romantic, people want to have a relationship with someone else, everyone wants to experience love. Relationships may either “make you” or “break you” and it is very important to make wise choices when choosing a partner, something that is never easy. Or perhaps getting someone interested in you and maintaining the relationship is the hardest part. The truth is that relationships are as simple yet as complicated as human beings. With technological advancements, which have steered generational advancements in intellectual, social, cultural, and spiritual abilities and preferences, relationships have become even more complicated. Ahmad Aljazeeri delves deeper into the whole concept of relationships, exploring eleven relationship styles, and elaborating on how to spark and maintain them in Unveiling 11 Relationship Styles: Secrets Nobody Told You.
Ahmad Aljazeeri’s Unveiling 11 Relationship Styles is a must-read for anyone looking to get into or already in a relationship, whether platonic or romantic. I’ve read many books about relationships and love, but this engaging and insightful read is nothing like any of them. Using fictional anecdotes, historical figures and examples, and scientific facts, Aljazeeri breaks down the relationship and dating arena into eleven relationship styles. With an open-minded approach and an unbiased tone, Aljazeeri expertly elaborates his thoughts and ideas on these. After each discussion of a particular relationship style, there are thought-provoking questions that force you to look deeper into yourself, helping you figure out which style suits you, and perhaps your partner. There are also suggestions on activities and places to do them that will not only strengthen your bond with your partner but will also bring you closer to like-minded people with the same preferences. Better yet, Aljazeeri introduces his dating app TerriTie, how it works and its unique inclusivity and consideration of each person’s different preferences, based on everything discussed in this book. This book will change how you view and handle your relationships, and make you a master of them.
Recommend this book:
Speaking With the Heart
Transforming Your Relationship and Communication with Compassion and Connection
Dr. Heather Browne, PsyD, LMFT
2024 Bronze Medal
244 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Relationships
Reviewed by Jennie More for Readers' Favorite
Speaking With the Heart by Dr. Heather Browne, PsyD, LMFT provides insights on how to save your marriage. Browne gets to the heart of communication, stripping it down to its essentials. With each chapter, you become more aware of yourself, your strengths, your shortcomings, your past, and how all this affects your relationship. This newfound self-awareness enables you to hear and see your partner in a different light, and you realize that you have been talking and listening wrong all along. Browne insists that marriage does not need to end in divorce if both parties are committed and choose each other daily. This book includes insightful revelations and exercises to help couples reconnect. Browne empowers couples to work toward love, compassion, and respect.
Speaking With the Heart by Dr. Heather Browne is a candid and captivating must-read for all married couples to help them create or maintain open lines of communication. Browne’s tone is warm, caring, and supportive, like the friend you always call at the end of a distressing day. She makes you feel as if there is always a solution, and she provides it with solid reasoning that is bound to win over anyone, even those entirely against counseling. Her suggestions are feasible and not time-consuming. It is an easy-to-read and well-structured book. Even though the target audience is married couples, you can apply these communication techniques to any relationship. I certainly recommend it, especially for those facing troubles with finances, money, or intimate issues. It is memorable and enlightening.
Speaking With the Heart by Dr. Heather Browne, PsyD, LMFT provides insights on how to save your marriage. Browne gets to the heart of communication, stripping it down to its essentials. With each chapter, you become more aware of yourself, your strengths, your shortcomings, your past, and how all this affects your relationship. This newfound self-awareness enables you to hear and see your partner in a different light, and you realize that you have been talking and listening wrong all along. Browne insists that marriage does not need to end in divorce if both parties are committed and choose each other daily. This book includes insightful revelations and exercises to help couples reconnect. Browne empowers couples to work toward love, compassion, and respect.
Speaking With the Heart by Dr. Heather Browne is a candid and captivating must-read for all married couples to help them create or maintain open lines of communication. Browne’s tone is warm, caring, and supportive, like the friend you always call at the end of a distressing day. She makes you feel as if there is always a solution, and she provides it with solid reasoning that is bound to win over anyone, even those entirely against counseling. Her suggestions are feasible and not time-consuming. It is an easy-to-read and well-structured book. Even though the target audience is married couples, you can apply these communication techniques to any relationship. I certainly recommend it, especially for those facing troubles with finances, money, or intimate issues. It is memorable and enlightening.
Recommend this book:
Her Alibi
Mary L Schmidt
2024 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Relationships
Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite
As a child, Mary could not figure out why her mother's behavior toward her tended to be either violent or angry. As she got older the relationship between them only got worse, so much so that she could not wait to get out of living under her mother's control. Her siblings were not immune and even her mother's partners bore their fair share of her vitriolic attacks. After she had moved out, got married, and started her own family, you would expect that Mary would be free of her mother's machinations. Then she received a call about her stepfather's death which coincided with her mother's strange late-hour visit. Could it be that her mother somehow found a way to rope Mary into her fiendish scheme? One so unbelievable it could involve murder? Find out in Her Alibi by Mary L. Schmidt.
Mary L. Schmidt tells a compelling story in her book. Her accounts are detailed and graphic, leaving precious little to the imagination. She explains her family history thoroughly, making it easier to understand her story. It is difficult to believe that some of the events transpired in the way she recorded them, but the way the details come together in the latter stages gives the reader ample opportunity to draw conclusions as to the mental state of Mary's mother and her capabilities. Her Alibi is another example of where reality trumps fiction and Schmidt must be commended for finding the courage to pen this book.
As a child, Mary could not figure out why her mother's behavior toward her tended to be either violent or angry. As she got older the relationship between them only got worse, so much so that she could not wait to get out of living under her mother's control. Her siblings were not immune and even her mother's partners bore their fair share of her vitriolic attacks. After she had moved out, got married, and started her own family, you would expect that Mary would be free of her mother's machinations. Then she received a call about her stepfather's death which coincided with her mother's strange late-hour visit. Could it be that her mother somehow found a way to rope Mary into her fiendish scheme? One so unbelievable it could involve murder? Find out in Her Alibi by Mary L. Schmidt.
Mary L. Schmidt tells a compelling story in her book. Her accounts are detailed and graphic, leaving precious little to the imagination. She explains her family history thoroughly, making it easier to understand her story. It is difficult to believe that some of the events transpired in the way she recorded them, but the way the details come together in the latter stages gives the reader ample opportunity to draw conclusions as to the mental state of Mary's mother and her capabilities. Her Alibi is another example of where reality trumps fiction and Schmidt must be commended for finding the courage to pen this book.
Recommend this book:
Poorly Wrapped Gifts
Rising and Thriving After Infidelity
Sujata Patel
2024 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Relationships
Reviewed by Christine Nguyen for Readers' Favorite
Poorly Wrapped Gifts: Rising and Thriving after Infidelity by Sujata Patel is her account of navigating through infidelity. Her first marriage to Jeff ended in divorce when he had an affair. She embarks on a new relationship with Nick, dating him for six years, but her happy world collapses again when she discovers that Nick has cheated on her. The author makes the tough decision to stay in the relationship and shares her painful journey toward reconciliation. She goes beyond dealing with cheating and its aftermath and delves deeper into reconnecting with one’s true self. She discovers that she and Nick cannot fix each other, but that they must first heal themselves to come together to build a stronger partnership. She provides the tools she learned to help readers process this devastating life event so that it can lead them on a new path to growth, empowerment, and transformation.
Author Sujata Patel shares her intimate journey with a raw openness and vulnerability that draws readers in immediately. Her authenticity and honesty make her very relatable, making her feel like a close friend. I like that she continuously emphasizes how healing and forgiveness are not a linear process and that there is no set timeline, helping to alleviate any pressure people may feel. I found her recommendation of the H.A.L.T method very easy to practice in dealing with triggers. Poorly Wrapped Gifts: Rising and Thriving after Infidelity helps guide readers to find the strength, resilience, and beauty within themselves to overcome any obstacles.
Poorly Wrapped Gifts: Rising and Thriving after Infidelity by Sujata Patel is her account of navigating through infidelity. Her first marriage to Jeff ended in divorce when he had an affair. She embarks on a new relationship with Nick, dating him for six years, but her happy world collapses again when she discovers that Nick has cheated on her. The author makes the tough decision to stay in the relationship and shares her painful journey toward reconciliation. She goes beyond dealing with cheating and its aftermath and delves deeper into reconnecting with one’s true self. She discovers that she and Nick cannot fix each other, but that they must first heal themselves to come together to build a stronger partnership. She provides the tools she learned to help readers process this devastating life event so that it can lead them on a new path to growth, empowerment, and transformation.
Author Sujata Patel shares her intimate journey with a raw openness and vulnerability that draws readers in immediately. Her authenticity and honesty make her very relatable, making her feel like a close friend. I like that she continuously emphasizes how healing and forgiveness are not a linear process and that there is no set timeline, helping to alleviate any pressure people may feel. I found her recommendation of the H.A.L.T method very easy to practice in dealing with triggers. Poorly Wrapped Gifts: Rising and Thriving after Infidelity helps guide readers to find the strength, resilience, and beauty within themselves to overcome any obstacles.
Contact Author -
