Review : The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages

Have you ever looked at a blissfully married couple and thought, I wish I could know their secret?
Now you can. After years of investigative research, Shaunti reveals twelve powerful habits that the happiest marriages have in common.
Best news of all? Anyone can learn the secrets of a highly happy marriage!
 

This was the first free book I received from WaterBrook Multnomah for  review in terms of their Blogging for Books Programme. It was also the first time I have ever ordered an e-book, because I prefer hardcover books that can look pretty on my shelf.

And I loved it.

The premise of the book, by Shaunti Feldhahn,  is that it is based on research into how happy couples answer certain questions about their marriages, and what makes them happy.  And the answers are often surprising in their simplicity.

What I liked about the book was that it was incredibly practical and down to earth.  It does not make vague suggestions about changing attitudes, it literally tells you what to think and what to say to start making these changes.  It also has a lot of advice that goes against what we are usually told.  I was particularly interested in the chapter in why it is sometimes more important to go to bed mad than to try and resolve your problems at night.  And many of the chapters I was able to point at small things and say “That is true, I like it when she does that,” or ask my wife “Do you like it when I do …xyz?  And do I do it enough?”

The chapters are short enough not to bog you down, and included interesting graphs at the end, where you can study them if you are like me, or ignore the if you are like most people.  These graphs show that often successful marriages are based on people doing the right things, even though they sometimes think it is the wrong thing.

“We know we are not supposed to <Go to bed mad etc.> but we do, and we are happy.”

I would highly recommend the book.  But don’t take my word for it, go check out the sample below. 

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