Best Books For Couples To Read Together (2024 Updated)

This book is very good and I highly recommend this for anyone, esp for those who are not in a relationship yet. If you have ever had a dating partner who is not really good for you, this is the book to explain why you got into this unhealthy relationship, This is the “bible” for most marriage counsels.

That is how I got my initial book back in 1994, from my marriage counselor. I had given my book away to someone else in need of it, much to my regret! I wish I had just lent it out. So now I have re-purchased this for myself.

This book has become the guiding light for my life forward since 1994. I now have a healthy relationship with my husband because of the lessons learned in this wonderful book. Buy it, it’s great for everyone, no matter where you are in your life – married or not! I’m not the typical “self-help” type of reader, but this book is just amazing!.

My husband and I are trained and practice as Marriage and Family Therapists. When faced with our own marriage difficulties we struggled. At the brink of divorce I sought my own treatment. My therapist recommended the book.

It helped tremendously. Gave me hope and tools to address long standing difficulties. My husband agreed to read it and “couldn’t put it down”. It validated our experiences both personally and professionally.

We are now committed to working on the marriage and saving our children and ourselves the difficulties that come from divorce. I recommend this book to friends, family and clients as I know personally and professionally that all couples struggle and will be benefit from the knowledge and skills that the book offers.

I looked at this book from a different perspective than most readers. I didn’t read it as a person in need of relationship advice. Rather, I read it as a person who has been happily married for 22 years.

My question was, how closely did the advice in this book match what I was doing successfully? A bestseller since 1988, the book is separated into 3 sections: -the first part talks about how unmet childhood needs can affect your future relationships.

-the second part talks about a marriage that can fulfil your unmet childhood needs in constructive ways. -lastly, part three is the exercises. Here you’ll be taken through a series of exercises that you can do at home that have been actually used in the author’s practice.

They’re easy to do and involve writing. Well, that’s a rough synopsis that should give you a little bit of a feel as to how the book is set up- and what its about. So how closely did the advice in this book match what I have been doing all this time to create a successful 22-year marriage? Perfectly- both the book and I promote the idea that you have to work at your marriage to make it work! And perhaps that’s the best piece of advice of all: find constructive ways to make you marriage better- and that’s one thing this book most certainly succeeds at.

Other self-help books I liked include “Finding Happiness in a Frustrating World”.

This book is spot on with relationships, emotions and conflict spirals. Sometimes the words used to explain the scenrios e. g. ‘demon dialogoes’ can be hard to follow, but the writer is so observant and really does pinpoint those raw emotions that come out in a fight with your partner.

Good information to know, but it can be hard to apply as I feel like all the examples show both partners equally and easily falling into line/following the steps the writer stipulates (alas the world and people are not so malleable).

I would still recommed the book though.

Hold Me Tight describes most of our need for continued “Bonding” in adulthood, and the biggest place we should get that – in our marriages. She has many very good exercises to help couples work through the topics.

This should be Mandatory in Pre-Marital Counseling, and is excellent to improve good marriages, and help struggling marriages. Best used in conjunction with a counselor using “Attachment Theory”.

There is a little reading in the 1st chapter to get you started. After that each page has a question that both people answer, either separately or talk about together. Questions include, but are not limited to, how you were raised and how will you raise your kids, what are your expectations on various topics such as working, debt, roles, what are your beliefs spiritually, etc.

Very thought provoking and can by eye opening. You don’t have to agree on everything, its how you handle the areas that you disagree on that is important. You’ll find out how you problem solve and handle conflict while answering the questions.

If there is a deal breaker, this may uncover that too.

I absolutely LOVE this book! My fiance and I bought this book after we got engaged. (I know the book says before, but it’s good to have period, before marriage. ) It asks very important question, some you wouldn’t even think about.

Like what would you’re parents tell me about you, or what the both of you think the roles of the house should be for the woman and the man. I found out my fiance felt like he was suppose to be “The Man of the house.

” Which I was un-aware of and after informing him how sexist that was, I asked, what does that entail? He replied, “Take out the trash, help around the house, and protect the family. ” Then I asked, what do the duties of the woman of the house entail in your eyes then? He replied, “Whatever she wants it to be.

” LOL Then I knew it wasn’t a sexist thing. lol Anyways this is a cute book and it has brought us even closer to each other and our faith (which is amazing bc I thought we were already close) stronger in the Lord.

Great questions to ask that you wouldn’t normally think to ask in a dating relationship, but super important! My now-wife each had our own copy when we were dating, and I recommend it to all of my seriously dating friends! Great resource!.

I bought one of these for my spouse and I 1 year anniversary. We have the bedroom addition. I love the idea of these books, great ideas for Date night, family days, all kinds of ideas in different collections.

We haven’t dived too deep In to our book but loving the look of it. Nice and clean looking, has places for pictures. Gives you hints on what kind of date it will be before you scratch it. So far loving it , can’t wait to see what all it offers.

Kind if disappointed the camera add on was so expensive,so I passed on buying it. I can’t wait to see what kind of memories we can make with it.

This book is well made and tasteful. I love that every adventure has icons that tell you what will be needed: supplies, overnight stay, budget, etc. The adventures are fun and not cheesy. There is space to add a photo and perfectly fits our platoon mini photos.

I’m so glad I got this. My husband loves it. He feels it takes the pressure off of trying to come up with new and interesting date nights. Keeps it fun and fresh!.

They didn’t have the friends edition listed to review but thats the one I’ve used. Although I did get the couples edition with it. Not sure if illnusenthat one but the friends one is fun we just did our first adventure that was something different.

I can’t wait to see what the others are like. The mystery of it makes it exciting. I do wish these books were a little cheaper but it is fun and probably worth it since it will last awhile. The camera option is ridiculously expensive though considering that nothing is included with it.

I didnt get that off the site but instead got basically the same instant camera on Amazon for probably 80$ cheaper and it included everything along with a neat travel case.

This beautiful book has become something that my husband and I read nightly. The Love Dare for Couples Devotion is a short 1 page per day devotional of encouraging reminders that the greatest gift is love.

After so many years of marriage it seems that everyone tends to take their mate for granted. With Bible based tips, I really look forward to the weekly love dares to become closer to God and my spouse.

It’s a good reminder that God put a husband and wife together as one on earth above all others. Renew your love for your husband or wife the way God meant things to be and trust Him. Couples should always be there for each other especially when life gets in the way.

It includes 365 days of devotions for a very reasonable price.

Half of all marriages end in divorce. That means most marriage relationships are either severely dysfunctional or headed that way. What is the answer? The Love Dare’s answer is that we don’t really understand how to live out the love that marriage requires.

Inspired by the movie Fireproof, this book is a forty day devotional that covers various aspects of the true sacrificial love which is missing from many marriages. There is a lot to like about this book.

It clearly explains the nature of mature love & practically challenges you to live it out. It emphasizes how YOU have to be the one to take responsibility and change, regardless of how your partner does or does not respond, and it shows how the strength for that kind of love is powered by a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

This book has had a powerful impact on thousands of people, and I am very thankful for the truth it teaches. However, the book does have some shortcomings. First, the book is unnaturally constrained to fit the plot of the movie.

The movie’s plot confronted the main character with his need for a personal relationship with God mid-way through, and so the book follows suit. Halfway through the forty days, we suddenly shift to a presentation of how living out sacrificial love should make one realize his absolute need for Christianity.

For Christians reading a book on marriage, the discussion of how our relationship with Christ should structure our marital relationship should be foundational, should be page 1. On the other hand, a non-Christian reading the book frankly is unlikely to be impressed by this sudden foray into an altar call in the middle of the book.

Second, the book spends little time on the differing roles of the husband and wife in a marriage. From a Biblical standpoint, there are real & crucial differences in how a man loves & responds to his wife vs.

how a woman loves & responds to her husband. The Love Dare doesn’t address these differing roles which are very important to the success of any Christian marriage. Third, I felt there was this unwritten “if you do these steps your marriage will be transformed” aura to the book.

While all marriages can benefit from going through this devotional, I think that many seriously troubled marriages will not have the movie’s storybook happy ending at the end of forty days. Consequently, I fear people will either conclude they failed in some way or that God failed in some way.

Neither would be true. Many marriages need more than just a good devotional; they need intensive personal intervention by a person of wisdom such as a counselor or pastor plus two partners who are both committed and humble.

In my experience true humility is seldom found in both halves of a troubled relationship. The Love Dare is forty days of wisdom and challenge that will benefit any marriage; just don’t consider it to be the complete cure-all for every troubled relationship in the world.

Update. Ordered another one. When done with this one gonna give to son and his fiance. Every couple should have this book. Time will tell. After 13 years of marriage, the best 13 years of my life, my wife tells me she isn’t happy and not in love with me anymore.

She is the love of my life so I will try anything to get her to find her feeling. A friend recommended the movie and books so I ordered The Love Dare Day By Day. Then realizing what I did then ordered The Love Dare.

Still waiting for it. But I will do anything in my power to save my marriage. I got into church already and pray pray pray. I won’t give up on my wife. A LITTLE UPDATE! I have read ahead to day 50 in 3 days and going back each morning to the day I’m on and reread and do the dare.

I know after this three days that if I had this book 13 years ago I would not be in this situation today. I’m not taking any shortcuts. Putting 200% in this and the 40 day challenge also. I’m praying my wife sees the difference and comes home.

I was great to her in many ways before it was just my attitude. Now that I know and these books, if it’s not to late and she gives me the chance with the help of God I will never let my wonderful wife down again.

Good book for those having trouble dating or young in marriage.

I first heard about this book and it’s author on the Oprah show. Immediately I was intrigued and went searching for my own copy of the book. As soon as I received the copy I bought online, I started reading and although somewhat skeptical regarding the theories presented by the author, I found this to be an excellent read.

I believe I learned a lot about why we choose the intimate partners that we do and why ultimately “true love” almost always disintegrates into a power struggle between the two. The last section of the book even provides the exercises that the author uses in his therapy sessions with couples.

Complete directions are given, including a timetable for when to complete them. Over all, I thought this book provided some excellent insight into the unconcious workings of the love relationship and is definitely worth reading if you’d like to work your way into a “concious” relationship!.

I purchased and read this book before then gave it to a friend. I purchased another so I had it on my book shelf for future reading!!

Great book, very details. Easy to understand and analyze. Gives good explanation and examples to better comprehend different scenarios. I would recommend.

Fast- free shipping, good price I had someone tell me about this book, & said it was a great lil book @ improving your relationship. When I received book I started to review it & book kept referring to page #s that meant nothing I was quite confused Lol.

Upon reading more this book is a workbook that is meant to compliment the 1st book?? When I ordered the book I was a little mislead because I never saw the companion listed that supplements this book, now I will begin the hunt for the 1st book Lol.

This book contains some helpful tips on relating to one’s spouse. However, it contains too much sexism, for instance, calling men the leaders, but not REQUIRING them to lead (stating that the “more mature” person should take the lead whether man or woman.

) That’s practical, but why not require leaders to lead?! Eggerichs makes the point that wives need to respect their husbands, and husbands need to love their wives, but it seems clear that scripturally, both genders need both.

The author does say that both genders need both love and respect, but that’s not the point of his text, in fact, it’s the antithesis of his overall thrust, so it’s a disconnect every time he undercuts his thesis.

I encourage the reading of 1Peter 3:8-9 which instructs both partners to live harmoniously, sympathetically, brotherly, not giving insults but blessings. Eggrichs coins the term “crazy cycle” for an argument or escalating disagreement.

He gives some practical helps in dealing with these, but doesn’t get to the root issues that precipitate the disagreement. I have known professionals who worked with the mentally disturbed and they bristle at the term “crazy” and find it inappropriate.

In this case, I agree, because it is not a crazy cycle; people of sound mind but hurt, disappointed or in some other way affected may find themselves arguing. but they are not crazy. I would not recommend this book, even though it may help some.

There are many much more inspiring texts on relating to one’s spouse.

Love and Respect is an awesome workbook to the dvd’s and the hardback also in this group. It has many marriage helps within its cover. It shows that woman need love and men need respect. And because of that, it makes man and woman just different, not wrong in their opinions.

It shows how woman and men think things out differently, but so the opposite sex can understand their mate better. I would reccomend this book to those who are married and to those who are not because it can help in just about any relationship.

From one to ten, I would give it a 10!.

As a Christian woman, I have never quite understood the one part of a spousal relationship. What does that look like on an every day, practical level? This book has changed my marriage, my relationships, my life as an extroverted, loving, compassionate person.

We must have boundaries if we are to be compassionate, Christ like people. Otherwise we feel resentment and anger towards those who we need to love. This amazing man has it down to a science and I have become a more compassionate person because of what I have learned from him.

Life is about learning. If we know how to set and hold boundaries, we will learn whatever God wants us to.

It’s a good book to help you understand how marriage should be and when there needs to be boundaries, but, just doesn’t cover enough about abusive marriages and what the signs are. I may just need a book that’s more specific of covert abuse.

I do recommend this book though because it does clarify some good basics for a healthy marriage.

I believe this book is essential for marriages in order to prevent one partner blaming or controlling another. It puts conflicts in perspective that each person is responsible for their own emotions, but gives consequences of bad behavior back to that person to encourage them to change.

A much better way to deal with conflicts and both immature and controlling spouses. Relationships take effort and this book along with Keep your Love On by Danny Silk has helped my beginning marriage very much.

I wasn’t sure when I bought it if it would be a real gospel centered book. It is. It brings up good talking points and things to ponder with your significant other. The devotion we went over last night was titled, “God’s son, God’s daughter”.

The pastor compared how if we want to be on his good side, treat his kids well, but if you want to make him mad, mistreat or bully his kids. He then compared it (though on a much larger scale, as God’s love is so great) to how God wants us to treat our significant other, how His child ought to be treated -and as someone made in His image.

There aren’t really questions at the end; it’s more for discussion, and to make you think, and also think of things to pray on. It’s a very sweet, well written devotional, that is not over whelming, but gently nudges you closer to your spouse.

We enjoyed this devotional so much that we read it every day instead of every week. We also bought 7 copies and shared with family and friends. This is not your typical devotional with weak ‘fillers’ to stretch out the book.

It’s very enlightening and gave both me and my husband a lot to consider, discuss, and change in our marriage. It’s so far, the best devotional we’ve ever read.

If you read this book with your spouse and follow even half of the advice you will be very happy in your marriage. I recommend to do it all and your marriage will be fantastic.

This book helped our marriage many years ago, and it is helping our friends marriage now!

This is an awesome marriage manuel. I have read it before and chose to purchase multiple copies to use in my ladies Bible study. EVERY married couple should read it and those planning to marry should too.

It is THE best book I have EVER read on the subject. The book is FULL of biblical, sound advice. You can have a super marriage or re-new one that is starting to loose it’s appeal. BEFORE you decide to divorce~~READ this book!.

I like the straight talk in this book. No fluff. No ~feel good message, just good meaty truths. This book gave me wisdom to do my part in the marriage no matter what the situation may be. Amazing wisdom found inside.

I highly recommend this book to every married couple or engaged couple. It will give you the tools to do your part. no matter what!!.

Ummm. really struggled here to finish this book. I wanted to like and support it but it fell short on several ends in my opinion. First, the spoken word does not always translate well in the literal sense.

For the topic,this book seems way too casual with some thrown in current clichés and song lyrics. As I was reading the book, I kept wondering if he wrote it for teenagers or for grown people with grown issues.

Given the topic, I assumed it was the latter and not the former. But the writing style kept me thinking this was really for high school and college students. That being said, I have read better young adult books that read better than this one.

I have read on some reviews that this sermon series was actually much better than the book. I will have listen to it and go from there. Ultimately I was highly disappointed in some of the advice the author.

I pretty almost stopped reading when I got his definition of a soul tie – “The soul is made up of three distinct parts: the mind, the will, and the emotions. Your mind is how you think, your will is what you desire, and your emotions display how you feel.

If you think about it, the collaboration of these three entities directs your entire life. ” Where is this is located in the Bible? It seems to contrast Matthew 22:37 where it is written “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

‘ I am not a biblical scholar by any means, but the two seem to contradict themselves. Maybe I am the one that need to do more research. His unfounded non evidence-based assumptions on home life were.

astonishing. And I quote “You’re a child of divorce or of unmarried parents, with bad home examples from Mom and Dad, your aunties and uncles and cousins, and the grandparents. You probably grew up with some level of abuse or neglect, fear or anxiety as a result.

”.

I have watched relationship goals series on you tube and now I tune in every Sunday to watch relationship goals reloaded!!! I started on the book this week and I just love how open and transparent Pastor Todd is after watching the first relationship goals series and really applying it to my life 6 months later I met the love of my life and now this month will be 6 months married it really is a blessing to have a relatable way of understanding what the Bible says about relationships and singleness! I’m looking forward to next Sunday’s relationship goals reloaded and finishing up the book! P.

S I also bought the study guide it creates great conversation for my husband and I also my sister who is single that also has the book.

She was quite pleased with the stories of those married 50 years or more, and she plans to read them with her fiance. She appreciated the bible verses as well, although they limited to whom one could gift it if they are not believers.

I asked the Hallmark salesperson for cards and gifts for an “African-American” friend. Disappointed that nothing was available. Even “Mahogany” was very limited. That should change in these times. People of color should be represented.

I bought this for my niece and her husband and loved it so much I kept it. But I ended up buying one for her too, and giving it to her for her birthday which is today (Sept. 9th). Marriages today more than ever, need spitiritual and real life experiences to encourage them! I pray it’s a blessing to my family.

It sure is to me. BTW- My Charlie and I are married 37 years this year. All our praise and glory goes to God!!.

This is an inspiring book, with tips and ideas on how to keep your marriage healthy. Who better to instruct, than couples who’ve been married 50 years or more. They have the secrets to a long, enjoyable, happy marriage.

It also includes a scripture verse with each clip.