As a life long marriage counselor, Steve Arterburn developed this book to help people find their mate and develop a solid relationship that will last a lifetime. This is not a book of lists that couples work through so that they get to know each other better, this is a series of dates for the couple to go on where they learn more about each other. He begins by suggesting that the couple look around at others prior to making a commitment, to make sure that they haven’t just fallen into a relationship by just getting comfortable with each other. He suggests ways to meet new people, and activities, calling these meetings Take-A-Break Dates. He says that a person should date at least twenty people before making a commitment to one person. He gives a list of the type of people you should avoid when dating. Then once you have decided on a particular person, he moves to ten dates with a specific agenda. Each date ‘gives you and your potential mate a change to experience each other in not-so-ordinary settings that provide extraordinary insight into each other.” The dates occur in different settings that allow the participants to have experiences that potentially duplicate stress situations that might occur in a marriage and potentially cause a rift. This way, the couple encounters problems prior to marriage.

I love this book. I will definitely purchase one for my daughters. I think that if a couple seriously commits to working through this book, they will develop a stronger marriage that has a greater potential to last a lifetime. Every person that would like to have a lifelong committed relationship should read this book.

Galley provided by NetGalley. ( )