Customer Reviews
A + B = Bliss-filled marriage. 
2007-01-06
My mother purchased this book for me. I think it was an "Oh, but she means well" type thing. I spent some time looking over the book and decided there are few things I have ever read that are more off track.
The authors disguise biased, overgeneralized stereotypes of how all men and women act with really cute and catchy graphics. They tell you what to do and how to act so that you can attract a lasting mate. Because we all know trying to change yourself or hide parts of yourself to impress someone else is the best way to develop an emotional and intimate connection. The back of the book says playfully, "Oh, great, another one of those dating books, right? Wrong!" Actually, yeah, that's pretty right. Except I'd rather read all those other dating books.
Are they for real? 2006-08-23
Okay, so I'm at work one day, a Christian bookstore, and I open up a box to check it in when I come across this book. I read the back cover and think to myself, "Are you serious?" But, being the curious person I am, I have to read it. I'm pretty sure I wasted about 3 hours in which I could have been doing something more beneficial, like watching grass grow.
Okay, so it wasn't THAT bad, but I definitely felt as though I should talk to my manager about selling this book in our store. The only way this could be considered a Christian book on dating is that it says that you should wait until you're married to have sex, but even that, it says in a way that makes you think that you should save it more for (if you're a girl) keeping the guy interested than because it is morally a sin. This book is not scripturally based, so if you're looking for something that is, go elsewhere. Try Joshua Harris or Eric and Leslie Ludy, but don't buy this book.
If you insist on trying this, be warned that you may not like what you read. This book tries to be hip, so it is interesting. But in the end you may feel as I did, like you wasted a good 3 or more hours of your life.
Decent book with a HUGE problem 
2006-07-07
There are many good things about this book, but space is limited, so I'll only address a HUGE problem. The chapter `Men Lie to Get What They Want' is mostly good; it deals with how men often lie to get sex and admiration from women. True enough, but near the end of the chapter the authors sail off a cliff.
Women are asked `does it bother you that all of the love and affection he has expressed are just attempts to get sex? It shouldn't, he's a man!' This is applied to both `bad boys' and `nice guys'. They insist that regardless of how dedicated to waiting for marriage & being honorable and respectful your man is; he is still a liar just trying to get sex. Worse, "when your man says he loves you, he means nothing more than when he says `I love doughnuts'. The fact that he gets to have sex with you is just a bonus." Then, `But ladies, just in case your guy doesn't take these words of advice, prepare yourself for lies desperately seeking admiration and sex. Hey, it's only natural.'
This is sick. Sincere men aren't perfect, but these slurs are insulting and patently false. The authors' excuse disgusting male behavior; smear nice guys with it; and then tell women to tolerate it because it's `natural'! And are women to be content being seen by their husbands as `doughnuts' with which they can have sex?
If a woman regarded my genuine displays of love and affection as manipulative lies, the relationship would be over. Period.
Here is how a mirror image of the authors' thoughts might read (nearly word for word):
Guys, does it bother you to know that she's interested in sex with you only to the extent that it can get her what she most desires; an `I love you', a bouquet of flowers, a foot rub or a romantic date? Don't be, after all, she's just a woman. Relax guys, you can play her like she was meant to be played; don't reward the conniving scheming wench. Love & affection are your biggest bargaining chips, so use them wisely. Make it clear that there will be no sweet nothings until you get a binding legal document! And, after marriage, if she wants any love and affection, she'd better be `putting out'. Also realize that when she does express a desire to make love, she's saying no more than when she was longing for that snazzy new pair of shoes. That she gets poems and flowers from you is just a bonus. Don't let this disappoint you, it's only natural!
Disgusting, demeaning and indefensible, but no more so than the authors' words.
This is to say nothing of the contention that guys are, by nature, unable to be truthful and respectful. God commands guys to be truthful and honor women as they would their sisters. God asks of us nothing we can't do (even if only with His help). To say that guys `cannot help it' is to impugn God.
All of that aside, this is an otherwise good book.
Halariously True 
2006-06-02
Picking up a book like this seemed like another waste of time, but what the authors do is inject their sense of humor and blunt style of advice. Girls, we're too desperate sometimes and we talk too much: now why didn't I think of that? And guys, although you may feel like a loser for being the "nice guy" you have a better shot at being Marriable. They also talk about the dreaded "online dating" and how to do it and be safe. It's not just for non-Christians!
The format of the book is easy to read, with humorous pictures that match the topics. There's little anecdotes in the margins of the book by the co-authors as well. This book is not a waste of time or money! Single or not, pick it up.
A JOKE? 2006-05-31
I was looking for some books about adult dating and ran across the DiMarco books. I purchsed this book thinking it looked good for us older folks. Alas, as I started reading it, I realized that I know this Mr. Dimarco. He is a convicted felon and a habitual liar and he is now writing books? How could I take seriously anything he wrote in this book. I hope folks are NOT falling for his latest line of bull. He is a true [...] artist. [...]
Lovely to look at, not much inside 2006-02-03
Many single adults don't realize how their actions and their communication style could be having a negative affect on the opposite sex. Popular thinking about dating identifies certain "rules for success" for today's singles. But the results are in, and popular thinking isn't working. Rather than attract the opposite sex, popularly promoted roles and actions often leave singles looking desperate while sending potential dates the opposite direction. In Marriable, Hayley and Michael DiMarco ask the question, "You aren't desperate so why are you acting like it?" With creative chapter titles like "They Just Might Be Out of Your League" and "How Being 'Just Friends' is a Waste of Time," the authors explore everything from internet dating to commitment-phobia. Writing with wit and humor, Hayley and Michael discuss the differences between men and women, what those differences mean in a dating relationship, and ultimately how to find and be a "marriable" person. With short, accessible chapters that tell it like it is, Marriable will be appreciated by men and women alike.
For Men and Women: A Witty Guide to the Playing the Game of Dating 2006-01-31
When now-married couple Hayley and Michael DiMarco met on an Internet dating site, they had a combined total of over 40 years of dating history behind them. Michael is a self-confessed "lemon" who was once divorced, had several live-in girlfriends, and after over two decades of desperate dating experience realized his need for a closer introspective look at what his actions (misdeeds) said he was. After committing himself to overhauling his relationships and his view of marriage the way God intended, Michael's dating life changed dramatically.
Hayley, whose past included some missteps as well, teamed up with Michael to write this witty, pithy, humor-laced guide to playing the "game" of dating for the purpose of equipping Christian men and women with the "pieces" they need to win the ultimate prize: marriage. Their premise is that the dating ritual is truly a game, and both players (meant in the most positive sense of the word) have to understand the subtle "dos" and "don'ts" --- otherwise, everyone loses. The authors present their material with a warning not to denigrate the dating game into calculated encounters entirely devoid of emotion, but rather to temper these romantic "moves" with "logic, faith, and trust."
Ground rules for dating begin with understanding the basic differences between men's and women's approach to this dance. Men chase, women are pursued. Men provide, women nurture. Men communicate differently, while women desire different things from the relationship. And then, the DiMarcos offer their finest line: "If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you've got." Point taken.
Both sexes will find chapters specific to their gender and others pertinent to men and women alike. (In truth, males and females will glean some tidbits of insight by taking a look-see into the inner workings of the opposite sex's psyche and studying every chapter.) The DiMarcos are nothing if not thorough in their offering of topics, which include the desperate lies women tell themselves; how men will lie to get what they want; discerning when someone is out of your league; casting off non-legit reasons for not dating; how being friends is a waste of time for both people; male porn and its dangers; unveiling the ugly female porn; why marrying a best friend is a no-no; what it looks like to be a real man; how women can increase their mystery quota by being quiet; why nice guys are always a step behind the pack; and the savvy, safe rules for online dating.
Each chapter is filled with user-friendly advice and chock-full of eye-catching sidebars where both authors chime in on topics they're passionate about in a "he said/she said" format. Loaded with humor --- some biting, some kindly --- readers will laugh one moment and then pause for thought in the next. In every case, men and women alike will close the final page with a greater understanding of navigating the potentially treacherous waters of dating and be more fully prepared to play to their strengths while playing to win.
--- Reviewed by Michele Howe
the followup to "Dateable: Are You? Are They?" 2005-12-10
Following in the steps of the book "Dateable: Are You? Are They?" by Hayley DiMarco & Justin Lookadoo is "Marriable" by Hayley DiMarco and her husband, Michael DiMarco. This book is an extension of the book Dateable, and is perfect for any teenagers or coeds who read Dateable and took it to heart. Marriable talks about common pitfalls singles develop while in the process of looking for a mate. Discussed in here are common lies women tell themselves, common lies men tell, the falsity of male/female friendships, the true purpose of marriage, tips for online dating, tips to help women be women and men be men, a blunt explanation why nice guys finish last, problems that arise from having no close friends of the same sex, male and female porn, unrealistic expectations that both sexes use when finding a mate, and my personal favorite, how to rate yourself followed by a blunt explanation of the not so hot guy at church who goes after all the 10 rated girls.
Other reviewers have commented on this book's stance on dating, claiming that this book is not biblical. Is courtship biblical, to be honest? Nowhere in the old testament do I hear about courtship. In fact, even Jesus' parents had an arranged marriage. This book refutes that whole courtship movement, which is why some people might be offended by it. I like the fact that they boldly talked about that movement, which thankfully never picked up here in Utah. Where this book does draw upon the Bible is in the concept of marriage itself. Hayley and Michael feel that marriage is a once in a lifetime commitment kind of deal, not disposable like oh so many celebrities would have us believe. That is one other thing they attack in this book: common marriage myths, like cohabitation, premarital sex, marrying your best friend, etc. From a good standpoint they also talk about the differences between men and women. This book is very good. While I personally won't be putting its advice into my life quite yet (I am most definitely not ready for marriage) this book does a good service to dating and online dating-and will be hated by those who prefer Josh Harris style courtship.
Love anyone? 2005-12-01
This book was entirely disappointing for me. I read it in hopes of finding a better understanding and instead found 2 people who sound very bitter and are trying to sell a book through humor and not real facts. Some of their advice include using sex as the "ultimate bargaining too" and ways to "realisticaly rate yourself in a scale of 1-10" and stay in your own playing field(like don't aim for a 8 if you're really only a 5). Scary stuff. This book really depressed me until my (Married) friends pointed out how utterly ridiculous it was. If you are single and searching, stay away from this book!
Please be very careful! 
2005-11-10
This book can be very damaging if you approach it with the idea that it is absolute truth. As some readers have complained, this is not really a "Christian" book because the focus isn't on Christ, it's on YOU.
A Biblically centered way of dating would put the focus on loving other people unconditionally, the way Jesus would, and not on trying to "find the perfect spouse." The whole premise of the book is rather un-Christlike: making yourself enticing enough to the opposite gender that someone would want to marry you. It's rather selfish, really, when you consider the words of John the Baptist: "Christ must become more, I must become less," as well as the warning in Song of Solomon "Do not awaken love until it so desires."
Shouldn't our primary goal be to glorify Christ and not search for earthly shortcuts to fulfilling our desires? Finding a spouse is not like science nor business which have clear procedures or even guidelines. Hearts can be broken, and therefore authentic, Christlike love must take precedence. I don't mean to sound accusing, but this book borders close to the type of manipulation that the world cleverly calls "seduction."
My brother humorously commented that the book also tries to turn you into a "poser." This happens when 'forcing yourself' to be more masculine or feminine in order to entice the opposite sex. You have to ask: What kind of people are you trying to attract...people who are enticed by your masculinity/femininity or people who are excited about you for who truly are? I personally would rather a lady be attracted to me for my fruits of the spirit than my looks or personality.
It is a combination of both action and faith that is important. Faith to set the situations up. Action to knock em down.
