Editorial Review
After the leftover wedding cake has been consumed and the thank-you notes written, the blissful couple often uncovers some jarring realities: a trail of dirty socks on the floor, conflicting opinions on how much money is too much for a bottle of shampoo and a general wonderment at the question, 'What does it mean to merge the worlds of two very different people?'In an updated version of Toward a Growing Marriage, beloved relationship expert and marriage counselor Gary Chapman offers his trademark practical wisdom on the many issues young married couples face. His basic message: to enjoy 'the marriage you've always wanted,' we have to be the person Jesus has always wanted us to be. He looks at such areas as meaningful communication, expectations about 'who does what' around the house, and the challenges of money management. 'Your Turn' questions inspire further interaction between wives and husbands. This book makes a superb sequel to The Five Love Languages as it takes the 'next step' in making unselfish relationships a reality.
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Customer Reviews
Good advice 
2008-08-20
As usual, Gary Chapman presents some great advice for husbands and wives. This book is definitely worth reading. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because Chapman falls back on the old advice that husbands have the final say when the husband and wife are at an impass. He presents verses from the Bible to back up his position, but it's weak. He and I will have to agree to disagree because the Bible actually doesn't say who gets the final word. Conservative Christians love to obsess about this - yes, obsess - but God doesn't. Anyway, overall, it's a very good book.
Relationship Intimacy is attainable... 
2007-08-23
The concept of oneness and intimacy that Dr. Chapman reveals produces the most amazing and rewarding marriage realtionship possible. The more we practice his concepts, the better our marriage gets and it was good to start with.
Practical Marriage Counseling 2007-03-27
Dr. Chapman is one of those authors who is able to blend a certain degree of humor, practical advice (that actually works), and yet is able to basically tell it like he sees it, all without irritating the reader or giving up his pastorship in the process. I love this guy.
Dr. Chapman wisely writes about the big hitters in a marriage; money, sex, personality, and even in-laws (something that is always needed to be discussed but rarely is). He does add a healthy dose of religion, but this shouldn't scare the non-religious reader because it is definitely not overbearing, nor is it "preachy" and you'd miss a whole lot of wonderful advice. This book is both suitable to the newly married, the veterans, and probably even those thinking about it.
This book is an update to one of his earlier books, "Toward a Growing Marriage." If you've read the former, this book might not provide you with anything really new so you may want to choose another. However, if you haven't read the former, this book is definitely a more accessible version for the average reader so buy this one.
Excellent reading and discussion material 2005-12-20
Every couple enters the gateway of marriage hoping their journey will last forever. Yet in The Marriage You've Always Wanted, Dr. Gary Chapman shares the sobering statistic that half of all couples today will probably split up. It doesn't have to be that way, he says. Since thousands have sought him for counsel, his book captures sage advice in a concise, readable form.
As bestselling author of The Five Love Languages, Chapman is the leading expert on what leads to unity in loving relationships. The key lies in yielding our own faults and weaknesses before the throne of Christ and asking the Holy Spirit to transform our behavior, words, and attitudes. In other words, we focus on changing ourselves, not our spouse.
In candid detail, Chapman offers personal anecdotes from his own marriage, as well as stories that flesh out marital problems and solutions. Each chapter delves into a different aspect of marriage, such as its purpose, why people marry, the art of listening, decision making, sexual fulfillment, leaving and honoring parents, and financial planning.
This book is a revised and updated edition of Chapman's Toward a Growing Marriage. Church libraries and marriage counselors will want this newer version. Ideally, it would make excellent reading and discussion material for couples before they marry. Yet, it offers examples and hope to couples in crisis situations, as well as those seeking to further strengthen an already wholesome marriage. - Heather Lynn Ivester, Christian Book Previews
GREAT ADVICE ON HOW TO HAVE THE MARRIAGE OF YOUR DREAMS 2005-09-29
Every couple enters the gateway of marriage hoping their journey will last forever. Yet in The Marriage You've Always Wanted, Dr. Gary Chapman shares the sobering statistic that half of all couples today will probably split up. It doesn't have to be that way, he says. Since thousands have sought him for counsel, his book captures sage advice in a concise, readable form.
As bestselling author of The Five Love Languages, Chapman is the leading expert on what leads to unity in loving relationships. The key lies in yielding our own faults and weaknesses before the throne of Christ and asking the Holy Spirit to transform our behavior, words, and attitudes. In other words, we focus on changing ourselves, not our spouse.
In candid detail, Chapman offers personal anecdotes from his own marriage, as well as stories that flesh out marital problems and solutions. Each chapter delves into a different aspect of marriage, such as its purpose, why people marry, the art of listening, decision making, sexual fulfillment, leaving and honoring parents, and financial planning.
This book is a revised and updated edition of Chapman's Toward a Growing Marriage. Church libraries and marriage counselors will want this newer version. Ideally, it would make excellent reading and discussion material for couples before they marry. Yet, it offers examples and hope to couples in crisis situations, as well as those seeking to further strengthen an already wholesome marriage. -Heather Lynn Ivester, Christian Book Previews
