Romance Rehab

January 25, 2010
Slackers, beware: psychologist Hoistad takes romantic troubles through an active process of rehabilitation that requires readers’ undivided commitment to her 10 steps, exercises, and introspection. There are lots of capital letters (Big Picture Partnering, Our World) and diagrams, but if readers can reap the benefits, they will find help not only for their love lives but for all healthy interactions with others.

January 15, 2010
Using exercises, anecdotes, and tools to improve communication and understanding, psychologist Hoistad demonstrates how couples can resolve conflicts and improve the positive aspects of their relationship. Her ten-step toolkit helps both members of a couple remember why they were attracted to each other, learn to find new options together, put issues on the table, and create mutual appreciation. Sometimes, it's the little things, such as being aware of the other's likes and dislikes; other times, it's a willingness to be open to change. Nothing novel here, but couples will find that this book does simplify the process of learning to listen and understand each other, even if only one of them reads the book.

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.