Reviewed by: G. Connor Salter, Professional Writing student at Taylor University, Upland, IN

Introduction

Title: Happily: 8 Commitments of Couples Who Laugh, Love and Last

Author: Kevin A. Thompson

Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

Publication Date: 2018

Format: print paperback

Length: 200 pages

OVERVIEW

“We use lucky to describe a successful marriage,” Kevin A. Thompson writes, “because we often can’t see the skills and abilities required to make marriage work.” The truth, he explains, is there really are common techniques that successful couples use to keep their relationships healthy. Using research and his experience as a pastor and marriage counselor, Thompson outlines eight of those techniques.

Too often Christian books make improvement sound easy or don’t admit how hard certain topics are because the authors think facing hard truth isn’t the Christian thing to do. Thompson wisely avoids this misconception and admits throughout the book that making marriage work is hard for everyone, especially in American culture. But at the same time, he gives readers real hope that they can have successful marriages and uses simple language to show them how these techniques will help them. The result is a book that finds the right balance between warning people about dangers they can’t ignore and giving them hope that they can succeed.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

4 stars

Suggested Audience

Married Christians interested in making their marriages stronger, single Christians seeking advice on how to have a successful marriage in the future.

Christian Impact

This book will help Christians in any walk of life understand practical techniques for making marriage into a thriving and nourishing relationship.

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