I liked this book so much I am buying many for my married friends. I am a widow, but found this book filled with wisdom and helpful lessons on communication in all relationships. Opened my mind to the truth that most of us aren't taught healthy communication skills. The results are the breakdown of loving relationships.

This book was very valuable to me in my own marriage and I would recommend it to others. How we need more marriages based on love and with God as the center.

Living in Love by James and Betty Robinson is like sitting down for coffee with a couple that has had a tried and true marriage. It is delightful and easy to read! In a conversational style, the authors talk about the good and the bad in their marriage and give advice on how to make yours work. It would make an excellent gift for anyone that is thinking about getting married to anyone who has been married for years. It has something in it for everyone.

The focuses of the book are on beginnings, commitment, communication, and challenges. James and Betty share how to treat and talk to one another with respect. I liked the Communication section because it touched on not only how to communicate, but how to confront one another, how and when to confess to each other, and when and who to get counsel from. In the Challenges section, they discuss money, parenting, sex, spiritual warfare, and encouragement. These are all important topics to me in my marriage and I am glad that they included them in the book.

One of my favorite quotes was "Growth in marriage is very much like the ripening of fruit: it has to happen on the inside before it will ever be seen on the outside. Qualities like commitment, trust, and concern are all interior traits that cannot be imposed on a person or a marriage relationship. How would you force a husband or a wife to be trustworthy or caring? These types of things have to come from inside a person or a relationship before they can become the foundation for a thriving marriage."

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

The first impression: The first impression from Living in Love comes from the two mildly aged faces smiling at you from the cover. The names of the smiling faces are obviously the names written in large print at the top of the cover, showing that this book is centered around them and their experiences. At the bottom of the cover it is emphasized that the couple also has their own TV show. At the very top of the cover is an endorsement from Beth Moore. The very first thing to be found inside the book is several pages of endorsements from a "Who's Who" of evangelical superstars.

Content: When the reader does get to the table of contents, the impression that the book revolves around the authors is reinforced. This is their story which they are telling to try to help other couples. This story is told in a dialogue manner with clearly marked sections headed by "James" and "Betty" alternating as they give different accounts and analysis from their respective viewpoints. They are honest about their quarrels, weaknesses and struggles which give the book a fresh sincerity. For the first several sections of the book they move through the phases of their relationship, detailing the struggles and growing experiences along the way. In the final section they deal with practical topics that every couple has to face: money, parenting, sex, etc.

Conclusion: Living in Love is a good book for couples wanting to improve their relationship. James and Betty address relational difficulties that most any couple will be able to identify with. Living in Love could also be useful for a couple in pre-marital counseling to get them thinking about some of the challenges they will be facing before they actually take place. However, this is not a book for counselors or for couples experiencing severe relational crises. There are many other works out there which would be more suited for people in these categories. In all, I would recommend Living in Love as a light, but helpful book for marriage enhancement.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

James and Betty have been married for nearly 50 years and say "we are more in love now than ever before". What did I like about this book? Their honesty. They don't just talk in general terms. They speak from their hearts about experiences in their own marriages. They talk about where they have been and how they have got to where they are.

I particularly liked the section on dealing with the baggage that we bring into our marriages, how it effects our marriage and ways to help let it go. I also enjoyed the section about building up our spouses, to never betray your spouses trust. If you seek counseling, make sure you are there to get better, not to gossip and tear-down your mate.

Also, remember that no one is perfect. Sure your mate has faults. But so do you. So remember to be forgiving and supportive.

I enjoyed reading this book and gained some insight and encouragement that will be useful in the years to come.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review