Monday, May 28, 2012

Review: Love for Grown-Ups



Love for Grown-ups: The Garter Brides' Guide to Marrying for Life When You've Already Got a Life by Ann Blumenthal Jacobs, Patricia Ryan Lampl, and Tish Rabe
Genre: Non-fiction
Pages: 208 (paperback)
Source: TLC Book Tours
Authors' Website | Facebook
Buy it: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Book Depo

Description:
Over thirty-five and still seeking that special someone? About to take a serious relationship to the next level and want to make sure it works—for keeps? The Garter Brides can help!

These three friends—whose name derived from the lucky garter passed from one woman to another—met and married wonderful men later in life. Now you can tap into the wisdom of this special sisterhood through the true stories and real-life strategies these women—plus the dozens of others they interviewed—used to meet the right guy, fall in love and create exciting, happy and fulfilling lives.

YOU’ LL FIND GREAT ADVICE ON:

- Transforming dating from a drag to a delight
- Revealing your history and hopes for the future
- Blending friends, family and kids
- Creating a home together
- Dollars and common sense for grown-ups
- Your wedding, your way
...and much more!

My Review:
I was very curious about this book even though I knew I wasn't the target audience.  Love for Grown Ups is a self-help book for women still searching for their special one whether they have never been married or looking for love after divorce.

The first third of the book reminded me of motivational "You can do it!" message while the rest gave concrete bits of advice for women running into the maze that is dating and marriage.  I love how the brides contrasted what they would have done in their twenties versus their thirties, though at times, I thought it came across as a bit condescending (but again, I'm not the target audience).  The format was very easy to read with large titles, and boxes for specific tips.  I was able to get through this in no time.  Some of the advice touched on issues I had never considered and I think it would be useful in all marriages and relationships.  My only critique is that the advice was over-simplistic at times and failed to discuss the hard issues/situations where it isn't so easy to follow the logical path.

Overall, I enjoyed this read and think it would be motivating at the very least, and it is awesome if you are potentially dealing with blending families and kids.
Blog Widget by LinkWithin

14 comments:

  1. Do I dare give this book to my 38 year old cousin? I would love to see her find someone. Is this a book that she needs to find for herself or does it make a good gift?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it makes a great gift. It is so positive and upbeat that I don't think you would have to worry about her being insulted or thinking that you are saying something you aren't.

      Delete
  2. Interesting pick!
    I love that you totally stepped outside your normal reading.
    Great review.
    I'm totally curious about the advice and over simplicity you allude to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the advice about blending families really went into the tough issues. It discussed the problems that could arise and how to deal with them but then they also addressed what to do when the advice just didn't work or if the husband didn't agree. To me that was an example of a situation when they recognized that these are difficult issues.

      Things that were over-simplistic were topics like how to handle exes. Advice such as to keep geographic distance or decide how much contact to have would work if there wasn't another spouse in the picture. I just don't think the advice addressed what to do if you and your spouse don't agree on how to handle some of these issues.

      Delete
  3. Well I've given up on finding that special someone - I just stick to my dog now. Lol. However it does sound interesting although I doubt I'm the target audience either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are in the target audience unless you are married and in your twenties. Lol.

      Delete
  4. This self-help love for women market is starting to become over saturated and tedious. But I guess if someone reveals a cash cow, the masses will jump on it like a dog with a bone. At least this one is written from a WOMAN's perspective and gives practical advice about the day to day struggles of people in relationships. Interesting pick.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really haven't noticed. I agree that I prefer that they be written from a woman's prospective. I don't have a lot of experience with them but I react negatively when the objective of the self-help is to change the woman into something or someone else.

      Delete
  5. Yes perhaps not for me, maybe it will work for a few but only a few

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, I optimistically think it would work for many. But I don't think there is a lot of emphasis on the getting of the man. Most of it seems to be like combining lives once you get one.

      Delete
  6. This book has my name written all over it! LOL! Alysia here is a book on getting a husband is what it should say. LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm not the intended audience either but I enjoyed the video interview with one of the authors posted on another blog. These ladies definitely have it together!

    Thanks for being on the tour.

    ReplyDelete

I absolutely LOVE all comments! So please feel free to chime in with your thoughts, questions, opinions, or whatever else you have to say.

Don't forget to check back as I reply to comments. Dialogue is good right?

09 10