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Marrying a Widower: What You Need to Know Before Tying the Knot
Marrying a widower means writing a new story—together
Every marriage takes work, but marrying a widower comes with its own set of emotional and relational challenges. If you’re engaged or in a serious relationship with a widower, you need to know if he’s truly ready to build a life with you. Marrying a Widower will give you the clarity and confidence to either move forward—or walk away.
Drawing on more than two decades of personal and professional experience, remarried widower and relationship coach Abel Keogh shares practical advice for creating a strong, lasting marriage, including:
• How to ensure your marriage is new and meaningful--not a continuation of his past
• The top reasons marriages to widowers fail and how to avoid them
• How to protect yourself financially and emotionally
• How to handle the wedding guest list (and why some people should be left off)
• How to confirm you’re truly compatible in all the right areas—not just focused on widower-related issues
You’ll also find more than 15 real-life stories from women who have stood exactly where you are now. Whether you’re engaged or simply weighing the future, Marrying a Widower will help you evaluate your relationship honestly and prepare for a marriage rooted in love, commitment, and a future that belongs to both of you.
Every marriage takes work, but marrying a widower comes with its own set of emotional and relational challenges. If you’re engaged or in a serious relationship with a widower, you need to know if he’s truly ready to build a life with you. Marrying a Widower will give you the clarity and confidence to either move forward—or walk away.
Drawing on more than two decades of personal and professional experience, remarried widower and relationship coach Abel Keogh shares practical advice for creating a strong, lasting marriage, including:
• How to ensure your marriage is new and meaningful--not a continuation of his past
• The top reasons marriages to widowers fail and how to avoid them
• How to protect yourself financially and emotionally
• How to handle the wedding guest list (and why some people should be left off)
• How to confirm you’re truly compatible in all the right areas—not just focused on widower-related issues
You’ll also find more than 15 real-life stories from women who have stood exactly where you are now. Whether you’re engaged or simply weighing the future, Marrying a Widower will help you evaluate your relationship honestly and prepare for a marriage rooted in love, commitment, and a future that belongs to both of you.
157 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2012
23 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Abel Keogh
12 books100 followersAbel Keogh is a relationship coach and the expert on widower relationships. A remarried widower, Abel has successfully helped thousands of women know if they widowers they’re dating are ready for a serious relationship. He also helps widowers understand what it takes to overcome grief and open their heart to another woman.
Abel is the author of four books on widower relationships and a memoir about losing his late wife to suicide and falling in love again in the year following her death. His Dating a Widower YouTube channel contains valuable advice for widowers and the women who are dating or married to them.
Abel is also an avid runner and writer. He and his wife, Julianna, live in the beautiful state of Utah and as citizens of the Beehive state are parents of the requisite seven children.
Abel is the author of four books on widower relationships and a memoir about losing his late wife to suicide and falling in love again in the year following her death. His Dating a Widower YouTube channel contains valuable advice for widowers and the women who are dating or married to them.
Abel is also an avid runner and writer. He and his wife, Julianna, live in the beautiful state of Utah and as citizens of the Beehive state are parents of the requisite seven children.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 21, 2012
Marrying a Widower: What You Need to Know Before Tying the Knot by Abel Keogh is a follow up and companion book to Dating A Widower. I was very interested in reading this new book after reading the first one. Before I had a chance to read it though, my friend, who was soon to wed a Widower wanted to read it first before her wedding. I was curious and wanted to know what she thought about the book. Here is what she had to say...
"What a timely book for me! I had just gotten engaged to a Widower when Sheila told me about this book. I thought I had worked through many things, but boy was I wrong. After reading this book I knew I still had a lot to work through before our wedding. I think the things that helped me most in this book were the chapters on Making a Home Together and Setting Expectations. Our biggest problem was where to live; my house or his house where he and his late wife raised their three kids. This had become a huge stumbling block in our engagement until I read the chapter from this book to him. The idea that we needed to start a new life together, in a new place won out. I am grateful for this author, Abel Keogh, for writing this book. I can say that this was an invaluable part of starting our new life."
After I read my friend's thoughts about this book I knew that there wasn't much else I would need to say. This book helped my friend and her new husband over a big hurdle in their relationship. A book like this is needed because it addresses so many concerns that may be there and you're not sure how to handle them. I was interested in reading how to Parent and Blend Families. I have two children, and if I ever marry again (I should say WHEN I marry again...being positive here people!) this will be one of my main concerns. In this chapter it talks about how to put each other first, being on the same page when parenting, being a parent first before a friend, and having each others back.
Marrying a Widower: What You Need to Know Before Tying the Knot, is a must read book for those planning on marrying a Widower. You will find honest and thought provoking information that will help you make good decisions in your relationship. The true stories from real women, that share their own experiences, are also very helpful. This book I feel, is the last stop, in that final decision of whether or not that Widower you are dating will be your future husband.
"What a timely book for me! I had just gotten engaged to a Widower when Sheila told me about this book. I thought I had worked through many things, but boy was I wrong. After reading this book I knew I still had a lot to work through before our wedding. I think the things that helped me most in this book were the chapters on Making a Home Together and Setting Expectations. Our biggest problem was where to live; my house or his house where he and his late wife raised their three kids. This had become a huge stumbling block in our engagement until I read the chapter from this book to him. The idea that we needed to start a new life together, in a new place won out. I am grateful for this author, Abel Keogh, for writing this book. I can say that this was an invaluable part of starting our new life."
After I read my friend's thoughts about this book I knew that there wasn't much else I would need to say. This book helped my friend and her new husband over a big hurdle in their relationship. A book like this is needed because it addresses so many concerns that may be there and you're not sure how to handle them. I was interested in reading how to Parent and Blend Families. I have two children, and if I ever marry again (I should say WHEN I marry again...being positive here people!) this will be one of my main concerns. In this chapter it talks about how to put each other first, being on the same page when parenting, being a parent first before a friend, and having each others back.
Marrying a Widower: What You Need to Know Before Tying the Knot, is a must read book for those planning on marrying a Widower. You will find honest and thought provoking information that will help you make good decisions in your relationship. The true stories from real women, that share their own experiences, are also very helpful. This book I feel, is the last stop, in that final decision of whether or not that Widower you are dating will be your future husband.
April 25, 2012
Well balanced and highly informative. An excellent resource for the target audience. Supporting narratives add insight to the basic text. If you know someone who is dating a widower recommend both this book and its earlier companion Dating a Widower.
January 31, 2020
Just as good as his other books- also able to read it in a day. Helpful to understand the additional factors that go into this type of marriage than any other marriage. I love the honest stories of those who have lived through this.
July 16, 2020
Very insightful
This book was very eye opening and also verified a lot of my observations. I don’t know anyone in my shoes right now, so it was such a helpful read. Thank you Abel for your experiences and for sharing.
This book was very eye opening and also verified a lot of my observations. I don’t know anyone in my shoes right now, so it was such a helpful read. Thank you Abel for your experiences and for sharing.
December 30, 2022
Gave me a lot to think about.
This book was very helpful in understanding my widower’s behavior and the feelings I’ve had. This and “Dating a widower “ have helped both of us.
This book was very helpful in understanding my widower’s behavior and the feelings I’ve had. This and “Dating a widower “ have helped both of us.
January 20, 2023
Interesting valuable information , practically delivered in a no-nonsense manner
To the point with loads of questions answered and scenarios covered .
Several testimonials are shared throughout the book which help give other real life examples of potential probabilities .
I read all 3 of Abel's Widower books, including the one the widower himself is supposed to read, i now feel equipped and empowered to navigate the relationship i am in with a widower. 😊
A must read for anyone in a serious relationship with a widower.
To the point with loads of questions answered and scenarios covered .
Several testimonials are shared throughout the book which help give other real life examples of potential probabilities .
I read all 3 of Abel's Widower books, including the one the widower himself is supposed to read, i now feel equipped and empowered to navigate the relationship i am in with a widower. 😊
A must read for anyone in a serious relationship with a widower.
July 20, 2017
Love Abel's books! I have read all of his Widower novels, and took them to heart. His words came through strongly with what was going on in my personal life. His advice was kind, sound, and from experience. If you are dating, or considering dating a widower, I strongly suggest you read Abel's books.
December 30, 2025
good book, all the way through
I like the honesty and information. The fact that strength is seen as a good, and holding to one’s standards, but that it also takes two, keeps one grounded! Thanks for the info and insight.
I like the honesty and information. The fact that strength is seen as a good, and holding to one’s standards, but that it also takes two, keeps one grounded! Thanks for the info and insight.
April 24, 2012
Well, I wrote it . . . :)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews