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Happy Habits for Every Couple: 21 Days to a Better Relationship
When was the last time you flirted with your husband? Was it before you had kids? Do you spend more time on the couch with your wife watching movies or with a bag of chips watching The Game? Does your idea of a hot date include a drive-thru and springing for the extra-large fries? What would your marriage look like if for 21 days you turned your attention to happy habits that will better your relationship? Plenty of books describe how to improve a marriage, how to save a marriage, even how to ramp up intimacy in a marriage. In Happy Habits for Every Couple , Kathi Lipp and husband Roger show you practical, fun-filled ways to put love and laughter back into your marriage. Here are just a few of the results you'll see when you put Happy Habits for Every Couple into If you haven't given up the dream of being head-over-heels with your spouse again, following this 21-day plan will give you just the boost you need to bring you closer together.
224 pages, Paperback
First published December 17, 2014
About the author
Kathi Lipp
43 books339 followersKathi loves giving real help and how-tos to move people forward in every area of their lives. With humor and wisdom, Kathi offers hope paired with practical steps to live with meaning.
Kathi Lipp is the Publisher Weekly bestselling author of 17 books including Clutter Free, The Get Yourself Organized Project, The Husband Project, and Overwhelmed.
She is the host of Clutter Free Academy the Podcast, runs the Facebook group Clutter Free Academy where 8000 women (and a few brave men) learn to live free from clutter. Kathi speaks at conferences across the US.
She is featured on Focus on the Family, MOPS International, Crosswalk.com, Girlfriends in God and Proverbs 31 Ministries as well as a number of other media outlets around the country. And she’s a featured expert on clutter for Women’s World Magazine and has been named “Best of Broadcast” on Focus on the Family twice.
Kathi Lipp is the Publisher Weekly bestselling author of 17 books including Clutter Free, The Get Yourself Organized Project, The Husband Project, and Overwhelmed.
She is the host of Clutter Free Academy the Podcast, runs the Facebook group Clutter Free Academy where 8000 women (and a few brave men) learn to live free from clutter. Kathi speaks at conferences across the US.
She is featured on Focus on the Family, MOPS International, Crosswalk.com, Girlfriends in God and Proverbs 31 Ministries as well as a number of other media outlets around the country. And she’s a featured expert on clutter for Women’s World Magazine and has been named “Best of Broadcast” on Focus on the Family twice.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 30, 2014
I requested this one hoping to find some fresh ideas of places to visit, things to do etc as couples. The way this is set out isn't really for me- I can't imagine getting someone else to make sure that I have cooked my husband's favourite dinner that week, or arranged to go somewhere special. I think this is more designed for church based groups in America. I did glean some ideas- but don't think the whole 21 day exercise is what I was looking for.
August 25, 2017
A fairly fun read, but not life changing.
August 31, 2026
This book had some great tips and helpful things to think about but for daily life I could see some of these being a struggle to do!
December 4, 2014
Happy Habits for Every Couple, co-authored by Kathy and Roger Lipp, invites couples to join with at least one other couple and put their marriages on “improving status.”
Since no marriage is perfect and all happy, successful marriages take work, the Lipps encourage couples to take 21 days to form some new habits of blessing and loving each other in purposeful ways.
The first part of the book helps to set up the whole idea of the “projects” including why, how-to, and some pointers for difficult situations. It even includes an “Encouragement Covenant.” The last part of the book includes the projects themselves. There’s also a project planner at the end of the book to aid couples in planning how they’ll carry out each of the projects.
Overall, I found the book to be full of fun and creative ideas. It’s also easy enough to read and practice that even husbands will participate. One thing I appreciate is that Happy Habits for Every Couple also provides ideas for spouses whose significant others don’t join in the challenge.
I like the fact that some of the projects are for the husband to focus on the wife and some are for the wife to focus on the husband. And some projects are specifically intended to focus on sex. Many of the projects challenge spouses to focus on practicing unconditional, servant love.
All of the projects look fun, but some of my favorite projects were:
Getting to Know You: Get the Vital Stats on Your Mate
Turning Up the Heat: Cooking Together
A Day to Pray: Present Your Spouse’s Requests to God
Candlelight Weather Report: Carve Out Some Time to Just Sit and Talk Over Your Day
The only thing left for me to do is talk my husband into joining me on this adventure and finding another couple who will take the challenge with us.
* Note: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for this review. However, the opinions expressed are my own.
Since no marriage is perfect and all happy, successful marriages take work, the Lipps encourage couples to take 21 days to form some new habits of blessing and loving each other in purposeful ways.
The first part of the book helps to set up the whole idea of the “projects” including why, how-to, and some pointers for difficult situations. It even includes an “Encouragement Covenant.” The last part of the book includes the projects themselves. There’s also a project planner at the end of the book to aid couples in planning how they’ll carry out each of the projects.
Overall, I found the book to be full of fun and creative ideas. It’s also easy enough to read and practice that even husbands will participate. One thing I appreciate is that Happy Habits for Every Couple also provides ideas for spouses whose significant others don’t join in the challenge.
I like the fact that some of the projects are for the husband to focus on the wife and some are for the wife to focus on the husband. And some projects are specifically intended to focus on sex. Many of the projects challenge spouses to focus on practicing unconditional, servant love.
All of the projects look fun, but some of my favorite projects were:
Getting to Know You: Get the Vital Stats on Your Mate
Turning Up the Heat: Cooking Together
A Day to Pray: Present Your Spouse’s Requests to God
Candlelight Weather Report: Carve Out Some Time to Just Sit and Talk Over Your Day
The only thing left for me to do is talk my husband into joining me on this adventure and finding another couple who will take the challenge with us.
* Note: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for this review. However, the opinions expressed are my own.
November 13, 2014
This is a really good book for any Christian couple to utilize in the pursuit of making a great relationship. It was nice to see encouragement to underline and scribble notes with extra blank areas just for that, along with instruction to tailor it to meet your relationship's needs. The soft requirement to share your book and plans with another couple or even a group, in order to keep your motivation and to spread the love, is a great idea! The author makes you both put time and effort into these plans because we all know that the more you put in, the more likely you are to keep up with it and succeed. She offers an initial list of date ideas, with each chapter after that being a specific project with ideas, reasons and examples. At the end of each project there are spots to write in your plan for that project and the results for both people.
I do think it should specify that this is aimed at Christians. (Happy Habits for Every Christian Couple) I know many Christians, but also many non-Christians, and I know that some of them will not feel comfortable reading such an excellently written book, because it isn't their faith.
I do think it should specify that this is aimed at Christians. (Happy Habits for Every Christian Couple) I know many Christians, but also many non-Christians, and I know that some of them will not feel comfortable reading such an excellently written book, because it isn't their faith.
February 28, 2015
John asked me to pick this book up after hearing a review of it on a Focus on the Family program. It's a 21 day project book to strengthen your marriage, and is filled with great ideas. I loved the easy reading style and format. I didn't liked how light-minded and stereotypical the author is at times, but it wasn't distracting from the great advice and tips. It was a tiny bit more intimate that I was expecting from a Christian marriage book, but it was never uncomfortable. We are married.
The version the library had was an online book, which only I could handle reading. But as I shared parts with John, I think he was more excited about doing the projects than I was. I think of the energy factor too much. After reading through the whole book and taking lots of notes, I was happy to discover that John and I do just about everything in the book regularly, and the projects are quite simple, so we're now ready to do the 21 challenge in earnest....but with our schedules we will probably take 2 months to do it. But we will not have the suggested "Encourgement Crew" because some things should be kept to ourselves.
The version the library had was an online book, which only I could handle reading. But as I shared parts with John, I think he was more excited about doing the projects than I was. I think of the energy factor too much. After reading through the whole book and taking lots of notes, I was happy to discover that John and I do just about everything in the book regularly, and the projects are quite simple, so we're now ready to do the 21 challenge in earnest....but with our schedules we will probably take 2 months to do it. But we will not have the suggested "Encourgement Crew" because some things should be kept to ourselves.
January 19, 2015
How many marriage books have you begun with your spouse that didn't get finished? If you're anything like me…probably a lot! My husband and I often start with the best of intentions, but then stop reading somewhere in the middle of the books. That's why I'm so excited about Roger and Kathi Lipp's new book, Happy Habits for Every Couple.
It's a marriage book that I think my husband and I will actually finish!
I have already read the entire thing, and we plan to begin the projects next week.
There are 21 "projects." But don't let the word "projects" scare you. The "projects" are basically just simple activities you and your spouse can do together. Most of them take less than five or ten minutes a day. They are do-able for even the busiest of couples.
If you're looking for something to read that will strengthen your marriage, this is the book for you!!
*I received this book for free for review, but all opinions are my own.
It's a marriage book that I think my husband and I will actually finish!
I have already read the entire thing, and we plan to begin the projects next week.
There are 21 "projects." But don't let the word "projects" scare you. The "projects" are basically just simple activities you and your spouse can do together. Most of them take less than five or ten minutes a day. They are do-able for even the busiest of couples.
If you're looking for something to read that will strengthen your marriage, this is the book for you!!
*I received this book for free for review, but all opinions are my own.
January 22, 2015
I really enjoyed this book! I've read through it myself and now am preparing to work through it in a group setting with a handful of other couples. (We "meet" on Facebook for our discussions, as most of them have young kids, and one more night out a week is just not happening!)
Two years ago, I participated in Kathi's book The Husband Project. We had a great time with it, and it was very encouraging, so I was willing to try another of her studies.
Is it rocket science? No. That doesn't make it any less necessary. I feel that I have a great marriage, and yet I found some terrific ideas to get out of the day-to-day doldrums. I firmly believe that you never stop working on your marriage, and this book was a fun, mostly lighthearted, way to do that. Sometimes you just need someone to remind you to do the work!
It is designed to be used by couples, but if your spouse is unwilling, you can still work through it and get a lot out of it.
Two years ago, I participated in Kathi's book The Husband Project. We had a great time with it, and it was very encouraging, so I was willing to try another of her studies.
Is it rocket science? No. That doesn't make it any less necessary. I feel that I have a great marriage, and yet I found some terrific ideas to get out of the day-to-day doldrums. I firmly believe that you never stop working on your marriage, and this book was a fun, mostly lighthearted, way to do that. Sometimes you just need someone to remind you to do the work!
It is designed to be used by couples, but if your spouse is unwilling, you can still work through it and get a lot out of it.
October 30, 2014
Nothing particularly new in this Christian manual to bring some verve in a marriage that does not shine, but it is not failing either. After years of being together it can become out of habit and forget what were the reasons that made us fall in love with what is now our spouse, with the help of God and this book, you can go back to the excitement of the early days.
Niente di particolarmente nuovo in questo manuale cristiano per riportare un po' di verve in un matrimonio che non brilla per il suo splendore, ma che non sta fallendo. Dopo anni puó capitare di stare assieme soprattutto per abitudine e di scordarsi quali siano state le ragioni che ci hanno fatto innamorare di quello che é ora il nostro sposo, con l'aiuto di Dio e di questo libro é possibile tornare alle emozioni dei primi tempi.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS FOR THE PREVIEW!
Niente di particolarmente nuovo in questo manuale cristiano per riportare un po' di verve in un matrimonio che non brilla per il suo splendore, ma che non sta fallendo. Dopo anni puó capitare di stare assieme soprattutto per abitudine e di scordarsi quali siano state le ragioni che ci hanno fatto innamorare di quello che é ora il nostro sposo, con l'aiuto di Dio e di questo libro é possibile tornare alle emozioni dei primi tempi.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS FOR THE PREVIEW!
November 1, 2014
Another really awesome book by Kathi Lipp. It is listed as a Christian book, but anyone of any faith or agnostic can get something great out of this book.
I thought there were some great idea, and I liked the whole program that Kathi and Roger have set up. I'm not too keen on involving another couple or a group to hold me accountable, I think that's more of something for a church group to do. Overall though, I think this is a program that I could follow and I can see how it would help bring some sparks back into a relationship.
I thought there were some great idea, and I liked the whole program that Kathi and Roger have set up. I'm not too keen on involving another couple or a group to hold me accountable, I think that's more of something for a church group to do. Overall though, I think this is a program that I could follow and I can see how it would help bring some sparks back into a relationship.
December 6, 2015
In all fairness to me, it's not obvious from the cover of the book that this is an ode to Jesus containing dumb advice based on stereotypical, and frankly anti-feminist, gender norms. I was sucked in by the *ADORABLE* smiling latte cups. Shame on me. The thing I took most issue with (and there were many things) was the notion that women just want to be loved while men would prefer to be respected. WHO ARE THESE WOMEN WHO DO NOT WANT TO ALSO BE RESPECTED AND WHAT TYPE OF MAN DOES NOT ALSO WANT TO BE LOVED? i. can't. even.
May 7, 2015
While Tanya and I did not go through this book as designed, it does offer some great ideas in terms of habits that every married couple should develop. The book presents tons of simple and effective dates or activities to help married couples build relational intimacy and to re-kindle their relationship.
March 19, 2019
Many of these "marriage changing habits" were things we already did. One of the projects is literally having any consideration for your spouse. If you are having trouble with that, maybe you should see a marriage counselor? I don't know.... I didn't really connect with this book.
April 1, 2019
Decent book, just not what I was expecting it to be.
January 11, 2023
First, the ideas are very basic. There was nothing new here.
Second, it feels the book is much older than it is. It appears to be geared toward a much older couple. The chapter/task of 'flirt text your spouse' starts with 'Step 1: Learn to text', followed by a suggestion to find a younger person and ask them to show you how. One of the testimonials was 'I was surprised to get a text from my wife, she's never sent a text before. I was happy she asked our teen to teach her'. What? I then had to check when the book was written. It was published in 2009. ??? My parents were regularly texting by 2009 so this felt very odd. Apparently fishnet stockings are the 'sluttiest' thing the author can imagine wearing as the chapter/task about wearing lingerie disparages them twice. I mean, wear them or don't, but again it felt very 'old'.
All in all, the advice and projects felt very very dated.
Second, it feels the book is much older than it is. It appears to be geared toward a much older couple. The chapter/task of 'flirt text your spouse' starts with 'Step 1: Learn to text', followed by a suggestion to find a younger person and ask them to show you how. One of the testimonials was 'I was surprised to get a text from my wife, she's never sent a text before. I was happy she asked our teen to teach her'. What? I then had to check when the book was written. It was published in 2009. ??? My parents were regularly texting by 2009 so this felt very odd. Apparently fishnet stockings are the 'sluttiest' thing the author can imagine wearing as the chapter/task about wearing lingerie disparages them twice. I mean, wear them or don't, but again it felt very 'old'.
All in all, the advice and projects felt very very dated.
March 30, 2024
I think this book is best suited for elderly couples who are very religious and looking for new ideas to spice up their marriage. Not a bad thing, I'm just in the young- couple -with tiny-tots stage. And although I'm religious, because I think of God as my literal father in heaven, I don't enjoy thinking about "lingerie" and "God" in the same sentence 😬 that said, moving always presents a challenge for our date nights because we have to find a new babysitter, redevelop the habit, while also helping our children adjust to the new location (they're super clingy for a few months). I appreciated a new perspective and writing down some activities that will make the changes to our date nights more feasible.
January 23, 2021
The habits in this book cover showing your spouse all of the love languages throughout the week or project period. Reminding you both date your spouse and meet their physical needs. It was a good reminder and encouragement of practical ways to do these things. Easy, enjoyable projects to each day to form a healthy habit and consideration in your marriage because it is worth fighting for. Loved that she kept it biblical too and focused back on God, but the real need to physically accomplish things each day and with an included daily prayer.
July 7, 2021
Excellent book - I’ll have to read through it again if I get married! :)
June 30, 2026
Cute ideas for dates but agree with other readers that it is not life changing advice.
May 30, 2018
It was an okay book for me. Some ideas on how to make my husband feel more loved. It is written more to do as a couple and that’s not really the type of book I was wanting.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews