The Marriage Habit: 10 Simple Practices to Build a More Intentional, Thriving Relationship

by Casey Caston, Meygan Caston

Genres: Self Help

224 pages, Hardcover

Published February 3, 2026

Reviews

[Martin Baggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drawing on fifteen years of data from their Marriage365 app, Casey and Meygan Caston have created a refreshingly practical guide to improve any marriage. Their central premise is simple but powerful: most couples don't need more therapy—they just need better habits.

The book's true strength lies in its actionability. The Castons present ten non-negotiable habits that successful couples use to maintain and repair their relationships, with each chapter concluding with probing questions for discussion and self-awareness:

The 10 Habits:
1. The KNOWN Position - Daily physical connection and eye contact
2. The Weekly Marriage Business Meeting - Aligning on schedules, responsibilities, and priorities
3. Love Lists - Showing love in the specific ways your partner wants
4. The 60-Second Blessing - Daily affirmations and compliments
5. Connection Time - Scheduled weekly fun and laughter together
6. Leverage Your Differences - Appreciating each other's strengths and rhythms
7. The Codeword - Using conflict as an opportunity to grow
8. Unsolicited Apologies - Keeping short accounts and admitting wrongs quickly
9. Head. Hands. Heart. Habit. - The power of forgiveness and repair
10. The sex talk - Great sex starts with great conversations

The chapters on unsolicited apologies and forgiveness particularly stand out for me, with the Castons noting that "an apology is the closest thing marriage has to a magic wand." Their emphasis on curiosity as "the ultimate relationship hack" and their reminder that "progress matters more than polish" create a safe space for couples at any stage to begin improving their relationship.

"The Marriage Habit" offers hope that with intentionality and the right habits, any couple can create the relationship of their dreams.

A big thank you to Convergent Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Color me absolutely surprised to love this book as much as I did. As a licensed therapist, I have a healthy skepticism of coaches, and especially “influencer” coaches. This is the exception to that rule. This book is so practical, giving 10 habits that couples could put into place right now that would 100% improve their marriage. It’s true many of my couples & clients need deep, healing emotional work. But it’s also true that certain habits and structures MUST be in place if you want to have a healthy marriage. These are the habits - daily communication & eye contact, weekly meetings, being able to take a time out, apologizing, and so on. This is a must for any couples therapist and a great resource for couples everywhere.

[Valerie Contreras · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was genuinely interested in this book when I received it, I am happy to say that it did not disappoint. I learned a lot of helpful habits that I can bring into my marriage, some of which I have never heard of before. It is a fast read, I never got bored or uninterested. I definitely recommend as such a good resource for every couple to try.

Thank you to the authors, Convergent Books, and NetGalley for sending me this e-ARC.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been following the authors for a while now and have heard a lot of their habits before. But this book gives you more. The authors write this book in a practical way so that you want to do better and work on your issues. Even though I have been working on improving myself for a few years now, there are still things I can work on that I learned from this book. One thing I love about this book is the tips and insights are already there for you along with questions to ask, ponder and consider. I really like the chapter on Leveraging your Differences. It helps me realize that we are both different people and we should celebrate that and work with it. This is a book I would like to have on my shelf to review again and again.

Thank you to Casey & Meygan Caston, NetGalley and Convergent Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: February 3, 2026

[Laura Skladzinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get a pre-release copy of this book, and I loved it. Despite never having followed Casey and Meygan Caston before, the opening chapters quickly helped me get to know them, and I immediately connected with their tell-it-like-it-is joint voice; meanwhile, the individual asides were a perfect mix of enlightening and genuinely funny. It was so validating to see a now-happily-married couple openly acknowledge that they struggled at times (the fight at Target? HILARIOUS, and I literally read that excerpt out loud to my husband). As a newlywed, and one who met and got engaged quickly at that, I’ve felt a lot of pressure for us to be perfect and never fight, which is obviously impossible when two people are learning how to come together. This book helped reframe that for me, reminding me that the goal isn’t perfection but learning how to grow together, and it actually got me excited to keep reading more relationship books in the future. The main narrative has one chapter each for ten habits to strengthen your marriage, and readers were encouraged to focus on the ones that resonated most. I really appreciated that we weren't told we had to do all of them, as some resonated with me more than others. (It actually seemed like some chapters as a whole were more fleshed out than others, but this was still a fast and engaging overall read even when a few chapters weren't my fav.) I’d definitely recommend this book to newlyweds or anyone looking to strengthen their relationship, and I’m excited to now start following Casey and Meygan on Instagram to continue learning from them!

[Reading Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical book for every married, engaged or seriously dating couple. Just like the book says, it covers 10 hot topics in a marriage. With each topic throughout the chapter you see both the husband’s and the wife’s perspective and take on it.

How is it practical? There is a link in the book that takes you to the author’s website page. On that page it provides them with supplemental resources. For an example we are to create a love list, and there is a worksheet on their website for the love list. My favorite part is that at the end of every chapter there are either questions or activities the couples can do together that works on the topic for that chapter. It helps the couples get closer, and it’s not just a book to read.

Thank you Convergent Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of practical steps for better communication, curiosity, and understanding - which is helpful for any relationship, regardless of any present conflict or tension. The overall tone makes this a quick and easy read that's bound to give you at least a few tools to take away. Others have mentioned that the Christian undertones were there but not in an overbearing way. Having both spouses contribute their perspective was interesting to read and made it feel more relatable and realistic. Would recommend for anyone looking for ways to show up better in their relationship.

Thank you the authors, publisher, and netgalley for an advanced copy.

[Chelsea Walsh]

The Marriage Habit is a highly practical and effective guide to building a thriving relationship. The book, by Casey and Meygan Caston, offers ten non-negotiable habits based on years of data from couples. Instead of abstract advice, it provides relatable, actionable steps that create meaningful positive change. For any couple wanting to strengthen their connection, this book is an inspiring, indispensable tool for a happier and more intentional life together.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had some good ideas, but others just didn't seem to hit the mark. Would be good as part of a comprehensive look at one's marriage. I think there are others out there that would be better for in-depth thought, but the ideas are generally good for habits to adopt.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5