I'm sorry to say this, but this book is a JOKE. The first half of the book, it acted like it was talking to smart women, telling women what drives men and how to make your man feel like a man. Then the second half was talking to dumb, easy girls, making sure they have standards for themselves and don't be clinging to a guy who has other women hanging on his other arm. It didn't flow into "this is what you need to do next" from the beginning.
Another thing he does, is has women making lists of how she wants her man to be! Every girl in her right mind who has read a good relationship book knows not to make a "list" about what her "dream" man is. It's such unrealistic expectations to say you want a 100% gorgeous, funny, smart man.
Here's an example of how he's not clear: "And if we can't exercise two of the major components that make up who we are as men—providing and protecting—then we're not about to profess our love for you." THEN he says, "Don't give up your money, or your job, or your education, or the pride and dignity that come with all of that. Just be a lady." Women will NEED to give up their pride in order to have a healthy relationship.
Another thing: He's not very clear on which side of the board he's on for ANY points. For instance, he expects a woman to take care of her family, take care of her husband, keep a clean house, cook, let the man provide and protect, etc. yet he says men like women who are independent and don't "reach in his pockets" and "it's a necessity for both the husband and the wife to work to make ends meet", and then "most men would not have a problem with his woman staying home." And then in the Q&A section, he says "most men who really care about you won't think anything of (women asking for money) if they have it." ??? Which is it? Is she a "gold digger" or "relying on her man"?! And then, he wants them to wear heels on top of all this (in the Q&A section he even says that he doesn't know a single man who prefers women in flats and "If we could get athletic shoes with heels for women, we would!") I personally believe that for me, as a woman, my place will be in the home, and my future husband's place is providing for the family. These are natural human instincts, like he mentioned before about the man wanting to provide. Why make it more confusing than it is?!
I hate to bring up this issue, but he comes off as racist. All his examples are of "black character", I guess you could say. Talking about "gold diggers" and "mama's boys" and the like. Me, being white, can't relate to the examples of these black women.
Another thing: he says a woman needs to have her man say this to her: "When I don't see you, I miss talking to you, I always wonder what you're doing and whenever you come around, I just feel better—you're the type of woman I've been trying to find." And he goes on to say, "In other words, his answer has to make you feel wonderful. He may not be in love with you just yet, but he's crazy about you and he's probably thinking he wants to explore a long-term commitment with you..." He has to explain himself on everything because he is not clear. He has no examples of good, healthy marriages in this book, to prove his point. It's all on a whim and what he believes. He puts all men in one category and it proves absolutely nothing. I think this book emasculates men! His relationship story with his wife doesn't convince me that he has good advice! What man says "I'm going to marry you someday!" when she walks into the room? I told my brother (who is 19!) about the things in this book and he agreed with me! Steve Harvey is a confusing male and doesn't have business writing a "self-improvement" book.
I do think it's great that he advises to lay your expectations of a relationship out on the table and not to have sex for 90 days. Couples who want sex before they really know each other need to take the time to get to know each other first, but isn't this a pretty obvious point?
I also like how he advises women to re-word what they're trying to say to their man to make him feel like man. We're wired different and communicate different.
After telling women they need to act like a lady, he says this: "This "If he wants to marry me, he'll ask me" thing has got to stop. Because we're not going to ask you when you're ready—we're going to play with you until you give us your requirements and standards and stand by them. I'm not telling you to get on bended knee. I'm telling you to set a timeline for the ring and the date, and tell the man you want to married to what it is." Talk about pushy! Every woman knows that if you've talked to your man about marriage and he hasn't made a move, chances are, he's not ready! Whatever happened to the beginning of the book where he said men cheat because they haven't found out who they are yet? Well, chances are, he's not giving you a ring because he hasn't found out who he is.
In the Q&A section, a question asks "What do men think of women who buy drinks?" and he says "It's a total come-on. In our mind, if you want to buy us a drink, you want us. And if we think you want us, well, we're coming in for the kill." Really? So scratch all that talk about a guy's instincts to pursue a woman and chase her?
Anybody wanting a true relationship book shouldn't read this. The only reason I wanted to finish it was to say I finished it all the way through (in case, at the end, he says "just kidding!") and to make a review on here. I wouldn't really say it was a waste of time though, because I got to see what men NOT to marry. Go read Dr. Laura. She tells of true, healthy relationships! ;)