The Optimist's Guide to Divorce: How to Get Through Your Breakup and Create a New Life You Love

by Suzanne Riss, Jill Sockwell

“Like having a heart-to-heart with a compassionate, no-nonsense best friend. It’s chock-full of wisdom, practical advice, encouragement, and what every woman in the midst of a divorce needs the hope.”—Cynthia L. Copeland, author of Good An Illustrated Memoir of Divorce

Shortly after their marriages ended, Suzanne Riss and Jill Sockwell realized that the best way through divorce is with the support of other women who understand what it’s like, who know the practical issues as well as the emotional ones, and who can help you keep a sense of hope and a sense of humor.

Brimming with stories and insights, from-the-trenches tips, and sanity-saving takeaways, this girlfriend-to-girlfriend guide prepares you for each phase of divorce, from “the talk,” to figuring our where to live, to co-parenting with an ex, to rebounding and rebooting your life. Covering the process from start to finish, this comforting and uplifting book makes it easy to jump in no matter where you are in your journey. And, even better, to make the choices that will ultimately help you develop a better relationship with the one person you’ll be with for the rest of your life—yourself.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Divorce, Self Help

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 27, 2016

Reviews

[Jacqueline]

Delightfully human! Heart-warming, not at all condescending or trivial, with layers of depth and energy and badassery. I read this for work, and am sending it to a friend who I think will benefit from the lady love. Highly impressed, and as a single mid-thirties something woman I took away some lessons, too, about getting back up.

[Jamie]

Good tips and advice.

[Teija]

DNF

[Liz Freed]

Calm, practical, and comforting. The interspersed anecdotes keep things interesting.

[Fletcher Dyflin]

Reading this book gave great insights into the process and how to take everything during the process with a grain of salt. The stories shared by the women through the book are relatable and insightful. As the book is spread into three sections: Deal, Heal, & Revel; each section talks about how to handle life and divorce positively and optimistically, by focusing on growth and self-awareness. The impact that was creating and finding friendships during the process as crucial to surviving and thriving during and after.

[Stephanie]

For some readers, the broad strokes — everything from coping from a blindside in your marriage to getting back out there dating — will be a comfort. For other readers, there's just not going to be enough of what you were probably looking for when you picked this book up. Still, the upbeat tone can be helpful compared to a lot of what is out there.

[Karla]

Be strong where you once were weak. Practical advice without being preachy- what to prepare for, which may be helpful and beneficial to some... it's never easy, but this book provides perspectives for those less ready

[Anabel]

Helpful information depending on where you are in your divorce. There were sections I skipped because I read after it was finalized and I'm not ready to date so I'll come back to that section. Hopefully it won't be outdated by then.

[Cara TaylorSteele]

Just Okay

Worth the read and has some good information. Get it from your local library though. Not quite good enough to spend money on.

[Carolyn]

Helpful if you’re going through a divorce.

[ZEYNEP CELIKBUTLER]

Very upbeat and helpful

I started reading this book before I decided to get divorced, and was halfway through when I filed. Practical, upbeat and realistic.

[Emily]

A light easy read covering small snippets of other women’s learning experiences going thru divorce.

[Grace]

I accidentally said I had read this. Just starting it now.

[Amanda]

Reading this felt like being part of a group of caring friends who'd been through it too, each for different (detailed in book) reasons so there's something for all kinds of people going through a marriage break up for all kinds of reasons. Covers stuff from how to talk to your children about it, how to cope on nights/at events when you don't have you child/ren with you, altered friend groups (the ones who show up, the ones who distance and ditch you, judge you or their husbands who hit on you, yes, that actually happens!), new relationships, self care, budgeting, it's basically a support group in book form. Highly recommend!

[Emily]

A lot of the beginning of this book focuses on legal matters regarding money and children. The later part focuses on how to take care of yourself. I was hoping for something more than "try meditating!" It was an ok read, but not overly helpful or honest.

[Rachel Blom]

I love the tone of this book. It's warm, positive, like a good friend is talking to you. This book focuses mostly on your emotional well being when you're going through a divorce. If you're looking for a ton of legal advice, this isn't your book. It has a chapter on the legal and monetary aspects, but that's not at the core of the book. No, this is more about dealing with divorce emotionally. It shares stories of a bunch of women who have gone through it, all in different circumstances. I loved reading these, because they showed me no two experiences are the same. Great read!