Relationships That Work:

by H. Norman Wright

Young people today, many of whom grew up in painfully dysfunctional homes, are waiting longer to get married, often out of fear of choosing the wrong partner. They want desperately to get it right the first time. Now singles can find help and hope in an excellent guide to relationships that will work and those that won't. Dr. H Norman Wright provides simple, practical guidelines for identifying partners with positive potential for a loving, long-term relationship. Just as important, Wright shows how to avoid wasting time, money and emotional energy on hopeless relationships with incurable negatives. Topics include compatibility, risk-taking, infatuation versus love, the dangers of premarital sex, common relationship mistakes and the characteristics of a godly, healthy relationship.

Genres: Adult, Relationships, Counselling, Psychology

258 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 1998

About the author

H. Norman Wright is a well-respected Christian counselor who has helped thousands of people improve their relationships and deal with grief, tragedy, and other concerns. He helps couples bring vibrancy to their relationships through counseling, seminars, and more than 90 books, including Before You Say “I Do” and After You Say “I Do.” Norm also reveals insights for spiritual growth, great relationships, and success in devotionals that include Strong to the Core, Quiet Times for Every Parent, and Truly Devoted: What Dogs Teach Us About Life, Love, and Loyalty. www.hnormanwright.com

Reviews

[Zakiya · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 rounded up for a few nuggets I found. I love lists of questions and there are several in this book. There is a lot I could write about my score. There are several times when I considered throwing the book down or just stop reading all together…
…like when the chapter “Chemistry of Attraction” came close to victim shaming
…or his examples about in the “we marry foreigners” section

I had to keep reminding myself that this book was written over 25 years ago and so much has changed in that time period. Thank God for that.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of Wright. In this book, he describes the four pillars that make up lasting relationships - love, trust, respect, and understanding. He differentiates between healthy and unhealthy relationships very clearly. Crucial areas of compatibility between partners are brain power, faith and values, commitment to Christ, and verbal and emotional intimacy. The thing I love most about Wright in all of his books (and he did not disappoint here!) is his practicality. He includes a list of maybe 40 or so topics that couples should discuss. They should be things that they don't necessarily have to agree on but that they are aware of and are compatible in. He also included a list of 24 questions regarding your partner's spiritual life, and asking these questions could take several hours, honestly. But both lists are really good, practical resources to use as an individual seeking to understand whether or not you are compatible with another person (and just to get to know them better!) AND to use as a professional guiding someone through premarital counseling.

[Thiofhitshithu Rabali · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book on looking for love and building up relationship and preparing for marriage.