Quiet Love (& Growing It)

I wasn't really expecting to like this book. The cover didn't grab me, and as a therapist, I'm dubious about books written about relationships that aren't written by professionals. BUT, I absolutely loved this book!! In fact, I'm thinking about buying it for both of my young adult sons. Basically the author gives 14 "rules" for having a happy relationship. Of course, you could find an entire book on any one of these rules, if you want to delve further into conflict, communication, or whatever. But honestly, I can't think of anything I would want a client to know about healthy relationships that ISN'T in this book! If you want a great, concise, easy to read book about the fundamental building blocks of having a successful and loving relationship, this is your book.

This book is not just based on opinions; I was impressed to find it meticulously researched, with around twenty pages dedicated to referencing scientific studies discussed within the text. This research-backed approach adds significant credibility and depth to the book's fresh perspective on relationships. It advocates for a focus on simple, meaningful actions, arguing that true love grows through consistent effort and genuine care rather than fleeting grand gestures. For me, this emphasis on sustained effort over dramatic displays felt particularly practical and applicable to building truly lasting and healthy relationships. I also found the book's deconstruction of "love at first sight" and its highlighting of selfless actions to be particularly insightful and thought-provoking. If you are someone who values evidence-based insights and is serious about building long-term, meaningful relationships, I wholeheartedly recommend this well-researched book.

Quiet Love appealed to me as I’m considering getting back into the dating game and wanted something to motivate me and to help navigate the ups and downs of getting to know new people and figure out what is a healthy relationship without the distraction of the butterflies which can be misleading. Sometimes instant attraction is not enough. Quiet love has each chapter separated by a list of reasonable rules for building a relationship. These chapters are written in a simple no nonsense manner with scientific studies to back up these claims. This book is well researched and has about twenty pages of references with links to the scientific studies discussed in the book. My favorite chapter was Chapter Three that focused on brain chemistry and what happens to our brains when we fall in love. This is a great book for anyone who’s dating and looking got a healthy long term relationship.

This book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their romantic relationships. Matthew Hess offers a compassionate and practical approach to love, focusing on the importance of emotional connection, communication, and personal growth. While it may not break new ground in the area of relationship advice, it serves as a solid guide for those seeking to build and maintain a healthy, loving partnership. The book is particularly suited for individuals who are seeking a more mindful, intentional approach to love and are willing to invest time and effort into personal and relational growth.

Reality check-love is not perfect. Great early on in the book. The scientific perspective was enlightening. Why we break up and the thought that true love never ends were particularly interesting. Practical ideas on nurturing and growing a relationship with the science of gratitude are offered here.