I couldn't get through this title. It ended up not being for me, but I hope it finds a hope with other readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Just not my thing. I appreciated the sentiments of the book, but to me, at least, there was nothing deep or abiding about this book.

Journey Together by David Hawkins is a nonfiction title sharing advice and anecdotes on how to create a successful marriage for life. The book uses a lot of journey metaphors for marriage throughout the book such as making the choice to travel a new path each day with your partner or having to take u-turns away as things change in your relationship. However, the metaphors got a bit cheesy and repetitive towards the end. The book does a good job recognizing that there are things that should be worked on both together and independently, which sometimes can get ignored. The book also highlights the importance of addressing how your past affects your present relationship and being cognizant for when there are triggers happening during conflict.

One topic I found very interesting was being proactive with preventative measures in your relationship rather than a more reactive approach that is common in some marriages. For example, the author discusses recognizing your emotions and trying to reflect on what strong emotions that appear like they are coming from nowhere actually mean. The book shares a lot of stories about different couples which can help to consider real-life examples. However, many of these examples are over smaller things so I would have appreciated some deeper, more difficult topics such as discussing differences in upbringing, political beliefs, racial experiences, etc. Overall this is a decent book for those looking to work on their marriage and focus on listening and communicating skills, but may not be the best for those with serious marriage issues.

Many thanks to the publisher Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

In JOURNEY TOGETHER, David Hawkins has distilled years of compassionate, creative leadership in developing, improving, and saving long-term relationships. His work with the troubled, the hopeful, and the desperate individuals struggling to connect and live with their loved ones is framed in the metaphor of journey, of traveling together and making it as smooth, rewarding, and pleasurable as possible. Put plainly, Hawkins shares ways to consider the journey and to continue to focus on what is in your power to realize, the change, and to develop in yourself in order to be an excellent traveling companion. Clear prose and terrific stories make this a journey with Hawkins eye-opening and a genuine inspiration. I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.

Hey, you gotta work if you want love. In short, marriage is a journey and you have chosen your travel companion and if you want a smooth journey then compassion is the key. Check yourself for any faults from time to time and if the road is still rocky do not hesitate to take a new path - it may lead you to new discoveries. Pride solves nothing!


"And we don’t find love as much as we create love. Then we build on that love, day after day. We work at it just as we work at anything important to us. We focus on it, dedicate ourselves to it, and nurture it."

The tone of the book is quite pleasant. It shares anecdotes and cases and how marriages can be healed again if both parties are willing.