This feels like such an important book for people to read, in thinking about the importance--and variety--of the different relationships in our lives. It gives credence to the idea that your romantic partner need not be everything for you, and probably shouldn't be.

The Other Significant Others takes an inside look at meaningful, platonic relationships and how they shape our lives. In recent years, the conversation around friendship has changed as study after study confirms that friends can literally save your life. People with meaningful relationships and enmeshed communities live longer than the rest of us. This book made me yearn for deeper friendships and emboldened me to seek more tangibly intentional relationships with the friends I already have. Cohen expertly blends personal history, narrative, and science as we meet all different kinds of friends and look the many ways friendship can enrich our lives. I really enjoyed the writing and narration of this book and found that it was neither too anecdotal nor riddled with science. Cohen strikes at the heart of the reader with her beautiful storytelling and her grasp of emotional language. A great read for someone who is looking to build a community for themselves.

I am so thankful to NetGalley for a free copy of the audio version of The Other Significant Others. It was a thoughtful, hopeful look at friendship and how it impacts our lives. There is so much focus in our culture on romantic relationships, and this book reminded me of the power of those "outside" relationships. This is a great read that will make you squeeze your besties a little tighter.

The narrator was easy to listen to and understand.
While I felt that this book was interesting, I felt it was extremely repetitive and that cause me to get tired of the book fast.
I was also surprised that it didn’t have the friendship power focus that I expected from the synopsis of the book and that she mentions at the end.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Rhaina Cohen’s book THE OTHER SIGNIFICANT OTHERS is an interesting review of significant non-romantic relationships. It explores all kinds of relationships and comments on how “best friendships” are not as socially accepted as they are personally valued and why that is.

I loved the stories, pop culture references and social science of the book. The author narrates and was a great fit for her own work.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an audiobook ARC.

A fascinating look into the different relationships that exist outside of the traditional, and highly lauded, romantic ones, this book illustrates the value and depth individuals gain from all different types of friendships. This was a fascinating listen and one that at times I loved, disagreed with, and felt informed by. The beating heart of this book is a call to see the value in diversity of relationships and to not put particular partnerships on a pedestal, while demeaning others that can bring immense joy and fulfillment to many. I especially appreciated this book's look at relationships for older individuals, as this is often a unique time of life when peers may be passing away or traditional relationships have morphed or moved on (though these truths apply to those of all ages as well). While there were pieces of this book I did not agree or align with, there were other portions I definitely appreciated, and it was amazing to have my eyes opened to different perspectives on what friendship can and does look like for others. I learned a lot and I think, no matter what, it is a great entry point into an important conversation to have about the people in our lives that are important beyond just romantic partners.

I love the concept of this book!

I’ve always thought friendships are so important for a person and couldn’t have put it into better words. I love the author’s explanations of the challenges we face as society does not have adequate words to describe feelings or rights a friendship could have.

I found the book a bit repetitive but understand that additional examples were required as context.

The narration was really good and very relaxing. Would totally recommend this book

Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. I definitely believe in prioritizing close friendships so I was excited for this one, but this book is more about how people not interested traditional romantic relationships can achieve partnership through other avenues.

I would consider my closest friends more as sisters than life partners - no less significant, but I likely wouldn’t want to commit to permanently live with them or raise children together, despite potential advantages. I found some of the research and stories dry, but this could have been because I wasn’t the target audience for this book.

I did find the section on friendship breakups and re-thinking the legal benefits of marriage especially interesting.

Withholding my detailed review for The Other Significant Others as part of the Saint Martins Press Boycott until the demands of the boycott are met. They are as follows:

1. Address and denounce the Islamophobia and racism from their employee
2. Offer tangible steps for how they are going to mitigate the harm the employee caused
3. Address how moving forward they will support and protect their Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab readers, influencers, and authors in addition to their BIPOC readers, influencers, and authors.

This is an amazing book. I have a bestie that is my other significant other. I’m so glad to know that I’m not the only one. I love hearing others peoples stories and what they’ve gone through to be who they are and where they are now. A must read!!

This book was interesting but repetitive. I found that a lot of the same information was being told just worded differently. I did enjoy listening to the author and her definition a friendship, and how we can be close to our friends as they are like family members. Even though it was repetitive I still recommend this book. I

I listened to the audio book and immediately want to buy a copy and highlight as I reread. I love and vibe with the idea of strong friendship making lives richer and that sole mates should not be the soul mates. The Other Significant Others illuminates a whole variety of rich relationships and the downsides of choosing life long commitments outside of relationships through incredible storytelling combined with interesting and relevant research bits. This book will make you wonder (if you are not already)why we don't value friendships and strong and central relationships, lacking words and protections for these relationships. Basically I LOVED this book and found the content fascinating and relevant. The rest of this review is basically what I found interesting, short of just quoting the whole book.

I really enjoyed the exploration of different types of friendships and central relationships and the diverse examples provided--co parents, queer platonic, queer/Christian/celibate, elderly, straight men, people calling themselves poly, and so much more. This discussion highlights the lack of terminology for these relationships, people found themselves referring to the selves as polyamoroys despite lack of romantic ties, claiming to be family and being just at a loss.

Women fall into the trap of only valuing romance at much higher rates, often valuing romantic partners and their 'people' more than their own. BUT, interestingly are also significantly more likely to have strong friendships than men.

Not only are we lacking verbage for these important relationships, but legal protections as well. The discussion of ambiguous loss of friendship through death and friendship breakups had me SOBBING. And THEN because these relationships are not legally recognized, bereavement leave is lacking, end of life care and decisions are overly complicated and people hurt more than they should have to. This book suggest some interesting solutions to legal partnerships for friends, which I think should be in place!!

Essentially: the author really highlights all the beautiful moments of centering friendships, but also all the benefits you don't have access to because of lack of marriage. Marriage is not a cure to the loneliness epidemic and I hope to see a world with more recognition for the value of friendship. I totally loved this book and will not be shutting up any time soon.

By the epilogue, I was fully nodding along. I like reading about sociology because I walk away with the feeling that things that I thought were outside of the norms are pretty standard -- like seeking fulfillment from more than just a romantic source, and not placing the full burden of your emotions on any one individual. There's a lot of good stuff here about the legal barriers in non-marital relationships, too. Overall, a good read.

This was a great, really informative read. I have always been someone who really valued friendship above family, and often above romantic partnerships as well, so it was really interesting to read about multiple groups of people, some who lived with their close friends, some who prioritized their friendship and eschewed romantic relationships, some who became caregivers for each other… it was really inspiring and lovely, and a great reminder of the ways that deep connection can occur, whether people are dating or married or what. The book ends with an analysis of the types of needs these pairs or triads have and the legal and societal reforms that they would benefit from, and it was genuinely really thought-provoking as well as very heartfelt and well-researched.

I was absolutely craving this book. I value my friends so much and go to them for laughs and emotional support. I think, as a woman, relying on a man for everything will just leave you disappointed. I mean I am married but if I texted this guy with my petty complaints about work or the world in general all day we would not last.
And honestly he can't relate.
Also people make marriage just about the sex and romance and life doesn't always let you prioritize those things. People get sick, kids get hospitalized, home burn down, towns flood, and life goes on. Not everything is sexy and romantic. I am glad I married someone who gets it. He wants a life partner.
I love the narration and personal stories in this book! I love the research and the history.
We need to redefine life partners for sure!

As someone who was married but is now divorced and realizes that marriage isn't the only way to have a close, meaningful relationship, this book was just what I needed! I think everyone should read this book, whether they intend to marry or not.

The Other Significant Others by Rhaina Cohen was not what I expected. While well researched and including multiple stories of “friendships”. Didn’t have the.focus on power of friendships I was expecting.

Thanks for the advanced copy Net Galley and McMillan audio

This book was a beautiful read. It challenged the societal norm for friendships and life partners. Why are only marriages/common-law partnerships recognize and given privileges/benefits in the law? Why are our Significant Other seen as the only person to fulfill our every need? Why are deep, intimate friendships viewed as “less than”? What can we gain by recognizing the beauty and significance of The Other Significant Others? Why are life partners defined by sexual intimacy or lack-thereof?

For my own self, coming from a religious background that frowns on deep opposite-sex friendships, and upholds the marriage contract/relationship as the end-all and be-all, as sacred beyond any friendships, and to be protected at all costs, it was so good for my mind to be pushed to think beyond those rigid roles and re-imagine life as more. More people. More significant others. More deep intimate friendships. And what those can look like.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

a really interesting look at the ways that relationships outside of romantic & sexual ones impact our lives, and the ways that society chooses not to prioritize them. i found myself reflecting a lot about my close friendships, and how often they're just as meaningful as my relationship with my partner but in different ways. as a queer person, the chapter on queer relationships & found family really resonated. highly highly recommend this one.

This was a super easy audio to listen to and understand.

This was an interesting read. It took turns I wasn’t expecting but I think it was a beautifully written way of telling a story of how physical, emotional and relationships/friendships can be so so important to everyone.

I enjoyed learning and the understanding that it’s normal and okay to absolutely love a human of the same sex but it not be sexual. Or vis Versa.

I recently went through a “friend breakup” and it’s nice to hear that it’s normal to feel upset and hurt.