In this wise, accessible, and long-awaited book, celebrated research psychologist and couples counselor John Gottman plumbs the mysteries of love: Where does it come from? Why does some love last, and why does some fade? Gottman has spent decades observing the conversational patterns and biorhythms of the thousands and thousands of couples in his famous “Love Lab.”

Based on laboratory findings, this book shows readers how to identify signs, behaviors, and attitudes that indicate sexual and other forms of betrayal, and provides strategies for repairing what may seem lost or broken. With a gift for translating complex scientific ideas into insightful and practical advice, Gottman explains how a couple can protect or recover its greatest gift — their love for one another.

“In an easy-to-understand format full of anecdotes, imaginary dialogues, and analogies to game theory, Gottman explains lack of trust in a relationship … The practical tools to evaluate current relationships and step-by-step methods for avoiding betrayal, repairing relationships heading toward crisis, or healing a relationship after a crisis will be useful to couples who want to look honestly at healing chronic hurts and improving the state of their relationship, and are ready for a system to help them.”

— Publishers Weekly

“The best book I’ve read on making a relationship last. It contains specific actions you can take and list areas of caution, not a bunch of psychological, theoretical mumbo-jumbo. I plan to buy a copy for each of my kids as they start looking for life partners; it is that great.”

— Reader from Texas