Book Review: The 5 Love Languages

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

My rating:  ***** (5 out of 5 stars)

Why Did I Read?

This book was recommended to us several years ago at a marriage retreat that my husband and I attended.  In the seminar, they talked about the concepts in the book and highly recommended that everyone read the book.  After the seminar, I read the book.  Recently, I heard Marie Forleo talking about the book on one of her episodes of Marie TV.  I remembered that it was an excellent book, so I decided to read it again to refresh my memory and get re-inspired!

Summary (from the back of the book)

The 5 Love Languages is an international bestseller that has brought back or intensified the love in millions of marriages by revealing the five distinct languages we all use to express love:

• Words of Affirmation
• Quality Time
• Gifts
• Acts of Service
• Physical Touch

Couples who understand each other’s love language hold a priceless advantage in the quest for love that lasts a lifetime — they know how to effectively and consistently make each other feel truly and deeply loved. That gift never fades away.

What Did I Think/Recommendation

I loved this book!  I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve any relationship (with a spouse, child, family member, friend, or anyone.)  It may have initially been written to help improve marriages, but the concepts in the book can apply to any relationship.  Once we recognize the love language of our partner, friend, child, etc., we will be better able to show them we care and help to improve that relationship.

This book proves that love conquers all.  There is one story in the book that really impressed me.  There was a woman who wanted to save her marriage, but she hated her husband.  And he also said he hated her.  Their “emotional love tanks” were empty, and their only feelings toward each other were emptiness and pain.  She decided to choose love and get to know her husband’s love language so she could revive their marriage.  She agreed to try an experiment and learn to speak her husband’s love language consistently for six months.  She knew that she would not be receiving love in return at first, but she was willing to work toward it anyway.  At the end of the six months, their marriage was revived and her husband was referring to Dr. Chapman as a miracle worker.  I love this story, and it just goes to show that LOVE NEVER FAILS!

Do you know your primary love language?  Find out here.

For more reviews on The 5 Love Languages, or to find out more about the author Gary Chapman, check it out on Goodreads here.