I always love learning from Jeff and Alyssa! This book was amazing because it went back and forth between views. This was cool because you get a husband AND wife's perspective. Love that Lasts is a must-have for anyone wanting simple ways to improve their marriage.

Honestly, I put off reading this book for some time because I thought that, judging by some of the synopsis, I couldn't really get much from the book for myself. I have been married for over a decade now and didn't think anyone could tell me anything that I may not have already known about marriage. Once I finally got around to reading Love That Lasts, I knew just how very wrong I was - but not in the way I was expecting, which I will explain. Right off bat, I loved how very honest both Jefferson and his wife Alyssa are in their stories. Their candidness made the story feel that much more authentic and really brought their story to life. Their writing style is also very hilarious, which helps to keep my attention. What I thought was maybe just a simple book on marriage from a married couple ended up being much more. It is a story about marriage, but it's an authentic account of THEIR marriage and relationship. It also gives a refreshing and very welcomed Godly perspective on topics of a relationship from dating, sex, marriage, etc - and, most importantly, it allows you to draw inspirations and lessons from their story, instead of being told what you need to do, know, etc. I admit that I was very wrong in my assumption of this book but I am so very glad that I finally decided to give it a go. I could not recommend a book more than this one!

Love That Lasts by Jefferson and Alyssa Bethke is the authors' story and how they have approached dating, love and marriage. The authors come from vastly different backgrounds but God called them together and gave them a unique story. This book is a call to nourish your relationships yet to keep them in perspective to your relationship with God. There are so many gems to mine from this book and I think people at many different life stages would benefit from reading this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher. These opinions are entirely my own.

And here is where we (the Church, Christians) make a big mistake. We become reactionary and start to define themselves by what they were against, instead of what they are for. This can be a bad idea because it cannot sustain. It doesn't last. It's a short-term solution. The kingdom of God doesn't react to the world, we show a better way. There is a difference. That is what we can show in marriage.

The above statement was thought provoking for me as I do believe as strongly that what we are against can define what we are for. However, showing a better way in marriage is what the gospel is all about. That is why this book can be recommended strongly for all Christians who are married and single. Marriage is designed to display the gospel. At the center of marriage is community, intimacy, and growth. Growth in our maturity and growth in the family as children are bought in and loved well. However, that being said, being single we can display the gospel as well. In marriage, you have another to think more of and to consider and as you think as one, there is glory.

Each chapter alternates between the husband and wife Jeff & Alyssa Bethke. They take a title of old songs and reflect on marriage, dating, and most importantly applying the gospel. I think that is why I loved this book so much because it applies the gospel not only to marriage but every area of life. What keeps us in bondage and what frees us. To live freely in marriage is to love deeply. They don't speak as they have it all figured it out but speak as if on journey with Jesus at the beginning and the end. There is transparency and there is a better way of the gospel.



I was introduced to Jeff as his influence grew in social media. I have uploaded so you can see his teaching. It is the spoken word. A poetry of sorts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf22k...


A Special Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

I was actually disappointed when reading this book. I thought that it would be more practical tips in marriage. It instead turned out to be an autobiography. It went back and forth between the lives of both Alyssa and Jefferson. While I appreciate their vulnerability and honesty while sharing their lives, it is not what I expected, nor was looking for in a marriage book.

I was able to read Love that Last for free from Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a story about the authors love story of their life experiences. It was a quick and easy read. Most will be able to relate to the authors. It shows us that we need to have a balance in our relationships specially with all the issues that many couples face in our society and culture today. The book also shows us that relationships are not fairytales.
I would recommend this book for those that would like to have a meaningful long lasting relationship.

Excellent book. A spirtitual way to explore love and mariage.

When I picked up this book, I thought it was a marriage book, but as I read I found that it is really just a telling of their love story and the things they've learned from their life experiences. I expected it to be deep truths on marriage, but that is not the intended message of this book. Once I adjusted my perception of what the book was about, I really enjoyed it. It's a quick read and very entertaining. Both authors were easy to relate to and together were able to present a balanced view of the issues many people face in marriage in our culture today. I would recommend this book for those who are single, engaged, or even newly married, but it was less applicable to those already in established marriages since the primary focus is on preparing for and adjusting to marriage. Overall, a fun, encouraging book on navigating love in today's culture.

Title: Love That Lasts
Author: Jefferson and Alyssa Bethke

The book was about: This book is the story of Jeff and Alyssa’s dating, engagement and marriage. It’s not just their story though; it’s the things they learned along the way. It’s what they had known from social media, Disney, fairy tales, pornography, and their own past… they used that knowledge and used this book to show what marriage really is in the eyes of Jesus. Jeff and Alyssa tell their story in a fun, honest and open way. They alternate writing chapters and always point it back to Jesus.

I loved: I really loved the whole book. This book is very easy to read, well thought out, and applicable for many different people. Married couples should read this together and discuss, parents should read to be prepared to talk to their children about it, engaged couples should read together…etc.

Reading this book made me wonder about: As reading this book, I started to wonder how my boys will do with their future wives. My wife and I have discussed so many of these topics both before we got married and continue to go over these regularly. It truly helps. This book is such an encouragement to hear that we are at least doing some of the right things when it comes to keeping our marriage #1.

Overall, the book was: This was a great book. I would highly recommend it to everyone. Young or old. Married, engaged, or single. This book has wisdom for everyone. My favorite was the last few chapters where they really spend some time on how marriage ties to the gospel and why it is important to be married if you are called to be married. God is using them through this book. Read it.

I give the book 5 out of 5 stars!

This book is a great reminder that love and marriage are not always fairy tales. Every long lasting relationship takes work and dedication and that’s what makes love worth it!

It was so beautiful to see Jefferson and Alyssa's story come to life. This is such a great read! The two of them are so relatable and their story is one that everyone can learn from. Their writing style is hilarious and so fun - they make this is read that you cannot put down. It a great guide on how to navigate dating and marriage through a Godly lense. I highly recommend this read!

Love That Lasts by Jeff & Alyssa Bethke is the perfect book for anyone to read on relationships. I was very impressed with all of the wisdom packed into this book as well as how it's presented. Going back and forth between chapters written by Jeff and chapters written by Alyssa, this book provides a realistic view on how God created relationships to work and gives you so much hope that a relationship like that is obtainable if you are willing to put in the work. My husband and I read this book together and it opened up many conversations. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

I found this book a little difficult to get into - although I'm sure many other people will really enjoy this book, personally it just wasn't for me.