Interesting book. I'm glad I read it, but don't really think it explains love. Love is so multifaceted and so personal. Still it's an easy, interesting read. I thought the chapter in infidelity was notable. Kind of made me wonder why folks get married expecting to be married for life. Well, economic reasons make sense, but then it's a business arrangement to keep everyone economically secure and cared for physically. Few people stay in love forever, or maybe it's just lust. Maybe everyone should just look out for themselves, stay single, and have affairs, except when kids are involved, then it gets tricky. No answers on my part. I know plenty of women these days who are enjoying the single life. most in their 50's-60's no spouses, no kids, or grown kids, and perfectly happy that way. Some were always single, others are divorced or widowed most want it to stay that way. I have to agree with Laura Mucha on this one point, unless its's a really wretched marriage, the companionship of a spouse does make one happier as one gets older.- shared memories. I'd add contentment to that , too. Laura Mucha gave it a shot and did a great job of shining light on what love is, and isn't!

This was an interesting book on the psychology and science of love. I think that those interested in psychology would find it very interesting as it brings together studies done on a good amount of people to understand the science of love.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

This book was received as an ARC from Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Love Understood when I first heard of the book was a little bored that there is another book that has the secret of getting through life's difficult emotion...love. I was a bit skeptical at first because I've read a lot of self-help books on love and they always end on the same note. This one however was different and I mean in a very good way. A lot of the examples were realistic in the fact that a lot of couples can relate. Also, I loved how she interviewed and reflected on real-life people other than her friends and family that were open and willing to share their stories and experiences. This book is needed for sessions at marriage counseling, difficult decisions or even moving up into a serious relationship. Every couple at some point should read this book.

We will consider adding this book to our self-help collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

The psychology and science behind one of life’s great mysteries—love.

For Love Understood, almost 200 strangers in over 40 countries have come together to share their most personal stories, feelings, and insights about love. Romantic love is something that poets and artists have been trying to explain and define for centuries, but it's still one of the most complicated and intimidating terrains to navigate--especially when you're directly involved. Each chapter begins with a personal story from someone Laura has spoken with, and then goes on to explore the questions and themes that have arisen from the account, intertwining the opinions of other interviewees with the empirical findings and insights of academics.

Love Understood combines academic theory with everyday experience, and is for anyone who is curious about how we, as humans, work when it comes to romantic love.

This was an insightful read that made me think about how I love and who I love or have loved and why. It was great being able to read about other, real people and connecting to them. Especially when their stories were so closely related to mine.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC of #LoveUnderstood
Pub Date: 29 Jan 2019