Secrets of Great Marriages

Real Truth from Real Couples About Lasting Love

By: Charlie Bloom, Linda Bloom

Narrated by: Doug MacKechnie

Over a two-year period, Charlie and Linda Bloom interviewed over 50 couples who had been married for an average of 31 years and seemed as happy as newlyweds. Were they just lucky? Or did they know something that most other couples don't know? Or did they do something different? And if so, what?

Their groundbreaking book features 27 of those couples who share the sometimes surprising secrets of their success in overcoming the challenges that occur in nearly all committed partnerships in one form or another.

The Blooms found that these couples had faced real challenges—difficulties with children and stepchildren, war wounds, infidelity, health crises, and financial ruin. They also found that with loving dialogue and open hearts, the couples had found ways to heal, grow, and deepen their commitment through, not despite, their challenges. The authors distill this real-world wisdom into practical, positive actions any couple can use to achieve or regain not just a good marriage but a great one!

©2010 Charlie and Linda Bloom (P)2022 Charlie and Linda Bloom

Couples share honestly about challenges & success

The authors interviewed couples who had been together for at least 15 years, and they present 27 of those couples’ stories in their own words in a dialog format. This wasn’t quite what I expected, but it is interesting if you have patience to consider each couple’s story. Some stories resonated with me more than others.

What stood out most to me was all of the challenges that these couples faced. Their relationships weren’t perfect, but they found ways to learn, grow, and face their challenges together. I was particularly inspired by the couples who faced serious health challenges or great losses and still found happiness together.

Doug MacKechnie did a great job with narration. He’s easy to understand, he has distinct voices for the different interviewees, and his pacing and emphasis are wonderful.

Although it takes some effort to glean specific lessons from these stories, I found this audiobook interesting and inspiring.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the authors. I volunteered to provide an honest review.

Even better the second time around

I read this book many years ago & was delighted to find it available on Audible. I "re-read" it again by listening to it this time. Since I am older now & and married, I was surprised that the stories of these couples made even more sense to me now. I appreciate how the Blooms captured the "secrets" of great marriages. I understood it even more the second time around. It is so worth the "read."