What We Wish We'd Known When We Were Newlyweds

This review is of the audio version of the book, "What We Wish We'd Known When We Were Newlyweds," by John & Kimberly Bytheway. The audio version is read by both authors, and their main goal for this book was "to give young couples tools, ideas, and true principles that will help make the first year of marriage go more smoothly" (chapter 1).

The timing for reviewing this CD was perfect as my husband, Curtis, and I listened to it a few weeks before we got married. Since we reviewed the product together Curtis and I also typed up this review together.

Before we were married Curtis and I read a few other books on marriage and relationships. Along with these other books, we found the advice and knowledge in, "What We Wish We'd Known When We Were Newlyweds," to be accurate and helpful.

Although the book was written by Latter-day Saints for an LDS audience, the principles can be applied by all newlyweds/married couples, regardless of religious affiliation. Here's such a quote from the second chapter:

"Your first year of marriage might not be exactly what you expected, but that just makes life more interesting. One of the fun things about marriage is discovering how different people do different things and finding that you can enjoy and value the differences. You might even learn a few better ways of doing things."

Chapters:

1. Is the Honeymoon Over? It Doesn't Have To Be
2. What Did You Expect?
3. Can We Talk?
4. You Noticed! Expressing Appreciation
5. Money Matters
6. Intimacy
7. Keeping the Romance Alive
8. Keeping Christ in Your Marriage

The chapter on intimacy is valuable for newlyweds, especially Latter-day Saints, because we strongly believe in the law of chastity and not having sex outside of marriage. This chapter addresses some of the issues regarding adjusting to sexual intimacy after marriage.

Curtis and I feel that this CD (or its corresponding book) is a great resource for helping newlyweds begin their journey towards a happy marriage and give it four and a half stars.

This CD would also make a great gift for that newly engaged/married couple you know.