Best Relationship Books
Topic List74 books curated73 recommendations totalKey Takeaways
- Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg (1999) is the most recommended book on this list, with 11 recommendations.
- Difficult Conversations (7 recommendations) and All About Love (6 recommendations) come next.
- This page shows 74 books with 73 recommendations in total.
- Recommenders include Mark Manson, Chris Messina and April Wensel.
Relationship books, including titles recommended by Emma Watson, Derek Sivers and Chris Messina. Most recommended here: Nonviolent Communication, Difficult Conversations and The 5 Love Languages.
Last updated
What are the most recommended Relationship Books?
The most recommended Relationship Books are Nonviolent Communication (11), Difficult Conversations (7) and All About Love (6), ranked by how many of the 47 people behind this list recommended each one.
| Rank | Book | Author | First published | Recommendations | Recommended by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nonviolent Communication | Marshall B. Rosenberg | 1999 | 11 | Esther Perel, April Wensel and Nicholas C. Zakas |
| 2 | Difficult Conversations | Douglas Stone | 1999 | 7 | Nicholas C. Zakas, April Wensel and Jim Knight |
| 3 | All About Love | Bell Hooks | — | 6 | Emma Watson, Juliana Castro Varón and Scottie Beam |
| 4 | Mating in Captivity | Esther Perel | 2006 | 6 | Brian Earp, Dan Engle and Dan Savage |
| 5 | The 5 Love Languages | Gary Chapman | 1990 | 5 | Mark Manson, Patrick BetDavid and Jay Shetty |
| 6 | We | Robert A. Johnson | 1945 | 4 | Emma Watson, Dr. Andrew Weil and Andrew Weil |
| 7 | Marriage Rules | Harriet Lerner | — | 3 | Brené Brown and Brene Brown |
| 8 | Attached | Amir Levine | 2010 | 3 | Chris Messina and Heidi N. Moore |

A Language of Life
by Marshall B. Rosenberg
Recommended by Esther Perel, April Wensel, Nicholas C. Zakas and 5 others
The latest edition of the communication guide that has sold more than 1,000,000 copies An enlightening look at how peaceful communication can create compassionate connections with family, friends, and other acquaintances, this international bestseller uses stories, examples, and…

How to Discuss What Matters Most
by Douglas Stone
Recommended by Nicholas C. Zakas, April Wensel, Jim Knight and 4 others
Whether you're dealing with an under performing employee, disagreeing with your spouse about money or childrearing, negotiating with a difficult client, or simply saying "no," or "I'm sorry," or "I love you," we attempt or avoid difficult conversation every day.

New Visions
by Bell Hooks
Recommended by Emma Watson, Juliana Castro Varón, Scottie Beam and 2 others
"The word "love" is most often defined as a noun, yet...we would all love better if we used it as a verb," writes bell hooks as she comes out fighting and on fire in All About Love.

Unlocking Erotic Intelligence
by Esther Perel
Recommended by Brian Earp, Dan Engle, Dan Savage and 2 others
The Secret to Love that Lasts
by Gary Chapman
Recommended by Mark Manson, Patrick BetDavid, Jay Shetty and 1 other

Understanding the Psychology of Romantic Love
by Robert A. Johnson
Recommended by Emma Watson, Dr. Andrew Weil and Andrew Weil
Provides an illuminating explanation of the origins and meaning of romantic love and shows how a proper understanding of its psychological dynamics can revitalize our most important relationships.

A Manual for the Married and the Coupled Up
by Harriet Lerner
Recommended by Brené Brown and Brene Brown
Coupling up is complicatedDr. Harriet Lerners marriage rules are not. This marriage book provides couples therapy in a unique format perfect for todays world.

The New Science of Adult, Attachment and How It Can Help YouFind and Keep Love
by Amir Levine
Recommended by Chris Messina and Heidi N. Moore
We rely on science to tell us everything from what to eat to when and how long to exercise, but what about relationships Is there a scientific explanation for why some people seem to navigate relationships effortlessly, while others struggle According to psychiatrist and…

A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage
by Elizabeth Gilbert
Recommended by Taylor Swift and Janet Mock
[Taylor Swift] said during the reception that she was enjoying [this book].

A Guide for Couples
by Harville Hendrix
Recommended by Whitney Cummings, Derek Sivers and Julie Rice
The New York Times bestselling guide to transforming an intimate relationship into a lasting source of love and companionship, now fully revised with a new forward and a brand new chapter.Getting the Love You Want has helped millions of people experience more satisfying…
A Guide for Couples
by Harville Hendrix Ph.D.
Recommended by Mark Manson
"A very illuminating exploration of how we’re attracted to people who have the negative qualities of our primary caretakers." - Whitney Cummings

The fiftieth Anniversary Edition of the groundbreaking international bestseller that has shown millions of readers how to achieve rich, productive lives by developing their hidden capacities for loveMost people are unable to love on the only level that truly matters: love that…
How the Best Marriages Work
by Eli J Finkel
Recommended by Geoffrey Miller and Rand Fishkin
"After years of debate and inquiry, the key to a great marriage remained shrouded in mystery. Until now..."Carol Dweck, author of Mindset: The New Psychology of SuccessEli J.

Attract Women Through Honesty
by Mark Manson
Recommended by Nat Eliason and Noah Kagan
Models is the first book ever written on seduction as an emotional process rather than a logical one, a process of connecting with women rather than impressing them.

A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship
by Don Miguel Ruiz
Recommended by Dounia Tazi and Aubrey Marcus
In The Mastery of Love, don Miguel Ruiz illuminates the fearbased beliefs and assumptions that undermine love and lead to suffering and drama in our relationships.

How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself
by Melody Beattie
Recommended by Whitney Cummings
The healing touchstone of millions, this modern classic by one of America's bestloved and most inspirational authors holds the key to understanding codependency and to unlocking its stultifying hold on your life.Is someone else's problem your problem If, like so many others,…
Show 56 more books with a single recommendation

Emotional Labor, Women, and the Way Forward
by Gemma Hartley
Recommended by Sheryl Sandberg
Gemma Hartley's Fed Up delivers a brisk, anecdote-heavy account of the unpaid emotional work many women shoulder. It supplies vivid household vignettes, first-person reflections, and simple phrases you can borrow when calling out imbalance. The most useful part is its practical vocabulary and relatable scenes for everyday conversations; the limiting part is repetition and a preference for moral urgency over technical policy proposals. Expect a campaigning, plainspoken tone that will rally some readers and irritate those who want analytic depth.
Rethinking Infidelity
by Esther Perel
Recommended by Chris Messina
Iconic couples? therapist and bestselling author of Mating in Captivity Esther Perel returns to paperback with a provocative look at relationships through the lens of infidelity.An affair: it can rob a couple of their relationship, their happiness, their very identity.
The Five Keys to Mindful Loving
by David Richo
Recommended by Chris Messina
"Most people think of love as a feeling," says David Richo, "but love is not so much a feeling as a way of being present." In this book, Richo offers a fresh perspective on love and relationshipsone that focuses not on finding an ideal mate, but on becoming a more loving and…
The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs
by Emerson Eggerichs
Recommended by Dave Ramsey
A New York Times bestselling marriage book with more than one million copies sold!Based on over three decades of counseling, as well as scientific and biblical research, Dr.

A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert
by John Gottman
Recommended by Mark Manson
Just as Masters and Johnson were pioneers in the study of human sexuality, so Dr. John Gottman has revolutionized the study of marriage.

Heralded by the New York Times and Time as the couples therapy with the highest rate of success, Emotionally Focused Therapy works because it views the love relationship as an attachment bond.This idea, once controversial, is now supported by science, and has become widely…

Modern love is never easy. Society is obsessed with stories of romance, but what comes after happily ever afterThis is a love story with a difference.
The Couple's Guide to Building Trust and Emotional Intimacy
by Barrie Davenport
Question Your Way to Lasting Love and IntimacyWouldn't it be great to have a relationship counselor on call to help you and your love partner have the most joyful, loving relationship possibleWhat if you had someone who knew exactly what to ask to draw out your deepest desires…
A Book of Questions for Lovers and LoverstoBe
by Eve Eschner Hogan
This solutionsoriented guide offers problem solving and behavior changing strategies for people working on their most intimate relationships.
Understanding and Managing Relationships When the World Overwhelms You
by Elaine N. Aron

What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment
by Steve Harvey
When to Work On a Relationship and When to Walk Away
by Bethany Marshall
Ask Polly's Guide Through the Paradoxes of Modern Life
by Heather Havrilesky
A New York Times Love and Relationships BestsellerA hilarious, frank, and witty collection of allnew responses, plus a few greatest hits, from the author of the beloved advice column "Ask Polly" in New York magazine's The Cut.

Boosting Your Marriage Libido
by Michele Weiner Davis
Bring the spark back into your bedroom and your marriage with gutsy and effective advice from bestselling author Michele WeinerDavis.It is estimated that one of every three married couples struggles with problems associated with mismatched sexual desire.
The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love
by Helen Fisher
A groundbreaking exploration of our most complex and mysterious emotionElation, mood swings, sleeplessness, and obsessionâ??these are the telltale signs of someone in the throes of romantic passion.
by Leland
A New York Times Bestseller!An extraordinary look at what it means to grow old and a heartening guide to wellbeing, Happiness Is a Choice You Make weaves together the stories and wisdom of six New Yorkers who number among the "oldest old"those eightyfive and up.In 2015, when the…
A Memoir in Essays
by Mandy Len Catron
8 Easy Steps for Attracting Your Perfect Mate
by Patti Stanger
by Lisa McKay
Lisa looks as if she has it made. She has turned her nomadic childhood and forensic psychology training into a successful career as a stress management trainer for humanitarian aid workers.

What Really Matters in the Quest for Enduring Love
by TY Tashiro
In this playful and informative exploration of the science behind compatibility, Dr. Ty Tashiro explores how and why we fall in love. Dr.

Communication Skills Every Couple Needs
by Gina Senarighi Cpc
Learn to communicate effectively, meaningfully, and lovingly with your partnereven in tense situations.Conflict is part of every relationship, even the healthiest ones.
Connect and Instantly Deepen Your Bond No Matter How Busy You Are (Amazingly Simple Little Things Successful Couples Do Series) (Volume 1)
by Marko Petkovic M. Sc.
Discover the 47 Amazingly Simple Little Things Successful Couples Do To Connect and Have a Happy Marriage In Just Minutes a DayWhy do you need to read this bookWhether your relationship is a new romance, or one that has passed the test of time, there might be days when you…
The Journey to CoCommitment
by Gay Hendricks
Here is a powerful new program that can clear away the unconscious agreements patterns that undermine even your best intentions.

A Journey of 500 Miles, Two Best Friends, and One Wheelchair
by Patrick Gray
Two best friends, 500 miles, one wheelchair, and the challenge of a lifetime.Friendship takes on new meaning in this true story of Justin and Patrick, born less than two days apart in the same hospital.
Twenty Lessons of SelfDiscovery to Help You Get the Love You Want
by Alexandra H. Solomon
What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy
by Gary Thomas
Happy is good. Holy is better.Your marriage is more than a sacred covenant with another person. It is a spiritual discipline designed to help you know God better, trust him more fully, and love him more deeply.
The Surprisingly Simple Skill Behind Extraordinary Relationships
by Michael S. Sorensen
What if making one tweak to your daytoday conversations could immediately improve every relationship in your life In this 3hour, conversational read, you'll discover the whats, whys, and hows of one of the most valuable (yet surprisingly littleknown) communication…
The Definitive Guide to Understanding Emotionally Unavailable Men and the Women that Love Them
by Natalie Lue Nml
Are you the Fallback GirlIf you've ever found yourself in a relationship that feels and seemingly looks like one but you're struggling with commitment or you've been in the ambiguous territory of a 'casual relationship', you've likely tried to change them, wondered what you…

Stories About the 12 Hardest Things I'm Learning to Say
by Kelly Corrigan
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A storydriven collection of essays on the twelve powerful phrases we use to sustain our relationships, from the bestselling author of Glitter and Glue and The Middle Place"Kelly Corrigan takes on all the big, difficult questions here, with great warmth…

Scientifically Proven Secrets from the Love Lab About What Women Really Want
by John Gottman

A StepbyStep Guide to Help You Decide Whether to Stay In or Get Out of Your Relationship
by Mira Kirshenbaum
Mira Kirshenbaum (I Love You, But I Don't Trust You), an international bestselling author and worldrenowned therapist, draws on years of counseling experience to lead readers through relationship ambivalence.

How Understanding Your Partner's Brain and Attachment Style Can Help You Defuse Conflict and Build a Secure Relationship
by Stan Tatkin Mft
"What the heck is my partner thinking" is a common refrain in romantic relationships, and with good reason. Every person is wired for love differently, with different habits, needs, and reactions to conflict.

Building an AffairProof Marriage
by Willard F. Jr. Harley
In the classic bestseller His Needs, Her Needs, Willard F. Harley, Jr., identifies the ten most vital needs of men and women and shows husbands and wives how to satisfy those needs in their spouses.
The Complete Guide to Restoring Trust in Your Relationship
by Mira Kirshenbaum
A guide to restoring trust in broken relationships from a renowed couple's therapist. Is my relationship worth savingWill the trust ever come backHow can things be good between us againWhether broken trust is due to daily dishonesties, a monumental betrayal, or even a history of…
A Dialectical Behavior Therapy Guide to Finding Peace, Intimacy, and Validation
by Alan E. Fruzzetti
Making Things Right with Those You Love
by Gary Chapman
Healing the Emotional Wounds that Sabotage our Relationships
by David Richo
And How You Can Make Yours Last
by John Gottman
Psychologist John Gottman has spent twenty years studying what makes a marriage last. Now you can use his tested methods to evaluate, strengthen, and maintain your own longterm relationship.This breakthrough book guides you through a series of selftests designed to help you…
Easy and Effective Tools to Create More Love and Less Conflict (For Fans of More Love Less Conflict or The Five Love Languages)
by Jonathan Robinson
Create lasting harmony and keep love alive with psychotherapist and bestselling author Jonathan Robinson's powerful and simple methods for effective couples' communication.
More than 120 Recipes to Nourish Your Relationship
by Ashley Rodriguez
Rekindle the romance at home with a weekly date night, one on one, over an absolutely delicious meal for two. Sweethearts, spouses, and parents Ashley and Gabe Rodriguez found themselves deep into marriage and childrearing when they realized they were missing the connection of…
by Nicholas Sparks
An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his lifeuntil he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah.
How to Dramatically Improve Your Relationships in 30 Days or Less
by Susie Albert Miller
How Couples Can Overcome Misunderstandings, Resolve Conflicts, and Solve Relationship Problems Through Cognitive Therapy
by Aaron T. Beck
Love Is Never Enough: How Couples Can Overcome Misunderstandings, Resolve Conflicts, and Solve Relationship Problems Through Cognitive Therapy
The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex
by John Gray
25 Practices for Couples to Enhance Intimacy, Nurture Closeness, and Grow a Deeper Connection
by S. J. Scott
Feel disconnected from your spouse or partner Struggle to keep your relationship fresh Worried that everything will end in heartbreak It's easy to fall in love.

Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder
by Paul T. T. Mason Ms
Do you feel manipulated, controlled, or lied to Are you the focus of intense, violent, and irrational rages Do you feel you are 'walking on eggshells' to avoid the next confrontation If the answer is 'yes,' someone you care about may have borderline personality disorder (BPD).
A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships
by John Gottman
by Gary Chapman
?Most people spend far more time in preparation for their vocation than they do in preparation for marriage.?With more than 35 years of experience counseling couples, Gary has found that most marriages suffer due to a lack of preparation and a failure to learn to work together…
The Keys to Catch a Great Guy (Dating and Relationship Advice for Women) (Volume 7)
by Gregg Michaelsen
To Date a Man, You Must Understand a Man: The Keys to Catch a Great GuyFinally, The JEWEL and the companion book to compliment of all my best sellers!

A divorce coach's guide to staying married
by Jennifer Hurvitz
Imagine if there were a "secret recipe" to a successful and everlasting marriage, would you want it Of course you would! And who better to stir it up than a woman who figured it all out just a bit too late ... after she signed her divorce papers.
Which Relationship Books does Mark Manson recommend?
Mark Manson recommends 5 books on this list. See all book recommendations by Mark Manson
- The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
- Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix Ph.D.
- The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman
- Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson
Which Relationship Books does Chris Messina recommend?
Chris Messina recommends 3 books on this list. See all book recommendations by Chris Messina
- Attached by Amir Levine
- The State of Affairs by Esther Perel
- How to Be an Adult, in Relationships by David Richo
Which Relationship Books does April Wensel recommend?
April Wensel recommends 2 books on this list. See all book recommendations by April Wensel
- Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg
- Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone
Relationship Books: common questions
- What are the most recommended relationship books?
- Nonviolent Communication, Difficult Conversations and All About Love are the most recommended relationship books on BookMentions, ranked by how many people recommended them.
- Who recommends relationship books?
- Mark Manson, Chris Messina, April Wensel and Brian Earp are among the people who recommend books on this list. Each name links to their full set of book recommendations.
- Which of these relationship books should I read first?
- Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg is the most recommended here with 11 recommendations, which makes it the safest place to start.
Built from recommendation data, category signals, and source-backed book records. Use this list as a starting point; open any book to see proof, context, and Amazon options where available.
Explore more lists
Best Marriage Books
89 booksBooks on marriage recommended most by therapists and long-married couples — communication, conflict and intimacy. Plus the research behind what actually keeps partners together.
Best Relationships & Family Books
506 booksBooks on relationships and family recommended most by therapists and researchers — attachment, communication, parenting and repair after conflict. With the evidence behind the advice.
Best Cognitive Psychology Books
15 booksCognitive Psychology books, including titles recommended by Derek Sivers, Naval Ravikant and Ev Williams. Most recommended here: Thinking, Fast and Slow, Grit and The Untethered Soul.
Best Self Help Books
28 booksSelf Help books, including titles recommended by Derek Sivers, Nat Eliason and Tim Ferriss. Most recommended here: Man's Search for Meaning, Atomic Habits and The Alchemist.
Best Negotiation Books
29 booksNegotiation books, including titles recommended by Tim Ferriss, Derek Sivers and Naval Ravikant. Most recommended here: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Never Split the Difference and Influence.
Best Mental Health Books
136 booksMental health books recommended most by therapists, researchers and people who have been through it — anxiety, depression, trauma and recovery. Each pick links back to its source.
How is the Relationship Books list built?
The Relationship Books list is built from public recommendation sources and category memberships. Books are ranked by how many distinct people recommended each one; recommendation counts and ratings are shown where available. Open any book to see source-backed recommendation proof, editorial context, and Amazon options — the per-book detail page is where the trust signals live.
Who recommends Relationship Books?
Relationship Books are recommended by the people below, including Mark Manson, Chris Messina and April Wensel. Open a profile to see everything they recommend, with the source behind each pick.
- Mark MansonBooks recommended by Mark: 5
- Chris MessinaBooks recommended by Chris: 3
- April WenselBooks recommended by April: 2
- Brian EarpBooks recommended by Brian: 2
- Emma WatsonBooks recommended by Emma: 2

- Esther PerelBooks recommended by Esther: 2
- Nicholas C. ZakasBooks recommended by Nicholas: 2
- Whitney CummingsBooks recommended by Whitney: 2
- Alexis IsabelBooks recommended by Alexis: 1
- Andrew WeilBooks recommended by Andrew: 1
- Aubrey MarcusBooks recommended by Aubrey: 1
- Auren HoffmanBooks recommended by Auren: 1



