Your Man is Wonderful: How to Appreciate Your Partner, Romance Your Differences, and Love the One You've Got

by Noelle C. Nelson

"Here's a secret about your He wants to please you. He wants to be your knight in shining armor. He wants to see the smile on your face that tells him he's worthy. He wants to be your wonderful man."

This is what Dr. Noelle Nelson has discovered about a lot of men in they want to be there for their women and create the mutually supportive, fulfilling partnerships women dream of. The problem is, many women haven't learned how to recognize their partner's good qualities. We notice when he forgets to take out the garbage, when he insists on refolding the laundry, when he goes out for an evening with the guys and forgets to call -- and overlook the very qualities that make a relationship blossom, like basic trustworthiness, reliability, and responsiveness. A clearly defined path to recognizing your guy's positive qualities, Your Man Is Wonderful defines what a wonderful man is -- not just someone who treats his partner with regard, affection, and respect, but one who eagerly engages as her greatest cheerleader, supporter, and best friend. And it shows how to stop griping about your partner and see that the toad on the couch is really a prince-in-waiting.

The backbone of Your Man Is Wonderful is the illuminating, lively, and disarming honesty of a group of women who come together for a roundtable discussion and share stories from their lives with wonderful men, including the obstacles they overcame and the joys that ensued. These women come from all walks of life, but share one thing in they all have developed mutually supportive, fulfilling relationships. Their uplifting stories are like a heart-to-heart talk that lets you know that a wonderful relationship is possible. Dr. Nelson builds upon their stories and draws on her years as a clinical psychologist to present specific, grounded guidance so that you can transform your relationship into the kind of mutually fulfilling partnership that these women already enjoy.

Warm and realistic, Dr. Noelle Nelson has empowered countless individuals to be happier, healthier, and more successful in relationships. Although men and women are different, they are not so different that they cannot create a healthy relationship -- the key is to appreciate the differences and transform them into strengths. And this practical program shows how. Enhanced with detailed exercises and charts to track your progress, Your Man Is Wonderful is a way for you to rehabilitate your relationship so that your wonderful man can step into the open.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Abeer Alamri · Rating 4 out of 5]

كتاب لطيف .. يتكلم عن مجموعة نساء عاشو حياتهم الزوجية بسعادة ووش كانت مواصفات شريك الحياه الرائع بالنسبه لهم وكيف وصلو لهذي المرحله من الاستقرار والسعادة ... الاشياء اللي حبيتها في الكتاب هي اني اتقبل اختلاف الشريك وانظر لها بمتعه بدال ما انظر لها بخوف .. ذكرت قصص لمتزوجات كيف لما غيرو نظرتهم لاختلاف ازواجهم عنهم وبدو يتقبلون الاختلاف عاشو بسعادة ... ذكرت كمان اهمية تقدير الامتنان اللي يظهره الزوج وان الزوج ينبسط لما يظهر امتنانه وتقديره لشي ونفرح فيه , الازواج الرائعون هم اللي يثقون في زوجاتهم وبقراراتهم ... ومسألة قبول الزوج كما هو وعدم محاولة تغييره .. ركزت عليها كثير ... الكتاب حلو يعلمنا كيف نحول بيتنا لجنه وكيف نعيش بسعادة .. واكثر شي اعجبني فيها استشهادها بالقصص + تحليلها البسيط لكل قصه اللي يخلينا نثبت المعلومه ... شكرا للدكتوره نويل نيلسون وشكرا لكل الناس اللي يسوون لنا اشياء لطيفه للحياه ... وشكرا لمحمد اللي خلاني استشعر كل حرف في الكتاب <3

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book keeps making my cry every time I read it. I'm torn: finish it, because I probably need to learn something, or send it back, because life is too short?

I agree with the basic premise that by judging, criticizing, and belittling others, we can squash them down and keep them from living up to their potential or expressing their awesomeness around us. But I resent the implication that "my man" (wtf) would act wonderful if only I'd stop being such a bitch to him. I'm not! I swear!

This book holds out the tempting offer to make everything my fault--tempting because then it's all in my power to change or fix. But I don't think that's an accurate reflection of reality.

…

I was within 50 pages of the end, so I finished it. I got less pissed off when I realized the author wasn't really talking to me, she was talking to herself of the past. Still second-guessing whether I'm secretly a bitch after all and just won't admit it to myself, but I don't think so.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is theoretically too embarrassing to post on Goodreads, but I have to give it credit for offering some helpful advice about getting along optimally in a relationship. It encourages the reader to be appreciative of the good things about other people instead of being cranky/focused on negative traits and taking people for granted....because that mostly just hurts you anyways.

[Delani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, this book just found me while I was browsing the shelves at the Herriman Library. It's all about taking responsibility for making your happily ever after happen. A 35-day attitude make over that will make you more happy. I'm on day 5! I noticed that these principles can also be applied to how we look at others people in our lives, not just our husbands/mates.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm totally down with what this book is getting at. I made a ton of notes (NOT in the book itself, mind you) about how my own attitude and appreciation (or lack thereof) for Maki affects his sense of worth etc. Pretty eye-opening. I'd recommend it for any married/dating gal.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the advice (good advice for all relationships), but it was so candy coated it was slightly stomach turning. The "example stories" were also irritatingly over the top, such that I had to start skipping them.

[Lara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly, all this did was prove the non-wonderfulness of mine. There were some helpful tidbits (most of which I had already been trying to use) but it was full of how perfect your man should be. Well, most men are not that sensitive, so there's nothing to work with there.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follow a progression that helps you analyze how you relate to your mate. It gives concise directives to help you on that path. A quick read.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book with check off charts to keep you on track. I also feel that it could be written for your woman is wonderful too. Many of the ideas are things that men need to let us know.