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In Sync with the Opposite Sex: Understand the Conflicts. End the Confusion. Make the Right Choices.

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In Sync with the Opposite Understand the Conflicts. End the Confusion. Make the Right Choices.

Audio CD

First published January 15, 2006

9 people are currently reading
487 people want to read

About the author

Alison A. Armstrong

13 books278 followers

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5 stars
122 (64%)
4 stars
43 (22%)
3 stars
22 (11%)
2 stars
2 (1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Sam.
87 reviews1 follower
July 21, 2019
This is an amazing book, and one which I gratefully discovered through the recommendation of a good friend, though I doubt it would have meant as much to me when I was younger, as it does now. It ought to be required reading of of anyone who intends to date no matter their age, and/or values understanding how men and women effectively interact with each other. It's one of those books that improves with each reading as its contents become better understood based on the social evolution of the reader.

Thank goodness for people like Alison Armstrong who understand the fabric of human behavior and can well translate via stories and examples how we may better enjoy life with those whom we wish to engage, and with whom we choose to share a life more fully.
198 reviews7 followers
July 24, 2019
Mixed feelings about this book. Armstrong can be entertaining, but I also found myself many times cringing hard at her cheesiness. Aside from form, I also questioned her substance. Lots of provocative ideas, largely based on gender roles as a product of evolutionary biology. For example, if you find yourself with a strong sexual attraction to someone you should avoid a relationship with that person because you'll never be able to be your true self. Is that true? She makes assumptions about men as hunters/providers and women as gatherers/nurturers that raised questions for me about how much we want to accept our animal instincts as opposed to working beyond them.
Profile Image for Scott.
187 reviews1 follower
November 1, 2023
Alison Armstrong has incredible and uncanny insight into male and female dynamics of relationships.

Although not every construct universally true, the theories are spot on in so many areas. Armstrong’s ideas of stages of relationships and how women when consulting their friends can sabotage connection when the panic sets in as a natural progression of relationship with a man. Armstrong even explains how women seek understanding or solace from their anxiety of commitment from their friends, instead of the person they’re in a relationship with, leading to more disconnect and discomfort for both, and that frequently insecure women actually emasculate the very men they seek to love as a group project.

There seems to be a paradox in some of Armstrong’s ideas between wanting men to talk more about their feelings to telling men not to really think out loud too soon about what they hope for or imagine in a relationship, or maybe at all. At that same time , Alison Armstrong advises that so many women and men have been taught to manipulate the beginnings of intimate relationships, rather than being authentic.

Overall Alison Armstrong is hilariously funny, phenomenally insightful, and gives credible insight to how women and men evolve in relationships, especially in early ones. Alison Armstrong simultaneously provides a deep tool box of powerful communication and techniques and a road map to navigate relationship dynamics in pair bonding that swears off emasculation so common for so many women’s peer bonding groups.

Outstanding author. Great book.
Profile Image for Andreas Konstantinou.
203 reviews2 followers
March 20, 2023
Probably the best (audio) book on dating and relationships that I have ever read. Alison Armstrong is engaging, funny and penetrating with her truths about how men and women really think differently based on our genetic programming. Why men are hunters and women are gatherers, why women don’t really date, why men are single-minded, and why it pays to be upfront about your dealbreakers. It helped me see my past relationships in a new light.
Profile Image for Vivian.
223 reviews2 followers
June 12, 2017
This was audio. It is a little slow during the question and answer portions. But the information is really useful. The target audience is singles (a lot about dating)

Be yourself. Be authentic. Don't twist yourself into a pretzel to make someone like you. Find the person that likes who you already are. Be honest
Profile Image for Brian Cluster.
141 reviews1 follower
July 17, 2021

Alison Armstrong delivers another Masters Degree level understanding of the sexes in a taped program. If you haven't checked her out, she is a must in your search to understand why men behave a certain way and why women do things differently. There is a chasm between the sexes and she provides answers to help bridge the gap.

Highly recommended! 5 stars
Profile Image for Kathleen.
6 reviews
August 23, 2023
Often hilarious because it is so so true. Explains the hunter/gatherer concept really well and takes a very honest and down to earth look at dating and where men and women often stumble. This is an audio recording of a workshop Alison Armstrong delivered and you can hear the audience responses that really tell a tale of how accurate the information she is delivering really is
Profile Image for Akhila.
14 reviews115 followers
June 24, 2021
Such a quick and excellent audiobook. Key takeaways: be as specific and authentic about what you want so you sort quickly. For women, be specific about where you want to go! Very useful advice, also loved the author’s voice!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Debbie Ireland.
Author 3 books2 followers
September 30, 2020
I enjoyed this, but more so, her other book - the Amazing Development of Men - takes you through stages of men, and a real practical and thought provoking way to understand them!

Profile Image for Sally.
28 reviews
January 14, 2023
built on the other ideas, still very good though
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Alicia.
3 reviews
July 2, 2023
A favourite book of mine.
I am an audible book reader and this book is great!
Full of personality and full of the answers to lifes greatest wonders!
Thank you Alison
Profile Image for Oskar.
70 reviews3 followers
December 29, 2025
Very interesting insight into men and women - definitely generalized, but it makes sense and feels useful
Profile Image for Melissa Clark.
53 reviews
August 27, 2020
This is a workshop so it is SUCH a fun listen. The author is SO FUNNY and really knows her subject. I LOVED listening to it. I was constantly wishing a few of my friends were listening with me. Very entertaining.
Profile Image for T. Laane.
757 reviews94 followers
April 28, 2025
PARTNERSHIP AS BUSINESS. Great relationships are like successful partnerships: trust is everything, teamwork and sharing efforts/enjoyment matter. Trust your instincts and sort fast - if you don’t trust someone, move on quickly, just like you would with a bad hire at work.
LISTENING AND COMMUNICATION. Men should imagine listening to women as holding a giant trash can - just let her empty out everything, keep asking “And what else?”, and do NOT try to solve her problems.
DATING RULES. If you’re not dating more than one person, you’re not dating - you’re in a relationship. If someone really is “the one,” you should be able to be your real self, not fake it to keep them.
HIGH PERFORMANCE. It’s fine to be “high maintenance” if you deliver value - men buy fancy cars for a reason. But most high maintenance cars are just old/problematic, and are not high performance ;) Same with people.
HUNTERS AND GATHERERS. Men are hunters (single focus) and women are gatherers (notice a million things at once). Men in a restaurant are focused on getting there, sitting down, and only connect after they’ve settled. Women, meanwhile, are scanning and talking from the second they walk in.
TRANSITION TIME. Men need a moment to acclimate before engaging. Let the guy settle before expecting meaningful conversation. And if you want authentic connection, put him in his comfort zone whenever possible. After work, women may need to shift intentionally back into “girl mode,” which can affect dating dynamics and chemistry.
CLARITY BEFORE DATING. Be honest about what you want out of dating, even casual relationships. Share what you’re willing to provide, what you hope to give, what you need, and what are non-negotiable dealbreakers - ideally before any attachment forms.
VULNERABILITY IS KEY. Nothing wonderful ever happens in relationships unless at least one person is vulnerable first. Don’t dictate how you want things, just what you want and need, and let your partner respond naturally.
BODY IMAGE AND HONESTY. Be upfront about what attracts you. If a man isn’t excited by your body as it is, move on. The same goes for women and men - mutual admiration is essential.
Profile Image for Gary.
126 reviews10 followers
May 16, 2015
Wish I'd know this years and years ago. So much pain and suffering could have been mitigated. If you ever wondered why men and women have trouble communicating and understanding one another, this is very enlightening. Recommended.
Profile Image for Roger.
9 reviews1 follower
May 18, 2019
It is put in an entreataining and funny way but she is very knowleadgeable. A lot of wisdom behind it and very practical.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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