9 Best Relationship Books, All Couples’ Therapist-Approved in 2023

Welcome Home: A Guide to Building a Home for Your Soul</em>, Najwa Zebian”,”description”:”u201cThis book is all about connecting back to yourself by helping you get to know key pillars of your identity,u201d explains relationship therapist Erica Turner LPC. Because the relationship you have with yourself is the most important one of them all, Turner says. Welcome Home is required reading for helping readers become their own safe space. u201cAs you begin to feel more secure within yourself, you will feel more empowered to enter the dating world or begin to show up in your current relationship with less fear around being your authentic self,u201d she tells us.”,”url”:”https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Home-Guide-Building-Your/dp/0593231759″,”image”:”https://www.wellandgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/welcome-home-book-best-relationship-books.jpeg”},”@context”:”http://schema.org”,”@type”:”Product”,”name”:”

Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Findu2014and Keepu2014Love, </em>Amir Levine</p>”,”description”:”It’s possible youu2019ve heard this book referenced more than once, and thatu2019s because the learnings inside are simply too good not to share. Genesis Games LMHC, a Florida-based couples’ therapist, says itu2019s been instrumental in her own healing journey and those of her patients. u201cLearning about attachment styles, how they are developed, the dynamic between different attachment styles, and how to heal is very empowering,u201d she explains. Full of easy to digest info and actionable takeaways, Attached is a must-read no matter your relationship status, according to Games. u201cEveryone should understand attachment styles, whether you are single, dating, about to break up, or in the healthiest relationship yet. Attachment styles impact all of our relationships, not just romantic ones.u201d”,”url”:”https://www.amazon.com/Attached-Science-Adult-Attachment-YouFind/dp/1585429139″,”image”:”https://www.wellandgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/attached-book-cover-best-relationship-books.jpeg”,”@context”:”http://schema.org”,”@type”:”Product”,”name”:”Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life</em>, Emily Nagoski Ph.D.”,”description”:”u201cCome As You Are is the sex education class you never received,u201d says Games. u201cThis is a must-read for anyone who grew up in a home where discussing sex was taboou2026Honestly, even if you consider yourself sex savvy, Iu2019m pretty certain you will gain a thing or two from this book.u201d Author Emily Nagoski debunks some of the most pervasive (and damaging) myths about cis-female sexuality, and doles out science-backed research in an easy to read format thatu2019s bound to hold your attention.”,”url”:”https://www.amazon.com/Come-You-Are-Surprising-Transform/dp/1476762090″,”image”:”https://www.wellandgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/come-as-you-are-book-best-relationship-books.jpeg”,”@context”:”http://schema.org”,”@type”:”Product”,”name”:”I Want This to Work: An Inclusive Guide to Navigating the Most Difficult Relationship Issues We Face in the Modern Age, </em>Elizabeth Earnshaw”,”description”:”u201cThis one is for the modern day couples juggling it allu2013dual careers, parenting, social life, aging parents, all of it,u201d shares Games. u201cElizabeth Earnshaw really speaks to the complexities and struggles of modern relationships in practical terms, and arms you with tools and skillsu2026One thing that I really love about this one is its inclusivity.u201d If youu2019re interested in building healthy relationships, I Want This to Work should be at the top of your TBR.”,”url”:”https://www.amazon.com/Want-This-Work-Navigating-Relationship/dp/1683647955″,”image”:”https://www.wellandgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/I-want-this-to-work-book-best-relationship-books.jpeg”,”@context”:”http://schema.org”,”@type”:”Product”,”name”:”Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love</em>, Dr. Sue Johnson”,”description”:”If you and your partner are working on strengthening your relationship, Turner says Hold Me Tight will help rekindle your bond, and pave the way for meaningful convos. u201cThis book helps couples navigate through seven major themes in all relationships to help build a true emotionally intimate connection,u201d she explains. u201cThese conversations show the importance of emotional availability and vulnerability in a relationship to help build a sense of safety, trust, and a lasting bond.u201d Whatu2019s more, it has over 3,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, so readers love it, too!”,”url”:”https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Me-Tight-Conversations-Lifetime/dp/031611300X”,”image”:”https://www.wellandgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/hold-me-tight-best-relationship-books.jpeg”,”@context”:”http://schema.org”,”@type”:”Product”,”name”:”How To Fix A Broken Heart</em>, Dr. Guy Winch”,”description”:”Anyone whou2019s ever been through it knows that the pain of heartbreak is realu2014which is why How To Fix a Broken Heart is one of Genesisu2019 go-to book recommendations for clients who are struggling. u201cSociety does not tend to show empathy for the brokenhearted and therefore it can be a lonely process of griefu2026People often question why itu2019s so hard for them to let go and move on,u201d says Games. u201cGuy Winch explains the science behind heartbreak in a way that is so easy to understand and incredibly relatableu2026He also provides research-based tools to heal from heartbreak.u201d While itu2019s not a cure-all, Games says the lessons in this book will be key to your healing.”,”url”:”https://www.amazon.com/How-Fix-Broken-Heart-Books/dp/150112012″,”image”:”https://www.wellandgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/how-to-fix-a-broken-heart-best-relationship-books.jpeg”,”@context”:”http://schema.org”,”@type”:”Product”,”name”:”The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work</em>, Dr. John Gottman”,”description”:”Married or not, Genesis says that The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work is a must-read for anyone in a committed relationship. u201cDr. John Gottman has a wealth of knowledge about fulfilling relationshipsu2026This book is all based on over forty years of research and provides a blueprint for long-term relationships,u201d she says. u201cThroughout the book, youu2019ll find activities that allow couples to engage with the material and consider how the findings and concepts relate to their relationship.u201dnAnd according to readers, it really worksu2014the book has a whopping 9,000+ 5-star ratings on Amazon! u201cThis book changed our marriage and taught us each so much about ourselves,u201d wrote one Amazon shopper. u201cI highly recommend every couple take the time to work through this book together.u201d”,”url”:”https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Principles-Making-Marriage-Work/dp/0553447718″,”image”:”https://www.wellandgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/seven-principles-best-relationship-books.jpeg”,”@context”:”http://schema.org”,”@type”:”Product”,”name”:”The Missing Piece Meets the Big O</em>, Shel Silverstein”,”description”:”I know what youu2019re thinkingu2014and yes, this is technically a childrenu2019s booku2014but Jordana Jacobs, PhD, a psychologist at Alma, says the lessons inside are universal, and she actually recommends it to her adult patients all the time. u201cIn my experience, hyper-intellectual language can at times detract from our ability to hear and listen to our heart,u201d Jacobs explains. u201cInstead, the Missing Piece Meets the Big O is disarmingly simple, expressing a truth that we all know, but all too often forget: rather than relying on another person to complete you, a healthy connection is one in which two peopleu2014together, in the context of a safe relationshipu2014are working towards a sense of wholeness on their own.u201d”,”url”:”https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-missing-piece-meets-the-big-o-shel-silverstein/7887657″,”image”:”https://www.wellandgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/missing-piece-meets-the-big-o-best-relationship-books.jpeg”]}” data-permutive=””page”:”adcat1″:””,”adcat2″:””,”adcat3″:””,”adcat4″:””,”vertical”:”lifestyle”,”tags”:[“self_care_tips”,”well+good_shop”,”commerce”],”pagetype”:”article”,”content_name”:”These Relationship Books Should Be Required Reading, According to Therapists”,”published”:”2023-02-16T15:00:45.000Z”,”updated”:”2023-02-16T12:37:10.000Z”,”author”:”Alexa Casanova”,”scroll”:0,”pageview_type”:”standard”,”user”:”lg_uuid”:””,”logged_in”:false” data-title=”These Relationship Books Should Be Required Reading, According to Therapists” data-instance=”0″>

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Regardless of your relationship status, it doesn’t take an expert to know that building and maintaining relationships, platonic or romantic, can be challenging. It’s why couples’ therapists and relationship experts have been studying and writing relationship books (and articles—have you seen our relationships section on the site?) on the subject for decades. Despite everything we think we know to be true about relationships, though, the fact is that everyone can use some guidance now and again.

If you’re the kind of person whose method of problem solving involves cracking open a new book and doing some homework, then you probably already know that the pickings for relationship books are vast, to say the least. Which is why we asked couples therapists to share their best relationship book recommendations.

Even if you’ve never thought about reading a book to improve your relationships, there is truly something for everyone among this list of therapist-approved recommendations. Prefer novels over non-fiction? No problem. Want to boost your sexuality knowledge with science-backed learnings? We have that, too. Craving something more interactive that doles out actionable to-dos for you and your partner? This reading list has all of the above.

TLDR; Whether you’re single, dating, or in a relationship, everyone can reap the benefits of the insights contained in these therapist-approved relationship books. Scroll on for your next read!

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Best relationship books at a glance:

Best novel: The Course of Love: A Novel by Alain De Botton ($10)
Best book about self-love: Welcome Home by Najwa Zebian ($12)
Best book for *all* relationships: Attached by Amir Levine ($15)
Best book on sexuality: Come as You Are by Emily Nagoski Ph.D. ($30)
Best book for couples struggling to do it all: I Want This to Work byElizabeth Earnshaw ($23)
Best book for emotional connection: Hold Me Tight byDr. Sue Johnson ($21)
Best book to help heal heartbreak: How To Fix A Broken Heart by Dr. Guy Winch ($14)
Best book for anyone in a committed relationship: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by Dr. John Gottman($14)
Best children’s book that adults can relate to: The Missing Piece Meets the Big O by Shel Silverstein ($17)

Best novel

The Course of Love: A Novel, Alain De Botton — $10.00

Alain De Botton’s The Course of Love is one of my favorite books about relationships—and NY-based therapist Dr. Jeffrey Rubin recommends it, too. “Romantic comedies and popular culture propagate various myths of intimacy—there is one person for you, you know who that person is instantaneously, and love is forever…Alain De Botton’s The Course of Love, which is at once a literary novel and a relationship book, prompts us to think of love in more nuanced and deeper ways,” he says. You’ll love how honest and relatable this book is—and if you’re the kind of person who likes to annotate their books, you’ll want to have a highlighter out for this one.

Best book about self-love

Welcome Home: A Guide to Building a Home for Your Soul, Najwa Zebian — $12.00

“This book is all about connecting back to yourself by helping you get to know key pillars of your identity,” explains relationship therapist Erica Turner LPC. Because the relationship you have with yourself is the most important one of them all, Turner says. Welcome Home is required reading for helping readers become their own safe space. “As you begin to feel more secure within yourself, you will feel more empowered to enter the dating world or begin to show up in your current relationship with less fear around being your authentic self,” she tells us.

Best book for *all* relationships

Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love, Amir Levine

— $15.00

It’s possible you’ve heard this book referenced more than once, and that’s because the learnings inside are simply too good not to share. Genesis Games LMHC, a Florida-based couples’ therapist, says it’s been instrumental in her own healing journey and those of her patients. “Learning about attachment styles, how they are developed, the dynamic between different attachment styles, and how to heal is very empowering,” she explains. Full of easy to digest info and actionable takeaways, Attached is a must-read no matter your relationship status, according to Games. “Everyone should understand attachment styles, whether you are single, dating, about to break up, or in the healthiest relationship yet. Attachment styles impact all of our relationships, not just romantic ones.”

Best book on sexuality

Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life, Emily Nagoski Ph.D. — $30.00

“Come As You Are is the sex education class you never received,” says Games. “This is a must-read for anyone who grew up in a home where discussing sex was taboo…Honestly, even if you consider yourself sex savvy, I’m pretty certain you will gain a thing or two from this book.” Author Emily Nagoski debunks some of the most pervasive (and damaging) myths about cis-female sexuality, and doles out science-backed research in an easy to read format that’s bound to hold your attention.

Best book for couples struggling to do it all

Best book for emotional connection

Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, Dr. Sue Johnson — $21.00

If you and your partner are working on strengthening your relationship, Turner says Hold Me Tight will help rekindle your bond, and pave the way for meaningful convos. “This book helps couples navigate through seven major themes in all relationships to help build a true emotionally intimate connection,” she explains. “These conversations show the importance of emotional availability and vulnerability in a relationship to help build a sense of safety, trust, and a lasting bond.” What’s more, it has over 3,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, so readers love it, too!

Best book to help heal heartbreak

How To Fix A Broken Heart, Dr. Guy Winch — $14.00

Anyone who’s ever been through it knows that the pain of heartbreak is real—which is why How To Fix a Broken Heart is one of Genesis’ go-to book recommendations for clients who are struggling. “Society does not tend to show empathy for the brokenhearted and therefore it can be a lonely process of grief…People often question why it’s so hard for them to let go and move on,” says Games. “Guy Winch explains the science behind heartbreak in a way that is so easy to understand and incredibly relatable…He also provides research-based tools to heal from heartbreak.” While it’s not a cure-all, Games says the lessons in this book will be key to your healing.

Best book for anyone in a committed relationship

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, Dr. John Gottman — $14.00

Married or not, Genesis says that The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work is a must-read for anyone in a committed relationship. “Dr. John Gottman has a wealth of knowledge about fulfilling relationships…This book is all based on over forty years of research and provides a blueprint for long-term relationships,” she says. “Throughout the book, you’ll find activities that allow couples to engage with the material and consider how the findings and concepts relate to their relationship.”

And according to readers, it really works—the book has a whopping 9,000+ 5-star ratings on Amazon! “This book changed our marriage and taught us each so much about ourselves,” wrote one Amazon shopper. “I highly recommend every couple take the time to work through this book together.”

Best children’s book that adults can relate to

The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, Shel Silverstein — $17.00

I know what you’re thinking—and yes, this is technically a children’s book—but Jordana Jacobs, PhD, a psychologist at Alma, says the lessons inside are universal, and she actually recommends it to her adult patients all the time. “In my experience, hyper-intellectual language can at times detract from our ability to hear and listen to our heart,” Jacobs explains. “Instead, the Missing Piece Meets the Big O is disarmingly simple, expressing a truth that we all know, but all too often forget: rather than relying on another person to complete you, a healthy connection is one in which two people—together, in the context of a safe relationship—are working towards a sense of wholeness on their own.”

Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.