The dialogue in the book sparkles, and I’m always happy to see therapy portrayed in a positive way. I LOVED the friendship dynamics between Rosie and her friends and Dominic and his friends. I liked the roles that ethnicity, family history and social class played in the story. I liked it that the characters are blue collar as opposed to billionaires or dukes. I admired this book because it made me empathize with two people with whom I don’t have much in common, and it made me respect their relationship even though I would not want to be in a relationship with the dynamics that theirs has (when it’s working). “You would love that, wouldn’t you?” Armie laughed, eyes twinkling.

“Ten minutes and we already have a solution?” But you need to receive love through words.” “Each of us has a preferred way of expressing love. The book relies a lot on the concept of “love languages,” the idea that people express and receive love in different ways. Meanwhile Rosie’s frustration at feeling ignored and trapped is palpable. In the military, Dominic’s view of the world expanded, but he also learned not to complain or demonstrate weakness and he extends this to not showing vulnerability to his wife. He was raised by a quiet man who demonstrated that the way to show love for one’s family is to provide, so Dominic focuses on providing at the cost of communicating with Rosie or spending meaningful time with her.

Dominic is a type of character I don’t often read about in a romantic context, one who struggles with toxic masculinity but also has positive traits and wants to do right by his wife. Armie, the therapist, is both funny and perceptive. This book succeeds because of the warmth and empathy it extends to its characters. Frustrated by Dominic’s failure to communicate anything to her other than lust (every Tuesday night), Rosie moves out, but Dominic will do anything to win her back, even attend marriage counseling with a hippie therapist. Rosie works at a department store and dreams of opening her own restaurant.

Dominic finished a military deployment overseas and is working in construction. Dominic and Rosie started dating in middle school and are now married adults. Love Her or Lose Her is a contemporary romance between a married couple on the verge of divorce. Archetype: Blue Collar, Diverse Protagonists, Military

Tessa bailey love her or lose her