The Seven Levels of Intimacy: The Art of Loving and the Joy of Being Loved 1st Edition, Kindle Edition

I have bought this book eight times and given all but our first copy away to friends in need. The title is wrong for the content of this book. It will save your relationship of one year or 25. I was in a troubled relationship that ended after three years. I bought the book from the advice of a counselor who told my first wife to read it and then for me to read it and discuss it together. I waited and she would not read it. We divorced and a month later I pulled it out and read it, yes she packed it in my boxes when I left. It was one of the best books I have ever read and had I read it before leaving I would not have left. It takes two in a relationship to make it work but I could have made a difference on my own after reading the book. I remarried and after five years I can spot road bumps and avoid mistakes of the past from the help of this book. It has even helped with the relationship I have with friends and business.

One of the best books I've read on relationships. Breaks down the levels in a clear and understandable way so one could relate. At least for me it did. I've recommended this book to numerous people I talk to when discussing human interaction. The book even breaks down the types of relationships we have with each other as well. Most people think the only "relationship" they have is the one with their significant other and that is not the case. I highly highly recommend.

This book is great and wonderful. But the Audible voice is awful, depressing, droning, sad, and irritating. I really wanted the book and had to pay for it again in the kindle version. Amazon, you should have a return policy to take of a problem like this. Amazon you are not nice anymore. If you don't like a true review, you just remove it.

After many long years of thinking I knew what love is and what a relationship should be, I find that I was wrong and it made since why my relationships didn't full fill me.This is very good read. Enjoy and learn.

This should be a first, one-stop-guide for every intimate relationship! I've read a handful of self help books throughout the years, but this book deserves a model. So many ideas and perspectives on life in general, and relationships in particular how to bond a deep connection, open, accepting, non judgmental, with many nice stories to illustrate every idea, it's amazing!!

I first came into contact with Matthew Kelly by purchasing and reading  The Dream Manager , a fascinating insight on how people can transform their lives and how we can live this and that we can help others to do the same, especially in the corporate environment. This past Christmas, our Church gave one of Matthew Kelly's books to every family and visitor that celebrated Christmas with us. It was  Rediscover Catholicism . Again, Kelly got great reviews from the people. I have bought several other books by him. This current one and  The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose , which I first read as audiobooks. There is a lot of similar thinking in all of his books.We all know people suffering in relationships. It could be us! We might be a parent looking to guide our children in forming good relationships. I read up on The Seven Levels of Intimacy and thought "with all the difficulties we are having in marriages and relationships these days, this might have some clues to improve my life and help others also." I was fascinated. I think it has helped me in my dealings with others and has given me food to offer others who might confide in me.Kelly does not stray from the age-old principle that "Love is a decision." It is something we choose to do. It is wanting the best for another person, traditionally said as always seeking the good of another. There was a recent story in the National Catholic Register of a "US Woman to Marry Swiss Guard in Rome" that caught my attention. One of the non-negotiables Miranda Emde was looking for in a man was someone "Who knows how to love and give of himself." There's more if you read the story. But, love is something that one has to want and choose. When he told her his idea of marriage, it clicked with her!I have discussed these ideas with others. I think we need to open our eyes and make conscious choices about who to love and how we will love. Love ultimately is the "gift of self" which has to be done freely and wisely. We don't just settle for someone. This book can walk us through some basics that can help us to think right about this aspect of our lives. In The Rhythm of Life, Kelly speaks about "Everything is a Choice" and then goes into "Do You Really Know What You Want?" He asks this question of an 80-person graduation class. One girl answered, "A man to share my life with." Not having found one, she asked how she will find him. Kelly answered, "the man who wants you to be a better person." But, more specifically, he added: "When you are wondering if he is really the one for you, consider this one idea: You deserve to be cherished. Cherished! Not just loved. Cherished!" He said her eyes welled with tears and he knew she understood.These are just things which have stood out to me as I reflect on this book and the wisdom Matthew Kelly communicates to us. Your response to them will point to whether or not the book(s) will interest you. I have walked away from it different, even in my thinking. I sum it up, "Love is an 'Action' Verb!" It is an action that must come from us.

The book hits the heart of life. Love doesn’t happen overnight, it takes work and sometimes a lifetime. I love how Kelly describes and explains it so simply. All Catholics should read this especially if they are at a turning point in their life. I would recommend this book for anyone in a relationship or wanting to strengthen one.

Excellent description of how to develop relationships if you want them to become meaningful. Valuable for me on various fronts - as a relationship specialist and in my personal relationships. It also helps me understand what went wrong with relationships in my past. Great book!

I read this on holiday and it's really given me a template for looking at my personal relationships and help me understand how to invest more in ways that will bring about genuine closeness.

God read with some good insights into relationships, how to build on your current relationship, or for those who are single what to look forward to.

I loved this book! It put a lot of things in reality into words. Great book!

Just the first chapter alone is an eye opener! He is now my fav Catholic author!