The Long-Distance Relationship Survival Guide: Secrets and Strategies from Successful Couples Who Have Gone the Distance

I've been in a long distance relationship with a wonderful man for three years now. It came more easily to me than it did to him, as my father was in the military and constant moving made long distance connections with friends and relatives seem normal to me. It wasn't as smooth a situation for him, as he still lived in the very city where he had been born and never had to deal with absences that exceeded a week or two. We live in the same country, but other than that, our face-to-face encounters were confined to a few times a year. Our relationship has been a learning experience for us both. Chris Bell's book is filled with practical advice about making the miles appear less formidable. The Internet has made frequent communication less of a costly endeavor than it was in the past, so the separation anxiety can be assuaged without the phone bills forcing you to take a second mortgage on your house. Bell also emphasizes the all-important issue of trust and self-sufficiency. It's true: long distance relationships really work when both partners have their own identities and don't require another person to make them feel whole. By emphasizing direct advice from long distance couples instead of diving into endless theory about the 'love over the miles' phenomenon, Chris Bell has helped to pave over an admittedly rocky road.

This is the best book on this subject. I've read some of the other books out there, and they were all pretty worthless. Where those other books had silly cartoons and useless trivia, this book actually has real life examples and solid ideas for making a long distance relationship work. I've dated long-distance for about a year now, and it is getting more difficult with time, but this book gave me renewed hope that I could survive, as well as some good ideas to make it work. One of the best things is that it provides examples of couples who couldn't handle the distance, so you know what to avoid. I found it reassuring to know that I am not the only one suffering through this. This book outlines key areas of focus for a relationship, and provides examples of what worked and didn't work for other people in the same situation. It is definitely geared towards those who are serious about making the relationship work, and you'd have to be serious about someone to suffer through a relationship like this. This book is a great asset to anyone struggling through a long distance romance. It will give you renewed hope and courage to make it work.

Although I am happily married, I bought this book because my husband travels quite a bit, and we found that we needed some expert advice on how to feel like a couple even when we're hundreds of miles apart several times a year. We found this book incredibly helpful and very practical. It takes into account the current cultural climate in which couples are striving to connect, and suggests tools and technology that are modern and accessible to long-distance partners. This book is real and it's doable for any couple, dating or married, who wants to grow and maintain their relationship over the miles.

I'm not involved in a long-distance relationship but I bought this book because I was curious to see if it would offer me any insight. When my last relationship fell apart, I assumed it hadn't had a chance because of the geographic distance between my partner and me. The book is a very easy read and is loaded with valuable concrete advice. It should actually be required reading for anyone entering into any kind of relationship, long-distance or not. The emphasis on strong communication is not new, but both the examples of how people misfire on that playing field and the constructive tips on how to maximize healthy interchange are excellent. I found myself folding down page corners on discussions about the playful side of love and the balancing act between sexual and emotional closeness. My final thought on finishing the book was that beginning a relationship on long-distance terms might actually be preferable for someone as independent as I am, especially now that I'm armed with a trouble-shooter's guide. Thanks to the authors for this much-needed 21st century tool!