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Rating: 
Summary: TIme-tested...for how long?
Review: About 15 years worth, maybe? That's about how long one of the authors, Ellen Fein, stayed married to her husband. Now ehe's divorcing him and yet she's co-author of this book. Hmmm...makes one wonder just how "time-tested" these secrets are...and by whom....and how well they work on certain marriages. Call me a cynic if you want but I do think a book lacks credibility if one of the authors is no longer in a long-term (and lasting) marriage herself. And yes, I read the books. And yes, I hated it - even BEFORE I heard of the divorce. Let's just say I'm not surprised. The rules? Hogwash!
Rating: 
Summary: A More Positive Approach
Review: After skeptically reading the Rules 1, and trying them out just for fun, I found that they worked like a charm for me. They were so effective that I was dating and married to my dear husband within a little over a year. After three happy years together, I decided to "brush up" on the rules just to add a little something to our marriage, which is when I found this version of The Rules. Now we are celebrating our fourth anniversary together--quite happily, I might add--and I think the rules they suggest really helped us. I think most of the rules are good and helpful (even if you don't personally agree with them--they really do work!), but I think some of their advice is counter-productive to their own philosophy (e.g., looking at porn together). If you are a woman who can be open-minded enough to try an "old fashioned" approach, it's all for your benefit! After one day of trying the rules, my husband was offering himself to make dinner, clean-up, babysit for our daughter, give me a foot massage, and have AMAZING SEX with me!! What they suggest works for us. I definitely DON'T feel oppressed. I feel empowered, loved, and appreciated unconditionally. It works like the Golden Rule that way. When you are sweet and loving toward your dear husband, he (unless he's a sociopath or a narcissist) will feel loved and appreciated and want to return the love to you. I am speaking from personal experience. But you decide for yourself. How's your way working for you?
Rating: 
Summary: Rules Made My Marriage (and Divorce) Happier!
Review: I am a tried and true Rules Wife! My husband and I were married six months ago and we just love The Rules. We've followed just about every one of them. I've definitely 'lowered my expectations' in our first year of marriage (#5). And we are a team, so I always force myself to go wherever he wants and always consult him on everything from career and health issues to the hemline of my dress (#6). I let my husband win every argument (unless it's very important to me, which it never is because my feelings don't matter as much as his) (#9). I've accepted that his health, his work, and the lipstick stains on his collar are none of my business (#10). I always do things I don't want to do, like watch pornography and attending old fraternity reunions (#23). We also have sex whenever he wants too! (#29) I've kept up my appearance (#3), but I haven't changed or tried TOO hard! (#38). Unfortunately, after all my hard work, and even though it's 'easier to stay married than get married' (#36), my husband and I have had some problems so we will be 'divorcing with dignity' (#41). After all, I 'don't think marriage counseling is the answer' (#39). But, the good news is, I'll be jumping back out into the dating pool right away (#42), right after I dust off my copy of 'The Rules for Dating' that helped me snag my stud in the first place! PS - This book is the worst! I am HAPPILY married for six months and neither of us follow any of these rules because we believe that being open, loving each other and COMMUNICATING are the keys a successful marriage not lies and deceit (as Ellen Fein found out when she filed for divorce).
Rating: 
Summary: I Love the Rules
Review: I HAVE TO SAY.....I LOVE THE RULES. I KNOW THAT EVERYONE ELSE DOESN'T LIKE TO ADMIT IT...BUT I WILL FOR MYSELF AND FOR MY FRIENDS. I AM MARRIED AND ALWAYS LIKED THE RULES BUT THIS MARRIAGE BOOK HAS ABSOLUTELY BLOWN ME AWAY. I HAVE A WONDERFUL HUSBAND...BUT SOMETIMES HE CAN BE DIFFICULT. NOW I HAVE LEARNED THAT IF I LET HIM WIN, ACT AS IF WE ARE A TEAM, SAY WHAT I MEAN BUT NOT SAY IT MEANLY....I FEEL AS IF THIS BOOK GIVES ME SUPPORT FOR WHAT I SHOULD DO AND DON'T ALWAYS WANT TO DO. I HAVE TRIED IT THIS WHOLE WEEK AND HAVE ALREADY HAD UNBELIABLE RESULTS. THIS BOOK MAKES ME FEEL GREAT. MY FRIEND RECOMMENDED IT TO ME AND I THANK HER , AND ELLEN AND SHERRIE. AND ELLEN, YOU GO GIRL..... I HOPE YOU GET BACK WITH YOUR HUBBY!
Rating:
Summary: Not a self-esteem booster like The Rules I and II
Review: This book was not at all what I expected. I thought the Rules I and II (for dating) were pro-women and really gave women a confidence boost. This book should've been entitled How to Be a Doormat. Several parts of this book gave advice that really could be damaging to a woman's self esteem: always let him win an argument, go on vacation anywhere he wants to go, have sex even if you don't want to, don't bother him with your problems (call your girlfriends instead) just to cite a few examples. The addition to the book that says the one author is going through a divorce was appreciated. But the part about "now she follows the Rules more than ever" doesn't make sense.
Rating:
Summary: Give them a break!
Review: True, one of these two ladies is not the "happily married" she once made herself out to be. But in the book it is even admitted that some marriages are not meant to work and there are chapters included on divorcing with dignity. Which Ms. Schneider is obviously not being allowed to do because people insist on making her private life public. This is an ADVICE book - you can follow it or not - and a pretty helpful one at that. I am a tried and true rules girl, and have been eagerly awaiting the release of this book. It is exactly what it says it is - a book of rules you can follow or not follow. And look what happens if you don't follow them! Ms. Schneider admits lapsing on some of the rules led to her divorce!
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