Why Can't I Fall in Love? A 12-Step Program

Rating:
Summary: The Truth Could Set You Free
Review: The thing to love about Shmuley Boteach's, "Why Can't I Fall in Love" is that it is a compilation of everything we've always thought about present day relationships/dating but never was able to put into words. Not writing just about what's wrong, Boteach provides realistic, sensable solutions to the issues that plague today's love-starved twenty- and thirty-somethings.

It is, in my opinion, a brutally truthful look at how we pursue relationships today in a world where so many men and women are literally looking for what they THINK is love, in all the wrong places, with usually warped and/or confused intentions. Boteach challenges his reader to examine and understand his or her own motivations and behaviours that lend to relationship/dating failures. He also prompts the reader to delve deep inside himself/herself to ask the question, "what kind of love do I need/want in my life?"

This book will be especially welcomed by Jewish singles, as he provides many supportive points that are derived from Judaism and Western religious history-- although he is definitely NOT preaching, just adding context that is relevant to understanding some presumed origins of human behavior.

My only criticism of this book is that Boteach skews his material more towards women than men -- which is unfortunate since, unlike most women, many men may feel more comfortable reading about how to understand/rectify their own personal relationship issues than talking about it with their male friends.

Rating:
Summary: The Truth Could Set You Free
Review: The thing to love about Shmuley Boteach's, "Why Can't I Fall in Love" is that it is a compilation of everything we've always thought about present day relationships/dating but never was able to put into words. Not writing just about what's wrong, Boteach provides realistic, sensable solutions to the issues that plague today's love-starved twenty- and thirty-somethings.

It is, in my opinion, a brutally truthful look at how we pursue relationships today in a world where so many men and women are literally looking for what they THINK is love, in all the wrong places, with usually warped and/or confused intentions. Boteach challenges his reader to examine and understand his or her own motivations and behaviours that lend to relationship/dating failures. He also prompts the reader to delve deep inside himself/herself to ask the question, "what kind of love do I need/want in my life?"

This book will be especially welcomed by Jewish singles, as he provides many supportive points that are derived from Judaism and Western religious history-- although he is definitely NOT preaching, just adding context that is relevant to understanding some presumed origins of human behavior.

My only criticism of this book is that Boteach skews his material more towards women than men -- which is unfortunate since, unlike most women, many men may feel more comfortable reading about how to understand/rectify their own personal relationship issues than talking about it with their male friends.

Rating:
Summary: Why can't he be less irritating?
Review: There are some okay things in this book if you can get past the author's unbelievably irritating, smug, self-congratulatory, psuedo-intellectual style.

Rating:
Summary: An Incredibly Powerful Book!
Review: This book was such a pleasure to read! Once I picked up, "Why Can't I Fall in Love," I couldn't put it down! This book made me laugh while seriously wanting to face the stagnant state of my singlehood. As each compelling chapter unfolded, I began understanding the common mistakes singles make which lead to an inevitable downward spiral straight into the dating doldrums.

Shmuley Boteach guides and leads you beyond the myths and the delusions, into an Eden of new thinking. Boteach also impressively "practices what he preaches," Clearly a serious family man, and unashamedly still in love with his wife of many years, the reader starts to realize that this author must have some secret and thankfully, he more than gladly shares it. I was also impressed by his respect for women which is extremely profound and so welcome in a society where women still often tend to be viewed as mere sex-objects.

Although the author's reputation as a controversial figure often precedes him, give him his due, Boteach knows relationship and love like no other author on the market. His penchant for complacency is never to be taken seriously as it is always in the name of humor and is offset by the humility found in his endearing, and when required, self-deprecating style. I'm convinced that through this extraordinary book, the average, lovelorn single could even find a way to meet someone despite being stranded alone on a desert island! I have personally applied his innovative yet simple concepts and have finally found the relationship I have always been in search of! Without this book and it's stimulating and enriching "love lessons," I would certainly still be alone. S. Boteach ventures out with such concern for the lonely at heart that you can't come away without being moved and transformed. For those of any age who dread remaining terminally single, "Why Can't I Fall in Love" has the cure!

Rating:
Summary: An Incredibly Powerful Book!
Review: This book was such a pleasure to read! Once I picked up, "Why Can't I Fall in Love," I couldn't put it down! This book made me laugh while seriously wanting to face the stagnant state of my singlehood. As each compelling chapter unfolded, I began understanding the common mistakes singles make which lead to an inevitable downward spiral straight into the dating doldrums.

Shmuley Boteach guides and leads you beyond the myths and the delusions, into an Eden of new thinking. Boteach also impressively "practices what he preaches," Clearly a serious family man, and unashamedly still in love with his wife of many years, the reader starts to realize that this author must have some secret and thankfully, he more than gladly shares it. I was also impressed by his respect for women which is extremely profound and so welcome in a society where women still often tend to be viewed as mere sex-objects.

Although the author's reputation as a controversial figure often precedes him, give him his due, Boteach knows relationship and love like no other author on the market. His penchant for complacency is never to be taken seriously as it is always in the name of humor and is offset by the humility found in his endearing, and when required, self-deprecating style. I'm convinced that through this extraordinary book, the average, lovelorn single could even find a way to meet someone despite being stranded alone on a desert island! I have personally applied his innovative yet simple concepts and have finally found the relationship I have always been in search of! Without this book and it's stimulating and enriching "love lessons," I would certainly still be alone. S. Boteach ventures out with such concern for the lonely at heart that you can't come away without being moved and transformed. For those of any age who dread remaining terminally single, "Why Can't I Fall in Love" has the cure!

Rating:
Summary: What about the turndown?
Review: While much of what Boteach has to say is very true and relevant for serial daters he off handedly mentions the "quiet guy" or the "shy girl" who are on the sidelines of the dating scene. However, very little in his book applies to these individuals or would help them find love. They are often not commitment phobic, they are often not searching for flaws where there are none, they are simply never asked, or often turned down. Much of his advice could be useful to them if indeed they had someone to apply it with. Also, his notion of a "two date minimum" needs to have a better definition of "obvious exceptions"

Rating:
Summary: THE book for singles!
Review: WOW!! "Why Can't I Fall in Love? A 12-Step Program," is THE book that every single needs along with food and water! As a single person myself, who has been "looking for love in all the wrong places," I finally have an understanding of exactly what I have been doing wrong. I never realized how many negative and close-minded thought patterns were preventing me from meeting the right person! The author sets out on a brave and reckless rescue mission here, intending to right the many wrongs made by dating singles and thus saving them from a doomed and lonely existence. Risking it all, Boteach dives in and addresses issues you would never think of and offers solutions that you wish you had. Shmuley Boteach has outdone even himself this time with another sure best-seller. This new book showcases his ablity to understand singles and their problems, like no other relationship "expert" out there today. Enough of books on "rules" and gimmicks, Boteach's sane and sensible approach is what has earned him the reputation as "The Love Prophet." In this book, he reigns supreme and holds onto that title on every page. Every single searching for love needs to take this 12-Step challenge! This is a life-changing book for sure. Highly Recommended!

Rating:
Summary: THE book for singles!
Review: WOW!! "Why Can't I Fall in Love? A 12-Step Program," is THE book that every single needs along with food and water! As a single person myself, who has been "looking for love in all the wrong places," I finally have an understanding of exactly what I have been doing wrong. I never realized how many negative and close-minded thought patterns were preventing me from meeting the right person! The author sets out on a brave and reckless rescue mission here, intending to right the many wrongs made by dating singles and thus saving them from a doomed and lonely existence. Risking it all, Boteach dives in and addresses issues you would never think of and offers solutions that you wish you had. Shmuley Boteach has outdone even himself this time with another sure best-seller. This new book showcases his ablity to understand singles and their problems, like no other relationship "expert" out there today. Enough of books on "rules" and gimmicks, Boteach's sane and sensible approach is what has earned him the reputation as "The Love Prophet." In this book, he reigns supreme and holds onto that title on every page. Every single searching for love needs to take this 12-Step challenge! This is a life-changing book for sure. Highly Recommended!