Have you ever wondered what the best relationship books are? Whether you’re a new couple or you’re in an established, exclusive relationship, books on healthy relationships can be great for strengthening the connection between you and your partner.
But, what is the best book on relationships? With so many options out there, knowing where to start can feel a bit daunting at first. That’s why we’re here to help! Whether you’re looking for the best options for singles or couples, we’ve put together a list of 15 of the best relationship books to help keep yours healthy.
15 of the Best Relationship Books Everyone Should Read
What is the best book on relationships? Picking out one single winner can be tricky, but below we’ve put together a list of 15 of our favorites that everyone should read!
1. Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel
Mating in Captivity is one of the best relationship books for couples who want to rekindle the excitement of the honeymoon phase. Couples therapist Esther Perel examines the challenges of sustaining desire in a long-term relationship and offers tips on how to spice up your sex life no matter how long you’ve been together.
2. Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix
Getting the Love You Want remains one of the top relationship books. It has helped millions of people recapture the joy of their relationship, grow closer, and enjoy greater intimacy. You’ll learn how to really listen to your partner, have more fun, and achieve a common vision of your dream relationship.
3. Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson
Hold Me Tight helps you get to the emotional root of your relationship and understand the way people form attachments. Inside, you’ll learn how to improve a failing relationship, respond in a healthy way to your partner, and get your emotional connection back.
4. 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
We couldn’t create a list of the best books about love and relationships without including this decade-long NYT bestseller. Chances are you’ve come across Chapman’s theory of the five different love languages, but what is your primary way to give and receive love, and does this clash with your partner’s?
The 5 Love Languages book will help you understand your and your partner’s love languages and experience deeper levels of intimacy together.
5. Loving Bravely by Alexandra H. Solomon
Loving Bravely centers on the belief that if you want to attract an amazing partner and build a relationship the right way, you’ve got to first become a loving partner to yourself. Do the inner work in this book: Understand your patterns, flaws, and strengths, and learn to love yourself first before trying to love someone else.
6. I Hear You by Michael S. Sorensen
Communication is one of the most important qualities in any successful relationship, whether it’s a romantic one, a friendship, or a working relationship. I Hear You will support you in transforming day-to-day conversations by helping you master validation and improve all your relationships exponentially.
7. Love More, Fight Less by Gina Senarighi
Love More, Fight Less is one of the top books on healthy relationships. It centers on navigating conflict meaningfully and lovingly with your partner because disagreements are inevitable and offer an opportunity to work together. This is a must-read if you struggle with communicating effectively through conflict.
8. Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Got Married by Gary Chapman
Another gem of a book from Gary Chapman, Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Got Married, is packed with practical wisdom and tips to help you prepare for marriage and create an unbreakable bond that stands the test of time. This book is filled with advice that Chapman himself wishes he had received before tying the knot.
9. All About Love by Bell Hooks
The first volume of a powerful trilogy, All About Love, exposes society’s failure to provide a healthy model for learning to love. The book breaks down the truth about love and inspires us to be more caring and compassionate in all areas of our lives.
10. Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller
Attached uses science to explain why some of us seem to exert no effort in navigating our relationships healthily, while some of us consistently struggle and sometimes wind up in toxic or even abusive relationships. By understanding adult attachment, you’ll learn how to find and sustain a healthy form of love.
11. 4 Essential Keys to Effective Communication by Bento C. Leal
4 Essential Keys to Effective Communication is one of the best books on dating and relationships to read as a couple. This how-to style guide will teach you some essential skills to overcome your communication barriers, manage conflicts, nurture connections, and achieve relationship success.
12. I Want This to Work by Elizabeth Earnshaw
Whether you’re married or unmarried, I Want This To Work shows couples how to work with the primary three challenges all couples face: conflict, healing, and connection. With simplified concepts, insights, and exercises, this book is an inclusive, accessible guide to healing relationships and building long-lasting intimacy that doesn’t rely on sex.
13. The Mastery of Love: A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship by Don Miguel Ruiz
The Mastery of Love explores the fear-based beliefs and assumptions we hold that lead to suffering in our relationships. It also provides guidance on how to heal these emotional wounds and regain freedom in ourselves and our relationships. Both of these are vital parts of what makes a good relationship.
14. Eight Dates: Essential Conversations For A Lifetime Of Love by John Gottman
This book offers eight fun, life-changing conversations (or dates) to have with your partner on important topics that usually cause breakdowns in a relationship. This includes trust, conflict, sex, money, family, adventure, spirituality, and dreams. Eight Dates will help you understand each other on a deeper level and enjoy the love and life you desire.
15. Ask a Queer Chick: A Guide to Sex, Love, and Life for Girls Who Dig Girls by Lindsay King-Miller
Ask a Queer Chick is one of the best relationship books for singles and couples navigating the LGBT dating scene. Lindsay King-Miller offers a comprehensive guide to sex, love, and life.
It’s ideal for both newcomers to lesbian dating sites and those with more experience. King-Miller also does a great job of challenging stereotypes, addressing myths, and offering support to the LGBT community.
Enjoy the Best Relationship Books Together
Maintaining a strong relationship isn’t always easy. It takes work. But, with the help of some of the best relationship books for couples — and for singles — you can pick up so many tips and tricks that can help make things easier.
So, enjoy working your way through these incredible books on dating and relationships, commit to doing the inner work, and watch as you and your relationships transform for the better!
