Whether you’re starting a new relationship, weathering difficult times, or jump-starting a long-term marriage, Suzie and James Pawelski can help. Granted, their book, Happy Together: Using the Science of Positive Psychology to Build Love That Lasts, isn’t the typical approach to romance. But this husband-and-wife research team has found how to ignite (or reignite) passion. Together, they’ve identified four key areas crucial to building and sustaining love over the long run.

1. Harmonious passion: remembering who we are as individuals and seeking out new adventures together that both enjoy
2. Positive emotions: feelings of joy, gratitude, and hope help motivate couples in to invest in each other’s well-being and engage in mutual care
3. Mindful savoring: the importance of actively and consciously valuing another and expressing this appreciation to nurture and enhance the relationship
4. Character strengths: why we need to define, find, and cultivate our individual potential and support our partner’s growth simultaneously

Happy Together is the first book to apply principles of positive psychology to create successful, satisfying bonds that last. It’s a roadmap for rewarding, long-lasting romance. Refreshingly upbeat, the Pawelskis encourage every couple to focus on their strengths. 

Of course, falling in love and even being in love doesn’t mean you will magically have your dream relationship. Rather, relationships improve over time when partners practice key skills and cultivate loving habits. The Pawelskis encourage us to practice these skills in our own “relationship gym” because all relationships need work.

BUY Happy Together: Using the Science of Positive Psychology to Build Love That Lasts by Suzann Pileggi Pawelski, MAPP and James O. Pawelski, Ph.D