Official Review: Smart Love by Vincent Fudge II

[JKO]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Smart Love" by Vincent Fudge II.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Separations and divorces have become quite a trend these days because they seem like the easy way out of what may seem to be a dysfunctional marriage. Smart Love by Vincent Fudge II is a book that details an approach that the author used in fixing his marriage. The author hopes that the reader finds this read astute and engaging and that they apply anything they learned to their lives and relationships to improve things.

The author starts with a prologue that recounts the events that led to him facing a domestic violence charge that invariably leads to the start of a project to improve his relationship with his wife. He called this project: “The SMART Love project.” He then goes on to describe the methodology and how he and his wife approached the implementation of the principles associated with the project. Following the applications of these principles, the author then describes the journey through the following year in which he worked with his wife to improve their relationship. The book ends with an epilogue that touches on the outcomes and revelations of the one-year journey along with a reference summary.

The first thing I admired about this book was that the author left nothing back in telling the story. He didn’t try to hide situations where he was wrong, and he did not project himself as a saint or his wife, the guilty party. Instead, he penned down the full story regardless of how it seemed, allowing the readers to learn from their mistakes. I think this increases the credibility of the information that was shared. I also loved that each chapter represented month-long reviews. Also, each month/chapter was transitioned with a flashback memory of a significant event. I was happy that these events provided context as to how the author and his wife wound up where they were at the beginning of the one-year journey. As a result, I am now more aware of where my relationship may end up if I respond to my partner in a certain way.

However, I was unhappy that I wasn’t able to appreciate the message entirely. I often struggled to see how the discussed principles were the determining factor for the eventual outcome of the stability or instability of the author’s relationship with his wife. I also found the stages of the conversational receptiveness score (CRS) that the author explained a bit impractical. The author states that the CRS is used in determining whether or not an individual is in the right frame of mind to engage in a crucial discussion, and the people themselves decide these scores. I mean, while the CRS provides an opportunity to be transparent about the emotional state of the people preparing to have a crucial conversation, I don’t think it’s feasible to get a proper evaluation of the actual emotional states of individuals by taking what they say at face value. For example, people in heated arguments will find it challenging to evaluate themselves properly in that state.

Because I found no errors throughout the text, I can categorically state that this book is professionally edited. While I believe that readers can benefit from the story the author has presented, I still think some work has to be done to make this book deserve a full rating. As a result of my reservations, I have decided to remove one star and rate Smart Love 3 out of 4 stars. I recommend this book to people who are married, especially those that are experiencing some kind of friction with their partners. However, people who feel offended by profane words may want to skip this book.

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Smart Love
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[Tablito]

It's nice how the author doesn't attribute the challenges in his marriage to his wife.

[LuciusM]

Thanks or sharing your great review.

[Christabel Uzoamaka]

Hmm. A domestic violence charge? Overall, I’m not sure I could appreciate the author’s message. I’m sure it comes from a good place but...

I enjoyed the review though. Great work!

[Atsieno Lorine]

A nice review you have there, the book is intresting to read.