Review of Smart Love
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Edisaur
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Review of Smart Love
[Following is a volunteer review of "Smart Love" by Vincent Fudge II.]
Smart Love by Vincent Fudge II is a guide, backed with personal stories and insights from the author, to better communication within any relationship. Although, Fudge focuses on communication with his own wife in order to save his marriage after going to jail resulted in life-altering insights for the author. So, without preamble, the story begins in jail. In an easy-to-follow narrative, Fudge tells how the experience of his life’s lowest moments created a powerful desire in him to be a better man, a better husband, and a better communicator. In his efforts to find a way to accomplish this, the author lays out the SMART communication evaluation system that has helped him in two major ways. The story describes exactly how Fudge dove into a deeper understanding of himself, his wife, and honest communication. Fudge also devised his SMART system to pinpoint why communication and understanding are failing in any given area or situation in his marriage, allowing him to grow. The author describes how he accomplished this through several communication exercises for both parties. He also adds, however, that therapy, among other tools, can also be helpful. Fudge discusses honest, real-life examples of how he worked to repair the rift between him and his wife, using his system that is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART). This descriptive guide makes it easy to follow the detailed plan and prepare for many hurdles.
Smart Love starts with an immediate attention grabber as the author, Vincent Fudge II, describes his deep realizations in jail and then continues, through honest, vulnerable, and engaging chapters, as he takes us through a one-year journal of the first year back with his family after he completed his jail time. Each month shares further insights into the SMART concepts, gives real as well as analogous examples of applying the exercises, and adds more to the story of Fudge and his wife. I was on the edge of my seat as Fudge also focused on the emotional aspects of his life and communication filters, as he grows in understanding empathy, and as he makes steps forward as well as backwards in his marriage.
Smart Love by Vincent Fudge II shines via the author’s honest, humble, and passionate tone. His vulnerability really encourages me as the reader to be comfortable with some introspection of my own. I found myself excited to start every chapter and learn more about the relationship between Fudge and his wife, how they got to where they were, as well as the incredible steps he took internally, sticking to his SMART plan, never giving up. Additionally, the exercises start in the simplest places, for example, using sticky notes. This takes away a lot of the intimidation for a potentially daunting excursion. This is the energy to spark a reader into action!
The only less positive side may be that Smart Love might not be ideal for an audience of women or younger adults, as the tone is at times extremely honest and straightforward in order to remain SMART and useful. Fudge seems to speak directly to married men, as this is his own experience and the SMART communication system is based on this experience. However, I am a married woman and, as a reader, I felt that it was thoughtful and insightful how Fudge’s attitude towards his wife changed again over time. In addition, clear and honest communication skills apply to every person in a relationship no matter what the sex or gender.
Along with general quotes and quotes from Christian figures, there are also applicable biblical verses sprinkled throughout the pages *separated from the text* in boxes. There is only one time the author mentions God within the text to express how grateful he is for the changes in his life.
I rate Smart Love by Vincent Fudge II a 4 out of 4 stars. This is a heartfelt, smart, well-edited, engaging, and easy-to-follow guide. This guide seems useful to improve understanding of self, and others, and to improve the relationship with your significant other through honest and meaningful communication practices. I recommend this book to anyone seeking personal growth as it relates to communication within relationships.
******
Smart Love
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Smart Love by Vincent Fudge II is a guide, backed with personal stories and insights from the author, to better communication within any relationship. Although, Fudge focuses on communication with his own wife in order to save his marriage after going to jail resulted in life-altering insights for the author. So, without preamble, the story begins in jail. In an easy-to-follow narrative, Fudge tells how the experience of his life’s lowest moments created a powerful desire in him to be a better man, a better husband, and a better communicator. In his efforts to find a way to accomplish this, the author lays out the SMART communication evaluation system that has helped him in two major ways. The story describes exactly how Fudge dove into a deeper understanding of himself, his wife, and honest communication. Fudge also devised his SMART system to pinpoint why communication and understanding are failing in any given area or situation in his marriage, allowing him to grow. The author describes how he accomplished this through several communication exercises for both parties. He also adds, however, that therapy, among other tools, can also be helpful. Fudge discusses honest, real-life examples of how he worked to repair the rift between him and his wife, using his system that is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART). This descriptive guide makes it easy to follow the detailed plan and prepare for many hurdles.
Smart Love starts with an immediate attention grabber as the author, Vincent Fudge II, describes his deep realizations in jail and then continues, through honest, vulnerable, and engaging chapters, as he takes us through a one-year journal of the first year back with his family after he completed his jail time. Each month shares further insights into the SMART concepts, gives real as well as analogous examples of applying the exercises, and adds more to the story of Fudge and his wife. I was on the edge of my seat as Fudge also focused on the emotional aspects of his life and communication filters, as he grows in understanding empathy, and as he makes steps forward as well as backwards in his marriage.
Smart Love by Vincent Fudge II shines via the author’s honest, humble, and passionate tone. His vulnerability really encourages me as the reader to be comfortable with some introspection of my own. I found myself excited to start every chapter and learn more about the relationship between Fudge and his wife, how they got to where they were, as well as the incredible steps he took internally, sticking to his SMART plan, never giving up. Additionally, the exercises start in the simplest places, for example, using sticky notes. This takes away a lot of the intimidation for a potentially daunting excursion. This is the energy to spark a reader into action!
The only less positive side may be that Smart Love might not be ideal for an audience of women or younger adults, as the tone is at times extremely honest and straightforward in order to remain SMART and useful. Fudge seems to speak directly to married men, as this is his own experience and the SMART communication system is based on this experience. However, I am a married woman and, as a reader, I felt that it was thoughtful and insightful how Fudge’s attitude towards his wife changed again over time. In addition, clear and honest communication skills apply to every person in a relationship no matter what the sex or gender.
Along with general quotes and quotes from Christian figures, there are also applicable biblical verses sprinkled throughout the pages *separated from the text* in boxes. There is only one time the author mentions God within the text to express how grateful he is for the changes in his life.
I rate Smart Love by Vincent Fudge II a 4 out of 4 stars. This is a heartfelt, smart, well-edited, engaging, and easy-to-follow guide. This guide seems useful to improve understanding of self, and others, and to improve the relationship with your significant other through honest and meaningful communication practices. I recommend this book to anyone seeking personal growth as it relates to communication within relationships.
******
Smart Love
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Terms of Service by Craig W. Stanfill
