At the Very Heart and Soul: A Common-Sense Guide to Appreciation and Gratitude for Couple Relationships by Timothy N. Gocke shares valuable insight for married partners. In the work, Gocke borrows from his life experiences and observations as well as from his knowledge in the field of human relations. At the heart of the messages in the book are two themes: gratitude and appreciation. Appreciation for one’s partner is emphasized in the work as an alternative to complacency and taking one’s partner for granted. The book explores the challenges that couples face and how these can be overcome. Such challenges include emotional events that happen over the couple’s lives, disagreements arising from different points of view, changes in the personalities or general viewpoints of a partner over time, among others. Each topic is explored sufficiently and practical solutions are offered for every challenge identified.

In many ways, At the Very Heart and Soul by Timothy N. Gocke is relatable. First, the work is written in a down to earth style as it acknowledges the difficulties married partners face while still providing practical solutions. Gocke also includes his own experiences as a father and spouse. The practical application questions and discussions offered at the end of each chapter help in making a reality of the advice offered in the work. The book also offers accessible ways every couple can use to enliven their marriage experience. In chapter eight, the work explores small but meaningful things that partners can do every day to strengthen their relationship. At the Very Heart and Soul by Timothy N. Gocke is an insightful book whose advice can be incorporated daily or during different phases in a marriage.

Relationships can be challenging especially with those that we profess to love. Over a period of time, we tend to treat strangers better than our partners. In At the Very Heart and Soul: A Common-Sense Guide to Appreciation and Gratitude for Couple Relationships by Timothy N. Gocke, you will experience the heart, understanding, and approach of how Timothy was able to appreciate the essence of a healthy relationship. In this book, you will learn and embark upon a lot of things that you probably never considered' from the importance of touching to understanding your love language. Not only will you enjoy this book but with the practical application exercise at the end of each chapter, you too will be able to gauge your relationship barometer.

This is an excellent, thought-provoking resource that can be used in several ways from one-on-one and couple counseling to relationship group settings. After you read Timothy's perspective on relationships, the practical application exercises cause you to dig deep into understanding not only your mate but yourself. You will learn that your perspective and interaction with others reflect the results that you'll receive in each relationship. Timothy talks a lot about our narcissistic (self-centered) behaviors and its impact on our relationships. For healthy and successful relationships, instead of keeping the focus on self and what you can get out of the relationship, why not make a paradigm shift and think about your mate and others instead. As Timothy points out, beginning with Dr. Chapman's The 5 Love Languages would be a great start. Enjoy!