Golightly, who shares that she herself has been married and divorced three times, makes the case for attempting to salvage healthy relationships between married partners. But the author is also clear-eyed about situations wherein the best way forward is, in fact, to proceed with divorce. Her book is packed with experienced advice, focusing on decisions best suited to honor the emotional health of both partners and any children involved. Presenting a detailed, thirty-day exercise program aimed to help “clear your head and work through things,” Golightly’s regimen asks one to break off any affairs, list positives in the marriage, list ways divorce will change one’s life, consider how children will be affected, talk with one’s spouse about what went wrong, tell a friend what’s right in the marriage, seek advice from loved ones, set goals for improvement, journal, pray or meditate, communicate openly with one’s children, list reasons why one married, weigh pros and cons, perform kind acts, and much more.

The author’s detailed exercises are well-conceived and based on logic while taking into account the emotional and psychological well-being of the parties involved. They are presented to the reader with good faith. Golightly’s writing is thoughtful and reveals a large heart. It is apparent she is always rooting for the best-case scenario in terms of relationships and individual well-being. Her diction is accessible, and her use of humor goes a long way to ease the concerns of readers. Finally, the author’s emphasis that she is not an expert—not a marriage counselor or therapist of any kind—but rather someone who has lived through this subject matter dovetails with her sincere, down-to-earth approachability. Golightly’s book can serve as a helpful resource through this time of uncertainty, as she shares her own experiences with marriage and divorce.

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