Contented Couples

‘This is a very valuable piece of research and writing, accessible to more than just the therapist or mental health professional but an interested lay reader too. I have a particular appreciation for how much the author did let us hear directly from the participants through the conversation excerpts. It is remarkable to have recorded and distilled these couples’ stories, thoughts, and descriptions on how they have found contentment in their long-term relationships and I believe it can be very useful to many.’

‘The strength of Power’s work lies in the diversity of the population she has interviewed. With the multiple racial, ethnic, economic and lifestyles represented, she delivers on her commitment to illustrating how couples can arrive at contentment. This book is a guide for couples that desire to deepen and expand the fulfilment of their partnerships.’

‘Anne Power is a sensitive and respectful guide in enabling eighteen couples to describe how they navigated the ordinary challenges of coming together and making a success of their relationships. Through the wisdom accrued as a therapist, she distils their stories into a treatise on the nature of love. This is a valuable resource for anyone considering commitment, anyone in a committed relationship wishing to understand more about their experience, and anyone whose role is to try and help them to do so.’

‘Anne Power has written an elegant, comprehensive book about coupling … Anne’s writing is captivating and so easy to fall into, just like some (but not all) relationships. The experiences of real-life couples and Anne’s compassion take you on a journey of imaginative possibilities, while grounding you in the science of how and why love works. The confluence of magic, logic and luck come alive! Read this book to grow yourself and your relationship.’

‘Listening in to couples that thrive, who enjoy, trust and continue to develop is rare. Therapists tend to write about what needs changing, not what works. It is warming to hear these accounts of closeness in which obstacles are managed and which bring growth to both people.’

‘Anne Power provides a diverse cross-cultural perspective on the elusive mixture of magic, logic and luck that is involved in the making of a happy marriage … Covering a range of marriage styles – from random romance to self-arranged marriages – this book shows how an initial spark of attraction can be transformed into an ever-glowing cosy fire that sustains a long-term relationship. A must-read for anyone who has ever wondered what makes a marriage work!’

‘You’re in for a treat with this beautifully written and well-researched book. Reading the stories of the 18 self-selecting couples was heart-warming and interesting and offered an intimate peek into the relationships of successful loving partnerships. […] It’s a very comprehensive study looking at a wide range of factors leading to the satisfaction and longevity of each couple. […] I loved how the participants’ own words, humour, personal challenges and growth a woven throughout the text. […] This is a delightfully fascinating read, whether you’re a couples of individual therapist, part of a loving, intimate relationship of a singleton. There’s potential learning for everyone within the pages of this very meaningful book.’

Anne Power has an MA in History and was a nurse before studying attachment theory at The Bowlby Centre. After qualifying in couples work with Relate she trained in emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT). She has published papers on attachment and one book Forced Endings: Attachment and Loss in Retirement. She has contributed to oral history projects and sees her interviewing and story-collecting as borrowing from that tradition. After working for twenty-five years with clients in difficulty, she wanted to hear from contented couples.