A review by henry_wallison
The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman

4.0

This book is not perfect, but it's an overall helpful toolkit. Love languages as outlined by Chapman are useful in the context of relationships, especially if you or your partner are especially narrow in the modes you prefer to receive affection in. I think this book can be useful in self-reflection because even if one thinks they're not particular in how they prefer to receive love, they could come to realize they are more so than they had once thought. The book certainly risks overgeneralizing its ideas as the end-all-be-all for any relational dispute, but if you read it as only a potentially useful framework to approach your relationships with, you should find it treats you well enough. Additionally, as I myself am not personally religious, I found its religious references not to be especially additive to the points Chapman tries to make, but I don't think the book ever becomes so preachy that it quits being effective in delivering its core ideas. In spite of its flaws, I think the themes are compelling enough and the book itself an easy enough read to feel comfortable recommending it to anyone interested in improving their relationships.