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This book looks at how couples build love each day. It sets out eight planned dates to discuss their shared life. This self-help guide suits new couples and those with years together. It uses tasks, true stories and humor to help them grow close.

The first parts cover how to listen. They teach four skills for close talks. Each date looks at a key part of life. Some cover trust and the choice to stay committed. They also cover conflict, sex and being close. Others look at work, money and family. They cover play and a sense of adventure too. The last dates focus on growth, faith and dreams. A section at the end adds questions with no set answers. These give couples more to talk about.

The tasks help each person share feelings and hopes with care. Each must also respect what the other values. The goal is to hear and accept each other's needs. This approach rests on small acts each day. It also rests on taking an interest in each other.

John Gottman and Julie Schwartz Gottman draw on research and clinical work. Their work spans 40 years and thousands of couples at the Love Lab. Both treat couples and do research at Seattle's Gottman Institute. Co-author Doug Abrams is a writer and literary agent. His wife, Rachel Carlton Abrams, is a co-author too. She works in integrative medicine, which brings different forms of care together.