The book (or ebook) is easy to read and to the point. Viviene shares her joyful experiences as a new wife. Although she is honest to tell her readers that there is no such thing as a "perfect marriage", she believes that a couple can have a successful and happy married life through the 7 key virtues that every wife should know (and may I add, follow as well). She uses the acronym T-R-I-U-M-P-H and devotes one chapter for each virtue. Furthermore, she expounds each one by citing insightful stories of hers and some married women whom she is closed to and has witnessed their married life.
At the end of each chapter, Viviene provides sections which give reader a chance to reflect, read, respond, pray and take actions on every nugget of wisdom gleaned from the topic. The author also includes Real Lives of Real Wives which is about real stories of married women that tell happy and contented married life is possible and can be achieved. Viviene concludes her book with her own love story.
My Thoughts
As I have mentioned above, I felt that this book was talking to (and about) me as I was reading it. Being married for 7 years, I am reminded once again to "be the kind of wife" that I know God has called me to be. Just like Viviene, I am also a passionate marriage fan and desire to see that every couple who decided to tie the knot will not only have a blissful wedding day but also a long-lasting and successful married life. It pains me to see couples, who after that 2 - 4 hour wedding ceremony and party one day find themselves "falling out of love" for reasons that could have been worked out or resolved. Just like anything in this world, perfection cannot be achieved in married life. But who says that one has to be perfect to be happy? In this life, we may never attain perfection, however, we can always strive to be content, satisfied and successful not by our own strength but with God's grace.
And for me, that is what this book is all about: God's grace. It is by God's grace that a happy and successful married life is possible; that the 7 things/virtues can be applied by the wife; that marriages will be strong and successful. Only by His grace. I believe Viviene made it obvious by consistently mentioning about God and His intervention in married lives throughout the book. She constantly seasoned every chapter with Bible verses which help get her message across. Now I'm not saying that this is just a "feel-good book", no, not at all. In fact, what Viviene shared are practical stories and insights which a wife or aspiring ones will find inspiring and then realize, "Indeed, a happy married life is achievable."
The book can be finished in one sitting but I will not advise you to do so. Take time to chew and digest what is written in every chapter. The sections Viviene provided at the end of every chapter are helpful for meditation and think through process. What's more, you can share and discuss your thoughts about what you have read with a fellow wife or even a group of wives.
I say that this book is best for those who are planning to get married. You should secure a copy before you say "I do" to the man of your dreams. As for those who have been married for a year or even "forever", this book will give us a gentle nudge on the elbow and remind us of the promise we once made on that one blissful day we had so longed for.
How to Get a Copy
You can get this book in paperback copies for Php 399 and Ebook (PDF version) for Php 199 by clicking here (for Philippine residents only. For non-Philippine residents, you can get a copy from Amazon). And because it's the love month, Viviene is offering a 15% discount for my readers until the end of February. Yay! Simply order by sending her an email at teacher_viviene@yahoo.com. Please don't forget to write 15%OFF on the subject line. Bonus: free shipping nationwide!
Hurry! Get your copy/copies now! :)
Disclaimer: I have received a free copy of the ebook in exchange for a review. However, the opinions I have mentioned here are purely mine and were not influenced by the free product given.
Indeed, there is no perfect marriage. Only by God's grace... Thank you Joy for the review! =)
ReplyDeletePleasure! Thank you for the opportunity, Viviene. :)
DeleteI am excited to have my own copy. ^_^
ReplyDeleteGo na, get na! Heehee! Thank you for visiting. :)
DeleteYou guys are so good! Hahahahaha...
ReplyDeleteI don't think I can ever do that...
Do what, Didi? :) Thank you for dropping by. :)
DeleteI have my copy and so excited to share my thoughts about it too! Maybe later tonight. :)
ReplyDeleteThat'll be great! Let me know. Thank you! :)
DeleteI have a copy, too. I agree, though you can finish it in one sitting, it would be better to digest each chapter on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteYes, better that way. Thank you for visiting. :)
DeleteMy view about marriage before we got married was simple, I thought if you love someone, everything will be fine. Now that I'm married, I realize, it's not just love that binds a couple, it's a daily effort to reconcile after a fight, a respect to each other and most of all that God should be the head of the relationship. It wasn't an easy road for me and my husband but I hope the testings will continue to improve our marriage.
ReplyDeleteTrials and testings are the spice of life, as they say. With God at the center of your relationship with your husband, I believe you'll both emerge as triumphant couple. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. :)
DeleteWhen 2 imperfect people get together, it's just hard. For some, it will even lead to disaster. But with God as the center of marriage, He will be the one to work out our differences and make it victorious.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that! Thank you for visiting! :)
DeleteI wished I had a copy while I was preparing for marriage.
ReplyDeleteYou may still get one. It's a good "nudge on the elbow" for us who are already married. :)
Deleteive heard so much about this book, should pick up a copy. :)
ReplyDeleteGo get one! You'll like it, I believe. :)
DeleteI've read a loy about this book and it sounds like something I'd want to read.
ReplyDeleteA good read indeed. Thank you for dropping by. :)
DeleteThank you for reminding me to get a copy! I keep on forgetting. Are digital copies also discounted?
ReplyDeleteHi, Maan! Viviene is also giving discount on digital copies. Please shoot her an email for details. Thank you for dropping by. :)
DeleteThis will surely be a nice read! Marriage is a life-long commitment, and this book will surely help in achieving that goal. Hope to have a chance to read this book
ReplyDeleteHurry and grab one. You may still avail the 15% discount. Kindly send Viviene an email. :)
DeleteI hope someone will give me a copy of this book as a late birthday present, or better yet, I'll just ask hubby to buy me one. I know I'll learn a lot from reading it. -- Maria Teresa Figuerres
ReplyDeleteI believe it'd be a very nice Valentine gift from your husband. He'll definitely benefit from it too. ;)
DeleteI'd like a copy too. I'm not a big fan of self-help books but this looks like something I can use and learn a lot from
ReplyDeleteHi, Pauline! Were you able to get a copy of Viviene's book? :)
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