Avoidant: How to Love (or Leave) a Dismissive Partner

One of my correspondents told me he had written a review of Avoidant on the Amazon UK site, so I looked, and found both his and a new one from someone else about Bad Boyfriends.

On Avoidant:

5.0 out of 5 stars

The book I needed more than any other.

I found this to be an incredibly helpful book, not because I am in a relationship with an avoidant, but because I AM an avoidant. Like most men with this issue, I had absolutely no idea I had a problem, but after years of short-term relationships and distressing break-ups I realised something was wrong — with me.

I feel very fortunate to have stumbled upon this book and I simply couldn’t put it down. It manages to detail the causes of this devastating problem in an easy to understand way with many excellent references including several detailed scientific studies. Far from being just another flimsy self-help read about relationships, this not only pulls no punches in explaining the cause and effect of ‘avoidant’ behaviour, but it also sets out genuine practical steps to help those affected move forward.

‘Avoidant’ has quite possibly saved me from a life of heartache, confusion and loneliness and I urge anybody who thinks they may have problems with intimacy and commitment to be brave enough to start reading. It may hold up a mirror to your behaviour and help you overcome a problem you weren’t even aware that you had. An essential book.

On Bad Boyfriends:

5.0 out of 5 stars

Highly Recommended
By Olive Green

I have never left a review of a book that I’ve bought on Amazon before, but I had to leave one for this book. I have found it extremely useful to read. It is well-researched, clearly written and an excellent introduction to the idea of how the relationships we grow up with in our families influence the relationships we form as adults. I wish I had read it many years ago! I have to say though, it’s a shame about the title. The content is far more serious and scholarly than the title suggests.

I agree the title is unserious; it was designed to get noticed in a crowd of other books. A title that says “serious book” is likely to be avoided by 2/3 of the audience this was written to reach….