WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED

A sometimes-humorous, biblically grounded guide for husbands seeking to enrich their marriages.

In 28 short, daily readings focused around four themes (“Bless Her Self,” “Bless Her Sense,” “Bless Her Status, “Bless Her Soul”), Bell applies the concept of “no strings attached” to the most committed of relationships. He suggests that husbands bless their wives with their thoughts, words and deeds, with no set expectations (“bless her daily with no strings attached, and just trust that she will do the same”). He believes rewards—including a deeper relationship with God—will then follow. The advice ranges from simple and straightforward (“Create time for your wife to take a nap”; “Open the door for your wife”) to the selfishly pragmatic (“listen to her…you’d rather her be having these conversations with you than with some other guy!”). The brief “Task to Consider” emphasizes suggesting things rather than commanding them. There’s no scolding here, just an upbeat acknowledgement of the overwhelming nature of modern life and an egalitarian perspective on marital roles: “The Bible doesn’t give us permission to bully our wives; it encourages us to bless them. We are men, not patriarchs!” A relaxed tone, a generous use of the phrase “my friend,” and references to hunting, fishing and triple-dog dares suggest familiarity with a rural audience and a sense of camaraderie with “macho men” who “mutter things under [their] breath, grunt, scratch and go to work.” Frequent Old and New Testament references and rationales further suggest that this book is aimed at a specific audience of Christian husbands, but the thoughtful contemplations and specific actions could benefit and strengthen any committed relationship. It also includes well-chosen, often entertaining thoughts and inspirations from George Washington, Mark Twain and Maya Angelou, among others.

An advice book that astutely recognizes that what benefits one partner ultimately benefits both.