Finally a relationship book that deals with real life and real love. Written by a couple who have found (and worked at!) a true and lasting love, Perfect Combination teaches the 7 key ingredients to live and love together, all while keeping it 100% honest.
This book is like sitting down at the kitchen table and having that couple you admire tell you everything: the good, the not-so-good, and what you need to know to triumph in love while still remaining true to who you are. In Perfect Combination, Jamillah and David take you behind the scenes of a relationship put to the test: working side by side 24/7; the day-to-day financial worries that can stress any pair; and a painful, but ultimately happy journey to having their first child.
Each chapter in the book tells real life stories in a unique conversational style, with Jamillah and David playing off each other with honesty, harmony and a healthy dose of humor. Each section ends with a key 'ingredient' that sums up what any couple can learn to transform their own relationships. It is also packed with practical tips for "cooking up" love and romance.
If you think this book is about some "perfect couple" that never have a fight or haven't overcome serious struggles, you're in for a surprise. Being a "perfect combination" doesn't mean never having a conflict... it means working together to answer the questions: What is Love? What is Romance? What is Marriage?
Jamillah & David have:
Each suffered with past relationship-sabotaging behaviors they found hard to let go
Battled themselves and each other about what was important in their past
Struggled to figure out that mutual appreciation is more important than gender roles
Helped each other through hurting times on the way to becoming a family
Learned you've got to let yourself learn love lessons, even when you don't like the lesson
If you've read relationship books in the past, and thought, "that sounds great, but how do you actually do that?" then Perfect Combination is for written for you. This book goes deeper than typical relationship books, romance novels, and romance movies.
Men, you'll recognize yourselves in David's struggle to drop his suspicious nature and eventually sacrificing his fear of vulnerability by choosing love above all. You'll smile to yourself when you read David admitting sometimes he expects Jamillah to read his mind and know what he wants.
Women, you'll see yourself in Jamillah's painfully honest struggle to realize that she could let herself be cared about and cared for without it being a sign of weakness. You'll cheer her courage as she leaves a comfortable corporate job to help them both live out a dream.
And you'll discover many more powerful stories and lessons when you read Perfect Combination.
Jamillah and David are the creative force behind the successful off-Broadway play, Platanos Y Collard Greens, currently in its 9th year running. Now they bring you their secrets on how any couple can strengthen their love and create a harmony of work, friendship and respect.
Anonymous
Posted May 11, 2012
This book is a refreshing look into what it takes to make love last over the long haul. In a world where there are every increasing pressures on long-term monogamous commitments the authors David and Jamillah Lamb look inward to give an, honest, humorous, sometimes painful but always insightful view into how to make love last over the long term. It is a real life manual not just for Black couples but for all couples on how to deal with the challenges of long-term love, in an ever changing and complex modern world. David and Jamillah use real life anecdotes fused with honesty and humor as guides and examples of how to love and stay committed to each other.
In a world of increasing divorce and cynicism, Jamillah and David reject the easy route many take of simply jettisoning a relationship. They travel the road not taken and do it with genuine affection for one and another. One of my favorite take-aways from this book is with increasing external pressures on relationships, that not taking things or themselves too seriously is one of the main ingredients to long-term love. Remembering to laugh with each other and laughing together at the world; is one of their secrets that keeps their love fresh and ever renewing. This book is a testimonial to the love they have found and the honest truth that brought them there. A must read for any modern couple that looks to embrace love over the long term.
Ps – it has a great soundtrack that I can dance to.
KA19
Posted April 10, 2012
If only we could read this book before any relationship,...There would be no more break ups or divorce. The book is an easy read, although I read it in one sitting I will always refer to it like a relationship "bible".
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.LisaJW
Posted April 7, 2012
I just started reading Perfect Combination, and I had to break out in a SMILE, and nod my head yes, because I could relate on so many levels with Jamillah Lamb.
Perfect Combination is a look at the dynamics of Black marriage, really marriage in general ,as the issues the authors talk about cross all lines. It is not a technical book per say, but thus far, is filled with enlightenment, self awareness, and many instances where I see myself.
Overview
Finally a relationship book that deals with real life and real love. Written by a couple who have found (and worked at!) a true and lasting love, Perfect Combination teaches the 7 key ingredients to live and love together, all while keeping it 100% honest.
This book is like sitting down at the kitchen table and having that couple you admire tell you everything: ...