the 5 love languages by gary chapman

book review #60

Hey readers,

I’ll be completely honest: I’m not the kind of person who gravitates toward self-help books. I’ve always been a bit skeptical about them.

Most of the time, they feel generic, repetitive, or just not very relatable. So when The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman was recommended to me, I didn’t have high expectations.

I thought, “okay, maybe I’ll get one or two interesting takeaways… nothing major.”

But what happened? I found myself holding a book that I didn’t even know I needed—and one that ended up deeply moving and transforming me in ways I’m still processing. A complete 5 stars.

This wasn’t just a book about romantic relationships and how to navigate them. It was a book about connection, understanding, and self-awareness.

I highlighted and annotated so many sections—it practically became a workbook for my heart.

Each chapter felt like it was peeling back a layer, helping me see things I hadn’t allowed myself to notice before. I started to realize how I’ve been showing love, how I wish to receive love, and how sometimes we miss each other, not because we don’t care, but because we’re “speaking” different love languages.

I’ve been going through some personal struggles with love and relationships lately, and this book met me right in that vulnerable space.

It didn’t try to “fix” anything, but instead, it gave me tools—real, practical, emotional tools—that I could reflect on and apply in my own life.

It gave me hope. Not the naïve kind, but the grounded, realistic hope that if I am chosen to be loved by someone, I now have the awareness and strength to show up more fully and intentionally.

I can build something lasting with the knowledge I’ve gained.

One of the quotes that stuck with me comes near the end of the book, when Gary Chapman writes that he created this book for us, the readers. That his hope was for it to make a difference in our lives.

And reading that honestly hit me hard, because it felt so personal. It was as if he knew exactly the kind of internal battles I was facing. This wasn’t a distant, preachy guide. It was a deeply human, heartfelt offering from someone who genuinely wants people to thrive in love.

I think what makes this book so special is that it doesn’t just help you become a better partner. It helps you become a better version of yourself. It helps you discover what makes you feel seen, valued, and emotionally fulfilled. And just as importantly, it helps you recognize how others may experience love differently, encouraging compassion, patience, and thoughtful effort in your relationships.

I truly believe everyone should read The Five Love Languages. Whether you’re single, dating, married, or going through a breakup, this book offers something meaningful. I’ve already recommended it to several friends, and I plan to keep doing so.

For anyone who feels lost in love, unsure about what they need, or simply wants to build deeper, more intentional connections, this book is a gift. And for me, it came at exactly the right time.

Read you soon,

Bea.

Photo by: Bea Barros.