Review - If You're In My Office, It's Already Too Late

If You're In My Office, It's Already Too Late
by James J. Sexton
release date 4/10/2018
288 pages
Chapter length:  short
4 out of 5 stars

I received a copy of this eBook from the wonderful people at Henry Holt and Company and NetGalley in exchange for a review.  The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.  

According to the publisher: "After dealing with more than a thousand clients whose marriages have dissolved over everything from an ill-advised threesome with the nanny to the uneven division of carpool duties, he also knows all of the what-not-to-dos for couples who want to build--and consistently work to preserve--a lasting, fulfilling relationship. Described by former clients as a "courtroom gunslinger" and "the sociopath you want on your side," Sexton tells the unvarnished truth about relationships, diving straight into the most common marital problems. These usually derive from dishonest--or nonexistent--communication. Even when the alleged reason for separation is one spouse's new "personal trainer," there's likely a communication problem that predates the fitness kick. Symptom and root cause get confused all the time.

Sexton has spent his career working with spouses-to-be-no-longer. Reverse engineering a relationship can help to identify and fix what does not work. Ever feel like you're holding back criticism of your spouse because you just can't have that fight right now? Sexton will tell you to "Hit Send Now." Maybe you aren't as adventurous as you used to be, or need some "you time," but for some reason it seems weird or exhausting to change up the routine now. Sexton knows where that mentality leads and offers viable alternative paths to take. Though he deals constantly with the heartbreak of others, he still believes in romance and the transformative power of love. This book is his opportunity to use what he has learned to help couples that aren't so far gone get back on track."

If You're In My Office, It's Already Too Late gets the high honor of being the first self-help book to be reviewed on Blonde Bibliotaph!  I don't know about you, but I love a good self-help book!  That being said, I was a bit leery of giving this a traditional rating.  I think self-help books are very personal and each of us can take away a different message based on our own experiences.  Despite my hesitance, this book was truly fantastic!

To sum up the publisher's summary - Sexton is a divorce lawyer who knows in intimate detail all the common reasons that relationships break down.  In each chapter, he lays out what these reasons are and how to avoid them.

What I loved about this book is that you don't need to be married, or even in a relationship, to take Sexton's advice.  While there are marriage and relationship specific items, most of the advice can be applied to family, friends, coworkers, and anyone else in your life that you need to maintain a pleasant relationship with.

In addition to giving solid advice, this book is also seriously funny. There are quite a few anecdotes throughout the book that are so outrageous, you can't help but laugh out loud!

If I had to give this book one criticism, I'd say that the title should be changed to make it more apparent that this book is inclusive of both married and single readers.  Also, there is quite a bit of colorful language throughout.  If you aren't a fan of that, than this might not be the book for you.

I really enjoyed this book.  I read this in the middle of moving to a new house - an experience universally named one of life's most stressful experiences - and I received some really solid advice about not taking your stress out on other people in your life.  For me, this book could not have come at a better time!  I laughed and I learned many helpful things that I can apply to all my important relationships.  I highly recommend it!


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