Secrets of a Fix-up Fanatic: How to Meet & Marry Your Match [Paperback]

Susan Shapiro (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 26, 2006

Ever since her former boss introduced her to her handsome, brilliant husband-to-be, Susan Shapiro has been on a marital mission. So far, she’s fixed up twelve marriages and countless couples. Unlike all those “relationship experts” who are incapable of having a real relationship, or who took off their first ring to pledge their vows to their second or third life partner, Shapiro has witnessed—and scored—on all sides of the setup spectrum. She learned to charm her own blind dates, walk down the aisle with her personal Mr. Perfect, keep her first and only marriage rapturous, and expertly set up dozens of other duets.

Now the author of the acclaimed memoirs Lighting Up and Five Men Who Broke My Heart, and a self-proclaimed “diehard romantic optimist,” shares her honest, provocative, and sometimes downright subversive slant on every stage of dating, sex, and domestic relations. She’ll show you how to:

• Fix yourself up first so you’re really ready to be fixed up fabulously
• Recognize raw marriage material and not let a good one get away
• Break through your fears, insecurities, and dating defenses to land true love
• Find love mentors who will set you up and help you close the deal
• Decide which love and marriage myths to lose if you want to win
• Keep fixing up your relationship so it stays warm and loving forever

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this enthusiastic how-to, a happily married professional writer (Five Men Who Broke My Heart) and amateur matchmaker tells singles to use their friends, family and colleagues as signposts on the road to wedded bliss. She asserts that by making steps toward self-improvement (if necessary), swallowing their pride and asking those in their circle to set them up, readers will find prospects far more promising than anything they might find online or at the bar. Though many of Shapiro's suggestions are unique and intriguing, some still come off as a little desperate, despite her efforts to counter prejudices against this method of finding a mate. (Jan. 2)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“[An] enthusiastic how-to.... Many of Shapiro’s suggestions are unique and intriging.”—Publishers Weekly

"A fabulous approach to finding your mate! Shapiro's candor and insight will resonate with anyone fed up with the online dating scene and provide a new call-to-action for singles of all ages."—Rachel Greenwald, author of the NYT bestselling Find a Husband after 33 Using what I Learned at Harvard Business School

"Shapiro makes the antiquated art of matchmaking au courant in this honest, pragmatic, and irresistible guide."—Stephanie Klein, author of Straight Up and Dirty: A Memoir

"Susan Shapiro's writing is feisty and funny on the outside--with warmth and depth on the inside—an appealing hybrid of humor and candor."—Karen Salmansohn, author of How to be Happy, Dammit

"Susan Shapiro is a serious and gifted fix-up fanatic."—Lisa Loeb, musician

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Delta (December 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385340591
• ISBN-13: 978-0385340595
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.7 x 8.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,470,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Susan B. Shapiro is the acclaimed author of FIVE MEN WHO BROKE MY HEART, LIGHTING UP, SECRETS OF A FIX-UP FANATIC, ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR WORD and two novels, SPEED SHRINKING and OVEREXPOSED. She teaches "the instant gratification takes too long" school of writing at The New School and in private classes and workshops. You can visit her at her website Susanshapiro.net or email her directly at [e-mail]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only relationship book you'll ever need, January 21, 2007

By 

K. Weller (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secrets of a Fix-up Fanatic: How to Meet & Marry Your Match (Paperback)

If you've had no luck on the dating scene then this book is for you. It's filled with tips on how to go about finding the right person and going to bars and online dating services are not going to help. Shapiro also focuses on why you need to see how content you are with your own life before you go looking for a relationship. She asks questions that might hit on what you've been trying to avoid-like if you're in debt, not ahppy where your career is going, or just not 100% happy with your circumstances right now. She says if you're in debt and in in a job crisis, why would somebody want to join you in your misery? She hits to the heart of why a lot of relationships fail. I liked her relationship examples too-I either saw myself or my friends in many of the scenerios. I'd definitely recommend this book for singles, but I think it could really benefit people in a relationship as well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even if you have a match, this is a TERRIFIC read., December 27, 2006

By 

A. Feiring - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secrets of a Fix-up Fanatic: How to Meet & Marry Your Match (Paperback)

Shapiro's book goes way beyong the usual advice genre. This is an honest, heartfelt, page-turning offering. Get to the end and your reward is ten years worth of therapy in the guise of a fast-talking, straight-shooting brilliantly written book.I've passed it on to two of my single friends who have told me it already changed their lives (one started to date after a six year hiatus). As for me? Presently not single, I was entertained but more; I walked away with cogent advice for navigating life, even if I have the romantic thing down (for now, at least). What makes this book a break out is that her advice seems to work whether you want a lover, husband or attain a goal, whatever that might be.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ditch the Cinderella Syndrome...., March 12, 2007

By 

T. Connolly Walker (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secrets of a Fix-up Fanatic: How to Meet & Marry Your Match (Paperback)

In SECRETS OF A FIX-UP FANATIC, Susan Shapiro gives sage time-saving advice on how to stop looking for love in all the wrong faces, find lasting love beyond a Friday night date and learn how to get blissfully

hitched for a lifetime.

The author herself is happily married for over a decade and has been the catalyst for countless relationships and 12 marriages so far. Shapiro is a passionate, magnetic personality who writes and advises beautifully. Clearly, she knows secrets you should know!

--Tory Connolly Walker, co-author of FOOD FOR THE SOUL and IN TIMES LIKE

THESE: HOW WE PRAY