Secret Lovers: Affairs Happen . . . How to Cope (Paperback)

by Luann Linquist (Author) "AFFAIRS have been a part of every known culture..." (more)
Key Phrases: transitional affair, single lover, more complete relationship, Secret Lovers (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Linquist, San Francisco Bay area psychologist, specializes in counseling "secret lovers" and those whose lives they affect. Here she relates stories of extramarital affairs, discussing how they "happen," offering suggestions for conducting a successful one and advice to the betrayed spouse. She maintains that an extramarital dalliance can improve a marriage, can supply a betrayed spouse the incentive to work at wooing back the straying mate. Alternately, the hurt caused by an affair may give the victim the strength to divorce and to build a new life, with self-confidence gained from enduring the experience. Believers in marital fidelity are likely to be put off by Linquist's admonition to those considering an extramarital affair that they "need to be informed and understand what works best and what doesn't . . . people deserve to have the best experience they can."
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"This fascinating book sheds light on a subject kept in the dark too long. Without judging, her research illuminates the patterns, the passions, and the pitfalls." (Bruce Hilton, bioethics columnist, San Francisco Examiner)

". . . Therapists will find this book of value in their professional practice." (Penelope Russianoff, clinical psychologist and author of When Am I Going to Be Happy)

"As one who has given professionals guidance in public affairs-and is well used to 'Inside the Beltway Political Scandal'-it's insightful to dip into Luann Linquist's fascinating work. Don't be misled by a provocative title. Her in-depth accounts should certainly be helpful to thousands. It's akin to overhearing restaurant conversations or, at times, being underneath the psychiatrist's couch. This is a serious work with important implications." (John Jay Daly, APR, Washington, D.C.)

"Dr. Linquist uses a nonjudgmental approach to put secret love affairs in their proper place. This practical guide offers excellent advice to anyone who has had, is having, or wants to have and affair." (Rita Freedman, clinical psychologist and author of Beauty Bound and Bodylove)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass (January 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787946419
• ISBN-13: 978-0787946418
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #664,539 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars a biased book, a dangerous message, October 4, 2000

By A Customer

This book scares me because of the damage it can do to women contemplating or having an affair. It points out a lot of "facts" about affairs and it gives examples of women who have gained a positive experience through affairs. However, it only shows examples of women who claim to have had a good experience with affairs. It doesn't mention the millions of women who have suffered devastating effects of getting involved with married men. It down plays the 'sadness' when an affair ends. This is not mere 'sadness', this is devastation and often the affair is a manifestation of a much larger personal issue within a woman. I beg to differ with the assumptions and suggestions within this book which indicate that a significant number of women don't want the affair to lead to marriage. It cannot be proved, however, I highly doubt that it is common within the female pysche to be very ok with having a deep and connected love affair end. It's like having a part of yourself ripped from you without painkillers. And the women who claim to be ok with having an affair end clearly are detached from themselves in some manner. If a woman wants an affair, give her ALL the facts....and ask her what form of distraction she'll use to alleviate the pain of an affair. Will she drink it away? Shop it away? Find another man to alleviate it? And ask her if she's willing to be part of the decline of a marriage. Because women contemplating having affairs are in a position to satify her desires or push the man back. Perhaps the man rejected will instead work on his marriage. Maybe his marriage is DOOMED and better off done. But, if indeed the marriage ends and whether the affair ends or not, the aftermath is a long hurt for all involved. And people can deny this, but denial doesn't make it not true.

The author is biased and irresponsible. I got an ice cold feeling reading this book. Society and the human spirit doesn't need more of this hogwash.

22 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, the Truth About Affairs..., June 4, 2000

By	Carrie (Michigan) - See all my reviews

I am currently in an affair with a much older, married man. This affair has not been easy on me...keeping secrets from my parents, hiding the truest love I've ever known from co-workers and friends, not being able to spend time with the man I love. It's not easy being the other woman and finally I've found a book that makes me feel that I am not alone. That all the effort I'm putting into this relationship may well be worth it. It doesn't make me feel guilty for being the other woman, like so much of society would. Ours is a loving, caring, passionate love affair. I couldn't ask for more. I'm glad to see that the author of this book acknowledges that affairs are not only normal, but healthy as well. A must read for any woman who is in an affair and has no one to talk to.

11 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Good book to leave on the shelf., July 13, 2000

By A Customer

I read a few other books about this and then I read this one. This book helped me change my mind about what I was going to do. It was something thoughtless and it probably would have done a lot of damage to my self and my spouse who I don't want to lose. I'm on to some healthy stuff.