BookLife Reviews
BookLife Reviews are paid reviews of independently published books. A lightning bolt ( ) indicates an Editor’s Pick, a book of outstanding quality.
The Connection Playbook: A Practical Guide to Building Deep, Meaningful, Harmonious Relationships Andy Chaleff | Meaningful Relations 282p, hardcover, $19.95, ISBN 979-8-9885720-1-5
This upbeat guidebook to strengthening and maintaining relationships from Chaleff (The Wounded Healer) goes beyond the romantic to explore how to spark genuine, substantial, enduring connections in all different types of relationships. Urging understanding of the importance of trust and respect when forming bonds, and offering clear-eyed insight and exercises to develop the self-awareness it takes to be supportive, less judgemental, and better at not taking things personally, The Connection Playbook is an invitation to transform how readers relate to others, resolve conflicts, and embrace authentic connections where all involved feel supported, respected, and capable of navigating difficult conversations without defensiveness.
The Connection Playbook advises on how to become the person one wants to be, seeing those one cares about through the “lens of love” and communicating with intent and clarity, but also how to avoid perpetuating unhealthy cycles. To that end, Chaleff offers original strategies, techniques, and clarifying examples exploring how to face challenging moments in relationships—like flashpoint interactions that could lead to conflict—with grace and empathy. Relevant and practical exercises are found at the end of each chapter, reinforcing concepts like viewing mistakes as “moments to create connection.”
This warm, illuminating guide is a toolbox for building relationships, enhancing professional connections, and simply understanding more of the world—and understanding your own triggers, defensiveness, and responsibilities in relationships. With clear eyes and an open heart, The Connection Playbook deftly demonstrates how to create healthy attachment styles at a time when people feel increasingly distant.
Cover: A- | Design & typography: A | Illustrations:– Editing: A | Marketing copy: A