Broken Heart on Hold: Surviving Separation

I have read multiple books through my separation, but This one helped me in ways I never expected during my husbands and my separation.The prayers provided brought me closer to Christ and strengthened my faith in a way I would have never imagined!Every time I felt like the pain was unbearable I would open this book up and read a chapter and genuinely pray the prayers. This gave me peace and security that left me knowing things would be okay whether divorce happened or not.It prepared me when my husband said he wanted a divorce.I can't explain the experience I felt.Too be honest, I didn't finish this book, because my husband and I reconciled. It's been 2 years since, and We couldn't have done it without Jesus. And this book was an amazing tool that spoke life into me and gave me words I didn't know I needed to hear or speak myself!I recommend this book to anyone who just wants peace in their hearts and mind, regardless if divorce is on the fence, yes, or no.this is my go to book when I help counsel friends whose marriage is on the rocks.It says it's for women, but really men can relate to it too, When my husband was struggling, I offered him to read a chapter and he really liked it.And you don't have to be a Christian to read this, but I'd imagine may be at this point anything is worth a shot; but to be honest, i wasn't a follower, but my way wasn't working, so I decided to try things His way for once. (John 3:16, John 10:10)THANK YOU LINDA for helping me through a time I felt hopeless, alone, and afraid!

Ok, I do have to start out by saying that this book is for Christians only . . . I'm Catholic and base a lot on my faith, so I think the book is amazing. However, it is fully and completely based on Christian faith and scripture, so if you aren't Christian, this book is not for you. Like all the other reviews, I have to say this is the most comforting book, really like a bedside best friend. It is made up of very short readings, each one focusing on different stories from her own journey with separation, and different aspects of what we all are going through. The book does primarily come from the standpoint of a woman who was left by her husband, vs. a woman who has left her husband, but I think the bottom line is the same - emotions you are going through when finding yourself in a place you never thought you'd find your marriage in, and living with feelings of abandonment, betrayal, and hurt. Linda Rooks really has a beautiful way of speaking to your heart and making you feel as though she is there with her arm around you or holding your hand, helping you use the Lord as your rock to get you through each day. I read this either in the morning when I wake up, or when I go to bed, depending on how I am feeling that day. And sometimes I read it both day and night! It's a lovely, lovely book. If you are going through the pain of separation, or even if you aren't physically separated but going through the pain of a marriage on the rocks (or infidelity as in my case), this book is for you. You will not regret buying it. In fact, you cannot get it soon enough for yourself!

I found this book to be very soothing during my separation with my husband. Although the situation remains unresolved, reading a section of this book each day has helped me to grow and become stronger during this crisis. Some days I cried like a baby after my reading session, but only because this book helped me learn that it was okay to be upset over what I was going through. Knowing that I wasn't alone really helped. The author does not offer answers. But I liked that because it reflects the differences in the way these situations begin and eventually turn out. It helped me to accept that I could only control myself, not the situation. She offers a ton of encouragement and affirmation, particularly to women. I found myself empowered and courageous enough to take some difficult steps (of course I also have the counsel of people close by) as I read this book. I do wish there was more resolution to some of the stories she shared, but overall I found this a great and encouraging read, which I intend to return to in the next few weeks.

I ordered every book on separation self help I could find. Nothing compares. This book was amazing. Even if you are not religious, this book was exactly what I needed to survive the hardest times. I was not at a good place after my husband walked away from our marriage unexpectedly. Although my story was very different than the author's the emotions were 100% on par with my journey. I found myself having a bad day and flipping to the section about what ever emotion I was going through. I highlighted, made notes and really found this book to be a dose of reality. It was amazing to know that all the craziness I was feeling was normal; so much so that this book, which relates to thousands of people, was fully explaining ever feeling I felt. It helped me walk through each one of the steps.My husband came home after 5 months. Even had he not come home, this book helped me reach a point where I felt stable and in control again, which was the hardest part of being left.

This is the WORST BOOK I EVER READ when I was going through such a painful lone r in my life because in all my weakness and confusion led me to hold on something that was already gone. There is no prayer needed when a man wants to leave you. I wish I could give a -5 review to this book. When I first went through a separation and finding about the infidelity of my narcissistic husband I thought this book would help me. Months after I realized what a misogyny point of view the lady author has. Basically calls you to put a life on hold and praying for someone that DOESN’t value you nor Love you and leaves you behind. Ladies, if your husband wants out, just help them and hold the door so they leave faster. God doesn’t call us to change anyone and we should have the dignity to leave a man that takes for granted behind.Views like this have the church contaminated and supports abusive men that hide under their “religiosity” while women suffer in silence. It’s so upsetting

This is a very good book.... but there are a few "buts" to qualify that. First, if you're not religious you will really struggle to finish reading this book, it continuously preaches total reliance on God for recovery. Second, it is based on the premise that there is a possibility of reconciliation.Please don't let that put you off reading it.Whatever your situation, in the first period of separation this book will help you to find release from the confused, bottled up feelings, the numbness, to let the tears flow. It is pure emotion, not the dry matter-of-fact dissection of Relate and similar "how to survive divorce" books. There are some wonderful insights in the book too, the type that make you nod to yourself emphatically and say "yes, that's exactly it!" out loud.However the author's situation is very specific of course, because (and all credit to her for her bravery and generosity in publishing it) the book is inspired by her own experience - 2 people who have drifted apart and who manage to find each other again. Therefore it does not come near to addressing the deep-seated hurt and anger of those whose partners have betrayed their trust. To be fair to the author, she tries to widen the scope by providing regular anecdotes from other problem relationships, but after a while they come across as rather too simplified and trite, particularly the ones about reconciliation. So although I was hooked by the first half of the book, by the second half the author was losing me, especially when it became clear that she had managed reconciliation and therefore obtained that "happy ever after" that so many of us know is simply no longer possible with our separated partners.So if you are not particularly religious be prepared to pick out the parts of this book that mean something to you and try not to be put off by the preaching of laying yourself sacrificially down at God's Feet and waiting for Him to fix you. There is a great deal of value in this book, it's a gift from the author's heart. It will help you acknowledge and recognise many of the emotions that a separation causes, and will provide insights that help you move forward. In fact it helped me realise that I couldn't depend on anyone else (not my ex-partner, not my family and friends, not a new partner, not even God) to fix my broken heart and spirit, it has to come from inside, you need to dig to find your own core strength and self respect and build from there, that is the key to surviving separation.It's a long hard road. This book is a very welcome, much appreciated helping hand along the way. Thank you Linda.

At first I didn't like this book and skimmed through reading bits that I thought were relevant for me. I assumed it would end up on the pile to go to charity. But the book does encourage you to go back and read again on a daily basis and so I thought I would use it as part of my bible reading routine in the evening. On second glance I found this book to be like water for a thirsty soul. I finally connected with it and found it to be my friend when my world was falling apart. You can dip in and out but also reflect and ponder on each day as you read through. It is hard to find books about separation where neither partner has cheated but you have just drifted apart to the point of no return or so it seems. So my situation is not the same but the emotions are so it is still relevant. I think the hardest thing is you so want to speak to others in the same situation and yet the shame of it all means you keep quiet (even more so if you are in a church which is all wrong but common) so the book is the next best thing and helps put things into perspective for you. I would recommend this book to anyone in this awful and painful situation.

This book is divided into 5 sections which is then broken up into multiple short stories. It isn't meant to be read at one go but rather, a book you pick up and read one selection each day. For me, it was like physiotherapy for a broken heart or chicken soup for a flu. It helped me organize my roller coaster of emotions and gave very good food for thought and a Christian perspective. It certainly contributed to making good decision or helped me avoid mistakes, e.g. I read the selection on temptation just the night before a very handsome, funny, charming french guy asked me out! I had to keep re-reading the selection to remind myself of the reasons I shouldn't date him when he persisted. I used so much of the advise in this book but this seemed like the easiest example that everyone will understand. I never read books twice but I aim to return to this book again in a few months as kind of like a check up.

Such a blessing. A great resource if your marriage has just broken down, or to buy for a friend if theirs has. Encourages you to put your heart in God's hands.

Any one going through separation this book is a massive hope & blessing. Trusting God for new life.