Chapter 1 - The Quest for Long-Lasting Love
   Why seemingly wonderful beginnings so often fail
   Lust-to-commitment transition
   Boredom

Chapter 2 - Forging The New Path
   Learning from the past
   A different future beckons
   The Internet responds
   Improbable triumphs
   When it's okay to start over
   What is the solution?

Chapter 3 - Childhood is Where It All Begins - Part One
   Tribal support
   Communication styles
   Prejudices learned in childhood

Chapter 4 - Childhood - Part Two
   Safety
   Trust

Chapter 5 - Childhood - Part Three
   Sexuality
   Loss, grief, and faith
   Resiliency and risk taking
   Humor

Chapter 6 - Childhood- Part Four
   Power hierarchies
   Control and dependency
   Conflict
   Humor

Chapter 7 - Interfacing the Puzzle Pieces - Part One
   Inflexibility
   Communication styles
   Expectations from families of origin

Chapter 8 - Interfacing the Puzzle Pieces - Part Two
   How prejudicial attitudes threaten relationships
   Power and influence over others
   Touch
   What we can afford

Chapter 9 - First Date Partner Evaluation Clues
   Innate characteristics
        Victim status
        Neediness
        The need to win and the need to be right
        Negativity and pessimism
        Attitude toward "lesser beings"
        Center stage
        Evasiveness
        Prejudices from traumatic relationships

Chapter 10 - First Date Evaluation Clues
   Interpersonal Interactions
        Generosity
        Involvement with other people
        Compassion
        Openness to challenge
        Integrity
        Sense of humor

Chapter 11 - Improbable-Attraction Mysteries

   Hard liner/soft touch
   Fearful/courageous
   Pessimist/cheerleaders
   Past lives
   Opposition within a relationship
   Odd couples

Chapter 12 - Neurotic Relationships
   Addictive relationships
   The narcissistic addict and the martyred caretaker
   The unpredictable adventurer and the seeker of vicarious experience
   Unresolved trauma from childhood

Chapter 13 - Starting Off Right
   The First Layer
        Sweet spots
        Faith and trust
        Keeping your word
        Passive/aggressive promise breakers
        Procrastinators
        False promises

Chapter 14 - Starting Off Right
   The Second Layer
       Fairness: The sharing of resources
                     How important is the desire to the person who is asking?
                     How generous the partner feels at the time
                     The partner's abilities to effectively negotiate resources
       Scarring and growing
       Honesty
       Mutual standard of behavior

Chapter 15 - Starting Off Right
   The Third Layer
        Negotiation and compromise
        Incompatibilities

Chapter 16 - The Final Layer
   Security or freedom - Which priority is best for your relationship?
   Privacy and inclusion
   External stressors

Chapter 17 - Communication: The Art of Translation
   Approaching your partner
        Beginning a communication Interaction
        Inquiry before judgment
        Timing
        Unsolicited preaching or advice
        Leaning into critique
        Living in the mind of your partner

Chapter 18 - Communication: The Art of Translation
   Potential Saboteurs
        Private traumas
        Riptides
        Taffy pulls
        Defensive reactions
        Exaggeration
        Wipeout statements and disconnections
        Communication is truly the art of translation

Chapter 19 - Potential problems of a new relationship
   Early On
        Childhood demons revisited
        Misunderstandings
        Power struggles
        Insecurity and jealousy

Chapter 20 - Potential Problems of a New Relationship
   When you're an established couple
        Toxicity buildup
        Disappointments/disillusionments
        Soup pot
        Romantic dysfunction

Chapter 21 - Recommitment
   Recap of the eight potential relationship hazards
   The six steps to begin the healing process
   Assessment: scoping the problem
   Resources
   Accountability
   Repeated patterns
   Plan
   Patience

Chapter 22 - Is a Great Long-Term Relationship Really Possible?
   The willingness to search for truth
   "Why" doesn't work
   Getting beyond conflicts
   Intentionality, conviction, and responsibility
   Freedom and commitment
   Love

Chapter 23 - Some Possible Solutions to Difficult Dilemmas - Part One
   Can a relationship recover after an affair?
   Can I live successfully with an alcoholic?
   What if you find out that your lover is in another committed relationship?
   How much should you tell someone about past experiences you're not
        proud of?
   How do you resolve unequal appetites?
   Can sexual attraction get better over time if it is not "hot" to begin with?

Chapter 24 - Some Possible Solutions to Difficult Dilemmas - Part Two
   Are relationships harder now?
   If you've been dumped and are hurting, how long should you wait before
        you start another relationship?
   Maybe I'm just not good at long-term relationships. Should I try, anyway?
   Is it really possible to be happy, passionate, and satisfied with only one
        person for all of your life?
   Can people really change?
   How do you end a relationship gracefully?
   Can ex-lovers stay your friends when you're in a new relationship?
   What if only one partner is willing to fight for the relationship?

Chapter 25 - Making It All Work . . .

Listing of Characters from Vignette Examples . . .