Everything Romance
A Celebration of Love for Couples
David Bordon and Tom Winters

WaterBrook Press
December 2011 / 978-0-307-72931-6
Nonfiction / Relationships
Amazon

Reviewed by Leslie Halpern

This compilation of romantic prayers, trivia, lists, love advice, dating ideas, poems, short stories, recipes, quotations and other tidbits comes in a beautiful package. The cover of Everything Romance is a charming red and white design, and the inside pages are decorated with red, pink, white, and gray hearts, backgrounds, and borders. Clearly intended as a gift for Valentine's Day, wedding anniversaries, and bridal showers, this book includes a lovely page for inscriptions at the beginning.

An amusing tongue-in-cheek feature titled "Love Busters" (which is placed in a box surrounded by broken hearts) offers suggestions sure to break up a romance. One Love Buster says, "Dispense with the small showings of affection, hand holding, and cheek kissing. Those are just for the newly in love, right?" These anti-romantic gestures contrast sharply with the rest of the overly-sweet quality of the book, therefore adding their own unique charm.

Brief notes in the back and an index can be used to guide readers through selections. Everything Romance abounds with visual appeal, but the lack of any chapters or sections feels unfocused, unless the reader's goal is merely browsing to pass the time. For instance, a recipe for corn bisque immediately precedes a prayer. So to plan a romantic meal, readers would need to consult the index listing for recipes and then track down nearly two-dozen recipes scattered throughout the book to determine the menu. A similar tactic would be required to locate one particular poem or prayer to use for individual romantic purposes.

For me, the lack of organization detracted from the book's overall usefulness, but I also realize these seemingly random entries may symbolize the fickle nature of love. How confusing…and romantic!