Too Good to Leave, Too Bad to Stay: A Step-by-Step Guide to Help You Decide Whether to Stay In or Get Out of Your Relationship

Mira Kirshenbaum

Jul 1997 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

There are many books that promise to help you fix a bad relationship. This groundbreaking bestseller is the first one to help you choose whether you should even try—or if you need to go.

Psychotherapist Mira Kirshenbaum draws on years of research and her work with real-life couples to help you make the right decision. She shows you how to diagnose your unique situation with self-analysis and questions like these, which get to the very heart of your problems:

• What sins are forgivable and which ones are unpardonable?
• Is your partner questioning your opinions to the point where you doubt yourself?
• What is your sex life really like, and how important is it?
• Is there real love left between you, and how does it stack up against all that you find unlovable?

Mira Kirshenbaum provides expert guidelines that are the key to making all your choices, concrete steps that you can implement right now, and the ultimate way to determine your personal bottom line—what you need to be happy. This remarkably insightful and probing guide offers advice that lets you see the truth about your relationship—and with wisdom and compassion, it helps you act with the confidence of knowing that whether you decide to go or stay, you are doing the very best thing.

Ratings and reviews

I really liked the writing style. The author has a great mix of confidence coming from experience and humbleness at acknowledging that each situation may be unique. Each point has an explanation, example stories, and a summary.

I highly recommend this insightful book. In most relationship "ambivalent felationship" is very common issue, like in my marriage. Overcoming it is a challenge. Thanks to this book, l learned to put my husband first. Revisit my own needs and love myself.Most of us, I think, are struggling controlling our partners feelings toward a goal, a task, disciplining our children, finance issues, work attitudes and so on...but we can only control ourselves that way we can control our world. This is an excellent book 😊❤️

This book is a compassionate, insightful page-turner full of practical information. If you're not sure if you should stay in your current relationship - if you're thinking of leaving - this is the perfect book for you. I feel confident saying it will give you the answers and the insights you need.

About the author

Mira Kirshenbaum is an individual and family psychotherapist in private practice and the clinical director of the Chestnut Hill Institute in Massachusetts. She is the author of four books, including the phenomenally successful Too Good to Leave, Too Bad to Stay, and has appeared on many national television shows, including The Today Show, Maury Povich, Geraldo, Sally Jessy Raphael, and an ABC News special with John Stossel. She is married, has two grown children, and lives in Boston, Massachusetts.