Some strong essays, and the author's surprisingly frank discussion of marriage and monogamy is refreshing, but overall I found the tone to be smug and self-satisfied. Despite having married and divorced in her early twenties before entering her current marriage at 28, Calhoun seems to view herself as some kind of marriage guru, and her writing suggests that she views marriage as a stepping stone into adulthood, something single or merely "coupled" but unmarried people are incapable of fully experiencing.

I was disturbed by this interview with a "Father Hartt":
"So many people I know by all rights should have been married. They're sad. They're alone. They're hurt. They're angry at all the sexual passing along...So let's have another reason for marriage. Even people who are divorced have a certain dignity around the fact that that had happened." He goes on to discuss the idea that marriage is a public recognition of the "preciousness" of individuals and their unions, and that the "cultural disposability" that never-married people may experience may be alienating - but I honestly can't tell whether he (and Calhoun) are being critical of this situation, or viewing it as another point in favor of marriage. More time could have been spent developing this concept.