10 Best Relationship Authors for 2024

Dr. Nicole LePera is a clinical psychologist and holistic practitioner. Her approach focuses on equipping people with the tools they need to cultivate health in their minds, bodies, souls, and relationships. Nicole is the author of three books about self-empowerment, healing from past wounds, and forging positive relationships.

Nicole’s book, “How to Meet Your Self,” is a workbook for self-discovery. It has readers question their core beliefs and dig deeper into understanding why they are the way they are. “How to Do the Work offers an approach for healing past wounds and trauma, moving past negative patterns, and taking hold of a self-actualized life.

Best for: Holistic Self-Discovery

Dave Richo, PhD, is a psychotherapist, teacher, workshop leader, and author. Dave combines elements of Jungian, poetic, and mythic perspectives in his work and appeals to people searching for an integration of the psychological and spiritual and how this integration applies to relationships.

Dave’s book, “How to Be an Adult in Love,” is about how to accept love for oneself and others in an authentic and empowered way. Dave’s position says that the act of loving ourselves and others is part of what makes us human and essential for making a meaningful life.

Best for: Interdisciplinary Spiritual Approach

Terry Real is the creator of Relational Life Therapy and the author of several books, including “Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship.” The book is a guide for couples who want to improve their relationship and build a collaborative and supportive connection. Terry uses his decades of clinical experience and research to teach readers how to approach conflict as a team.

From his books to free online resources, Terry’s offerings help people build great relationships with themselves and those they love. He covers basics like attachment styles and boundaries in an easy-to-understand way and offers techniques that people can implement in their daily lives and relationships. 

Best for: Cultivating Positive Connections

Gary John Bishop is the author of “Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life,” a straightforward handbook for people looking to let go of the things holding them back. Gary is a personal development expert and an acclaimed public speaker. His collection of books is geared toward helping readers lead fulfilled lives.

Gary’s recent book, “Wise as Fu*k: Simple Truths to Guide You Through the Sh*tstorms of Life.” In this book, Gary investigates the big questions that come with a self-actualized existence and offers wisdom to answer those questions. Gary’s books are great for singles who are ready to adjust their mindsets so they can change their dating experience.

Best for: Letting Go of Past Hurts

Dr. Henry Cloud is a leadership expert, psychologist, and author. He’s written 45 books and has sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide. Henry has experience in leadership consulting, healthcare administration and research, and coaching, and brings perspectives from each of these disciplines.

His book, “Trust: Knowing When to Give It, When to Withhold It, How to Earn It, and How to Fix It When It Gets Broken,” helps readers give and accept trust in healthy ways. Communication is a common problem for couples. Henry’s book “How to Have That Difficult Conversation” gives couples the communication habits they need to navigate these conversations with love.

Best for: Couples Struggling with Communication

Gary Chapman, PhD, is a speaker, counselor, and author of the iconic book “The 5 Love Languages.” The book posits that people with different personalities give and accept love differently. When people can identify and express how they give and accept love best, their relationships can flourish.

The 5 Love Languages® went mainstream, and now many people are familiar with Chapman’s five languages: Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, and Physical Touch. The book has various companion online resources, including a blog, app, and language quiz.

Best for: Materials that Nurture Every Kind of Relationship

Megan Lundgren is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has extensive training in Restoration Therapy and Gottman Therapy. She’s the author of “The Relationship Book for New Couples: Proven Strategies to Nurture Your Connection and Build a Long-Lasting Bond.” The book gives new couples the tools and techniques they need to build a flourishing connection.

The book gives couples insights into key relational skills, mindfulness techniques, and the importance of tackling big conversations with understanding and openness. Megan’s book includes relationship-building activities couples can try to learn about each other’s core beliefs, morals, and hopes for the future. 

Best for: New Couples

Dr. Steven Stosny is a couples therapist, the founder of CompassionPower, and the author of several books. CompassionPower is a blog with resources about emotional healing, relationship health, and more. Steven has treated over 6,000 clients and is an expert on relational violence and domestic abuse. Steven’s work attends to controlling big emotions like anger, resentment, and jealousy.

“Empowered Love: Use Your Brain to Be Your Best Self and Create Your Ideal Relationship” is Steven’s most recent book. The book explores how mastery of self-control, rationality, and compassion can transform relationships. He gives readers actionable items they can do to improve the way they see themselves and how they form relationships.

Best for: Taking Control of Anger

Alicia Muñoz is an author and couples therapist. Alicia is trained in Imago Relationship Therapy, Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy, and Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy. Her diverse background in treatment modalities shines through in her nuanced approach to relationships in “Stop Overthinking Your Relationship.”

This book helps readers break the cycle of anxious ruination and forge secure attachment styles. Anxiety can cause people to over-function in relationships, which is ultimately detrimental. Alicia guides readers through practical ways they can identify and address places where anxiety is taking the reigns and negatively impacting their relationships.

Best for: Anxious Overthinkers

Elizabeth Earnshaw is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Gottman Therapist, relationship educator, and author. “I Want This to Work: an Inclusive Guide to Navigating the Most Difficult Relationship Issues We Face in the Modern Age” gives individuals and couples the relationship tools they need to thrive.

Elizabeth takes an inclusive approach that considers the diverse outlooks of LGBTQ+ individuals and the shifting cultural landscape. The book gives readers tools in a simple and welcoming yet thorough manner. “I Want This to Work” is a great book for couples who want to thrive in challenging moments and individuals yearning to form better relationships.

Best for: Tackling Relationship Challenges