Best Friends Forever: Surviving a Breakup with Your Best Friend

by Irene S. Levine

Overview

For the first time, a guide for women recovering from a breakup with their best friend-an indispensable addition to every woman's library

Men, jobs, children, personal crises, irreconcilable social gaps-these are just a few of the strange and confusing reasons that may cause a female friendship to end. No matter what the circumstances, the breakup of a female friendship leaves a woman devastated and asking herself difficult questions. Was someone to blame? Is the friendship worth fighting for? How can I prevent this from ever happening again?

Psychologist Irene S. Levine, Ph.D., offers this groundbreaking and heroically honest book for abandoned friends seeking solace. Perfect for women of all ages and from all walks of life, Best Friends Forever covers:

Why friendships fall apart Coping with getting dumped How to end a friendship that can't be fixed Moving forward after a traumatizing breakup

Dr. Levine draws from years of research and the personal testimonials of thousands of women to provide anecdotes and solutions to these complicated situations. Full of tools for personal assessment, case stories, and actionable advice for saving, ending, or re-evaluating a relationship, Best Friends Forever is an indispensable addition to every woman's library.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781590200407
Publisher:	Abrams Press
Publication date:	09/01/2009
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	564,203
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.00(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Irene S. Levine, Ph.D., is a journalist, practicing psychologist, and professor at New York University Medical School. She writes frequently for such publications as The New York Times, Health, Ladies’ Home Journal, Reader’s Digest, Self, The Huffington Post, and Better Homes and Gardens.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This book explores ways women can deal with painful break-up with someone they had hoped would be their "Best Friend Forever." Written by psychologist Irene S. Levine, Ph.D., it is the first self-help guide to consider the complexity and challenges of female friendships, including Why friendships fall apart; How to get over getting dumped; Spotting a Toxic Friendship; How to end a friendship that can't be fixed; Moving forward with new friends."—Funtravels.com

Andrea Lavinthal

"Finally, a book that helps you get through the other type of breakup."--(Andrea Lavinthal and Jessica Rozler, authors of Friend or Frenemy?)

Jeffrey Zaslow

"For anyone who has ever had a friend, but especially for those who've ended close relationships, Irene Levine has written a beautiful guide to recovery and healing. It's a book filled with honest reflections and heartfelt advice."--(Jeffrey Zaslow, New York Times bestselling author of The Girls from Ames and co-author of The Last Lecture)

Editorial Reviews

"This book explores ways women can deal with painful break-up with someone they had hoped would be their "Best Friend Forever." Written by psychologist Irene S. Levine, Ph.D., it is the first self-help guide to consider the complexity and challenges of female friendships, including Why friendships fall apart; How to get over getting dumped; Spotting a Toxic Friendship; How to end a friendship that can't be fixed; Moving forward with new friends."—Funtravels.com

From the Publisher

Levine's first book is a formidable resource for negotiating the ending of women's friendships. The author, a journalist, psychologist and professor at NYU Medical School, affirms that the grief of ending a close friendship can be as potent as that of a dying romantic relationship. But the former rarely garners the same social support as a divorce or romantic breakup. Levine cites studies indicating that women's friendships are more intense than men's, nurtured through shared intimacy and reciprocity. But friendships are not static, she explains—over time, they can wax and wane and end. Levine's seven stages of grief are loosely reminiscent of the Kübler-Ross grief model, but include new elements: “Self Blame,” “Embarrassment and Shame” and “Relief. “Full of hints for being a consistently thoughtful friend, for resuscitating your closest friendship or knowing when to end it, this book is part etiquette guide, part grief manual. Whether your friendship sputtered because of physical distance or your best friend slept with your boyfriend, Levine deftly assures us that although the pain can be strong, the sorrow will pass. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Gender studies expert Barash (Tripping the Prom Queen) explores ten types of female friendships and shows how women get in and out of unhealthy relationships. Most readers will recognize the Leader of the Pack, the Misery Lover, and the Doormat and will be able to see the plusses and minuses of staying in the relationship.

Library Journal