"Wise, timely, and truthful . . . There are as many ways of living together as there are people, and it's great that there's at last a book reflecting that with such humour and insight." -- Deborah Moggach, author, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" and "Tulip Fever" You hear many reasons why marriages and long-term relationships break up, but there's one that's seldom acknowledged: Many committed couples would get along better if only they weren't roommates. But what can they do? They have to share a home, don't they? What if they chose to defy expectations -- their own and everyone else's? What if they decided to live in separate apartments or houses, nearby or even side-by-side? Wouldn't they avoid many tensions that typically drag couples down? Wouldn't they gain richer and happier times together? Anne L. Watson and her partner have lived this kind of life successfully for nearly two decades. In this groundbreaking book, she draws on personal experience to reveal the benefits of such an arrangement and tell how you might make it work for yourself. In the end, Anne helps you understand that not all couples need a common residence to live happily ever after. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Anne L. Watson is the author of a variety of works, including literary novels, soapmaking manuals, and a cookie cookbook. She is also retired from a long and honored career as a historic preservation architecture consultant. Anne "lives apart together" with her husband, fellow author, and publisher, Aaron Shepard, in Friday Harbor, Washington. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// CONTENTS The Vow How We Got Here Living Room -- Decorating and Entertaining Kitchen and Dining Room -- Cooking and Eating Bedroom -- Sleeping and Sex Bathroom Housekeeping Money Kids and Elders Pets Expectations Compromise and Cooperation Dominance and Deference Time Alone Time Together The Choice Frequently Asked Questions ///////////////////////////////////////////////// BISAC SUBJECTS FAM029000 FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Love & Romance SOC026010 SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / Marriage & Family FAM030000 FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Marriage & Long Term Relationships FAM015000 FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Divorce & Separation FAM051000 FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Dating FAM013000 FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Conflict Resolution FAM006000 FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Alternative Family