Ditching Mr. Wrong: How to End a Bad Relationship and Find Mr. Right

Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (3/09) There are two things that stood out right away when I first picked up "Ditching Mr. Wrong;" the first being that the author, Nicholas Aretakis, is male, and the second being that he holds two degrees: one in mathematics and the other in electrical engineering. I found this to be quite a non-typical background for an author who wrote a book aiding women in ending dead-end relationships. Perhaps Aretakis's gender and previous training allow him to provide a fresh perspective on the topic. "Ditching Mr. Wrong" begins by stating that women are on a timetable to find a man, especially if they want to have children. It takes years to find a suitable mate and to establish a healthy relationship. The more time that one wastes on men that aren't worth it, the less time there is to find the right man. Aretakis provides the reader with a number of different checklists and quizzes in order to help you determine whether or not the man you are dating is a keeper. One example from Part One is where he lists what he calls "The First Date Bill of Rights." He provides certain questions for you to ponder as to whether your date lives up to certain attributes. For example, to gauge politeness you should ask yourself, "Did he show good manners?" and to judge how accommodating he is, you are to answer the question, "Did he suggest and book a suitable place to meet?" (p. 26) The bulk of the book provides profiles of twenty different male personalities and then provides advice as to whether or not you should pursue a relationship with each individual type. I found this section to be very interesting and feel that it contains a lot of useful information. I believe that I can accurately place someone that I know into each and every one of the twenty categories. I really believe that "Ditching Mr. Wrong" would be a beneficial read to anyone who is having difficulty in finding "Mr. Right." Aretakis's book is fun to read, and the advice given is sound. The information is presented in a clear, straightforward manner, and I think that all single women out there will find very helpful in aiding their relationship decisions.

This is a great book, honest and to the point. I am married but decided to read this book because I have a friend who is constantly dating Mr. Wrong's!! I convinced her to read this book and she finally gets it! It is great to have a man's point of view and I am happy to say, my girlfriend is taking her time and not dating men just to date them and is now is in search of Mr. Right!!!

This book is a guide to finding the companion you deserve. The author classifies all the Mr. Wrongs into 20 profiles. Unfortunately, I was able to throw a couple guys from my past into each category. The author nails each profile - it's eerie how many similarities you will find between the profiles and your boyfriends (hopefully ex's). It is easy to see the warning signs when looking back on a relationship, but this book helps you to recognize the red flags or any current or future relationship. This book is a must-read for EVERY woman - whether you are single, in a relationship, or married. I only wish I had this book years ago.

Thank you Mr. Aretakis for giving me the tools to recognize that my old relationship was COMPLETELY not working for me. You hit me over the head, and I needed that! The really good news is that after breaking up with my boyfriend, I went out on many "first dates" (at least 10) but learned from your book that there was no good reason for a second one with ANY of them. I did finally meet a guy that I have been with for several months now and he DID pass the Dating (Litmus) Test! If you are seriously looking for Mr. Right, read this book and pass it along to your single friends. Take the quiz and answer HONESTLY. It works!

The book is based on interviews with singles, so it is interesting and fun to read. The Hot Prospect Background Check is a quick guide for deciding if a new man is worth pursuing. The Dating Test will allow you to score your relationship and decide if it is time to move on. If it is best to cut loose, the book will help you empower yourself to end a relationship that is going nowhere. By the way, the solutions are dignified. When you are ready, the book offers tips on getting back into the dating game.