Reviewer

Joanne "Jo" Mercer

Divorce mediator (retired) · 4,000+ couples · 25 years, 3 states

Jo mediated family-law disputes in Texas, California, and New Mexico for 25 years before retiring in 2024. She sat across the table from more than four thousand couples in varying states of dissolution and can identify the paragraph in a relationship book where the author stopped writing for the reader and started writing for the sale. Since 2024 she has read more than 60 relationship, dating, and ex-back programs in full — not skimming — to write the reviews on this site. She flags every subscription auto-enroll, every upsell sequence, and every moment when "empowerment" language slides into teaching one person to manage another without their knowledge. She is not a therapist and will tell you plainly when a situation calls for one rather than a $47 PDF. She reads "get him back" products with the eye she used to read a custody filing: looking for the clause that would harm someone.

How Joanne reviews

I read every program I review from start to finish before writing a word of the verdict. I run each product through what I call the custody-filing screen: if any paragraph would concern me in a mediation context — because it normalizes control, dismisses stated limits, or teaches one person to manage another's emotions covertly — I say so plainly in the review. I flag subscription auto-enrolls and upsell sequences before the verdict, not buried in a footnote. When a situation is beyond what a program can address I say so and link to a real resource. I do not score a product higher because the affiliate commission is higher.

68 reviews on the desk

Reviews by Joanne

300 Creative Dates HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

300 Creative Dates

Budget couples who want a quick-reference list of low-cost date ideas

$18 9.2
His Secret Obsession HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

His Secret Obsession

Women in a long-term relationship that has gone quiet, who want a clear picture of what's happening before they decide what to do

$47 9.2
Popping The Question HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

Popping The Question

People who want to propose but feel stuck on an original idea

$8 9.2
1000 Questions For Couples HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

1000 Questions For Couples

Newer couples who want a low-pressure way to learn about each other beyond surface chat

$19 9.0
500 Intimate Questions for Couples HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

500 Intimate Questions for Couples

Long-term couples who want a structured, low-pressure way to reconnect

$58 9.0
That's Not How Men Work HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

That's Not How Men Work

Women who want a structured, empathetic framework for understanding male communication

$33 9.0
The Ex Factor 2.0 HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

The Ex Factor 2.0

People recently broken up who want a clear plan to avoid common mistakes

$34 9.0
Blow by Blow HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

Blow by Blow

Couples in a healthy, communicative relationship who want new techniques in order

$20 8.9
Jack's BJ Lessons HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

Jack's BJ Lessons

Adults in a healthy, communicative relationship who want to learn new skills

$38 8.9
The Virtuoso Lover HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

The Virtuoso Lover

Men who learn best by reading and want one complete guide in order

$45 8.9
VQ: Vocal Intelligence HIGHLY RATED
Public Speaking

VQ: Vocal Intelligence

Beginners who want a structured voice program with short, ordered daily drills

8.9
LASO Hypnosis HIGHLY RATED
Stress Management

LASO Hypnosis

People who found meditation apps too effortful and want a passive, just-listen option

8.8
Rewind Your Romance HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

Rewind Your Romance

Women who want a structured, all-in-one workbook with the exercises laid out in order.

$30 8.8
Save The Marriage System HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

Save The Marriage System

Couples where both partners want to work but keep having the same fight

$25 8.8
Stroke by Stroke HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

Stroke by Stroke

Beginners who want techniques in order without searching the internet

$25 8.8
Beat The Breakup HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

Beat The Breakup

People new to breakup recovery who want a structured, video-led plan

$27 8.7
Grandma's Subtle Secrets HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

Grandma's Subtle Secrets

Women in a stable relationship who want a structured refresher on communication and attraction

$38 8.7
Language of Desire HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

Language of Desire

Women in stable, respectful relationships who want structured words for sexual desire.

$42 8.7
Make Him Worship You HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

Make Him Worship You

Women in stable relationships who want a clear way to improve communication

$40 8.7
Master Your OCD From Home HIGHLY RATED
Stress Management

Master Your OCD From Home

People with mild to moderate OCD who want a structured, self-paced intro to CBT and ERP

8.7
Mend The Marriage HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

Mend The Marriage

Couples who are both still invested but stuck in a communication rut and want a structured way to talk

$26 8.7
Pleasure Principle HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

Pleasure Principle

Women in stable, long-term relationships who want a structured way to try new communication approaches

$22 8.7
Relationship Rewrite HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

Relationship Rewrite

Women thinking about reaching out to an ex who want a structured plan first

$44 8.7
Respark The Romance HIGHLY RATED
Marriage & Relationships

Respark The Romance

Couples who feel a little distant and want a structured, low-pressure way to reconnect over a month

$32 8.7