New Book 'Newlywed' Helps Couples Navigate Critical First Year of Marriage

Time of Grace Ministry has released Newlywed: A Christian Guide for Loving Year One, a book by Pastor Mike Novotny that helps couples build a strong foundation in the first year of marriage. The book arrives as data from Barna’s The State of Today’s Family Report shows that while 81 percent of Gen Z say they value marriage, that response is lower than every other generation Barna surveyed, indicating a cultural hesitation about marriage’s importance. Pastor Novotny addresses this directly: “Marriage is one of God’s best earthly gifts. It shows up on the first pages of the Bible in the Garden of Eden. So don’t let the culture tell you that it’s some lesser thing when it deserves to be a priority.”

Couples often spend more than a year planning a single day, but Newlywed focuses on the daily conversations, expectations, and spiritual habits that help couples grow after the ceremony. The book covers communication, intimacy, finances, household responsibilities, in-laws, conflict, faith, and shared expectations. Rather than idealizing marriage, it offers honest guidance for loving each other with grace, humility, and purpose. This approach is supported by a study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, which found that negative communication patterns in the newlywed years predict steeper declines in marital satisfaction over time. By addressing these patterns early, Newlywed aims to prevent frustration, silence, or resentment from becoming ingrained.

The book’s message is especially timely for newly married couples, engaged couples, pastors, premarital counselors, and family members seeking a meaningful wedding gift. Novotny is discussing the book on national radio and podcast programs, including Chris Fabry Live, The Reconnect with Carmen LaBerge, The Bill Arnold Show, Faith in Culture Podcast from CBN News, American Sunrise from Real America’s Voice, GoodLife, and Author’s Corner. Readers can learn more through the Newlywed resource page, which offers a free chapter download and ordering options.

Pastor Mike Novotny serves as lead speaker for Time of Grace and is also a pastor at The CORE in Appleton, Wisconsin. He has served in full-time ministry since 2007 and has written multiple books addressing faith, suffering, relationships, and difficult questions Christians often need help discussing. Time of Grace is a digital ministry based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its weekly television program, radio shows, social channels, emailed devotions, and print publications reach people nearly six million times per month in multiple languages, helping people grow in faith and apply God’s grace to everyday life.

Newlywed: A Christian Guide for Loving Year One is published by Straight Talk Books, with a publication date of May 26, 2026. The 176-page book (ISBN: 1965694500) is available now. For more information, visit the Time of Grace website.