Time of Grace Ministry has announced the release of Newlywed: A Christian Guide for Loving Year One, a new book by Pastor Mike Novotny designed to help couples build a strong foundation in the critical first year of marriage. The book, published by Straight Talk Books on May 26, 2026, addresses the daily realities that often strain newlyweds, including communication, intimacy, finances, household responsibilities, in-laws, conflict, faith, and shared expectations.
While many couples invest significant time and money in planning a wedding day, Newlywed shifts the focus to the ongoing work of building a healthy marriage. "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," says Novotny. The book offers honest guidance for loving each other with grace, humility, and purpose in everyday life, rather than idealizing marriage.
The release comes amid research highlighting both the value and hesitancy younger generations place on marriage. Data from Barna's The State of Today's Family Report shows that while 81 percent of Gen Z say they value marriage, this response is lower than every other generation surveyed. Additionally, a study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that negative communication patterns in the newlywed years predict steeper declines in marital satisfaction over time. These findings underscore the need for resources like Newlywed that help couples address real-life issues before frustration, silence, or resentment become patterns.
Novotny is promoting the book through 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. The book's message is especially timely for newly married couples, engaged couples, pastors, premarital counselors, and family members looking for a meaningful wedding gift.
Readers can learn more about the book and access interview links through the Newlywed resource page. The page also includes an option to download a free chapter and order the book. 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. He is available for interviews.
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. The ministry's relatable resources help people grow in faith, understand the Bible, and apply God's grace to everyday life.
For those interested in the academic research cited, the study on marital satisfaction can be found at https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00757.x. The book is available for purchase, and media assets, including cover art, author headshot, and interview clips, are available through the press kit.
