Admit it--sometimes we just don't get where our better half is coming from. Are 23 pairs of black heels-each varying in heel height, number of straps, and degrees of self-inflicted foot pain--really necessary? Does a GBP1,000 Bose stereo system qualify as a "home improvement"? Inside I Love You Even Though . . ., co-authors Rebecca Murray Schuler and Christine Wiesedeppe-Regan offer nearly 50 sarcastic insights on romantic rapport paired with charming, edgy line-drawn illustrations.

Perfectly timed for Valentines Day gift-giving, guys and gals will find that all the important relationship topics are covered: lawn mowing, her propensity to collect shoes in varying hues of black, and his ability to quote entire scenes from The Godfatherbut always forget three items on the grocery list.

Sample entries include: I love you even though . . .

* You can effortlessly organize a fantasy football draft involving twelve guys, six cases of beer, eight pizzas, and five orders of Buffalo wings, but forget to make dinner reservations for our anniversary.

* You think showing me spreadsheets with accompanying pie charts of my salon and shoe expenditures qualifies as "bonding."

* You think camouflage is a colour.

* You sometimes don't get me and I sometimes don't get you.