Menopause Wingman: The Emotional Handbook for Partners by Michelle A Hardwick

Editorial Review - Voices of Excellence

Author Michelle A Hardwick

5 Star Review

3rd Place Health & Wellness

Spring Edition 2026

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Michelle A. Hardwick’s Menopause Wingman: The Emotional Handbook for Partners addresses an important but frequently overlooked dimension of menopause: the experience of the partner who wants to help but may not know how. Rather than focusing exclusively on the physical symptoms of menopause, the book examines how this significant life transition can affect communication, intimacy, emotional connection, and the everyday dynamics of a relationship.

One of the book’s most compelling qualities is its decision to place the partner directly into the conversation. Hardwick recognizes that partners can experience uncertainty, frustration, fear, and even helplessness when they see someone they love going through substantial changes. Without adequate understanding, that uncertainty can sometimes manifest as withdrawal or silence. By giving partners practical language and strategies, the book reframes support as an active form of participation rather than simply standing on the sidelines.

Hardwick’s professional background as a therapist, combined with her personal experience navigating menopause within her own relationship, provides the book with a particularly useful perspective. The result is a guide that approaches the subject not simply as a medical transition but as a relational experience. This distinction is significant because menopause can intersect with many aspects of everyday life, including mood, communication, self-image, sexuality, energy, and emotional availability.

The book’s practical orientation is another notable strength. Rather than presenting information in an overly clinical or academic manner, Menopause Wingman aims to translate complex experiences into language and actions that partners can apply in real situations. Its emphasis on communication strategies, emotional awareness, intimacy, and mutual support makes the material relevant to couples who may be struggling to understand changes in their relationship but are unsure how to begin addressing them.

The accessible tone also works in the book’s favor. Menopause can be a difficult subject to discuss, particularly when conversations involve intimacy, changing emotions, or misunderstandings between partners. Hardwick incorporates honesty and occasional humor to make these topics less intimidating. This approach can help create a sense that difficult conversations do not have to be approached with perfection; they can instead begin with curiosity, empathy, and a willingness to learn.

An especially valuable aspect of the book is its recognition that support should not mean ignoring the partner’s own emotional experience. The idea of becoming a supportive “wingman” is presented as a two-way process in which both individuals can develop greater understanding and better communication. This encourages couples to view menopause not simply as something one partner experiences, but as a transition that can influence the relationship as a whole.

Structurally, the book’s eleven-chapter format provides an opportunity to move readers from foundational understanding toward practical application. Topics ranging from the biology of menopause to mood, intimacy, and communication allow the book to function as both an introductory resource and a reference that partners can return to when particular challenges arise.

From an editorial perspective, Menopause Wingman succeeds in identifying a clear and underserved audience. Many menopause resources understandably center the person experiencing the transition, while partners may be left trying to interpret changes without sufficient context. Hardwick fills that gap with a guide designed specifically to help partners become more informed, empathetic, and engaged.

Overall, Menopause Wingman is a thoughtful, practical, and relationship-centered resource. Its greatest contribution lies in encouraging partners to replace uncertainty with understanding and silence with communication. By combining professional experience, personal reflection, accessible education, and actionable strategies, Michelle A. Hardwick offers couples a framework for navigating a challenging transition with greater empathy and connection. The book ultimately presents menopause not only as a period of change, but as an opportunity for partners to learn, adapt, and strengthen the relationship they share.