Author Maria Waweru has released a book called 'Marriage is a Scam', which she wrote to shed light on everything about marriage.

In an exclusive interview with Mpasho.Co.ke, Maria said when people get married, no one tells them the truth. 

It's either they go face the challenges or try and persevere or be happy.

She researched marriages, ranging from one-year to 50-year-old marriages.

"We have romanticized marriage so much. I did my research about the most common problems and put that on a man's and woman's perspective," she said.

Those who are walking into marriage will know what they are walking into. Those who want to quit so fast will know how they can handle it before they quit."

The mother of two has been married for five years and got advice from family members about marriage. She says if she had gotten an honest book like hers, the first years of her marriage wouldn't be difficult.

"In some marriages, you get a positive reaction, while others get a negative reaction. Others decide to fake happiness for the rest of their lives because of what they were told when they were going in."

She advised that before getting into marriage, you need to love yourself at a personal level to know what you can tolerate, what you can live with, and what you can't live with.

"Just know that whoever you are dating is not the person you are getting married to, those are two different people," she said.

Maria says one should keep in mind that you can only learn a person's character while in the marriage.

"If you are willing to stay with this person, just know that you are going to be learning the person in the marriage and not before. Before marriage, there is nothing you will know, even if you date for 10 years." 

So, what is marriage?

"The real thing is what you are going to find when you walk into it. Ask yourself whether you are ready and decide."

Maria said her husband is her biggest cheerleader. "He loves the book."

She concluded by asking people to be fulfilled and not to pour from an empty cup.