Venus retrograde - positive effect?

I am very new to astrology and struggle to understand all the planets in houses etc etc. my basic understanding of Venus in retrograde is that people are likely to struggle with relationships, money, looks during this period and so no decisions should be made in these areas of your life until Venus goes direct. I'm just wondering if the Venus retrograde period can have any positive effects on relationships and if these can be predicted by what was happening in the shadow period? I.e if during the shadow period your relationship strengthened could the retrograde period have a positive effect on your relationship or will it still be a testing time regardless?

I just think it pulls the connection away a bit, that it makes people less understanding in regards of how love works etc.

Mine had a negative effect in the begining but a positive effect in the end