I really dont think theres a guide book, but I would recommend finding someone who treats you nice and genuinely cares about you first. And if it blossoms into love, then there you go :)
In my experience good friendships can also make that in-between period all the more bearable, or even feel nonexistent. If you have good friends who treat you right, then you can even get that feeling of love and care from them. Focus on yourself before trying to get a partner, yknow?

Other than that I dont really know, sorry