Worth: The New Science of Self-esteem and Secure-ish Attachment

by Marisa G. Franco

From the New York Times bestselling author of Platonic, a groundbreaking guide exploring the promise (and the limits) of secure attachment to help us feel better and boost our self-esteem.

What if what you thought you knew about secure attachment was wrong? Or even making you more insecure?

Dr. Marisa G. Franco is the New York Times bestselling friendship expert whose advice Glennon Doyle calls “wise, concrete, and effective”—Dr. Franco literally wrote the book on how to become a securely attached friend. But since then, she’s realized that connecting with others is only part of the equation—you also have to feel good about yourself, and self-esteem can be elusive.

As secure attachment has become a status symbol, many of us are labeling ourselves secure, while ignoring the parts of ourselves that aren’t. Ironically, this self-neglect makes us more insecure. Studies find that when we feel insecure, other things we think should raise our self-esteem in fact

Optimistic self-talk makes us feel worse, not better.Positive feedback on our work raises our blood pressure.Compliments make us uncomfortable.
Positive events, when they threaten the story of who we are, ironically, make us feel worse. The good we change the story we have our worth—self-esteem is a skill that can be learned—and you can get better at it, which in turn strengthens all your other relationships. In Worth, Dr. Franco mines promising new research at the intersection of psychology and neuroscience to show us why so many of us still struggle with self-esteem (even in this self-obsessed age), and how we can build a foundation of lasting self-worth that doesn’t rely on likes or followers. Through exercises, stories, and the cutting-edge science of memory reconsolidation, updating damaging memories to change the stories we tell ourselves, Dr. Franco shows how we can bring meaning, self-worth, and secure attachment back into our lives, from the inside out.

If you feel like you’ve read every book on healing, but you are still struggling, Worth will help you finally find the transformation you’ve been looking for.

Genres: Self Help, Psychology, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Self Esteem, Personal Development, Mental Health

336 pages, Hardcover

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall thoughtful book with some great insights about generating and maintaining self-worth. The main strengths of Worth, in my opinion: 1) Dr. Franco’s ability to translate peer-reviewed scientific research into understandable, practical, day-to-day insights and applications, 2) her brief yet targeted disclosures about her own life and how she herself uses some of the ideas in this book, and 3) her sense of humor (e.g., the line about lemon tartine made me smile). I liked how she critically questioned some of the standard advice about self-worth as well as how she explained dense topics such as memory reconsolidation with ease. Though I know this book is more in line with the self-help genre than memoir, I got a bit emotional (in a good way) when she wrote about the idea of the fluid self and how she told herself “whoever you are, I will love you”… an iconic life for those of us who may struggle with perfectionism and the perils of high achievement!

I give this book four stars instead of five because some of the structure didn’t work 100% for me, if I’m being entirely honest. In some of the middle and end chapters, it felt like Dr. Franco was taking a wide gamut of different psychological theories (e.g., internal family systems, psychedelics, emotional freedom technique) and then drawing those back to the idea of worth/being secure-ish. Which is fine, though the approach didn’t feel entirely cohesive or intellectually/emotionally groundbreaking to me. I also thought the book could have gone a bit harder in addressing how systems of oppression like racism, colorism, etc. and their internalized manifestations affect self-worth, though I recognize you can’t do everything in one book.

Full disclosure, I received an advance reader copy of this book. Also, Dr. Franco and I graduated from the same PhD program – we didn’t overlap (she graduated a year or a couple of years ahead of when I started my doctorate program) though we’ve talked very occasionally. She’s always been a kind and thoughtful person. So, I disclose all of that so those who read my Goodreads reviews know I keep them real. Also, as a side note, Dr. Franco dedicating this book to her therapist and then starting her acknowledgements section with kind words to her therapist… iconic behavior.

[Courtney Stearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot and Vibe Summary
In Worth, Dr. Marisa G. Franco bypasses generic "love yourself" platitudes to explore the science of self esteem. The book acts as a cognitive toolkit, unpacking how attachment theory and neuroscience shape our internal insecurities. The vibe is academic yet compassionate, feeling like an enlightening therapy session grounded in real data rather than superficial self help trends.

What Worked
Dismantling Toxic Positivity: Validating critique on how forced positive affirmations can actually backfire on insecure individuals.
Neuroscience Focus: Fascinating insights into memory reconsolidation and how to physically rewrite old, damaging subconscious narratives.
Practical Exercises: Actionable writing prompts that successfully bridge the gap between psychological theory and daily habit.

What May Not Work For Everyone
Dense Pacing: Heavy reliance on study data occasionally slows down the narrative momentum, requiring a more deliberate reading pace. Though I personally loved all the data provided as it really helps push the point through.

Final Thoughts
Worth is a vital blueprint for anyone exhausted by performative confidence culture. Dr. Franco moves the conversation away from superficial self care, offering sustainable psychological healing instead. It is an essential read for understanding how to fundamentally change your internal narrative.

Themes & Tropes
Internal Metamorphosis: Heavy focus on radical personal growth and healing from past emotional conditioning.
Science to Life Blueprint: Blending rigid academic data with intimate human frameworks.
The Skeptic’s Guide: Deconstructing mainstream self-help assumptions to offer counter-intuitive, real solutions.

Thanks to NetGalley for sending an ARC or advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Ro U]

This one is really good. Yay!

Franco's central claim floored me a little, that optimistic self-talk and compliments can genuinely backfire when your sense of worth is shaky, because they clash with the story you already believe about yourself. That reframe alone was worth the read. I'd never had language for why a compliment sometimes makes me squirm instead of feel good, and now I do.

The memory reconsolidation piece was the most fascinating part for me. The idea that you can actually update an old, damaging memory rather than just manage around it felt genuinely new, not just repackaged advice from every other book in this space. It gave me something concrete to try instead of just another mantra to repeat.

A few chapters lean hard into the science before circling back to the practical takeaway, and I found myself wanting to get to the exercises faster than the book let me, so those parts were a bit of a slog.

Overall this felt like a genuinely different angle on self-worth than what I've read before, less about boosting yourself up and more about understanding why the boosting wasn't working in the first place. I'd recommend it to anyone who feels like they've read every self-help book and still hasn't cracked it.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC.

[seher · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

3.5 /

what i liked

writing style: marisa franco is a powerful storyteller and distiller of psychological concepts. she does it all with charm, empathy, humor, and a singular conversational style.

pov: one of marisa’s greatest strengths is the manner in which she shares her perspectives. especially when it comes to naming finely tuned, meaningful nuance— where the simplest added detail or lens tilt brings about profound internal paradigm shifts. she did this again and again in ‘platonic’ and it’s present here as well.

her theory of worth: it’s likely that for many, this piece will be a life-changing paradigm shift. the insights that create the framework may seem obvious and deceptively simple. but bringing it all together into a coherent form that really hits and is validated in science is the magic. it’s the section i highlighted most.

why this wasn’t a 5 star for me like ‘platonic’ was

in a line: it didn’t seem to present brand new, groundbreaking science or a truly fresh reframing, so i felt a bit bait-and-switched by the subtitle.

her theory of worth: though i benefited from marisa’s articulations here, this wasn’t a new concept for me. i just happened to recently read a book from 2008 (almost 20 years old) called ‘loneliness: human nature and the need for social connection’ by john t. cacioppo. surprisingly, it presented loneliness not just as an emotional/situational state but a psychological and behavioral orientation. the framework was deeply reorienting for me. i bring it up because the descriptions and implications of that framework are ideologically very, very similar to marisa’s theory of worth. they feel significantly correlated to the point that for me as a layperson, they feel *almost* (but not completely) interchangeable. in the end, they hold indiscernible functional value for me. put another way, i already experienced the mic drop of a similar theory from john, so when marisa revealed hers, i was like, “oh. this is the new science?” i still highlighted many passages, though, because her distillations and articulations are always on point. cacioppo provides more nerdy and very fascinating detail for anyone curious. it was a surprisingly approachable report on his scientific studies.

the interventions in the second half: as someone who has been deep on a personal development journey for 15 years, i was familiar with most of them. they’ve all been around for awhile and again, are not new. relatedly, though the memory reconsolidation framework is interesting, it just felt like a new wrapper or reframing of existing concepts that have a similar functional value for me (i.e neuroplasticity). detailing the underlying mechanism behind something like EMDR that has been around for 40 years didn’t really do anything for me. for anyone who has who experienced it, the first thing you learn is that “you can change your brain’s relationship to your memories.” add to that that memory reconsolidation has been a topic in neuroscience for about 20 years already, the central intervention framework of the book doesn’t feel cutting-edge. but again, thanks to how she presents ideas, she did make me more curious about psychedelic interventions than i previously have been.

i promise i’m not trying to be a hater. i still love marisa. i just think the whole “new science” thing was a pretty big oversell for someone like me. but to be fair, probably like 3 people read cacioppo. so as i said, i think her theory of worth will be brand new and life changing for the more mainstream market she’ll hopefully reach. possibly same for the curated set of interventions she shared. EMDR is having a moment for lots of folks right now.

i received an advanced copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Laur · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I liked this! There was a lot of really good content in here and it was definitely interesting to hear some counterintuitive information on self worth/attachment (eg "knowing yourself" is actually not a great thing because it can be a sign of rigidity and thinking you can't change and that the things you don't like about yourself are permanent flaws, etc and that it's actually better to view yourself as someone that is subject to change).

I see how the concepts of self worth and attachment are related, but I almost feel like I wish this book was dedicated to one or the other? Like when we're talking about the knowing yourself thing, I think that makes more sense framed around your concept of yourself and now you view yourself, but she described that in terms of "secure" and not secure, which feels less relevant there?

I also think the exercises here are something that should be left to a therapy session, not something people are trying to do on their own. I know she includes a disclaimer that you shouldn't do this on your own if you have a mental illness, but if you aren't seeing a therapist and don't have a diagnosis, it would be easy for someone to start wading into their trauma without proper support or guidance and that could be really difficult and damaging. I see a lot of my own therapy sessions in the practices she recommends here, and I know that I spent those sessions sobbing and grateful for my therapist who could pull me back and help me stabilize at the end. And I wouldn't have identified myself as someone risky to do these things alone. Also the end emphasis on psychedelics with an aside that they're illegal in the US and to check if they've been decriminalized in your state just feels like ... why did we spend so much time on this thing that isn't going to be a valid option for most people anyway?

I loved platonic, and I was really excited to see she had another book out. And I did mostly like this one! I just had some more critiques of it as well

[Omkar Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: This is a review based on an advanced copy received from Author

Dr. Franco’s new book Worth takes an interesting approach with its subject matter, as the framework of it is built on the idea that one must go beyond simply labeling and categorizing oneself. Many psychology/self-help books tend to give out diagnoses in a way (what is your attachment style? or, are you a Type A or Type B personality?). Worth doesn’t seek to prescribe us as one thing or the other, and acknowledges how our emotional states can fluctuate.

Worth argues that, more important than acknowledging your pain points and anxieties, is actually *addressing* them, so that we can actually begin to heal and build true self-esteem. There is nuance to this concept of having self-esteem; Many may believe they have high self-esteem because they “feel good about themselves”, but engage in negative behaviors and repress their own negative emotions to the point of eventual turmoil. This is why it’s important to distinguish what true self-esteem looks like and how we can work to build this up to achieve a stronger, more positive sense of self.

Dr. Franco does draw from a plethora of academic studies and historical and cultural examples to reinforce the information provided in the book, but what I particularly like is that Worth provides different exercises for the reader to work through and approach the subject with a sense of groundedness and intentionality. There are a variety of approaches that tackle different psychological phenomena, but none seem like a “reach” or outside the realm of achieving the intended goal of working on one’s sense of self-esteem. For example, when it comes to addressing emotions associated with memories, this concept is addressed with full depth towards the type of memories - ones that feel like a fresh wound, ones that we’ve repressed but poke through our subconscious, ones that are layered and complex and require “verticality” in healing. Beyond memories, chapters also address the physical manifestations of our emotions, and how stigma and societal norms mentally affect our sense of self as well.

Of course, there is intentionality when addressing all these topics at hand, as the author is careful to note that there is a difference between working through these emotions and coming through each experience with insight, versus ruminating on them and impeding your potential to progress in your journey. Worth delicately balances an academic tone with vulnerability and sincerity on the author’s part. Dr. Franco walks the walk as well, providing direct examples and highly relatable situations from her own life and from the perspective of a diverse number of interviewees.

This book has some interesting subtext as well in terms of a socio-political argument, with mentions of how discrimination and stigma affect ones worth, and how true self-esteem allows one to make the right decisions even in the face of political derision. If I had to list a minor criticism, I would’ve loved to see more about this topic in general, and how one’s sense of worth is imperative in serving a larger societal purpose as well. But I understand this may be out of scope for the scope of what Dr. Franco wanted to hone in on.

Worth is honest with what it wishes to deliver and believes fully in its approach and exercises. Even if you were provided all the answers, the book can’t do the work for you! I would recommend this book with the understanding that the exercises, and reflecting upon these exercises upon completion, is essential to making progress and being on the way to becoming secureish. Great read!

[Jeremiah Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Future you will thank you for reading this book.

Marissa offers readers with Worth a metaphorical telescope: an evidence based tool to explore their own inner world and see over the horizon. While the reality of the physical world remains the same, by peering through the telescope lens one has the tools to see the people in the world clearer, to see farther and with better objectivity, to look backwards, to reframe, to sharpen and to question the current view we take on others and ourselves. Worth balances depth and scope, Marissa highlights a variety of examples of human experiences while also going in depth beneath the surface to help readers understand themselves better. In her courage and vulnerability to share her story, Marissa gives other people permission to do the same. Marissa possess the unique ability to dive deep into the world of the interviews, humanizing their journeys and in that humanity providing us the tools to be better humans.

Moving through Worth reminds me of listening to a masterfully composed album in a listening room. The songs are hits and as you move through the different chapters, you want to spend some time and sit with them as opposed to hurrying and rushing to get to the next one. The audiobook version is perfect for readers on the go who absorb information audibly and wish to reflect while doing another activity, going for a walk or cooking a meal. I recommend reading it while having a notes app open or by having a journal or pen nearby.

Marissa's writing shows a commitment to taking a researched, methodological, science-first approach to healing. Her style incorporates a unique blend of intellect, humor, charm, and thoughtfulness that leaps off the page balancing both evidence based research and captivating storytelling. Worth cuts out the noise of generic advice to offer helpful insights page after page backed with something new every time.

Having read Marissa’s two books Platonic and Worth, I can say Dr. Marissa Franco has done it again. I recommend reading Worth first, then dovetailing it with Platonic, her first book. Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends The reasoning for the order of operations is as follows: Worth gives one the basis to understanding, reframing and accepting the self. Platonic gives one the basis to expand outside of the self and understand others. It is worth purchasing a physical to take a pen or pencil to make notes and an audiobook version. If you are reading this and are anything like me, in the first three chapters alone, the number of quotable lines and gems you will be taking notes will be vast.

If finding a book is like finding a gem in a mine, this book is like walking into a jewelry store. The price charged for this book should be doubled. Readers can expect to receive more than they paid for and more value than they expected. Worth is refreshing in its style and voice as it one of the few non-fiction books I’ve read where it feels like the author is talking with you as opposed to talking at you. Moving through the book feels like one being led on a journey by the author through a garden filled with flowers, each plant offering us growth and deeper compassion for one’s self and those around us.

My recommendation is as follows: Buy seven copies, one for yourself and six to gift to your friends and family.

[Bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advanced reader copy provided by the Author

Wow - I didn’t quite expect a book on self-worth to be so heavy hitting. Shame on me since I read Franco’s first book Platonic and said that would help a lot of people. I echo that again - Worth is going to help a lot of people, and I really hope people take a chance on themselves to dig into this book. Franco keeps adding depth and nuance to her work, starting with friendships and giving them the attention they deserve with research-backed practices, and now turning to our relationships with our selves and how that impacts our relationships and our lives. Self-worth may sound like a somewhat indulgent topic to delve into, but Franco deftly demonstrates how worth underpins healthy relationships, empathy, accountability, and justice.

Franco’s premise is that worth is deeply interconnected with feeling and accepting our full range of human emotions, particularly the ones we find distressing. These emotions come with historic baggage that can be re-experienced and re-processed—memory reconsolidation. Much of this is interwoven with attachment theory, but encouraging us to go from performing secure attachment to feeling and experiencing it deeply—living it. And Franco deploys ideas like somatic-based practices and Internal Family Systems layer by layer to get us closer to living it. Franco takes us through memory reconsolidation with memories that vividly hurt us still, memories we can’t recall but our bodies do, memories from different parts of our selves, memories of stigma related to our identities, and letting our sense of self change and being present to that and the world.

The book is full of research findings, insights from beloved cultural theorists like bell hooks, and stories from Franco’s interviewees and her own life. Sometimes I wished for a little more of Franco’s own voice (because she’s funny and I appreciate her stories and analysis most)—but she’s a scientist so she is citing her work thoroughly and giving credit where it is due, which I can also appreciate. Also the ability to go through again slowly and follow rabbit holes of my own interests. She gives a lot of jumping off points into fascinating research and work on memory, bodies, and emotions. Our brains are such wild places.

I also love the exercises—they are thoughtful, intriguing, likely intense, but hey growth takes work. I’m especially looking forward to spending more time with Emotional Freedom Technique. I think a slow read, with people important to you, is really a powerful approach. I’ll be returning to Worth, doing the exercises, sharing with loved ones for the foreseeable future. If you yearn to feel vitality, fulfillment, and connection, I recommend checking out Worth as part of that journey.

[Bookish Emili Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth by Marisa G. Franco is a powerful and compassionate book that encourages readers to recognize their inherent value and develop a healthier relationship with themselves. Blending research, personal stories, and practical guidance, Franco offers a thoughtful exploration of self-worth that feels both insightful and deeply relatable.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its balance of science and empathy. Franco examines how our experiences, relationships, and thought patterns shape our sense of worth, while providing actionable strategies for overcoming self-doubt and building greater self-acceptance. Her writing is clear, engaging, and accessible, making complex psychological concepts easy to understand and apply.

What sets Worth apart is its emphasis on the idea that self-worth is not something that must be earned through achievement, perfection, or external validation. Franco challenges common misconceptions and encourages readers to develop a more stable and compassionate view of themselves. The book's insights are both reassuring and transformative, offering readers tools that can create lasting change.

The practical exercises and reflective questions throughout the book add depth to the reading experience, helping readers move beyond theory and put the concepts into practice. Franco's warmth and authenticity shine through on every page, making the guidance feel encouraging rather than prescriptive.

Overall, Worth is an exceptional book on self-esteem, belonging, and personal growth. Thoughtful, evidence-based, and genuinely inspiring, it provides valuable lessons that can benefit readers at any stage of life. A five-star read that leaves a lasting impact and serves as a reminder that our worth is inherent, not something we have to prove.

[Ri Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth has been such a transformative and healing read for me, and I know it’s a book I’ll continue to return to as I revisit the wisdom and practical tools it offers.

As someone who has been fairly skeptical of “self-help” and similar books in the past, I was especially impressed by how deeply personal, relatable, and accessible Worth felt. Reading the stories of how painful experiences can shape our sense of self-worth, alongside the research supporting these experiences, helped me develop more compassion for myself and feel less alone. It also helped me recognize the many harmful narratives I had been telling myself without even realizing it.

The book also opened my eyes to the ways the people in my life have their own struggles and wounds. It helped me better understand some of their actions toward me as reflections of their own pain and experiences, rather than automatically making them about myself.

Dr. Franco does an incredible job of humanizing our struggles with self-worth and security while also providing practical exercises to help us revisit and heal painful memories and the stories we’ve built around them. Worth gave me both a deeper understanding of myself and tangible tools for moving forward.

It’s a book I know I’ll be revisiting for a long time, and one I’ll be sharing with so many people in my life.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, it offers insights into people's inner psyche. What makes us feel worthy or unworthy is not always what you'd think, making more money, getting prestigious job titles do not necessarily make us feel more worthy, neither are achievements or relationships. It comes from our memories, early memories from when our brains were developing shape our sense of worth. People who experienced trauma in their developing years can "repair" these memories via memory reconsolidation exercises. For memories we can't remember there are (relatively) new treatments like EFT and IFS that experiments show actually work. There's even newer, still experimental treatments like using psychedelics that can help. Although me personally wouldn't feel safe trying it.
I like the explanation of our conscious self consisting of many parts, and how we can learn to accept all our parts, even the ones that caused us shame, because they are all trying to help you cope.
At the end, it's all about self-acceptance, paradoxically, we get a sense of worth when we stop trying to do things to get self-worth, if we learn to accept ourselves as we are, acting in alignment to our nature, that we gain acceptance. Denying our feelings, repressing our emotions, needs or wants lead to low self-worth.
I recommend it to anyone trying to understand themselves better.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Marisa G. Franco has a rare gift: she makes the science feel personal and the personal feel transformative. I read Platonic and have followed her work closely since, so I came to Worth already trusting her as a thinker. She didn't disappoint.

What sets this book apart from the crowded self-help shelf is her willingness to challenge the very tools we've been handed. The idea that positive affirmations and external validation can actually deepen insecurity isn't just counterintuitive. It's clinically important. As a therapist, I've watched clients do all the "right" things and still feel stuck. Franco names why.

The memory reconsolidation framework is where the book really shines. She takes a concept rooted in neuroscience and translates it into something you can actually feel and use. That's not easy to do, and she does it with warmth and rigor in equal measure.

This is the kind of book I'll be recommending to clients, colleagues, and honestly, anyone who has ever wondered why doing the work hasn't felt like enough. Worth offers a different entry point, one that starts from the inside out. Franco continues to be one of the most thoughtful and necessary voices in this space.

[M · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

pros: I really liked how Dr Franco broke down the scientific research (which are usually unavailable to non-academics) for the layperson. The science behind self-esteem was so interesting, I looked up the references just to read more about it. I admired the openness and vulnerability of the author and the people she interviewed about their struggles.

cons: I was concerned about some of the exercises at the end of the chapters. The author does give warning that these should be attempted with a therapist or friends, but I worry this assumes prior knowledge or access to care some readers may not have, and there's the risk of re-traumatizing or putting off professional help. For example, it would be helpful if it were described how EMDR works in the clinic vs EFT at home and the risks of performing these excercises on your own (which can be quite painful actually). Working with a good therapist makes a worlds difference.

While I did learn new things from the book, I was a little dissapointed by how not "new" the some were. Sometimes the author blends many topics at once and it feel disorganized and scattered, but it did pique my interest in researching more.

[Mary Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance reading copy.

Whenever I think there can't possibly be a whole book on this topic, or anything new to say, Marisa Franco proves me wrong. Here she explores our sense of solidity within ourselves and in relationships, using the word "worth" for a calm rooted way of being. "Worth is the term for security within, which translate to secure relationships," she writes.

Franco observes that everyone is talking about "secure attachment" these days, "Secure attachment has become a status symbol," she says wryly, noting that it's "easy to perform" and hard to live. "Finding worth requires us to see all sides of ourselves," while social media and our distracting devices make that easy to avoid. Franco explores how past hurts mark us for current relationships, and gives guidance on how to move beyond the past into a secure present.

Along the way, Franco generously shares her own failures and struggles as way-posts for us.

I found a lot of wisdom in this book, and plan to read it again.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grateful beyond words to Marisa G. Franco for her passion for healing that has spurned her to research voraciously and write so all-encompassingly, drawing on some of her most personal firsthand learnings along the way. This book met me right where I’m at in my own healing journey, and while the impact remains to be seen, I feel deeply imbued with hope for what’s next!

From Franco’s concluding chapter: “What we’ve gotten wrong is that healing was never about learning to regurgitate the same therapy-speak-ridden language, but rather learning to listen to our own internal language. It was never about disconnecting from others to take care of the self, but connecting to ourselves in order to connect, truly, with others. It was never about learning to say the “right” thing, but about learning to say the true thing. It was never about becoming perfect – secure, self-cared, therapy-fluent – but always about becoming real.” If any of this resonates with you, then this book might be an eye-opening help for you as well.

[Stephanie Shih · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Dr. Franco’s first book Platonic did for relationships with others, Worth does for the relationship with the self.

You should read or listen to Worth if you…

- seek to better understand (all the different parts of) yourself
- enjoy feeling like ‘huh, I never thought about it like that…’
- have ever wondered why you may cringe when you receive a compliment
- nerd out on research about the mind
- are curious whether knowing yourself may be overrated
- would like practical and thoughtful exercises to tune in to your worthiness
- want to feel like you’re in conversation with Dr. Franco (you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll question everything)

We can all benefit from what is taught in Worth - a book worthy of a read, a re-read, and a share with someone you love.

[Omural · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mari book review

Reading this book and working through the exercises at the end of each chapter was a life changing experience. As someone who has been skeptical of techniques like parts work and psychedelic-assisted therapy in the past, I really appreciated Dr. Franco’s ability to clearly and compellingly translate complex research, and I feel like this book helped me exponentially grow my toolkit for inner work.

My friends and I read through the book and worked through the exercises together, which really helped with understanding how to approach the different techniques and brought us closer together. I would highly recommend this book to anyone on their journey to feel more worthy and secure!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The subtitle of this book, calling in the “new science”, really threw me off as I didn’t find anything in here particularly new or unique. Great ideas of self worth and avoiding toxic positivity, packaged in a nice foundation, but really not anything that struck me as earth shattering or new. I picked up this book hoping to get a bit deeper of a dive into the ways attachment style can affect your life and I feel like I got a bit of that, wrapped up with a bit of a push for legalizing psychedelics. Definitely an interesting turn there at the end… overall well written but hard to get too wrapped up in.

[Andria · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Not much new to me here and acts like more of an index and synthesis of varying therapeutic methods than something new per se. Which is not to say that's not valuable; I think it is. This is a slim, readable volume that's easy to recommend. Because of this I think the print edition is stronger as the references are going to go the distance here. Each chapter serves as a jumping off point and some include exercises to try. Definitely a springboard to deeper practices found elsewhere. I guess I was hoping for just a bit more depth and/or cohesion? Compared to "Platonic" which did a stellar job in all these areas, "Worth" feels just a little less substantial when I think the topic had room for more. Maybe an editing issue rather than with Dr. Franco's work. Just let the woman cook...

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that everybody should read. It can benefit not only your personal strength in self, but also your relationships, your lifestyle, your work dealings, and your understanding of what truly matters to you in this one short life. Dr. Franco offers studies, data, human stories, and practical exercises to help you push through the bog of self-concept and external perception and understand the choices you truly have in life to show up FOR yourself and AS yourself everywhere you go. In the words of Dr. Franco, “the goal of the book isn’t to get to a place where you can say, ‘I am worthy’, [but ] to get to ‘I AM.’”

[Leigha McReynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth is the best of what popular psychology and self-help books can offer: well-researched, practical, accessible information about how to better understand yourself and live a good life. Franco's fluid, vulnerable writing style makes it feel like you're getting advice from a wise, empathetic friend or family-member. For those who want to know the whys and wherefores about how our brains and emotions work, the first half of the book gives a clear and detailed explanation of the psychological and biological concepts behind the book. The second half offers practical exercises you can use to improve your sense of worth and your relationships with others.

[Mikelann Scerbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read! "Worth" really helped me to consider parts of myself that are unattended and to approach difficult feelings with more compassion. This book is deeply rich, offering many different methods for healing and growth from within. Dr. Franco's narratives on how and why the methods work are compelling. I also appreciated the practicality of the exercises at the end of the chapters. No matter which methods you choose on your "Worth" journey, the exercises make the first steps very approachable.

[Amber Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written with wit and deep personal insight, Worth challenged me in ways I needed. Through anecdotes, scientific insights, and practical exercises, Dr. Franco tenderly upended my people-pleasing notions of what it meant to be a "good person." Instead, she invited me to be a more fully realized version of myself—warts and all.

Would highly recommend reading if you're interested in more easily digestible scientific literature on psychology and neuroscience, non-fiction with a personal storytelling scaffold, and/or if you respond well to guided exercises.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice book about self-esteem, attachment and of course worth. It is a bit different to others I have read on the topic as it avoids being overly positive and overly prescriptive. It’s heavily based in science and case studies but it’s very interesting. It’s less of a how to and more of a why haven’t you got it. Definitely worth a read (see what I did there 😀). Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely like this a lot better than her last book Platonic. The second half ie the how to was more helpful but a bit surface level. Some exercises but real therapy required. Talked about IFS. A lot about memories consolidation and reprocessing and a bit about stigma and psychedelics.

Author purports working on ourselves and our self esteem and becoming more secure will help society at large.

[Leah McKellop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth feels like a more personal and deeper reaching follow up to Platonic, both for the author and the reader. At times it feels uncomfortable, in the way all great introspective books do and leads to slightly more internal explorations than its predecessor. If Platonic captured your mind, this is perhaps the more fundamental “why” behind all of it.

[Rahel Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Worth by Marisa G Franco, particularly the focus on neuroscience mixed with humor/storytelling. I also liked the writing prompts, as it helped the book feel more engaging and gave me practical tools to apply.

I'm a therapist and can definetly see myself introducing these concepts in sessions, and using certain writing prompts with clients.

[Rathi Vinod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book wholeheartedly — it has real healing power.

What struck me most is how Dr. Franco approaches attachment theory, not with the oversimplified frameworks we're used to seeing, but with real nuance and originality. There's a level of self-compassion woven through this book that speaks to something universally human, and I think readers are going to feel deeply seen by it.

[syl · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

so much relatable content in this, I felt inspired, empowered and motivated to give myself grace and look at things differently. a little on the scientific side, and the audiobook version made the exercises hard to complete, but definitely worth a listen/read.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far I’ve read the book once and listened to it once and I am still working on implanting it in my brain. Nine pages of notes in Google Docs are helping me to use the suggestions and be patient with myself.