Platonic Audiobook By Marisa G. Franco PhD cover art

Platonic

How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends

Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

Platonic

By: Marisa G. Franco PhD
Narrated by: Marisa G. Franco PhD
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $18.00

Buy for $18.00

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

Instant New York Times bestseller

Is understanding the science of attachment the key to building lasting friendships and finding “your people” in an ever-more-fragmented world?

How do we make and keep friends in an era of distraction, burnout, and chaos, especially in a society that often prizes romantic love at the expense of other relationships? In Platonic, Dr. Marisa G. Franco unpacks the latest, often counterintuitive findings about the bonds between us—for example, why your friends aren’t texting you back (it’s not because they hate you!), and the myth of “friendships happening organically” (making friends, like cultivating any relationship, requires effort!). As Dr. Franco explains, to make and keep friends you must understand your attachment style—secure, anxious, or avoidant: it is the key to unlocking what’s working (and what’s failing) in your friendships.

Making new friends, and deepening longstanding relationships, is possible at any age—in fact, it’s essential. The good news: there are specific, research-based ways to improve the number and quality of your connections using the insights of attachment theory and the latest scientific research on friendship. Platonic provides a clear and actionable blueprint for forging strong, lasting connections with others—and for becoming our happiest, most fulfilled selves in the process.

©2022 Marisa G. Franco (P)2022 Penguin Audio
Friendship Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Inspiring
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro805_stickypopup

Critic reviews

"Dr. Marisa G. Franco and Platonic have been invaluable guides on my journey to nurture and deepen my friendships. Her advice is wise, concrete, and effective—and my friendships are better for it.”—Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed, Founder of Together Rising

“Dr. Franco’s book ‘Platonic’ is an ode to modern friendship, complete with a practical guide to making and keeping friends. It reminds us of the importance of platonic love in today’s society—bucking the notion that romantic love trumps everything else in our lives…the depth of research Ms. Franco weaves into the book sheds light onto an aspect of our world that—like an old and trusted pal—it may be too easy to take for granted.”—Wall Street Journal

"A remarkable examination of the epidemic of loneliness and sound advice for alleviating it...A pleasing mix of research, advice, and humor, this book is a useful tonic to a key social ailment."—Kirkus Reviews (starred)

Featured Article: Best of the Year—The 12 Best Nonfiction Listens of 2022


In another year of portentous headlines and global concerns, nonfiction writers responded with bold ideas for change at every level, from the intimate and individual to the interspecies and universal. In their own impassioned voices or supported by top-notch performers, these diverse creators awed us with timely takes on everything from science and technology to life, death, and the human butt. Their titles took a backseat to no one in 2022.

Well-researched Content • Practical Friendship Advice • Passionate Narration • Engaging Personal Stories • Warm Voice
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
This was such a great book tackling a really difficult topic for most adults. I found so many helpful tips and realized some unconscious mistakes I was making while trying to grow my friend group as an adult. Very grateful for the insight.

Really helpful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Thank you for your views on friendship! This has helped me not only with my relationship and friendships but my connection with myself. I will practice being a good friend to myself and others daily because of this book. I’ll be going to get an actual copy of this book for my personal library!

A better person 💕✨

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Great in so many ways! Definitely multi-genre. This book shines a light on so many unspoken and ignored topics. A good spark for meaningful conversations

Great Read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This book includes research and addresses current cultural issues as well as historical information. Must read!

Really great book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This book was eye opening and transformative. I wholeheartedly appreciate this work. It will change my life positively.

If keeping or finding friends has been a challenge get this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

My husband and I learned so much from this book. The many takeaways have taught us the need for maintenance of all our friendships. Friendships are life sustaining and life fulfilling! Donna and Michael

Life sustaining and life fulfilling

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

As a person who sees life through a logical lens I finally understand and have a roadmap for relating to others who have a different approach to life

I understand

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I really enjoyed this. Author narrated, and her voice is very soothing. I found this book really helpful, and it is really human. It gives me hope for humanity and makes me want to go get some more friends!

Lovely, helpful and practical

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I am a fan of Dr. Franco and have been excited for this book. It did not disappoint. I appreciated her candor, stories and research. I would recommend to anyone who has an interest I the dynamics of not only friendships but all relationships.

Helpful Analysis of Friendships

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I enjoyed the friendship examples and the recommendations for maintaining friendships. We often take the simple things for granted. This book reminded me of how important friendships are to one's livelihood and well-being.

Friendship Forming Tips

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews