Read this when
Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love
It was never about the dishes. It was always "are you there for me?" 🤍
Who it's for
When someone feels panicky about a partner's distance, they often get labelled the "nag" or the "demanding one." Johnson reframes that protest as a call for connection: when the bond feels uncertain, people either pursue or shut down.
Feelings it meets
What it is
Sue Johnson brings Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to a general audience, describing love through an attachment lens. The book names the negative cycles couples get stuck in (the "Demon Dialogues") and guides partners through seven conversations meant to rebuild emotional safety and connection.
Where to find it
Widely available in paperback, ebook and audiobook from major booksellers and libraries. A companion workbook and an official couples programme based on the book also exist.
Before you start
Heads up: Discussion of infidelity and conflict.
Age: Adult
There are those among you who seek the talkative through fear of being alone.Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet, “On Talking”
