Likeable

How I Broke Free From The Need To Please

De: Fearne Cotton

Brought to you by Penguin.

Do you worry about what other people think of you? Have you ever stopped to ask yourself why?

For too long, our value and self-worth has been tied to pleasing others. We've dimmed our true selves to fit in – no matter the cost. But there's always a cost. People-pleasing and staying likeable means suppressing our feelings, words, actions, and desires, and there's only so much we can conceal before it all unravels.

Throughout my life, I've morphed into who others needed me to be, taken on too much responsibility for other people's sh*t, put myself down, and stayed quiet – all in the hope of being liked. But no more. Now, I'm asking: What do I want? … And do I even like myself?

This book holds a light up to all the times I wish I'd broken free of the worry cycle, said goodbye to the 'good girl' attitude, and put happiness first. I wrote it so you can do the same. You can't please everyone. So let's stop trying.

Fearne x

© Fearne Cotton 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026