Books About BPD: Sadie’s Favorite – A Raw Story of Abuse & BPD Recovery

If you’re looking for books about BPD or characters with BPD, Sadie’s Favorite will be unlike anything you’ve ever read. Creator of BPD Beautiful, Sarah Rose’s new novel (+ original soundtrack) is a gripping and emotionally raw story that pulls readers deep into the psyche of a woman navigating the harrowing complexities of trauma, an abusive favorite person (FP) relationship and BPD recovery. Written with an unfiltered honesty that is both painful and cathartic, this book is a must-read for anyone who has experienced narcissistic abuse, struggles with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), abusive or toxic favorite person (FP) relationships or is seeking to understand the tangled web of love & trauma that often defines these relationships.

If you’re not familiar with Sadie’s Favorite yet, here is the synopsis: Sadie Williams – a former teen mom and frontwoman of an ambient post rock band called Midnight Musings, has a name that isn’t hers and three months until she’s completely broke. As a girl, she was pegged for a slacker and a drama queen. As a traumatized and love obsessed early 20’s something, she followed her heart at the expense of herself and everyone else. What awaited her was a seriously cool and disheartening adventure. It wasn’t long before she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

Now a failed freelancer (failed everything) in her 30’s, Sadie leaves it all behind: the comfort of familiarity and the life she betted on. Sabotaged by bad decisions that’s left her right where she started and haunted by abuse and her own diagnosis – Sadie makes a vow to break the cycle for her preteen son, Logan, and get her life back once and for all.

Sadie’s Favorite will be released on October 22. Learn more at sadiesfavorite.com.

A Deeply Personal and Honest Narrative

The novel follows Sadie, one of the most compelling BPD characters in contemporary fiction, as she struggles to break free from the emotional devastation of a toxic relationship. Unlike many books about BPD that feature characters with BPD traits in a one-dimensional or stigmatizing way, Sadie’s Favorite presents a nuanced, deeply introspective portrayal of a woman who is both self-aware and self-destructive.

Watch the Trailer for Sadie’s Favorite: A Novel by Sarah Rose, Creator of BPD Beautiful

Rather than painting Sadie as merely a victim, Rose portrays her as a fully realized, complex individual. Readers who have endured relationships with narcissistic partners will find themselves nodding along to Sadie’s inner dialogue—the rationalizations, the guilt, the desperate attempts to hold on to a love that only exists in fleeting moments.

What makes Sadie’s Favorite stand out is the way it authentically captures the emotional chaos of trauma bonding, the addiction to a toxic partner, and the slow process of self-reclamation. For readers who have been through narcissistic abuse, this book is not just a story—it’s a validation of the pain, confusion, and hope that comes with healing.

Why This BPD Book Resonates With Those Recovering from NPD Abuse

Survivors of narcissistic abuse often struggle to articulate their experiences, as emotional and psychological abuse can be difficult to quantify. Sadie’s Favorite provides an emotional roadmap for those who have felt gaslit, discarded, and left questioning their own reality.

Throughout the novel, Sadie wrestles with the cognitive dissonance that so often comes with being in love with someone who manipulates and devalues you. The idealization, devaluation, and discard cycle is depicted with haunting accuracy. The way Sadie internalizes the blame, believing that if she could only be “better,” “stronger,” or “less emotional,” she could finally be enough—these are the thoughts that keep survivors trapped in the cycle for years.

But Sadie’s Favorite doesn’t just highlight the pain; it also shows the process of unlearning, of realizing that real love should not require self-destruction. The novel offers hope for those still trapped in toxic relationships and serves as a deeply validating experience for those who have finally broken free.

A Groundbreaking Portrayal of a Character with BPD

Too often, characters with BPD traits are reduced to harmful stereotypes—portrayed as manipulative, unstable, or impossible to love. But Sadie’s Favorite provides a much-needed, realistic depiction of BPD without romanticizing or vilifying the condition.

Sadie’s struggles with emotional dysregulation, fear of abandonment, and identity confusion are presented with nuance, allowing readers to see both the challenges and strengths of living with BPD. Rather than being defined by her diagnosis, Sadie’s journey toward self-awareness and healing is inspiring, showing that people with BPD are not destined for self-destruction, but rather, with the right support and tools, they can reclaim their lives and build healthier relationships.

For those who treat or are impacted by BPD—therapists, loved ones, or individuals in recovery—Sadie’s Favorite provides an authentic look into the internal battle between self-loathing and the deep desire for love and acceptance. The book highlights the importance of therapy, self-work, and learning to distinguish between real love and trauma bonds.

A Soundtrack of Trauma and Healing

One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is its connection to music. Sadie’s Favorite isn’t just a book—it’s an experience that extends into sound, featuring a soundtrack that complements the story’s emotional depth. One particularly memorable addition is Letters From Home by Them vs. Her, a song that encapsulates a reclaiming of self and the breaking of generational cycles; told in the form of a letter from a mother to her child. 

Music is woven into Sadie’s story not just as a passion and a dream, but as a form of expression and survival. For many survivors of abuse and those with BPD, music becomes a way to process emotions too overwhelming for words alone. The inclusion of a soundtrack adds another layer to the novel’s emotional resonance, making it an immersive experience that will linger with readers long after they turn the last page.

It will be available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, etc.

Preview the Soundtrack for Sadie’s Favorite: A Novel by Sarah Rose, Creator of BPD Beautiful

Why You Should Read Sadie’s Favorite

This book is for:

• People with BPD who are in toxic or abusive favorite person (FP) relationships.
• Those who have been in relationships (romantic or otherwise) with narcissistic abusers and want to understand why, how and what to do next.
• Anyone with BPD who wants to see themselves represented in a realistic, compassionate way.
• Abuse survivors looking for validation and a reminder that healing is possible.
• Mental health professionals seeking insight into the lived experience of BPD and trauma bonding.
• Anyone who believes in the power of storytelling to create change and understanding.
• Anyone who enjoys narrative driven stories related to mental health or mental resilience.

Sarah Rose has crafted a story that is not just about heartbreak, but about transformation. It’s about breaking generational cycles of trauma, about learning to trust oneself again, and about discovering that the love you were searching for in someone else might just be the love you need to give yourself.

Books About BPD: Final Thoughts

Sadie’s Favorite is not an easy read, but it’s an important one. While it’s emotionally intense, and sometimes uncomfortable, it’s ultimately redemptive. The story doesn’t offer a neatly packaged happy ending or a new fairytale romance, because real-life healing is not linear. But it does offer hope—hope that no matter how deeply entangled we become in toxic love or abusive favorite person (FP) relationships, there is always a way out.

For those who have lived through the kind of love that destroys you, Sadie’s Favorite is more than just a novel. It’s a reckoning. It’s a mirror. And, most importantly, it’s a lifeline.

Sadie’s Favorite will be released on October 22. Learn more at sadiesfavorite.com.

BPD Resources

BPD Characters: Read the first 6 chapters of Sadie’s Favorite – an upcoming novel by Sarah Rose, creator of BPD Beautiful.

Get 20% off your first month of BetterHelp. Get matched with a licensed therapist within 48 hours. Subscriptions as low as $65/week, billed every 4 weeks. Cancel anytime.

Manage your BPD symptoms with a printable workbook.

See our recommended list of books about BPD.

Start a Discussion

Have you ever struggled to let go of a toxic love? What’s been the hardest part of healing? What kind of representation do you want to see in books about BPD? Tell us about it in the comments!