Top 8 Books on Setting Healthy Boundaries & Protecting Your Peace

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Hey sis, if you are having trouble with saying no, if you are feeling exhausted by the fact that you are always putting others before yourself, or if you are around people who do not care about your limits, it is time for a boundary glow up.

Setting boundaries is not about being unfriendly or unkind, it is about protecting your peace, it is about valuing yourself, and it is about having healthy and fulfilling relationships. But I get it, if you have been a people pleaser for years, then setting boundaries can be plain scary. That’s why I’ve gathered the top 8 books that will help you learn how to set, enforce, and keep strong, healthy boundaries without the guilt.

The Best Books to Learn How to Set Boundaries and Make People Respect You

1. Boundaries – Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

When to Say Yes, and How to Say No to Overarching Concept of Taking Control of Your Life

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This is the classic book on boundaries, and for good reason! Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend explain why we need boundaries in every area of life—relationships, work, family, and even spirituality. They give both biblical and psychological information on how to set limits without feeling bad about it. If you were raised to always say yes, even when it meant neglecting yourself, this book will be a game changer.

Best for: People who feel guilty when they say no.

2. Setting Boundaries That Stick – Juliane Taylor Shore

Why is it so hard to set boundaries sometimes, even if you know you should?

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This book will provide you with the science-based answers to that question. Shore discusses how your brain and nervous system respond when you set boundaries, and how you can rewire your brain to feel powerful, protected and self-assured. It’s ideal for those who get stuck in the anxiety, overthinking or fear of conflict when it comes to setting boundaries.

Best for: People who want to know how and why boundaries work the way they do.

3. The Empowered Empath – Judy Dyer

A Simple Guide on How to Manage Your Emotions, Set Boundaries and Make Life Easier

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This book is for highly sensitive people, empaths or people who are sensitive to the energy of others. In this book, Judy Dyer will show you how to tell an energy vampire, how to set boundaries without guilt, and how not to let other people’s energy run your life. It will be helpful for those who feel drained after spending time with certain friends, colleagues or even relatives.

Best for: Empaths and highly sensitive people who have problems with emotional boundaries.

4. The Joy of Saying No – Natalie Lue

A Guilt Free Way to Boundaries, Self Esteem and Learning to Speak Your Mind

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This audiobook is about eliminating the guilt that is often associated with setting limits and finally learning to enjoy saying no. In this book, Natalie Lue explains why people pleasing is a form of self abandonment and shares how to avoid explaining, apologizing and giving too much. If you have problems with toxic relationships, overcommitment, or the tendency to say yes when you want to in your job, this book will assist you.

Best for: People pleasers who require a confidence boost.

5. Set Boundaries, Find Peace – Nedra Glover Tawwab

A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself

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If you are looking for a simple and straightforward guide on how to set boundaries, then this is it! Therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab provides examples of how to set boundaries in relationships with friends, family, work, dating and parenting. It is one of the top books on the market that will help you learn how to express your boundaries without fear of retaliation.

Best for: Those who require concrete guidelines and samples of boundary settings.

6. The Highly Sensitive Person’s Guide to Dealing with Toxic People – Shahida Arabi

How to Get Your Power Back from Narcissists and Other Manipulators

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Not all people will respect your boundaries – there are those who will break them, and then there are the narcissists, manipulators, and emotional vampires. This book assists you in identifying the different types of toxic people, protecting your mental health, and building your emotional strength. If you have ever been gaslighted, taken advantage of, or manipulated, this book will help you identify the red flags and how to walk away without the guilt.

Best for: Anyone who is struggling with toxic relationships, narcissists, or manipulators.

7. Codependent No More – Melody Beattie

How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Taking Care of Yourself

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If you feel like you are responsible for the happiness of others, or if you always put other people’s needs before your own, this book is a call to action. Beattie’s best-selling book on codependency teaches you how to disconnect from people pleasing, change damaging relationship dynamics and look after number one. It is particularly useful if you grew up in a dysfunctional family or have been in toxic relationships in the past.

Best for: Anyone who is stuck in an abusive relationship.

8. Where to Draw the Line – Anne Katherine, M.A.

How to Establish Good Boundaries in Every Aspect of Life

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This book is about boundary setting on a day to day basis in different aspects of life; friendship, relationships, work and personal space. In this book, Anne Katherine gives examples of good and bad boundaries so that you can tell the two in your life. If you need tips on how to say no without feeling bad about it, this is a great book to read.

Best for: For those who require examples in real-life scenarios of setting boundaries.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Protect Your Peace

Sis, setting boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s self-care. The more you practice, the easier it gets. And trust me, once you start saying no to things that drain you, you’ll have more energy for the things that truly matter. Whether you need help with people-pleasing, toxic relationships, emotional exhaustion, or just feeling confident in saying no, one of these books will change your life.

Which book are you picking up first? Let me know in the comments!

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