Safe, Wanted, and Loved

A Family Memoir of Mental Illness, Heartbreak, and Hope

By: Patrick Dylan

Narrated by: Raúl E. Esparza

“Pat, we need to kill the dog.” A chill ran down Patrick Dylan’s spine as his wife spoke—psychosis had found their family again.

When a sudden mental illness struck his wife, Patrick Dylan found himself living with an eerie stranger. Scared and unprepared, he began a desperate battle to protect her from a mysterious disease, shelter their children from her bizarre behavior, and recover the woman he loved.

For years, Patrick and Mia Dylan enjoyed an intimate marriage that exemplified partnership. They worked together to create a loving home for their two children, enjoyed a close relationship with their extended family, and offered mutual support during hard times. But on the morning of Mia’s 39th birthday, everything changed.

Within weeks, she had been admitted to the emergency room, the hospital, and the local crisis facility, but none of the experts could provide an answer. As her illness eluded diagnosis, the family’s struggle was only beginning. A brave memoir in the tradition of Brain on Fire, Dylan’s Safe, Wanted, and Loved is a compassionate, honest, and gripping account of a family navigating mental illness.

©2021 Patrick Dylan (P)2022 Patrick Dylan

Heartbreakingly Real

Safe, Wanted, and Loved is a heartbreaking recounting of a family's battle with mental illness. Told in first person, the author grabs your attention immediately and doesn't let go.
It is narrated by the phenomenal Raúl Esparza, who captures the essence of each character in this emotionally charged story.
I would highly recommend you give it a listen.

Excellent!

What an amazing story! Very well written and read. I've never been around anyone who has experienced this type of illness but it sure opened my eyes and heart to those that suffer through this, along with the families involved. Awesome listen.

brutal honesty about the author experience

I felt the story, each emotion was so detailed and truthful. the narrator kept me mesmerized. highly recommend for others to read.

Beautiful and Poignant

This book made me ugly cry more times than I could count. Anyone who has loved someone with a mental illness will immediately recognize the fear, the grief, and the uncertainty described by the author. Raúl Esparza is so good here, it’s impossible to tell if the emotion he conveys is real or just part of the performance. Regardless, the story is one I’ll be thinking on for a while.

Incredible, Heartfelt, and Necessary

I can’t share much, but just know that this book is worth the read, whether the battle of mental health affects you directly or not. I cried, I laughed, I cried some more.