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Broken

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Broken

By: Nicola Haken
Narrated by: Joel Leslie
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About this listen

When Theodore Davenport decides to switch his mundane job for a career, he walks into Holden House Publishing with enthusiasm and determination to succeed. As he settles into his new role, makes new friends, and dreams of making it to the top, everything is going to plan. Until he meets James Holden, CEO of Holden House. James Holden hasn't been able to stop thinking about his encounter with the timid man he met in a club bathroom last week, and when he discovers the one haunting his dreams is an employee, he can't seem to stop himself from pursuing him. Just a little fun - that's what James tells himself. He can't afford to care for someone who can never reciprocate, not once they find out who he really is. James believes nobody deserves the burden of being attached to him. He's a complicated man. Damaged. Difficult. Demanding. Broken. Is Theodore strong enough to confront James' demons? More importantly, is James?

M/M romance. Not suitable for listeners under 18 years of age due to language and sexual content.

Please note: This book contains scenes of self-harm, mental illness, and suicidal ideation which may be uncomfortable for some listeners.

©2016 Nicola Wall (P)2017 Nicola Wall Literature & Fiction Romance Mental Health Feel-Good Heartfelt Tear-jerking Dream

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All stars
Most relevant  
This is 1 of my all time favourite books. I have read it so many times & listening to it was just as good.

loved.

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I laughed at the warning of needing a tissue when listening to this book. oh boy was I a fool!!! tears were streaming down my face!! such an amazing story. it hit me deep in the soul. beautiful writing and narration! just stunning xoxo

reviews didn't lie......

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This was a wonderfully written story. Sad at times but very uplifting. Narration excellent as always from Joel Leslie.

Very uplifting

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Oh wow!! If you have read the book, then I would say get the audio too, it is one of the most incredible audios I have listened to this year - be warned, you will need tissues with this one, even more so than you would have done reading the book.

James is a deeply troubled man, very complicated and to most people hard to understand. He is a confident man at work at Holden House, but it seems to be personally he has big issues, but he has learnt to hid this side of himself from everyone, especially his family. He actually comes across as believing that he is unloveable, that nobody should have to deal with him and his issues, they are his and his alone. I think a lot of this relates to how he was treated during his childhood - I have to say here, that I really wanted to reach into the audio and slap his mother!!

However, along comes Theodore, and he seems to see right through the facade that James puts up to keep people away. It wasn't the usual way to meet someone - they met in a club bathroom - but neither of them could forget the encounter, and you think the more they meet they are doing ok.

One major thing though, is that James is keeping things from Theodore, and the repercussions are devestating..... (so hard to try and cook dinner while sobbing at the audio you are listening to! Lol). Will Theodore stand by James, or will he just walk away, which is what James believes everyone should do with him..

This has got to be the most emotional audio I have ever listened to, and it is all there - Joel Leslie has totally excelled himself on this one, I honestly didn't think it would be as good as the book, but I was proved wrong big time, and I applaud Joel on his abilities to get the emotional distress through on here.

Reviewed at the request of the narrator.

Wow, Even Better Than Reading The Book !!

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This story follows Theo & James from their 1st encounter through to a fully fledged relationship. However, what sets it apart is that there are no burning buildings, spurned ex lovers, contracted hitmen or any other dramatic plot devices frequently seen in m/m romance. What challenges the characters here is mental health, bipolar disorder and how that affects both men. With a realistic setting, it's easy to buy into both Theo & James as genuine characters and, as the story unfolds and the extent of the issue facing them is truly revealed, it's a compelling and moving read.

A "getting together" story with a difference

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Wow amazing, first Nicola Haken book but far from last. Love Joel's narration spectacular always.

OMG it broke me

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I've read the book, and it is an amazing read. I thought I'd give it a go on audio, and wow! Well done, Joel Leslie. You have absolutely captured those characters perfectly. I will definitely be listening to more of your work!

Joel Leslie slayed the narration!!

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Would you consider the audio edition of Broken to be better than the print version?

I read the book and I absolutely loved it, but this audio version .... wow. It blew me away with how much emotion was put into the narration and it was utterly believable - this is a book you live when you listen to it and it's absolutely impossible not to get swept along with what Theo and James go through.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Broken?

It's hard to say without giving it away, but there's a turning point in the book and I was so engrossed in the scene it had me in tears for both characters.

What does Joel Leslie bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I have listened to and loved other books narrated by JL, but he absolutely outperforms any other audio with this one. Yes, it's a great book, but the his narration totally nails each emotion, each character, each voice, so it's like listening to a superbly acted film without the (visible) pictures.

Absolutely stunning

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I wasn't sure about this book at the start, there was some dubious consent between the two main characters in their first sex scene, but I fell in love with them.
I loved the bipolar rep and the description of what it's like for a lot of mentally ill children/teens in England. I heavily related to being ignored as someone who is also late diagnosed neurodivergent.
It felt very naturally English and I enjoyed the narrator.

Great romance with neurodivergence/mental illness rep

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This books is so exceptional that I don't think I have the words to express. It's not usual that an author takes up the subject of mental illness as no one wants or likes to talk about it. It's like a dirty thing we shove under the carpet, out of sight and out of mind. This book did it wonderfully, wrapping all the elements of romance, love, fear, rejection and ultimately happiness in one go. Hard topic are not palatable in romance books but this one is the exception to the rules. I'd listen to this over and over again as it's gives me the wonder of romance but solidly grounds me in reality.

Revolutionary

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