Tissues ready

What made the experience of listening to Broken the most enjoyable?

I have read this book before, but not listened until now, You get to feel each character feelings. I cried, I laugh I felt every emotion, outstanding

Which character – as performed by Joel Leslie – was your favourite?

James Joel put so much emotion into how James was feeling, utter draining. Just outstanding, you felt what the MCs feeling we're at each turning,

Any additional comments?

Joel Lelie once again was brilliant, for such a deep book, it is written so very well. I like the concept that you saw each other's feelings the dispares and the highs

3 people found this helpful

Stunning

This book made me laugh and cry until I felt emotionally spent. I loved it

2 people found this helpful

I recommend

I enjoyed this book. the emotional description of self harm, bipolar and recovery really struck a chord for me. the pacing of 'enemies' to friends to lovers could blhave been be better bit it still felt natural enough to maintain immersion.
I would recommend this to both friends/partners of people with depression/bipolar as well as the people with the condition ( providing this is not too distressing or triggering)

2 people found this helpful

Very moving

A great description of the way depression can affect not only the sufferer but also family and loved ones. I thought the narrator’s accent was not quite right and slightly Americanised with ‘genuine’ mispronounced and ‘counter ‘ used instead of the English ‘work top’. But altogether a great book and will listen again.

1 person found this helpful

Brilliant, joyful, heartbreaking and just simply wonderful.

This book has quickly became one of my all one favourite books. The story and both characters to me is a prefect representation of myself, and I can connect to be characters, with James being my bad demons and Theo being my angel. I loved every second, whether that be making me cry or making me laugh, I cannot wait to listen to again.

1 person found this helpful

Wow, Even Better Than Reading The Book !!

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.

1 person found this helpful

Absolutely stunning

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.

1 person found this helpful

Have hankie ready

Where does Broken rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my top ten

What did you like best about this story?

This book shows me I'm not alone, as well as make's me smile broadly occasionally

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

Brings the characters to life for me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

A big yes

Any additional comments?

The story is beautiful and had me riveted from the first chapter

1 person found this helpful

outstanding

Wow. I loved reading this book but Joel Lesie has really 100% brought it to life his performance is outstanding. Let not forget Nicola's words, such as tough subject but she done it gracefully and beautifully. 10 stars around.

1 person found this helpful

Could not stop reading

To say that this book has made every emotion that exits pour out of me is an understatement Theo and James have captured my Hart i will always remember this book it has clung to my soul what an amazing story thank you to Nicola haken for a rollercoaster ride this book is now on my top ten all time best reads

1 person found this helpful