Bruised but Not Broken

A Spark of Hope Standalone

By: Nicole Dykes

Narrated by: Stephen Dexter, Michael Dean

Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Ben

Spark of Hope: A bi-weekly trauma support group. This is my nightmare. When I think of a support group, I think of sad people sitting around talking about their feelings and nothing changing.

And yet, when my brother and his best friend, who happens to be a therapist, presented the idea of holding the meetings at my gym, I caved.

Because I, Benjamin Price, have always tried to rescue the people in my life. But I can’t. I’ve usually failed them.

Now, I’m hosting a trauma support group and desperately trying not to fall into my old habits—of attempting to save everyone.

And then, he walks in. Bruised. But not broken. No matter how exhausted he may feel, a strength in him calls to me.

And there’s no way I can ignore the need deep inside me to at least try.

Colby

I’m tired. I’m afraid. And I don’t want to go back. Not to the abusive relationship I told myself I was okay with for years.

But what am I supposed to do?

I have no real life skills. All my life, I’ve been told I’m pretty and that’s it. Then I walk into a gym, looking for a job, but I find so much more.

I don’t want to trust Ben. I don’t believe his help doesn’t come with a price. But what choice do I really have?

One thing’s for sure: neither of us are getting out of this intact. What we lose though, that’s anyone’s guess.

Bruised But Not Broken is set around a trauma support group and will, therefore, touch on extremely sensitive subjects. The author handles these topics with care and healing, but please heed this trigger warning should it apply to you.

©2022 Nicole Dykes (P)2022 Podium Audio

Love Nicole Dykes

Let start with the narrators, I've listened to many MM stories narrated by Michael Dean so I already knew he was so going to do a great job bring Ben to Life. The big suprise for me was how good Stephen Dexter was. He was a new to me narrator and I've listened to over 200 books. He was a fantastic narrator and I'll definitely be looking into his other work.
I already knew I was going to enjoy this book. I had read it on the day it was released. Nicole Dykes is a one click author for me, so when I saw BBNB dropped on Audible I went running. I'm a huge audiobook fan so I love when my favorite authors are picked up for audiobook deals, especially self published authors who I think deserve more credit than they get.
I don't want to say much about the story because I have a tendency to overshair and spoil things, but I'll just say a little or I'll try because like I said I have a a tendency to overshair 😆
This series takes place around a support group. The characters in this series are dealing with some type of trauma. You will hear from the MCs plus side characters in the group tell pieces of their story.
This book is about dealing with physical and verbal abuse from a previous relationship and having to get over hearing that voice in your head that makes you feel like it was your fault.. that you deserved to get hit, that you aren't good enough. Hearing all the ugly words over and over. Then finding love in the mist of all that pain. Finding the person who can quiet those voices. Even though this series deals with trauma, it was a really cute love story.
This was the first book that I read that took place around a support group.

4 🌟
3 🌶
4.5 🌟 for narration not a full 5 stars because I do think the roles should have been reverse. When Colby mentions Ben voice he talks about how deep Ben's voice is. Stephen Dexter should have been the voice for Ben and Michael Dean would have been the perfect Colby. This still doesn't take away from how good they narratored their character. So great job to both Stephen and Michael 👏

Not a Light Listen but Definitely a Good One

Hurt/comfort book with likable characters and excellent narration by both. Mention of past abuse and trauma. Highly recommend!

switch the narrators and this would be 5 stars!

I just feel like been should have been Micheal Dean. Deep and growly. Would be 5 stars if the narrators were swapped!

Great srory and narrators

I'd read the book but was waiting for the audiobook to revisit the story that I already knew I liked. And the narrators are really great!

Great story!!

Solid 4 stars across the board! Love these narrators! Only thing I’d
change…switch the narrators!

Bruised but not broken

Awesome story. Very well written. A lot goes on in this story. We meet some really good men who have some issues. Im hoping we getbto know more in future books. The narration is outstanding. Great team Michael Dean and Stephen Dexter they really brought this story and all of the charectors to life. Cant waitbto hear Roman's story.

job well done

so glad that Nicole decided to go ahead and have these made into audiobooks. the story is even better when brought to life by these amazing narrarators. Michael & Stephen voices balance one another beautifully. looking forward to the rest of the series on audio as well

Loved it!

Absolutely loved the story and the narrators but if given the choice I probably would of switched them. Still a phenomenal book!

same kind of story line

Not a new plot but it's ok for a quick listen. The narrators roles should've been reverse.

* Spark Of Hope *

What a great start to a series ! A very slow burn ...but what a great story !
Ben and Colby are compelling and loveable characters ! The plot is engaging and emotional ! The author gives you a nice lead-in and set up to the next book ! Michael Dean and Stephen Dexter are great narrators , bringing this story to life !