Breakdown

Don't..., Book 3

De: Jack L. Pyke

Narrado por: Dan Calley

“Who’s been whispering to you, Jack?” (Doctor Halliday)

Jack Harrison has the evidence there in his hands - the DVD and notepad off D.C. Sanders that proves Gray supposedly played a part in tearing him and Jan brutally apart. But with Jack locked away in his own mind and lost to his blackouts and self-harming in the Masters’ Circle’s psychiatric unit, the past brings to light the origins of a new beast, one who only comes out to play when Jack needs to hide - a psychopath who has, perhaps, tasted and tested Gray to the full. All Jack has to do is remember how...and why. More to the point: Why does one part of him know Gray’s signature mark as an interrogations officer? And why is there such a serious sadistic kick in hiding the memory?

©2014 Jack L. Pyke (P)2019 Jack L. Pyke

emotinal

Would I listen to it again: yes
Did the story keep me engaged: yes
Was I invested in the characters: yes

Story comment: good pace, heartbreaking story and with layers of complexities. Focus is on Jack's mental health (or lack there of) and is solely from his POV.

Narrator comment: I enjoyed Dan Calley's narration and think he's done a good job narrating Breakdown. I had no problem distinguishing characters and the rhythm, inflections and intonations all worked to bring the book to life.

Amazing story. Amazing narration.

This is my favorite book in the Don't series. So many painful things happen to all the characters, but the events are unfolded purposely. This book is an excellent literary example of how to use traumatizing events to build stronger character.

Blown Away

BLOWN AWAY!!! So far this was my favorite of the series. This book solely from Jack’s POV, and Martin’s a where do I even begin with Martin. All the books are building on the prior ones with more and more information slowly coming out, making sense and shocking the hell out of me. The range of emotions I went through while hearing Jack was heartbreaking as well as beautiful at moments. The last part of this book is everything to me ♥️

As mentioned in my prior reviews I am listening to the audio and now that I have fallen completely head over heels for Dan Calley I going run out of audio before book 5 😳.

Love this

let's meet Martin

This is the third book in the series and to me, I liked it the best so far. It still has violence and noncom or rape but not quite to the extent of the first two. In this book, it is mostly about Jack and in his view while he is in Psychiatric evaluation. We get his back story from when he was a teen and learn more about Martin and how Jack met Gray and became a mastersub.
The narration is quite good. Dan Calley has the perfect accents and adds the perfect intonations when needed. I enjoyed listening to this book a lot. Now on to book four.

OMG!

This one is so amazingly dark! Just couldn't stop listening. Jack L. Pyke has found such an amazing narrator in Dan Calley. he just brings all the emotions and kept me right at the edge of my seat. These two are the perfect team and I can't wait to hear more.

Excellent

This book has always been the most emotional for me. Most think Antidote is the roughest book, for me it sits here. There is always more pain in the healing.

Jack

The who, why and what is Jack and who is this autoego named Martin? Book 2 left you in a very dark spot but this book starts in that dark spot and slowly brings you to light. You learn the who, what, why and when about Jack from the age of 18 to till now at the age of 30. there not much about Grey, Yan or the other characters but you dig deep into Jack and at the same time you meet Martin the autoego who likes to come out only when Jack has messed up and learn faith, trust and forgiveness.
Where book left you in a very dark place this brings to light and hope for a new beginning for Jack, Yan and Grey.

Another riveting story

I cannot get enough of these books. Jack is so intense and my heart goes out to Jan, who has borne so much of everyone’s pain. And Grey…how much he’s dealt with for so many years because he loves a man more broken than he is.

Dan Calley’s narration is on point once again. Can’t wait to hear the next book.

Mind blown – again

The Don’t series by Jack L. Pyke is a tough one to listen to. Or endure, if that’s the word you want to choose. I’m enduring this series with enthusiasm. I loved the first book with the moniker of a BDSM Thriller. That alone was enough to grab my attention but the book kept me riveted as I discovered the dark world of the Master’s Circle and then men (and women) who travelled in those depths. The violence was present but worked within the context of the story. Antidote, the second book, was far darker with clear non-con. I suggest you read my review and the trigger warnings before diving into that one. That being said, I loved it.

Breakdown is the third book in the series and although less violent than the second book, it is no less disturbing. If it’s any consolation, Jack says, “I didn’t rape. I didn’t take without anyone being able to say”. Now, what some of the characters agreed to was some pretty dark shit. BDSM indeed with both sadists and masochists. This book takes place near the end of what is book 2. There is a six-month gap where Jack stays away from Gray and Jan – this is that time period, entirely from Jack’s point of view. He’s in a psychiatric facility and trying to undo the damage caused by the reconditioning sanctioned by someone very close to him. Gotta love family.

Jack is under a psychiatrist’s care and is slowly working his way through his memories. Much of this book is him dealing with the past. In fact there are many times when we go back and see things from his perspective as an older teenager and a young adult. Some really sick shit happened to him and there’s no question why he developed Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). As with most people with mental illness, Jack is more than just his disorders but it’s taking time to get through to his damaged soul. He doesn’t plan to let anyone in but, slowly, he breaks down those barriers and works though his past.

A damning and damaging past.

I had hope throughout the book because I knew, thanks to listening to book 2, that Jack was going to reunite with Jan and Gray. That the men would have their HFN (Happy For Now). The triad is complicated to be sure and I’ll be interested to see where it goes in the next book. I didn’t love this book as much as the first two but I’m still tapping my foot waiting for the next one to come out on audio.

I have to mention the narrator, Dan Calley. He’s brilliant. He’s the perfect Jack and yet also carries the other characters, including the female ones. His voice is very deep and resonant, enabling the darkness to come through clearly. I will say I was a little confused by the American accent but it’s always a challenge to do accents and God knows there are enough variations of American that it’d be a challenge.

Anyway, I’m so glad I listened and I can’t wait for the next one.

hang on for a dark bumpy ride

when i am in the mood for something dark Jack L. Pyke never fails me. this book was just all the dark goodness i have come to expect from Jack's work. and once again with Dan's reading it came to life and had me on the edge of my seat. bring on Backlash please...