A Life Less Broken

By: Margaret McHeyzer

Narrated by: Meghan Kelly

Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

On a day like any other, Allyn Sommers went off to work, not knowing that her life was about to be irrevocably and horrifically altered. 

Three years later, Allyn is still a prisoner in her own home, held captive by harrowing fear. Broken and damaged, Allyn seeks help from someone that fate brought her. 

Dr. Dominic Shriver is a psychiatrist who’s drawn to difficult cases. He must push past his own personal battles to help Allyn fight her monsters and nightmares. Is Dr. Shriver the answer to her healing? Can Allyn overcome the broken?

©2014 Margaret McHeyzer (P)2019 Margaret McHeyzer

Brave!

In my opinion A Life Less Broken has MANY hero's in it. First of all Margaret McHeyzer was very brave to write a story about a survivor of a gang rape left for dead. This is not the likely HEA story anyone would think of but she knocks it out of the park. Honestly, when bad things happen to all of us, we always wish for "what goes around comes around" to be present to witness what goes around. The best parts of this story are the epilogues, but you won't know it unless you listen to the whole story first - Meghan Kelly narrates this story and executes each character's pitch and attitude with ease. I was captivated how she inflicted grief, self doubt, and strength in Allyn's voice, while giving Dr. Dominic Shriver patience, love and insight into Allyn's small victories. Of all the audio books I've listened to, not just anyone has this talent. The other thing I enjoyed about this book is, it starts out telling about the horrific scene, but doesn't go into graphic detail. Yes, we know that gang rape is traumatic, but this story focuses on the survival and getting past the event, more than it does the event itself. I also appreciate how Margret McHeyzer brought to light that not all physiologists are the same. Much like car mechanics and family doctors, some are better than others. Margret makes this very evident when Allyn dismisses her therapist, and I mentally cheer and applaud Allyn's decision. I know I'm repeating myself by saying the best part of the story is found in the epilogues but in order to understand it and truly appreciate it, you have to listen to the whole story.

The story is amazing BUT the narration puts it OVER the top!!

Wow-O-Wow! I can’t even! Arg!! This girl! This poor poor girl! Even THREE YEARS later she is still so affected! I can totally understand and I really REALLY felt her fears. Then to watch her baby steps was amazing! This is not a first time author for me. Ugly was my first book by her and i was just as affected by that story. This author takes me to the edge of my emotions then....gives just a little push to take me over. Then she reels me back in for more. I LOVE the title of this book! KUDOS to Meghan Kelly who really put her emotions into this as well. She took the story and went one step further playing Allyn. She made what Allyn’s felt so real it was terrifying. The quiver in her voice during her “moment” drew me in. Simply Amazing!!

Gut-wrenching

Margaret McHeyzer is the type of author that makes you reevaluate your life. Most of her books have made me look at myself and question what I see. A Life Less Broken is an incredibly angsty read that seriously tugged at my heart. The words McHeyzer uses helps you to feel right along with the main character, Allyn. It's really an emotional roller coaster and tugged at my heart the entire audiobook. There could not have been a better narrator for this book. Meghan Kelly tells a painful story with her lovely, yet emotional voice. This is a tough one to hear but the author writes a story with so much thought and the narrator put in so much heart that I couldn't help be love the story. I'll be completely honest, it's so painful... keep tissues handy!!

Heartbreaking story of a beautiful love.........

A Life Less Broken is an absolutely amazing book. Although I have never suffered trauma as that of the main character of the story, Allyn, I can't imagine an author doing a better job of handling this sensitive subject with enough anguish to make me cry sad tears but also enough hope to bring out my happy tears. Allyn's journey to recovery from her ordeal is long and arduous, but the feeling of the book changes completely once she meets Dominic, a gifted therapist who changes her life in so many ways, all of them positive. I felt privileged to watch Dominic coax Allyn out of her cocoon of self-protection, showing her that life could be colorful and worth living again. Allyn was so incredibly strong without even realizing her strength, and she was the missing piece in Dominic's life as well. The author throws a HUGE twist into the story close the end, and this made me love Dominic even more. I can't recommend this book enough, and I urge even those who prefer a lighter read to listen because the ending will make all the angst so worthwhile. Meghan Kelly is the queen of dual narration, and she offers her usual phenomenal performance with this book. Her voice is perfect for Allyn's youthful character, but I find her equally convincing as the strong and masculine Dominic. Her delivery is flawless, and she makes an already stellar book even more enjoyable as an audiobook. I received a copy of this audiobook at my request in exchange for this honest review.

Wow!

This is an amazing story which is wonderfully told. Never expected the ending. Could not stop listening.

good story

I enjoyed this book and I am happy that it closed off all characters before ending

What A powerful story...

My heart was hurting for our heroine. This is such a tough story, but so real for so many people out there. To be trapped in your mind after a horrific and traumatic experience. How to start living your life again. Narration was really good.

Emotional and Psychological Journey!

This story of a tragic event that changed Allyn's life forever is so haunting, heartbreaking, and hopeful. My heart broke for Allyn as she questioned her actions and was fearful every moment of everyday. Until she met Dominic, who would help her see that she could live and love life again. It was a difficult journey that had it's setbacks, but the beautiful moments of healing made it well worth it. This was a very emotional and heartrending story made all the more powerful by Meghan Kelly's narration. Her portrayal of Allyn's anxiety, fear, and vulnerabilities, then her hopefulness, renewal, and joy was so captivating. She also really creeped me out with her voices haunting Allyn in her mind, they were so good. This is my first book by McHeyzer and she and Kelly really held me captive on this emotional and psychological journey!

Phenomenal ❤️

Fantastic writing, and such an incredible story. There were parts that were hard to listen to, but I couldn’t stop listening and will definitely be reading more from this author!!

From despair to regaining your life!

I asked to receive this Audible book and voluntarily wrote this unbiased review. This book is so powerful! This is a story that you will not want to stop listening to. This is a story of a young woman that has beoben brutally attacked, horribly deformed, and left to die in a pond. Her PTSD has left her a prisoner in her home. Can her therapist that she saw on a tv show help her conquer her fears and allow her to soar with the blue jay? I love how the author takes us on her journey of recovery and introduces us to two such strong and loving characters. The narrator does an extraordinary job of portraying the extreme emotions of this story. She will pull you into this story immediately. Beware this book may cause some triggers. I highly recommend this Audible book!

Such an amazing book

This book is written so very well. Margaret, you have written this story perfectly, it’s raw, it’s emotional and it’s an experience that will stay with me forever. It shows the true strength that we have inside us as survivors. Meghan, just wow....I have cried so much throughout this book and it’s your pure talent to give yourself to these characters that has made this book so good. I’m amazed at your talent. I wish there was more stars for this book. Highly recommend.

Just ”WOW”, I cried a lot!

It`s about Aileen who is a survival after a terrible brutal rape. To find the right person who can help you start living again. The narrator Meghan Kelly - perfekt voice for this story. Margaret McHeyzer is a new author to me and I`m looking forward to listen/read more from her. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

A wonderful audiobook

This book has a lot of emotion. It grabbed my attention and didn’t let go. I was drawn back to it when if I had something to do and turn it off. I wanted to find out what would happen. I really like the cover too. I appreciate that. Narration was great as well! Two thumbs up!

Emotional

This book took me on a rollercoaster of so many different emotions. It grabbed my attention on the very first page and held it all the way until the last page. While the romance between Allyn and Dominic was a bit on the taboo side, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is open minded and loves a well written story. Meghan Kelly did a fantastic job of bringing both Allyn and Dominic to life with all the various emotions that came through in her voice. I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.

Really enjoyed this book

I received a free copy of this audio book and really enjoyed it, will certainly re listen. Meghan Kelly did a fab job with the narration. Would definitely recommend 😊

What a great audiobook!

I really lived this story and the narration! The story kept me completely engaged and wanting to know what would happen next! It has all the feels and such a moving book! The narrator has a great voice and puts feeling and emotion into the performance. Great audio!!!

A great book

~I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review~ Allyn is a normal young girl, working in a shop when darkness moves into her life. She’s attacked, molested, sexual abused, beaten almost to dead and left with several scars, broken bones and other sever damages and left to die, but against all odds she survives - but to what life? Allyn stays inside her home for the next couple of years without ever leaving the house. Therapy doesn’t help her until she hear about Dominic Shriver, a psychiatrist that helps abused individuals learn to live again. He starts to help her, step by step - and slowly he gets her out of her homemade prison. And of course they fall in love. It’s a beautiful, dark well-written story, and I really loved Dominic for his patience and thoughtfulness. He’s definitely one of a kind!!! Even though Allyns trouble isn’t over Dominic never stops being there for her. I really loved this book and it’s slow but steady process. And the narrator did a great job too. I will definitely look into more audiobooks by both! Enjoy your reading/listening!!!

Grab this life full story

This is such a fantastic story. Both the author and narrator will grab you from the start to finish . There are so many layers you can’t keep up with the twists and turns. There are some scenes in the story that will have you gasping It’s about Allyn that is trapped inside a hell that she doesn’t think she can escape . There are wicked men that keep her trapped in her ideas Grab it and see how she fairs out Meghan Kelly is a gem with her voice . She brings this story to life. She makes you live right in the story

wow

I went into this story blind and at first I thought it was a dark romance and in a way it was , what poor Allyn went through was horrific but Dominic gave her a second chance and made her life beautiful again this story really hooked me and worked it's way Into my heart , an Amazing story and the narrator did a perfect job of capturing the character and their emotions wow