A Life Less Broken

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

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

prepare your tear socket

this book was very very emotional and very very good I cried a lot it was very interesting and very well written but it wasn't a simple book it's one of those books that you need to be in the mood for the anxiety
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An Outstanding Story & Audible Listen🎧

This is the type of story that you just can’t put down and one you will never forget. It captivates your mind and tugs at your heart in so many ways. Margaret McHeyzer’s story is not an easy one but it is one that needs to be heard, it well written, well told and thought provoking. The lead character is Allyn Sommers, a young woman who is brutally raped and assaulted by several men who left her for dead. With injuries so severe she spent months in the hospital, her broken bones healed but the scars remained. Worst of it was what it did to her mind, it broke her spirit. She became homebound, a prisoner of her own life, unable to get the monsters who attacked her out of her mind, she has nightmares, is always afraid and paranoid. Not stepping out of her house for 3 years, one day she sees a TV show where several victims of an unrelated crime mentions the name of the Psychiatrist who helped them, Dr. Dominic Shriver. Allyn takes the first step of her journey to learn to live again and reaches out to him. Her journey is not an easy one, she has many struggles but she has a great rapport with Dominic, she responds well to him, he can calm her just with his voice. She had so much to over come, I loved his patience with her and his ability to sooth her and give her courage. Allyn’s story is an amazing one, she is a survivor, she always had the strength within her to survive. Dominic help draw that strength out of her, allowing her to gain the confidence she needed to live again. Interesting turn of events how the perpetrators were found, how close to home they were and how many victims there really were. Margaret McHeyzer, thank you for this great story. I appreciated the follow-up on the perpetrators, always good to see that justice gets served, sometimes in more ways than one.

I listened to the Audible edition, narrated by the talented Meghan Kelly. She is a wonderful voice performer who brings the characters to life, gives them their own voice and personality. She put a lot of heart in this story, she made you feel what Allyn was going thru, her fear, insecurity, desperation and heartache. Her Dominic was magnificent, she gave him a voice that voice could take control, he was able to distract Allyn take her from her fear and panic. Thank you for another awesome listen, your talent never seizes to amaze me.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Tragedy and hope!

A Life Less Broken is a story about a girl who is gang raped and her struggle to come back from the horrific tragedy. This is my first Margaret McHeyzer book, and she completely captivated me with this story. Allyn is brutally raped and left for dead. With a string of similar attacks, she is the only one who has survived and has developed a fear of ever leaving her house and beginning to live again. After hearing a story of 3 kidnapped women who have begun their lives again, she seeks out the doctor who helped them. Dominic Shriver comes to her aid. This story is taken with baby steps. The healing is slow and the series of events both full of heartache and hope. Dominic finds his own solace in helping Allyn and their pure love is enrapturing. I loved the story. It's just graphic enough to let us know the extent of the injuries and psychological impact the rape had on Allyn. I can't even wrap my head around it, but found her bravery to face her fears and want to live again inspiring. Dominic is full of patience and his way is so soothing. The combination of the two, and the journey had me invested in the outcome and was a very good listen.

I can't begin to say how good Meghan Kelly was with this narration. Between the act of the rape and the emotional strain it had on Allyn, she gave it her all. When she was crying, my heart cried with her. When she was happy, my heart soared. Her voices for the characters are spot on, with Dominic's soothing stance and Allyn's fragileness. It is an amazing performance.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful