Pretty Black

A Pretty Broken Standalone

De: J.R. Gray

Narrado por: Liam DiCosimo, Tor Thom

Iris Black

There are moments in music when the crowd becomes part of the song, and we all lose ourselves to the energy. I wanted to drown myself in the music. It became my escape and my savior.

I thought success was what I wanted, but it only intensified my misery. Fame is a monster, and it ate me alive. I tried it all to get out of my head: sex, drugs, and rock and roll. I'm living the dream, but it only numbs the pain.

Caspian came into my life like a storm, and I knew he'd leave the same way. We were two vessels made to fit. Chemistry woven in creation. There's no escape, there's no surrender. His Pretty Black forever.

But he broke me, and I don't know how to forgive him. Is it foolish to do it all again? To find our way back to the place where it all began? I've mourned his leaving so many times I don't have it in me to do it again.

©2023 J.R. Gray (P)2023 Podium Audio

Heavy read, and a cliffhanger (sort of)

This one was pretty heavy. TW for suicidal ideation and self harm.

I was excited to hear the rest of Cas and Iris’s story but things are definitely unfinished. A lot of the book is the author going back to scenes in past books but telling it from Cas or Iris’s POV. I understood some but def not all needed to be included. And the jumping around of the timeline to 2 years ago then 1 year then 6 years then 3 years became very confusing. I kept having to go back and listen again to figure out what was going on and when. I honestly thought it would be a little better. The series isn’t finished though, we don’t really get a HEA, things were just a little better at the end. Interested to see how things play out.

Narration was great! And if give it 🌶️ 🌶️/5

Best in series

This book in the series was the best one and I was entertained by the fact that there was a storyline and there was a backstory to Iris relationship with his deceased brother mark. Caspian remained true to his love of Iris which helped him on his road to recovery (from drug-use caused by mental health challenges). The manager, Alexander was the villain, who in the end got beat up in an alley. No real final outcome of the court case against Alexander, reason why I only give it 4 stars.

Kind of disappointing

I have been looking forward to Cas and Iris book since book one. The previous book didn't start out too bad. This book just seemed more all over the place to me which made it more confusing at some parts. I do like how J.R. explained Iris' past but it was just too much back and forth from past and present.

It was heartbreaking what Iris went through. Mental illness is so tough to go through and to go through all the therapy is even tougher. I can't imagine losing a sibling especially through suicide. I loved that he had all the guys around him supporting him and how Cas never gave up on Iris.

So, overall I did like the audible. I love the narrators. I think if I had read the book first though, I'm not so sure I would have finished it. I think the narrators helped the story along.

Great series!

This entire series was totally engaging from beginning to end. I enjoyed the format, it reminded me of the film “Elephant,” where we continually witness the same scenes but from everyone’s individual perspectives. I love being able to get every characters pov, especially characters with the complexities these bandmates have. I’d love a bit more closure to the lawsuit and Pretty Broken’s extra cation from their horrific manager, though. The ending seemed a bit too untied and doesn’t bring the band’s story full circle. I highly recommend this listen, even though Tor Thom’s narration drove me bonkers. He is so monotone he almost makes you fall asleep, gives very little definition to who is speaking, and has a maddening way of ending every sentence on a breath. His voice just kind of gives out at the end of every single sentence. Once you hear it, you can’t unhear it. You’re welcome.

It didn’t end

I need to know what happens to Alexander. When is the release of that book. The author has to let me know that he gets what’s coming to him. Please…………take me out of my misery.