Broken Circle

A Gray Ghost Novel, Book 1

By: Amy McKinley

Narrated by: Regan Brown

Length: 6 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Life with Alex is simple and secure - everything she's ever wanted. Or so she thought.... 

Upper East Side artist, Olivia Wrightwood is ready for a change.

Marrying Alex Mudarra, a dedicated and up-and-coming NYPD detective, is exactly what she needs to escape the clutches and scrutiny of her family's political dynasty.  

When Alex's career plans shift from police work to politics, their idyllic life shifts back to the familiar corruption she ran away from. And after she overhears a late night call, her safety shatters and doubt sets in. Can a surprise trip make amends or will this second honeymoon lead to a dangerous life of manipulation and lies? 

©2018 Amy McKinley (P)2020 Amy McKinley

Romantic suspense at its best!

This was my first Amy McKinley book, and have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised. I genuinely enjoyed Broken Circle and eagerly anticipating the second book in the Gray Ghost series. It's well-written, well-plotted with loads of mystery, suspense, action, romance, unexpected twists, and turns. As for the characters, I adore them. Olivia, a beautiful and talented artist, married to the love of her life, Alex, a man with secrets. An overheard conversation and an unplanned vacation turn to a thrilling adventure with enough action to keep you on the edge of your seat. The storyline was wholly entertaining, drawing me in from the very beginning. The ending was flawless, total icing on the cake.

Superb narration by Regan Brown, she portrayed the characters' personalities, emotions, and the intensity of the scenes. Overall, this is a wonderfully written romantic suspense, one I'd totally recommend. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Must Listen!

Broken Circle by Amy McKinley is the first story in the Gray Ghost Series.

Anyone looking in at Liv and Alex's marriage would say they have the perfect marriage. However, Liv overhears one of Alex's phone conversations and starts to grow suspicious. What is he hiding? Will Liv get caught up in the drama? With a big secret of her own, will they be able to overcome the current issues?

This audiobook is full of drama and an absolute must listen! Amy McKinley is the best with Romantic Suspense!

Suspenseful Romance

Everything about Liv's current life is a lie. Maybe all of it was. She was living a great life with her husband, Alexander, and selling her sculptors. When she over hears a phone call that her husband brushes off as just work she becomes suspicious. When Olivia finds out that she is expecting and tells Alex, he plans an impromptu trip to see his mother in Venezuela. While there things take a turn and Olivia discovers things about her husband that she was in the dark about. Who was her husband really? She didn't know this man at all. She is able to make her escape and ends up with an ex SEAL named Liam. Can she trust him to keep her safe? What will happen when the bad men that are following her finally catch up with her?

I enjoy books by Amy McKinley. There is a little bit of everything in them and this one was no exception.

great story

I enjoyed listening to this audio. The narrator pulled me in with tone of voice. The narrator kept it engaging and made me want to listen to more. This is a fun, entertaining, suspenseful story to listen to, I can't wait for the next one. The characters in this book are lovable and connectable. This story is about betrayal, misconceptions and seeing things for what they are. This is the story of Liv. She seems to have the best marriage to those looking in from the outside. She overhears one of his phone conversations but what she doesn't realize is how it will change her life from that point forward. Will she get to see another side of Alex she didn't realize existed? He wants nothing more than to protect her but what will happen when he puts her in danger? Will this be a second chance for them or will they need to fear for their lives? All of the characters make this story flow into an action packed story. I highly recommend this audio. I am glad I picked it up and so will you be

Such A Good Book!!

This is the first book in the Gray Ghost series and it was a little over 6 hours. I was able to spend my morning listening to this book and I loved it! It was well written and had loads of twists that made the story that much more exciting and mysterious. This narrator was great. Such a good pick for this story and I would definitely listen to her again! I am looking forward to listening to more by this author in the future!!
Happy Listening!

Another winner from McKinley

I thoroughly enjoy the books McKinley writes and was looking forward to an audio book from her to take it to the next level. I always appreciate the interpretation I receive of a book when I’m able to listen to it read. I felt the narrator did a fantastic job telling the story with emotion and connection. I feel like I appreciated the storyline even more having been able to listen to it unfold. Highly recommend the book and audio version. Both are worthwhile additions to all libraries!

Action-packed Romance

Broken Circle is a story about how keeping secrets in a marriage can lead to the destruction of a relationship. I enjoyed the themes of love, infidelity, greed, deceit and family that were explored in this book. All of the characters had strong motivations and ties to one another. This is my fourth Amy McKinley novel, and I'm not disappointed. I love her writing style and how she structures her stories. This is also my second audiobook narrated by Regan Brown. I appreciated Ms. Brown's performance better in this one and felt like she gave all of the characters their own distinct feel.

I do have a few nitpicks. Sometimes, I felt annoyed with the main character, Liv. In the beginning of the book, she was very suspicious of her husband, Alex. She was afraid of infidelity because of how her parents had dealt with it during her upbringing. However, until the second act of the book, I didn't feel like Alex gave sufficient reasons to be suspicious. Liv felt upset that he was being secretive, but he literally worked in law enforcement to dismantle crime organizations. I didn't really understand why she felt so entitled to the classified information Alex had to deal with for his job. These are spoilers, but I also didn't feel like Liv had appropriate reactions when she found out that Alex belonged to a high profile cartel in South America, and she also seemed too careless when she was undercover and trying to run away from Alex's family.

In the end, this story is definitely a fantasy type of romance. The woman bounces from one handsome, sexy, wealthy man to another. She is always provided for and she always has a man to cherish and protect her. All of the danger and excitement are just twists and turns along the way. If you're looking for romance that's tinged with tragedy and adventure, then you'll enjoy Broken Circle.

ABSOLUTELY THRILLING

I have now read and listened to quite a few of Amy McKinley's books and this one is by far my favorite.

Olivia (Liv) and Alex have the perfect cookie cutter marriage with all the frills that go with it...... or do they?

Amy took me on a wild rollercoaster ride with this one with some absolutely THRILLING twists and turns.
A wonderful second honeymoon to reconnect and one totally from the left field phone call........Some secrets just don't stay secret for long and then Bam!!! add another surprise...... that's all I'll say.

Regan Brown breathed something extra into these characters with an excellent job with the narration. She portrayed the personalities of the characters with ease and just enhanced the storie so much more.

With Amy McKinley creating an AMAZING story with superbly crafted characters and Regan Brown bringing those characters to life with the narration, I highly recommend this audio book.

Broken Circle: A Gray Ghost Novel, Book 1

I enjoyed listening to this book a lot. I’m a big fan of Amy McKinley books and this one didn’t disappoint. I’m excited this is a new series to me and look forward to the next book in the A Gray Ghost Novel books. This book has our lead female character Liv (Olivia) Wrightwood, an artist who lost her parents in a tragic car accident. She’s married to Alex Mudarra, an up-and-coming NYPD detective. Through her fight for survival she meets Liam who helps her get through some daring situations. This was a great listen and the narrator did a great job! RECOMMEND!

Regan Brown is Amazing!

5/5 Stars


Broken Circle: A Gray Ghost Novel, Book 1 by Amy McKinley AUDIOBOOK


Another amazing read by McKinley. Broken Circle is an amazing book especially when you listen to the audio. McKinley knows how to write and she knows how to capture her readers. Regan Brown had me wanting more.


Olivia aka Liv is the wife of the NYPD Detective and soon to be politician. Hiding something from him is killing her, but it's the right thing to do. The quote I chose for Liv is: "I hope you're right."


Alex is a NYPD Detective and heading into politics. He doesn't want to have kids to be used against him. He is hiding his past from Olivia and she doesn't know the extent. The quote I chose for Alex is: "I'm sorry babe. I have no intentions of hiding anything, other than a job, from you. There are no mistresses and never will be. You're it for me."


Highly recommended for Romance lovers.

Loved everything about this book

Loved everything about this book! It has so much mystery, suspense and romance - the perfect mix. I enjoyed getting to know each individual character and would love to follow them on other adventures. The ending left me so relaxed and satisfied!

Wow

This was a new author for me and the blurb drew me in but I was still a little hesitant. Proud to say all my doubts where laid to rest with this book. There is love and loss, betrayal but hope and a twist that I really was unsure that was going to come fruition. And that’s because you want to believe in one thing but your lead on a path of another. I will certainly be keeping an eye out for more of Amy McKinley’s work.
Also the narrator did a wonderful job I love it when they use other voices so you have an idea of who maybe talking.
Overall I really enjoyed this story.

Fast Paced and Tense!

Almost from the beginning of this story there is some kind of indefinable undercurrent that has the audience aware something is about to happen but unsure of where the action is coming from. Alex and Liv appear to have a wonderful relationship but there is the sense that the picture between them is incomplete.

Of course, the listeners eventually figure out what is going on, but Amy McKinley certainly knows how to creatively build the plot so that the audience is on the edge of their seats, captivated and keen to know what happens next. The plot gathers momentum rapidly and unapologetically as the characters are put to the test. Eventually the HEA is earned and completely appreciated but the journey is fantastic!

I am so glad this is just the beginning of the series. I am looking forward to the next audiobooks. I bet they will be just as marvelous!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Suspenseful!

Broken Circle is the first novel in the Gray Ghost Series, an entertaining Romantic Suspense. Olivia’s story is suspenseful, action packed, filled with secrets, mystery, unpredictable twists and turns, and romance. Olivia is strong, and courageous. Alex, Liv's husband has secrets. Liam, an ex SEAL, is protective, and supportive. The characters are well developed and intriguing. I loved to have multiple POV. The storyline is fast-paced, and captivating. Regan Brown did a great job with the narration. Looking forward to listen to Eye of the Storm, the next novel in the Series. I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

An exciting book

Broken Circle Audio Book by Amy McKinley is the first book in the Gray Ghost series. This is an absolutely thrilling story that really throws you right into the middle of it. Even though I had read the book previously when I was listening to this it was like I was experiencing it for the first time all over again. I almost forgot what had happened as I got lost in the narration of the book. It felt exciting to listen to this book and I thought the narrator did a great job. It was clear who each character was and I found picture then so vividly. I found myself relating a little more to Alex while listening to this book, more so than when I read it. This book is just as good to listen to as it was to read and I cannot wait to listen to the rest of the series!!

Twisty and Turny

This was an interesting listen, can’t say as it’s the type of thing that I would normally go for, but when I got into it, I did find it enjoyable. This is the first book in the Gray Ghost series and follows the characters, Alex and Olivia.
So, Olivia is from a well to do background full of political maneuverings and arseholes in suits just waiting for some other arsehole in a suit to slip up and show their weakness, and she wants out (can’t say as I blame her really). She sees her marriage to Alex as the pot of gold at the end of the shitty political rainbow and her ticket out from under the stifling thumb of her family. Olivia had no fears that her plans would ever be foiled, except Alex’s career plans go from being a police officer to getting involved in the political world that she has so desperately tried to steer herself away from.
There are some great twists that I genuinely didn’t see coming, and while I didn’t feel overly attached to the characters, I was intrigued to find out where the story took them, so there’s something. I don’ know how I feel about listening to the rest of the books in the series, as and when they come out, simply because, as previously mentioned, this isn’t really my cup of tea, but I might just give them a go. McKinley is an adept writer who really keeps the reader hooked so I don’t suppose it would be all that bad.
One problem I did find was that the narrator had a really soothing voice, so much so that I found myself dropping off. Still, I managed to blink myself awake in order to get to the end. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good thriller with plenty of twists and turns and intrigue and all that jazz. McKinley’s work will not disappoint.

Great start to the series, full of suspense

This is book 1 in the Gray Ghost series and does complete Olivia's story. I'm looking forward to reading about the other characters in subsequent books.

I really enjoyed this story and it kept me hooked from the beginning. The storyline was really interesting and had a few twists that I was not expecting, it certainly kept the suspense up.

Olivia has a perfectly pampered life, is married to Alex, and spends her days creating her artwork. Alex looks set to change direction in his career which would take her back into the political world her late parents loved so much.

Liv was a hard character to like and relate to sometimes, which I think was due to her privileged background. She was sometimes really switched on with what was going on around her and other times completely oblivious.

Alex was a fascinating character as his life before Lisa's revealed slowly. It certainly added to the suspense.

I would have loved to see a few more chapters or a longer epilogue, I loved seeing where Liv ended up and I wanted more.

I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.

The narrator did a good job, even with the Irish (which is quite often done badly), and I would definitely listen to another.

Really enjoyed

I really enjoyed the narrator telling the story and found her voice very soothing and I enjoyed her telling the story. I really didn't like Alex as a character thought he was a bit of an idiot, especially how he reacted to something (don't want to say because of spoilers). I really liked the plot and enjoyed the story. There were times through this book where I was like I really couldn't care what happened to these characters and then I was like oh my god this got better. I really enjoyed where the story went, the twists and turns. I really enjoyed the writing. I loved the letter bit at the end that hit me in the feels.

Broken Circle

This is the frist book in the Gray Ghost series. Alex and Liv are married couple. This book is full of romance and suspene. Olivia is a very sweet and naivie character at times. I really enjoyed Olivia growth in this book. I really enjoyed the descriptivess of this book its extremely detailed. Amy excced my expections in this book. Wow that was an unexpected twist. A surprise whisk away and a conversation that wasn't meant to be heard. I love Liam he's so attentive. I found was the reader read really fast and I struggled to keep up with her at first. I would of like her to speak a little bit slower.