• The Beast I Loved

  • A Battered Woman's Desperate Struggle to Survive
  • By: Robert Davidson
  • Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
  • Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (507 ratings)

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The Beast I Loved  By  cover art

The Beast I Loved

By: Robert Davidson
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
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Publisher's summary

Before domestic violence hotlines and safe houses were widespread, June Briand shot four bullets into her husband's head and was sentenced to 15 years to life. This is the shocking, true story of survival - and the intense bond June shared with her pathologically violent husband, a monster who physically and sexually tortured, degraded, and dominated her so relentlessly she refused to believe he was dead even after she killed him.

What kind of woman would slay her own husband? What kind of man would drive her to do it? Why didn't she just leave him?

Based on hundreds of hours interviewing June Briand, speaking with her lawyers, and poring over countless pages of court transcripts, police and hospital records, and interviews with virtually every key person involved with this case, the author explores those difficult questions while exposing the twisted dynamics of a relationship that enslaves a woman - and drives her to kill the beast she loved when she was finally out of hope, out of time, and out of her mind.

At once terrifying and maddening, heartrending and ultimately exhilarating - including an unforgettable glimpse inside a maximum-security prison - The Beast I Loved is an audiobook you won't soon forget.

©2018 WildBlue Press (P)2018 WildBlue Press

What listeners say about The Beast I Loved

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Beyond Beast . . .

I’m sure many readers by now probably know at least ONE person who has been (or is) abused, but often we never know all the details of what they endure. In this book, you will get a real glimpse of just HOW BAD it can get. On a daily basis. This is extreme bullying . . .but that bully NEVER leaves the playground.

The story of what this poor girl went through will leave you horrified and angry at the same time. Wow. There may be other books written about abuse cases, but this was my first. Some of the methods The Beast used hopefully will serve as a pre-warning to those out there that recognize some of the early signs.

For June, she chose the only option she thought was available to her. But was that truly the end of all her misery? Totally worth the credit to find out! This book kept me absolutely riveted. Not one dull or boring moment start to finish.

Kevin Pierce narrating gave this a genuine realness, as he always does. Even when quoting the words of others, you can feel the intended emotion without him having to resort to mimicking anyone’s voice. Perfect. I was gifted this audiobook in exchange for an honest review, and would have GLADLY bought this anyways. It’s a keeper.

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29 people found this helpful

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Now I get it!

Always wondered why a woman would stay with an abusive relationship . The book tells the whole story . It is riveting . And excellent book all the way around . I could not stop listening !

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18 people found this helpful

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Depravity, Revenge, Injustice, and Humanity

Nothing could have prepared me for what my ears would hear while being held captive to this extraordinary story. As a child of abuse and witness to maternal abuse, I needed to take this story in bites. Unfortunately, a helpless woman or child is being beaten as you read this review. In fact, a child or woman will die at the hands of a man while you read this book. A child is defenseless, a woman can get to the point where she too is defenseless. It's not as simple as picking up the phone. When a sociopath tells you he will kill you if you leave him/ her.... they mean exactly that. So many lives are tarnished, and ended because the cycle of abuse doesn't stop. This story pinpoints, with magnifying precision, the psychology of the cycle. If at any point you find yourself laughing during the narration in excess, please refer to Dr. Robert Hare's Psychopathy Checklist. If you are a survivor of spousal, childhood, sexual, or a combination, proceed with caution, but please proceed. Thank You "June".

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18 people found this helpful

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It's Amazing She Survived

For most of us it's hard to understand how someone could stay in such a horrible situation but this book explains it well.
For June Briand it really started when she was born and the circumstances that molded her very early in life.
The public needs to know about abuse and the ramifications of it. So many lives are affected, not just the participants.
I wish this woman all the best going forward. She's amazing!
Kevin Pierce is my very favorite narrator of true crime. He's the best!

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7 people found this helpful

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Battered women syndrome

Never have I listened to an audiobook that brought tears to my eyes. In all my 65 years I have been lucky to never have experienced such a horrific experience in my life and now I understand just how and why women stay in this kind of relationship it’s not a choice of their on but a choice of survival. I pray June has been able to reconnect with her children and have a positive impact on their life. I’m happy that she found a man who will treat her with the respect she so deserves.
Wonderfully written.
I received this free of charge from the author or narrator for an honest review.

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6 people found this helpful

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Enthralling

This is a very well researched and organized book. It's a totally enthralling story of a remarkable woman who managed to overcome unimagineable abuse and make something of her life. And Kevin Pierce's performance is flawless.

NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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HE'S LUCKY I....

He's lucky I wasn't there to kick his a$$. I am one who always yells at the TV, screaming, "OMG how can you put up with this, beat him senseless!" but of course it's easy to say a lot of things when you haven't gone through it. It's one of those scenarios that I've tossed around in my mind probably thousands of times... .what would I really do if... But, I know, unless you've gone through it, you just don't know. So, I give ultimate respect to those that have been through this. It makes me mad, it makes me want to punish... but then, am I any better than the punisher?
This is a great book, with great narration, I don't have anything bad to say about it whatsoever, it's a great and powerful story everyone should read/listen to :) Captivating. Enthralling. Scary as hell. Real as hell.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Trapped in Abuse

This is a story of one woman's life in a very abusive marriage. It started slowly, then escalated to such an extreme that she had no other option in order to protect herself and the children. An extremely difficult story to listen to. One can kind of understand why she stayed, and endured for years, as the children would suffer more if she left and was unable to get them out with her. She is extremely lucky to have survived. It's impossible to understand what makes a person treat another person, that they supposedly love, so horribly. Just sad for everyone involved.
As usual, Kevin Pierce's narration is flawless. He is by far the best narrator for true crime stories, and beyond. Easy to follow. Professional all the way through.
-I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

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4 people found this helpful

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Tough subject but important

I feel like Kevin Pierce brings a whole other level of professionalism and listenability to an audio book. I listened without being distracted by mispronounced words, without feeling like the reader was overacting. A really well written work that ends hopefully. I wish I could listen to more books like this with Mr. Pierce narrating.

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A good read.

I enjoyed it . The reader was easy to listen to ,holding my interest throughout the book.

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3 people found this helpful