Unbreak My Heart

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Erin Mallon

Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

Experience all the feels in this unforgettable second-chance standalone romance from number-one New York Times best-seller Lauren Blakely!

I didn't break her heart, and she didn't break mine - we broke each other's. 

I never stopped loving her, but time and distance played its cruel role in ripping us apart three years ago when she moved halfway around the world. Now after all those endless miles away, she's returned...but I'm not the guy I was before. 

Beautiful, kind, and loving, she's the same - my hope. The only one who can make a day better, who can make me feel again with one kiss, one touch, one night. 

There's so much I have to put back in place now that I’m alone and on my own. Things I never wanted at the age of 25. When I receive an unexpected letter that might hold the clues to everything I desperately need to understand about my family, I'm sure I have to follow it. But that means leaving her once more. 

She says she'll come with me, and having her by my side will unbreak my heart...or destroy it. 

That's the chance I have to take. 

©2018 Lauren Blakely Books (P)2018 Lauren Blakely

Critic Reviews

“Lauren Blakely is one author where I choose the audio first. As an audio listener herself, I think Lauren writes with the listener in mind. Since this is very much Andrew’s journey from broken to whole again, Joe Arden needs to be commended for one of the best performances I have had the pleasure of listening to. Every bit of pain, confusion, hope, and love came through in his portrayal of Andrew. Erin Mallon was perfect in the role of Holland, and together they brought the reader with them for a beautiful, emotional journey of healing and love.” (Ana's Attic)

"Unbreak My Heart is about the journey of healing, finding peace, and having a second chance at love. Such a great listen. Blakely tells a heartfelt story about letting go and learning to cope with grief the right way.... Joe Arden delivers a perfect narration as Andrew...[Erin Mallon] nails it EVERY.SINGLE.TIME!" (Jocqueline, The Audio Flow)

"Lauren Blakely blew me away with this one! This isn't a rom-com but a beautiful story about learning to live again after loss.... Joe Arden and Erin Mallon were phenomenal in this book!" (Cyndi Marie, Audiobook Addict)

"Joe Arden and Erin Mallon do a fantastic job, and Joe really punched me in the heart with his performance. It was outstanding!" (Theresa Martin, TastyWordgasms)

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5 STARS 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Lauren Blakely blew me away with this one! This isn't a rom com but a beautiful story about learning to live again after loss. I personally love second chance romance's because it is so easy for me to fall into the love story from the beginning. I had so many feelings throughout this book for the love story and even more for the brokenhearted man who is trying to dig himself out of the life of grief, loss and heartache he is living with.

Andrew is man who is lost and struggling to find his way. When he learns something about his brother he didn't understand he decides to go to Japan and search for answers. After using his grief to take advantage of all the people in his life, getting away is probably what is best. He has been in love with Holland for years and I have to say she is exactly what he needs to help him find his way. Holland is a a strong, honest women who doesn't pull any punches when it comes to Andrew. She has loved him for years but she knows he needs to heel before he will be ready for a relationship.
I loved that Holland doesn't coddle him at all. She pushes him in the right direction and then listens when ever she needs him.

I love so much about this book, I'm not sure I can list them all. Andrew came so far from the beginning of this book and I fell completely in love with him! I laughed at the banter, swooned at a man that shows his love for his dog and liked all the strong relationships... oh and I might have had a few tears too. Also, no matter how Andrew acted, his friends were there doing whatever they could for him. I always love when Lauren writes a story with interesting locations too, she has a way to make me lose myself in her books and in this one I felt like I could see all of the places they went to in Japan. The end of this book made my heart soar!

Joe Arden and Erin Mallon were phenomenal in this book! Joe BECAME Andrew in my head and there is a part that he gets choked up you can hear it in his voice. Erin is my favorite female narrator and she always blows me away! I think these two were the perfect choice for this book because they are both great narrators!!!

Worth all the feels, the tears and the ride!! Wow!

If I thought Lauren Blakely wrote killer RomComs, it is nothing compared to her angsty, emotional and ugly cry stories! I have just finished the audio for Unbreak My Heart and I have been ugly crying the last 30mins. Wow!! This story is something very special and the narration team really conveyed every emotion with so much truth and conviction that one could not help but be transported. Joe Arden did a masterful narration and he really took this emotional ride to a level I hadn't seen from him. Just a stellar performance!! This is easily one of my favorite audios this year.

Emotional Second Chance Love Story

This was such an emotional second chance love story! Faithful Lauren Blakely fans should note that this is not her typical fun and lighthearted romcom. Unbreak My Heart takes readers on a heartbreaking, but ultimately uplifting, journey through grief and finding one's true happiness.

The performances by Joe Arden and Erin Mallon were absolutely incredible. I am a huge fan of both narrators, but this is the most emotional title I have ever listened to by either of them. Hearing the pain and heartache in their voices really made this story hit home. Joe Arden's narration as Andrew was especially gut wrenching. The tiny quavers and cracks in his voice as he delivered such heartbreaking words made everything so much more powerful. Though I cried while reading the ebook, I was a hot mess listening to this! The casting for this audiobook could not have been more perfect!

I really loved the overall message of the book about being at peace with yourself, appreciating the people in your life, and living life to the fullest. Happiness is different to every person and seeing Andrew discover not only what brought his brother Ian happiness, but also him finding his own was so beautiful. The tone was definitely more somber and serious for the majority of the book, but I feel it was necessary to see Andrew's full character arc.

His relationship with Holland was so easy and natural, that my heart hurt so much that it had been derailed by timing, distance, and circumstance. Their playful banter and chemistry will make your heart sing and you won't be able to help yourself from rooting for them to find their HEA. I enjoyed both characters, but was very impressed by Holland and her unwillingness to be Andrew's crutch/drug as he healed. She could have easily given into her feelings regardless of the complications, but instead she chose to face the hard truths in the hopes of something even better in the future. Holland was truly a fantastic heroine.

Definitely worth the credit, but make sure to have the tissues ready for this one!

Beautiful and heartrending.

Other reviewers have described the story better than I can. It's profound, it's real, it's gut-wrenching. It made me cry, more than once, and I NEVER cry. It's not a lighthearted romance by any means, but it's very worthwhile imo. A gorgeous elegy to surviving great loss and coming through it stronger and more resilient than ever.

The reason, though, that I was moved to write this review is to urge others to listen to Joe Arden's performance. You can hear the tears in this man's voice, you feel his pain, you share his grief, and that is all thanks to Joe's magnificent vocal talents. As far as pure emotion goes, this is the best Audible vocal acting job I've ever heard. Truly. I'm not too crazy about Erin Mallon, but even she does a very good job here. But Joe carries the majority of the story, and I prefer the male POV in my contemporary romances anyway. I think doing that allows the author to tell "women's stories" in new and interesting ways.

Anyway, if you're in the mood for something a little more gritty, a story with some meat, take a listen. I think you'll be glad that you did. Strongly recommended.

A heartbreaking but uplifting story

UNBREAK MY HEART is nothing if not a heartfelt, emotional second chance romance. A story about a brokenhearted and lost man on a tough journey through grief to acceptance back to being at peace with himself again. He develops so much throughout this book, and becomes a completely different person in the end – a far cry from the wreck he was, a man who used his grief as an excuse to take advantage of whoever was willing to help him – a man I wasn’t even sure I’d ever like… But, boy, did I love him in the end.

And it was Holland who played a big part in that. She is the only girl he has ever loved, the girl he had to let go because she moved halfway around the world. Now she is back – temporarily – and gives him the nudge in the right direction. The nudge Andrew needed, without ever functioning as his crutch or drug: somewhat like a guide showing him the possible paths to find himself, to learn how to be at peace with himself, and, ultimately, to find true happiness.

Happiness. Such an easy, yet complicated word. It is different for every single person. And Andrew discovering what made his late brother happy is something he needed a long time to grasp, because in his mind, it didn’t make any sense at all. His discovery was as powerful and beautiful as it was painful, it pulled all my heartstrings.

This book is so different from the usual playful rom-coms Lauren Blakely usually writes. It has funny moments, spicy moments, but the majority of it is somber, truthful, deeply-rooted emotion. The journey of a man on his way to cope with loss and grief and to become whole again.

The narration. Both narrators are a force on their own – but combined… they were perfection. I know mainly Joe Arden as the cocky, smug alpha bad boy. Andrew is anything but that. Andrew is vulnerable, sad and lost – little cracks and tiny wavers in his voice – you can hear all that and more in Mr. Arden’s interpretation. It was intensely emotional, if not to say gut-wrenching. Erin Mallon is one of my favorite, if not the favorite female narrator of mine – the way she delivers emotions and heartbreak is pure perfection. Combining these two interpretations just means one thing: have your tissues ready!

A Story of Mending

Unbreak My Heart is about the journey of healing, finding peace and having a second chance at love. Such a great listen. Blakely tells a heartfelt story about letting go and learning to cope with grief the right way. I love that Holland knew how to give Andrew space to heal on his own so their relationship could get a second chance.

This is not a sugary, spicy, funny rom-com that we are used to by Blakely, but a story that encompasses all the emotion you get from loss and the steps one takes to become whole. How did I connect with the story? I believe all of us have had to deal with something so monumental that life took a turn. We may have used coping mechanisms that seemed minimal at the time, but found that it influenced our relationships with others and ourselves. I've been there.

With Andrew, we don't get all the details of his relationship with his brother, but we can sense the emotional connection and loss he felt after the passing. We see/hear it in the tone and attitude of the story. There was a moment where Andrew questions if he had known his brother at all and begins to feel anger which is another stage of grief. However, his journey leads him to an understanding of what's important. That living life one day at a time with "NO REGRETS" is simply the best path to happiness.

Joe Arden delivers a perfect narration as Andrew. You can hear the vulnerability, sadness and determination in his interpretation. I am used to hearing Joe perform roles where he is an arrogant a-hole or a smug, conceited bad boy, however, this story, I believe allowed him an opportunity to flex his acting skills in a different type of romance. Definitely one of my favorite performances.

Erin Mallon, as always knows how to "be" the character. It is like she has a sixth sense and tunes in perfectly to deliver the character’s emotions. She nails it EVERY.SINGLE.TIME! I honestly can say the Arden/Mallon pairing was a hit!

The Audio Flow Reviews

Incredible Narration

Heart warming story that is more than a romance. It's a story of finding love, forgiveness and purpose. It's a story of acceptance. Both narrators did an excellent job, but Joe Arden's performance is a standout that is saturated with emotion. You feel the character's pain and joy. A must listen.

The most haunting love story of the year.

How do you find the courage to walk away even as your heart is begging to stay? Andrew and Holland have a fight on their hands. Blakely pens the most haunting love story of the year. Unbreak My Heart is a story about love at the best and worst of times. To reach the rainbow, you have to survive the storm. From heartbreaking grief, to unanswered questions, shocking revelations and undying love, there's turbulence at every turn. Yet despite the pain there are moments of intense joy. Lauren Blakely has written a prolific masterpiece that deals with real emotions. Arden and Mallon bring that intensity to life with sincerity and soulfulness that speak to the pain, inspire the heart and lay claim to the soul.

Breathtakingly Beautiful!

I have never been compelled to write a review before, but the story and the perfection narration simple blew me away! The emotion of Joe Arden was a flawless performance. Don't miss out on the beautiful love story of finding your way to happiness after a great loss.

Heartbreakingly Beautiful

This is not the typical love story one would expect from Lauren Blakely. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the stories I have ever read from her, she is a very talented writer. But Unbreak My Heart is something else. In a good way. But it will break your heart. And then, in the end, it will unbreak it.

This is mainly Andrew’s story. He is 25 years old and has experienced so much loss in his short life already. He is almost completely broken. And then there is Holland. Three years ago they were in love, happy, together. Then life got in the way and they broke up. Now they find themselves in the same place at the same time, but before they can decide if they have a future together, Andrew needs to deal with his grief. He needs to find answers about his family, regain his will to live and his ability to love.

This story is so real. Andrew’s pain is so raw, so heartbreaking. You can’t help but feel it. And Holland is so understanding and warm, so willing to help but aware of her limitations. This is a story about loss, facing grief and healing, about family and second chances. It is simply beautiful. It is wonderfully written. It has so much depth. I almost have no words to make it justice. I’m trying, though. I loved it, and cried plenty of times. It is so worth it.

Joe Arden’s performance is superb. His portrayal of Andrew is so natural, so raw, you can feel the pain in his voice. There are times you can tell he is about to break. I had tears in my eyes listening to him. Heartbreakingly beautiful. And then there’s Erin Mallon. She is always excellent, every single time. Here you can feel a sweetness in her voice that brings Holland to life. This is one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. I loved it.

DOWNLOAD NOW! AN ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL STORY

A beautiful story written with such sensitivity.

🎧 Finally started this today and just finished...my heart has
been smashed into pieces💔 which I knew it would...as it's very close to home for me due to current times and so I am a sobbing mess😭🤧 another truly stunning book by Lauren Blakely that so carefully navigates its way around the subject of loss and the baggage that circles someone whilst dealing with the grief that accompanies it.
I could never imagine any one else telling Andrew's story with such raw emotion as Joe Arden did alongside the wonderful Erin Mallon. So glad I managed to put my big girls pants on and dived into this book today.

Comment

5 Broke my Heart Stars

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Broke my Heart Stars

Well this one certainly had me bawling, Lauren Blakely is certainly the queen of the RomCom but this one is a little different to her usual jolly stories.

This is a second chance romance, which is one of my favourite types, and this one has moved into my most favourite spot!

Andrew is trying to come to terms with the death of his brother, and we see (and hear) the pain of his grief and heartache.

Holland is an old flame of Andrew's and has always loved him, but timing, jobs, and life got in the way, so they stayed friends.

Holland moved away for work and lived in Tokyo where Andrew's brother spent his last days.

After Andrew finds something that makes him question his brother, he decides to go and find out the answers for himself and travels to Tokyo, taking Holland with him.

I loved Holland, she was a strong independent woman, who put love on the back burner to follow her dreams of being a nurse, Andrew however was stuck in a limbo of grief and hatred, followed by using emotional blackmail to get his own way and use people, unfortunately (or fortunately for him) Holland doesn't take any of his sh*t, and gives him just as good back.

Once again Lauren Blakely manages to encapsulate the sights and feels of a place, i have never travelled to Tokyo, but her words made me feel like i was there, and i could close my eyes and picture everything perfectly.

🎧🎧 Outstanding narration by two of my favourites Joe Arden and Erin Mallon who were just fantastic together!

You could physically feel Andrew's pain, and the performance given by Joe Arden on this one is amazing, he WAS Andrew in my head, and the fact that you could hear his voice cracking when he was talking about his dead brother made me tear up more than once.

Erin Mallon once again gives a brilliant performance and they both bounce off of each other seamlessly.

You may need Kleenex for this one, but it is sooo worth it, definitely save a credit and don't miss out on this one! 

Absolutely brilliant

Wow unbreak my heart was a beautiful story I really loved it and so emotional the narrators were perfect I love both Joe Arden and Erin Mallon they are both outstanding narrators.