What We Broke

By: Marley Valentine

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Teddy Hamilton

Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

From USA Today best-selling author, Marley Valentine comes a brand new, marriage in crisis, hurt/comfort, standalone, gay romance.

If someone asked me to describe our love story, I would only need to use two words.

Before and After.

When I met Leonardo Ricci, he was determined I would only be a fling, while I was certain he was my forever.

Seven years later, we’re the perfect couple. Happy, married, and in love–in sickness and health, till death do us part.

At least until the unthinkable happens.

Now we can’t look at each other. We don’t sleep in the same bed. We can’t even be in the same room. The loss is too great and the pain runs too deep.

But this man is the love of my life. I convinced him once, and I would be damned if I couldn’t do it again. I would be damned if I couldn’t fix what we broke.

©2023 Marley Valentine (P)2023 Marley Valentine

Raw and beautiful!

This was such a raw and realistic peek into relationships of many kinds-marriage, child/step-child, ex-spouses, friendships. The story does not shy away from trauma and how it impacts every aspect of our lives. Excellent performances by Teddy and Joe, as always!

OMG

This story was so heartbreaking and heartwarming attje samwtine this story gave me all the feels. Teddy and Joe are excellent narrators and I love anything they read definitely worth the credit I felt all the emotions like I was right there with me very well written.

so good, but a gut punch

this book was so good. I love the back and forth of present day and past. this can be tricky but I think the author did a really good job of this. My heart strings pulled. my stomach in knots at points. but the love of the characters, all of them, and never giving up on one another just made it so good. I do love that it was realistic in that nothing was perfect at the end but everyone figured out how to move forward. I also love the cameos from Withou you: Julian and Deacon.

The best book I have listed to in a long time

It is so unfortunate that I do not have the talent to write so that I can tell everyone how truly wonderful this book is. The story is so beautifully written. It was more real life than fantasy. Though it ended happily ever after, which does not always happen, it told of the heartbreaking struggle it took to get there. I love this genre, but it is hard to find books by authors who truly know how to write. There are many spicy scenes, but they go with the story, they aren’t there just to have as many sex scenes as possible to make the book. Listen to the warnings so you will be prepared, but I hope most can listen, it is inspiring and encouraging. As always , having the perfect narrators make the experience even better, and Teddy and Joe made me feel like they were truly Jessie and Leo and feeling all the emotions of the characters. ❤️

Achingly beautiful.

Having experienced a similar life-altering experience, I related to the couple’s painful journey. A loss like that will make or break a relationship. I’m happy art mirrored life and these two found their way back to each other. Well written, well narrated, and let’s not forget well photographed ;)

Hardest book I’ve ever listened to

This book was a reminder to me of what I lost. But also a reminder I’m not alone in that grief. I understood and commiserated with every word, the hard truths, the almost lost love.
Teddy and Joe, amazing as always, but double the amazingness together.

Great book!

Stellar cast of characters with awesome performances by Joe Arden and Teddy Hamilton. This was a heavy read that did not have a glimpse of light until the last hour. Don't forget to bring your tissues .

The content and subject matter of this book EXCELLENT!

Often times we that have not experienced events like these personally can only read and imagine tragedy like this. Most of my friends are gay, and have gone through tragedy like the event in this book. I cried for our boys and their family. I also can imagine the hardship of being asked for a divorce with my friends. I’ve lived a Disneyland life but I felt and hated and loved for the characters each in their own way. Excellent story, and of course the narration is perfection. I recommend this book but bring tissues!

Great story. Emotional.

I enjoyed the book a lot. I thought the first scene was handled really well because it's a heavy scene. I could feel the connection between the two men, so good job author. I don't like it when authors do the jumping back and forth between present and past. Just write the darn book so that we see how great things were and now here we are. Must you jump back and forth? The two men were great characters. I hate stuff with kids in it, but it was okay. The kid wasn't in it too much.
Overall, if you're looking for an emotional book, this one might hit the spot. The narration was good too.

Wonderful story with wonderful characters

I have enjoyed several Marley Valentine books and this one made the list. Stellar cast of characters with awesome performances by Arden and Hamilton. What would have made it better is if it had been performed in duet. This was a heavy read that did not have a glimpse of light until the last hour.

4 stars - I won't listen again