Preview
  • 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 (511 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Beast I Loved

By: Robert Davidson
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.95

Buy for $24.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

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
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about The Beast I Loved

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    405
  • 4 Stars
    80
  • 3 Stars
    20
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    376
  • 4 Stars
    58
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    3
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    369
  • 4 Stars
    59
  • 3 Stars
    17
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Glad This Story Was Told

This was such a challenging story to hear...not because of the narration, but that my heart was so heavy from hearing of this woman's turmoil and abuse.....and not just for June, but for Pam and Janna who witnessed this abuse and was even abused themselves. I hope by June sharing her story that it will enlighten more women (not just women, but men and children) who are abused to get the help that they need and the shelter away from the madness.

As always, Kevin Pierce did a phenomenal job narrating this book and did much better at relaying this message than I ever could, through me wiping away my tears. Thank you Kevin for bringing life to this horrible story


This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Wonderful writing

Wonderful writing such a heartbreaking story. I was sad with some the decisions that she made but the world did change quite a lot from the 80’s to the 90’s so there were limitations that she couldn’t control! I’m so glad there’s awareness now & this story is why it’s so wrong for people to fake or embellish or “me too” when they could have had a situation like this! Thx for bringing it to light!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book and Narration

I like so many was hesitant to listen do to the narrator being a man. You won’t be disappointed. Kevin Pierce really brought the story to life!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Hard to take in, but necessary

The story of June's life is absolutely horrifying. Thankfully I have never been in a abusive relationship; I wasn't even spanked as a child, so violence does not register for me as a means to expressing inner turmoil. I had (up until a few years ago) been one of those women thinking, "Why doesn't she just leave him?" or that I would not have let the abuse start in the first place because there HAD to have been red flags in the earlier stages of the relationship. But are listening to this story I now see how complex it really is. I thank June for sharing her story, but I wonder where she is now. How have the past few years been for her?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Horror Story at least

After listening to this book, I thought about it for days. What horror this woman suffered at the hands of a monster. She didn't deserve one minute behind bars. This was definite case of justifiable homicide. I would've done the same thing but far sooner. June is an inspiration to women. The narration was excellent.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Compelling

The life of this woman and her beloved children is shocking..the fact that she survived her sick husband for even 1 year, let alone 6, is nothing short of amazing. Thank God the justice system came to their senses for June to live a happy, normal life

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great insight of what kept quiet domestic abuse

oh my goodness, is all I can truly say, I felt the anger from Jimmys insecurity on every page...just to think June woke up daily not knowing how far Jimmy would go...so heartbreaking, but good ending

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Horrifying!

How anyone can survive such a long time in this kind of life is beyond me. I found myself getting emotionally involved. Get ready to cry!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful