This Violent Heart Audiobook By Heather Levy cover art

This Violent Heart

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This Violent Heart

By: Heather Levy
Narrated by: Samantha Brentmoor
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In this haunting journey into the confusion and desires of growing up, a therapist reluctantly returns to her hometown, where she revisits the memories that could reveal what really killed her best friend all those years ago.

Devon Mayes thought she was done with the small conservative town she once called home. She fled when she was eighteen after her best friend Summer took her own life, leaving Summer’s twin brother, Keaton, lost in his grief. But when tragedy strikes again, Devon has nowhere to turn but back to the place that first broke her heart.

Being back in Arkana means struggling with the old guilt that shrouds her bisexuality and her feelings for Keaton. There’s so much she’s still hiding from him—and so much of their shared past that’s now resurfacing.

It’s not long before Devon has reason to believe Summer’s tragic death wasn’t suicide after all. Summer had secrets, too…and she wasn’t the only one who didn’t want them exposed.

As Devon and Keaton piece together the mystery of what happened that fateful summer, they must reckon with their own truths before they can move forward. But one person will do whatever it takes to stop them.

©2025 by Heather Levy. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Mystery Women Sleuths

Critic reviews

“This Violent Heart follows a woman’s struggle with identity, regret, and the unanswered questions she’s carried ever since her best friend died as a teenager. Come for the chapters dripping in longing; stay for the sizzling love story and redemption arc.”—Elle Marr, #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Alone Time and Your Dark Secrets

“A sultry, immersive thriller about the impact of deception: the lies of religious fundamentalism, the lies our loved ones hide behind, and the lies we tell ourselves. Levy deftly explores the complexities of teenage love, burgeoning sexuality, spiritual trauma, and survivor’s guilt—with enough suspense to keep you constantly on edge. This one’s a scorcher.”—Amy Suiter Clarke, author of Girl, 11, and Lay Your Body Down

“An utterly unputdownable read that hurts and heals in equal measure. This Violent Heart is not just a twisty thriller but also a poignant, nuanced deep dive into identity, sexuality, and belonging. With its dual timeline narrative and cleverly interspersed journal entries, tension and secrets build until the shocking truth is exposed. Powerful, intense, and wholly addictive.”—Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of Till Death Do Us Part and The Girls Are All So Nice Here
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I was expecting a who dunnit murder mystery, which was the plot and storyline however this is an erotic thriller full of elongated romantic trysts involving kink. If that’s what you are looking for, it’s a great listen. I will stick to my horror novels and leave the bedroom fun for practical application rather than in my literature.

Not a Thriller/Mystery - Erotic Thriller

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I have never read an lgbtq thriller. Such great characters and plot with a side of kink! highly recommend!

soooo good

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Fantastic book and Narration! I wouldn't change a thing, except that it had to end! I recommend highly except for those that might be triggered by the themes of Rape, Violence and Sexuality. All done with care and beautiful prose, however.

Fantastic Suspense/Romance!

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I feel this is a genre that needs exposure. So many young people are questioning and failing to unite with their authentic selves. Unfortunately, this book was so graphic at times that it rose to above the maturity level of the target audience.

Meh

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I found myself prioritizing audible over other activities, as I was riveted by the plot, the narration and the characters. I highly recommend it.

Excellent Read!

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I loved This Violent Heart! Heather Levy absolutely nails the intricacies of bisexuality—the confusion, the self-discovery, all of it—making the main character feel so real and relatable.

The mystery had me hooked, with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.

And the spice — 🔥🔥🔥 It’s just right — organic, steamy without feeling forced, and totally in tune with the characters. Levy’s writing is so immersive, pulling you right into every moment.

Living in Oklahoma City, I adored all the local references and hidden gems woven into the story. (Side note: the small town in the story is not a real town in Oklahoma- but reflects a very real mind set of SO many rural towns...and she nailed that too.)

The dual-timeline format works so well for a murder mystery, making it even more compelling. Plus, the narrators were fantastic (loved their voices too), bringing the story to life in such an engaging way. Highly recommend!

If you like your mysteries with a side of slow-burn tension that explodes into heat, Levy delivers!

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I enjoyed the story, I wasnt expecting the spicy aspect of the book so it was a good surprise! I didnt love the narrators voice acting for the characters. Hwne hse was reading as the narrator it was fine but her Keaton voice wasn't my favorite. Still a good listen though!!

Good story!

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When Devon Mayes, who's finishing her training to become a therapist, loses a patient, her supervisor urges her to take time off and work on her own issues as a trauma survivor herself.  That means going back to Arkana, Oklahoma, where she grew up, and confronting her traumatic upbringing as a closeted bi woman in a highly religious and conservative town. She also has to face her own guilt involving the suicide of her best friend Summer and her complicated and unresolved feelings towards Summer and her twin brother, Keaton.

When she arrives run Arkana, secrets buried deep start resurfacing, including ones that may reveal that Summer did not take her own life.

Told in two timelines, the present and 2012, including entries from Summer's diary, the story grips you from the first chapter and doesn't let you go. You get deeply involved in the mystery but most of all you get touched by the struggles of a young girl trying to navigate being queer in a very hostile environment.

Devon is flawed, still working on herself. Keaton wasn't expecting her return and how it would change his life completely.

This book is touching, also full of social commentary without being "preachy". It's a journey into acceptance, forgiveness and finally love.

The audiobook is brilliantly narrated by Samantha Brentmnoor who knocks it out of the park. Her ability to show so much emotion and such nuance through her voice never ceases to amaze me. Every single character is unique in her performance. Stellar.

Gripping and touching

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This is the best audio book I've listened to in months. it has memorable characters, great dialogue and two compelling timelines. Will definitely be picking up another one by this author.

finished in one day..

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I'm not a prude, but I don't enjoy erotica. The description should have been more detailed about this aspect of the book. Additionally, it's slow moving.

Couldn't finish-Too much erotica

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