Audiobook Sample

Listen to the sample to experience the story.

Please wait while we verify your browser...

  • Title: Little Broken Things
  • Author: Nicole Baart
  • Narrator: Susan Bennett
  • Length: 0.480787037
  • Version: Abridged
  • Release Date: 21-Nov
  • Publisher: Recorded Books
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature, Contemporary Women, Family Life
  • ISBN13: 9.78E+12
Dear fellow travelers and lovers of stories that linger long after the final word,

Nicole Baart’s *Little Broken Things*, brought to life by the nuanced narration of Susan Bennett, is a masterful exploration of family, secrets, and the intense bonds that can both tether and fracture us. From the very first words, the audiobook transported me into the lives of the Cruz family, with all their complexities and contradictions. I listened to this story while on a solo road trip through the rolling hills of Tuscany, the sun dipping low over the vineyards, and something about the juxtaposition of the serene landscape with the tension-filled narrative added an unforgettable dimension to my experience.

At its heart, *Little Broken Things* is a tale of love and protection—of how far we’re willing to go to safeguard the people we care about. The story unfolds like a series of ripples in a quiet lake, each revelation pushing the surface further and further from calm. Quinn Cruz, caught off-guard by her sister Nora’s sudden appearance and the mysterious arrival of young Lucy, finds herself thrust into a role she’s neither prepared for nor fully understands. The novel explores themes of trust, sacrifice, and the long shadows cast by family secrets. Listening to it, I couldn’t help but think of the time I stayed with a family in Oaxaca, where every evening the grandmother would recount stories from her youth. Her voice had a way of pulling you into the heart of each tale, much like Susan Bennett’s narration does here.

Bennett’s performance is nothing short of captivating. Her ability to capture the distinct personalities of each character, from Quinn’s hesitant strength to Nora’s haunted resolve, is remarkable. You can almost feel the weight of their emotions in her voice—the tightrope of fear and hope, the unspoken words hanging in the air. It reminded me of when I first listened to *One Hundred Years of Solitude* while driving through the Atacama Desert. The narrator’s voice felt like a companion, a guide through the surreal and magical landscape of García Márquez’s world. Similarly, Bennett imbues *Little Broken Things* with a sense of intimacy and urgency that makes it impossible to pause.

What truly sets this audiobook apart is how it balances suspense with deeply emotional storytelling. Baart has a gift for writing characters that feel achingly real, and Bennett’s narration elevates them even further. The novel’s pacing is deliberate, allowing listeners to be fully immersed in the unfolding drama. At times, I found myself holding my breath, caught in the tension of a scene, only to be brought to tears moments later by a quiet, tender exchange. It’s a rare audiobook that can evoke such a wide range of emotions, but this one does so effortlessly.

Of course, no story is without its imperfections. Some listeners may find the slow build of the narrative challenging, especially if they’re accustomed to more action-packed thrillers. But for me, the deliberate pacing was a strength rather than a weakness—it mirrored the way secrets unravel in real life, slowly and painfully, revealing their impact one piece at a time. If anything, I wished for more closure on certain subplots, but perhaps that’s part of the story’s power: not every thread in life ties up neatly.

For fans of Liane Moriarty and Amy Hatvany, *Little Broken Things* will feel like a familiar yet distinctively unique addition to the genre of domestic suspense. It carries the same emotional depth and intricate character dynamics while carving out its own space with Baart’s lyrical prose and Bennett’s masterful performance. If you enjoyed *Big Little Lies*, you’ll likely find yourself drawn to the Cruz family’s unraveling facade and the secrets that threaten to destroy them.

I’d recommend this audiobook to anyone who appreciates stories about family and the messy, beautiful, and often painful ways we try to protect one another. It’s a perfect companion for long drives, quiet evenings, or any moment when you’re ready to be fully absorbed in a tale that stays with you long after it ends.

As I reached the conclusion of *Little Broken Things* on a peaceful Tuscan evening, the story left me reflecting on my own relationships—the hidden truths, the moments of vulnerability, and the unspoken promises we make to the people we love. That’s the magic of a story like this: it doesn’t just entertain; it makes you feel, think, and remember.

So, if you’re ready to embark on a journey that’s as suspenseful as it is heartfelt, I highly recommend giving *Little Broken Things* a listen. You won’t regret it.

Until our next literary adventure, Marcus Rivera
Marcus Rivera