The End of Me

The Downfall of Us, Book 1

De: Claudia Burgoa

Narrado por: Jason Clarke, Maxine Mitchell, Lance Greenfield

One moment destroyed our perfect love.

This is an emotional, angsty, tearjerker, why choose romance duet by USA Today best-selling a author Claudia Burgoa.

I fell in love with Archer St. James long ago. We were children, but our hearts just knew it. We were soulmates. Our love was eternal. But it wasn’t.

My future and my heart shattered the day he died. Well, they say he died, but I still sense him. They call it ghost pains. It’s like my soul can’t live without him. And after seven years, I’m almost ready to let him go....

There are two men who claimed to care for me—even love me. One looks almost like the man I lost. The other is so different, but the invisible link between us pulls me to him. My already shattered heart is torn between the past, the present, and a dangerous future with two men.

The End of Me is the first book of The Downfall of Us Duet. An angst-filled why choose MMF romance about broken hearts, loss, and hope.

©2023 Claudia Burgoa (P)2023 Claudia Burgoa

So Emotional

Listening to the book after reading the ARC made my emotions more heightened and intense. Narrators Jason Clarke, Maxine Mitchell and Lance Greenfield brilliantly brought this book to life.

Whoa!

Loved the build up - it kept me on my toes! I can’t wait for the next book. This is the first book I’ve listened to by this author. I was really confused by the female MC’s family and extended family, and I started to zone a lot of that out, hoping it wasn’t necessary. It wasn’t, but it’s probably really fun if you’ve listened to other Decker Family books and understand the family dynamics. Also, I’m not really into erotica so I was afraid it would be tons of MMF sex without a lot of character development and chemistry, but it’s a great story.

Emotional Journey!

I thought I was ready for The End Of Me (The Downfall Of Us #1) because I wanted Piper and Archer's story so bad, but I wasn't ready for the emotional torment that it put me through.  The letters and videos that Archer left for Piper undid me.  The narrators did an amazing job and brought this story to life and brought more emotions to the surface. I was relieved that her cousins were there for her through some of it.  Claudia sure does know how to write a book that pulls at your heartstrings, makes you cry, get angry and then laugh at the right times.

This was a complicated love triangle filled with angst and alot of emotions.   Each, in their own way, have suffered heartache, loss, tragedy and pain. But they have also experienced love.  This story will have you crying, yelling and begging for more.  The cliffhanger left me speechless and I can't wait for When Forever Finds Us to find out what happens and if these 3 have a chance at love!

Glad I have the next book downloaded...

Archer St. James was a person I have heard about in several books; how he went missing in a mission that went wrong and has since been presumed de@d. But seven years later, Piper still holds on to the fact that she can feel his heart beating, so she knows he's alive. This story starts with the events that caused Archer's disappearance, and we see what a toll it has played on Piper's heart, especially as she goes through the letters and videos that he left for her in the event he was k!lled on a mission.

This isn't an easy time for Piper, but she does everything Archer sets out for her in each of his letters, which includes getting help at the practice, which is how she meets Derick. D and Piper have great chemistry, and even though she feels the pull, there is no way she will betray the man she knows is still alive.

I don't want to give too much away about what happened to Archer. Still, he is @live, only he has amnesia and cannot remember anything about his past, heck he can't even remember how to walk or read so he is given a physical therapist that will help him become what he was told he was before the accident...a little hint he wasn't who he is told he is.

This story had a nice flow to it, and I loved that Piper and Derick got close and that Piper had established a working relationship with Finn through texts that at times, became a little flirty.

I listened to the audiobook version, and the narration from Jason Clarke, Maxine Mitchell, and Lance Greenfield brought this story to life. I loved how they went back and forth between one another when there were text messages. Instead of just the narration of whom the chapter was mainly about, it was done in duel narration which was amazing.

This book ended on a cliffhanger, and I am so glad I downloaded WHEN FOREVER FINDS US so I could dive right in.

This book is perfect for readers that enjoy Contemporary Romances, Grumpy/Sunshine Romances, Age Gap Romances, Triad Romances, Second Chance at Love Romances, Workplace Romances, or Romances that include a person with Disabilities (mental trauma, amnesia, etc.)

Childhood friends to lover- amnesia

Okay this book was exhausting in the best way and it’s still not over! This duet crushed me, swooned me, made me so frustrated and mad…

Piper and Archer have been soul mates since kindergarten. Married each other secretly on his 21st birthday and have been inseparable. Archer went on a mission with Piper’s uncle’s security team and is now MIA. Piper knows he’s not gone even though everyone around her is saying he is.

Derek is hired to help a young man after getting hurt and has amnesia in South America. He helps this man even though he knows deep down this man’s “father” is lying about him being his son and is trying to get something from him. He helps train this amnesia man but once a doctor says there’s no need for Derek, Derek takes off before they ki.ll him. This young man goes on a mission for his “dad” to kick a land owner off his land but upon arrival the owner offers him help. Takes him under his wing to Europe and helps him. He becomes Finn.

Derek after leaving goes back to NY and gets hired under Piper. Piper runs a business to help heal people with music and Derek is there as a therapist. Feeling Archer is still out there she keeps Derek at an arms length, even though she knows she could fall for him.

This whole time, Archer left a box of notes and gifts for Piper in case a mission he fails to come back from will help heal her. I absolutely bawled 50% of this book. The commentary of Archer in the box was so sad!

I listened to this book on audio and it made the story come alive that much more!!!! Now I’m off listen to the second part of this duet.

Tropes:
Soulmates
Childhood best friends to Lovers
Amnesia
MFM/MMF
Security Detail
Doctor
Musical
Hidden Identity

Fantastic start to an epic MMF love story!

What a wild start to an emotional rollercoaster ride! The End of Me by Claudia Burgoa is book 1 of The Downfall of Us Duet, filled with hope, angst, and suspense. The intricacies of this plot are so intense! Archer and Piper had the perfect love story, which was taken away from them when Archer disappears. Piper’s continued faith that Archer will return doesn’t falter, however, she does meet a new neighbor, Derek, whom she slowly learns to confide in. I devoured this audiobook in one sitting, and it left my heart pounding, longing, and needing more.

Maxine Mitchell, Jason Clarke, and Lance Greenfield narrate this audiobook, and all three gave powerful performances which left me feeling all the things. Maxine fully embodied Piper’s conflicted, haunted, and assured persona in a performance that had me in tears and admiring her strength and fight. (Yes, lady!) Jason was amazing as always taking on the personas of the dreamy and steadfast, Archer, and the sardonic and determined, Finn. His ability to distinctly perform two complex personalities who are actually the same character was spot on! Lance captured Derek’s frustrations, persistence, and dedication to Piper and Finn perfectly!

Overall, I LOVED this book! If you are a fan of a suspenseful MMF romance with a passionate editor and violinists, a hunky writer who works in high stakes security, a retired seal turned therapist, childhood sweethearts, amnesia, love letters, purple eyes, suspense, violin playing in the subway, remembering your dream girl, confiding in family, hanging on the past, friendly neighbors, danger, a heart clinching climax, and a cliffhanger ending that will leave you needing answers and wanting more, then you will love the start of Piper, Archer, and Derek’s story. I am so ready for

Grab The Tissues

Boy was this book an emotional rollercoaster! I went in completely blind and was totally surprised by how emotional this book made me. I was already crying by chapter 3, so grab the tissues!
When the love of Piper’s life, Archer, goes missing she is convinced that he isn’t dead, he is out there somewhere and needs help. After some time has passed her cousins give her a box that Archer had made in the event of his death. To help her grieve and move on and live her life again, but how are you supposed to do that when you know in your heart he isn’t dead yet?
Piper isn’t ready to let go of Archer yet, but she does make room in her life for Derick, her business partner and very close friend. It is clear the two have chemistry and there could be something great between them if Piper would let go of Archer.
The End of Me was my first book by Claudia Burgoa and I look forward to checking out her other books. While there wasn’t much spice, it was made up for in angst and suspense!
The narration was fantastic and done in a unique way. Although the in-person dialogue was dual narrated, anytime a text or letter was being read it was read by the person who wrote the letter or text. So when Piper was reading the letters from Archer they were all read by Jason Clarke and every single time he called her Ladybug I teared up. Maxine Mitchell did a fantastic job giving a voice to Piper, not to mention her kid voices are on point! This was my first time listening to Lance Greenfield and I can’t wait to search for more from him!

Finally - Part 1 of Piper's emotional story

Let me start by saying love triangles are not my favorite trope but I really wanted Piper’s story. This was unexpected and how love triangles should be written. It’s a beautiful story and I liked that it begins at Archer’s disappearance rather than where the previous duet ended.

The story follows the parallel lives of Piper, Derek and Archer/Travis/Finn. It’s so well written. Very emotional and frustrating in the best way. All I wanted was for these 3 to find their way to each other. This is definitely a slow burn with plenty of banter and innuendo setting the stage and creating sexual tension that is off the charts.

The narration brings this story to a whole new level. Maxine Mitchell shows why she is the queen. She’s amazing portraying Piper’s strength and never wavering belief in Archer, but also her vulnerability that she’s keeping from her loved ones. Jason Clarke is fantastic as the tortured, misunderstood Finn. Lance’s dynamic performance shows us why Derek is far from a third wheel in this triangle.

I’m happy I have part 2 downloaded and ready to go because I need the rest of their story.

Love this captivating and emotional story!

The End of Me is an unputdownable story about three people who share an undeniable but cloaked connection. It's full of suspense, secrets, longing, heartache, and unconditional love. I have been so excited for Archer and Piper's story and Derek adds even more reasons to love this captivating and addicting story! Archer is missing after a failed mission. Piper never gives up hope that the love of her life is still alive, still feeling his soul in her heart. Derek is a physical therapist, and ex SEAL who comes into Pipers life, helping her to heal and after years, consider a new life. A man he helped heal physically after a tragic accident, and helped escape a life threatening situation, asks him to work with him in his new security company. Finn is still struggling with his amnesia. He is grateful for Derek, and excited about his new life, along with the woman who is helping him move forward, but has never met in person. They all have complicated feelings, but have fiercely guarded hearts from past experiences. When danger catches up to them, will they be able to survive before losing not only their lives, but their hearts as well? I loved all three of these characters so much, and the direction and journey their story took me on. The organic way each of their connections and relationships grew was beautiful and touching. Their interactions had me holding my breath as I was putting things together along with them, and wondering how this would all play out.
Jason Clarke, Maxine Mitchell, and Lance Greenfield narrate this captivating story beautifully. They nailed all the characters so completely, making me see, and understand them so clearly, and helping me to empathize with them as well. They made this story even more exciting, and I was completely consumed by this thrilling, passionate and addictive story!
The heart pounding ending was a nailbiter and I can't wait for what happens next in the second book of this duet, When Forever Finds Us!

Great story

I received this book as a ALC and I loved how three people shared such an emotional connection. One who can remember his life but can remember his love is very powerful. One who just met and has such a powerful connection a love at first sight. The story fell together nicely and the authors just made it better.