Damaged Like Us

The narration really did the story justice!

Reading another book with my favorite fictional family in it feels like coming home. Loren and Lily Hale are probably my #1 favorite book couple ever. Damaged Like Us is their son, Maximoff Hale’s, book. This can be read as a stand-alone, but I think for those of us that are huge Addicted fans, it will be even more special!

Moffy was born into fame. Privacy is something he’s used to not having. A body guard is something he’s had his entire life, so it’s nothing new to him. When Moffy’s bodyguard he’s had for the longest time retires, he’s a bit anxious to get a new one. You spend a lot of time with this person and he was used to who he had. He was comfortable. Farrow Keene, his teenage crush who used to be his mother’s bodyguard, is not someone he wants protecting him. But that’s who he ends up with.

The chemistry between these two was hot from the start. You could feel the sexual tension between Farrow and Moffy from the beginning. I loved their banter and connection. I loved that Farrow really saw Moffy, who he was, not just as a famous person. Being with Farrow changed Moffy. The sparks between them flew. I didn’t know how the twins would do writing a m/m romance, but I thought they did a fantastic job.



Moffy is the oldest of the Hale kids and since he’s the oldest, he’s always been the one his siblings and cousins turn to. I love the family dynamic in this book. Getting to see the old Addicted gang, and the new generation made my heart so happy. I loved the relationship between Moffy and his cousin, Jane. I can’t wait to get her book as well! I was a little anxious about Farrow at first, but I was so glad I ended up loving him as much as Moffy.

Damaged Like Us is a book I would recommend to all fans of the Addicted series, m/m lovers, and lovers of romance alike. It was a great start to this next generation series and I can’t wait to read more!!!

I thought the audio version of this book was FANTASTIC! The narration really did the story justice. Highly recommended!

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Loved everything about this!!!!

Oh man, the audiobook was even better than the book! They totally nailed it with the voices!

This book is absolute Perfection! I’m so in love with this book. I know I normally say that when I absolutely love a book I just read but it’s the honest truth! All the love! It’s not a secret I’m a huge fan of the Addicted Series, huge. It’s one of my top series ever. It’s also not a secret, if you read my reviews, that this series snuck up on me and took over my heart. I wasn’t an insta-fan. I wasn’t a fan of the first 2 books, they were difficult and hard. But there was still something about them that kept me coming back, something about these characters, they just felt so real. And boy was it worth it, once I got deeper into the story I fell in love with these characters and I knew they would hold a place in my heart forever.

Where do I begin describing all my feelings while reading this book? The one constant in my mind while reading the book was HAPPY. I was so happy the entire time! Had this huge grin on my face. While this was a little angsty at times, this was overall such a light, beautiful book. If you’ve read the Addicted books, you’ve met the child version of Maximoff (Moffy) Hale, he is Loren and Lily’s son. Let me tell you, Maximoff was everything I was hoping for: beautiful, strong, self-assured, smart, dorky (he’s a Hale!) and caring. Oh, so caring. He is truly Lily and Lo’s son. His love for his family, for his parents, siblings, cousins is everything. My heart was full reading about it. It was also a testament to the great writing of Krista & Becca, and the fact that these characters are so well developed you can’t help but being fully invested in their lives.

And the romance, oh man the romance part was all sorts of awesome! You see Moffy has grown up in the spotlight. His family has always been in the limelight and now is stronger than ever. He lives no ordinary life and so he requires 24/7 security, as many other high-profile celebrities do. When his teenage crush, Farrow Keene, gets assigned as his bodyguards, it completely changes his life. I guess you need to read to understand why, what type of person Moffy is, what type of family he comes from and why he’s chosen to be so morally correct.


Anyway, Farrow and Moffy are at odds since the beginning. For one, they’re both super alpha. For two, they’re both trying to hide their attraction to each other. I loved the angst and the anticipation and all the sexual tension! The banter between them was also priceless!


I’m completely in love with Farrow! I thought he was definitely the right fit for Moffy. The only one that could tame him, and the one who could keep up. They’re equals and opposites all at the same time. A perfect match!

Anyway, the book explores romance from a different perspective. Maximoff’s fame is a real issue and it plays a central part in how he’s chosen to live his life. Because of this Moffy has chosen a life of one-night stands, instead of pursuing a relationship.That is, until Farrow comes along. Because Farrow is his bodyguard, and because he’s in such proximity to him 24/7. He feels like he finally can explore those feelings. And when he realizes what he could have in his life, it’s simply amazing!


This book is beautiful, hot and extremely romantic. It also explores things like fame, family and privacy. I also love how gutsy Krista and Becca were when exploring some themes in here, I definitely didn’t find anything out of character or was surprised by anything. I also think that this was amazingly written MM. I’m no-nonsense when it comes to these things. I read lots of books every year, a lot of them are MM. I’ve read MM by established MM authors and there are some I haven’t liked. Similarly, I’ve read MM by established MF authors and I’ve loved them. So I make no distinction when it comes to a good writer. A good writer is a good writer and a good book is a good book. I don’t immediately discard a book because the writer “typically” writes a different genre and so on. This was just perfect. The more I read Krista & Becca Ritchie, the more I fall in love with their books, their impeccable writing and their attention to detail.

Damaged Like Us ends on a happy note, but it's still Book 1 on a series, there will be more than one book. This can be read as a separate series from the Addicted Series although it's a spin-off. The authors have gone above and beyond to explain everything where the new reader won’t feel so lost. However, I think that your experience with this story would be so much better if you’ve read the Addicted Series. Or maybe, I just selfishly want everyone to read those awesome books! Absolutely recommend!!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

They did it again!

I loved reading about their parents & now I love reading about the kids.
The Ritchie sisters writing automatically draws you to the characters. You start to believe the characters are real.
Moffy is a 22 year old man with a big heart. Being the 1st born out of all the cousins he feels the need to protect them.
Moffy's siblings & cousins love him & want to protect him too. When a situation with Farrow gets messy his cousins step up to help.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great start to a beautiful Love story!

This forbidden romance is fun, emotional and so sweet and sexy! I fell for both Maximoff and Farrow right from the start. Maximoff is so smart, loving and caring but also all alpha male. He wants to take responsibility for everyone, making sure they are safe and cared for. He has grown to accept his life of bodyguards, paparazzi, and being alone. Now his teenage crush is his new bodyguard. Farrow is older and opposite of Maximoff in so many ways, making them great together. He and Maximoff have the best banter as they try to one up each other. The more time they spend together, the more their mutual admiration and attraction grows. They can't deny how much they want each other and are helpless to not act on their desires. The growth of their relationship is so beautiful, and their passion is explosive. I really enjoyed their story and the connection Maximoff has with his cousin, Jane as well as the rest of his family. Altho it says that you can read this without reading previous books, I found myself distracted and a bit overwhelmed by all the extended family involved. I'm sure if I read previous books it would have been more fun catching up with them all. That said, there was so much to love about this story. That is in large part due to the awesome narration of both Alexander Cendese and Jeremy Arthur. I loved both of their voices, their inflections and voice changes were spot on and engaging. They really brought this story to life and made me feel all the love, passion, fun and emotion. Whether you are a longtime fan of this series or just discovering this new series, you will definitely enjoy this book and crave more of Maximoff and Farrow!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Most anticipated audiobook of 2017

This was hands down my most anticipated audiobook of 2017, and it did not disappoint! Both narrators did a great job bringing the characters to life, and I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel! I hope the narrators will stay on this project and continue to tell Maximoff and Farrow's story.

I couldn't be happier to get to listen to the book that is both a continuation and new beginning of a story that is so very close to my heart. Like it's origin series, I will be listening to it again, and again, and again... <3

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

This one was a head-scratcher for me.

I kept hanging on until the bitter end of this book thinking something would actually happen. The climax of the book was a baseball thrown through a window and cats getting out of the house. I mean, seriously? This book was nothing but rich people being rich and bitching about how hard it was to be famous. And all these dag on body guards... I mean the story line was completely absurd and unbelievable. The best thing about this book was the narration. And that. was. it.

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

I liked it

Pretty good story, I didn't have the time to devote to this audible as I've had with others. But still I enjoyed it

The narrators did good on this audible. They worked good together

I received this audible free at my request and am happy to leave my review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

really not my style

I really just didn't like the overall story consept, its just over played, and boring, "oh I'm rich, and have everything, but here comes the handsome brute to change my life, and I love him" it has been written, and rewritten, and ishould to have gotten it

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great story,,

I️ never read the previous books that go along with this book and I️ won’t , but this as stand-alone was perfect for me. It was a great start to a series and I️ loved all the characters and the narrators. I’m really looking forward to listening to the next book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Love this audiobook!

Would you listen to Damaged Like Us again? Why?

Yes! I absolutely loved the two narrators! These narrators and the story are so unique. I breezed through this audiobook. I never wanted it to end!

What other book might you compare Damaged Like Us to and why?

I would compare this book to the authors other books. Nobody writes family dynamics the way Krista & Becca do!

What about Alexander Cendese and Jeremy Arthur ’s performance did you like?

I will admit it took me a while to get into Farrow's narration, just because I never imagined his voice like that. But the more I listened the more I liked him! His voice was so unique and I found myself looking forward to his chapters more.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Fame has immortalized them. Family has bonded them. Love will destroy them.

Any additional comments?

If these narrators are going to read the next book as well I will definitely be checking out the audiobook. I am hoping the next book will show Moffy and Farrow strengthening their relationship. Also Janie needs to find love (if that's what she wants) and figure out what her passion is. I can't wait!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful