My POV: Broken Wings

by Jim Charles

103 pages, Paperback

Published December 12, 2025

Reviews

[Cheyenne Joy Mijdam · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
POV by Jim Charles

First things first: thank you for trusting me with this ARC. Truly. And also—how dare you. Thank you for handing me something so beautifully written and then emotionally shoving me down a staircase with it. I appreciate it. I think.

This is not a “check your vibes” kind of read. It comes with warnings for a reason: suicide, rape, death, fractured memories. If your brain prefers soft landings and gentle healing arcs, do yourself a favor and leave this one alone. That’s not weakness. That’s self-preservation.

I finished this and just… stared into space for a bit. You know the stare. The one where your brain is buffering and your soul has temporarily exited the building. The first coherent thought I managed was: what the actual fck did I just read?*
I was completely mind-blown and emotionally wrecked at the same time. A fun combo. Ten out of ten for devastation.

The pain in this story is raw. The loneliness is suffocating. The way trauma fractures memory, identity, and reality itself feels terrifyingly real. Not dramatized. Not romanticized. Just there. Heavy. Relentless. Honest.
At some point, the desire to escape—by any means—stops feeling shocking and starts feeling… understandable. Peaceful, even. And that realization is uncomfortable as hell.

Reading this felt like being trapped inside Lizzy’s head, stuck in a brain-damaging loop of traumatic memories that only knows how to eat itself alive. No exit signs. No relief. Just the slow grind of a mind trying—and failing—to protect itself.

We are shaped by what we’ve seen, heard, and felt. Sometimes that shaping comes from love. Sometimes fear. Sometimes rage and hate. And sometimes all of it lives in the same body, at the same time, tearing each other apart. This book gets that. Deeply.

Five broken memories. Five traumatizing stars.
Jim Charles didn’t just write a story—he left a psychological bruise. The kind that lingers, aches, and randomly resurfaces days later when you’re just trying to exist in peace. This one will stay with me. And honestly? I’m not mad about it.

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author, Jim Charles, for the ARC.

What an absolutely gripping novel. From page 1 to the very end, it has you on your toes. This is a novel you cannot put down until the very end.

A tragic story of childhood trauma, loss, all while trying to navigate through life, Lizzy is just trying to make it by day by day. Unfortunately, it’s the most vulnerable who are preyed upon.

Triggers warnings: Rape, death, broken memories, sickness, gore.

Pro tip: After finishing the book, go back and read the first chapter all over again. Trust me, it really helps everything sink in even more.

[Teri Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book was a solid read. It was jam packed with deep meaning and a look at what can happen to any given person from trauma, whether physical or psychological. It is really sad at parts and joyous in others. After reading the book I came away feeling a tug at my heart and I kept thinking about the story. I wanted more from the two main characters in this novella - Meaning I wanted to see what happens next. The FMC is an introvert for various reasons and the MMC is kind and protective of her. She experiences overwhelming despondency from things that have happened to her. This book made me tear up more than once. I love the way this was written and it made me want the two main characters to succeed, not only in their lives, but together. Although the MMC isn’t in this first book too much, he is my favorite character so far. He is a hero in every sense of the word and is a hero to her. This is the first in a trilogy, so I’m happy the story will continue. I need it to continue. Check the TWs for this short book if you have them. I would definitely recommend this short read.

[Toni A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you can't trust your memories, can you trust your Point Of View?
What she's forgotten could destroy her. What she remembers will change everything.

This is a sad but frightening story of Lizzy’s mental memories. So many subjects that the whole book is a warning for those who suffer with mental conditions, memory loss, mental health, suicide, rape, murder.

This is not a normal book that I would read but It’s beautifully written and I did enjoy it.

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. This book moves along at a really great pace that makes for an easy read that you cant put down. It has interesting and unique characters that you want to know more about and a story that will not disappoint, keeping you interested and reading until the last page. This book needs to be on your list of books to read for 2026.

[Michelle Cecelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! PLEASE remember this is a heavy book, talks about suicide, death and other heavy material. Reading made me feel like I was in Lizzys head, feeling her emotions and trauma. Even though it was a short read it left an impact. The details were great and on point. I highly recommend, but again mental health is important!

[Debbie Clinton Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! The main character in this story takes you to a whole other dimension of thinking! You feel her pain, you think you’re imagining what could cause a person to have such a complex mind! Is it realistic or is it mental illness? Amazing story to read!!