Breaking Point: A Gwen Kane Novella

by L.T. Ryan, Teddy Hamilton (Narrator), Stephanie Németh-Parker (Narrator)

For ten years, Lacey Montgomery survived her husband.

The cheating. The lies. The hands. The excuses she fed herself so she could make it through another day. Then she found out what he did to the one thing she loves more than her own life.

A stranger offers her a way five thousand dollars, no questions asked. But the real offer is bigger… and far more dangerous. Because if Lacey wants to be safe, she can't just leave. She has to disappear.

Rhiannon's Ranch isn't a shelter. Shelters have addresses. Paperwork. Rules that protect everyone except the woman running for her life. The ranch is something else a hidden sanctuary for women who can't afford to be found—funded by an anonymous billionaire, guarded by secrecy, and built on one Lacey Montgomery will no longer exist.

Now she has a choice. Go back… and risk becoming a headline. Or walk through a door that erases her name—and find out who she becomes on the other side.

Breaking Point is a dark, emotional prequel novella that reveals the origin of Gwen Kane. Narrated in duet style.

Genres: Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published April 7, 2026

About the author

L.T. RYAN is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. The new age of publishing offered L.T. the opportunity to blend his passions for creating, marketing, and technology to reach audiences with his popular Jack Noble series.

Living in central Virginia with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and their three dogs, L.T. enjoys staring out his window at the trees and mountains while he should be writing, as well as reading, hiking, running, and playing with gadgets. See what he's up to at ltryan.com.

BOOKS IN THE JACK NOBLE SERIES
The Recruit (prequel short story)
The First Deception (prequel)
Noble Beginnings
A Deadly Distance
Thin Line
Noble Intentions
When Dead in Greece
Noble Retribution
Noble Betrayal
Never Go Home
Noble Judgment
Never Cry Mercy
Deadline
End Game

BOOKS IN THE BEAR LOGAN SERIES
Ripple Effect
Blowback
Takedown
Deep State (coming January, 2020)

BOOKS IN THE CLARISSA ABBOT SERIES
Beyond Betrayal

BOOKS IN THE MITCH TANNER SERIES
The Depths of Darkness
Into the Darkness
Deliver Us From Darkness (coming soon)

Social Media Links

Facebook (L.T. Ryan): facebook.com/LTRyanAuthor
Facebook (Jack Noble Page): facebook.com/JackNobleBooks/
Twitter: twitter.com/LTRyanWrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6151659.L_T...

Contact L.T. Ryan at contact@ltryan.com
About the Author
L.T. RYAN is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. The new age of publishing offered L.T. the opportunity to blend his passions for creating, marketing, and technology to reach audiences with his popular Jack Noble series.

Living in central Virginia with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and their three dogs, L.T. enjoys staring out his window at the trees and mountains while he should be writing, as well as reading, hiking, running, and playing with gadgets. See what he's up to at ltryan.com.

Social Media Links

Facebook (L.T. Ryan): facebook.com/LTRyanAuthor
Facebook (Jack Noble Page): facebook.com/JackNobleBooks/
Twitter: twitter.com/LTRyanWrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6151659.L_T...

Contact L.T. Ryan at contact@ltryan.com

Reviews

[GCR | Book Realm]

Breaking Point was fast-paced and felt like more than just bonus content. It works especially well if you’re already invested in Victim or Villain, but it still had enough emotional weight to stand on its own.

I really liked getting Gwen Kane’s backstory and seeing how everything began. It also handled a sensitive subject very well, which gave the novella more depth.

The audiobook cast was amazing and really elevated the story.

This was a strong prequel and a worthwhile addition to Victim or Villain.

[Ariel Maughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella😩
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I would recommend reading this AFTER reading Victim or Villain. It gives you Gwen’s backstory in such an emotional & gripping way!

I listened to this audiobook in one sitting. I could pause it! As usual, the narrators were fantastic! Stephanie Németh-Parker & Teddy Hamilton delivered👏🏻🎤

I find Gwen incredibly relatable, my previous relationship was eerily similar. I love her inner monologue & how she eventually makes decisions to move on & have a better life. (check tw, just in case) I love her, Simon, Axel & Sebastian! The characters are all complex, well written & relatable!

I wish this was longer…but I know *why* it wasn’t. I will just be here, impatiently waiting for the next book in the series…

Thank you Podium Entertainment for the audiobook copy!

[Kasandra Kurutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this prologue to Victim or Villain, we finally get a glimpse into what Gwen endured and the moment that pushed her to walk away from her abusive husband for good. We also learn how she ultimately found her way to the ranch that becomes so important to her story.
The scenes between Gwen and her ex-husband feel painfully authentic, the kind of interactions that mirror real life abuse in a way that’s deeply relatable. It adds a raw emotional layer to her journey and makes her decision to leave feel not just justified, but necessary.
The narration, just like in Victim or Villian, was amazing and only added life to the reality of the story.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was exactly the backstory Gwen needed. Fast‑paced, emotional, and tightly written, it fills in the missing pieces of who she was before Victim or Villain and how she became the woman we meet in Book 1. Even though it’s short, it hits hard and never feels like throwaway bonus content.

I loved unraveling the moment she met Sebastian and seeing the circumstances that pushed her toward Rhiannon’s Ranch. Watching her shed her old life and choose her new name added so much depth to her character. It made her transformation feel earned, painful, and powerful.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read novella!
Learning how Lacey survived her husband early on felt so real. The authors are truly talented in their writing. I felt so many emotions while listening. I wanted to hurt her husband. The authors do a great job of bringing Lacey's character to life and the emotions that she feels each time that her husband does something to her. The power and will to walk away is very hard and I was rooting for Lacey.
Learning more about Rhiannon's Ranch and the community of women there was wonderful and it left me wondering if such a place exists, because if it does what an amazing thing that would be.

The narrators, Teddy Hamilton, and Stephanie Németh-Parker are amazing. Their voices just bring the characters to life. I love how each narrator portrays their characters. *chef's kiss*

To see how far Lacey has come after reading the first book is amazing. I can't wait for the next installment.

A very special thanks to Podium Entertainment for the gifted audiobook.

[Kali Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐ 0 🌶️ 5 🎧

Ahhh this was the perfect little backstory treat to Victim or Villain. I loved seeing how Gwen made her way to the ranch and how she met Sebastian. The audio was absolutely perfect too with Teddy Hamilton and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker at the helm in this DUET narration. I loved this quick listen! Thank you so much to Podium Audio for the promo copy!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this audiobook because I follow the narrators on social media. I guess this one was newly released, so I did not realize it is a novella. I am now very intrigued and need to read the other books. I think I need the audio since it is the same narrators, who did a great job. I am eager to hear more about Gwen.

[Bola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a prequel novella to Victim or Villain and it did a good job painting the picture of who Gwen was. I enjoyed this quick Listen and it left me wanting to know more about Gwen and what's to follow! The narrators were great as well. Brought the story to life.

[Amy Storment · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚Breaking Point by L.T. Ryan and C.R. Gray
🎤Stephanie Nemeth-Parker & Teddy Hamilton

DUET NARRATION
(Audible Audio) A Gwen Kane Novella

Thanks to the authors and Podium Entertainment for the #gifted copy of the audio. All thoughts are my own.

This novella was face paced & had me sucked into the story instantly. This is a novella that goes along with the book, Victim or Villain and I was glued to my earbuds people. This is Gwen Kane's backstory and how she arrives at Rhiannon's Ranch which is a sanctuary for women who are abused. The novella deals with some heavy & sensitive topics and it's done SO well.

🎤Let's talk audio: The narration by Stephanie & Teddy is absolutely stellar. Stephanie gives such an emotional performance and they just both bring you right into the life & story of Gwen.

This was a fantastic prequel and definitely a valuable addition to Victim or Villain.

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was everything. From the beginning to the end it kept me hooked with its characters, story and everything. I really enjoyed listening to this one.

[Janet Jaramillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMFG This novella was an excellent backstory also poor doggy 😭

I read this after finishing Victim or Villain 10/10 her husband was such a POS!

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this novella!

[Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though it’s a prequel, I’m glad I listened to this one after the first book. It was good to see the person Gwen turned into & already have an emotional connection with her first. Either way though, it’s obvious why she did what she did & it makes me wonder whether it’s really the last we’ll see of Troy, a character that sparked some uncomfortable memories for me. I also like how these books talk about the mental toll an abusive relationship can have on someone & how our minds learn to deal with that.