June Briand came from a dysfunctional family, was raped as a child, and ended up marrying a thirty eight year old man when she was just a teenager. Unfortunately, these situations are common for women that deal with battered woman syndrome. In “The Beast I Loved,” author Robert Davidson not only examines the life and eventual trial of June Briand, but also explores the psychological trauma these women endure. In her second marriage, Briand felt she couldn’t better herself, never knew what her husband wanted, and struggled with blaming herself, rather than holding her man responsible for the emotional, physical, or sexual abuse she experienced. As a result, Briand became passive and allowed the abuse to go on for years, which directly affected her children. Davidson also examines her legal fight for freedom, after she was convicted of murdering her husband. This is a sad story, but also eye opening case.