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Words We Never Said #6
Saving You
“I managed to acquire both my kid and my cat while on the job. Any chance you guys want to get into arson as a hobby so I can maybe find a husband too?”
When Ridge was the new guy in town, he didn’t mind being the single one. After all, he’s had his job and raising his daughter to distract him. But now that three years have gone by, he’s starting to wonder if maybe something’s wrong with him. Everyone else he knows has tripped and fallen into love.
So why hasn’t there been even a hint of romance for him?
Then his daughter’s very hot, very straight Deaf mentor kisses him at a party in front of his family. But it wasn’t for no reason. Oz confesses his mom and sister have been trying to set him back up with his ex and he needs a way out.
For Ridge, who has been nursing a crush on Oz for a year, this is the ultimate fantasy. But when Oz starts showing signs that he wants more than just pretend, Ridge isn’t sure. Can he trust this man with his heart? Especially when his heart isn’t the only one on the line?
Ridge has spent most of his life saving people, but soon he’ll learn if there’s a hero waiting to save him too.
Saving You is the sixth book in the Words We Never Said series. It features a friends to lovers romance with a happily ever after. In this book you will find an exhausted single dad with a hero complex, a first-year teacher trying to find the balance between work, personal life, and a family who won’t stop making things harder, fake dates, falling head over heels, and knowing that if it doesn’t come from the existential crisis region of France, it’s just sparkling anxiety.
When Ridge was the new guy in town, he didn’t mind being the single one. After all, he’s had his job and raising his daughter to distract him. But now that three years have gone by, he’s starting to wonder if maybe something’s wrong with him. Everyone else he knows has tripped and fallen into love.
So why hasn’t there been even a hint of romance for him?
Then his daughter’s very hot, very straight Deaf mentor kisses him at a party in front of his family. But it wasn’t for no reason. Oz confesses his mom and sister have been trying to set him back up with his ex and he needs a way out.
For Ridge, who has been nursing a crush on Oz for a year, this is the ultimate fantasy. But when Oz starts showing signs that he wants more than just pretend, Ridge isn’t sure. Can he trust this man with his heart? Especially when his heart isn’t the only one on the line?
Ridge has spent most of his life saving people, but soon he’ll learn if there’s a hero waiting to save him too.
Saving You is the sixth book in the Words We Never Said series. It features a friends to lovers romance with a happily ever after. In this book you will find an exhausted single dad with a hero complex, a first-year teacher trying to find the balance between work, personal life, and a family who won’t stop making things harder, fake dates, falling head over heels, and knowing that if it doesn’t come from the existential crisis region of France, it’s just sparkling anxiety.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2025
About the author
E.M. Lindsey
149 books1,499 followersE.M. Lindsey is the author of MM contemporary romance. She presently lives and works in the southeastern United States.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
April 14, 2026
I really liked Oz and Ridge together but I wanted more of them as an official couple and as a family with Ina.
There were a few loose ends that bothered me too. Where did Grady disappear to? What happened with Oz's family?
I really like every book in this series, but they're all missing that established couple part which is why I haven't rated any higher. Each book just feels slightly incomplete.
There were a few loose ends that bothered me too. Where did Grady disappear to? What happened with Oz's family?
I really like every book in this series, but they're all missing that established couple part which is why I haven't rated any higher. Each book just feels slightly incomplete.
Read
May 7, 2025This one was a skip ngl. So far book 2 is still the best
March 21, 2025
Oof, this hurts. I enjoyed the writing, the MCs generally, but I've now read AT LEAST a dozen of Lindsey's books (but probably more?) across MULTIPLE series (bikers, tattoo artists, single dads, mechanics, construction workers, novellas, novels, epilogues etc), and I've noticed that women are the villains in 95% of those. The women in this book were PARTICULARLY terrible people.
I honestly hate giving this a low review. I WANT to like this. I'm DESPERATE for good disability rep in the queer romance sphere, and this author gives it, but I can't support that the villains are ALWAYS women, always. And listen, I'm a disabled, genderqueer non-binary person so I'm honestly all for calling out cis whyte women, but ALWAYS??? And it's rarely ever cis dudes being villains in Lindsey's books.
I dunno... I'm giving this two stars and not only one because the writing is good, but otherwise I just can't. I want disability rep, the writing generally is good, but I just feel the hatred for women through the page, and it's no longer looking like justifiably calling them out, and something more like misogyny...
Big, BIG YIKES
I honestly hate giving this a low review. I WANT to like this. I'm DESPERATE for good disability rep in the queer romance sphere, and this author gives it, but I can't support that the villains are ALWAYS women, always. And listen, I'm a disabled, genderqueer non-binary person so I'm honestly all for calling out cis whyte women, but ALWAYS??? And it's rarely ever cis dudes being villains in Lindsey's books.
I dunno... I'm giving this two stars and not only one because the writing is good, but otherwise I just can't. I want disability rep, the writing generally is good, but I just feel the hatred for women through the page, and it's no longer looking like justifiably calling them out, and something more like misogyny...
Big, BIG YIKES
March 8, 2025
5 stars
Another five stars story from E.M. Lindsey, I'm so very much in love with this series and all the characters.
Ridge is the firefighter who works with Adele, he and his Deaf little girl, Ina, moved into town a couple of years before and they were immediately adopted by the guys of the Single Dads Club.
Oz is Rex's Deaf mentor, and he's been working with Ina too. Oz has a terrible family who did not accept his disability and made his life miserable.
Both the men have a crush on each other, without the other knowing, but, after a kiss to keep up the appearances that they're a couple (to keep Oz's overbearing family at bay), they start to be a little more open about their interest towards one another.
I felt so sorry for Oz and for what he has been through: his frustration, fears, sense of inadequacy and failure are very well written by the author, his pain is so real. I loved his development, how he learned to allow himself to be loved by true friends, how he decided to stand up for himself and have the life he deserved. He was very brave and fought for his happiness.
Ridge is awesome: he took care of Oz without babying him, without making him feel broken, without giving him the impression he wanted to fix him. I adored his light dominance in bed: he took charge not to control or possess Oz, but to giving him what he needed, even if the man himself was struggling to recognise his own cravings. Ridge was patient and steady, he never wavered, always at Oz's side.
I obviously love this found family, where all the members do not hesitate to show up for each other, to support, to step in, to love. Adele and Gage were wonderful and I liked very much how grown up Gage spent time with his little bestie Ina.
I was just a little disappointed to not see several of the other guys, especially Renato. Since both Frey and Rex were there and seeing the development of the story, I thought we could have had him too.
I hope the author will consider to give Grady his own happy ending because the man needs it badly. I'm so freaking excited because the next story will be about Lucas and I adore that guy, I really can't wait to read it.
Highly recommended
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review
Another five stars story from E.M. Lindsey, I'm so very much in love with this series and all the characters.
Ridge is the firefighter who works with Adele, he and his Deaf little girl, Ina, moved into town a couple of years before and they were immediately adopted by the guys of the Single Dads Club.
Oz is Rex's Deaf mentor, and he's been working with Ina too. Oz has a terrible family who did not accept his disability and made his life miserable.
Both the men have a crush on each other, without the other knowing, but, after a kiss to keep up the appearances that they're a couple (to keep Oz's overbearing family at bay), they start to be a little more open about their interest towards one another.
I felt so sorry for Oz and for what he has been through: his frustration, fears, sense of inadequacy and failure are very well written by the author, his pain is so real. I loved his development, how he learned to allow himself to be loved by true friends, how he decided to stand up for himself and have the life he deserved. He was very brave and fought for his happiness.
Ridge is awesome: he took care of Oz without babying him, without making him feel broken, without giving him the impression he wanted to fix him. I adored his light dominance in bed: he took charge not to control or possess Oz, but to giving him what he needed, even if the man himself was struggling to recognise his own cravings. Ridge was patient and steady, he never wavered, always at Oz's side.
I obviously love this found family, where all the members do not hesitate to show up for each other, to support, to step in, to love. Adele and Gage were wonderful and I liked very much how grown up Gage spent time with his little bestie Ina.
I was just a little disappointed to not see several of the other guys, especially Renato. Since both Frey and Rex were there and seeing the development of the story, I thought we could have had him too.
I hope the author will consider to give Grady his own happy ending because the man needs it badly. I'm so freaking excited because the next story will be about Lucas and I adore that guy, I really can't wait to read it.
Highly recommended
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review
March 20, 2025
Rating: 5
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: hurt / comfort, fake relationship, single dad
E.M. Lindsey is truly outdoing themselves with this series!
Saving You was another sweet and swoony romance, full of precious moments of hurt / comfort and found family! I loved how Oz and Ridge were crushing on each other, while being completely oblivious that their feelings were mutual. But a fake relationship and a kiss to keep up appearances soon led to a lot more.
I adored the characters, and there was such a tenderness in the portrayal of them. Oz's family was terrible to him and it was everything to see Ridge supporting him and being in his corner. Oz deserved all the love and affection, and it was so easy to fall for these two and their story. Ridge was amazing with Oz and took great care of him. I loved his natural dominance in the bedroom and the praise was the perfect addition to their dynamic.
These two made me smile and swoon a lot, and while the situation with Oz's family was awful, it was overall a very sweet and heartwarming romance. I've loved every character and pairing in this series, and this book wasn't an exception. I highly recommend checking this series out if you haven't yet - they're all amazing stories!
-
I received an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: hurt / comfort, fake relationship, single dad
E.M. Lindsey is truly outdoing themselves with this series!
Saving You was another sweet and swoony romance, full of precious moments of hurt / comfort and found family! I loved how Oz and Ridge were crushing on each other, while being completely oblivious that their feelings were mutual. But a fake relationship and a kiss to keep up appearances soon led to a lot more.
I adored the characters, and there was such a tenderness in the portrayal of them. Oz's family was terrible to him and it was everything to see Ridge supporting him and being in his corner. Oz deserved all the love and affection, and it was so easy to fall for these two and their story. Ridge was amazing with Oz and took great care of him. I loved his natural dominance in the bedroom and the praise was the perfect addition to their dynamic.
These two made me smile and swoon a lot, and while the situation with Oz's family was awful, it was overall a very sweet and heartwarming romance. I've loved every character and pairing in this series, and this book wasn't an exception. I highly recommend checking this series out if you haven't yet - they're all amazing stories!
-
I received an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
March 1, 2026
This was one of the book in the series I was really looking for ever since the characters were introduced earlier in the series and it was just everything I wanted it to be. I had such a good time reading this one, it had my attention from the first second and then it never wavered before I finished the book.
I have said it over and over that my favourite thing in the world is pining and yearning and this one had so much of both of these things, from both main characters and it just really worked for me. I was just so entralled by their dynamic that it made it impossible for me to put this book down.
Also, this book had fake dating and I just loved how it was done. They started fake dating when they were both still very unsure how they felt about each other and then they started spending more time together out of necessity to keep the ruse up and they started realizing slowly that maybe they feel more for each other than what they previously thought and I loved getting to see their feelings develop over the course of the book, it felt like such a natural progression and I was just rooting for these guys so badly.
I have said it over and over that my favourite thing in the world is pining and yearning and this one had so much of both of these things, from both main characters and it just really worked for me. I was just so entralled by their dynamic that it made it impossible for me to put this book down.
Also, this book had fake dating and I just loved how it was done. They started fake dating when they were both still very unsure how they felt about each other and then they started spending more time together out of necessity to keep the ruse up and they started realizing slowly that maybe they feel more for each other than what they previously thought and I loved getting to see their feelings develop over the course of the book, it felt like such a natural progression and I was just rooting for these guys so badly.
March 27, 2025
highly recommended!!
When I picked up this book, I expected to hate it. I was surprisingly wrong and I'll tell you why.
Every book I've read with a main character who's deaf has been so far from reality that even though they're fiction, they should be classified as fantasy. The world where all the hearing characters learn to sign and do it well enough to interpret just because they met a Deaf person, does not exist. And even this book with characters who learn ASL for their children is a stretch.
But this author knew all the ins and outs. The reality of non-signing parents, that lip reading is inaccurate, that cochlear implants don't make the deaf hear and are uncomfortable. I'm an interpreter, and spent 17 years in deaf education. I'm the mom of a Deaf (yes capital D) adult. And I'm beyond impressed with the reality of this book. I'm in love with the love story and the happy ending. I recommend this book to everyone! Its one of the best books I've ever read.
When I picked up this book, I expected to hate it. I was surprisingly wrong and I'll tell you why.
Every book I've read with a main character who's deaf has been so far from reality that even though they're fiction, they should be classified as fantasy. The world where all the hearing characters learn to sign and do it well enough to interpret just because they met a Deaf person, does not exist. And even this book with characters who learn ASL for their children is a stretch.
But this author knew all the ins and outs. The reality of non-signing parents, that lip reading is inaccurate, that cochlear implants don't make the deaf hear and are uncomfortable. I'm an interpreter, and spent 17 years in deaf education. I'm the mom of a Deaf (yes capital D) adult. And I'm beyond impressed with the reality of this book. I'm in love with the love story and the happy ending. I recommend this book to everyone! Its one of the best books I've ever read.
December 31, 2025
Adorable single dad romance
Saving You is a wonderful addition to a beautiful series. I adored Oz and Ridge... and the way the found family of the Single Dads club was wrapped into their story.
I also appreciated that although Oz is new to talking about or acting on his bisexuality, this isn't really a bi-awakening.
As always with an EM Lindsey book, the disability rep is impeccable.
In this, you'll find:
🔹️MM Contemporary Romance
🔹️Queer Firefighter single dad to a Deaf daughter
🔹️Bisexual Deaf mentor & high school teacher
🔹️On-page spice
🔹️Fake dating
🔹️First times
🔹️Hurt/comfort
🔹️Emotional abuse by family
🔹️Road traffic accident with a kid running off (adult gets hurt)
🔹️Mention of past abuse of a Deaf adult by police
🔹️A HEA
Saving You is a wonderful addition to a beautiful series. I adored Oz and Ridge... and the way the found family of the Single Dads club was wrapped into their story.
I also appreciated that although Oz is new to talking about or acting on his bisexuality, this isn't really a bi-awakening.
As always with an EM Lindsey book, the disability rep is impeccable.
In this, you'll find:
🔹️MM Contemporary Romance
🔹️Queer Firefighter single dad to a Deaf daughter
🔹️Bisexual Deaf mentor & high school teacher
🔹️On-page spice
🔹️Fake dating
🔹️First times
🔹️Hurt/comfort
🔹️Emotional abuse by family
🔹️Road traffic accident with a kid running off (adult gets hurt)
🔹️Mention of past abuse of a Deaf adult by police
🔹️A HEA
December 29, 2025
EM Lindsey has so many disability romances and I want to like her so much but gosh is the writing just not good. So much is just told to us in past tense. The entirety of Oz’s first chapter is telling us all his interactions with the past, why not just show us in real time? There are so many side characters and so much time spent on them instead of the main couple which is always incredibly annoying. But the thing that annoys me the most is that their characters always has the most tragic backstories that are simply unbelievable and the villains are so comic book evil it’s just like ???? Like why are they always so comic book evil? It’s just not great. Also I like how there can never be any female characters that are not actively bad people in EM Lindsey’s books. It’s just frustrating.
March 15, 2025
I always enjoy EM Lindsey but this one wasn’t my favorite. Oz’s family was almost comically awful to the point it wasn’t even believable, which took me out of the narrative a bit. I wish the book was a bit longer, too. One thing that always bothers me with Lindsey’s books is the focus on the ancillary characters. I want to see more of the two MCs falling in love, sans time jumps.
February 1, 2026
I feel like almost didn’t see Ina in the book, she was always at one of the other houses.
March 10, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Saving You is the sixth book in E.M. Lindsey’s Worlds We Never Said series. The stories feature a found family of single dads who support one another and spend a lot of time together. So this book does stand alone well from a relationship end, but both Oz and Ridge appear in earlier books and many of the men from prior stories appear as side characters here. This book also jumps ahead in time about four years from the end of Chasing You. I think this timeline works well, as it gives a chance for Ridge to settle in a little with the group of dads, as well as to set up the basics of the relationship between Ridge and Oz.
This story is sweet and sexy as Oz and Ridge move from really only connecting through Ina, to becoming friends, then lovers, and ultimately in love.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Saving You is the sixth book in E.M. Lindsey’s Worlds We Never Said series. The stories feature a found family of single dads who support one another and spend a lot of time together. So this book does stand alone well from a relationship end, but both Oz and Ridge appear in earlier books and many of the men from prior stories appear as side characters here. This book also jumps ahead in time about four years from the end of Chasing You. I think this timeline works well, as it gives a chance for Ridge to settle in a little with the group of dads, as well as to set up the basics of the relationship between Ridge and Oz.
This story is sweet and sexy as Oz and Ridge move from really only connecting through Ina, to becoming friends, then lovers, and ultimately in love.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
February 3, 2026
I don't know why but in Frey's book I though Oz was an old man 🤷🏽♀️ Anyways...I'm glad he wasn't! 😆😆 It was a great read.
Ridge and Oz were adorable together! Ridge's caregiving nature really helped Oz. ❤️
I loved that Ridge had and ASL first house and supported Ina's decisions about her CI devices.
Oz had such a terrible family and they just kept interfering! I wanted a little more closure with that situation.
I wished we had more interactions between Ridge, Ina, and Oz though. Most of the book she was with other people or he was dropping her off somewhere else.
Also, I would be happier with less Frey and more of the other characters though. It erks me at how he just sits in the other guys laps. This time Frey sat in Ridge's lap. I'm cool with hugs and forehead kisses but I feel like it is disrespectful to actually sit in another guys lap when your married. 🤷🏽♀️
Oz saving Rex(Frey's son) was overshadowed by Frey's feelings about it. Oz couldn't properly process it because everyone kept telling him about Frey's feelings and Rex's new diagnosis.
Ridge and Oz were adorable together! Ridge's caregiving nature really helped Oz. ❤️
I loved that Ridge had and ASL first house and supported Ina's decisions about her CI devices.
Oz had such a terrible family and they just kept interfering! I wanted a little more closure with that situation.
I wished we had more interactions between Ridge, Ina, and Oz though. Most of the book she was with other people or he was dropping her off somewhere else.
Also, I would be happier with less Frey and more of the other characters though. It erks me at how he just sits in the other guys laps. This time Frey sat in Ridge's lap. I'm cool with hugs and forehead kisses but I feel like it is disrespectful to actually sit in another guys lap when your married. 🤷🏽♀️
Oz saving Rex(Frey's son) was overshadowed by Frey's feelings about it. Oz couldn't properly process it because everyone kept telling him about Frey's feelings and Rex's new diagnosis.
July 30, 2025
Ridge had only ever been kind and honest. Even if he’d held back his feelings in words, he hadn’t held them back in the way he treated Oz. Or the way he held him, or kissed him, or spoiled him. Even when he’d made Oz beg for it, he’d been giving Oz what he secretly craved.
This was cute! More of a 3.5 but I'm rounding up because I have fallen for this little found family. This was very much more Oz's book than it was Ridge tbh but I was okay with it because I loved Oz. I was heartbroken by the way his family treated him and had been hoping they were going to have a suffer at least a little!! Ridge was so good to Oz and Oz deserved all the spoiling and care. I loved Ozs relationship with Frey and Rex and I wish we would have gotten to see Rex and Oz reunite post the accident.
This was cute! More of a 3.5 but I'm rounding up because I have fallen for this little found family. This was very much more Oz's book than it was Ridge tbh but I was okay with it because I loved Oz. I was heartbroken by the way his family treated him and had been hoping they were going to have a suffer at least a little!! Ridge was so good to Oz and Oz deserved all the spoiling and care. I loved Ozs relationship with Frey and Rex and I wish we would have gotten to see Rex and Oz reunite post the accident.
March 9, 2025
Oz finally gets his story and it is everything I wanted it to be. Ridge is perfect for him and watching the two of them come together is so sweet and I really loved how Ridge was able to help Oz grow into his own. Poor Oz was treated terribly by his family but his true family showed him where his value lied and watching him embrace the kind of treatment he deserved was so special and emotional.
Perfect addition to this series. I never wanted it to end as you could feel just how right these two were and wanted to live in it.
Perfect addition to this series. I never wanted it to end as you could feel just how right these two were and wanted to live in it.
March 10, 2025
There will not be another author who writes disability the way EM Lindsay does. Her books always bring a smile to my face! These two men were so much fun to read. Oz and Ridge have some personal hurdles to work through and poor Oz….his family is the literal worst. The way Ridge so selflessly and willingly offered himself to Oz in a moment of chaos was perfect and the snowball effect from it was chefs kiss! Ridge’s grace in letting Oz have the space to choose how he wanted to communicate was such a new thing for Oz you could feel it through the pages. I just loved them.
May 4, 2026
Really loved their story. All better with the little one being there. She stole the show! ^-^
March 15, 2025
this wanted to be a 5star book.
I loved the characters. I LOVED the prologue. I loved the idea of a single firefighter adopting the baby and loved the idea of the cat he adopted. Loved the two mains. Hated the fact that after the prologue there is basically no child interaction. The kid was at the gone or dad was leaving her with someone. It was weird and didn’t fit the characters of either mains. I stopped reading 87% through. That was a first.
I loved the characters. I LOVED the prologue. I loved the idea of a single firefighter adopting the baby and loved the idea of the cat he adopted. Loved the two mains. Hated the fact that after the prologue there is basically no child interaction. The kid was at the gone or dad was leaving her with someone. It was weird and didn’t fit the characters of either mains. I stopped reading 87% through. That was a first.
Read
April 22, 2026FREE today (April 17, 2026) on Amazon.
March 22, 2025
I liked it but I thought it was a bit lite. In fact I adored these characters and was very excited for their story but alas everything was too easy and we didn’t really get to witness this family honestly develop, I am very disappointed. In fact the more I think about it this book didn’t get the respect and character development the previous books in this series got.
March 11, 2025
couldn’t get into this one
I normally love this author but I just couldn’t get into the characters or the story. It was just a bit too over the top for me.
I normally love this author but I just couldn’t get into the characters or the story. It was just a bit too over the top for me.
December 2, 2025
This one was not great. I'm glad it was short.
I'm going to DNF the series here.
I'm going to DNF the series here.
March 7, 2025
CWs and CNs at the end:
This series is just so good and I can’t believe how every book manages to worm its way into my heart. In Saving You, sixth in the Words We Never Said series featuring single dads, we meet two characters we have already been introduced to in previous books; Ridge, who is a firefighter along with Adele, and Oz, who we previously saw in Frey’s book as his son’s Deaf mentor. Saving You had the signature EM Lindsey angst and feels and, as usual, made me cry and want to hug these characters immediately.
One of my favourite things about this book was how much devotion we see between the characters. Front and centre of course, was that between Ridge and Oz. When Oz proposes a fake dating situation at the spur of the moment to get his truly terrible family off his back, Ridge readily agrees. After all, pretending to date the guy you’ve been crushing on forever and who works with your kid is a good plan, right? Right??? But soon it becomes so clear to Ridge how starved for affection Oz is and how much he has been walling himself off from fulfilling relationships after the bad experiences he had in the past. He doesn’t quite know what to do with the care and tenderness Ridge gives him so freely and it made my heart hurt in the best way to see Oz slowly understand that sometimes, love and loyalty is unconditional. It was particularly gratifying to see how Oz heals from some of the ableist trauma he endured as a child and finds someone willing to centre his experiences, his language and his reality in the lives they are building together.
I also loved just how much devotion there is between this found family–a running theme throughout this whole series. We see many of our past favourite characters pop in and out. all freely offering their help, support, advice and meddling as necessary. To see a group of people show up so fully for each other and be so fiercely protective of each other mends something in my heart each time.
For a really lovely, heartwarming, emotional, swoony romance with some well-placed praise kink thrown in there, be sure to check out Saving You, releasing on May 10th!
CWs:
On-page childbirth scene; child abandonment; narcissistic parenting and child neglect; ableism, homophobia and biphobia; attempted coercion by an ex (not between MCs); on-page scene of a pedestrian struck by a car with non-permanent injuries; panic attack.
CNs:
This is an MM contemporary romance featuring a firefighter and a Deaf teacher. Tropes include friends-to-lovers, fake dating, and found family. The book is medium heat and includes several on-page sex scenes, including some praise kink. Thank you to the author for the ARC and this is my voluntary review.
This series is just so good and I can’t believe how every book manages to worm its way into my heart. In Saving You, sixth in the Words We Never Said series featuring single dads, we meet two characters we have already been introduced to in previous books; Ridge, who is a firefighter along with Adele, and Oz, who we previously saw in Frey’s book as his son’s Deaf mentor. Saving You had the signature EM Lindsey angst and feels and, as usual, made me cry and want to hug these characters immediately.
One of my favourite things about this book was how much devotion we see between the characters. Front and centre of course, was that between Ridge and Oz. When Oz proposes a fake dating situation at the spur of the moment to get his truly terrible family off his back, Ridge readily agrees. After all, pretending to date the guy you’ve been crushing on forever and who works with your kid is a good plan, right? Right??? But soon it becomes so clear to Ridge how starved for affection Oz is and how much he has been walling himself off from fulfilling relationships after the bad experiences he had in the past. He doesn’t quite know what to do with the care and tenderness Ridge gives him so freely and it made my heart hurt in the best way to see Oz slowly understand that sometimes, love and loyalty is unconditional. It was particularly gratifying to see how Oz heals from some of the ableist trauma he endured as a child and finds someone willing to centre his experiences, his language and his reality in the lives they are building together.
I also loved just how much devotion there is between this found family–a running theme throughout this whole series. We see many of our past favourite characters pop in and out. all freely offering their help, support, advice and meddling as necessary. To see a group of people show up so fully for each other and be so fiercely protective of each other mends something in my heart each time.
For a really lovely, heartwarming, emotional, swoony romance with some well-placed praise kink thrown in there, be sure to check out Saving You, releasing on May 10th!
CWs:
On-page childbirth scene; child abandonment; narcissistic parenting and child neglect; ableism, homophobia and biphobia; attempted coercion by an ex (not between MCs); on-page scene of a pedestrian struck by a car with non-permanent injuries; panic attack.
CNs:
This is an MM contemporary romance featuring a firefighter and a Deaf teacher. Tropes include friends-to-lovers, fake dating, and found family. The book is medium heat and includes several on-page sex scenes, including some praise kink. Thank you to the author for the ARC and this is my voluntary review.
March 8, 2025
We finally get Ridge's story! Woohoo!! I've been so curious about both him and Oz for quite some time and I'm elated that they not only got their own stories, but that they end up being just what the other needs.
My heart was breaking the whole time for Oz, the way his family treats him is despicable and no one should be treated the way they treat him. Seeing him grow and realize and recognize his worth was so beautiful. Especially when he saw that he had people around him who accepted him as is, they weren't trying to make him conform into something he's not, they love him and want him exactly as he is.
After a tough call where he helped a young woman give birth to a baby, Ridge hasn't been the same. And when that baby ends up being dropped off at his firehouse he knows she's his kid, no matter what. After gaining both his car and his daughter from his job he thought that maybe that's how he would find his partner, but when he can't help but to fall for his daughter's teacher, he realizes that life has a way of working itself out in the most unexpected ways.
You know how some people just fit together? That's Ridge and Oz, they just are great for one another. Oz at his core is a people pleaser sometimes to the detriment to himself, Ridge sees that and makes sure he can do what he can to take care of the man. It was so endearing seeing Ridge and Oz interacting together, their dialogue was full of life and emotion. Their dynamic kept me engaged and made me cheer them on along the way, Ridge never made Oz feel like he had to use his implants. He always made sure to meet Oz, and his daughter halfway, whether that meant their conversations were all in ASL or if they were spoken vocally. I thought the way they communicated with each other was so beautiful and it was such a fantastic display of how people should interact with one another. With kindness, and acceptance instead of judgement and hostility.
The scenes where Oz had his special days with Rex was absolutely adorable, I loved seeing Oz interacting with the kids. Overtime he finally let the men from the single dads group in, and let himself befriend them all. When that happened I was cheering him on, I was so happy when he let people around him in, and when he told Ridge he loved him. That was so heartwarming!!
I adored being able to see more of the characters from the previous books, especially Rex, Gage, and Lucas. And I'm curious about Grady and what's going to happen with him now that he's seen his wife's true colors. I'm so excited to see this series continue!!
My heart was breaking the whole time for Oz, the way his family treats him is despicable and no one should be treated the way they treat him. Seeing him grow and realize and recognize his worth was so beautiful. Especially when he saw that he had people around him who accepted him as is, they weren't trying to make him conform into something he's not, they love him and want him exactly as he is.
After a tough call where he helped a young woman give birth to a baby, Ridge hasn't been the same. And when that baby ends up being dropped off at his firehouse he knows she's his kid, no matter what. After gaining both his car and his daughter from his job he thought that maybe that's how he would find his partner, but when he can't help but to fall for his daughter's teacher, he realizes that life has a way of working itself out in the most unexpected ways.
You know how some people just fit together? That's Ridge and Oz, they just are great for one another. Oz at his core is a people pleaser sometimes to the detriment to himself, Ridge sees that and makes sure he can do what he can to take care of the man. It was so endearing seeing Ridge and Oz interacting together, their dialogue was full of life and emotion. Their dynamic kept me engaged and made me cheer them on along the way, Ridge never made Oz feel like he had to use his implants. He always made sure to meet Oz, and his daughter halfway, whether that meant their conversations were all in ASL or if they were spoken vocally. I thought the way they communicated with each other was so beautiful and it was such a fantastic display of how people should interact with one another. With kindness, and acceptance instead of judgement and hostility.
The scenes where Oz had his special days with Rex was absolutely adorable, I loved seeing Oz interacting with the kids. Overtime he finally let the men from the single dads group in, and let himself befriend them all. When that happened I was cheering him on, I was so happy when he let people around him in, and when he told Ridge he loved him. That was so heartwarming!!
I adored being able to see more of the characters from the previous books, especially Rex, Gage, and Lucas. And I'm curious about Grady and what's going to happen with him now that he's seen his wife's true colors. I'm so excited to see this series continue!!
March 16, 2025
God, he’d never felt this way about a man before. Well, maybe Pedro Pascal, but he was pretty sure most human beings felt that way about him. This was different.
Ridge and Oz were the sweetest! I’ve had a soft spot for Oz ever since I saw what happened to him in Frey’s book, so I was excited to see him as one of the main characters in this book. And I thought Ridge was the perfect match for him. What Oz had to deal with growing up and even as an adult having to deal with his awful family broke my heart. He spent most of his life being trampled on. It warmed my heart to see him finally be someone’s priority and to find someone who accepted him exactly the way he was. Seeing Oz realize he was important to someone and that he mattered, too, was so sweet.
Ridge was a natural caregiver, and he never hesitated to show Oz kindness and prove to him time and again that he was Ridge’s priority. There was some great hurt/comfort in this one. There wasn’t a lot of angst between Ridge and Oz, but there were a lot of external factors that made things challenging for them. The way they communicated and dealt with everything together was lovely to see. This series is full of swoony love stories, and Ridge and Oz are no exception.
...the longer he spent in Ridge’s presence, the more he realized that his crush wasn’t going anywhere. The guy was the whole damn package.
Once again, the found family aspect of the series shone through in this book. The way the guys supported Ridge and welcomed Oz into the fold was perfect. I was especially glad to see Oz find a loving and accepting family with this group, considering how bad things were with his biological family. I also loved all the disability rep. This series (and all the E.M. Lindsey books I’ve read) has the best disability rep I’ve ever seen. It was informative and eye-opening to learn about the Deaf community through Oz’s experiences. I love the way everyone is loved and accepted within this group regardless of their differences, and I look forward to returning to this world in the next book!
Ridge took him exactly as he was—exactly how Oz chose to be.
No one had ever done that for him before.
March 15, 2025
Oz and Ridge's romance was a heartfelt hurt/comfort read. I found both leads lovable, and it was easy for me to get invested in their lives and their not-so-fake relationship. As both a firefighter and single dad to an adorable little girl, Ina, Ridge had little to no free time to pursue love. In the earlier books in this series he seemed content with his life, but reading from his perspective showed me how deeply he wanted to find a life partner. Oz was a close friend and Deaf mentor to Ina, but despite Ridge's attraction to the man he was terrified to mess up their dynamic and send Oz running. Sweet Oz had a heavy weight on his shoulders thanks to his unaccepting family, and the more I saw how they all treated him the angrier and more upset I was on his behalf. What made me truly sad was seeing how Oz's opinions of himself had been influenced by their cruelty, and I was thrilled to see him start to stand up for himself as this book progressed. Ridge and Oz may have ended up in a fake-boyfriends scenario because Oz's family backed them into a corner, but what started as a frantic falsehood turned into an authentic exploration of their chemistry. I adored watching Oz slowly lower his walls around Ridge, and the sweetness of their relationship was a soothing balm. The two of them took things at their own pace, but even if they weren't ready to admit it out loud I could sense the love growing between them. Oz spent the majority of the book working through his complex emotions about his family, his self-worth, and his Deaf identity, and while he's still on his healing journey I was satisfied with where things left off with him and Ridge. The two of them are undoubtedly better off together than apart, and seeing the way they unconditionally loved and supported each other through the multiple curveballs life threw at them convinced me that they were serious about committing to each other for the rest of their lives.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
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January 4, 2026I liked Ridge and the way that he took care of his daughter. From what I understand (not personally involved), it's better to start teaching a young deaf child ASL quickly, so they can build a decent vocabulary and understand the language structure. There certainly are deaf people who learn ASL in college after their earlier education has been focused on oralism and/or mainstreaming. However, early language deprivation has a severe effect on some. Cochlear implants are not necessarily a fabulous substitute for having a good sense of hearing to start with, also from what I understand.
Oz has managed to make up for that early language deprivation and become fluent in ASL. His family was completely against this. Another reviewer mentioned how in a number of the author's books, the female characters are the most evil, or more frequently evil. There are some evil male characters, too. The non-binary characters I've encountered in those of their books I've read so far seem to be sympathetic enough characters.
In this book, Oz's mother, sister and ex-girlfriend are all pretty spectacularly evil. The ex-girlfriend has been an ex for some time, and I didn't understand how she would think that the relationship would come back to life. Oz realizes how toxic and abusive those three are. Ridge is good with providing protection and support as needed, especially once he understands the dimensions of what Oz is dealing with.
A small child character reoccurs from a previous book in the series that I haven't read. His behaviors in the past are discussed enough that I could follow it. His behaviors in the present day have an effect on the characters, and are explored further. It made sense to me.
Ridge's daughter Ina seemed to be a nice enough very young child, if I remember correctly.
The protagonists were interesting and decent people. Some of their antagonists were unbelievably evil.
Oz has managed to make up for that early language deprivation and become fluent in ASL. His family was completely against this. Another reviewer mentioned how in a number of the author's books, the female characters are the most evil, or more frequently evil. There are some evil male characters, too. The non-binary characters I've encountered in those of their books I've read so far seem to be sympathetic enough characters.
In this book, Oz's mother, sister and ex-girlfriend are all pretty spectacularly evil. The ex-girlfriend has been an ex for some time, and I didn't understand how she would think that the relationship would come back to life. Oz realizes how toxic and abusive those three are. Ridge is good with providing protection and support as needed, especially once he understands the dimensions of what Oz is dealing with.
A small child character reoccurs from a previous book in the series that I haven't read. His behaviors in the past are discussed enough that I could follow it. His behaviors in the present day have an effect on the characters, and are explored further. It made sense to me.
Ridge's daughter Ina seemed to be a nice enough very young child, if I remember correctly.
The protagonists were interesting and decent people. Some of their antagonists were unbelievably evil.
March 10, 2025
Saving You is a heartfelt romance between Ridge, a firefighter and single dad to a Deaf daughter named Ina, and Oz, a Deaf mentor with a painful past. Ridge and Ina moved to town a few years prior and quickly became part of the Single Dads Club. Oz, who had a difficult upbringing marked by family rejection due to his disability, has been working with Ina and mentoring Rex. Both Ridge and Oz secretly harbor feelings for each other but are unaware of the other’s interest. After sharing a kiss to keep up appearances as a couple—meant to fend off Oz’s toxic family—they start to open up about their attraction. The story beautifully captures Oz’s journey from pain and self-doubt to courage and self-acceptance. It’s touching to see how he learns to accept love and support from those around him. Ridge is portrayed as a strong, caring, and supportive partner, always making Oz feel valued and never broken. His steady presence and gentle dominance in intimate moments help Oz explore his desires without feeling controlled or fixed. Their relationship is built on mutual trust, respect, and a deep sense of understanding.
The found family aspect shines through, with supportive friends like Adele and Gage playing significant roles. The bond between grown-up Gage and little Ina is heartwarming. However, there’s a slight disappointment in the lack of appearances from some favorite characters, like Renato, especially since both Frey and Rex were present.
Overall, it’s a beautifully written story about love, acceptance, and building a family through friendship and support.
The found family aspect shines through, with supportive friends like Adele and Gage playing significant roles. The bond between grown-up Gage and little Ina is heartwarming. However, there’s a slight disappointment in the lack of appearances from some favorite characters, like Renato, especially since both Frey and Rex were present.
Overall, it’s a beautifully written story about love, acceptance, and building a family through friendship and support.
March 14, 2025
I love this series and the dads club (can't call them single anymore!).
Oz has intrigued me since he first showed up in the series and I really wanted to know more about him. Wow does EM know how to write horribly families, especially wicked mothers and exes. I was so disappointed in Oz's sister and was hoping for her to redeem herself. I did feel like we didn't get quite enough closure on Oz's relationship with his family, but I understand why. We will be seeing them again in a future book.
Ridge is an amazing guy and I absolutely adored him. He deserved all the good things. It was a bit frustrating seeing him and Oz circling each other, each thinking the other couldn't possibly be interested. But it made sense too considering Oz's walls were sky high and Ridge truly believed Oz didn't like him. Ridge is a great dad and I loved how he stepped up for Ina when the easy thing would have been to walk away. They were meant to be a family. I don't think any child character can top Briar from Knowing You, but Ina sure was a cutey.
I can't wait to get more from this world. All the characters are so interesting and I loved getting glimpses of the other guys and their relationships. They all have such a wonderful bond in their friend group. I'm also excited to see what happens with the next generation. If you follow along closely, you can probably guess a little of what's going on with Gage and I am dying for his story.
As always, EM knocks it out of the park. I've never wanted to be friends with a group of dads so badly!
Oz has intrigued me since he first showed up in the series and I really wanted to know more about him. Wow does EM know how to write horribly families, especially wicked mothers and exes. I was so disappointed in Oz's sister and was hoping for her to redeem herself. I did feel like we didn't get quite enough closure on Oz's relationship with his family, but I understand why. We will be seeing them again in a future book.
Ridge is an amazing guy and I absolutely adored him. He deserved all the good things. It was a bit frustrating seeing him and Oz circling each other, each thinking the other couldn't possibly be interested. But it made sense too considering Oz's walls were sky high and Ridge truly believed Oz didn't like him. Ridge is a great dad and I loved how he stepped up for Ina when the easy thing would have been to walk away. They were meant to be a family. I don't think any child character can top Briar from Knowing You, but Ina sure was a cutey.
I can't wait to get more from this world. All the characters are so interesting and I loved getting glimpses of the other guys and their relationships. They all have such a wonderful bond in their friend group. I'm also excited to see what happens with the next generation. If you follow along closely, you can probably guess a little of what's going on with Gage and I am dying for his story.
As always, EM knocks it out of the park. I've never wanted to be friends with a group of dads so badly!
March 20, 2025
Fake but oh so real
I was so looking forward to Oz finding love after seeing him in Resisting You (Frey and Renato's story) and I loved Ridge for him. When Oz is backed into a very uncomfortable corner by his obnoxious family, he and Ridge embark on a fake relationship to put a stop to his family's machinations but, as both of them are attracted to each other, it becomes the beginning of a real loving, lasting happiness for them.
As with most fake relationships, they don't talk about their feelings but that comes from a place of fear. Oz's self-esteem was non-existent and Ridge thought he'd never find someone who would take on him and his daughter and his job, so I understand their reluctance to stay silent and keep what they did have, for as long as they could.
Their romance was very sweet and they deserved their happiness. It was lovely to see Oz finally letting people in and finding he had friends who cared about him all along, in the much-loved Dad's Club that form the backbone of the series. I also loved Oz with Rex (Frey's young son, for whom Oz is a Deaf mentor).
I loved seeing Ridge's back story in the prologue and was anticipating scenes with him and his daughter but she barely appeared on the page and that was a bit unexpected as other offspring have featured in their fathers' books.
E.M.'s disability rep was as good as always and is an integral part of their writing. Their characters are always written with warmth and empathy and heart, and unfailingly hook me in.
I was so looking forward to Oz finding love after seeing him in Resisting You (Frey and Renato's story) and I loved Ridge for him. When Oz is backed into a very uncomfortable corner by his obnoxious family, he and Ridge embark on a fake relationship to put a stop to his family's machinations but, as both of them are attracted to each other, it becomes the beginning of a real loving, lasting happiness for them.
As with most fake relationships, they don't talk about their feelings but that comes from a place of fear. Oz's self-esteem was non-existent and Ridge thought he'd never find someone who would take on him and his daughter and his job, so I understand their reluctance to stay silent and keep what they did have, for as long as they could.
Their romance was very sweet and they deserved their happiness. It was lovely to see Oz finally letting people in and finding he had friends who cared about him all along, in the much-loved Dad's Club that form the backbone of the series. I also loved Oz with Rex (Frey's young son, for whom Oz is a Deaf mentor).
I loved seeing Ridge's back story in the prologue and was anticipating scenes with him and his daughter but she barely appeared on the page and that was a bit unexpected as other offspring have featured in their fathers' books.
E.M.'s disability rep was as good as always and is an integral part of their writing. Their characters are always written with warmth and empathy and heart, and unfailingly hook me in.
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