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Save Me Brooks
As a 911 dispatcher, Sophia is privy to a lot of things only those at the sheriff’s department in her tiny, rural Indiana town know. She knows who the subject of drug raids will be, who’s been arrested for what crimes, and who’s on payroll as informants. But she only took the job because her abusive boyfriend, Adam, needs the information to help grow his criminal enterprise. To make sure Sophia keeps the job and the intel coming, he kidnaps her sister and holds her hostage, threatening to slice her throat if Sophia doesn’t do as she’s been told.
Xander is a rookie sheriff’s deputy who’s eager for that one case to come along that will define his career and help him climb the ranks. When Sophia walks into the command center for the first time, he does a double take. She’s exactly his type. And the more he talks to her over the first few days, a deeper connection begins to grow between the two of them. But no matter how many hints he drops to let her know he’s falling for her, Sophia seems to retreat within herself. Soon, it becomes clear to Xander that she’s going through something troubling in her personal life. More than anything, he wants to help her…to protect her…if only she’d share her pain with him.
Terrified of being caught sneaking secrets to Adam, Sophia becomes desperate for help. But she can’t request an official investigation. If she does, Adam will know she ratted, and he’ll follow through on his promise to kill her sister and make her body disappear forever. Out of options, Sophia sends an anonymous tip to Xander’s cellphone, tipping him off about her sister and hoping he’ll investigate her kidnapping off the record. It’s a risky move, especially since she’s spurned his every advance, despite her deepening feelings for him.
If Sophia can’t convince Xander to put aside his broken heart and help her, time will run out, and Adam will follow through on his threat. He’ll kill her sister just to spite her, and if that doesn’t satiate his blood lust, Sophia may disappear forever, too.
Xander is a rookie sheriff’s deputy who’s eager for that one case to come along that will define his career and help him climb the ranks. When Sophia walks into the command center for the first time, he does a double take. She’s exactly his type. And the more he talks to her over the first few days, a deeper connection begins to grow between the two of them. But no matter how many hints he drops to let her know he’s falling for her, Sophia seems to retreat within herself. Soon, it becomes clear to Xander that she’s going through something troubling in her personal life. More than anything, he wants to help her…to protect her…if only she’d share her pain with him.
Terrified of being caught sneaking secrets to Adam, Sophia becomes desperate for help. But she can’t request an official investigation. If she does, Adam will know she ratted, and he’ll follow through on his promise to kill her sister and make her body disappear forever. Out of options, Sophia sends an anonymous tip to Xander’s cellphone, tipping him off about her sister and hoping he’ll investigate her kidnapping off the record. It’s a risky move, especially since she’s spurned his every advance, despite her deepening feelings for him.
If Sophia can’t convince Xander to put aside his broken heart and help her, time will run out, and Adam will follow through on his threat. He’ll kill her sister just to spite her, and if that doesn’t satiate his blood lust, Sophia may disappear forever, too.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 9, 2026
2 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 17, 2026
I read this as an ARC my review below contains spoilers.
4.5⭐️ I had listed as 4 originally but Goodreads doesn’t do 1/2s and I really think 4 was not quite enough.
I was really excited to read this and overall I liked it. I would definitely read more from this author in the future.
From just a personal preference standpoint for why I didn’t go a full 5. There were parts that felt rushed to me and would have liked more build up to - like them seemingly just being suddenly in love after a few short encounters (to be fair I know people fall in love fast I just wanted more interaction because I really liked how the characters were shaping up). I found Sophia to be a bit immature and frustrating at times but that fits with her trauma. She alone is the definition of “miscommunication trope” due to severe trust issues so she would make assumptions that seemed a stretch. Which because of how she was acting makes it hard to see her falling for Xander. She also is extremely hot/cold at times. Again though you have to remember the traumas she’s endured and state of mind.
The first half of the book everything happened quickly. The second half of the book nothing really happened as it was more or less just them settling in to life after Adam. If you like knowing more about what happens with characters after the main resolution of a story I can see the appeal but I would have enjoyed this just as much as a novella that ended a few chapters after everything came to a head. Either way a great read!
Like I said overall I liked this book and think the plot makes for an interesting story.
4.5⭐️ I had listed as 4 originally but Goodreads doesn’t do 1/2s and I really think 4 was not quite enough.
I was really excited to read this and overall I liked it. I would definitely read more from this author in the future.
From just a personal preference standpoint for why I didn’t go a full 5. There were parts that felt rushed to me and would have liked more build up to - like them seemingly just being suddenly in love after a few short encounters (to be fair I know people fall in love fast I just wanted more interaction because I really liked how the characters were shaping up). I found Sophia to be a bit immature and frustrating at times but that fits with her trauma. She alone is the definition of “miscommunication trope” due to severe trust issues so she would make assumptions that seemed a stretch. Which because of how she was acting makes it hard to see her falling for Xander. She also is extremely hot/cold at times. Again though you have to remember the traumas she’s endured and state of mind.
The first half of the book everything happened quickly. The second half of the book nothing really happened as it was more or less just them settling in to life after Adam. If you like knowing more about what happens with characters after the main resolution of a story I can see the appeal but I would have enjoyed this just as much as a novella that ended a few chapters after everything came to a head. Either way a great read!
Like I said overall I liked this book and think the plot makes for an interesting story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
As a lover of police mysteries & dark romances, I was super excited to read this ARC. Save Me Brooks did not disappoint, it was a perfect mash up of both.
The beginning of the book was non-stop with twists and surprises, both MCs telling themselves they hated the other, but actually falling head over heels in their heads. I got sucked right in to their romance and was rooting for them the whole book. I really loved how well Ember approached the more traumatic side of things, and how realistic Sophia's hot & cold emotions were, based on her trauma. The spicy scenes were written beautifully and were believable, which isn't always easily done. After everything comes to a head, I felt the book slowed down quite a bit, but it still felt realistic.
The only things I'd have changed would be to go more in-depth on the events that happened before the story started. We get bits and pieces, but again, this still felt realistic from Sophia's traumatized POV.
I'm definitely looking forward to following Ember's career, as she's put her best foot forward with this story! It was original, exciting & believable, all the hallmarks of a good book for me!
The beginning of the book was non-stop with twists and surprises, both MCs telling themselves they hated the other, but actually falling head over heels in their heads. I got sucked right in to their romance and was rooting for them the whole book. I really loved how well Ember approached the more traumatic side of things, and how realistic Sophia's hot & cold emotions were, based on her trauma. The spicy scenes were written beautifully and were believable, which isn't always easily done. After everything comes to a head, I felt the book slowed down quite a bit, but it still felt realistic.
The only things I'd have changed would be to go more in-depth on the events that happened before the story started. We get bits and pieces, but again, this still felt realistic from Sophia's traumatized POV.
I'm definitely looking forward to following Ember's career, as she's put her best foot forward with this story! It was original, exciting & believable, all the hallmarks of a good book for me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2026
Save Me Brooks was a wild ride. I was extremely excited to start this ARC, and it did not disappoint. I was hooked from page one, following Sophia's first day at a Sheriff's Department in a tiny, rural town. She quickly meets Xander, who claims to hate her, but his inner monologue?! That man was IN LOVE.
The first half of the book was pretty fast-paced, and I loved seeing things from both Sophia and Xander's POVs. I also enjoyed seeing the way Sophia and Xander connected, albeit reluctantly, throughout the second part. Sophia's way of healing is not one that's easy, but Ember did a great job writing about her journey as well as how Xander plays a role in this. I did think it was important to see how Sophia coped with everything that happened in the span of mere days, but I did, however, feel the second part dragged a little bit.
Otherwise, I enjoyed seeing how the book ended, and how Xander and Sophia got their well deserved happily ever after. I'm definitely looking forward to book two. Thank you so much Ember for providing me with an ARC!
The first half of the book was pretty fast-paced, and I loved seeing things from both Sophia and Xander's POVs. I also enjoyed seeing the way Sophia and Xander connected, albeit reluctantly, throughout the second part. Sophia's way of healing is not one that's easy, but Ember did a great job writing about her journey as well as how Xander plays a role in this. I did think it was important to see how Sophia coped with everything that happened in the span of mere days, but I did, however, feel the second part dragged a little bit.
Otherwise, I enjoyed seeing how the book ended, and how Xander and Sophia got their well deserved happily ever after. I'm definitely looking forward to book two. Thank you so much Ember for providing me with an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book wasn't what I expected but it became what I needed. if you think this book is just another romance with a hot MMC and a strong FMC, then....Well yes it is but ITS SO MUCH MORE.
If you are someone who likes their books with meaningful social commentary with incredible romance then this one is for you. first of all lets discuss the romance part.
the romance in this book is *Chef's kiss*, all the characters from our MMC brooks to our FMC are all extremely WELL rounded, the chemistry feels so real and well the amount of times i found myself giggling with butterflies in my stomach is astronomical.
But the highlight for me, was how skillfully the author used the safe space of romance and love to deal with taboo topics such as violence and trauma. This genuinely made me so so happy, it's been a while I have read something so unique and different.
overall, I LOVED the book and I CANNOT WAIT to hear more from this amazing author!
If you are someone who likes their books with meaningful social commentary with incredible romance then this one is for you. first of all lets discuss the romance part.
the romance in this book is *Chef's kiss*, all the characters from our MMC brooks to our FMC are all extremely WELL rounded, the chemistry feels so real and well the amount of times i found myself giggling with butterflies in my stomach is astronomical.
But the highlight for me, was how skillfully the author used the safe space of romance and love to deal with taboo topics such as violence and trauma. This genuinely made me so so happy, it's been a while I have read something so unique and different.
overall, I LOVED the book and I CANNOT WAIT to hear more from this amazing author!
February 9, 2026
“Something about his touch is peaceful. He feels like home. A home that I want to return to everyday.”
The pacing of this was fast and action packed in the beginning. We meet Sophia as she’s gearing up to start her new job as a 911 operator. Xander is the towns deputy sheriff and is immediately attracted to Sophia.
She is stuck in an abusive relationship with Adam, who is holding her sister, Faith, hostage. Sophia seeks help from Xander in locating her. The story isn’t much of a slow burn, it definitely has its heated moments but at the halfway mark things unfolded rather slowly. At least to me, things seemed to settle with the exception of the incident with Liz. Overall, it’s a great story for dark romance readers. Definitely check the trigger warnings before reading.
The pacing of this was fast and action packed in the beginning. We meet Sophia as she’s gearing up to start her new job as a 911 operator. Xander is the towns deputy sheriff and is immediately attracted to Sophia.
She is stuck in an abusive relationship with Adam, who is holding her sister, Faith, hostage. Sophia seeks help from Xander in locating her. The story isn’t much of a slow burn, it definitely has its heated moments but at the halfway mark things unfolded rather slowly. At least to me, things seemed to settle with the exception of the incident with Liz. Overall, it’s a great story for dark romance readers. Definitely check the trigger warnings before reading.
February 9, 2026
PLEASE CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING!!
Holy crap this book was a wild ride and I enjoyed every second of it and devoured it. Xander the mmc who is a Deputy meets Sophia the fmc who is hired on as a dispatcher on the night shift. Sophia has a lot going on with her that she tries to hide while trying to get out of the situation she is in while hiding it and trying to be subtle asking for help. Also had to be careful because of Adam and him having leverage over her. This is an emotional roller coaster of a read and will give you some emotional damage but worth every second.
Holy crap this book was a wild ride and I enjoyed every second of it and devoured it. Xander the mmc who is a Deputy meets Sophia the fmc who is hired on as a dispatcher on the night shift. Sophia has a lot going on with her that she tries to hide while trying to get out of the situation she is in while hiding it and trying to be subtle asking for help. Also had to be careful because of Adam and him having leverage over her. This is an emotional roller coaster of a read and will give you some emotional damage but worth every second.
February 12, 2026
“You can call me baby, or darling, or queen, or whatever you want, as long as it means you are calling me yours.”
First off, this being a debut book for Ember Rose is amazing in itself.
When I started it, I thought it was going great and I liked the premise, but things kept popping up that I wasn't a fan of. It seemed almost instalove, there were some repetitivness, and the heroine drove me crazy at times.
What I did like was the dark romance of the story. I wish there was more of that. I liked the hero treating the heroine like she's his everything because she was to him.
First off, this being a debut book for Ember Rose is amazing in itself.
When I started it, I thought it was going great and I liked the premise, but things kept popping up that I wasn't a fan of. It seemed almost instalove, there were some repetitivness, and the heroine drove me crazy at times.
What I did like was the dark romance of the story. I wish there was more of that. I liked the hero treating the heroine like she's his everything because she was to him.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was spectacular, thank you so much for the ARC opportunity!! I really enjoyed this dark romance with a 911 dispatcher and deputy sheriff. I love the way it’s like true crime but also romance(was always a sucker for true crime growing up). I cannot wait to see more, and I don’t want to spoil too much. It’s a book that kept me on the edge of my seat, a book that had me turning each page to see what would happen next. I really enjoyed this first book, and can’t wait for the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fave character?
Leaning towards Xander...1 because I love the name....2 because of his personality 🤣
This story took me for such a wild ride. I was hooked! I'm so happy for the gifted copy and being able to read it early. I was hooked and can't wait to read more from this author. The characters were very likable. The storyline was well-written, I would love to read more!
Leaning towards Xander...1 because I love the name....2 because of his personality 🤣
This story took me for such a wild ride. I was hooked! I'm so happy for the gifted copy and being able to read it early. I was hooked and can't wait to read more from this author. The characters were very likable. The storyline was well-written, I would love to read more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
This was a great read for me. I loved all the tension, spice, depth, details, the family and so much more. I enjoyed seeing these two come together and work the hard things out. The ending was really nice
February 11, 2026
Excellent read! I did not want to put the book down! Hoping for number 2!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews