Saving You, Saving Me

Love in Seven Mile Forge #3

by Billie Dale

Award winning author Billie Dale wraps up her Love in Seven Mile Forge series with Hendrix Carmichael and his emotionally wrecking story of rising from the ashes.

I’ve been told I’m insufferable, hard to live with and I’m wasting my second chance.

I survived. My sister was saved. But my colors, my lights, my soul died the day I tried to play hero.

Now, I’m stuck in a silent, monochrome world.

I’m content to wallow in my darkness.

Asia DeMarco was the bane of our existence all through our teen years. She took joy in others misery and bullied everyone in her path.

We grew up. We forgave. We never considered the reasons she was worse than Regina George on a bad hair, PMS day.

Her sins are nothing compared to her secrets.

At my rock bottom, she arrives full of determination and fire. She might be the only one to save me from burning in my own dumpster-fire life.

When her truth comes to light, she’s in a battle with something more sinister than her younger self. Am I man enough to save her or will I fail again?

*While this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone.

**Trigger Warning - contains acts of sexual violence and abuse**

Genres: Contemporary

501 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2022

About the author

Billie grew up, lives and is lost in Indiana. In the smallest of small towns that is not even worth mentioning.  She has 4 children, two dogs, a cat and a husband that deals with a house full of females. He is the perfect book boyfriend and her inspiration.  
She spends her time reading, constantly reading, swimming, procrastinating, playing in photoshop and writing. Any other free time is spent with her amazingly sexy, tattooed, serious arm porn having husband, who is the best husband on the planet and her best friend.   She loves to live inside the fantasy world that only books can provide and the voices in her head are her chosen confidants.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing story. Lots of triggers from violence and rape, but the story itself is one of second chances. Asia had been abused since she was a small child and one of her friends continued at college. He followed her to this town and continued to violate her. When one of her friends asked for help for her brother, she didn't hesitate. She bullied Hendrix and then came back until he started functioning again. The story revolved around them helping each other come out on the other side for each other.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous sweet second chance read.

Hendrix is recovering but he can't hear anything any pretty much wants to give up.


Asia is dealing with her past by helping Hendrix but who will help her?

Through the darkness these two are in can there be lightness for them.

Gorgeous, sweet,second chance romance

[Kimberly Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. Hard to put down. This story follows two individuals with personal obstacles that are hard to share with family come together and help one another. While also a great love story.

[Lynall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know whether to give this book 5 stars for the brilliant writing and fabulous complex characters or 1 star for what those characters went through. It was scary and heart wrenching and an amazing story. Crazy good book , I couldn’t put it down and decided on 5 stars for sheer overwhelming emotions and story -Wow

[Lori Hammons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hendrix and Asia's story is riveting. They truly save each other, but it's long, very hard road. Lots of sass, suspense, danger, and miracles. I thiroughly enjoyed this book.

[Inked Orca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saving lives ruined him by taking away his hearing.

Hendrix’s world was filled with music and colours until one day it all went silent. Saving his sister came with a price. Drowning in hatred and depression, he became an asshole to those around him. His sister wanted to help, so she brought in Asia DeMarco. The mean girl. The girl everyone judged wrongly based on how she looked and the way she acted was of no help, either.

Asia knows what it feels like to be at the end of your rope. She can be the person to drag Hendrix out of his darkness. And maybe, in doing so, he could be the one dragging her out of her darkness.



Saving You, Saving Me is the third book in the Love in Seven Mile Forge series. It’s about second chances, finding hope and overcoming fear. This book has a lot of triggering aspects like rape, abuse and violence. The book title fits the story perfectly with both main characters saving each other.



Billie Dale wrote this emotional book in a way that makes you wonder what’s next for the characters. It had a lot going on, keeping you on your toes. The way Hendrix and Asia loved each other is amazing. I enjoyed reading this book as they lifted each other up. Having someone there for you can go a long way in dealing with hardships life throws at you. These characters deserved their second chance at happiness.



As much as I loved the relationship between these two, it felt like something was missing. Maybe the push and pull of the plot got carried out for longer than I expected, but I couldn’t connect with the characters. Hear me out, okay? The near-death scenes where characters meet someone already dead and they tell them they need to get back and it’s not their time yet should be a cliche now. It works in some books. You get emotional; you cry and the characters give you the moral of the story in a touching kind of way. But it didn’t work for me in this book.

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Reading about the side characters and how their lives changed made me curious about their stories. With two books before this one, I might try my chance and read them too. Thanks for the ARC and for giving me the chance to read it and share my thoughts on it. This book had a lot of emotions and good characters. With a title that brings on the emotions in a few short words, it’s worth giving a shot.

[Angie Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Saving You, Saving Me: Love in Seven Mile Forge Book 3” by Billie Dale is without a doubt one of the most gripping novels I’ve read to date. This is the first time I’m reading this Author and can honestly say the level of talent poured through the pages is truly exceptional! Although I’ve not read the other books in this series, this book can be read as a stand-alone but I feel personally, I would benefit from having read the other two beforehand to complete the picture. There are trigger warnings at the beginning of this book, and they are rightly placed. The book deals with some very emotionally sensitive content that is sadly very real to some people in our society today. That being said, this story was written with the utmost respect when dealing with traumatic, horrific incidents, and I found the book to be very well written. I was immediately drawn into this story and was able to picture everything in my mind as I walked through Asia DeMarco & Hendrix Carmichael’s journey. The exceptional details woven throughout enabled this reader’s senses to be engaged, making it possible to become a part of it all. My emotions engaged and rode the highs and lows of the book, providing an amazing reading experience. In addition to the trauma, this book represented second chances, pure & raw emotions, tender, beautiful love and forgiveness. Truly a pleasure to read! ~Angie❤️

[Vevo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in a series, but it can be read separately.
WARNING: Contains rape, domestic, emotional, and verbal abuse, eating disorders, self-hatred, child abuse, and depression !! If you have difficulty with these topics, I think this book is not for you.
This book concentrates on emotions, which will make you cry, and twist your stomach for all the events of the protagonists.
There is the happy ending, although I would have preferred a different happy ending (I don't want to spoil it but let's say I would have preferred that the "two" happy events were not connected in any way with violence).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jena Stelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was going through the ARCs on booksprout and came across Save You, Save Me. The synopsis intriguing me right away. I’m so glad I took a chance on Billie Dale’s book.

Hendrix and Asia’s story is heartbreakingly beautiful. Each one goes through so much, but with the bond they share healing slowly happens.

I don’t want to give any spoilers, hence the vague review. If you aren’t bothered by triggers this is a beautifully written story.

This is my first book by Ms Dale, but definitely won’t be my last.

[Kristina Simkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving You, Saving Me was a captivating and heartbreakingly beautiful story about Hendrix and Asia. This book is about two beautiful souls who face trying and tragic times, but when they come together they become each other’s rock and resin for striving to get better and move on. It is by no means an easy or quick journey for either of them and along the way it’s heartbreaking, yet full of sass, laughs, love, and a friend family everyone should have. This was my first book by this author but definitely will not be my last. 🖤

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series, and this is Hendrix and Asia’s journey. This is a well written emotional, raw, and gritty, roller coaster, with 2nd chances, secrets, suspense, danger, intrigue, challenges, healing, and love, which lead to a riveting and addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Be aware of the trigger warnings due to the sensitive content!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the story I liked. Most of the story made me uncomfortable. I have enjoyed the first two books in this series. This one did not work for me.

[Lynn Stifle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving You, Saving Me is a heart wrenching and emotional story of Hendrix and Asia, two individuals that’s been through so much, and together they save each other and learn how to heal. A wonderfully written story and one I enjoyed immensely. This is my first book by this author and I’m looking forward to my next.

[Christine Woinich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was about a couple who both had gone through some very trying situations and were still going through them. The danger, the abuse, the fear, the regaining of self, the support and love from family and friends made this difficult journey/story a good read. I did feel that too much time was spent on the steamy scenes and slowed down the story, but overall, it was an enjoyable read.

This is my unsolicited review.

[DC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hendrix Carmichael saved his sister from a violent kidnapper, only to loose his hearing, and his music from his life. Asia DeMarco is the town's reformed mean girl, who allows herself to be abused because she thinks she deserves the punishment for the way she treated Hendrix's sister. They help to save each other and in the process, learn to heal. They get their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reading by Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hendrix Carmichael can now talk and walk he refuses to do either since he still can't hear. His family finally released the team of therapists because of his refusal to cooperate. His hair is filthy and stringy hanging past what used to be buff shoulders. His once sexy body was now skeletal.

Music had been his life since the time he could climb on a piano bench. But in his effort to save his twin Preslee's life from a psychopath who held her prisoner in a cave damaged his body and left him deaf after the cave collapsed. He refuses to eat or bathe and rejects all help wishing he had died.

Six months ago his twin sister and best friend's six-year-old son had been kidnapped while they were at Samantha and Mazric's destination wedding. Creedon Jones had taken them into the vast cave system that ran throughout the island. Hendrix had thought he could take him, but only got shot for his efforts. Although his major injuries had healed after the cave in, brain swelling left him deaf and he didn't know if he would ever hear again.

Asia DiMarco was Preslee's nemesis but she needed a break from caring for her unappreciative brother and decided to get a mani/pedi along with a cut and color treatment. Asia had been the town bully from the time she was six years old, but since arriving back in town it seemed that Asia was trying to make amends. Everyone was shocked at how much she doted on Samantha's daughter.

As Preslee tells of her discouragement on how they could help Hendrix, Asia decides to let Preslee take her place in her yoga class that afternoon and she would head to the Carmichael Plantation to give her brother a haircut.

Preslee had told her it was bad but nothing could have prepared her for how bad. Imagine being in a room of men who didn't know the word deodorant with the funk of frat house underwear and bad breath. It was a gag worthy stench. She couldn't understand how the sexiest man in town had arrived at this point.

Asia grabs his white board and writes that she is there to cut his hair. When he gives her double birds gestures she turns to leave, but before he can pat himself on the back for running off another person...a bucket of water is being dumped over his head...

I loved this book! It has to be one of the top books I have read this year! It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable.

Hendrix didn't know what hit him. Asia gave his attitude back to him tenfold. Although everyone in town hated Asia, Hendrix had to admit how gorgeous she was. During high school, hormones had dictated his make-out sessions with her until her bullying focused on his sister and best friend Samantha. But, when she is bent over to grab something he gets a peek at what she has hidden under her oversized sweatshirt. Not only does he see signs of physical abuse, but she also makes a skinny person look fat.

So Hendrix makes a deal. He will get cleaned up and begin his therapy sessions again, but she would have to eat with him every time she visits and has to sit for an hour afterward so he knows that what she has eaten has time to digest and make sure she doesn't purge what she has eaten.

Everyone hated Asia because she was a bully, but her back story and current secrets will make you cry. This book deals with physical and sexual abuse, bulimia, and anorexia, just to name a few triggers. This book is very intense, full of action and danger, suspense and over-the-top smoking-hot chemistry.

Out of deafness came music and out of abuse comes love and new beginnings. I laughed and cried. I absolutely loved the angel/devil on their shoulder conversations. This is the first time I have read Billie Dale and I can't recommend her enough. I look forward to starting at the beginning of this series to read Samantha and Preslee's stories.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hendrix is still recovering from the trauma he endured when Preslee was kidnapped at the end of Say You'll Be There. Asia has been in a violent and abusive relationship for years with Him (refusing to speak his name), believing the lines he fed her about not being good enough for a better relationship. They begin to help each other out, trying to move beyond past hurt, family issues, changes in their lives. This is not a quick afternoon read, and I think it is best read after the first two books. While this could be read as a standalone, there is a lot of info on family and friends which help explain their actions. Although Hendrix and Asia start out with a quite fragile relationship, they quickly become each others' foundation, with their friends and family providing so much additional support. This was an amazing book, emotional and beautiful. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[M Mendes Bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy…I can’t even tell you how much this book will touch you. There are sooo many feels. I started laughing and ended with tears. Not that the author did not deliver with her promise of an HEA. All I will say though is that the story comes full circle and the title is very apt. I highly recommend Saving You Saving Me, Love in Seven Mile Forge series, and Billie Dale as an author. This is my first book from Billie and it will not be the last. I love author like Billie who can bring out a full spectrum of all the feels. From beginning to the end I was hooked and was fully enthralled. I plan on going back and reading the whole series of Love in Seven Mile Forge and I think that while you can read Saint You Saving Me I think reading the Love in Seven Mile Forge series in order might be best. Happy Reading!!

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hendrix is still struggling over what happened with Preslee. Asia has some struggles of her own starting with an abusive relationship she can't seem to move on from. Hendrix and Asia help each other through their pain and somehow find something together. Can this be the start of something between them?

This is an emotional story that will put you through a wringer. This is a well written and very entertaining story. This is a book for any book lover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharee · Rating 5 out of 5]

and it’s a wrap.

This one is about Asia (parents wanted a holiday and got stuck with a kid 😂😜) and Hendrix and I loved it! Poor Asia and all the crap she’s had a endure in her lifetime is enough to sink a ship. I loved the ending how it gives a glimpse of the future and everyone moving forward.

Billie Dale is an amazing writer which leave you seeing in the book- I felt like I was reading and was actually watching it happen. Then real life took over and I had to stop and actually do stuff besides sitting on my butt!

Anyway read them! You won’t regret it

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be such a heart wrenching and emotional story in just so many ways. Yes, Asia and Hendrix have just so much darkness in their past, and yet together they somehow find the light. I really loved how despite all the terrible things and setbacks it happened, love and the support of friends and family come through to help in the end. It was a wonderful story about resilience and perseverance despite all odds.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.

[Kurtins R]

This is the third book in a series, but it can be read separately.

Major trigger warnings!

This was an amazing story. Lots of triggers from violence and rape, but the story itself is one of second chances.Hendrix and Asia’s story is heartbreakingly beautiful. Each one goes through so much, but with the bond they share healing slowly happens.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and I absolutely loved it. Asia’s and Hendrix’s story of heartbreakingly rough situations to their happy ending had me all in my feels from anger for them to tears to happiness. The characters and the world they live in are enough to keep you hanging on through the book on a binge read! I’ll definitely be getting this authors backlist.

[Brandi Danielle McGraw · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story!! Former bully turned saving grace, sign me right up! I won't spoil anything, I'll just say this...the characters were so well developed, the pacing was good, the writing style is exceptional, and I felt ALLLLLL the feelings during this read. I highly recommend this one!!

[Breanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an amazing story…. Raw, heartbreaking, beautiful. Such a page turning emotional roller coaster!! Love the ending Hendrix and Asia got! I highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Witchy Richey's Booktastic Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart wrenching beauty. Surviving. A loving journey through hell but the warm sun on the other side is worth it.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hendrix & Asia had a wonderful story. Lots of emotions while reading this one. And a new author, for me. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.