Without Words by Delancey Stewart

 

  Without Words by Delancey Stewart 

Blurb:

Sometimes love speaks for itself…

After an accident in the line of duty, firefighter Roberto DeRosa’s life is turned upside down. His career fighting fires is over, and he’s left with an uncertain future and an injury that makes communicating difficult for him. The only time words flow easily is when they’re lyrics and he has a guitar in his hands. Talking to women is definitely out, especially if they have bright blue eyes that seem to see right into his soul.

Dani Hodge is on the brink of realizing her dream of opening a small combination wine and book store in San Diego’s funky Ocean Beach neighborhood. But before she can open the doors, there’s work to be done, more work than she can do herself.

When the tattooed guy who completely ignored her at a bar walks by and offers her a hand wrangling a tile saw, Dani can’t afford to say no—and why would she say no to Mr. Strong and Silent when his stare conveys more than words could?


Wow. I loved this book!
It took me a bit to really get into it but afterward, I couldn't put the book down anymore. I really loved how the author dealt with such a sensitive subject. It isn't easy to deal with the consequences of a major head injury and it is almost as hard as that to write about it in a way that matters.
Writing about something like that means that you have to make people understand not only with their mind but also with their heart. They have to understand what it means for the one suffering from it without giving the impression that he or she should be pitied or looked down upon. Someone who has overcome such an injury is a survivor. Their struggle is hard and it takes a long time for things to become easier. They don't need pity, they need people who understand their struggle and who give them the time to get better and also simply the time they need to say something.

Dani is a wonderful character and  I loved to see how Rob opened up to her. Her warmth and her patience give him the opportunity and the courage to talk to her and to get to know her better. It doesn't hurt that she is also pretty and sweet, right, but it is the way she accepts him just the way he is that encourages him to stay and help her when he finds her fighting with a bunch of tiles.

When a bad accident left Rob with his life being turned upside down and him not being able to walk as a firefighter anymore, he drifted for a long time. His communicational problems don't exactly make things easier but something about Dani makes him risk approaching her. Between the two of them, they work hard on getting her future bookstore ready for the grand opening and find that it is not only work where they are good together.

Having personal experience with someone close to me who had to fight similar consequences of a head injury, I was really impressed how the author dealt with the subject. You can feel Rob's struggle, you understand his frustration and you feel with him whenever he fights to sort out things and to communicate. Seeing him with Dani and finding his way - I just loved it.
A wonderful book that touches a difficult subject and tells a beautiful story about two people in love who find their way to each other. 

★★★★★