Rob had been a firefighter rob and Trent were best friends and had been firefighters together and then there was a terrible fire and Rob was seriously injured in it and ends up with a traumatic brain injury. Trent is the one who pulled Rob out and they share a home together. The injury left him in a coma then Rob had to go through months of rehab and Rob could no longer be a firefighter. Rob had to learn how to talk and walk all over again. Rob is now trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life. Not much really interests him. Trent owns a bar and rob plays his guitar their at night. He walks his dog Sampson during the day. Dani had a dream to open a wine and book store. She was having problems with the tile saw and after the saw ruined too many tiles rob offered to help Dani. dani and her sister Amy had been at the bar the other night Dani had approached Rob when he had been playing guitar and introduced herself, he didn’t say anything as he was unable to speak and Dani thought Rob was ignoring her so she and her sister left. What Dani didn’t know was rob had trouble verbalizing his thoughts now and he mostly stays silent. Dani couldn’t refuse Rob’s help or she was never going to get this shop ready to open. She need Rob to do cabinets, tables, and counters. Dani is full of energy and over the top but Amy brings her back down to earth and reality. Dani had been hurt by a previous relationship and was leery of guys. But Rob and dani have chemistry between them. Playing guitar helped keep rob calm and now so did Dani. his guitar and dani seem to calm and soothe Rob enough to slow his thoughts down and he can verbalize a little better. Dani and rob are becoming close but then Rob’s brother comes there from Mexico to tell Rob about his dad. Dani has become rob’s rock what should he do?
I really enjoyed this book. I loved that the author showed both dani and rob’s POV. I didn’t like one of the comments dani made I am sure you will recognize it when you come across it and that comment really annoyed me. She was very insensitive to ron and all he had gone through and was still going through at that point. I almost quit reading the book over that comment so selfish and rude and uncaring but I did finish the book. But except for that this was a good and very emotional read. I liked dani and rob together. I loved sampson and he definitely added to this book. I loved how Trent was there for Rob trying to help anyway he could. I didn’t like Rob’s mother or stepfather she should have been there for Rob when rob’s stepfather slammed Rob instead she just stayed silent.I liked the pace and plot of this book. I like the characters a lot and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend.

How Do You Know What You Know?

Rob is rebuilding his existence and identity after a really serious accident; the kind you don't "just recover" from. Dani has had a hard-knock life, but is close to making her dream of opening a shop, a reality. Their first meeting is contrived if future events and motivations are to be believed; however, the way the author builds a quiet little drama out of trust, and traumatic brain injury, and family secrets that resonate across multiple generations, results in a delicate story that's a pleasure to read.

Dani is working on her business and needs a handyman. Roberto is a former firefighter who was hurt when a beam fell on him. He is slow to talk but is good with carpentry. Dani hires him to help build shelves and other things. They're is an attraction between them but both are afraid of a relationship. This was a very interesting love story. good read.

I adored Rob and Dani! My heart was breaking for them both for different reasons , yet at the same time I could feel their connection and their chemistry and I was cheering like crazy!
It's emotional and touching, full of beauty and hope, a journey to find themselves and a sense of purpose, of being ho you are and being accepted.
I loved the story and the characters! It was both dark and light, despair and hope..but these two characters together made everything feel so right!

This is one of those books that pull at your heartstrings.
OMG! All I could do was read faster and root for these two souls.

It was sweet, captivating and made you believe in hope and happiness.
I can't believe how much it touched my heart. I look forward to more from this author.

4 Stars

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, pain, secrets, and heartbreak.

This is Dani and Roberto’s story. Roberto had an accident while working that caused him issues he is still dealing with currently. He has trouble communicating from that injury. Dani sees him at the bar performing and is drawn to him but when he seemingly blows her off she feels like he just rejected her. When he offers her help, Dani is surprised but not about to fall at his feet. You can feel the pull and sparks between them. Dani just thinks he strong and silent but once they get to know each other better she seems to understand him. Can she help him to move on from his accident and learn to live a little? With his performing he feels a calm after his accident now he also feels that calm around Dani. Can these two work together toward a relationship or will fear hold them back?

I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

There is no greater BOOK HIGH than meeting an author's work for the first time. I popped my Delancey Stewart book cherry and it was one blissful bomb! Without Words is a SLOW BURN of feels on fire. Raw. Riveting. Relentless. This emotional explosion of words detonated me!



A hot and heartwarming fireman-turned construction worker meets a sunshine-filled and sweet gal, both with broken hearts, halves looking to be whole...sign me up!!!

She shone with clarity. She was happiness and light. A little voice inside me told me she looked like hope.


Dani is a ray of sunshine, spreading light in the world when she's from a world of darkness. Her resiliency and positive attitude are admirable. A beauty inside and out, I adored Dani!

There was something heavy weighing this man down. Rob carried a burden, and I was having a lot of trouble keeping myself from wanting to take it from him.


Rob is PURE PERFECTION! This broken alpha with a beautiful heart stole my heart, OWNING every ounce of me. The chemistry between Rob and Dani is so combustible that I felt their fire fused with angst through the pages.

"Playing guitar...It helps clear my mind. Makes me feel better, less broken. But then I met you. And when I'm around you...I feel the same way. Like I can think straight, see things clearly."


Without Words made me SMOLDER and SWOON. This soul-soaring story pushed me to the edge. Oozing with power and passion peppered with angst, Without Words is a beautiful and broken love story strung together by feels. This is one soulful sensation I'm glad I met.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 slow burning stars

Received an ARC for my fair review for netgalley. I need a break, from them, I need a book, just to laugh now. So there were times, that I wanted to reach inside and just knock them out, and sometimes just hug them. We had frustration, sweetness, tissue moments. Dani and Rob, were both good people, and they both went thru so much, it was heartbreaking, no one, no one should have to go thru what they, ( and no I am not giving you a clue, you have to read it, to know), just know that they have to overcome some deep situations, and because of it build a wall to protect themselves. I did like them, however at times I wanted to slap them, understandably so, so even though it took them a while, to figure stuff out, they did get there. Anyway, it was good, but it was a back and forth, and I could not give it more, but I could not give it less, and I did like secondary characters, and I am sure you will enjoy it, this is my take, you might have something else..

I had the blurb that got me in. Then I read a couple excerpts from the book. Then one excerpt had me saying that I must read this one. This man was in pain, feeling tortured, found the one, and his soul knew it deep down. The sorrow in his inner thoughts were just enough to keep me wanting to read more. I could feel his devastation in losing that first chance to say hello.

This one read had a solid foundation with emotions raw and pure. Good characters. Roberto was one character that spoke to me without many words. He inner thoughts were telling. He was a male that had life happen to him and had to learn to cope with it in a new and different way. Music and her.

Dani was the calm that he needed to set things almost back to right. She was the salve that he needed to make thing a bit more bearable. Dani and Roberto embark on a true friendship that becomes more with time. They calm each other but in different ways. He becomes her rock and her his sunshine.

This read was something different that I needed to mix things up a bit. You will not pick up a read like this every day. It got to my soul and stirred me in ways that makes me want more of the book and at the same time not. This couples romance was beautiful and emotional. There were the ups and downs. There were even times when you really wanted to have a stern talking to Dani. I usually want to smack the male but this time Dani earned all those rights herself. The dual POV makes things feel more intimate and personal while providing more insight to both characters a bit more.

Looking for a read that is different and not the normal everyday romance. This one has a few struggles and even obstacles but the romance is there.

Without Words is sweet and sexy and has a standout character in Rob. Rob is a lost man, he's just trying to get his life back on track after an accident that took away his career and his speech. He's had months of intensive therapy to relearn everything, his speech being the most important. And yet, he still struggles for words, struggles to put his thoughts into the words his brain once didn't even take a second to form. Then he meets Dani and she makes him lose his train of thoughts, makes his world tilt on its axis. "I don't know how I kept playing, because the world tilted wildly, like something had broken loose."

Dani is entranced when she sees the hot guy playing guitar in the club she's at. But, when he seemingly snubs her, she doesn't know what to make of it and dismisses him from her mind. And she figures she'll never see him again, until one day he offers his help over her broken tiling as she's trying to do a job she clearly doesn't have the know how to complete.

Rob, and his adorable dog Sampson are soon making Dani swoon, and I really enjoyed reading them together. They have sexy chemistry and are a great couple with that whole opposites thing going on. Rob, especially, stood out for me, though, because he's such a sweet, swoony guy who offers Dani his heart on a platter. Yet, Dani carelessly hurts him, because of her lack of sensitivity for his medical condition. I mean come on, the man had a seriously devastating brain injury!! But, Dani is guarded, because she's been hurt, and she allows it guide her actions and it ends up hurting Rob. I can't say I like Dani for that, but I give her a pass, because hurt makes a mess out of us all at one time or another.

If you have a thing for sweet, sexy guys and their 4 legged companions, give Without Words a click, you won't regret it!

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.

Rob’s life was dramatically altered after suffering a traumatic brain injury on the job as a firefighter. Now he is left struggling to find the right words to communicate, learning how to control his emotions all over again, and generally finding his way as a new and lesser version of himself to his way of thinking. Singing is the one outlet he has that allows him to focus and communicate clearly while drowning out the background noise that can be so distracting.

Dani sees him on stage and is immediately drawn to him. When she tries to speak to him, she takes his lack of response as lack of interest so she hurries away before he can find the words to talk to her. When Rob is walking his faithful companion Sampson one afternoon, he sees Dani working outside a shop and decides to try to speak to her again. He doesn’t know it yet, but she will help him take the first steps to reclaiming some normalcy in his life and inspiring him to really start living again.

Dani puts on a smile and sunny facade for everyone around her except her sister who is never afraid to call Dani on her BS when needed. Neither woman has ever found a reason to trust a man in their life starting from their earliest days up through the present, so unless Dani can find a way to lower her walls and work through her trust issues, any chance at a relationship with Rob may be doomed from the start. Fortunately Amy isn’t shy about giving her sister her unfiltered opinions and pushing her to pull her head out of her butt when she is close to throwing away her chance at happiness.

This story most certainly has some poignant moments as we learn more about Rob’s struggles, Dani’s past, and their family issues overall. I especially loved the addition of Sampson for some levity. I really enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to more from the author in the future!

Rob is definitely the strong, silent type. Although it’s not his choice (at least the silent part), it fits him. Due to an accident, he’s had to learn to express himself using other means, mainly music. He is able to speak, but the words are slow, and his brain has a tendency to churn beyond his control. It’s not PTSD, but he does have his issues. However, none of them take away from his good-nature. Although he’s still struggling with the “new” him, he pushes forward, and the bubbly Dani is the motivation he needed.

Dani’s had her rough times, too. Her and her sister Amy were raised by their grandmother (after her father blew himself up in his meth lab and their mother died in prison). They’re all each other has in the world, and their bond is strong. While out one night at the bar where Rob sings (his own brand of therapy) she’s immediately taken by him. However, when she approaches him, he’s unable to speak (that happens when he gets overly excited, which is what he felt since he was intensely attracted to her). Having grown up thinking no man would stick around, she took his silence as rejection and went on her way. But when he approaches her while she’s trying to renovate and prepare for the grand opening of her wine tasting-and-book store, she understands his situation. Dani is very open with her emotions. Rob is hesitant for a second because he doesn’t believe she’d really want to be with someone who has nothing to offer her; but Dani sees past his disability. She sees the warm, caring, thoughtful man he is and she can’t help but to be drawn to him. The feelings are mutual and thus the great love begins.

I found the premise to be wonderfully unique. There’s nothing cliché about the plot or the characters. I admired Rob for being willing to take a chance. For a chapter or two, Dani had me a little exasperated. I understood her hesitancy, but I was not ok with her sleeping with him and then backing away. If a man had done that…well, off with his head. I tsk tsked a time or two, but I wanted to like her, so I did. She just needed to come around, and thankfully she didn’t take too long. Although their conversations had few words (at least on Rob’s part. Dani was a whirlwind of words), they were meaningful. Rob let his actions speak for him most of the time, but don’t misunderstand. He was able to speak to her, and he did share a lot about his life – just a fulfilling condensed version. I adored him.

This is a sweet, tenderhearted story with a little heat and a lot of love. It’s well worth a read.

Title:  Without Words
Series:  n/a
Author:  Delancey Stewart
Genre:  Romance, Contemporary
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?
Thoughts: I liked the idea behind this book, as well as the author’s decision to take on a disability. I did have a few issues with this book, however, that kept me from fully enjoying the book. First off, the book just has the vibe and feel of a New Adult book – while that may not necessarily be a bad thing, the New Adult genre is not a particular favorite of mine. Add in the fact that we dual points of view, alternating between Roberto’s and Dani’s POVs, and we just aren’t off to a great start. Nevertheless, I was initially pulled into the story and despite the previous issues found myself somewhat enjoying the book. I’ll be honest – I was also excited to read another opportunity to read something where the author was not afraid to tackle something (in this case a disability) when other authors shy away. I felt like this soon overcame the whole story and that Dani gradually showed a rather insensitive side that was a complete turn off.
The author had a way with words and good premise for the book, but this particular one just wasn’t for me.
Rate:  C

After reading Without Words, I have found a new book boyfriend to add to my ever growing list. This is a sweet love story about two people who can't fight their instant and electric attraction. They just have to work through some things first.

I devoured this book. I thought it was really sweet and at times heart breaking. I loved Rob. His struggles to come back from his accident came across as very real. My heart just broke as he worked through what came next for him. Watching him and Dani interact and fall for each other was a pleasure to watch. Dani has some relationship insecurities that makes for some angst, but it was worth it for their HEA. The other characters in the book round out the story nicely. I just wish that we could have get a peek at Amy and Trent's romance.

I highly recommend this one. I'd love to see Mateo get his story in the future.

Readers looking for a straightforward tale of two people trying to be independent after arising from adversity will get all that and more with this charming contemporary romance. It's a story full of instantly likable characters dealing with issues that are easy to relate to and which had me furiously turning the pages to see what happens next.

Rob DeRosa's always felt lacking. From his father's careless treatment of him, to his stepfather's constant criticism, Rob's never felt that he ever measured up. Living in an affluent neighborhood, with his different ethnicity, further alienated him and had him desperate to make something of himself. When a life-altering firefighting accident leaves him with brain damage all those negative feelings are compounded and leave him feeling uncertain of his future. With anger management issues and problems forming sentences he doesn't feel he has anything to offer but once he locks eyes with the bubbly Dani Hodge he starts seeing himself in a whole new light. With her he sees possibilities, a sense of peace and contentment that has him feeling worthy once again, until fears and misunderstandings get in the way. Rob's immensely appealing with a kind heart and though he speaks few words he was still utterly charming. It's clear he's lonely, with his dog Sampson one of his closest companions, which had me feeling sympathetic towards his plight. He tended to overthink things though, worried about things he didn't need to and always assumed he was the problem. For such a big, strong guy I was sad to see his self-esteem brought so low.

Dani's childhood was one of neglect with her sister her main form of support and protection until the day their Nan took them in. All her negative past experiences have taught her to doubt love and assume that she'll always be left behind when she puts her heart on the line. To keep from being hurt again she focuses on starting up her own business, closing off her heart until she hears Rob's haunting voice. That chance encounter leads to an even closer connection that has her falling for him just as life takes another unexpected turn for him. Dani's a very likable heroine whose joy is infectious. Her and her sister Amy are a supportive sisterly duo whose interactions are caring and playful. They may be opposites in many ways but are always there for each other when they need help most which endeared both of them to me. A previous bad break-up has her leery of the instant intense feelings she has for Rob and has her jumping to conclusions that end up hurting both of them. Her attitude frustrated me at times, created problems where they didn't need to exist. For all the joy and serenity she brought Rob though I found myself liking her.

This was a sweet story overall with a few steamy encounters late in the story. It was a slow burn that kept me turning the pages, rooting for these two bruised souls to embrace their love for each other. That slow burn was full of cuteness that had me smiling as they danced around each other like grade schoolers. The angst in this story was internal, doubts that each carried, but there were familial issues overshadowing Dani and Rob too. These issues seemed to come out of nowhere and in dealing with them I felt myself being dragged away from the loving cocoon of Dani and Rob's romance. Despite that I still found myself drawn to this couple and cheering them on as they worked past their doubts and misunderstandings. Rob's brain damage was depicted realistically and with a gentle hand. His frustrations were heartbreaking and made his hard-fought HEA all the richer. Surrounding this likable couple were an equally likable cast of secondary characters from Amy to Rob's firefighter best friend Trent, who are pairing off themselves in a relationship I would've loved to see play out in greater detail. Add in a slew of other supportive firefighter friends and readers are left with all sorts of hopes for the future. Though this book acts as a standalone I'd definitely love to come back to this world with all its sexy firefighters running to the rescue!

Without Words is a sweet story about starting over. Overall, it's an enjoyable read, and Rob and Dani are likable characters. The way they'd get out of actual communication, though, made me more than a little nuts. Some miscommunication/hesitation to speak can work. And yes, I know it's called Without Words and that Rob's traumatic brain injury affects his speech, but still, it goes way too far here. I spent a good 50% of the book shouting jeez, would you two just talk it out already? every time the two of them got close and then (often literally) ran away from each other.

Still, it did keep me turning the pages. I could definitely see myself trying another book from this author in the future.

Rating: 3 stars / C+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

What a delightful find this was. It has everything I like...a damaged vulnerable hero, a little heat, some romance, some obstacles, a little angst, a little misunderstanding. Now, I could stand my hero to be a bit more damaged and more of an asshole, but I really enjoyed this. It was a light, easy read, the writing was well done, it was well edited...and just what I needed.

3 stars

Without Words by Delancey Stewart was a good read.
The storyline held my interest all throughout the book and my heart went out to Rob and everything he had been through.

Without Words is a heartwarming read that will bring out the feels, I lovely Sundays afternoons read.

Thank you to Entangled Select via Netgalley for the advance copy.

Sometimes love speaks without the words…

Rob was a firefighter who was injured and is dealing with his new uncertain future. A year later and he is still trying to deal with the fact that communication is still a very difficult thing for him. But he communicates through singing lyrics of songs and playing his guitar. He sees a beautiful women with bright blue eyes in the crowd who somehow understands but he can't talk to her because she will just laugh at him.

Dani is in the beginning process of opening her own wine and books store. But there is so much to be done that she doesn't know how to do all the work.

Rob is the tattooed guy who Dani feels ignored her at the bar when she approached him but he walks by her shop and offers to help her out. She can't say no she needs the help but being close to Rob is more than she can handle. She keeps telling herself that she doesn't have time for guys especially someone like Rob who doesn't say much but he doesn't have to she can somehow feel what he wants to say to her.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a powerful story of how someone can communicate without words and how strong that can be. I really loved the characters especially Rob. I feel for him and can see how depressed he is from losing communicate skills after is injury and how Dani enters his life and things start to change for him. Its a great beautiful story of how powerful a connection can be even without words. Its a most read. Loved it.
--