Book: Don't Fall by E.M. Lindsey
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 4/5
ARC REVIEW
Don't Fall by E.M. Lindsey
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Poor North and Leo broke my heart in the best way.
North is a firefighter whose troubled childhood left him with both literal and emotional scars. As the oldest sibling, he has spent his entire life believing it's his responsibility to hold his family together. He gave up his dream of becoming a chef so he could earn enough to support his mother and sisters, and now he pours everything he has into caring for everyone else. Whether it's risking his life on the job or quietly cooking meals for his best friend Easton's little brother, Leo (without Leo even knowing), North is always giving. The problem? No one is taking care of him. Beneath his easy smile is a man who feels deeply lonely, and my heart absolutely ached for him.
Leo is carrying just as much pain. After a devastating accident left him with a traumatic brain injury and seizures, he's determined to prove he can still live independently, even when it isn't always in his best interest. His overprotective brother, Easton, only adds to the tension. As a widower, Leo has convinced himself he'll never find love again, and more than once his inner thoughts had me tearing up.
North and Leo's romance is anything but straightforward. Their relationship is built on crossed wires, misunderstandings, and conversations filtered through Easton, leaving both men convinced the other can't stand them. Normally, miscommunication isn't my favorite trope, but here it felt completely believable and added so much tension and heartache. It made the payoff all the sweeter when they finally saw each other for who they really were.
One thing E.M. Lindsey consistently does so well is balancing emotional intimacy with genuinely steamy romance. The quieter moments between North and Leo made me fall in love with them just as much as the chemistry did.
Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for providing an ARC!