Safe and Sound

By: E.M. Lindsey

Narrated by: Michael Dean

Twenty years after losing his hearing and being convicted of a crime he didn't commit, Regan Moulin is certain of exactly two things: one, that life will always be full of pain, and two, he will always be in love with his childhood best friend, Isaac McKinnon.

It doesn't matter that circumstance tore them apart, or that he hasn't spoken to Isaac since they were 19. He still loves him.

He's just learned how to survive without him.

But a few weeks into winter, a familiar face rolls into town—one that threatens to completely disrupt Regan’s life by offering him the cruelest thing he can possibly think of: hope.

Isaac thrived exactly the way Regan expected him to, and he wasn’t supposed to show back up in their crappy little hometown with open arms, and a heart that still aches for Regan.

He wasn’t supposed to still want him.

He wasn’t supposed to be the only thing in the world that can still make Regan feel safe and sound.

But here he is, with all their childhood promises of forever cupped gently between both hands, and for the first time in Regan's life, within reach.

Safe and Sound is an emotional stand-alone second-chance romance featuring two best friends who always knew they belonged in each other’s orbit, a tired writer who exists solely on caffeine, bad diner food, whispered confessions, and the sweetest happily ever after.

©2022 E.M. Lindsey (P)2022 E.M. Lindsey

Another moving story from EM Lindsey

EM Lindsey is one of my favorite authors because of her wonderful character development, and the sensitivity with which she portrays disabilities and chronic illness.

This story is high school friends-to-lovers and a second-chance romance. Issac provides love and support during the early years of Regan’s difficult life. As they reach adulthood, Regan pushes Isaac away and then he finds himself alone in their unsupportive hometown while his life falls apart.

Nearly twenty years after Regan pushes him away, Isaac returns. With his steadfast affection, Isaac eventually breaks down the walls Regan built to protect himself.

I loved how the characters grow into themselves and then find their way back to each other. There were lots of heartbreaking moments, but ultimately a gentle, hard-won HEA.

Ok

I thought this book was ok it’s sad that people are treated the way they are because of family, and the system.

Years of pain and separation

When you are literally beaten down by a parent self confidence is rare. Add in a brother who has lost his way and you can’t fix him. A best friend you are in love with but moves away for college and you are suffering from a health issue (trying not to spoil it here). Regan is suffering and will not reach out to Isaac. Or add 20 years and these two will meet again and realize they have both suffered.

This story is predictable but still a good story. I listened to this and Michael Dean did an excellent job.

5*****

These two have a long road to travel separately before they find their happily ever after together, but it’s worth the journey. Excellent character development, unique storyline and lovable characters. Excellent narration, as usual from Michael Dean. Highly recommend!

I love them!

What a sweet and tragic story! Honestly, my only complaint is that I wanted more time with them! 🥹 Regan and all the terrible things he went through really got me. And Isaac was such a bleeding heart. Fairly short read, childhood friends to lovers, pining, and so so so much heart!

Rowan and Issac

'𝙄 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚. 𝙄 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙩.'

Safe and Sound by E.M. Lindsey | 4.5 Maple Leafs

Regan and Isaac are best friends and plan to spend the rest of their lives together until their lives get pulled in different directions. Years later they are back in the same small town and Issac is determined to have Regan see that he always meant forever.

Regan and Isaac have a deep bond and their chemistry can not be denied. I love how Isaac never gave up on Regan no matter what happened in the past. I enjoyed this book when I read it and enjoyed it just as much listening to it.

Michael Dean did a great job bringing both Regan and Isaac and their story to life.

Safe and Sound contains mm, best friends-to-lovers, hurt/comfort, second chance romance and told in the dual third-person point of view.

heartbreaking

Regan's story is simply heartbreaking. The 'reasoning' for the 20 year separation requires one to suspend disbelief and just listen to this for the story for what it is. Loved that they got their HEA.

A hard-fought second chance at love

I knew Regan and Isaac's story would be emotional, but I somehow still wasn't prepared for how deeply it consumed me. Their slow-burning second chance at love didn't come easily, but it was the persistence and patience of their reunion that made their story feel so special. E.M. Lindsey's writing has always had the power to transport me into the lives of their characters, and once again I found my entire heart and soul tied up in the fate of Isaac and Regan's relationship. I ached when they suffered, grieved their losses, and felt the wild stirrings of hope when it seemed they might get a second chance at not just existing but living. Their story painted an honest picture of life's unfairness and cruelty, but at the same time showcased the beauty and timelessness of unconditional love. Isaac and Regan didn't fall back into each other's arms and magically find the answer to all of their problems, but experiencing how hard-fought their happiness was made their happy ending so much sweeter to me. Theirs is a story that's going to stick with me even as I move on to other characters in other stories because of how deeply emotional and real it felt.

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.