Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Silent Hero
SERIES: Gentle Giants #1
AUTHOR: Andrew Grey
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 222 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 3, 2026
BLURB:
Army veteran Harmon Wheeler lost his voice and his future dreams with a single bullet. He knows he’s large and intimidating, but he can’t assure people he won’t hurt them when he can’t talk to them. Losing himself in books is one of his few pleasures. That and the patiently kind librarian who takes the time to help him.
Derek Willow sees past Harm’s menacing appearance to the gentle, intelligent man within, which intrigues him. Starting a sign language class seems like a way to both help Harm communicate with others and boost Derek’s candidacy for library director, pulling them closer.
Notes, text messages, and ASL facilitate the blossoming of Derek and Harm’s relationship. But Derek has a stalker who’s determined to have Derek for himself. Harm might not be able to speak, but he hasn’t forgotten anything he learned in combat. Can he protect Derek without scaring him away?
REVIEW:
It has become one of my bucket list items to visit the town of Carlisle, PA since reading these wonderful books.
Derek Willow wants to become the new Head Librarian. He trying hard to make their library enticing and relevant. He is the interim head currently. And the library board is taking a long time making their decision. So creating more ways to bring townspeople in to the library is his goal. He and his staff have already streamlined so much and save money in the process. When Connie starts in again about “that man” being back he reminds her that all patrons are welcome no matter what they look like. The giant of man never speaks to anyone but just towers over everyone and looks intimidating. When the man finally needs help he just points to a list of books in the current book he has. Derek finally realizes that the man can’t speak and is a gentle and intelligent man. When a chance meeting turns into dinners and a budding friendship Derek is determined to help the permanently injured veteran find a way to communicate. He personally knows sign language and decides to start a class at the library, with help from his deaf sister, to help Harm and others in the community. But, just as the two men start to date, a stalker who won’t take no for an answer, makes life difficult and scary.
I loved that Derek saw past the scariness of Harm to the sweet, caring, protective man he truly is. Harm’s life altering injury, while serving his country, not only changed his life and career forever, but isolated him from his community. Thankfully he could hear but losing your voice limits communicating with others so drastically. Derek giving him the tools through the ALS Classes at the library gave some of that back to him. But still reduced him to writing when others don’t know it can be frustrating. Especially during intimate times.
It is frustrating to have to stop what you are doing to either write on a pad of paper, like Harm always had in his pocket, or type it out. Our communication deficit community struggles all the time with these situations. I appreciated that Author Andrew Grey highlighted this issue in this book.
As for Derek’s unwanted and severely escalating stalker, Derek also experienced what it’s like to be limited by things not under your control. Harm and Suzanne both saw how dangerous William was. He was becoming more and more irrational and volatile. Unfortunately his actions eventually became dangerous. I know they were all so frustrated that the police couldn’t do more faster. It’s scary to be constantly in fear and looking over your shoulder.
Interesting and thought provoking book. Both the communication and stalker issues are relevant and timely. It also brought to mind the issues our injured service members face and the need for more help when they are discharged.
RATING: 
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