Second Hand

4.5 Stars

Second Hand is a heart-warming romance by Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton. The second book in the Tucker Springs series, it is easily read as a standalone.

Paul always feels like he's coming in second. He's stuck floundering when his life plans are derailed. Suddenly he's the focus of El's interest, which is shocking to him. What follows is a sweet OFY tale, as Paul struggles with both trust in himself and giving into his feelings.

Poor Paul's so down on himself, he struggles to imagine anyone would want him, would choose him first. The following quote sums up Paul's attitude perfectly. "The only thing wrong with you is that you're so sure there's something wrong with you."

Their story is full of confusion, fears, and doubts. It's a story of a man struggling with labels; struggling to accept his sexuality. I love this story, despite Paul's cluelessness. His fears are well developed and illustrated throughout.

It's a wonderful exploration of the power of placing too much value on things. There's a heavy focus on hoarding, and holding onto things for the wrong reasons. It's well done, with care and compassion.

The writing is great, as is no surprise with this writing team, as both are well respected writers. They combine to impress and entertain in this super tender story.

Second Hand is a wonderful story of a man struggling with accepting his homosexuality. This writing combo brings out all the feelings and emotions in this slow burn romance.

The 2nd edition is even better than the 1st. Great series, love all the Tucker Springs books.

I can always count on Marie Sexton and Heidi Cullinan, and combining forces they create a great one in Second Hand. If you’re in the mood for something sexy and sweet, a feel-good romance with humor and a great message, this is the novel for you.

Fans of the Tucker Springs series know these books can be read independently, but once you’ve read one you’ll see how addictive this series can be and you’ll want to read them all.

Poor Paul! After moving to Tucker Springs for his fiancée, she leaves him for another man. Now he’s stuck in a dead-end job, renting a home he can barely afford, and his self-esteem is at an all time low. Hoping to win her back with some bling, Paul figures the local pawn shop is the only store he can afford.

El’s life is busy, between running Tucker Pawn and taking care of his dysfunctional (but loving) family, he’s been standing on the sidelines for far too long. He’s starting to get the itch to get out there and find some happiness for himself.

From the moment Paul bumbles into his shop El is smitten, and the chase begins. This is one of the cutest courtships I can remember. Paul is oblivious to El’s advances, but when El finally gets his man? Marie Sexton and Heidi Cullinan deliver some scorching sex scenes for these two! Don’t forget this is Paul’s “first time” *wink*.

Though both of these characters are at pivotal places in their lives, Paul’s the one with the crisis here. The scenes from his point of view are done in the first person, and give a more intimate view of his emotions. Between standing up to his domineering ex-girlfriend, coming to grips with his sexual identity, and facing his own expectations and feelings of inadequacy, Paul has a lot on his plate.

One of my favorite parts of Second Hand is what the authors have to say about possessions. Our vision of the life we have is centered around our goods and our gear. Our memories of loved ones are tied up in their belongings. When these objects are gone, what’s left? Once the characters in this story can finally say goodbye to all their stuff they realize that it’s what’s in our hearts that matters - not what’s on the shelf.

To say that I loved Marie Sexton and Heidi Cullinan’s “new” book, “Second Hand,” is an understatement. I love both of these authors own their own, and together they are 24 karat gold. Oh, I needed this book. And from the first chapter, it was like slipping on a pair of comfortable house shoes. Warm and relaxing and oh, so familiar. But not familiar as in, “Oh, I’ve read that a million times,” but in that delightful way these two authors have in creating characters and spinning their tales.

Paul Hannon hasn’t had much good luck of late. He works for a vet because he failed out of veterinarian school, and his fiancée has left him for a man she thinks can give her what she wants in life. He wants this lady back and her birthday is coming and he hopes that if he gets her a nice present, he can win her back. He can’t afford much though and tries the local pawn shop where he thinks he might get a deal, and meets openly gay pawn broker Emmauel “El” Rozal. The man helps, but Paul’s plan doesn’t work, she is upset by what he does, and this makes him begin to finally realize he needs to move on. He also needs money for his crippling bills and decides to get ride of a pantry full of useless appliances that said fiancée said she needed. So he takes that stuff to the local pawn shop and now things begin to happen!

I don’t want to go on too much about the plot—it upsets me when reviewers say too much, making it unnecessary to even read the book—or just basically repeat what is on the cover blurb. I will mention that I liked several of the secondary characters quite a bit, especially Jase, bartender at a bar El frequents, and Nick, Paul’s boss. I didn’t catch if the vet was gay or straight, and clueless-Paul would have missed that fact if Nick and grabbed his butt. So it’s not surprising I’m not aware of his sexuality either—but I would love to read novels about both these guys. Because part of what I liked *so* very much about this book is the “universe” Marie and Heidi created with their city of Tucker Springs. They made the place so real I wanted to visit and I certainly want to visit in future books. It was so real, and that’s missing in so many books. Tucker Springs is the non-scary version of Castle Rock.

What I want to say is how much I liked the two main guys and how much I believed in them. Sexton and Cullinan took the trope of the gay guy who doesn’t quite realize he’s gay, and make me believe in his realization that he in fact *is* gay. Then there is the second trope of the gay guy who doesn’t do relationships...but realizes he’s falling in love, and they NAILED it. I believed him falling in love. My heart sped up when he figured it out. I *loved* watching these guys fall in love! I loved it!

I thought the authors were just a tad heavy handed in the whole Paul thinking “he’s-not-worth-of-love-thing,” but I hesitated even mentioning it. It was easily fixed with how they handled the tension of whether these two guys would work through their issues to find love. I mean I was tense! Edge of my seat. I had to keep reminding myself that, “Hey! This is a romance! Of course, they’re going to get together,” to get my stomach to unknot. And what is really important to me as a gay man is that these men were believable *gay* men. Especially El.

The sex was pretty good too! I believed in that too and needless to say that’s pretty important to me too. “Watching” Paul lose his virginity was both hot and worked right.

AND one more thing! There was a twist toward the end I didn’t see coming. *How* I didn’t see it I don’t know! I should have. Hey! I’m a writer. I know how to put those hints in. I’ve been trained. And now I see the those hints were there all along, and I didn’t see them coming for a second. Good work! Good work!

But you know what my biggest praise is?

Sexton and Cullinan make me want to write again. I’ve had a sort of block for months now. And they made me so happy with their characters and plot and story and timing that I am longing to punch those keys again. A story is coming! Thank you! Thank you, both. You could not have made me happier in every way with your book, “Second Hand.”

You Can Find My Review Here: https://bthomaswriter.wordpress.com/2019/01/13/second-hand-is-second-to-none-a-book-review/

I was excited to read this second book in the Tucker Springs series as I have always enjoyed these two authors and could only imagine how good the story would be with both of them writing it. I was so glad my instincts were dead-on as 'Second Hand' is a great book that I enjoyed immensely.

Paul Hannon is having a rough time of it. He moved to the very expensive Tucker Springs, buying a house with his girlfriend who up and dumped him, leaving him with an astronomical mortgage and appliances out the yin yang. Some of them he has no clue what they are. He just wants her back but with money so tight he can only afford to go looking at the pawn shop for a gift to get her interest.

Enter El Rozal, pawn shop owner and serious cigarette smoker. He's got a past full of disappointments and nothing but his business. He isn't interested in a relationship, certainly not with the clueless, whipped, straight kid.

I really liked both of these characters. They are so different but still managed to fall in love despite that, or maybe because of it. Once again in the town of Tucker Springs, there is angst but nothing drowning me. There is a hot love story, smexy scenes, a cute rescue dog, and a lot of nicotine gum. A truly good read!

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews