Second Hand by Marie Sexton & Heidi Cullinan

Paul Hannon flunked out of vet school. His fiancée left him. He can barely afford his rent, and he hates his house. About the only things he has left are a pantry full of his ex’s kitchen gadgets and a lot of emotional baggage. He could really use a win—and that’s when he meets El.

Pawnbroker El Rozal is a cynic. His own family’s dysfunction has taught him that love and relationships lead to misery. Despite that belief, he keeps making up excuses to see Paul again. Paul, who doesn’t seem to realize that he’s talented and kind and worthy. Paul, who’s not over his ex-fiancée and is probably straight anyway. Paul, who’s so blind to El’s growing attraction, even asking him out on dates doesn’t seem to tip him off.

El may not do relationships, but something has to give. If he wants to keep Paul, he’ll have to convince him he’s worthy of love—and he’ll have to admit that attachment might not be so bad after all.

Second Edition
First Edition published by Riptide Publishing, September 2012.

Book 2
Buy Links

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Dreamspinner Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

This is a gentle, slow-burn romance. It’s the story of two slightly damaged men who form an unlikely friendship that slowly becomes something more. I love the pure ordinariness of both Eli and Paul and I love how their relationship builds a sense of confidence in them both.

Paul is a lost soul at the start of the book. At the end of a difficult and destructive relationship, he has no confidence in himself. I found Paul’s low expectations heartbreaking at times and I think his sense of failure after a series of life setbacks will hit close to home for many readers. Eli has a little more confidence when he and Paul first meet but he maintains iron clad boundaries that ensure no one ever gets too close to him.

This is Paul’s book and I love that we get to see him grow in all areas of his life. Work, home, family – it all starts to come together once Paul begins to believe in himself. I love the way Eli gently inserts himself into an oblivious Paul’s life. His efforts are sweet, funny, and just a little bit desperate at times. And I love the balance by the end of the book as Paul starts to support Eli with his family.

I’m always amazed by the versatility of Heidi Cullinan’s writing. This is a low heat, slice of life read that is much different from the steamier writing in things like the Special Delivery books and yet also a world apart from her Carry the Ocean books. In style, this is more similar to the stories I’ve enjoyed from Marie Sexton in the past. This is a great collaboration and as always from these two authors, the writing is wonderful.

Marie Sexton

MARIE SEXTON lives in Colorado. She’s a fan of just about anything that involves muscular young men piling on top of each other. In particular, she loves the Denver Broncos and enjoys going to the games with her husband. Her imaginary friends often tag along. Marie has one daughter, two cats, and one dog, all of whom seem bent on destroying what remains of her sanity. She loves them anyway.

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Heidi Cullinan

HEIDI CULLINAN has always enjoyed a good love story, provided it has a happy ending. Proud to be from the first Midwestern state with full marriage equality, Heidi is a vocal advocate for LGBT rights. She writes positive-outcome romances for LGBT characters struggling against insurmountable odds because she believes there’s no such thing as too much happy ever after. When Heidi isn’t writing, she enjoys cooking, reading, playing with her cats, and watching television with her family. Find out more about Heidi on her website.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Second Hand (Tucker Springs #2) by Marie Sexton & Heidi Cullinan to read and review.