Never a Hero

The Tucker Springs tour continues ... and I'm happy to say we're back on track.This is sweet romance between two damaged people, one outwardly and the other less visibly so, but certainly more profound. Owen is 28 and virtually a shut-in. He has a foreshortened left arm due to a birth defect, the effects of which have been compounded into stuttering, shyness, and low self-esteem due to a truly AWFUL mother. Luckily, since college, he's been living on his own in Tucker Springs, and when the book begins his luck reaches lottery levels. The downstairs apartment in his split-level is being rented by Nick Reynolds, the veterinarian that Paul, from [b:Second Hand 15765658 Second Hand (Tucker Springs, #2) Heidi Cullinan https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1343014602s/15765658.jpg 21469702], works for. This is great news for Owen because Nick doesn't see him as defective and is keen on teasing him out of his self-imposed social isolation. Nick makes him see that there are other people in the world, the majority, who are unlike his AWFUL mother, but Nick's secret weapon in breaching Owen's shell is his sister June. June is a firecracker and is just like Owen, but in her other arm. Unlike Owen June grew up knowing she was loved by her family and she's out to prove she can do anything two handed people can do. This is how she talks Owen into piano lessons and conveniently the piano is downstairs at Nick's place. Nick starts cooking for Owen and otherwise taking care of his emotional needs yet when things start to heat up Nick pulls back. Why? It's sad and complicated. In all the ways that matter Nick is the truly damaged person and needs rescuing from his own demons. I felt gutted on his behalf. I think the subject matters here, both Owen's arm and Nick's situation, are sensitively handled without either trivializing or making them into insurmountable hurdles. Life is life and it goes on. We must live in it. As far as the romance goes I can absolutely see why Owen is drawn to Nick but I'm not too sold on what Nick sees in Owen, an innocence perhaps? Someone to take care of, in a good way? A way to feel useful, needed? Maybe. That can be very attractive, particularly for someone like Nick. I'll go with that. The on page sex was satisfying and when I found myself compiling a list of things they could try I figured this was a sweet romance indeed. I cared about their future. Win. A have a couple of complaints mainly having to do with how Owen took this long to break out, but when you've been undermined all your life I guess that's not hard to believe. However this leads me to Owen's father: his story is sad but sadly true for many people and I can't in good conscience begrudge him the choices he made but I do think he was far too passive in accepting the ill treatment of his son. A son he loves. His regrets seem too little too late. Owen forgives him but I think I'll need some time.As usual I enjoyed seeing some of the guys from other books (hi Adam & Denver) and particularly Paul who continues to be as clueless as ever. Sweet. I'd be remiss not to mention [a:Iggy Toma 13543759 Iggy Toma https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and his wonderful narration. Perfect.