Never a Hero by Marie Sexton

This is book 5 in the Tucker Springs Series.

Where Nerves End (book #1) by L.A. Witt
Second Hand (book #2) by Marie Sexton
Dirty Laundry (book #3) by Heidi Cullinan
Covet Thy Neighbor (book #4) by L.A. Witt
Never A Hero (book #5) by Marie Sexton

The Blurb…

Everyone deserves a hero.

Owen Meade is desperately in need of a hero. Raised by a mother who made him ashamed of his stutter, his sexual orientation, and his congenitally amputated arm, Owen lives like a hermit in his Tucker Springs apartment. But then hunky veterinarian Nick Reynolds moves in downstairs.

Nick is sexy and confident, and makes Owen comfortable with himself in a way nobody ever has. He also introduces Owen to his firecracker of a little sister, who was born with a similar congenital amputation but never let it stand in her way. When she signs the two of them up for piano lessons—and insists that they play together in a recital—Owen can’t find a way to say no. Especially since it gives him a good excuse to spend more time with Nick.

Owen knows he’s falling hard for his neighbor, but every time he gets close, Nick inexplicably pulls away. Battling his mother’s scorn and Nick’s secrets, Owen soon realizes that instead of waiting for a hero, it’s time to be one—for himself and for Nick.

So what did I think?

It was nice to revisit Tucker Springs and disappear into the lives of Owen and Nick.

This is the story of Owen, a young man who is hugely self-conscious of his physical disability and has hidden himself away from the world. He has felt like a disappointment his whole life and being gay is only another reason to disappoint his mother. So he is not going to be gay! That’s working pretty well until Nick moves in downstairs.

The plot is slightly predictable – I was able to determine the reason for Nick’s reluctance to start a relationship long before he announced it – but it was still an enjoyable albeit frustrating journey.

It was great to see Owen’s character develop through the book, from a stuttering man who did not want to leave his home, to a man confident enough to fight for what he wanted. He was able to acknowledge that his missing arm did not define him and that his own fear and actions were resulting in his life not moving forward. He could see through Nick’s stubbornness and finally understand the reasons for his behaviour. Owen developed the strength to make his own decisions and take control of his life.

3.5 stars (rounded to 4 :))