Reviewed by: Sue Eaton

TITLE: Secondhand Skin

SERIES: Soulbound Universe

AUTHOR: Hailey Turner

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 362 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 4, 2024

BLURB:

Nothing says you can’t steal a heart. Keeping it though? That’s another problem.

Wade Espinoza knows a thing or two about hoards. As a dragon, he’s got plenty. What he doesn’t have is a relationship, and he swears he’s not looking for one. But when he’s sent to Boston to answer a cry for help from another pack, he’s drawn into a mess of fae bargains centered around a selkie who Wade instantly becomes obsessed with.

Riordan Maguire is struggling to keep his selkie clan out of the clutches of a fae lord who will do anything to take over their territory. Partnering with the Boston god pack means coming face-to-face with the first person he’s ever wanted to willingly give his sealskin. Too bad Wade isn’t local and is something altogether strange that Riordan isn’t sure he can trust.

Amidst a growing danger in the streets and Boston Harbor, Wade and Riordan are desperate to find a way to keep everyone safe. For bargains are dangerous things to break, but so are hearts. Wade isn’t willing to shatter either of theirs in a race against time that could see Riordan torn from him forever.

REVIEW:

Firstly, it’s not necessary to read the books in the Soulbound Series to enjoy this book. But I highly recommend that you do, they will give you insight into where Wade came from and his relationship with the New York God Pack.  Younger Wade is adorable.

Onto the review for this book.  Firstly, I have been waiting for Wade to get his own book since the start of the Soulbound Series, I was overjoyed to finally get to read Wades story.

Wade appears to be irreverent only interested in his snacks, but he has such depths that he hides from everyone but his pack.  He has grown and thrived with the New York God Pack and has become an integral part, not only as family, but in his responsibilities to manage the bar and go on missions for the pack.  He is confident in his abilities and as a dragon he is immune to magic and most weapons.  He is formidable in battle but keeps his dragon abilities under wraps and his aura locked down, so he generally appears as a human.

Riordan is the head of the Selkie Clan, wary of outsiders and is slow to trust anyone but his siblings and clan.  Despite the threat to his clan, and not wanting help from anyone, when Wade arrives and offers help he can’t help but be intriqued.  Wade is something other, but Riordan has no idea what that other is, but there is definitely a pull towards the younger man.

As Wade and Riordan navigate the dangers posed by a fae lord who backed them into dangerous bargains and the growing threats in Boston Harbor, they must find a way to keep everyone safe.  Riordan is initially wary of Wade, but their bond deepens as they work together to safeguard their loved ones.  Both Wade and Riordan have issues rooted in their pasts, Wade is only in Boston temporarily and Selkies are traditionally looked down upon by other fae as lesser.

There is lots of action and tension in this book.  I particularly love how Wade plays off being “just a human” and his priority of getting food, it takes a lot of calories to feed a dragon.  He is snarky and funny and despite his youth doesn’t back down or take any crap from anyone.  There are so many little gems, where Wade speaks very casually about fighting Gods and everyone’s jaws drop.  He is so self-effacing and doesn’t let people get close.  It was lovely to see how little by little the trust grows between Wade and Riordan, as they share their past experiences.  They openly discuss their insecurities and past traumas. This honesty allows them to understand each other’s vulnerabilities and work through their fears together.  As they face numerous external threats together and realise they can rely on each other this strengthens their connection. Each challenge they overcome as a team reinforces their commitment to one another.

It was lovely to see Wade blossom within his relationship with Riordan.  It was also great to see the rest of the pack and no matter how powerful a dragon you are, taking your boyfriend to meet your parents and pack is daunting.

A fantastic book set in the brilliant Soulbound Universe.

RATING:

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