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Peak City Romance #2
Secondhand Hearts
He's a country star trying to lay low. She's a pawn shop owner struggling to get by. Can their relationship last when she learns his secret?
As a member of a top country-western band, Chase has the money and fame he's always wanted. When he meets the beautiful woman who owns Treasure Mountain Pawn, he has to hide both of those things from the one person he wants to know everything about him.
When Elena sees Chase for the first time, his turquoise eyes and tousled brown hair convince her that she might believe in insta-love. Just in time, her brain takes over, reminding her that her business is in trouble, making her future uncertain—not a good time for love.
But being with Chase is as easy as following her heart, until she finds he has a secret big enough to break it.
** An abbreviated version of this story appeared in the Hidden Identities anthology.
As a member of a top country-western band, Chase has the money and fame he's always wanted. When he meets the beautiful woman who owns Treasure Mountain Pawn, he has to hide both of those things from the one person he wants to know everything about him.
When Elena sees Chase for the first time, his turquoise eyes and tousled brown hair convince her that she might believe in insta-love. Just in time, her brain takes over, reminding her that her business is in trouble, making her future uncertain—not a good time for love.
But being with Chase is as easy as following her heart, until she finds he has a secret big enough to break it.
** An abbreviated version of this story appeared in the Hidden Identities anthology.
130 pages, ebook
First published September 5, 2018
84 people are currently reading
404 people want to read
About the author
Jo Noelle
47 books335 followersThis mother/daughter writing team writes “Sweet, Swoony Ever-Afters.”
Sweet Historical Western under the name Gemma Stuart
Sweet Victorian & Regency Time Travel under the pen name Jo Noelle, who a USA TODAY bestselling author
Sweet Contemporary under the name Evee Tuttle.
They write stories about the places they’ve lived, the places they’ve visited around the world, and the places still on their bucket lists.
Follow us on Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub to get notices for all our new releases!
Join our Facebook Groups and chat with us and other readers who love sweet and clean romance.
• Cowboys and Angels and The Matchmaker’s Ball
• Loving Sweet Historical Romance
• Sweet Kisses Readers’ Group
• Sweet and Sassy Books Facebook Page
Sweet Historical Western under the name Gemma Stuart
Sweet Victorian & Regency Time Travel under the pen name Jo Noelle, who a USA TODAY bestselling author
Sweet Contemporary under the name Evee Tuttle.
They write stories about the places they’ve lived, the places they’ve visited around the world, and the places still on their bucket lists.
Follow us on Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub to get notices for all our new releases!
Join our Facebook Groups and chat with us and other readers who love sweet and clean romance.
• Cowboys and Angels and The Matchmaker’s Ball
• Loving Sweet Historical Romance
• Sweet Kisses Readers’ Group
• Sweet and Sassy Books Facebook Page
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 12, 2018
I picked this up because I was on a Jo Noelle roll and it was short. I wish I had stopped while the roll was good. Unlike this story. Which is not good.
Okay, it's not bad. Really. It's just sloppy and has a lot of problems. The biggest is that both main characters have a heaping hurt in their past that provides the tension in the romance and it adds up to a lot of negative motivation* slowing down the story. This isn't helped by how Noelle uses chance and contrivance to prevent Chase from defusing the bomb of omission he knows he has ticking away (up to and including anaphylactic shock). This is a lazy-romance trope I'm getting very tired of. The secret that becomes toxic and blows up in public, I mean. And this one has the kicker of Elena being a (negatively motivated) coward about the whole thing, afterward. Which was out of character, I think.
I liked them both, don't get me wrong. And I liked their connection and care for one another and both are the kind of characters I normally enjoy. Which is why this is getting the round-up to three stars from the 2½ that it only barely earned. But it's still a rocky story that doesn't really work as written.
A note about Chaste (and Missing Faith): There's lots of kissing for so short a book. I'm starting to see that as a characteristic of Noelle stories. This was more awkward than the others because it's a firmly-contemporary romance with weeks, maybe months of normal relationship progression involved, so the lack of sex, and lack of any acknowledgement of sex, is completely out of place. I mean, they're obviously entering emotional intimacy and that means sex should be at a minimum on their minds and in their thoughts. And if it isn't happening there needs to be a discussion or something. But no. So this also earns the missing faith tag and is another aspect of fail that the other two stories I've read by the author handled just fine.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
Okay, it's not bad. Really. It's just sloppy and has a lot of problems. The biggest is that both main characters have a heaping hurt in their past that provides the tension in the romance and it adds up to a lot of negative motivation* slowing down the story. This isn't helped by how Noelle uses chance and contrivance to prevent Chase from defusing the bomb of omission he knows he has ticking away (up to and including anaphylactic shock). This is a lazy-romance trope I'm getting very tired of. The secret that becomes toxic and blows up in public, I mean. And this one has the kicker of Elena being a (negatively motivated) coward about the whole thing, afterward. Which was out of character, I think.
I liked them both, don't get me wrong. And I liked their connection and care for one another and both are the kind of characters I normally enjoy. Which is why this is getting the round-up to three stars from the 2½ that it only barely earned. But it's still a rocky story that doesn't really work as written.
A note about Chaste (and Missing Faith): There's lots of kissing for so short a book. I'm starting to see that as a characteristic of Noelle stories. This was more awkward than the others because it's a firmly-contemporary romance with weeks, maybe months of normal relationship progression involved, so the lack of sex, and lack of any acknowledgement of sex, is completely out of place. I mean, they're obviously entering emotional intimacy and that means sex should be at a minimum on their minds and in their thoughts. And if it isn't happening there needs to be a discussion or something. But no. So this also earns the missing faith tag and is another aspect of fail that the other two stories I've read by the author handled just fine.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
September 8, 2018
Romance, clean; Series, but stand alone read; novella
This was a lovely novella to read. My only complaint, is wish it were longer. Elana and Chase meet when he comes to her pawn shop looking for a guitar that was stolen from him. She is struggling, and he is hiding from his fame a bit. Refreshed that she doesn't recognize him, they have a series of moments that help them fall.
Beautiful fall, two honest, struggling, hurting hearts, and love their genuine chemistry. The ending was a little rushed for me (wished for more from this beautiful read) so more of a 3.5 for me as a reader, but it felt so real, and honest, I rounded up. Loved the music industry background setting with Chase, and his struggles, and Elana's struggles to get past his musicianship. Lovely, small town setting, but big on heart, and home. Can't wait to read the next book in this series!
This was a lovely novella to read. My only complaint, is wish it were longer. Elana and Chase meet when he comes to her pawn shop looking for a guitar that was stolen from him. She is struggling, and he is hiding from his fame a bit. Refreshed that she doesn't recognize him, they have a series of moments that help them fall.
Beautiful fall, two honest, struggling, hurting hearts, and love their genuine chemistry. The ending was a little rushed for me (wished for more from this beautiful read) so more of a 3.5 for me as a reader, but it felt so real, and honest, I rounded up. Loved the music industry background setting with Chase, and his struggles, and Elana's struggles to get past his musicianship. Lovely, small town setting, but big on heart, and home. Can't wait to read the next book in this series!
October 24, 2018
It looks like Jo Noelle is embarking on a new series and I can't wait to meet more of the people in Peak City.
This is a quick read but there's nice development and conflict between the characters to get enough of the experience of a full length novel.
I really liked Elena and Chase. They seemed like people I'd like to hang out with.
My only bit of disappointment was due to the abrupt ending. I wanted just a few pages more to satisfy me, but the author knows best how to write their book.
This is a quick read but there's nice development and conflict between the characters to get enough of the experience of a full length novel.
I really liked Elena and Chase. They seemed like people I'd like to hang out with.
My only bit of disappointment was due to the abrupt ending. I wanted just a few pages more to satisfy me, but the author knows best how to write their book.
June 12, 2019
Too much making out for me to be comfortable. I mean their first kiss was so steamy!
September 9, 2018
I liked the way this story started out. And even though the story of popular musician meets beautiful girl has been done, the pawn shop idea made it unique. I liked the characters and the hike scene was my favorite. I wanted to give this one a higher rating because I really liked the story up until the climax. It kind of went down hill from there. Elana had issues she needed to discuss, but the story only focused on Chase's issues. The relationship seemed one-sided from the climax on. Plus, I didn't get what her mother was all about. She didn't fit with the rest of the story. Lots of typos that made understanding who was speaking difficult. Hated the ending. It felt rushed and unresolved. I turned the page expecting more, but there wasn't any. What? It wasn't even an ending. I liked that it was clean. I liked the cover. I'm undecided whether I'll read it again or not, but I will read the other books in the series (if only to see if there is more to the story with Chase and Elana).
January 28, 2021
NOTE: Although the header to this story identifies this as Book 1 of the series and it was actually the first book published in the series, during the current publication cycle, it is identified as Book 2 in the series.
After reading “Eight Second Kiss,” the first book of the series, I was disappointed with this second story of the series. The opening chapters were filled with “woe is me” ramblings from both Elena and Chase. I came close to abort reading the book by chapter 3. I only noticed one editorial error: (On Kindle page 72, the phrase “he’d always stated with” should have read “he’d always started with.”) But this was far from the only flaw. I could find absolutely no reason to include the definite downer about the death of Kade’s girlfriend, Cara, as part of the story other than that it would be upsetting to Elena. Very poor taste! Seldom have protagonists in a romance novel come across as pathetic as did Elena and Chase, and seldom has the HEA ending been so unsatisfying. Nevertheless, the story was generally entertaining enough to warrant a Three-Star review.
After reading “Eight Second Kiss,” the first book of the series, I was disappointed with this second story of the series. The opening chapters were filled with “woe is me” ramblings from both Elena and Chase. I came close to abort reading the book by chapter 3. I only noticed one editorial error: (On Kindle page 72, the phrase “he’d always stated with” should have read “he’d always started with.”) But this was far from the only flaw. I could find absolutely no reason to include the definite downer about the death of Kade’s girlfriend, Cara, as part of the story other than that it would be upsetting to Elena. Very poor taste! Seldom have protagonists in a romance novel come across as pathetic as did Elena and Chase, and seldom has the HEA ending been so unsatisfying. Nevertheless, the story was generally entertaining enough to warrant a Three-Star review.
October 25, 2018
Peak City Romance
I loved the heroine 's character Elena beautiful strong caring witty yet vulnerable with businesses and money issue which most people could relate to. The hero Chase is very heartwarming and charming and is the lead guitarist in a famous band. This author's characters are all portrayed very well even the unsavoury ones. I can't wait to read her next book and see what Jo Noelle the author can bring us readers next.
I loved the heroine 's character Elena beautiful strong caring witty yet vulnerable with businesses and money issue which most people could relate to. The hero Chase is very heartwarming and charming and is the lead guitarist in a famous band. This author's characters are all portrayed very well even the unsavoury ones. I can't wait to read her next book and see what Jo Noelle the author can bring us readers next.
May 2, 2019
A secondhand hearts love story.
Chas is a famous lead guitar player in a famous band. Who has been dated to be used to be introduced to a lead singer of a band.
He meets Elena a beautiful owner of a secondhand store owner and they are immediately are attracted to each other. But he does not tells her who he is and she busy, at risk of losing her late Dad's store.
Will she forgive him for keeping his identity a secret?
Will she lose the store and her dreams?
Chas is a famous lead guitar player in a famous band. Who has been dated to be used to be introduced to a lead singer of a band.
He meets Elena a beautiful owner of a secondhand store owner and they are immediately are attracted to each other. But he does not tells her who he is and she busy, at risk of losing her late Dad's store.
Will she forgive him for keeping his identity a secret?
Will she lose the store and her dreams?
September 5, 2018
An abbreviated version of this story appeared in the Hidden Identities anthology, and I read it first there. It was so fun to get more into the story and see the characters fleshed out. I really loved how they built Elena and Chase’s relationship on not just attraction but common ground and built it naturally from there.
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June 7, 2019
A lovely story. A rich-guitar-playing-band guy meets about-to-lose-the-pawn-shop woman. Instant attraction! They really enjoy getting to know one another. Of course those not-ready-to-share secrets on both sides creates a major battle. I loved this book – especially the way they helped each other. I hope you enjoy it, too!
May 15, 2019
I'd love to visit Peak City! The residents are fiercely loyal to their own. This novella is a quick, clean read.
I borrowed a copy through the Kindle Unlimited program. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
I borrowed a copy through the Kindle Unlimited program. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
October 31, 2023
Boo. I should have known instantly when i opened the kindle version and it was 109 pages. The entire plot felt rushed and the writing was sloppy. Added to my library on “stuff your kindle day” but would not recommend.
September 12, 2018
Great story
I really enjoyed reading this story. It was great nice and clean and full of romance as well as other issues we run into in life. Enjoy it
I really enjoyed reading this story. It was great nice and clean and full of romance as well as other issues we run into in life. Enjoy it
September 23, 2018
Great Read
This is a cute fun romance with just the right amount of drama to keep you reading. Can’t wait for the next book.
This is a cute fun romance with just the right amount of drama to keep you reading. Can’t wait for the next book.
November 3, 2018
Loved it
A great beginning of a new series. I really enjoye reading aboutd the characters and the story set in Peak City.
A great beginning of a new series. I really enjoye reading aboutd the characters and the story set in Peak City.
December 23, 2018
💜👍
As always Jo Noelle delivers a great story. I don’t usually read contemporary but for her I make an exception. Enjoy 💜
As always Jo Noelle delivers a great story. I don’t usually read contemporary but for her I make an exception. Enjoy 💜
April 14, 2021
This was a good story but I thought the ending was very abrupt. This is a sweet, clean romance.
October 23, 2023
Second Hand
I loved this book. Very well written. I laughed and cried. Can't wait to read the next one, to fine out what happens.
I loved this book. Very well written. I laughed and cried. Can't wait to read the next one, to fine out what happens.
December 29, 2023
Made girly pops father figure get shot and the next page theyre making out??? What????? I get 100 pages supposed to be fast paced but that was SO UNNECESSARY
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2018
A charming romance that will keep your interest until the end. I wish this book had been longer- I wasn't ready for it to end!
November 22, 2018
Good read
Chase( famous guitar player) and Elana
I enjoyed reading this quick read. This story needs another chapter and epilogue, the HEA is not really there, they just got back together and the story ends. There is a Cliffhanger with the mother. This has a lot of potential but with the end being so incomplete I'm rating it a 3.5
Chase( famous guitar player) and Elana
I enjoyed reading this quick read. This story needs another chapter and epilogue, the HEA is not really there, they just got back together and the story ends. There is a Cliffhanger with the mother. This has a lot of potential but with the end being so incomplete I'm rating it a 3.5
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews