Joe deserves better. Meeting Dylan helps him see that.After a recent redundancy, Joe takes a few months off to try and make it as a writer. His partner, Harry, is less than supportive but Joe is used to that after ten years together, just like he’s used to Harry’s controlling nature and his drinking habit.Dylan, a server at Rainbow Place, is fascinated by Joe as he sits in the café and works on … café and works on his laptop. His attempts to flirt are met with awkwardness at first, but gradually Joe opens up. Dylan is disappointed when he learns Joe isn’t single. As their friendship develops he begins to worry about the nature of Joe’s relationship, especially when he witnesses Harry’s behaviour in person. Abuse isn’t always physical, and Dylan knows that from experience. His concern helps Joe see his relationship for what it is, and gives him the courage to end things with Harry.
Free to act on their mutual attraction, Joe and Dylan dive headlong into something that becomes serious fast. Joe revels in the passion and intimacy he’s been missing out on for so long, but Dylan is worried that Joe is on the rebound. He puts on the brakes, knowing that they need to slow down to make this last. For this new relationship to work, Joe needs to show Dylan that he’s ready to move on from the past.
Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone and has a satisfying happy ending.
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These two men met when but it isn’t the best of timing. Joe needs to figure things out. There isn’t just acceptance to what Dylan says it takes another person sharing to really get Joe thinking. I like the idea that Joe makes his decision based on himself and not just on Dylan. I also admired Dylan for standing strong on his own needs even at the risk of a new bond forming. Both men show a lot of courage in being themselves.
I listened to the audio version and it was very well done.
Each book I listen to the more I would love Rainbow Place to exist.
The characters are great and Hamish narration really brings them to life.
Thank you Jay for writing this series. Xx
First off, let me say that I’m not 100% convinced that this is a HEA yet. However, it is definitely right that this relationship takes its time because of the main characters respective situations.
I like that it is the younger Dylan who often takes the lead in acting in a more mature fashion. But, he does have the advantage of experience. Joe is still living out his nightmare for the majority of the book. That is what I love about this series…it is so real.
Seb has a strong presence in this novel. It’s also great to see more of Alex and Cam and to know they are happy. The continuity of characters from book to book is what I want to see in a series…the soap opera effect!
Having Hamish Long narrate the whole series has also seen a continuity of the voices that bring these books to life. This is another excellent performance.
4.5 stars
Heat Level: 3.5
A wonderful story about taking your life back and deserving better!
This was the first story of Jay’s that I’ve read and I loved it! Great, detailed writing style with whimsical romance and witty characters with depth and heart.
An easy to read, story about realizing you deserve better. Joe is in this situation with his long term partner, Harry. I liked how Jay approaches Harry’s controlling ways and subtle abuse of Joe. Abuse isn’t always physical and it’s important to acknowledge it in all its forms and this story shows that with Joe and his strength to come out of his situation stronger and with a new life that’s better for him. I love Rainbow Place and definitely need to read the other stories of Seb and Jason and Alex and Cam. All the characters are awesome and I hope there will be a story with Lady Gogo and Wicksy as there could be an interesting story there
Jay had created such great characters in Dylan & Joe and their connection and chemistry is palpable. I really enjoyed their early interactions and witty banter. I enjoyed the balance between sexual tension, emotional connection, and their individual situations. While Harry’s ‘the bad guy’ of the story he’s not vindictive and the way Jay approached Harry as a character was great in that he has his flaw that he can’t/won’t change and becomes resigned in the end but thankfully there is no maliciousness or extreme danger as with other stories. I feel Jay has created a real-life story that reflects the real world and the ups and downs we can face in life.
I really enjoyed Joe and Dylan’s story and look forward to more stories from Jay and more from Rainbow Place!! A highly recommended read!!
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Edited to add my comments on the audio book 12/19/19.
Performance – 5
Story – 5
I’m going to sound like a broken record. Better Place is the third book in the Rainbow Place series and it’s the third book I’ve listened to by Hamish Long. Once again, his fantastic performance of this story has enhanced my enjoyment of it immensely. My previous rating of the ebook has been increased from 4 stars to 5.
Rainbow Place was the first book I listened to performed by him and I immediately became a fan. His British accent is very pleasing and easy for this American listener to understand. The various voices he uses for the characters are perfect and his pacing and vocal inflections are great.
Below is a copy of the review I wrote when Better Place was released as an ebook.
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Another good addition to this series.
I’ve really been enjoying the Rainbow Place series and Better Place is a good addition.
Dylan works at Rainbow Place café and Joe has been coming to there to work on his book. Dylan is attracted to him but doesn’t know if he’s in a relationship or if he’s even gay. They strike up a friendship and chat together during Joe’s visits and soon Dylan hopes for more.
Joe and Harry have been together 10 years but things haven’t been going too well lately. Joe finally realizes the relationship can’t be fixed and after he breaks it off with Harry, he is excited by the attraction he feels to Dylan.
Better Place is a good story with just the right amount of tension. The budding relationship between Joe and Dylan becomes complicated when Harry confronts Dylan at Rainbow Place. Joe stands up to him but Dylan is still shaken due to his previous relationship that went bad when his ex became violent.
The Rainbow Place series is filled with many interesting characters but each book stands on its own very well. There was a new character introduced in Better Place and I hope we see more of them in the next book.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
This is the third book in the series. I love the Rainbow Place cafe and the book set there. One thing I really love about this series is the books makes you think and put yourself in other peoples shoes. I felt for Joe because is in an unhealthy relationship and has no idea. The day he meets Dylan will forever change the course of his life. I loved Dylan and Joe together. They had such sweet romantic moments. They’re there for one another though it’s going to a little tough at first. That’s another thing I love about the Rainbow Place is everyone just hops right in to help each other out. It makes a person feel good reading those scenes. If you’re a fan of M/M this is a series worth reading!