“An irresistible queer romance.” —Publishers WeeklyIt’s not long before their pet-centric arrangement sparks a person-centric desire… children’s book illustrator who needs a dog walker isn’t easy for the man whose persistent anxiety has colored his whole life, but Jack Matheson’s menagerie is just what Simon needs.
Four dogs, three cats and counting. Jack’s pack of rescue pets is the only company he needs. But when a bad fall leaves him with a broken leg, Jack is forced to admit he needs help. That the help comes in the form of the most beautiful man he’s ever seen is a complicated, glorious surprise.
Being with Jack—talking, walking, making out—is a game changer for Simon. And Simon’s company certainly…eases the pain of recovery for Jack. But making a real relationship work once Jack’s cast comes off will mean compromise, understanding and lots of love.
Garnet Run
Book 1: Better Than People
Book 2: Best Laid Plans
Carina Adores is home to highly romantic contemporary love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.
A new Carina Adores title is available each month:
The Hideaway Inn by Philip William Stover
The Girl Next Door by Chelsea M. Cameron
Just Like That by Cole McCade
Hairpin Curves by Elia Winters
Better Than People by Roan Parrish
The Love Study by Kris Ripper
The Secret Ingredient by KD Fisher
Just Like This by Cole McCade
Teddy Spenser Isn’t Looking for Love by Kim Fielding
The Beautiful Things Shoppe by Philip William Stover
Best Laid Plans by Roan Parrish
Knit, Purl, a Baby and a Girl by Hettie Bell
The Hate Project by Kris Ripper
Hard Sell by Hudson Lin
more
It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Roan Parrish. The Remaking of Corbin Wale is on my favorites list. So I was really excited for this release. It definitely had the same sort of vibe as Corbin Wale (as opposed to her Riven series or her Small Change series) and it was really good.
Jack is a loner, a children’s book illustrator who lost his art after his partner and collaborator stole an idea from him. For nearly a year he has been home, unable to draw, with only his pack of dogs and cats as company. And his well meaning brother who checks on him. Until he breaks his leg and can’t walk his dogs- the highlight of his day. So he goes online and finds someone willing to walk his pack twice a day. No easy feat as some of the animals are neurotic with their own little quirks.
Simon adores animals, but living with his grandmother who is highly allergic means he can’t have his own. So he is eager to help out this stranger and his dogs. Not so eager to have to talk to him though because of debilitating social anxiety.
After a few missteps, Jack and Simon find their groove. Simon loves the dogs, the dogs love him. But Jack is totally miserable and lonely and intrigued by Simon.
Their slow dance to come together is one of my favorite things about how Roan Parrish writes. It is so lyrical they way they develop a language together that doesn’t necessarily use words. Looks and touches and movements. It’s a ballet.
The dogs themselves- the pack- are their own individual characters. They add to the story instead of just being there. With them as a buffer, Simon slowly comes to trust Jack. Without them, I don’t know that Simon would have ever come out of his shell.
Simon’s grandmother is hilarious and adorable. Jack’s brother is broody and sweet and I definitely want more of his story.
There is an awesome easter egg that made me smile.
This book is up there with Corbin Wale in my favorites.
I thought if I wrote my review right away I’d be able to express how much I adore Better Than People. I was… perhaps a bit premature.
Fabulous story as always when it comes to a Roan Parrish book. I actually had no idea this was headed our way so I consider myself lucky to have snagged this.
Simon and Jack… Simon and Jack aren’t complicated. Unless you’re asking Simon. He’d tell you they’ll never work because he’s too complicated to want to be with. Jack, he’s not complicated at all. Like, that man is simple to the bone. He wants it. He goes about getting it. Except for those few months he spent pouting in his cabin.
The thing that makes them so uncomplicated is that Jack realizes his mistakes and goes about correcting them. He supports Simon and encourages him. Jack is full of compromise for Simon. And Simon, well he’s willing to compromise with Jack (and himself) too. He just has to realize that he wants those things.
They’re actually some of the easiest to understand characters that Roan has written. My heart hurt for both men and their upbringing. I’m so glad that Jack had Charlie and Simon has Grandma Jean. She’s a hoot and I hope Charlie gets a book.
I found this to be a super sweet love story. Two men…both preferring animals to humans for different reasons. Thrown together by a pet share app that will allow Jack to get the help he needs with his menagerie, neither men expect that they would ever be able to speak to each other, let alone become more. The men had pain in their pasts and getting through that is not always easy but these wonderful, personable pets and the people in their lives will not let them travel down that lonely road. Are they ready to allow someone in?
This is the wonderful MM romance with dogs and cats in abundance. I am always excited when a new Roan Parrish books is published, because she does a great job with her characters, and this book was no exception. These characters have big flaws and she does a great job making you feel the characters pain and joy. The pace makes it hard to put down. I really loved this book and can’t wait for her next one.
I’m always excited to see a new Roan Parrish book, and I was particularly excited about this one because — dogs!
Jack is an illustrator of children’s books who not only is dealing with a betrayal by his business partner, he also suffers an accident that leaves him with a broken leg and no one to walk his family of pets. I adored Jack’s devotion to his family (pets doesn’t seem to do them justice). He signs up with PetShare to find someone to help out with walking duties while he’s laid up.
Simon isn’t good with people but loves animals. His living situation doesn’t allow him to have his own, so he’s more than happy to help Jack with what he needs. It’s a perfect job for someone like Simon who has difficulty expressing himself verbally. The words are in his head but they just don’t make it to his mouth.
I loved these characters so very much. Not the usual alpha-types, their charm is expertly revealed by Roan Parrish as she gradually peels back the layers to show their deepest emotions and insecurities. My ebook is full of highlighted passages that make me marvel over the perfect description of these characters feelings. Jack’s sensitivity to Simon’s verbal difficulties was particularly beautiful.
Their friendship progresses to something physical and it’s so wonderful to see Simon enjoy this aspect of life under Jack’s patient manner. These two are so adorable together! I just loved them. I didn’t want this book to end and I was excitedly turning the pages to see how they would handle Jack’s return to mobility, keeping my fingers crossed for both of them!
I enjoyed Better Than People so very much. The writing is wonderful and chock full of emotions. I found myself really relating to these characters on many different levels. Their physical relationship is super steamy –okay, hot, hot, hot!
I just adored all the characters in this book, Jack, Simon, Charlie and all of Jack’s four-footed friends. Better Than People will definitely be on my favorites of 2020 list. Fabulous M/M romance. Loved it!
Audio Review:
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Overall – 5
So sweet, lots of feels and I loved the narration!
I loved this book so much. The blurb is really great and explains the story pretty well. What it can’t really convey is the extent of Simon’s debilitating social anxiety and inability to cope with people even in a one-on-one situation. He is worse than shy; he becomes so completely tongue tied that he can’t speak, or if he can he stutters very badly. My heart ached for him.
Jack was betrayed by someone he trusted and now he only wants to be with his pets. After breaking his leg, he doesn’t have a choice but to get some help with his menagerie of rescued dogs and cats. It doesn’t take long for a kind of kinship to develop between Simon and Jack. As Simon adjusts to Jack, he eventually is able to carry on a conversation with him without feeling the need to run away.
Simon’s grandmother was a great secondary character as was Jack’s brother Charlie. They both provided additional depth to the story and insight into the main characters.
I really couldn’t stop reading/listening to this once I started. I was totally drawn in by the writing and excellent performance by James Cavenaugh. He did a fantastic job of portraying both of the MC’s in this book but he really excelled with Simon. This is the first audiobook I’ve listened to him perform but I’m sure it won’t be the last.
A review copy of the ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and a review copy of the audiobook was provided by Harlequin Audio, but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
My first book by Roan Parrish, but definitely not my last!
I loved Simon and Jack’s story–a super slow burn, partly because of Jack’s broken leg, partly because of Simon’s crippling shyness–but goodness, I can’t imagine wanting it any other way! Their gradual journey from barely even acquaintances to cautious friends to more is just delightful, especially as it is helped along every step of the way by Jack’s interestingly-named, probably-just-a-little-too-large menagerie 😉
As delightful as Jack’s animals are (OMG, I loved their individual personalities! So fun!) the secondary human characters here are wonderful too. Simon’s grandma (her unconditional acceptance of Simon is so sweet!) and Jack’s older brother Charlie (please give him a book, Ms Parrish!) helped make reading this story such a pleasure.
I read this in a single day–I honestly couldn’t put it down. Roan Parrish is definitely an author I’ll be keeping an eye out for more from in the future!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
A heartwarming story of acceptance, love, and healing.
Better Than People is a charming low-angst, slow-burn romance introducing two unique mains sharing the love of animals.
With themes of social anxiety addressed with care and understanding, it brings a very real issue to life in a thoughtful and dynamic way. Creating a character with crippling anxiety and giving them a voice was beautifully developed. And doing so with the growth of a love story was as moving as it was inspiring.
With a well-written narrative, carefully crafted, and intimate scenes that were incredibly hot as well as moving, Better Than People was a story so easy to fall in love with.
A truly beautiful gay romance from Roan Parrish, one that offers perfect romantic escapism.
Aww, Simon and Jack are adorable and sweet. And awkward. Simon has social anxiety to a high degree, but he loves animals. Jack is mostly a loner himself besides all his pets, and he’s kind of pulled away from his friends and gives his brother attitude. From the moment they met, though, Jack just wanted to get to know Simon, and was kind of fumbly about it himself.
I like how they slowly grow their relationship, and Simon slowly gets more comfortable, but it doesn’t change him. I feel like Jack showed a lot of personal growth in the book. I love all the pets and how they have different personalities. And I loved the guys relationships with their families- Simon’s grandma and Jack’s brother (who I am now worried about and want a story for).
Near the end it got pretty emotional for me. I really enjoyed their story.
How have I not read anything by this author before? As soon as I finished this story, which I devoured, I checked out her Goodreads page and saw she has plenty for me to read in her library. I love when a new-to-me author just blows me away.
There is no denying the chemistry between Simon and Jack from the moment they meet. Holy cow, these men are meant to be. While I felt their connection right away, it was about the 25% mark where I got intense butterflies that pretty much stayed with me throughout the rest of the book. Every time they’d die down, one of the guys would say or do something so amazing that those butterflies would be in a flurry all over again. I loved it!
As much as I loved the relationship Jack and Simon were building on their chemistry, the bond they were forming over every day matters and just sharing their thoughts with each other had me swooning. They both have so many insecurities for such different reasons. Their inner workings broke my heart over and over again. It was a given to me that Simon would be a soft touch. He may not be great with people, but he’s a caring and loving person. I was not expecting the level of empathy and patience Jack showed to Simon, though. It was a beautiful thing to read, these two slowly opening up and sharing their vulnerabilities.
I honestly thought I’d have a hard time keeping Jack’s pets straight…there are so many! But the author gave them just as much personality as the humans without bogging the story down. Quite a feat. Very quickly, the animals nestled into my heart just as much as Jack and Simon.
On top of all that, Simon’s grandma and Jack’s brother were the perfect sounding board for this couple. Seriously, just when I thought my heart was Jack’s his brother goes and sweeps me off my feet. Charlie is just as kind and gentle as Jack, if not more so. I’d love to see him find love and happiness. And Grandma Jean is just so supportive and non-judgmental. I swear, I loved every single character in this story. Human and pet, young and old.
I cannot wait to dig up some of this author’s other books to read. Especially once I saw the blurb for The Remaking of Corbin Wale, the subject of who has a sort of cameo in this story. I’m so thankful I was invited to participate in this blog tour or this author may have continued to fly under my radar.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book. I am providing a voluntary review. All thoughts and views are my own.
This is the first book I’ve had the pleasure of reading by Roan Parrish, although I’ve definitely heard her name floating around the queer reading community, so I was stoked to get a chance to read Better Than People. Especially when I read the blurb. What more could an animal lover who lives for LGBTQ+ romance want from a love story? A lovable pack of dogs and cats who play a major role in the plot—and get some adorable on page time too!—and two unique and sweet cinnamon role heroes to pine after? Yes, please!
I loved Simon and Jack so, so much. As someone who suffers from anxiety—with some seriously heightened social anxiety aspects—I could feel for Simon like there was no tomorrow. He spoke to me on a bone-deep level that made my soul sing. It was like being seen in a way I’m not used to being seen, especially when viewed through the lens of a fictional character. Most especially a romance lead. Far too often characters in romance are given “safe” flaws. Ones that readers can easily forgive. Ones that don’t always resonate with those of us who are a bit harder to “handle.” But Parrish’s portrayal of Simon and his crippling social anxiety was genuine and real to a degree I wasn’t expecting. And absolutely adored. More than once, I mentally screamed Hallelujah because—yes!—I’ve been there. Or I’ve wished someone would’ve reacted to me that way when I went through something similar.
Then there was Jack. I’ll admit, he was a tad more difficult for me to fall for. I struggled a bit to understand his motivations, and the way he treated his brother Charlie raised my hackles all the way up until the end. (I hope Charlie gets his own book, because he’s a sweet and broken man who deserves to find love. And I, as a reader, need to see him get his HEA!) However, it was pretty easy to overlook my reservations, especially when Jack was with his pack—Simon included.
Overall, this was a sweet, mostly angst-free read. I appreciated the way Parrish handled Simon’s mental health, and I really appreciated the way Jack eventually came to the conclusion that he couldn’t help—i.e. change—Simon. He simply accepted him for who he was—flaws and all. Again, as someone who suffers from pretty extreme anxiety, I know how much of a struggle it can be to find people who understand me. They either want to find a way to fix me—something I wish was possible, but simply isn’t—or they get scared off by the amount of work that goes into a relationship with someone living with anxiety. This story was so raw, true, and real in the way it portrayed both Simon’s experiences and Jack’s evolution from that place of wanting to “fix” Simon to eventually realizing he loved him because of his flaws, not despite them. Just beautiful.
Alluring, passionate, and adorably sweet!
Better Than People is a sensitive, touching tale about the kind, aggrieved, talented Jack who is not only struggling psychologically to come to terms with his long-time friend/business partner’s betrayal but also the frustration of being housebound due to a broken leg, as well as the shy, extremely anxious, graphic designer Simon who longs for companionship from someone other than his grandmother and a bunch of four-legged creatures with fur.
The prose is intimate and smooth. The characters are vulnerable, sincere, and endearing. And the plot is a heartfelt tale filled with life, love, family, intimacy, chemistry, heat, desire, romance, light drama, furry friends with lots of personalities, and the struggles of coping with extreme anxiety.
Overall, Better Than People is a heartwarming, emotive, deliciously steamy novel by Parrish about two unique, compassionate men who find the sensitivity, tenderness, solace, and intimacy they need and deserve in each other.
Simon and Jack were a delight to read about.
Simon’s anxiety and Jack’s jaded outlook on life made them both lousy at communicating. I liked the work around to talking with each other. Simon’s life experiences weren’t the best but Jack barged right in and forced Simon out of his shell. In return Simon gave Jack a path back to his art.
Of course, the “better than people” menagerie gave the book a so much depth and a feeling of gentle happiness. Each of their foibles was a commentary on the lives they had lived.
I’d say the book was medium on the angst. What kept it from being to heavy was brightness I felt from Simon as he started to live his life.
This story was touching, lovely, fairly steamy, and just overall enjoyable.
This is the start of a new series by Roan Parrish. The same author that brought you the angst driven Riven Series and Middle of Somewhere. Better Than People is a charming low angst story that follows Jack and Simon as they find love in the midst of navigating unexpected emotions all while being surrounded by a pack of adorable beasts. I loved Jack and Simon’s story, but I also enjoyed that art was heavily represented in the prose.
Jack is a grumpy children’s book illustrator completely comfortable keeping everyone and everything at a distance until a series of unfortunate events (read somewhat fortunate) leads him to an app that brings Simon to his door. Simon, a keep-to-himself graphic designer with social anxiety that prefers pets to people, finds himself on the PetsShare app looking for some animals to love. What started as a necessary arrangement turned into an epic love story neither man anticipated.
I adored Jack and Simon’s love story. Jack had this gentleness reserved only for Simon, while Simon allowed himself to be vulnerable with Jack. In addition to Jack and Simon, you’ll fall head over heels for their pack of beasts! This is a cozy read that will leave you wishing you were in Wyoming in the winter. I’m so excited to see what book comes next in this series. 4 stars
I liked how each man gradually built trust and understanding between themselves after their bad past experiences. I identified with both men and their story resonated with me because I have preferred animals to people for many years because they offer trust, loyalty and love without question and there’s never an issue of betrayal. Plus, they never ask for favors or money. Lol. This book was everything, and I came to adore both main characters for their unique selves and gradual acceptance of each other at face value! So many warm and fuzzies by the time the story ended. This book was provided by Carina Press thru Netgalley for free. I voluntarily read an advanced copy and am giving an honest review.
Low angst and very romantic, Roan Parrish’s recent novel, Better Than People is an absolutely lovely hurt/comfort story. If pets are a beloved part of your life (and even if they’re not), the way Ms. Parrish inserts them into this couple’s relationship is truly special. A true feel good, comfort romance, Better Than People is a delight.
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