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Better Than People

by Roan Parrish

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: Garnet Run (1)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
1099248,212 (4.11)16
Fiction. Romance. LGBTQIA+ (Fiction.) HTML:"An irresistible queer romance." ā??Publishers Weekly, starred review
It's not long before their pet-centric arrangement sparks a person-centric desire...
Simon Burke has always preferred animals to people. When the countdown to adopting his own dog is unexpectedly put on hold, Simon turns to the PetShare app to find the fluffy TLC he's been missing. Meeting a grumpy 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 Jackā??talking, walking, making outā??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.
Carina Adores is home to romantic love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.
Garnet Run
Book 1: Better Than People
Book 2: Best Laid Plans
Book 3: The Lights on Knockbridge Lane<
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» See also 16 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 9 (next | show all)
When Jack Matheson breaks his leg walking his menagerie of pets, he is worried that he won't find anyone willing to take on the exercise responsibilities. But his worries are for naught when he matches with Simon Burke on PetShare - an app designed to match pet owners with people willing to look after them. Simon has always struggled with anxiety and social awkwardness except when he's around animals - so it only makes sense to volunteer as a pet walker. And then Jack and Simon meet and sparks fly.

This was a solid contemporary m/m romance with lots of fluff, super hot sex and an alright plot line. It's not a fantastic read but it hits all the right notes and generally provides a feel good story. I felt the plot lacking a bit concerning the secondary characters. Jack was kind of an ass to Charlie. I didn't really feel he was all that grateful to someone who gave up everything to look after him. As for Simon, he was all his grandmother (Jean) was his best friend who he moved in specifically to keep her company when his grandpa died - but he didn't seem to blink at the idea of moving in with Jack. It felt like the secondary characters started out strong and just withered away as the story progressed - and it made the novel weaker for it.

As for the romance between Jack and Simon it was sugary sweet with lots of cute moments and spicy sex scenes. I would've liked to see more development about what Jack's idea for the book actually was but it wasn't a deal breaker. I liked the inclusion of the animals and their various issues and the commentary towards and about them was very amusing. Simon's social struggles were covered well and I felt like it adequately addressed the very real feelings surrounding anxiety, nervousness and social interactions. I did feel like Simon was a bit unfair to Jack over his desires to go out but I also got that he felt like it was about trying to change him. I liked that Charlie and the grandma both advised them to take a step back and listen to what the other person was saying before talking and I was happy that the issue was resolved in a relatively angst free way.

My favourite part was towards the end;

Once Jack fell asleep in the armchair while Simon and Jean watched a Hedy Lamarr movie and woke to find a hand-knit blanket tucking him in and a note from Simon that said If you wake up, come downstairs, to which Jean had added the following proviso: Or come upstairs ;).
Jack laughed and left the note on the kitchen counter with a heart on it for Jean before he went downstairs and told Simon. ā€œWhat do you think sheā€™d do if I actually did go upstairs?ā€ he asked, nuzzling at Simonā€™s ear.
ā€œProbably hit you with the baseball bat she keeps under the bed.ā€

Parrish, Roan. Better Than People: A Novel (Garnet Run Book 1) (p. 210). Carina Press. Kindle Edition.
I adore feisty grandmas. Although I was pretty amused by the dating anecdote;

ā€œHis bed frame was made of antlers!ā€ Sarah gestured wildly enough that a frothy plug of beer slugged out of her bottle and streamed down her hand. She licked it off. ā€œHe opened the door and it was like fucking Hannibal in there. And I was like ā€˜Hell no, dude, I am not screwing you on that throne of death.ā€™ Like, how is it comforting to bring someone back to your house and basically say, ā€˜Hey, I kill things bigger than you on the regular with no problem. Wanna bone?ā€™ā€ She paused, outrage turning to giggles. ā€œHa ha, bone, get it?ā€
Jack snorted. He was pleasantly buzzed and enjoying hearing Sarah and Ed trade dating horror stories and wondering why heā€™d avoided his friends for so long. As always, Sarah won because it was clear that men were horrible.

Parrish, Roan. Better Than People: A Novel (Garnet Run Book 1) (pp. 109-110). Carina Press. Kindle Edition.


A pleasant contemporary m/m romance with lots of fluff and spice and all things nice. 3.5 stars, rounded to 3 stars. ( )
  funstm | Aug 25, 2023 |
I don't understand why this has low reviews! This story was so sweet, from beginning to end. It gives people like me with social anxiety hope for love. To meet someone as patient and kind as Jack. Of course, anyone who loves animals as much as Jack and Simon do would naturally be a compassionate person, so it was nice to see the character consistencies like that. And I adored Jean! I can't wait for the 2nd book in this series. I've read one other book by Roan Parrish (Corbin Wale), and am definitely going to read more after having two positive experiences with her books. ( )
  KennedyRaine | Jun 23, 2023 |
How weird that I didn't record this as one of my books, when it was one I clearly remember because I loved the softness of it. The tenderness between the acquaintances to lovers, around the lovers, of the isolation in the bush setting.

I've only picked up this omission because I'm recording that I was able to get a hold of another of Roan Parrish's audiobooks, Invitation to the Blues. And it has the same ( )
  Okies | Apr 23, 2023 |
I finished reading this NetGalley ARC last night in bed, while patting away tears with my sheet. Not only is it so very sweet, not only are the misunderstandings heartbreakingly organic, and not only are the pets adorable and funny and just as sweet as the people, but the anxiety rep is beyond amazing. The ways that Simon's adoring lover screws up are typical - and Jack is trying really hard not to screw up. But understanding what severe anxiety means is a steep learning curve.

I loved the tie-in connection.

I cannot wait for Charlie's story!!! ( )
  terriaminute | Dec 4, 2022 |
This type of story is right up my alley - an equal mix of angst and sweet moments. This is totally a love/hurt story with a HEA.

Parrish seems to really enjoy the virgin mental illness trope as Simon and Corbin Wale were pretty similar characters (without the magical realism) as well as giving one of her leads a dead parent or two. These are so far the only two books I've read from them so it was interesting they were so similar but I feel that if every book follows the same formula I'll have to move on.
I liked that it's established they (this book and [...] Corbin Wale) exist in the same world, as Jack is actually a fan of Corbin's work - this obviously takes place a few years after [b:The Remaking of Corbin Wale|39347033|The Remaking of Corbin Wale|Roan Parrish|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521734437l/39347033._SY75_.jpg|58042835]. I'm glad I read that book first as the mention of him in this book wouldn't have had the same impact otherwise.

I'm really enjoying Parrish's writing style including how they write love scenes. There were quite a few moments in this book where I felt like I should light up a cigarette after. However, as some other reviewers mentioned, in hindsight it does seem a bit much because of Simon's personality but, at the time, I didn't mind the scenes or the amount of them. My main problem is Jack is a talker and uses the term "baby" at Simon a lot - but that's just personal preference.
Another issue is just how many animals live in what seems like a pretty small house with Jack, especially when he's laid up with a broken leg for iirc 8 months. That house would be disgusting unless Charlie and later Simon are also doing cleaning on top of their other help. Jack would have to be constantly vacuuming and mopping and brushing while still enjoying a healthy diet of animal dander. THEN he gets Simon a puppy at the end of the book!? I wanted to call the ASPCA.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will continue with Parrish's writing for now. I'm excited to read Charlie's story as he seemed like a really likable character. ( )
  brittaniethekid | Jul 7, 2022 |
Showing 1-5 of 9 (next | show all)
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Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Roan Parrishprimary authorall editionscalculated
Cavenaugh, JamesNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

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Fiction. Romance. LGBTQIA+ (Fiction.) HTML:"An irresistible queer romance." ā??Publishers Weekly, starred review
It's not long before their pet-centric arrangement sparks a person-centric desire...
Simon Burke has always preferred animals to people. When the countdown to adopting his own dog is unexpectedly put on hold, Simon turns to the PetShare app to find the fluffy TLC he's been missing. Meeting a grumpy 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 Jackā??talking, walking, making outā??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.
Carina Adores is home to romantic love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.
Garnet Run
Book 1: Better Than People
Book 2: Best Laid Plans
Book 3: The Lights on Knockbridge Lane

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