_isabel_'s review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
God, this was freaking gorgeous and, by far, my favourite Roan Parrish novel.
"Better Than People" stole my whole damn heart: it's sweet, it's soft, it's emotional and thoughtful and deep and sexy, and I adored it, start to finish.
The writing was beautiful, the plot deceptively simple but also so real? And the main characters? Their dynamic? The freaking adorable pack? WHERE DO I START.
Both Jack and Simon STOLE my soul: I really can't express how much I absolutely loved them both.
Simon, with his heartbreaking anxiety, his anger, his bravery, his sweetness; Jack, with his broody, gruff personality, his hidden romantic heart, his generous, kind affection and care.
And their dynamic? Oh my god. Their relationship managed to be the sweetest, most precious thing ever but also the hottest, most delicious one too. I really can't explain it, because I've read dozens of steamier and kinkier books than this one, but the way these two were together? The fact that Jack was so into Simon being so inexperienced? The slow discovery of bodies and preferences? The dirty talk? Jack's blessed drawing skills *wink wink* ? Be still my beating heart: I literally melted from the heat.
Jack and Simon were sexy as hell together. Needless to say, I adored their relationship, inside and outside the bedroom, to absolute bits.
I also loved this book because of the animals (ADORABLE) and all the lovely, lovely side characters. My pack of dogs and cats own my heart, and seeing Jack and Simon with the Matheson Pack was, simultaneously, deeply relatable (yes, animals are definitely better than humans) and so damn cute it melted my heart. Charlie and Jean were fantastic side characters and although I'm not sure about continuing with this series (I've now realized that life is too short, I have a mile-long TBR and I should be able to pick and choose the standalones in a series I want to read), but I admit I'm very curious about Charlie.
"Better Than People" stole my whole damn heart: it's sweet, it's soft, it's emotional and thoughtful and deep and sexy, and I adored it, start to finish.
The writing was beautiful, the plot deceptively simple but also so real? And the main characters? Their dynamic? The freaking adorable pack? WHERE DO I START.
Both Jack and Simon STOLE my soul: I really can't express how much I absolutely loved them both.
Simon, with his heartbreaking anxiety, his anger, his bravery, his sweetness; Jack, with his broody, gruff personality, his hidden romantic heart, his generous, kind affection and care.
And their dynamic? Oh my god. Their relationship managed to be the sweetest, most precious thing ever but also the hottest, most delicious one too. I really can't explain it, because I've read dozens of steamier and kinkier books than this one, but the way these two were together? The fact that Jack was so into Simon being so inexperienced? The slow discovery of bodies and preferences? The dirty talk? Jack's blessed drawing skills *wink wink* ? Be still my beating heart: I literally melted from the heat.
Jack and Simon were sexy as hell together. Needless to say, I adored their relationship, inside and outside the bedroom, to absolute bits.
I also loved this book because of the animals (ADORABLE) and all the lovely, lovely side characters. My pack of dogs and cats own my heart, and seeing Jack and Simon with the Matheson Pack was, simultaneously, deeply relatable (yes, animals are definitely better than humans) and so damn cute it melted my heart. Charlie and Jean were fantastic side characters and although I'm not sure about continuing with this series (I've now realized that life is too short, I have a mile-long TBR and I should be able to pick and choose the standalones in a series I want to read), but I admit I'm very curious about Charlie.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
stacy837's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Ableism, Alcohol, and Grief
Minor: Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Death of parent
glens's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Grief, and Ableism
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Medical content
Minor: Vomit and Car accident
cluckieduck's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
A lovely, warm hug of a book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcohol and Vomit
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, and Medical content
dashboardlights24601's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Bullying and Vomit
meganpbennett's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Children's book illustrator Jack has all the cats and all the dogs, and he enjoys walking them. He's also recovering from learning that his former best friend and business partner isn't as good a friend as he thought. Everything's fine until he breaks his leg walking his pack and needs someone to walk the dogs. Enter Simon, someone who is much better behind a computer than in person, who loves and adores dogs, but can't have one because his grandmother is allergic and he lives with her. It's not exactly love at first sight.
But, this is a romance novel, so despite everything, Jack gets better and Simon decides that he can't live without the pack.
Edit, Feb 2022: I re-read this book, and while I still liked it, it wasn't as good as I'd remembered. The scenes with Simon where he's having issues with his disability were extremely difficult to read, and several of the sex scenes veered in the direction of something that I find really squicky.
But, this is a romance novel, so despite everything, Jack gets better and Simon decides that he can't live without the pack.
Edit, Feb 2022: I re-read this book, and while I still liked it, it wasn't as good as I'd remembered. The scenes with Simon where he's having issues with his disability were extremely difficult to read, and several of the sex scenes veered in the direction of something that I find really squicky.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Vomit, Ableism, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
hungryandhappy's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Lovely, a pure delight! I was afraid it was going to be too dramatic but instead nothing that happened was unnecessary nor rushed. It was simply sweet and sincere. Romantic and naughty. The sex scenes were very graphic, to be read only if you're not uncomfortable with very explicit scenes.
Both Jack and Simon have their personal problems, some deeper than others, and in each other they find a way to lean on the other person for comfort and support, and love. Because it may have been crush at first sigh, but the love was gradual and sweet and hard and everything that made my heart melt and my heart swoon.
Can we talk about how Jack lives surrounded by cats and dogs?? I loved him from the very first page! Even with broken bones in a ditch. The most random names, too. Adorable!
Both Jack and Simon have their personal problems, some deeper than others, and in each other they find a way to lean on the other person for comfort and support, and love. Because it may have been crush at first sigh, but the love was gradual and sweet and hard and everything that made my heart melt and my heart swoon.
Can we talk about how Jack lives surrounded by cats and dogs?? I loved him from the very first page! Even with broken bones in a ditch. The most random names, too. Adorable!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Vomit
Minor: Death of parent
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