Narrated by James Cavenaugh
Roan Parrish’s Better than People is a sweet, tender and steamy character-driven romance that is rather less angsty than other books of hers I’ve read and listened to, but is no less enjoyable for that. It’s a lovely, romantic hurt/comfort story featuring two guys who bond over their love of animals and gradually start to build a deep and genuine friendship that turns into something more.
Jack Matheson is a successful illustrator of children’s books, but when his friend and collaborator shafted him by presenting their publisher with Jack’s ideas as his own, Jack – quite understandably – felt terribly betrayed and hurt. Since that happened about eight months earlier, Jack hasn’t drawn a thing; worried that perhaps he won’t ever draw again, he’s holed himself up in his cabin in Wyoming with his ‘pack’ of rescue dogs and cats, cut himself off from his brother (his only family) and drifts from day to day rather aimlessly. That changes when he falls and breaks his leg while out walking the dogs. After a short stay in hospital, his older brother Charlie (who brought Jack up after their parents died) takes Jack home and gets him settled, but Jack refuses any other offers of help and insists he’ll be fine on his own. He quickly realises, though, that the exhausting effort of simply getting around on crutches isn’t compatible with looking after his animals – not being able to walk them is one thing, but even simple things like putting down food and water are impossible (not to mention the continual risk of tripping over one of them!) – so Jack turns to the PetShare app for help. He’s surprised that he’s matched with someone willing to care for his pack so quickly – and even more surprised the next morning when he opens the door and comes face to face with an extraordinarily attractive young man, who seems very uncomfortable and doesn’t say much, but who is clearly good with animals.
Simon Burke has difficulty connecting with people due to the crippling shyness and social anxiety he’s experienced ever since he was a child – at times, he can’t speak a word, and at others he becomes physically ill at the prospect of having an actual conversation. Working from home as a graphic designer, he can limit his interactions with clients to emails only, and he spends most of his time alone or with his recently widowed grandmother. Simon loves animals – being around them soothes him and sometimes he thinks they’re the only ones who really understand him – and had hoped to adopt a dog of his own, but his grandmother is allergic to animal fur, so he signed up to the PetShare app so that he could spend some time with animals, even if they aren’t his own.
Jack and Simon’s initial interactions are awkward to say the least, with Simon barely speaking a word or able to make eye-contact, and Jack not quite sure how to act around him, or why the other man won’t talk to him. Simon understands Jack’s frustration at his lack of interaction all too well – all his life people have been exasperated with him because of it – and he really wishes things could be different… but they aren’t. Eventually however, as Simon and Jack spend a little more time together, Jack suggests that instead of talking, Simon should text him – and from then on, they have actual conversations with Simon sometimes texting and occasionally (once he gets to know Jack more) talking.
A warm and genuine friendship develops between the pair, and this turns into an intense and passionate affair. Jack has never been one for long-term relationships, yet it doesn’t take him long to realise that what he has with Simon is something special and that he wants more than a casual fling with him. And Simon – who has never had a boyfriend before – proves to be an eager, enthusiastic and loving partner. Theirs is a relationship built on mutual trust and understanding; the strength of the affection between them leaps off the page and their mutual happiness shines through. They’re both likeable, well-written characters, and I loved that Jack was so concerned to help Simon feel comfortable, and that Simon was prepared to try things that terrified him to make Jack happy. The author does a spectacular job, in Simon’s PoV, of articulating his frustrations and the feelings of inadequacy that plague him because he can’t do something that comes so naturally to everyone around him.
The story moves at a leisurely pace, but that wasn’t an issue as it allowed plenty of time for the relationship to develop and an exploration of each man’s issues, and for the inclusion of two awesome supporting characters – Jean, Simon’s wonderful, supportive and feisty grandmother – and Jack’s older brother Charlie, who wants so badly to connect with Jack but feels he’s being pushed away. The familial relationships are beautifully written, and I really hope Charlie gets his well-deserved HEA in another book in the series.
The one thing that didn’t sit all that well for me in this book is a very subjective one. I like animals (although I’m a cat person rather than a dog person) but having four dogs – some of them BIG dogs – and three cats in one house just doesn’t make sense to me. Also – letting the animals sleep on the bed during the day (and sometimes at night) is a big nope.
This is the second time I’ve listened to James Cavenaugh. He delivered a solidly enjoyable performance in The Hideaway Inn, and he’s even better here, expertly capturing the personalities of the two leads and clearly differentiating between both of them and the secondary characters. He gives Jack a deep, gravelly tone while Simon’s is softer and higher-pitched; he communicates Jack’s frustration and irascibility very well, and I was especially impressed with the way he conveys Simon’s hesitancy and performs his stammer in such a way as to show that speaking is difficult for him but without leaving long pauses or over-exaggerating it. Mr. Cavenaugh’s engagement with the material is obvious, and he performs the intimate moments and love scenes in a way that really enhances the connection the author has created between Jack and Simon.
Better Than People was an engaging listen, and although not quite everything about it worked for me (the third-act conflict feels a bit contrived), I enjoyed it and will probably listen to it again at some point. James Cavenaugh continues to impress, so I’ll be looking out for more of his narrations.
Caz
Buy Better Than People by Roan Parrish on Amazon
I had to smile at your caveat. I realize having lots of pets and/or dogs on furniture/beds isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but the 4 dogs, 3 cats wouldn’t have even raised my eyebrows. We have two dogs now, both big. The biggest, a shepherd mix, is my daughter’s and he sleeps on her bed. The other, a hound/lab mix, sleeps on the LR sofa, which is covered in a sheet. In the past we have also had multiple cats along with our dogs. My husband’s asthma got too bad however, and we unfortunately had to re-home the cats. If I could afford it (vet bills are expensive!) I would have more dogs.
This book sounds really good and might just fit the bill for my state of mind these days. Thanks for the review.
I think you’d enjoy it – it’s low angst, although Simon’s issues are treated seriously and respectfully.
On animals – we always had pets when I was growing up but one (small) dog and a cat, and I’m definitely a cat person these days. I’m not a fan of big dogs – I can look at them and admire, but I wouldn’t want to live with one!
I enjoyed this, too, and love your review, Caz💜 The narrator did a great job with Simon, which I thought a difficult challenge. I learned this is going to be a series so hopefully he’ll return.
I’m not one for pets in the bed, either, though I made that mistake initially with my puppy years ago. Didn’t take long for me to change the rules😏
Thank you :) I’ve only listened to James Cavenaugh one other time, but he’s pretty good and I’ll definitely look for him again.
Having allergies and asthma (both of them adult-onset) pets on the bed were a no-no.
Great review, Caz. I’ve downloaded on the strength of it. I need some pleasant listening at present to forget some of the angst going on in my life. Decent audio books are a great short term distraction.
You’re right – audiobooks are now forming about half my “reading” each year and I couldn’t be without them.
I hope you like this one – the romance is lovely and the narration is terrific.