From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

Better Than People (Garnet Run, #1)

Roan Parrish

Start date: September 1, 2022

Finish date: October 1, 2022

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

Why we're reading this: This will be our September BOM!
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Book of the Month Club

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What Members Thought

Nov 29, 2021 Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ rated it really liked it

Shelves: part-of-series-or-serial, lgbtq, artists-dancers-actors-writers, m-m, mental-health-brain-disorders, kindle-free

I was nervous about this one based on the mixed reviews, but I completely enjoyed this sweet, low-angst romance. The story is completely relationship-centered, with no real outside drama, and it takes place almost exclusively in and around Jack's home, as Simon suffers from near-paralyzing anxiety. The story was sweet and sexy and I loved how Simon's condition remained at the forefront of his story and how he and Jack worked together as a couple.

I loved the shout-out to Corbin Wale and it remin ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Aug 02, 2020 Ami rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mm-romance-or-erotica, mm-contemporary, arc-books

3.5 stars

Roan Parrish is one of popular MM authors, I know. But I found that her writing sex scenes in particular didn't match up with my taste; in fact, I found hers to be cheesy (I borrowed her first book and I gave it up with all the terms of endearments). That's why this is only the second book of hers I finished -- after Natural Enemies.

I admit the whole four dogs, three cats, and counting from the blurb was the one drawing me into asking for advance copy. Suckers for that. But, it did star ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Aug 22, 2020 Erika rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook

Thanks to Netgalley for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this story that shows why animals are easier to get along with than people and the importance of pack. Jack and Simon, two characters that isolate themselves due to some physical, but mostly emotional limitations, are brought together when Jack breaks his leg and reaches out on a PetShare app to have someone walk his pack of dogs (and Pirate the cat) twice a day. Simon was a strong and relatable characte ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 22, 2022 Stephen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: broken-winged-birds, gay, audiobook, z-read-in-2022, 9-hoopla-audio-read

I started this audiobook a few months back, but “Real Life” intervened, and this temporarily got set aside.

As I’m coming to expect from Roan Parrish, this is NOT a typical light and frothy M/M romance. It’s a sweet and romantic tale, yes, but there’s some “nutritional value” for your empathy as well. It’s a tale of two somewhat broken people coming together.

Simon is a lifelong struggler with crippling social anxiety – the kind that goes way beyond nerdish shyness. He is naturally bright and has I started this audiobook a few months back, but “Real Life” intervened, and this temporarily got set aside.

As I’m coming to expect from Roan Parrish, this is NOT a typical light and frothy M/M romance. It’s a sweet and romantic tale, yes, but there’s some “nutritional value” for your empathy as well. It’s a tale of two somewhat broken people coming together.

Simon is a lifelong struggler with crippling social anxiety – the kind that goes way beyond nerdish shyness. He is naturally bright and has learned to cope well enough to make a living doing graphic arts. Though admittedly, he still flourishes best in a solo work-from-home situation. He loves animals and finds them “Better than People.” One problem with that is that he lives with his recently widowed grandma, who is highly allergic to animals.

Jack lost his parents at a young age, and his raising was finished by his slightly older brother, with whom he’s still close. Jack is an animal lover and has accumulated a menagerie of rescue dogs & cats. He’s also never been that much of a people person. He finds his refuge in his drawing. In college, he and a friend began creating a series of children’s books with Jack doing the illustrations while his friend wrote the text. Following a particularly cruel betrayal by his co-creator/partner, Jack has been holding up “herming?” in his Wyoming cabin and has been unable to draw.

Jack’s troubles hit a new low when one of his dogs is spooked, and Jack breaks his leg while rescuing the animal. Now unable to walk his dogs, Jack turns to an online app that matches pet owners needing support with pet lovers willing to help out. Jack meets Simon, and both men begin their respective healing processes and a sweet romance.

One important point that the author makes (and that many people tend to overlook) some conditions (such as social anxiety) are not something that someone can ever completely overcome. For me, the best parts of this romance are the adjustments the two go through when Jack is once again ambulatory. Will a “recovered” Jack still have a place in his life for Simon?

This is told from the alternating points of view of the two men, which works incredibly well in this situation.

This is a much lighter book than Invitation to the Blues, which was my first encounter with the work of Roan Parrish. And yet, if you really want to understand someone with an anxiety issue like Simon’s, this might be the best way to gain some understanding.

James Cavenaugh performs this book and does a great job with the narration. His voicing of Simon is representative without being exaggerated. It’s easy to follow just who’s POV we’re getting at any point. There are a few minor female characters. Their little bits of dialogue seem natural and not at all grating as so often happens when men read women’s dialogue.

Graphic sexual elements of this story are present. But they are well integrated into the story of the development of these guys’ relationship. The sex scenes feel organic, and the narration never hit the threshold where it felt like I was listening to “porn.”

I really enjoyed listening to this. I honestly feel that I’ve gained perspective and am probably a bit more empathetic as a result of encountering this. Now I’m curious about Best Laid Plans, book # 2 in this series, and the story of Charlie Jack’s older brother.

...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 20, 2021 Meggie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m-romance-romance, drama, audio-book, family, disabilities, friendship

Here we have a sweet romance between Jack Matheson and Simon Burk. I understood the hardship of Simon Burk, his persistent anxiety has overwritten the life he leads, but still he is way too melodramatic over it. Why didn't he simply learn to speak in sigh language? Anyway, I enjoyed the slow developing romance between both MC and liked how they fixed their dramatic issue. Great book to listen to. ...more

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Sep 04, 2020 Jeanine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Roan Parrish always has the best characters, often they are a little damaged, but just so darn lovable. This books is no different as they feel their way past their challenges to their happily ever after. James Cavenaugh did a great job with the narration. I could listen to this one all day, in fact I did, I was enjoying it so much. This book was great.

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Sep 10, 2022 Jordan Lombard rated it really liked it

Shelves: a-library-book, g-romance-m-m, bom-jl-group, y-2022reads

I appreciated Simon’s severe social anxiety and that Jack didn’t come along and fix it. Though I was surprised that the guy known for Googling things he doesn’t know (Jack) didn’t Google anxiety to better understand Simon right away.

I loved the humor, when it pops up. I also loved Simon’s feisty grandma and Jack’s caring brother.

I don’t normally read contemporary romance. I usually like more to the plot than just romance, but I enjoyed listening to this once I got into it. (Btw, I am now very cu ...more

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Sep 04, 2020 Jeanine rated it it was amazing

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Oct 01, 2020 Betsy rated it it was amazing

A soft story involving a gruff guy with a soft spot for animals and a guy with anxiety, also with a soft spot for animals. Many cats and dogs.

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Apr 11, 2020 Maygirl7 marked it as want-to-read

Shelves: m-m, contemporary, desperately-waiting-for

Jan 23, 2021 Lyn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

May 20, 2020 Kendra marked it as to-read

May 23, 2020 FoxClouds marked it as to-read

Jun 10, 2020 Chad James marked it as to-read

Shelves: books-i-own-to-read

Jul 11, 2020 Ann marked it as to-read

Shelves: maybe

Jul 17, 2020 Nichem marked it as to-read

May 28, 2021 Anja rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, m-m, c, w-az, w-audible

Jan 24, 2021 Valerie rated it really liked it

Shelves: own-ebook, audiobooks-2021, read-2021

Jul 30, 2020 Cornelia marked it as to-read

Sep 01, 2020 Jonathan Treadway is currently reading it · review of another edition

Sep 09, 2020 Karen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: family, holiday, hurt-comfort, disability-or-illness, art-and-artists, the-family-we-choose, first-times, cats-and-dogs, graphic-artist-designer

Apr 26, 2021 Venecia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: y-disability, y-artist, y-hurt-comfort, romance, mm-romance, contemporary, y-location-wyoming, y-graphic-artist, y-anxiety-issues, read-in-2021