Review of Better Than People (Garnet Run #1) by Roan Parrish
Better Than People is the first book in the Garnet Run series.
Jack Matheson needs no more than his pack of rescue animals—until he breaks his leg and his dogs still need walks. So he signs up on the PetShare app to find someone willing to walk them.
Simon Burke is debilitated by social anxiety that leaves him many times unable to speak. His journey to owning his very own rescue dog was put on hold when he had to help his grandmother. Now he searches for a little fluffy love through the PetShare app.
Jack's surprise at the gorgeous man who arrives to walk his dogs is welcome and confusing since that man doesn't speak. Through a lot of gentleness, he manages to connect and discovers a funny, sweet man hiding underneath.
Their relationship brings both men a lot of comfort, but once the cast comes off and Jack can leave the house again, where will that leave Simon?
This was definitely a sweet romance with some near sure fire ways to win me over. As a sufferer of debilitating anxiety, I understood Simon's plight. I thought the anxiety aspect was handled well. There was never a time I felt pity for Simon, only empathy.
Jack was an interesting character. Gentle and sweet with Simon, but also a little gruff. His past hurts were something Simon could help him with and watching Jack heal was lovely.
Simon was the main focus of the novel even though the first few chapters were from Jack's perspective. I adored Simon. He was sweet and awkward in all the best ways, and his innocence with dating was lovely, and handled very well.
The more minor characters like Jack's brother Charlie and Simon's grandmother were given enough personality to make them memorable. Since Charlie is the main character in the next book, it was good to give him enough of a focus to make the reader glad to explore his happiness. The dogs were a complete delight. Roan Parrish gave them all clear personalities, and the cats were all appropriately aloof yet lovable. Jack's names for all of them were hilarious, like Puddles, the dog who was afraid of puddles.
The plot itself moved along a little slowly, which wasn't a bad thing for me. I read the novel quickly—it was easy to read and absorbing. I found the writing to be good and easy to follow, and it pulled me in from the start. Jack could have been explored more deeply, but the focus was Simon, so it made sense.
The dialog was great. It flowed well, and each character spoke differently—Jack more forceful and Simon hesitant with some stutters.
Settings were good, especially Jack's house, and I liked her descriptions that were simple yet expressive. I would have liked more description of Jack's friends, the only characters the reader meets beyond Charlie and Simon's grandmother.
Overall a lovely, sweet book that was a nice break from reality.
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