Reviewed by Vicki

TITLE:  Better Than Safe

SERIES: Better Than #4

AUTHOR: Lane Hayes

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 244 pages

BLURB:

Paul Fallon is a fashion advertising guru. He’s a genius at dealing with difficult editors, art directors, and designers alike. He thrives on the chaotic atmosphere and constant challenges. But in his personal life, he’s hoping for peace and stability. Settling down with a nice doctor or lawyer sounds perfect. Anyone but an artist. He’s been there, done that, and he doesn’t want to relive the heartache.

Seth Landau is a model, occasional guitarist, and aspiring painter. He’s quirky, flighty, and wise beyond his years. Life has taught him some tough lessons, then given him opportunities he never dreamed of. He’s learned to appreciate the fragility of life and to express it in his work. Seth’s flare for the absurd combined with a supple mind and a beautiful body are too alluring for Paul to ignore. Against his best intentions, Paul is drawn to the younger man whose particular brand of crazy challenges Paul to accept that things aren’t always as they seem. Sometimes taking a chance is better than being safe.

REVIEW:

Surprise! We get one more book in this series…. and I liked it quite a bit!

Paul played a small part in one of the other books in this series, he was the potential love interest for Curt, one of the group of men this series is based around. So Paul wasn’t chosen, and that was the end for him. Until he comes back with his own story in this book.

Paul is an uptight British man, a bit of a snob, and works in advertising in the fashion industry. He’s friends with Aaron (one of the other dudes in the series), and visits him at a photoshoot one day, where he sees a very pretty model. Aaron tells him about Seth, Paul thinks he’s cute, but he’s just not sure. Aaron talks Paul in to letting him get Seth’s number for him, and later that afternoon, Aaron texts him a number.

Then things get interesting, and difficult. Seth is a model, artists, and musician. He’s a flake, rude, and an asshole. He shows up late to his coffee date with Paul, then is nasty to him. Paul is not impressed and has no intention of seeing him again. Which we know is bullshit! The two begin this very odd relationship. Dating but not, liking each other, but not. It was a challenge for me to read, I wasn’t sure I liked Seth at all, and Paul was a bit dry. But as the story progressed, I got in to it and really liked it! Paul even begins to date other men, even to the point of being on a date with another guy and going to see a band Seth is playing in… Talk about awkward.

These guys are very different. Different backgrounds, jobs, personalities, education, music, cars, family life, every damn thing. Nothing in common, there is no way this relationship should work, but eventually it does. They go back and forth, Paul doesn’t seem to like Seth, but he’s still attracted to him physically. They have sex a couple of times, and it is hot, but then can hardly stand to be in the same room. We do learn about a commonality they have from the past…

So I liked this book a lot. I’m giving it 4.5 hearts instead of 5 because Seth was just so unlikable for so long. I had to really work to accept him. Even though I didn’t get him for most of the book, I liked the drama and chaos that he caused for poor Paul. I liked the conflict between them, and the huge differences. It made for an interesting story. They weren’t easy, and their book wasn’t easy. I liked that. I also loved catching up with the guys from the other books, I love how they are all woven in to each book.

I love Lane’s writing, I’ve read all of her books now, and I’ve enjoyed every one. I saw her at GRL last week and she talked about upcoming projects, and I can’t wait to read more books from her! I recommend all of her books, they are just good, character driven contemporary stories.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

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