REVIEW: “Better Than Friends” by Lane Hayes
ABOUT:
A Better Than Story
When Curt Townsend, a successful young DC lawyer, attends his first gay wedding, he doesn’t expect anything more than a great evening out spent celebrating two lucky guys willing to commit to one another. He certainly doesn’t anticipate meeting someone like Jack Farinelli. Fourteen years Curt’s senior, Jack owns two businesses: a gay bar and a motorcycle shop. He’s gorgeous and self-assured, but Curt is positive they have nothing in common.
Jack is comfortable in his own skin. He’s attracted to Curt’s quick wit and easy manner but most of all, to their unexpected mutual love of baseball. As they forge a friendship based on their shared enthusiasm for the sport, they begin a journey which reveals how their differences might be the catalyst behind a growing attraction. Both men have experienced their share of pain, but they realize they need to set aside the past and learn to trust in a future if they are to have one together.
REVIEW:
Curt and Jack have good chemistry. I think Curt was endearing in his lack of confidence about himself, his disbelief that someone as handsome as Jack could find him attractive, and most of all, that he is actually a messy person (haha). I like the idea that Jack is fourteen years older – we need more characters above 40 years old, me thinks.
I also like the update about Matt and Aaron. Boy, these boys have gone far *lol*. They’re just adorable.
BUT, I have issues. I am not very happy with Curt and the way he deals with the Paul situation. While I can understand that he thinks Jack isn’t interested in doing something more, I still found the whole ‘dating’ Paul thing while being fuck buddies with Jack uncomfortable for me to read.
Yes, yes, I know that Curt and Paul don’t even get physical, but just like Curt having ‘traditional’ perceptions about what dating should be like, I am also traditional in my way of enjoying romance. I like my couple to be, well, a couple. Not stringing someone else into the equation, no matter what the reasons are.
Curt’s insecurities also end up a bit tiresome after awhile. Especially when this becomes the reason why he keeps ‘dates’ with Paul. Simply because he thinks it’s nice to be able to get attention from someone?
Other than that, the use of endearments is a bit excessive for me. Yes, it’s not ‘baby’ (which I hate with passion) but I can do with less ‘honey’ too (there’s 44 of them here). I simply am not a person who enjoys excessive endearments. It has become a pet peeve of mine. I think my limit is around 10-15 for any kind of endearment *LOL*. Yes, MY issue. Not yours.
Oh, another word that just popped out on my Kindle because I thought it was excessive? Jack’s grin. Boy did he grin A LOT!
In the end, this is my LEAST favorite of the series, sad to say. Even if at one point, Ms. Hayes made me smile hugely when I saw the word “Indonesia” (where I live!).
RATING: 3.5 STARS
BOOK INFO:
Title: Better Than Friends
Author: Lane Hayes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Pages: 216
Release Date: : June 16, 2014
Purchase Links: Dreamspinner Press, ARe, Amazon
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