After a recent redundancy, Joe takes a few months off to try and make it as a writer. His partner, Harry, is less than supportive but Joe is used to that after ten years together, just like he’s used to Harry’s controlling nature and his drinking habit.
Dylan, a server at Rainbow Place, is fascinated by Joe as he sits in the café and works on his laptop. His attempts to flirt are met with awkwardness at first, but gradually Joe opens up. Dylan is disappointed when he learns Joe isn’t single. As their friendship develops he begins to worry about the nature of Joe’s relationship, especially when he witnesses Harry’s behaviour in person. Abuse isn’t always physical, and Dylan knows that from experience. His concern helps Joe see his relationship for what it is, and gives him the courage to end things with Harry.
Free to act on their mutual attraction, Joe and Dylan dive headlong into something that becomes serious fast. Joe revels in the passion and intimacy he’s been missing out on for so long, but Dylan is worried that Joe is on the rebound. He puts on the brakes, knowing that they need to slow down to make this last. For this new relationship to work, Joe needs to show Dylan that he’s ready to move on from the past.
Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone and has a satisfying happy ending.
I had to think about my rating for ‘Better Place’ for a bit. Some parts I liked, but ultimately I didn’t really connect to this book at all.
Dylan’s job at the Rainbow Place café is made even better by the quiet writer who becomes a regular. The server never misses an opportunity to awkwardly flirt with his favourite customer.
The customer in question, Joe, thinks Dylan’s sweet. But he’s focused on his writing. And, more importantly, Joe’s already taken.
From the beginning of the book, readers know what the score is: Joe’s partner Harry dictates Joe’s life. What Joe does, where Joe goes, how long Joe spends out of the house.
Everything revolves around douchebag Harry.
It may not be physical violence, but it’s an abusive toxic relationship just the same.
But pretty soon, the only thing Joe looks forward to are his short forays to Rainbow Place - where Dylan is.
Because while Joe’s clear to Dylan that nothing can happen between them, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t appreciate the friendship.
The two men find it easy to connect. Both have their demons, but with each other it’s only smiles and sweet moments.
And underneath it all, there’s a longing for something more.
This is where things didn’t really pan out for me - the “something more.” Because while we’re told that Joe and Dylan are falling madly for each other, the romance was so muted that I never really got a feel for it.
And another big issue was that there’s an ever-present third party - Harry. Though Joe breaks up with Harry about halfway through, Harry’s in the picture right until the end.
Harry’s constant presence in the story was distracting and depressing.The book was not so much about Joe and Dylan’s relationship, as it was about Joe escaping Harry.
By the end, I was pretty ambivalent. I was glad to see Dylan and Joe get their happy ending, but I’d already tuned out well before it.
Though book #3 wasn’t my favourite, I’d still recommend this series if you’re looking for romances that overcome the odds!
A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
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