Better Than Good

Title:  Better Than Good

Author:  Lane Hayes

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press

Rating:  B List

Quad Shot of Love

Blurb:  Matt Sullivan understands labels: law student, athlete, heterosexual. He has goals: graduate and begin his career in law. One fateful night, Matt tags along with his gay roommate to a dance club and everything changes. Matt finds himself attracted to the most beautiful man he’s ever seen. All labels go flying out the window.

Aaron Mendez doesn’t believe in labels, and he’s leery of straight curious men. He makes it clear that he’ll hide his fabulous light for no one. While Aaron can’t deny the attraction between him and Matt, he is reluctant to start anything with someone who is still dealing with what this new label means—especially when that someone has a girlfriend.

Review:  Matt is an interesting character, not exactly what I had been expecting. He has a girlfriend but has had experience with a man sexually. He wasn’t straight prior to meeting Aaron just not open about it to others, or really himself. The conflict in this book comes from his self-discovery, coming to terms with his own sexuality. Matt had enormous growth as a character once he slowly makes his way as a gay man.

Aaron was my favorite character in the story, a combination of savvy and vulnerable. He is out and proud and wary of Matt. This is completely founded after his past experiences, he is far more cautious about forming an attachment. His personality is such a believable mix of real traits that I felt very connected to his emotional hesitation. I would have loved to have read his perspective on the events of the story.

The interactions between the MCs were so romantic at times, a little extra sweet but I actually enjoyed it. Sometimes a little lovey dovey works! And the secondary characters added so much to the story. All of the friends were wonderful in their own way. When it comes to stories full of internal conflict it is best to have a great best friend to talk it out with.

I’m glad this story took place over a long time period. The feelings were allowed to develop, this wasn’t an instant happily ever after. I wish there had been a little more to the ending but this just means I can hope for a little more from Matt and Aaron in the future.

Sensitivity Spoiler: For those with reading sensitivities there is an incident of cheating, Matt has a girlfriend when he displays his interest in Aaron at the beginning of the story.

Reviewed by Jules