Better Than People

Starred review from June 29, 2020
Parrish (Small Change) delivers an irresistible queer romance between a grumpy children’s book illustrator and a pathologically shy graphic designer. When Wyoming illustrator Jack Matheson—already down in the dumps following a business partner’s betrayal—breaks his leg while walking his menagerie of rescue dogs (and one cat who likes to lead the way), he hires Simon Burke to walk his pets. Simon has debilitating anxiety and has an easier time interacting with animals than with humans, but the more time he spends with caring, supportive Jack, the more he opens up. Parrish nails both the throat-closing hell of Simon’s anxiety disorder and his palpable desire to have a healthy relationship, as well as Jack’s frustration at not always being able to soothe Simon’s fears. Superb supporting characters—especially Simon’s firecracker of a grandmother, Jean, and Jack’s doting older brother, Charlie—add considerable charm. This sensitive tale will leave readers with big smiles on their faces.

September 1, 2020
There is no doubt in Jack Matheson's mind that animals are better than people. However, when Jack breaks a leg, he quickly realizes that he needs a person to help out with his beloved pack of four-legged companions. Simon Burke has always dreamed of adopting a dog, but circumstances thus far have prevented this from becoming a reality. Putting his name out on PetShare seems like a good idea until Simon discovers his first match is Jack. While it is love at first sight for Simon and Jack's menagerie of dogs and cats, Simon isn't quite so sure about what feelings he may have for the animals' extremely sexy but awfully grumpy dad. The endearing cast of pets in this heartfelt and hopeful contemporary romance will definitely steal readers' hearts. But Parrish also delivers some beautifully nuanced human characters, in particular writing with great sensitivity about Simon's ongoing struggles with social anxiety, and she brilliantly counterbalances the story's boldly detailed, richly sensual love scenes with moments of sweet tenderness as the two men bond over their shared love of animals.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)