Better than Safe

Better Than Stories

By: Lane Hayes

Narrated by: Tyler Stevens

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2015 Lane Hayes (P)2016 Dreamspinner Press

It has promise

First Tyler Stevens again does a wonderful job with his narration. Not a big fan of this book, loved the first 2 books. This was a hard sell for me I got no real chemistry from Paul and Seth. I liked both characters but felt Seth was always chasing after a reluctant Paul who was too back and forth with his desire and liking of Paul. It was also longer than needed to be. I will at a later time listen again and see if and what I missed. However at this time I can't recommend but only review.

Beautiful

Definitely my favorite of the series 💕 and Tyler Stevens does an incredible job ❤️ love love love it!

"I was enchanted."

Any additional comments?

I became truly enchanted with Seth and Paul's story.

I had no idea how they would fit together due to the over abundance of differences between them but it was a pleasant trip through disfunctional relationships and the strength to see that sometimes, "some risks are better than being safe."

What I truly loved about this story was how I hated Seth as much as Paul did! It felt as though I was Paul, slowing falling in love with this erratic, never on time, confusing, charming young man who was incredibly strong mentally and physically. I was amazed with how young Seth was but how he seemed to have this old soul that was special with a unique way he looked at those around him. I just completely fell in love with him, and fell in love with how much he fell in love with Paul. It was a lovely love story ❤️ LOL

Haha...and I fell in love with this Tyler Stevens flawless narration style. Love, love love...

Book with Surprising Depth

I am very impressed with this book. It was easy to picture the characters, and Seth especially. The change in Paul was painful for him, and understandable. Yes, he was stubborn and didn't want to change, but aren't most people? I've known many people like Seth. I grew up around the opera and artists. The portraits were finely drawn.

Tyler Stevens is brilliant in this!

In Book 3 – Better than Friends – Curt briefly dated the very staid and British Paul. We know that Paul travels a lot and his dating life has been less than spectacular as a result. Since Curt, Paul has decided to really focus on his personal life and cut back on the travel to find someone serious to date.

Our friendly photographer - Aaron (yay!) introduces Paul to a model, Seth. At first blush there is nothing about Seth that appeals to Paul except – of course - his looks. Seth is late for their first date, cavalier and snide, and …too young. But there’s something about him…

Seth has been hurt before and is not inclined to just dive into a relationship, and as a result he keeps giving Paul mixed signals. The two begin to date but their relationship is on again/off again, on fire when they’re together but there’s a lot that stands between them and a happily ever after.

**

This book has a lot to stand up against. Book one is one of my favorite books, Aaron and Matt are a tremendous couple. In the grand scheme of things, books one and two were pretty wonderful, book three (for me) less so, and with this – book four – we have a run at number one again! It was really, really good!

Paul and Seth have an explosive chemistry that sizzles! Seth comes across as sort of bratty and Paul as sort of stuffy for much of the book, but they seem to complement one another. In fact, I wish we had gotten to see them more as a couple, since they spend a lot of time apart in this story, we don’t get as much time to appreciate them as a cohesive unit.

I loved that Seth fit absolutely no stereotypes, he was such a unique and interesting character. Paul felt rather bland to me by comparison, so I didn’t quite see the appeal of him for Seth, but he was a strong anchoring presence.

This is a quick read, the story only bogs down for a bit in the middle, and is mostly a fast paced ride from meet to happily ever after.

I always enjoy Lane Hayes’ writing and find her characters to be her strongest suit. I liked this story much better than book three and I think fans of the series will be very pleased with this book.

Audio

Tyler Stevens is a favorite narrator of mine. I fell in love with his voice and his acting skills when I listened to Aaron by JP Barnaby. In this he does a great job with Paul’s British accent and then going back to “American” with Seth. Since most of it is told in Paul’s POV he uses the British accent for setting the stage as well as the dialog. It works really well. He’s very good at emoting and his pacing is excellent as well.

I definitely think listening to this is the best way to experience this story as he really brings a lot to enjoy.

4.5 of 5 stars

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I sure would. It's intriguing, engrossing and sensual.

Who was your favorite character and why?

SETH! Lord I loved Seth, the way he just sort of parked himself in Paul's life and became an interesting piece of furniture that Paul either had to step over or use, either way, Paul couldn't just float through life alone anymore.

What does Tyler Stevens bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His vocal talents are amazing and spot on. With each book i this series he gives every character their own unique tones and does a fantastic job of conveying emotions that are sometimes lost in words unless you have tone to go with them.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

A little bit of both, there were some cringeworthy moments as well. Paul fears being hurt again so at times, he jumps to the wrong conclusion and you can see the train derailing as it happens.

Any additional comments?

I'm a bit sad to see this series come to an end, but I will likely re-visit these guys from time to time. As with every book in the Better Than world, it's a case of Opposites attract. Paul is this serious, pent up, professional that has been hurt one time to many so he's closed himself off from the possibility of love. Seth is this larger than life presence, beautiful and all encompassing. He blows through Paul's life and neither of them will ever be the same. Seth has reasons not to trust as well but the always immaculate Paul has piqued his interest.

The two get off to a rocky start, trust issues and such standing in the way, but as I said, both are intrigued with the other. Paul wants the wild child artist that is open, honest and troubled. Seth is extremely attracted to Paul and makes it his mission to pull the turtle out of his shell. The attraction is mutual and the sex is amazing, sensual and toe curling; but each man still has demons to deal with that threaten their budding relationship.

This may have been my favorite of the four books/couples. Seth literally had to coax Paul to have a life. If you've read/listened to the previous books, you have an inkling as to why Paul is standoffish. It doesn't help that both men share something from the past that is threatening any hope they have of a future together.

If you like stories where the two MC's are insanely attracted to each other, share a chemistry that is electric and magnetic, and yet they kinda fight it every step of the way all while having some amazing sex... you'll love this one!

Great story ruined by narration

The narration was not otherwise bad, but the main character is English and the text frequently refers to this and his accent. Unfortunately the narrator gets the accent wrong, which is terribly distracting and spoiled the audiobook.

Least favorite book in the series

The story was a bit boring, taking a lot of time into Paul's head. I didn't think Paul and Seth fit as a couple and I didn't find the sex scenes interesting. Furthermore, I was reading A bit of honesty at the same time, which I loved, and this book suffered from the unavoidable comparison.