A Better Man

This lost its footing and slipped over the edge of the too-much-sap cliff. You know how critics of the m/m genre say the MCs are women written as men? Well this is that kind of book. Not that women all behave like this; just that the stereotype holds true here. I don't know anyone IRL who would act like this, regardless of gender identity. The level of "Love you", "No, love you more" makes me itchy and unsettled. <br /><br />Actually all stereotypes hold true in this book. Workaholic dad, phobic mother, abusive dad . . . everyone is a cardboard cutout. There's no sense that this is real life. There is the potential for an interesting secondary female character, but then she only gets two tiny scenes and about 10 lines total.<br /><br />The kissing descriptions were lovely. Yay for kissing!<br /><br />Overall just a very average book for me, sorry.

<b>2.35 stars</b><br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1661763777ra/33325086.gif" width="400" height="240" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Going into this I expected some hardcore prison stuff. OZ style. Keller -Beecher kind of story...<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1661763777ra/33325087.gif" width="400" height="240" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Instead I got some fluffy story..... my bad.. It's me, not the book, skipped some parts, didn't really feel their chemistry, the mum was some kind of over the top Disney villain. <br><br>Anyhoo, if I had read this years ago, maybe the experience would have been different.

<i>Written January 19, 2015</i><br><br><b>3.3 Stars - Nice and tender !!</b><br><br><i>A Better Man</i> is a year-long M/M romance about a house and two damaged men. It has been waiting here unread since last February. My expectations were big. <br><br>*********************************************************** <br><br><b>Matthew Doner is starting over after some years in prison</b>. He has a dream and receives a bequest (a legacy) from an old aunt with the stipulation that he use the money to <i>make things right</i>.... again. Matt use the money to buy an old house, a house which needs to be renovated from the ground. He wants to make a future <i>Halfway House</i>:<br><blockquote>”It's a place of second chance. Sometimes, when people get out of prison, they have a hard time getting back on their feet, whether it be money, family, or whatever the reason. We want it to be welcoming, like a home should be so they feel comfortable enough to take that chance and take charge of their life.”</blockquote><br>Matt isn't at all a handyman type and hires a qualified construction worker to do the job for him. <br><blockquote> <a href="http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Li64/media/Pics/Hotties/22838472-8bdf-4954-b1c7-90c55e1a1d02_zps7b84eedd.jpg.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1421449860i/13377903.jpg" alt=" photo 22838472-8bdf-4954-b1c7-90c55e1a1d02_zps7b84eedd.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a> </blockquote><br><b>Julian Capeletti is in urgent need of a new construction job</b>, or any work for money actually, so he accepts the job for a quite low pay. To make it possible to make it, on that money and he himself in just a year, Julian has to move in. From that day are they both living and working together in the unfinished house. <br><br><b>Here starts an very slowly growing</b> friends-, and later lovers, relationship. There were some touching sweet moments but I —and Julian— had to be patient. <br><blockquote>‘He needed some blazing neon sign from Matt before he'd even consider making another move. If Matt needed time, Julian would gladly give him however much he needed, if being with Matt was the prize.’</blockquote><br>***********************************************************<br><br><b>This book more or less had everything but still</b> I really missed "that" special feeling. Something, I'm not sure what, was kind of missing for me. <br><br>These main characters, Matt and Julian, are two lovely, easy to like men. Their life-stories are quite heartbreaking (I felt for them). The storyline, the plot, and the disposition with these short chapters and focus on interesting events during a year, was nicely done. There were also some thrilling, but maybe too melodramatic, secret family drama to add an very angsty feeling to it all. <br><br><b>I should probably have been more stunned</b> and felt more. But I'm sorry to say, I didn't. <br><blockquote> <a href="http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Li64/media/Love/0af2284f-45d3-40fe-87c5-65869943bf81_zpsd2b4bb3b.jpg.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1421450131i/13377923.jpg" alt=" photo 0af2284f-45d3-40fe-87c5-65869943bf81_zpsd2b4bb3b.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a><br><br>‘He should apologize and remove his hand, but Matt's face was like a magnet. Their eyes met then Matt closed his eyes and leaned into Julian's hand. Julian's chest tightened. He slowly moved his thumb back and forth, caressing Matt's cheek. His heartbeat sped up, heat rose through his body, and it was damn near impossible to swallow past the lump in his throat’</blockquote><br><i>A Better Man</i> ended up as a sweet read I enjoyed partly but it didn't give me any bigger desire to continue this series or look for more books by this author. I don't want to complain, I can see why a lot of friends loved it, but maybe was it just the wrong week for me. <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="f2909998-291f-4a9d-b6b0-939a98fd07f6" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="f2909998-291f-4a9d-b6b0-939a98fd07f6"> It just felt like I got too much pink fluff and happiness in the end. — When Matt's dad completely changed his ways and started to at last talk to his son was it next to too much for me. I just couldn't believe it. — Less had been better. </label><br><br>***********************************************************<br><br>A slow build relationship with two hurt souls that didn't mark the bull's-eye in my heart. I'm a bit surprised actually. This tale should fit perfect for a romantic girl like me. <br><br><b>I LIKE - these main characters</b></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]>

3,25 stars<br /><br />This is my first book by this author. It started pretty good and I actually enjoyed it, but at one point it became unexpectedly sweet. It's not something I've enjoyed lately. When both main characters are super reserved and keep their distance for months, but they use the L word all of the sudden, well I kind of rolled my eyes.<br /><br />Their back stories are very sad, but I've enjoyed how it all fell into place in the end. A little unbelievable, but that's OK. Wish in real life some parents could wake up sooner rather than later and try to save their relationships with their kids. Even if they were absent most of their lives.<br /><br />So overall it was a nice story and it kept my interest. I've read it in one sitting and can't wait to read the next books. Looking at all those high ratings, I'd say I'll need to read them soon.<br /><br />

<b> Oh my God, this book was fantastic! </b><br><br>By far one of the sweetest books I have ever read. I have never read a book like it before and I was glad I tried it. A Better man has everything I love in the base of a romance and even more. It has passion and sweet moments, with amazing characters to top it all off. From the first page I was gripped and have never felt so connected to a story. This is about the love that Matt and Julian share, and the two of them dealing with the demons from their pasts. And the two of them coming together and standing side by side.<br><br>Julian, was an amazing character. He was just sweet, funny, witty and caring. He was not perfect. His flaws were shown and they were explained which was nice. I loved the glimpses we were told about his past. I felt so sorry for him when he told Matt everything. The reveal of his middle name melted my heart, I almost cried for him. Julian, I believe should have won an award for being such a great guy. I would love to have a man like him as my boyfriend. If I'm honest he was my favourite.<br><br><b> A boner looking for a handyman...</b><br><br>Matt, was a character that grew on me after he started lusting after Julian. Before that I could not connect with him at all. Once the real Matt came out, I was smitten. Not only was he caring and loving, but when he got nervous he was adorable. His past was what helped me to love him the most, but his love for J was another bonus in my eyes. It was hard not to love him, he was just what Julian needed. And Julian was what he needed.<br><br><b> Its Doner, D-O-N-E-R, Doner </b><br><br><b>J and Matt!</b><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1380391928i/754628.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br>I laughed, I cried and I swooned while reading this book. Its lovely to read a book about tough men that can be kittens when they are in love. I have to say its a must read for me. I would love to read more from these two, maybe a short story. A wedding? Babies? Yes, I'm a sap, but I don't just want new characters, I want more of these two and the marriage and babies is just a suggestion. More cute/hot scenes would be appreciated too. And, I have read it about ten times and counting.<br><br><b>Highly recommend this!!!</b>

This book is very cute. But it's too much. I felt I was forced to love the MCs and as such, I was compelled to resist to their charms. I honestly had a hard time finishing the book. First I thought my slowness was because my brain was catching up on some sleep after long weeks of studying for my exams or the fact I got hooked to a TV series. But then I began reading another book after finishing this one and I couldn't put it down so I stayed the wee hours with the lights on till my eyelids were to heavy to lift. Even more: that book made me feel warm in the belly whereas A Better Man couldn't even start a fire. So in the end it was the book's fault, not mine.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1432995763ra/15034452.gif" width="400" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>The main problem is that the characters were too perfect for me. Their lives are too perfect dramas. I felt for them instantly. Well, not really. I liked their interactions, I liked the "I love you"/"I love you more" sequences, I liked the premise. But something failed in the developing of it all. There were clear dots but the lines to join them all didn't draw the picture I expected.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1432995569ra/15034429.gif" width="400" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Matt was the perfect brother, and of course, he says he's the <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="15df1729-6670-4075-a33c-243306e15572" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="15df1729-6670-4075-a33c-243306e15572">guilty one</label> when in fact he <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="98fb8419-c742-423c-a233-57eab5a62bcd" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="98fb8419-c742-423c-a233-57eab5a62bcd">manipulated the evidences so he was charged instead of his brother</label>. Of course that awakes Julian's sympathy, and everybody else's, in the process, except mine. Was it necessary for Matt to be such a martyr? I don't say there are not people out there who would willingly take the place of a loved one and even prefer it that way but here it was too superficial and artificial that after <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="89a7e0c7-d9fc-45f5-83b9-6b1902a753e8" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="89a7e0c7-d9fc-45f5-83b9-6b1902a753e8">5 years in prison</label> there is no spitefulness (or hate) for all the lost years. I felt disappointment when there is no conflict (at all) between the brothers after all that had happened. Only honorable feeling. Nothing of what the human being shows now and then. And Julian is the <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="949151ca-8e35-4fe8-8b25-3e419e7a4c5b" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="949151ca-8e35-4fe8-8b25-3e419e7a4c5b">abused</label> boy who is alone in the world after <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="e646d3ce-4630-4cf3-9171-8f955e1ab846" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="e646d3ce-4630-4cf3-9171-8f955e1ab846">the only people that loved him died: his mother and brother who also suffered under his father's hands</label>. He needs to be petted and Matt is the one who has to do it. Cheesy as hell.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1413897493ra/11578186.gif" width="400" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Even the mother was the perfect bitch. Too Disney-worldy for me. Why is it more evident when a woman is a bad person and we barely notice when the man is the one? Food for thought for a later occasion. Anyway, if there is a bitch in the movie, then her husband is a wimp. But of course the wimp one dares to confront Mrs. Bennet in the most crucial moment. And that way he's forgiven for the passivity during the whole children' lives. "You have been a bad father but hey, after this scene you are awesome, so let's follow the yellow brick road". I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1432995269ra/15034388.gif" width="400" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>The brother and his fiancée and Sam and... Jeez. All of them were nice! TOO nice. It was very claustrophobic here. I wanted to throw a pinch of reality here and there to make it all more believable or at least less harakiri-inducing. I felt I was swimming in cotton candy while I was being sung a fairy tale (no pun intended).<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1432996165ra/15034499.gif" width="400" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>The positive part: I liked it wasn't love at first sight and a let's-have sex just after they meet. Unfortunately nothing of this held my attention for long. Sometimes I even was bored. The book goes throughout a year: from June to June, closing the circle in 4 seasons to see glimpses of them together during several days each month. Matt is decided to built a halfway house for prisoners with no support when they finally get out of jail, and Julian is the one he employees to reform the house. I have to think very hard to remember if I had read a plot like this one and nothing occurred to me. So congratulations for the originality.<br><br>After reading this I come to the conclusion this book it not for me. And although I don't precisely dislike the author, it was a big disappointment.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1428885860ra/14491687.gif" width="400" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]>

<img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1492165334i/22488599._SX540_.jpg" alt="3.5stars.jpg (1600×330): " width="272" height="56" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>I have re-read this series many times and it has become one of my favorite mm-series. Though this first book is not my favorite, so far that title belongs to book 3, I still enjoyed reading it very much. After reading the other books in this series (they all focuss on a different couple), I got to know Matt and Julian even better, which made me enjoy re-reading this one even more.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1492165334ra/22488600.gif" alt="tumblr_inline_o95gp3S6od1r1v6bm_500.gif (500×281)" width="347" height="195" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Matt has spend 5 years in prison, for a crime he himself did not commit. He decided to take the fall for it, because he wanted to cover for his brother.<br><br>Now that he's out, he wants to build a half-way house for people just like him. Getting help fixing up the old building he wants to use is not as easy though.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1492165334ra/22488601.gif" alt="qd9EkJ8S02pVu.gif (480×270)" width="348" height="196" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Enter Julian Capeletti, handyman. He answers the add in the paper, to help restore the old building. Julian seems to be kind of cold, but that's because he has his own horrible past to deal with.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1492165334ra/22488602.gif" alt="uTpezJk609PIk.gif (500×289)" width="343" height="198" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Slowly these two men start opening up to each other.....This is a slow burn romance.  You won't find any insta-love in this one, but you will find a lot of sexual tension...<br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1492084592i/22480422.jpg" alt="QNvsOQb.jpg (182×276): " class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><p> I just wish the steamy scenes would have been a bit more detailed, but hey....that's just me ;) </p><br> <br><blockquote> <p> <strong>This review is posted on <a href="https://wendyswyckedwords.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Wendy's Wycked Words</a></strong> </p> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1535556367i/26218075._SX540_.jpg" alt="new1banner" width="224" height="56" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </blockquote><br> 

A Better Man is one of my favorite books of all time. I read it the first time it was released and I fell in love with both the characters and the story. I didn't know how I would feel reading it with things changed, I worried about the changes slightly but I didn't really panic. I was more excited than anything. And when I started reading this again, I soon realized that I would have no issues loving these characters again. Jaime Reese did a wonderful job adding and rewriting scenes. She didn't change the core of this story and that, I believe, is the reason this is still on my favorites list.<br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1390497825i/8232471.png" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>I really loved the characters. Matt, who did something amazing for his younger brother and almost ruined his own life in the process, was really easy to like. He had family issues that really made him as a person and I think that was part of the reason I loved him. But J really stole my heart in this book. He was everything I love in a character and more. I loved how much he loved Matt. His past, like Matt's, wasn't easy and he had his demons, but he was always there when Matt needed him. I couldn't have picked a better pair and my love for both of them just grew as I read the book. Their relationship was fun and snarky, but sometimes serious, and I rooted for them from the beginning.<br><br>This book wasn't really angsty, but saying that, there was some drama in this. Between Matt's family (his mother, really) and the secrets he kept from J, plus J's past, it all had the potential to be really hard to read. And while I was reading I was waiting for something to go really wrong and I was overcome with dread during one of the scenes, but these guys were solid and nothing tore them apart. If anything, the troubles in their lives brought them closer together. So nothing was ever OTT or too much in this and that was something I was appreciative of.<br><br>The dialogue between the two guys made me feel all happy and mushy inside. I read romance because I love romantic scenes. But I also like having fun while I read and the banter between these guys was awesome! It was like watching two best friends fall in love. And that was another great thing. These guys became friends and then they became more. Sure, there were a couple of kisses before they became a couple. But they also fell in love before becoming an official couple and that was a huge bonus. And no matter how lovey-dovey they were, the banter never disappeared which can happen sometimes.<br><br>One of my favorite scenes is the one where they meet for the first time. It had me laughing so hard that I had tears in my eyes and I couldn't stop. Honestly, I was so glad that scene was in this book because it really made this book what it was for me. Among many other scenes, but this was the first scene that really made me think "This book is amazing!"<br><br><i>"Hello? Mr. Boner?" He smiled. Gosh, this was never going to get old. <br>"It's Doner." He heard an aggravated man's voice from one of the rooms on the right. <br>"Oh, sorry, the ad read Boner." He just couldn't resist throwing that in there one more time. <br>The irritated man walked out into the hallway, stopped, and crossed his arms. "It's Doner. D-O-N-E-R. Doner." <br>He could spell it any way he wanted, a-s-s-h-o-l-e was the only thing that ran through Julian's mind at that moment.</i><br><br>And there was this.<br><br><i>"I love you, Matt," he said then softly pressed his lips to Matt's in a tender kiss. <br>When they separated, Matt was smiling, his eyes bright with emotion. "I love you more," he responded and reached up to touch Julian. His fingers ghosted over Julian's temples and down the side of his face to his chin.</i><br><br>I have always adored the "I love you" "I love you more" scene. It's another scene that really made this book what it was for me. But it was also one of those romantic scenes that made me feel so many things. It was just so very, very good, and I think it's one of those scenes you can really tell how much Matt and J love each other.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1390497825ra/8232472.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>This is a must read in my opinion. And I cannot wait for the sequel!

<u> First review written November 2012: </u> <br />The nicest thing about this story was the love between the two main guys, it grew between them gently and tenderly and by doing so forged a true connection that weathered every obstacle thrown at them including both their past histories and Matts obnoxious mother. In most stories these would normally cause the requisite ' separation ' that generally is the fallout in a lot of m/m novels when the you know what hits the fan to fill out the angst quota, but in this case it actually brings them closer together, there are moments of conflict but Julian never reacts how Matt expects, his support is unwavering and I never once doubted them not making their love and Matt's dreams for his halfway house work. Its seeing how it all comes together that makes the story and these two lovely men burrow their way into your heart. A lovely story that may not have the excitement factor but will leave you feeling that true love does exist and will warm a lot of hearts. A small cast of characters who make up a big hearted book. Lovely.<br /><br />Edit. 1/2/14<br /><br />I have to be totally honest, its quite a while since I read this the first time in 2012 so I'm hard pressed to be able to say exactly where all the re-writes have been added unless I read both copies alongside each other ( I could because I've still got the original! ) but I do know that I enjoyed this just as much again, if not more, and it definitely felt more fleshed out, especially around Matt and his bitch of a mother and I'm sure there was more Matt and Julian time. I love Matt and Julian as a couple, I love the chemistry they share and I love how, as I've said before, they support each other through whatever conflict they come across without getting all stubborn and overly dramatic. They both have baggage but they get through it together. And I also have a fondness for Matts good friend Sam. I still have the other version, it was a keeper then so now I've got this one with added extras, its definitely not going anywhere. I think this is a really lovely story and its one I'll come back to to again. Special thanks to Jaime for giving me the chance to read this again. Still a five star read for me.

This is a really good romance that check-mark the things I like to read from the genre. The story happens for a year, highlighting the important events in Matt and Julian's road to relationship. It has a wonderful build-up, some lovely and sweet scenes, and the heartwarming HEA.<br /><br />Julian is a contractor that is out of job and behind his rent when he decides to answer Matt's ad for handyman. While Matt is an ex-convict, sentenced for five-years term after a white collar crime (that is not completely his own fault). The sexual tension is strong but the men don't quickly act on it. I love how this is being played out. One particular thing that leads to the first kiss is kinda cute, IMHO.<br /><br />While the "I love you" comes early (I think it's about half-mark), but there are enough sub-plots to be told before the end. It involves Matt's still in the closet from his parents and his mother being a cold b*tch. So the relationship progresses, even after the "I love you" part. My favorite scene will be their Valentine's Day, where Matt's gift to Julian is so significant, I feel my heart squeezed for the beauty of it.<br /><br />I am really happy to know that there will be more stories coming from The Halfway House. I'd love to see the house with new residents coming as well as getting update on Matt and his "J".<br /><br />