Better Than Chance

Better Than, Book 2

By: Lane Hayes

Narrated by: Tyler Stevens

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Jay Reynolds has a crush on his project leader at work, but an office romance with Peter Morgan isn't likely to happen since Peter is straight. Worse, Jay soon fears Peter is homophobic, and his initial infatuation turns to loathing. But one fateful night, Jay is forced to acknowledge things aren't quite as they seem with Peter. Suddenly, his crush is back and unbelievably, Peter is interested too.

They begin a friends with benefits arrangement, which becomes difficult for Jay when he starts falling for his sexy boss. Peter's past issues keep him from committing, and Jay has to decide if he can be satisfied with friendship if Peter isn't ready to take a chance on anything more.

©2014 Lane Hayes (P)2014 Dreamspinner Press

Liked it - better than the first in the series

I liked the story much better than the first and this is not a bad author. It will not reach my top 10 but it the author has potential. I kind of think that it should have been the first story since jay and peter is a couple u know from the first book, but mostly that serves like an appetizer since u allready like them in that book, so i guess thats the point in writting it in a different order. Narrator fine.

Great story - top notch narrator

Where does Better Than Chance rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks right up there with the best ones I've read.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that opposites attract. One loved with an open heart, the other was guarded with almost impenetrable walls. Loved the juxtaposition of Jay's light-hearted disposition and Peter's rather secretive demeanor.

Have you listened to any of Tyler Stevens’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I thoroughly enjoyed his narration. This genre is teaming with amateur readers and low quality recordings. Steven's performance was a breath of fresh air...he made me smile, often.

Any additional comments?

This is the story of Jay and Peter, and their bumpy journey to happiness. Their "friends with benefits" agreement turns into something more. One loves with an open heart, the other is guarded with seemingly impenetrable walls. Very enjoyable story, but have a Kleenex or two at the ready.

The narrator Tyler Stevens made the story all the more enjoyable. I look forward to more audiobooks being narrated by him.

Very Romantic Story

I really enjoyed this book, more than the first one. This was a very classic mm romance novel, Sometimes this very predictable format can be boring if not done right. There is no high drama; no "bad guy" or major conflict to resolve. This was just a well written romance between "J" and Peter that had to exact right mix of angst, humor and romance, it was wonderful. Also, the narrator did an excellent job.

Great series to listen too!

Any additional comments?

This book was good! I love HEA stories. I really enjoyed this narrative by Tyler. He brings the characters some personality! It had a great story with a few love scenes. I will definitely be getting the last book! I would try more by this author.

Very nice! Almost as good as the first!

A great audiobook narrator makes you forget you are listening to an audiobook. You feel like you are living the story, rather than just reading it. Hence the magic of audiobooks.

**throws glitter and does a pseudo-mystical dance**

Lane Hayes, or whoever picked Tyler Stevens, is a very smart person indeed. His range of voices MADE the story for me. I loved Jay's sexy southern voice and Peter's more masculine voice as an awesome counterpart. The narrator rocked this story out and made it a great listen.

Now onto the story itself...

I ADORED the first book in the series, Better Than Good. It was GFY/OFY heaven, and I knew it would be a tough act to follow. However, I think the author did a nice job here, with a veerrrrryyyy slow burn, enemies-to-lovers (in a mild sense), office romance.

This book is very relationship-focused. It is all about the couple and very little else, which I happen to like. I don't like a lot of riffraff or poppycock clogging up my romance! (Okay, I just wanted an excuse to use those words... shhhh...) I loved how the relationship grew and progressed over time, and I enjoyed being on the journey with these two men.

My only sticking point is that I didn't really get Peter's reluctance to commit. I kind of got what the author was going for, but it felt a little weak to me. He seemed fully committed in his actions, so his reluctance to say it out loud felt incongruous with his behavior.

All in all, a very nice follow up by Lane Hayes with a lovely narration.

**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

This was the perfect audio, for me to listen, during this unprecedented times, we're all are living

I first "met" Peter and Jay in Better Than, series book 1 ; Matt and Aaron 's story. And right away, I wanted to get to know more about them, as a couple and as individuals.

So happy to report, Peter and Jay are truly charming and loveable heroes. Their journey to HEA was a delicious romp that didn't disappoint.

I found it to be, utterly entertaining, sexy, fun with low amounts of angst and minimal amount of drama. In other words, absolutely perfect.

Tyler Stevens delivered a faultless , engaging and convincing narration.

#BooksILove #AudibleCreditWellSpent #ListenedOn2020 #BetterThanChance #LaneHayes

How do you know, if you won't even try?

If you could sum up Better Than Chance in three words, what would they be?

Fun, engaging and probable

What was one of the most memorable moments of Better Than Chance?

When Peter takes Jay into the smaller conference room and what happens while they are in there. As the story progresses, you figure out that that particular moment was a catalyst for these two men. It just takes a while for them to figure that out.

Have you listened to any of Tyler Stevens’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have, and I quite enjoy his narrations. He's great at making sure each character has their own voice and tone and can put emotion into his words when needed.

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

Both actually.

Any additional comments?

So, this story starts out at the end, then goes back to tell you how these two men got there. At first I thought, what the heck? Why are you telling me this, but then as the book moved I realized that the fun part, was going on the journey with these two men as they figured things out. Like my title for this review.. How do you know, if you don't even try? That pretty much sums up Peter and Jay for a good bit of the book. But there is so much passion, angst and stability growing as they get to know each other and it translates well in the way they are written and the way the story plays out.

Definitely worth a listen in my humble opinion.

Loved, Loved, Loved

What made the experience of listening to Better Than Chance the most enjoyable?

After listening to the first book, I read the second one. Loved it too, but listened to it and the voices, was so much better. Cannot wait for the third book to come out!

What did you like best about this story?

The characters! Love Jay and I learn to love Peter, especially knowing what happens in the first book.

Have you listened to any of Tyler Stevens’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, in the first book, and he is perfect for this series.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I have been checking on audible for it's release, stopped my other book, downloaded and listened.

Any additional comments?

Great series, You cannot help but fall in love with these characters. These are not life altering stories, but they are written well, narrated well and you feel great after reading or listening to them. Lane Hayes writes "great" characters.

I love Tyler Stevens!

Any additional comments?

In book one we meet Jay and Peter as they announce that after 5 years they are finally getting married. This is their “backstory”.
Jay and Peter worked together and Jay had a huge crush on Peter for a long time. At first Jay thinks Peter is straight, then he thinks he’s a jerk, then they become friends with benefits.

Jay is essentially all in, but Peter is commitment-phobic. When Peter does something to slow things down, Jay jumps all the way to “we’re breaking up!”.

Finally, they air their grievances and make a commitment.

**

I really loved book one. It felt real and authentic and genuine. This one was less good, but still very good. I liked the chemistry between the MCs but grew tired of the “hurdles”, especially when it felt like if they would just TALK to one another things would clear up.

Audio

Tyler Stevens makes this book go from good to great! He is an awesome narrator and I love listening to him. He really brings the story alive and (for me) elevated this book up at least one notch.


Writing/Editing 4
Romance 4
Sex/Heat 5
Storyline 3.5
World Building/Characterizations 4.5
Audio 5

Overall 4.3 of 5 stars

Good!

I have to admit, I like book 1 way way better, but this was good.. You kinda start off after book 1, then go back in time to when Jay meet Peter and started his fling. Peter was actually a better character than Jay, I think..... I would have liked to be in Peter's head more so than Jays....

It was a good prequel and squeal all in one...

Nice narration... same as book 1! Smexy voice!

Good credit, buy or sale...