Are you ready to be one of the first to get an exclusive look at Roan Parrish’s next romance novel? Better Than People follows two men as they fall in love after meeting on an app for animal lovers. We Are Bookish has an exclusive reveal of the cover, but first, read our mini-interview with the author.
Tell us about your book cover! What was the cover design process like for you?
Better Than People is a super cozy, emotional book, and I wanted a cover that reflected that. The title, of course, refers to the adage that animals are better than people (which, duh, they are) so I definitely wanted to have an animal on the cover. Jack’s dogs are really what bring Jack and Simon together, so I’m thrilled by this sweet doggo!
What inspired you to write Better Than People?
I often walk my sister’s dog, and I love to watch how other people behave with dogs. I’m a cat person, and everything with cats takes place secretly inside people’s houses, so you only observe it if you visit them, but dogs are just so out there. One day I was walking the dog past a dog park in our neighborhood and the person coming out thanked her friend for letting her borrow his dog when she was in a dog mood. I was thinking about how great that would be—if you could meet up for an animal date if you wanted to get an animal fix but couldn’t or didn’t want to have animals of your own. So I decided I’d write a book about two people meeting via an app that did just that, and Jack—the grouchy animal hoarder—and Simon—the super shy guy who couldn’t have animals of his own—were born.
In three words, what can readers expect from Better Than People?
Cozy, emotional, sweet. Oh, and hot. Hot is only three letters long so it should hardly even count as a fourth word.
Do you judge books by their covers? What’s your favorite cover of all-time
I don’t really judge the contents of a book by its cover, but I definitely judge covers. Gosh, what a hard question. Definitely one of my favorite covers is for Perdido Street Station by China Miéville.
Better Than People hits shelves August 25, 2020. What books do you recommend we pick up while we wait?
I just added a ton of books to my to-read list, so you should read along with me! Here are a few I’m super jazzed to dive into: Lord of the Last Heartbeat by May Peterson, a queer gothic fantasy romance; Hither, Page by Cat Sebastian, which has the tagline “Agatha Christie, but make it gay;” Song of Blood and Stone by L. Penelope, the first in a romantic epic fantasy series; In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, a haunted house of a memoir; I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara, an account of the killer by the true crime journalist who enabled his capture; and Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson, a contemporary romance about brothers trying to save their Harlem knitting shop. Speaking of great covers, Real Men Knit has a GREAT cover!
Now, let’s get our first peek at Better Than People!
Here’s the official summary for Better Than People:
It’s not long before their pet-centric arrangement sparks a person-centric desire…
Simon Burke has always preferred animals to people. When the countdown to adopting his own dog is unexpectedly put on hold, Simon turns to the PetShare app to find the fluffy TLC he’s been missing. Meeting a grumpy children’s book illustrator who needs a dog walker isn’t easy for the man whose persistent anxiety has colored his whole life, but Jack Matheson’s menagerie is just what Simon needs.
Four dogs, three cats, and counting. Jack’s pack of rescue pets is the only company he needs. But when a bad fall leaves him with a broken leg, Jack is forced to admit he needs help. That the help comes in the form of the most beautiful man he’s ever seen is a complicated, glorious surprise.
Being with Jack—talking, waking, making out—is a game changer for Simon. And Simon’s company certainly… eases the pain of recovery for Jack. But making a real relationship work once Jack’s cast comes off will mean compromise, understanding, and lots of love.
Roan Parrish lives in Philadelphia, where she is gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre.
When not writing, she can usually be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through whatever city she’s in while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.
That sounds like the perfect book to read…everyone needs more love!
I already have this one on pre-order. Can’t wait!