Better Than (Dafina Contemporary Romance) [Paperback]

Leslie Esdaile (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A holistic approach to the art of cooking and love marks Esdaile's latest heart-warmer (after No Trust) and soul charmer. Deborah Lee Jackson is 25, half-black and half-Cherokee, recently divorced and newly arrived in Philly. Eager for something more than her depressing water department job, Deborah embarks on a complete self-help overhaul by taking courses at the University Arts Center near her apartment. She meets Jason Hastings while buying supplies for her naturopathic cooking class, unaware he's also a substitute art teacher at the Center. Jason, who is black, asks Deborah to pose for him because he's determined to immortalize her in oil. Their mutual attraction blossoms into something very passionate and deeply fulfilling, but thorny conflicts rooted in their individual family histories soon arise. Esdaile explores the challenges the couple must face with sparkling sensitivity, interweaving spiritual issues with earthy, practical ones. (June)
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From Booklist

Broke, alone, and discouraged on New Year’s Eve, Deborah Lee promises herself a better future as she optimistically signs up for self-improvement classes every weeknight at the local community center. Her chance encounter with professional artist Jason Hastings at the local naturopathic shop leads to a request that she model for him, and when she discovers that he is teaching some of her classes, their relationship moves to another level. Both dream of a lifetime together, but they each have self-esteem issues stemming from their unhappy pasts, which seem destined to keep them apart. Esdaile’s newest contemporary romance, with its Ebonics-laden narrative and streets-of-Philadelphia setting, is targeted at the urban black reader, but its universal themes of trust, self-respect, family, and faith will resound strongly with a much wider audience. --Lynne Welch

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Dafina (June 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758213301
• ISBN-13: 978-0758213303
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,319,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Grown & Sexy Romance, June 11, 2008

By 

Malaika Tamu "Sweet n' Sassy" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Better Than (Dafina Contemporary Romance) (Paperback)

WOW...when you pick up this novel you will be treated to an inspiring, exciting, amusing and EXTREMELY sizzlin' true-to-life romantic delight. I was TOTALLY caught up in voluptuous "pretty Deborah" and free-spirited, sexy-as-all-get-out Jason's budding relationship from beginning to end. I enjoyed the fact that Deborah and Jason had "old fashion" upbringing, both being raised by their grandmother's, they adopted many of their ways. Jason was very chivalrous and Deborah definitely knew how to take care of her man and was quite the "homemaker" (putting her foot in it when she cooked and keeping a clean house) not many young people do these things anymore, it was REFRESHING. Ms. Esdaile has fashioned a very plausible plot and a cast of well-developed and UNFORGETTABLE characters. I found the conflict and drama that the characters, (main and secondary) had to struggle through made this novel that much more compelling and entertaining. It's the cutest thing when Deborah and Jason first meet, and even though their attraction is instant and mutual, Deborah decides to forgo any further contact with Jason. However, it appears fate has other plans for Deborah, and throws Jason all up in her life. But will Deborah allow Jason to mend her broken heart and show her that he is "Better Than" ANY man that has hurt her in the past?!! And will Jason realize that despite his dysfunctional family secrets and betrayals, "pretty Deborah" is ready and willing to be there for him, to share in his joys and pains, if ONLY he'll let her. Or will they both realize too late that their lives are better than, since they became involved with each other?!! Ms. Esdaile has created a captivating GROWN & SEXY romance about personal and professional growth, love and life, one definitely NOT to be missed!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better Than, June 6, 2008

By 

Louise L. Brown - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Better Than (Dafina Contemporary Romance) (Paperback)

This is the first book that I have read from this author and I have to tell this book is so good Leslie has a new fan. I am going to her website to see her other books. This book is so good I could not put this book down and you start reading the book you want be able to put it down either. You meet Deoborah & Jason and it is instance attraction between them. For Jason he was a gonner when he first saw her and he call her the cutiest name pretty Deborah I tell the book will have you laughing, crying. I tell Leslie take you on Journey in this book she take you to church and while you are sitting there reading don't be surprise if you see youslef throwing and waving you hand in the air and thanking Jesus. I can't say enough about this book. Their love scene is AWESOME.......and will have you right there with them. As I have said I will be checking out her other books and if they are anything like this I will be HAPPY. I am hoping that this will be a series I would love for the other brother and sister have a story.

Thanks for a wonderful book I finished this two days ago and it is still fresh in my mine the relationship between Jason & Deborah they are so good together..............

Louise

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Change Gon' Come, June 26, 2008

By 

Chantay W. "BookLover4Life" (South Carolina) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Better Than (Dafina Contemporary Romance) (Paperback)

APOOO Rating: 4.5

Deborah Lee Jackson is a woman ready for change. After receiving divorce papers after Christmas, she decides to completely overhaul her life. She plans to start once the New Year begins. Deborah's plan is to take several classes at the local university to get her health in order and release some creative energy. Jason Hastings loves his best friend, Wil, like a brother but when Wil asks him to teach a few classes in his absence, Jason is a bit peeved to have his few months of painting time disturbed. A chance meeting at a local herb store brings Deborah and Jason face to face. As a painter, Jason is always on the hunt for inspiration and he believes he has found it in the voluptuous, Amazon beauty. So, he does what any logical painter would do, he asks Deborah to sit for him. But Deborah does not need a man in her life when she is trying to make a change. The two think they will never see each other again until Jason shows up to instruct Wil's classes.

Upon a second meeting, the chemistry these two first felt in the herb store still exists. All Jason Hastings wants to do is show pretty Deborah, that he is better than all the other men she has ever encountered in her life.

Better Than by Leslie Esdaile is a steamy fast-paced love story. The most enjoyable parts in this book were the characters. They were very believable as people, especially Deborah. She dealt with issues concerning her self-image as a full-figured woman and her issues with her single-parent father. Leslie Esdaile is an extraordinary romance author. Her talents really shine through with this book. The unexpected twist that happens to Jason's character is one that adds intrigue to this story. All in all, Better Than is a story about making changes in one's life and finding that one true love. I recommend this book to extreme romance lovers.

Reviewed by Chantay
APOOO BookClub