Better Than

by Leslie Esdaile

Book Overview

Deborah Lee Jackson has put love at the bottom of her to-do list. Fate, however, has other plans - in the form of successful, free-spirited painter Jason Hastings. Can their romance hold up when real life interferes?

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0758213301
• ISBN13: 9780758213303
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: Dafina Books
• Length: 279 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.3" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Awesome!!!

There are no other words to say other than Awesome!! this book was a great read as all of her other books. So as a die-hard fan of all of her books ( the "Trust" Series,"VHL" Series, her new Crimson Moon Novels and her other contemporary romances.) Leslie most definitely has the "gift". This was a beautifully crafted story.

Never Settle For Less When It Comes To Love!

In Leslie Esdaile's latest romance Better Than, she shows you that a good man loves you for what's on the inside. This story begins with the newly divorced Deborah Lee Jackson beginning a new year. Besides being newly divorced, Deborah is not getting any fulfillment out of her job and she is slightly overweight. Determining not to wallow in self pity, Deborah decides to make some New Year's resolutions that will help her improve her mind, body, and her life. Since she always wanted to go back to college and take more classes, she signs up for some at the local university. It is in her art class that she meets her handsome instructor Jason Hastings, a man who is so devoted to his career that he's sworn off women in order to concentrate on it more. Jason only took the art instructor job to help out his friend and vows not to let this class ruin his career. Although they're not looking for love, it seems to eventually find them and bring them together. Will their new found love be able to stand up to the problems that the outside world may bring? I LOVED this book! It showed the true battle that some full-figured women struggle with when it comes to love and life. Although Deborah is a full-figured woman, I truly loved this story because Deborah's story could be anyone's story, regardless of their size. Ms. Esdaile's story lets women know that there are some good men still out there. And if those men truly love you, they won't care about how you look on the outside, but just what's in your heart. The only thing that man wants to do is heal a broken-hearted woman. So if you love a good romance story that has a touch of drama, then this is the story for you. I highly recommend Better Than. And who knows, it might inspire you to make a life change to better your mind and body. At least, that's what it did for me. Reviewed by LaShonda Bates for Urban Reviews

A Grown & Sexy Romance

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!

Better Than

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

Worth the wait

OMG- Leslie does it again! I've been waiting for Leslie's next romance novel for over a year. I knew it would be good bcz she's a hell of a writer. But, "Better Than", is probably her best yet! If you're a Leslie Esdaile romance fan, then you know how her books just wrap you up and take you away. Well, "Better Than" was like a mix of my 2 prior favs, "Sister Got Game" and "Take Me There". First off, I liked "pretty Deborah" from the opening pages. She was so real and easy to relate to. She's a woman who wants to push the "RE-SET" button on her life. Newly divorced, slightly overweight, professionally unhappy, and lonely too. Then we're introduced to Jason, a fine and compassionate artist recovering from a bad relationship. When they met at the health store, it was like BAM!! You could feel the sizzle and the heat drip from the pages like sweat. I said to myself, "buckle up" because these two are gonna take me for a ride. Deb and Jason's attraction takes off like a rocket with sensuality and passion pouring all over the place. You wanted these two bruised souls to find healing in each other. And boy, did they find healing ---- SEXUAL HEALING. But then, life starts to get in the way of their budding relationship. Her family. His family. Secrets. Lies. Betrayal. These negative forces swirl into a destructive storm that Deb and Jason's new love may not be able to handle. But as with any "life storm", where do we go for refuge? We go to church asking God for answers. Ya'll, Leslie takes the reader to church --- Took me to the rail and had me crying in my own living room!!!!! BUY IT! - You'll feel "Better Than" for having read it . . . .