Better by Far

Praise for Better by Far“Hazel Hayes is a great writer… . Bittersweet is the vibe, and she does it with rare class.”—Matt Haig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Midnight Library“Heart-wrenching and healing in equal measure, Better by Far offers a double-edged (and incredibly poignant) look at what it means to grieve — stinging one moment and soothing the next. Hazel Hayes’ characters and prose have that innate capacity to make the reader feel truly seen, tackling themes like love and loss with immense grace, warmth, and nuance. On the first page, Hayes notes that ‘we wear our feelings, wrapping them around ourselves like cloaks…’ I’d argue this story is equally engulfing, wrapping itself around you until the very last chapter.”—Genevieve Wheeler, author of Adelaide “A geography of loneliness, a map of the liminal spaces of heartbreak, and a testament to grief’s ability to supplant any narrative, Better by Far is a tender and powerful book that simultaneously bruised and healed me. I leaked all the way through this deeply felt and moving journey.”—Ling Ling Huang, author of Natural Beauty“There’s feeling in every moment and line of Better by Far, whether it’s the crushing weight of loss or the monumental power of small, kind acts. The second-person form achieves extra resonance, enabling a powerful ending that will leave readers both devastated and renewed.”—Shelf Awareness“Not only does Hayes have a knack for voice-driven narration, she also evokes the sights and sounds of the region…This is bursting with feeling.”—Publishers Weekly“A complex, richly literary, and surprising break-up novel.”—Booklist“I highlighted so much of this story because I felt seen and finally felt like my feelings were being reflected back to me and described perfectly. So many times I thought and said, yes, that is exactly what I have felt. If you have been through a breakup, this is also going to be a story you’ll want to read.”—Chick Lit Central

Hazel Hayes is an Irish-born, London-based writer and director who for many years wrote primarily for the screen. After graduating from Dublin City University with a degree in journalism, she went on to study creative writing at the Irish Writers Centre, before honing her craft as a screenwriter through numerous short films and sketches. Her eight-part horror, PrankMe, won series of the year at Social in the City, as well as the award for excellence in storytelling at Buffer Festival in Toronto. Out of Love was her first novel.

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