Author: Melanie Hansen
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Pages/Word Count: 200 Pages
At a Glance: Melanie Hansen has done a great job with this book.
Reviewed By: Jackie
Blurb: What happens when friendship catches fire?
Former Marine and lower-leg amputee Carey Everett keeps a grueling schedule of counseling fellow war veterans and their families. The injury he received in Afghanistan forces him to rely on a reserve of strength he didn’t even know he had. A much deserved vacation will let him reconnect with his best friend, who saved his life and has been there for him through devastating injury and painful recovery.
Part-time EMT and aspiring singer Jase DeSantis has been in love with Carey for years, but he’s come to accept that his straight friend will never be able to offer more. Jase fills his days with band rehearsals, ambulance shifts, and willing groupies, all while trying to cope with debilitating PTSD.
A week of sun, fun, and music in San Diego changes Jase and Carey’s lives forever when their relationship takes an unexpected turn. Jase has been longing for that change, but it leaves Carey reeling with confusion. As Jase fights to hold things together, Carey deals with doubts, fears, and his own preconceived notions about labels and the true nature of love.
Review: I am not always a huge fan of the “gay-for-you” story. Now, having said that, I can enjoy a well written love story, and this was definitely a well written love story.
Carey Everett and Jase DeSantis have been the best of friends for years. Jase is most definitely an out and proud gay man. Carey Everett is a self-proclaimed straight man. Even though this information has been on the table since the beginning of their friendship, Jase has been in love with Carey for years. He has done his best to accept the fact there may never be a love story for the two of them, and he doesn’t want to lose his best friend, so he takes what he can get from Carey and is as happy as he can be about it.
A long overdue visit to San Diego brings Carey into Jace’s world, and things begin to change between them. Carey is having feelings he hasn’t wanted to put a name to for a while, and this throws him for a loop. Jase is leery of doing anything romantic with Carey because he doesn’t want to ruin the dynamic they have shared for years, but he also doesn’t want to miss what could be his only chance for love with the man of his dreams.
These two men begin a journey together, some of it smooth sailing, and some of it hits some pretty rough seas. Not only is Carey trying to adjust to being in a relationship with a man for the first time, but both men suffer from different forms of PTSD.
This is not an easy road for either man, and it isn’t always sunshine and roses, but there is a well-earned HEA. I have to say, that makes a book a great read for me. I like the fact Carey doesn’t just accept all of his feelings and move full steam ahead with Jase. I like that fact Jase lets Carey have time to wrap his head around things. It just makes the story feel more realistic.
Melanie Hansen has done a great job with this book, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store from her next.
You can buy Everything Changes here:
