Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Everything Changes
AUTHOR: Melanie Hansen
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 200 pages
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:
Usually when I finish a book I like to sit and think on it for a bit. Just so I can wrap my brain around my thoughts to ensure they come across as understandable and not just diarrhea of the mouth, which is what happens more often than not. With this book I had to immediately come to my computer and write it all out because there is just so much wonderful in this story. There were so many things that happened between these two damaged men that I didn’t want to miss a single thing. But then again I can’t say everything because I don’t want to spoil it for the readers, ugh see diarrhea mouth. Anyway, the most important thing anyone should take away from this review is the fact that this story is magnificent. There is no other way to describe it. The pain was beautiful; the struggle was heart wrenching, the passion in which they fought their feelings only magnified when they gave into those same feelings. This book had little bits of every single thing I adore in my romance stories.
Carey Everett is living his life the best way he knows how after getting seriously injured in the line of duty while a Marine in Afghanistan. Not letting the fact he lost his leg run his life he uses his experiences for the good, counseling families dealing with PTSD. Carey also knows he wouldn’t be here to give back if it wasn’t for her military buddy who saved his life.
Jase DeSantis meets Carey while they were both active duty. Early on Jase knew he had an affinity for helping people so the medical field in the military was right up his alley. Carey and Jase grew very close while they were deployed. On one mission Carey get’s hit and loses his leg, he would have died if it wasn’t for Jase’s intervention.
As civilians these men build their lives in separate states but stay in close contact. Carey takes a lengthy vacation and stays with Jase. Jase is pretty busy with his band that is about to hit it big and being an EMT but he makes time to spend with Carey.
What starts as deep friendship slowly morphs to desire and lust in Carey. He doesn’t understand where these feelings are coming from and he does everything in his power to fight it but it’s a losing battle.
The push and pull that is built between these men is exquisite. The passion and chemistry is palpable, I loved reading their interactions. Carey giving in to his feelings for Jase was absolutely beautiful. I could feel my heart ache when they parted that’s how real it got for me while reading this story. I think that is the mark of an amazing writer when you as a reader go through the physical emotions with the characters.
There’s angst, confusion, and mistakes made along the way but the end was everything I could have hoped for. This is by far one of the best books, if not the best book, I’ve read in 2015. I’d be remiss not to mention the well thought out cover…absolutely perfect!!! Just WOW…stunning!! LOVED it!!! From cover to cover a MUST read!!!
RATING: 
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