Reviewed by Anabela
TITLE: Changes Going On
AUTHOR: Kaje Harper
PUBLISHER: Self-published
RELEASE DATE: March 24, 2020
LENGTH: 399 pages
BLURB:
Three men, one summer of media, mentorship, and murder.
There’s a reason Scott Edison came out as gay and poly on national TV— now no one can try to push him back into the closet. But as his men and his hockey team deal with the fallout from fans and paparazzi, moving forward isn’t as easy as he’d hoped.
Will Rice was looking forward to a quiet summer, sharing the work with his guys and giving Scott a refuge from the spotlight. He’s hired a couple of young ranch hands, and finally feels ready to give back some of the mentoring that turned his life around decades ago. But good fences won’t be enough to keep trouble off the ranch.
Casey Barlow left the Sheriff’s Department on his own terms, out and proud. But when the new sheriff is murdered— and Casey’s one of the few with a watertight alibi— he’s asked to investigate, and he can’t resist. He’s determined to solve the murder, and still take care of his men on the home front. Then one murder becomes two…
It’s a summer of risks and challenges, and working together is the only way they’ll make it through.
REVIEW:
There’s a recurrent theme of support and acceptance underlying most of Changes Going On. A family’s love and understanding is never something to take for granted, as it was proven by the stories of the teenagers who have been introduced throughout the book. Casey and Scott’s parents, included, have had opposite reactions to the news of their sons’ multiple partners. Casey’s mom was a whirlwind of excitement, while Scott’s, on the other hand, left me with a sour taste in my mouth. She didn’t understand the need for a third, and maybe the surprise was justified. But she kept judging Will for coming between Scott and Casey, and I hated it. Will was the kindest man, and didn’t deserve the offhand questions and looks.
But I loved how the three men stood strong together, their love unwavering. When they decided to reveal their poly relationship on national TV, they knew to prepare for challenging times. They’d expected the paparazzi and the online attacks, and they definitely got different reactions from society, family and friends. While there’s been a lot of backlash and hostility, most of the world and those close to them have shown so much support, camaraderie and affection.
Fending off the reporters aside, Scott, Casey and Will had hoped for a summer filled with the best quality time just between the three of them…to have their plans ruined by two suspicious suicides. So, not only the mayor has asked Scott to come back to work, but also Scott, hockey, Will and the ranch were involved in the situation.
An interesting array of secondary characters have been introduced throughout the book. Most of them young and troubled, having to deal with too much for their age. They were all, in a way or another, engaged in the investigation, but what I enjoyed most was seeing their lives becoming connected and influenced by one another. They definitely influenced Casey, Scott and Will.
Changes Going On is so much more than three men together defending their love, and more than a mystery, no matter how intriguing. It’s a story of accepting oneself for who you are and showing it to the world no matter the outcome, a story of unexpected bonds and friendship. And most of all, it’s a story of family, either of blood or chosen.
I don’t know whether or not Kaje Harper has considered writing more about Scott, Casey and Will. I, for one, hope this book isn’t the last I read about them.
RATING: 
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