Everything Changes, by Melanie Hansen

Title: Everything Changes

Author:  Melanie Hansen

Publisher/GR Link: Dreamspinner, Goodreads

Genre: MM Contemporary

Vice: Military, PTSD, GFY, OFY

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Lock this book up: 4 keys, the sex is hot and moves the story

Length: Novel

Satisfaction: HEA

Cover Impressions: I love it.  Captures the feel of the book.

Best Line: "Everything that he and Carey had gone through, separately and together, had brought them to this point, and Jase knew with a fiery certainty that it had all been worth it."

Synopsis: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.

Impressions: I love a good GFY/OFY novel, and throw in some military guys? and a disabled hero?!  Sign me up!  I was not let down at all!

This is an impressive new release by a first time author, and I can promise I'll be checking out her books to come!  I really loved this book, and the sensitive way that Hansen handled the MC's and their own challenges.

This novel tackles the issues of both PTSD and falling in love.  Both Jase and Carey suffer from PTSD, and I thought this was handled with grace and care.  Though these men have reals struggles, they are not victims, and that made them both immensely likable.

Both men are three dimensional, and I really appreciated that Jase wasn't made into a perfect hero just waiting for Carey to come around.  Carey had to come to term with his new views of himself, and I liked that this wasn't a story where a gay guy chases a "straight" guy across scores of pages.  

The love that developed between these two men was a astral extension of their friendship, love and respect for each other.  It felt natural and believable.  I loved watching these two men figure out how much they needed each other, and I found myself easily lost in their lives.

This is a highly recommended read!  You will not want to miss it!