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Possibilities
After the five years he spent with his last lover, Cade has come to regard Valentine's Day as irrelevant — just another day when romantic chumps spend money they can't spare to keep the chocolate and greeting card companies happy. But his lover, Lorin, has been dead for eight months. After struggling to get past his grief, and cope with his HIV positive status, Cade is beginning to think about getting on with his life. Joel, a young co-worker, is not the person Cade would have chosen to share his battered and tainted renaissance . But Joel may be just the man to unfreeze the romantic in Cade's soul.
45 pages, ebook
First published February 10, 2012
About the author
Kaje Harper
95 books2,747 followersI get asked about my name a lot. It's not something exotic, though. “Kaje” is pronounced just like “cage” – it’s an old nickname, and my pronouns are she/her/hers.
I was born in Montreal but have lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.
I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – fifty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi…) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)
My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.
I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published. A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page at https://kajeharper.com/.
You can find me and my book reviews on my author page here on Goodreads - I hang out on Goodreads a lot because I moderate the Goodreads YA LGBT Books group. I also post free short YA stories on that group, more than 50 of them so far.
You can also find me on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarper
I was born in Montreal but have lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.
I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – fifty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi…) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)
My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.
I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published. A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page at https://kajeharper.com/.
You can find me and my book reviews on my author page here on Goodreads - I hang out on Goodreads a lot because I moderate the Goodreads YA LGBT Books group. I also post free short YA stories on that group, more than 50 of them so far.
You can also find me on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarper
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 11, 2012
Damn it, Kaje Harper! How did you do that?? How did you make a story so beautiful, it made me smile and cried all within 30 minutes I read it?! How?! *sigh*
Cade was involved in open relationship with his lover, Lorin, for five years until Lorin got sick with AIDS, and Cade contracted HIV. Then Lorin died, and it's eight months later, near the first Valentine's Day that Cade will have without Lorin. Not that Lorin was ever a fan of Valentine's Day, though. When Joel, a young co-worker come to his help when it seems Cade's meds are giving him bad side effects, Cade wonders if it's time for him to move on and start something new with Joel.
Possibilities is a beautiful, thoughtful, profound short story about people who are HIV Positive. What I admire the most is how Kaje treats this fact with so much respect to her characters. I admit, the solution might be tad "convenient" () but there are so much considerations put into how these two characters come together.
Cade does have a moment of survivor's guilt, wondering if it's the right time, and why he feels a bit weepy after the first trial to make a move on Joel, when he didn't even cry when Lorin was sick ... Then comes the melancholy moment, of Cade visiting Lorin's grave, and that part just moves me to tears.
It's not all angst though, Kaje instills one or two humorous tone, like when Joel is offering Cade to cook ...
“You microwave pizza?”
“It’s fast.”
“But soggy and limp.”
“True. And limp is never a good thing. Whereas slabs of thick meat are a good thing”
*smile*
So the verdict will be -- yes, this is close to perfection. There is one flashback scene of Cade and Lorin, which I actually prefer to be spent on Cade and Joel and the present time -- but that's me personally (since I'm a bit more of present and future girl, except if the flashback is about the two people involved), and it doesn't disrupt the whole flow. The epilogue is wonderful; it has that heartwarming feeling between Cade and Joel (who is yes, a fan of Valentine's Day) ...
Oh, screw it, this deserve my f*cking five stars! And this will go to my story-to-treasure box.
PS: Wow, I actually made a positive review with a couple swearing words. That almost never happens!
Cade was involved in open relationship with his lover, Lorin, for five years until Lorin got sick with AIDS, and Cade contracted HIV. Then Lorin died, and it's eight months later, near the first Valentine's Day that Cade will have without Lorin. Not that Lorin was ever a fan of Valentine's Day, though. When Joel, a young co-worker come to his help when it seems Cade's meds are giving him bad side effects, Cade wonders if it's time for him to move on and start something new with Joel.
Possibilities is a beautiful, thoughtful, profound short story about people who are HIV Positive. What I admire the most is how Kaje treats this fact with so much respect to her characters. I admit, the solution might be tad "convenient" () but there are so much considerations put into how these two characters come together.
Cade does have a moment of survivor's guilt, wondering if it's the right time, and why he feels a bit weepy after the first trial to make a move on Joel, when he didn't even cry when Lorin was sick ... Then comes the melancholy moment, of Cade visiting Lorin's grave, and that part just moves me to tears.
It's not all angst though, Kaje instills one or two humorous tone, like when Joel is offering Cade to cook ...
“You microwave pizza?”
“It’s fast.”
“But soggy and limp.”
“True. And limp is never a good thing. Whereas slabs of thick meat are a good thing”
*smile*
So the verdict will be -- yes, this is close to perfection. There is one flashback scene of Cade and Lorin, which I actually prefer to be spent on Cade and Joel and the present time -- but that's me personally (since I'm a bit more of present and future girl, except if the flashback is about the two people involved), and it doesn't disrupt the whole flow. The epilogue is wonderful; it has that heartwarming feeling between Cade and Joel (who is yes, a fan of Valentine's Day) ...
Oh, screw it, this deserve my f*cking five stars! And this will go to my story-to-treasure box.
PS: Wow, I actually made a positive review with a couple swearing words. That almost never happens!
December 11, 2016
This is an absolutely exceptional short about an HIV positive man finding hope and love again.
It moved me to tears! The insight into Cade's previous relationship and feelings completely broke me apart. And the spark of hope that Joel brought to his life was like taking a deep breath of air after holding your breath for ages!!
This is a beautiful masterpiece that deals with HIV which is still a sad reality, even after more than 30 years of research and awareness.
5 stars!
It moved me to tears! The insight into Cade's previous relationship and feelings completely broke me apart. And the spark of hope that Joel brought to his life was like taking a deep breath of air after holding your breath for ages!!
This is a beautiful masterpiece that deals with HIV which is still a sad reality, even after more than 30 years of research and awareness.
5 stars!
August 26, 2013
Shortish review. 4.5 stars, loved this story. Cade was having a rotten time of it, his lover Lorin had died from AIDS, and Cade himself is now HIV Pos. They were together for 5 years and had an 'open' relationship which I'm not sure Cade was entirely happy with....anyhoo, 8 months on from Lorin's death, and Cade still feels guilty that he was not the one looking after Lorin when he died (cos that's what people do when they're in love). However, Lorin being the selfish pig he was, was packing his case for the hospice and was just going to leave without saying anything when Cade found him...you may have gathered, I didn't like Lorin very much. Cade hasn't dated, he hasn't looked at anyone else, and one day (Valentines Day unfortunately) feels really awful at work. Thinking he's either eaten something which has disagreed with him or it's his immune system just letting him know it's still there and not happy, he's offered a lift home by Joel, a relatively new guy at work.
They end up chatting, Joel cooks some dinner and Cade unloads on him, discovering that Joel is HIV too, has been for 4 years...and he's only 22!! They get each other off...8 months is a long time...and Cade makes some remark about it being Valentine's Day, and how he and Lorin never did anything special cos Lorin didn't believe in it. Joel of course, turns out to be the complete opposite of Lorin and wants to celebrate everything. I'm sure you know what's going to follow, but I was a very happy bunny!!
January 20, 2021
I got this short story for Free from the wonderful author after asking her if any of her books take place in Canada. This one is based in Vancouver.
The cover art is a little misleading. I don't think Cade is a red-head and he doesn't wear wings :D
But it does take place during Valentines.
Cade is struggling to get on with his life after the death of his boyfriend and his unfortunate diagnosis. I have to say that I didn't really like Lorin and though Cade could do much better.
I wanted more details about Joel and feel that this story could easily be expanded into a full length novel.
The cover art is a little misleading. I don't think Cade is a red-head and he doesn't wear wings :D
But it does take place during Valentines.
Cade is struggling to get on with his life after the death of his boyfriend and his unfortunate diagnosis. I have to say that I didn't really like Lorin and though Cade could do much better.
I wanted more details about Joel and feel that this story could easily be expanded into a full length novel.
February 15, 2012
4.5stars
Thanks Ms. Harper for reassuring me before I started reading. Again this was a wonderful read - btw. is it even possible to get something not wonderful by this author? I liked the pace of the story very much and
Thanks Ms. Harper for reassuring me before I started reading. Again this was a wonderful read - btw. is it even possible to get something not wonderful by this author? I liked the pace of the story very much and
February 18, 2012
Wow! A lot of ground covered in these 45 pages. This is a story about lost love, grief, coming to terms with anger and trying to decide if it's really worth it to open up to possibility of not being alone any more. Beautifully written and touching. Realistic and hopeful. Just lovely. Thanks again for a wonderful story Kaje. This is why you are an auto buy for me!
May 4, 2015
Another fantastic installment from Kaje Harper. I'm a huge fan.
This story made me cry. It literally broke my heart and I'm not sure I'll ever recover. I'll be honest, I didn't expect that when I saw the cover, since it's not really what I think best represents the story. But regardless, this was another piece of literary perfection. This story will stay with me for a long time.
This story made me cry. It literally broke my heart and I'm not sure I'll ever recover. I'll be honest, I didn't expect that when I saw the cover, since it's not really what I think best represents the story. But regardless, this was another piece of literary perfection. This story will stay with me for a long time.
March 11, 2012
So many emotions packed into this book!
Definitly worth reading! Recommended!
Definitly worth reading! Recommended!
November 18, 2012
This review can be found at Brief Encounters Reviews.
Cade is not much into Valentine’s. His former lover had no use for it, and since that first fateful Valentine’s when he received nothing, he’s convinced himself he doesn’t care. Now that he’s been left HIV positive by his former lover, he doesn’t think there’s any chance of him ever celebrating anyway. However when the meds leave him dizzy, a young hot coworker, that Cade put out of his head as untouchable, especially given his status, offers to drive him home. Cade then takes a chance and invites him in and confesses his status, which no one at work knows. However Joel has a surprise, he may only be 22, but he’s been positive for four years, which starts Cade thinking maybe there could be something.
There is less here about the two men getting together, than about Cade coming to terms with his lover and the results of not only passing on HIV, but in dying and leaving Cade. Their relationship was on the cusp of breaking down, with Cade no longer content with their open relationship, but the diagnosis of Lorin kind of stalled them out until he passed away. It’s only been eight months since his death, and Cade’s not sure if he can or should move on. There is a lovely scene in the cemetery with an elderly woman which helps him to move forward.
You don’t find out much about Joel. He seems like a nice guy, but you never found out how he got the virus or much beyond the fact he is doing well and has a very positive outlook on life and is prepared to give Cade time. There is a cute epilogue where despite Cade’s assertions that Valentine’s is only a consumer rip-off, Joel’s special treatment brings out the romantic in Cade again.
I think it’s a very positive story of HIV folks. It doesn’t hide behind “all is perfect with meds now” as Lorin could not handle the meds and passed away and on the other hand Joel is perfectly healthy, and then there is the middle ground with Cade suffering from the side-effects of the meds. But it’s also not all gloom and doom, there is hope, there can still be love, that a diagnosis is not the end of your life. A well written story with a nice theme and worth a read, especially if you’re looking for stories with HIV positive characters.
Cade is not much into Valentine’s. His former lover had no use for it, and since that first fateful Valentine’s when he received nothing, he’s convinced himself he doesn’t care. Now that he’s been left HIV positive by his former lover, he doesn’t think there’s any chance of him ever celebrating anyway. However when the meds leave him dizzy, a young hot coworker, that Cade put out of his head as untouchable, especially given his status, offers to drive him home. Cade then takes a chance and invites him in and confesses his status, which no one at work knows. However Joel has a surprise, he may only be 22, but he’s been positive for four years, which starts Cade thinking maybe there could be something.
There is less here about the two men getting together, than about Cade coming to terms with his lover and the results of not only passing on HIV, but in dying and leaving Cade. Their relationship was on the cusp of breaking down, with Cade no longer content with their open relationship, but the diagnosis of Lorin kind of stalled them out until he passed away. It’s only been eight months since his death, and Cade’s not sure if he can or should move on. There is a lovely scene in the cemetery with an elderly woman which helps him to move forward.
You don’t find out much about Joel. He seems like a nice guy, but you never found out how he got the virus or much beyond the fact he is doing well and has a very positive outlook on life and is prepared to give Cade time. There is a cute epilogue where despite Cade’s assertions that Valentine’s is only a consumer rip-off, Joel’s special treatment brings out the romantic in Cade again.
I think it’s a very positive story of HIV folks. It doesn’t hide behind “all is perfect with meds now” as Lorin could not handle the meds and passed away and on the other hand Joel is perfectly healthy, and then there is the middle ground with Cade suffering from the side-effects of the meds. But it’s also not all gloom and doom, there is hope, there can still be love, that a diagnosis is not the end of your life. A well written story with a nice theme and worth a read, especially if you’re looking for stories with HIV positive characters.
February 15, 2017
3.5 stars
Sadder than I expected, but sweet and hopeful too.
Sadder than I expected, but sweet and hopeful too.
October 21, 2013
3.5 stars. Yes I knew it was a short when I started reading it, but I would have liked to have seen more of the progression of this couple's relationship. It would have been nice to see Cade's healing and being able to let go of Lorin too. This is still a good, sweet read, and it was great to see an MC with HIV, and how he handled it and all of his treatment in his every day life. I know there are meds for it now, and it doesn't have to be a death sentence, but I've seen tv shows, etc. where people have been HIV+, but they always take their meds and go on living their normal, happy lives. It was great to see the truth that there are awful side effects that come along with it, so while it's great to not die from HIV, there are other complications, and you don't just go living your life like nothing ever happened.
March 26, 2012
3 and a half stars, I really liked Cade and how his relationship quJoel progressed, things weren't perfect, they were messy uncool and honest, just like in real life, Truly I didn't liked Lorin at all.and I think Cade was a little too dependant to stay in a relationship he didn't feel truly satisfied but oh well, Love trully changes you, at least Joel is so very lovely, I liked the take this book did of Aids, even in this day and age people still think AIDS mean their life is over, it isn't and I liked the normality this book portrayed around it, and the scene with Cade in the grave, simply perfect.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2014
3.5 stars
First I have to say that I absolutely don’t like the cover, it looks lustful and cheesy – and the story is not at all like that. It’s sad, hopeful, sexy, and so very sweet. Cade is such a good guy and while we feel bad about the death of his boyfriend, Lorin, and the suffering and hardship Cade and Loring went through, I think we are also happy to see Cade move on because he wanted more commitment than Lorin could give him. We do sense that Lorin did care and love Cade in his own way – but we’re happy that Joel (a perfect romantic man) is now the man in Cade’s life because we know Joel is the kind of man he’s wanted and deserve.
First I have to say that I absolutely don’t like the cover, it looks lustful and cheesy – and the story is not at all like that. It’s sad, hopeful, sexy, and so very sweet. Cade is such a good guy and while we feel bad about the death of his boyfriend, Lorin, and the suffering and hardship Cade and Loring went through, I think we are also happy to see Cade move on because he wanted more commitment than Lorin could give him. We do sense that Lorin did care and love Cade in his own way – but we’re happy that Joel (a perfect romantic man) is now the man in Cade’s life because we know Joel is the kind of man he’s wanted and deserve.
February 26, 2012
2.75
I liked Cade. Overall I liked some elements of the story. The things I had issues with:
I liked Cade. Overall I liked some elements of the story. The things I had issues with:
August 8, 2012
3.5 stars
It's pretty well developed for a short story. We get just enough background info on Cade and what he's dealing with but reader's don't really get to know Joel's story. Nonetheless it was a nice read although I have to agree with others that the sudden change in Cade's decision to give Joel a chance after he kind of brushed off all his advances previously didn't fit well. It does kind of give you the idea that you have to take chances since life is unexpected and you can't stop living just because there's a roadblock.
It's pretty well developed for a short story. We get just enough background info on Cade and what he's dealing with but reader's don't really get to know Joel's story. Nonetheless it was a nice read although I have to agree with others that the sudden change in Cade's decision to give Joel a chance after he kind of brushed off all his advances previously didn't fit well. It does kind of give you the idea that you have to take chances since life is unexpected and you can't stop living just because there's a roadblock.
June 22, 2013
Another sweet gem from my favorite author.This short story takes place on Valentine's Day,actually the eve of it where we're introduced to Cade, a man who never celebrated the holiday even when his lover was alive.Cade's lover has been dead for 8 months, a victim of AIDS and Cade is HIV+.Cade who isn't even 30,finds finds himself disenchanted, lonely,tried, and depressed.Enter Joel, a new co-worker, 22 years old shy, funny, cute, and a crush on Cade.Such a sweet story that I wouldn't mind being longer.It's definitely a good read!
August 29, 2014
From the cover I thought this book was going to be about an angel, in fact I think the cover is what put me off reading this a few months ago when I devoured most of Kaje Harper's novels.
But looks can be deceiving and this turned out to be a lovely story. I would have liked to have seen a little more development in the relationship between Cade and Joel before the epilogue, but it was a quick enjoyable read.
But looks can be deceiving and this turned out to be a lovely story. I would have liked to have seen a little more development in the relationship between Cade and Joel before the epilogue, but it was a quick enjoyable read.
August 1, 2012
This was a touching yet sweet little short. Touches on a serious topic and issue that had me smiling the entire length of this story. And any Johnny Depp fan in my book = equals a cool person for life. I loved the way the author wrote a contemporary gay man with HIV + and his daily struggles. Great short.
March 11, 2013
A short story with a difficult topic (HIV+) pragmatically treated with sweetness. It's too short to effectively contain all that it has going on: spoiler .
December 16, 2021
REREAD on December 12, 2021
I will keep my rating but this book I believe was an eyeopener for me back then. I was very naïve and did not know A LOT OF THINGS. Very educational. I really liked Joel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hazelnut coffee + Moving on but not forgetting + BACON + Starting over + EPILOGUE = WIN!
I will keep my rating but this book I believe was an eyeopener for me back then. I was very naïve and did not know A LOT OF THINGS. Very educational. I really liked Joel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hazelnut coffee + Moving on but not forgetting + BACON + Starting over + EPILOGUE = WIN!
December 18, 2014
This was a sweet short story. Cade had been so used to not having romance that he didn't know what to do with it when it had the opportunity to show up in his life. Josh was such a sweet character. I'm glad Cade let him in.
August 3, 2012
This was my first novel with HIV+ characters. With a short story sometimes you don't get much backstory on the characters. I feel I'm left with a lot of questions about Cade and Loren's relationship. I enjoyed the scene at the graveyard best between Cade and the older lady. I liked Joel.
September 15, 2015
Nice and short. There wasn't really enough info to get to know or like the characters much - that's always a problem when it's a short story. It made pretty interesting reading though.
Two people coming together in light of common challenges they face.
Two people coming together in light of common challenges they face.
February 12, 2012
I really enjoyed this short story. Kaje Harper is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!!!
April 9, 2012
3.5 stars
Sweet with just a touch of angst. Too bad it's so short! I'd like to see how this relationship progresses.
Sweet with just a touch of angst. Too bad it's so short! I'd like to see how this relationship progresses.
March 8, 2012
A very quick and enjoyable read. A little sad (there was one part where I was laughing and crying at the same time), but really sweet.
October 28, 2014
2,5 stars
June 28, 2012
This would have been a four but the specter of Lorin just stays so close throughout, even through the epilogue and I just didn't like Lorin, or who Cade was with Lorin.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews