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Changing Gears
Will love's ups and downs be worth the ride?
Changing Gears sweeps you off your feet as Jen, a reserved private school teacher from Sydney, discovers love and faces the ultimate test of self-discovery.
When Jen collides with Abi, a magnetic Scottish travel writer, on a serene cycling expedition through France, sparks fly and temperatures rise. But their flirtatious two weeks together challenges everything Jen thought she knew about herself, her beliefs, and her future. Their sizzling chemistry not only makes her question her conservative upbringing but also ignites a fire of self-exploration she thought she had extinguished years before.
As Jen grapples with returning to her old life in Sydney, she finds herself entangled in a heated conflict when a student faces cruel, homophobic bullying. Fuelled by her newfound courage, she takes a stand against injustice, risking her job and confronting her deepest fears to protect her student.
Just when the chaos reaches its peak, Abi reappears, forcing Jen to confront her innermost desires and make a heart-wrenching decision. Will she embrace love and acceptance, defying her family and risking it all for a chance at happiness? With the stakes higher than ever, Jen must summon the courage to be true to herself, no matter the consequences.
Packed with longing, resilience, and the power of love, “Changing Gears” is a captivating tale that will leave you breathless. Join Jen on this emotional rollercoaster as she navigates the storms of her heart and discovers the true meaning of bravery in the face of adversity. Don't miss this gripping romance where love challenges boundaries and drives one woman's journey to authenticity.
Changing Gears sweeps you off your feet as Jen, a reserved private school teacher from Sydney, discovers love and faces the ultimate test of self-discovery.
When Jen collides with Abi, a magnetic Scottish travel writer, on a serene cycling expedition through France, sparks fly and temperatures rise. But their flirtatious two weeks together challenges everything Jen thought she knew about herself, her beliefs, and her future. Their sizzling chemistry not only makes her question her conservative upbringing but also ignites a fire of self-exploration she thought she had extinguished years before.
As Jen grapples with returning to her old life in Sydney, she finds herself entangled in a heated conflict when a student faces cruel, homophobic bullying. Fuelled by her newfound courage, she takes a stand against injustice, risking her job and confronting her deepest fears to protect her student.
Just when the chaos reaches its peak, Abi reappears, forcing Jen to confront her innermost desires and make a heart-wrenching decision. Will she embrace love and acceptance, defying her family and risking it all for a chance at happiness? With the stakes higher than ever, Jen must summon the courage to be true to herself, no matter the consequences.
Packed with longing, resilience, and the power of love, “Changing Gears” is a captivating tale that will leave you breathless. Join Jen on this emotional rollercoaster as she navigates the storms of her heart and discovers the true meaning of bravery in the face of adversity. Don't miss this gripping romance where love challenges boundaries and drives one woman's journey to authenticity.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2023
48 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Wright
2 books27 followersL A Wright is a New Zealand-born queer writer. After more than two decades living in Sydney and abroad, she currently lives in Auckland with her wife and her laptop. By day, she works in research, but the rest of her time is reserved for writing stories featuring strong sapphic leads that explore the realities of queer life and the journey of self-discovery.
When not writing (or thinking about writing, or talking about writing), L A Wright enjoys reading and watching all things sapphic, travelling, cycling and spending time with her wife, family and friends.
When not writing (or thinking about writing, or talking about writing), L A Wright enjoys reading and watching all things sapphic, travelling, cycling and spending time with her wife, family and friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 19, 2024
This was a delightful surprise, especially from a debut novel.
Jen is in a bit of a rut. She works all the time at an all-girls Anglican school in Sydney. She hasn’t dated in years, something her family likes to bring up constantly. She unsatisfied with her life but does not want to rock any boats—not at her school, not with her mother, and not with life in general. So when she books a cycling tour to France by herself, it’s a big deal because Jen doesn’t do things like that.
On her tour she meets Abi, a travel writer from Scotland. Abi is adventurous and confident in way that’s inspiring to Jen. They hit it off and spend the next week biking through the French countryside and flirting, which becomes a little awkward when Jen finds out Abi is a lesbian, a fact that derails Jen at first since Jen is straight. Obviously.
At the end of the tour, Jen returns to Sydney and Abi continues on her adventures, but their time together has formed an important long-distance friendship that becomes the most important relationship in Jen’s life, especially as she’s challenged by homophobia and bullying at the school where she teaches. And for the first time in her life, Jen has to decide if her safe life in Sydney is the life she wants, especially if it means watching a young girl deal with bullying from other students and a school administration that not only refuses to punish the bullies but is actively putting the child in harm’s way. And not if it means denying her crush on Abi.
Changing Gears isn’t a perfect novel. But I really enjoyed the time I spent with it. I was a little surprised at the overt homophobia at the school Jen teaches at. I’m not Australian and have never been to Australia, so maybe my expectations don’t meet reality, but is Australia that openly homophobic? Is Christianity that extreme, especially among Anglicans?
3.5 stars, which I’ll round up for reasons of debut.
Jen is in a bit of a rut. She works all the time at an all-girls Anglican school in Sydney. She hasn’t dated in years, something her family likes to bring up constantly. She unsatisfied with her life but does not want to rock any boats—not at her school, not with her mother, and not with life in general. So when she books a cycling tour to France by herself, it’s a big deal because Jen doesn’t do things like that.
On her tour she meets Abi, a travel writer from Scotland. Abi is adventurous and confident in way that’s inspiring to Jen. They hit it off and spend the next week biking through the French countryside and flirting, which becomes a little awkward when Jen finds out Abi is a lesbian, a fact that derails Jen at first since Jen is straight. Obviously.
At the end of the tour, Jen returns to Sydney and Abi continues on her adventures, but their time together has formed an important long-distance friendship that becomes the most important relationship in Jen’s life, especially as she’s challenged by homophobia and bullying at the school where she teaches. And for the first time in her life, Jen has to decide if her safe life in Sydney is the life she wants, especially if it means watching a young girl deal with bullying from other students and a school administration that not only refuses to punish the bullies but is actively putting the child in harm’s way. And not if it means denying her crush on Abi.
Changing Gears isn’t a perfect novel. But I really enjoyed the time I spent with it. I was a little surprised at the overt homophobia at the school Jen teaches at. I’m not Australian and have never been to Australia, so maybe my expectations don’t meet reality, but is Australia that openly homophobic? Is Christianity that extreme, especially among Anglicans?
3.5 stars, which I’ll round up for reasons of debut.
February 10, 2024
Jen is a 34-year-old single woman from Sydney, Australia. She teaches in an Anglican girls' school and periodically returns to her hometown to visit her parents and siblings, who have never moved far from home and family tradition.
Jen's story is split between two events - a bicycling holiday in France and an incident of bullying a student by a cadre of "mean girls" in her classroom. The events occur about a year apart, and much of the book jumps between two timelines - a mechanism I don't enjoy, but once I got used to it, it worked well here.
On her first day in France, Jen meets Abi, a Scottish, single, vivacious, and out-and-proud lesbian. Their tour group, consisting of married couples, throws the two women together. Fortunately, they hit it off.
In the other storyline, a student in one of Jen's classes is cruelly outed as queer, and when Jen tries to take the bullies to task, she is blocked by the school at every turn, as being queer goes against the Christian principles the school prides itself on.
Jen and Abi are very likeable characters. As the story begins, Jen considers herself straight and has never been particularly lucky in love. Over time, we learn of events in Jen's past that led her to suppress her true sexuality.
The romance between Abi and Jen is a very slow burn as Jen has a lot of changes to make in her life before she can even admit to her feelings. This is not usually something I enjoy reading, but I found much of Jen's struggle resonated with events in my past, to the point where not even fade-to-black intimate scenes could diminish my enjoyment of her story.
Jen's story is split between two events - a bicycling holiday in France and an incident of bullying a student by a cadre of "mean girls" in her classroom. The events occur about a year apart, and much of the book jumps between two timelines - a mechanism I don't enjoy, but once I got used to it, it worked well here.
On her first day in France, Jen meets Abi, a Scottish, single, vivacious, and out-and-proud lesbian. Their tour group, consisting of married couples, throws the two women together. Fortunately, they hit it off.
In the other storyline, a student in one of Jen's classes is cruelly outed as queer, and when Jen tries to take the bullies to task, she is blocked by the school at every turn, as being queer goes against the Christian principles the school prides itself on.
Jen and Abi are very likeable characters. As the story begins, Jen considers herself straight and has never been particularly lucky in love. Over time, we learn of events in Jen's past that led her to suppress her true sexuality.
The romance between Abi and Jen is a very slow burn as Jen has a lot of changes to make in her life before she can even admit to her feelings. This is not usually something I enjoy reading, but I found much of Jen's struggle resonated with events in my past, to the point where not even fade-to-black intimate scenes could diminish my enjoyment of her story.
December 4, 2025
Continuing my obsession to read books set in Australia and NZ. I liked this one ok. Basically about a 35 year old woman, Jen, teaching at an all girls Christian school in Sydney. She’s struggling with her identity with her family. And with her job at school. Her girlfriend Abi is very supportive but I didn’t feel like I got to know her well.
September 22, 2023
I love reading a book about something I know nothing about. Changing Gears, a book in which the MC is an avid cyclist, grabbed my attention with the promise of learning a bit about something new. And I did. A little extra respect for those folk who take up half of the road never goes astray. (I’m joking! I am a strong believer in sharing!)
Jen, a private school closeted teacher, is suffocating in her small world, tired of the politics of the religion she has been brought up with. Her days revolve around trying to follow the rules and waiting for texts or calls from Abi, the Scottish woman she met on a cycling trip around France.
Abi and Jen became close after spending almost every waking moment together for just over a week, and even though Abi is denying the feelings that grew quickly, their friendship has managed to flourish.
Changing Gears cuts between several time frames, which I thought might be jarring, but Wright makes it work. Both MCs are entirely relatable in the real world, and the romance is a slow burn but builds realistically as Jen is faced with the questions her upbringing has instilled in her. There is some angst, but great communication evens it out nicely.
If you’re after a sweet, feel-good romance with a sight-seeing detour through Europe, don’t miss this debut by L.A. Wright.
Jen, a private school closeted teacher, is suffocating in her small world, tired of the politics of the religion she has been brought up with. Her days revolve around trying to follow the rules and waiting for texts or calls from Abi, the Scottish woman she met on a cycling trip around France.
Abi and Jen became close after spending almost every waking moment together for just over a week, and even though Abi is denying the feelings that grew quickly, their friendship has managed to flourish.
Changing Gears cuts between several time frames, which I thought might be jarring, but Wright makes it work. Both MCs are entirely relatable in the real world, and the romance is a slow burn but builds realistically as Jen is faced with the questions her upbringing has instilled in her. There is some angst, but great communication evens it out nicely.
If you’re after a sweet, feel-good romance with a sight-seeing detour through Europe, don’t miss this debut by L.A. Wright.
March 20, 2024
Jen and Abi meet on a cycling holiday through rural France. Jen is a ‘straight’ schoolteacher from Sydney, teaching in an ultra conservative religious school. Abi is an out and proud travel journalist and blogger from Edinburgh. This story has two timelines. The first is how the women meet, and their French escapades. The second timeline shows Jen at her teaching position, and how Emily, one of her students, is bullied and receives homophobic treatment, with the staff doing very little to help her because of institutionalised bullying from the principal, and the principal actively victimising her.
This is a very slow burn romance, Jen bottling up her sexuality because of misplaced loyalty to the school and her principal, and religious homophobia from her family.
The ending is so good, seeing the culmination of Jen’s work at the school, how she puts herself out there, and the fallout from that. Because of the amount of time we see Jen at school, we get very invested not only in Jen and Abi’s relationship, but also in the situation at the school. It’s a pity that we don’t get to see more of the changes and resolution that the school brings about after the ending.
It’s so difficult to come out, and especially when in an homophobic and toxic environment, having had a lifetime of repression. So although I got so frustrated with Jen over her inability to talk about this with Abi, I can totally understand it.
This is full of angst, slurs and religious bigotry; if any of this offends you, beware.
This is an excellent story, well written, and a page turner. Especially since this is Ms Wright’s first book. Most certainly worth reading.
This is a very slow burn romance, Jen bottling up her sexuality because of misplaced loyalty to the school and her principal, and religious homophobia from her family.
The ending is so good, seeing the culmination of Jen’s work at the school, how she puts herself out there, and the fallout from that. Because of the amount of time we see Jen at school, we get very invested not only in Jen and Abi’s relationship, but also in the situation at the school. It’s a pity that we don’t get to see more of the changes and resolution that the school brings about after the ending.
It’s so difficult to come out, and especially when in an homophobic and toxic environment, having had a lifetime of repression. So although I got so frustrated with Jen over her inability to talk about this with Abi, I can totally understand it.
This is full of angst, slurs and religious bigotry; if any of this offends you, beware.
This is an excellent story, well written, and a page turner. Especially since this is Ms Wright’s first book. Most certainly worth reading.
January 1, 2025
There was a lot to like in this slow burn romance of two young women meeting on an eight day bike tour in Avignon in France. Abi is a gay woman from Edinburgh who is a travel writer, while Jen is a high school teacher in a Christian high school in Sydney. Jen is our MC throughout with time and place chapters from Europe and Sydney. Jen is the straight girl raised in a Christian, homophobic family and working in a school where sexual orientation is a pre-requisite for working there. When a young 15 year old girl is bullied for allegedly being gay, Jen gets caught up in defending the girl and possibly losing her job. The school scenes are tedious as are Jen's visits with her family, but Abi is a breath of fresh air.
When Abi finally comes to Sydney for a working visit, Jen's life starts unraveling before the magnificent finish. I loved all the Sydney scenes as Jen lives in Bondi (where I worked for many years) as well as Newtown and all the places I hang out here. Also the bike tour in France was amazing and easy to follow on google maps. All in all a good read, just be prepared to find the going slow and sometimes unpleasant at times. 4 stars.
One quote on the last page I liked:
"What's a spaghetti girl?"
Abi snickered as she leaned in close to whisper in her ear. "Straight like spaghetti until you get them wet." pg 250 Just about the only dirty line in the M rated story.
This is Ms Wright's first novel.
When Abi finally comes to Sydney for a working visit, Jen's life starts unraveling before the magnificent finish. I loved all the Sydney scenes as Jen lives in Bondi (where I worked for many years) as well as Newtown and all the places I hang out here. Also the bike tour in France was amazing and easy to follow on google maps. All in all a good read, just be prepared to find the going slow and sometimes unpleasant at times. 4 stars.
One quote on the last page I liked:
"What's a spaghetti girl?"
Abi snickered as she leaned in close to whisper in her ear. "Straight like spaghetti until you get them wet." pg 250 Just about the only dirty line in the M rated story.
This is Ms Wright's first novel.
July 16, 2023
What an incredible debut sapphic romance novel! Real life, relevant and contemporary issues in Australia to date. Beautiful scenic imagery being evoked really makes me want to travel to those European locations too. Lots of gay pain/angst though so you’ve been warned. But totally worth it for our heroines making use of erm… hotel facilities ;)
So when can we expect an audiobook of this? Asking for a friend.
So when can we expect an audiobook of this? Asking for a friend.
March 20, 2024
Jen and Abi meet on a cycling holiday through rural France. Jen is a ‘straight’ schoolteacher from Sydney, teaching in an ultra conservative religious school. Abi is an out and proud travel journalist and blogger from Edinburgh. This story has two timelines. The first is how the women meet, and their French escapades. The second timeline shows Jen at her teaching position, and how Emily, one of her students, is bullied and receives homophobic treatment, with the staff doing very little to help her because of institutionalised bullying from the principal, and the principal actively victimising her.
This is a very slow burn romance, Jen bottling up her sexuality because of misplaced loyalty to the school and her principal, and religious homophobia from her family.
The ending is so good, seeing the culmination of Jen’s work at the school, how she puts herself out there, and the fallout from that. Because of the amount of time we see Jen at school, we get very invested not only in Jen and Abi’s relationship, but also in the situation at the school. It’s a pity that we don’t get to see more of the changes and resolution that the school brings about after the ending.
It’s so difficult to come out, and especially when in an homophobic and toxic environment, having had a lifetime of repression. So although I got so frustrated with Jen over her inability to talk about this with Abi, I can totally understand it.
This is full of angst, slurs and religious bigotry; if any of this offends you, beware.
This is an excellent story, well written, and a page turner. Especially since this is Ms Wright’s first book. Most certainly worth reading.
This is a very slow burn romance, Jen bottling up her sexuality because of misplaced loyalty to the school and her principal, and religious homophobia from her family.
The ending is so good, seeing the culmination of Jen’s work at the school, how she puts herself out there, and the fallout from that. Because of the amount of time we see Jen at school, we get very invested not only in Jen and Abi’s relationship, but also in the situation at the school. It’s a pity that we don’t get to see more of the changes and resolution that the school brings about after the ending.
It’s so difficult to come out, and especially when in an homophobic and toxic environment, having had a lifetime of repression. So although I got so frustrated with Jen over her inability to talk about this with Abi, I can totally understand it.
This is full of angst, slurs and religious bigotry; if any of this offends you, beware.
This is an excellent story, well written, and a page turner. Especially since this is Ms Wright’s first book. Most certainly worth reading.
August 5, 2023
Such a great story, especially for a debut. I hope this author keeps writing as I’ve quickly become a fan. Highly recommend
March 5, 2024
This was lovely, meaningful and wholesome despite the many heavy themes it tackles, not quite what I was expecting but I did enjoy it. Dynamic writing that flows really nicely, I didn’t love the style or pace particularly at the beginning, but I love the ending and how uplifting the plot ended up being.
I was a little sceptical on the timeline but it ended up working fairly well, although I found the back and forth on timelines confusing and a little irritating.
Really nicely tackles homophobia, coming out late in life and dealing with unaccepting family as well as religious issues with the LGBTQ community.
"I realised how different my life would be if someone had done that for me when I was her age. I wouldn't be going through all this.. I'd already know who I am.
I'd be ok with who I am."
Set mainly in Australia this felt similar to the Netflix series ‘One day’, but a lot more cheery.
Enjoyable and mellow, a lot more concentration on growing as a person and figuring yourself out rather than being just a romance book.
I was a little sceptical on the timeline but it ended up working fairly well, although I found the back and forth on timelines confusing and a little irritating.
Really nicely tackles homophobia, coming out late in life and dealing with unaccepting family as well as religious issues with the LGBTQ community.
"I realised how different my life would be if someone had done that for me when I was her age. I wouldn't be going through all this.. I'd already know who I am.
I'd be ok with who I am."
Set mainly in Australia this felt similar to the Netflix series ‘One day’, but a lot more cheery.
Enjoyable and mellow, a lot more concentration on growing as a person and figuring yourself out rather than being just a romance book.
March 11, 2024
What I appreciate the most about this debut novel by L.A. Wright, Changing Gears is the critical social commentary on queerphobia, bullying and institutional powers against queer students and teachers in faith-based schools. The author weaves in important critics of systemic discrimination and debilitation of queer students and teachers in private, faith-based schools where the latter often hide behind the Religion Discrimination Act to exact violence against queer individuals.
The writing arrests the nuances of coming out effectively where the process is often far from being straightforward, linear and liberating. The book is realistic in ways which the characters, whether the queer student or teacher, encounters bullying when coming out, and the costs are real. The author does not hide from pointing out that some have more privileges and resources than others in mitigating the risks and costs of the post-coming out backlash.
Having said that, I would put this book in the hopeful, feel-good queer love category with happily-ever after endings and several gratifying moments of 'good trumps evil' and 'the heroine slays the day'. It is a mood lifting read that helps allievate depressive moods from excessive doom-scrolling and boosts one's courage and hope in persisting in the fight against injustices and inequalities. I enjoyed Changing Gears and hope the author write a sequel. I would love to read more about Jen's and Abi's love stories and adventures to fight against heteronormativity.
The writing arrests the nuances of coming out effectively where the process is often far from being straightforward, linear and liberating. The book is realistic in ways which the characters, whether the queer student or teacher, encounters bullying when coming out, and the costs are real. The author does not hide from pointing out that some have more privileges and resources than others in mitigating the risks and costs of the post-coming out backlash.
Having said that, I would put this book in the hopeful, feel-good queer love category with happily-ever after endings and several gratifying moments of 'good trumps evil' and 'the heroine slays the day'. It is a mood lifting read that helps allievate depressive moods from excessive doom-scrolling and boosts one's courage and hope in persisting in the fight against injustices and inequalities. I enjoyed Changing Gears and hope the author write a sequel. I would love to read more about Jen's and Abi's love stories and adventures to fight against heteronormativity.
January 2, 2025
It's a really good read for someone who has had trouble with inner homophobia on their journey to coming out. The book describes perfectly how the environment in which one grows up in affects a persons way of life and their inner monologues about what's right and what's wrong. I enjoyed the slow sizzle of romance and the gentle blooming of love from friends to lovers. It was painful at times, and the characters were not written as perfect humans. Everyone had their own flaws, and i got to see how some of them overcame their egos and how they bettered themselves.
It was hard to read about a problem that's still very much actively bothering the queer community - the bullying, discrimination, and shame, still i think that books like that remind me of what needs to be done in order to better our lives.
The reason for 4 stars not 5 for me is that the romantic moments were a bit rushed. I really love reading long texts of inner monologues and little movements in those situations, but the writer left much more for our own imagination. I think that someone who likes a fast paced read- those details won't bother them.
Also i prefer sapphic books with some more spicy scenes. There was one or two, but yet again- they were only briefly mentioned (no actual descriptions).
Other than that, it's a nice short read, perfect for reading while travelling :)
It was hard to read about a problem that's still very much actively bothering the queer community - the bullying, discrimination, and shame, still i think that books like that remind me of what needs to be done in order to better our lives.
The reason for 4 stars not 5 for me is that the romantic moments were a bit rushed. I really love reading long texts of inner monologues and little movements in those situations, but the writer left much more for our own imagination. I think that someone who likes a fast paced read- those details won't bother them.
Also i prefer sapphic books with some more spicy scenes. There was one or two, but yet again- they were only briefly mentioned (no actual descriptions).
Other than that, it's a nice short read, perfect for reading while travelling :)
January 14, 2025
Oh the yearning! I loved this book - when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it and how soon I could get back to it. I was drawn in by the beautifully described trip to France initially but loved the whole adventure thereafter. I felt so sorry for poor Jen for most of it, but pleased she found the rock she needed with Abi! Really great writing, highly recommend this!
January 15, 2025
Homophobes and homophones
Kind of an OK read, I guess. Yes, there are homophobes in this story. Hilariously, there are also quite some homophones that stealthily sneaked past the spell-checker, e.g., consul instead of console, peddling instead of pedaling, etc. They literally "pinged my homophone detector"! ;)
Kind of an OK read, I guess. Yes, there are homophobes in this story. Hilariously, there are also quite some homophones that stealthily sneaked past the spell-checker, e.g., consul instead of console, peddling instead of pedaling, etc. They literally "pinged my homophone detector"! ;)
December 30, 2023
3.5
i liked how this book ended but everything in the middle was very much a drag and a struggle to get through. while id describe this book as being fast paced because of the way it’s written it takes forever to feel like you’re making any progress and at points it’s feels incredibly stagnant. but this was a nice little romance, however it could’ve probably done with 100 pages more development.
i liked how this book ended but everything in the middle was very much a drag and a struggle to get through. while id describe this book as being fast paced because of the way it’s written it takes forever to feel like you’re making any progress and at points it’s feels incredibly stagnant. but this was a nice little romance, however it could’ve probably done with 100 pages more development.
April 17, 2025
CAUTION - POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT: some people may think that this review contains spoilers but I believe any potential spoilers have been disclosed through the About this Book and other reviews.
A very different book for me about a 34 yr old teacher discovering herself, recognizing that she’s gay, and coming to terms with being outed. This new author for me caught so well the main character’s angst of discovering herself and the issues of coming out in a “religious” environment.
There are two other intersecting aspects to this story. One of MC Jen discovering her love for Abi while on a bike trip in France (and later in Sydney, Australia), and Emily, a student of Jen’s who is being bullied by classmates and the School’s reaction to the bullying.
Throughout much of the story, the author interwove the growing Jen/Abi bike tour story and aftermath with current day issues with Emily, school, family and a visit from Abi.
I skipped a lot of the year earlier bike tour, where Jen and Abi become “friends”, because I was much more interested in Jen’s navigation of being outed at the time she’s trying to support 16 yr old student Emily.
This well crafted story shone a light on the rampant discrimination “non-straight” people feel and the difficulties they must endure/overcome simply to live their lives.
What really made me angry (sorry, can’t think of a more appropriate word) were the “Christian” religious underpinnings to the attacks on Emily and Jen. It always amazes me how selective “Christians” can be about what they take from the bible and how terrible they, and people of other religious persuasions, can be when they think “God is on their side” or they think they are doing the “will of God”, or any other Deity.
It also amazes me how little credit is given to science by fervent religious types. Among humans, all humans (and some close relatives like chimps), over 99% of our DNA is the same, yet we all look different and think differently. How can anyone think that sexuality is not on a spectrum? And if we accept the diversity of male/female, tall/short, black/white/olive, why can’t we accept the diversity of sexuality? Why does it scare some people so much? Why do certain people want us all to be the same: same dress code, same ideas, same biases. Especially when it’s the diversity that brings so much creativity, colour and diversity into our lives?
This book highlights the issues of discrimination, in this case sexual, and the terrible toll it takes on those who are ever so slightly different.
I did have some issues with this story: the discrimination was so blatant (in my experience, it’s much more subtle) and the ending where Jen is “victorious”, dispatching the “evil” Wicked Witch (ie. Head Mistress) and riding off into the sunset (flying actually).
But the story was told so well, with the breadth of emotions and introspection so insightfully described, I can’t give anything less than 5 Stars.
ps: thank to ANDREW who’s excellent review led me to this book.
A very different book for me about a 34 yr old teacher discovering herself, recognizing that she’s gay, and coming to terms with being outed. This new author for me caught so well the main character’s angst of discovering herself and the issues of coming out in a “religious” environment.
There are two other intersecting aspects to this story. One of MC Jen discovering her love for Abi while on a bike trip in France (and later in Sydney, Australia), and Emily, a student of Jen’s who is being bullied by classmates and the School’s reaction to the bullying.
Throughout much of the story, the author interwove the growing Jen/Abi bike tour story and aftermath with current day issues with Emily, school, family and a visit from Abi.
I skipped a lot of the year earlier bike tour, where Jen and Abi become “friends”, because I was much more interested in Jen’s navigation of being outed at the time she’s trying to support 16 yr old student Emily.
This well crafted story shone a light on the rampant discrimination “non-straight” people feel and the difficulties they must endure/overcome simply to live their lives.
What really made me angry (sorry, can’t think of a more appropriate word) were the “Christian” religious underpinnings to the attacks on Emily and Jen. It always amazes me how selective “Christians” can be about what they take from the bible and how terrible they, and people of other religious persuasions, can be when they think “God is on their side” or they think they are doing the “will of God”, or any other Deity.
It also amazes me how little credit is given to science by fervent religious types. Among humans, all humans (and some close relatives like chimps), over 99% of our DNA is the same, yet we all look different and think differently. How can anyone think that sexuality is not on a spectrum? And if we accept the diversity of male/female, tall/short, black/white/olive, why can’t we accept the diversity of sexuality? Why does it scare some people so much? Why do certain people want us all to be the same: same dress code, same ideas, same biases. Especially when it’s the diversity that brings so much creativity, colour and diversity into our lives?
This book highlights the issues of discrimination, in this case sexual, and the terrible toll it takes on those who are ever so slightly different.
I did have some issues with this story: the discrimination was so blatant (in my experience, it’s much more subtle) and the ending where Jen is “victorious”, dispatching the “evil” Wicked Witch (ie. Head Mistress) and riding off into the sunset (flying actually).
But the story was told so well, with the breadth of emotions and introspection so insightfully described, I can’t give anything less than 5 Stars.
ps: thank to ANDREW who’s excellent review led me to this book.
March 11, 2024
intense, real and lovely.
the story was intense - but a must tell
the relationships were real - some people come around and some never do or can, and that’s sad,, very sad but yeah, that’s just life
and Abi was so lovely - her patience with everything was honestly beautiful and refreshing and a need if not anything else
Jen’s struggles within herself and with everyone around her made my heart ache at times and I was rooting for my girl throughout!
the story was intense - but a must tell
the relationships were real - some people come around and some never do or can, and that’s sad,, very sad but yeah, that’s just life
and Abi was so lovely - her patience with everything was honestly beautiful and refreshing and a need if not anything else
Jen’s struggles within herself and with everyone around her made my heart ache at times and I was rooting for my girl throughout!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2026
This book packs a punch.
We follow Jen's point of view. She is a 34-year-old single teacher at an Anglican all-girls college in Sydney, Australia. We get two alternate storylines: one being the trip Jen takes to France where she goes on a riding tour and meets Abi, a vivacious, bold, and very openly loud and proud Scottish lesbian blogger. The second storyline follows Jen in her everyday life at home, at school as a teacher, and with family, as well as her own ongoing internal conflicts.
At the school Jen works at, she's presented with a student who is the target of homophobia and bullying in Jen's classroom. Jen then finds herself battling everything she once thought she knew, jeopardizing everything she worked hard for to stand up and fight to protect this teen and what's right. All while battling her own internalized homophobia due to her extremely religious and conservative family upbringing and also while questioning her own sexuality.
Jen and Abi's meeting was so good! Both of these characters are so easy to love. Abi has the patience of a saint. They go on tour, and Jen is very much identifying as a straight woman who's never really had luck in the romance department; Abi is very openly lesbian. As they get to know each other, the two grow close and open up, and you come to know that Jen suppresses her sexuality to meet familial and societal expectations. It's an extremely slow burn, as despite their very clear attraction and chemistry, there's a very clear boundary in place until Jen works through her own internal battles and is able to make some changes and take time to reflect on herself and accept her sexuality.
This story made my heart absolutely ache in so many ways because so much of this story felt so incredibly realistic and relatable, and you just know that these experiences are definitely pulled from real life: the heavily religious school covering up their homophobia and bullying in the name of God; Jen repressing her sexuality due to a very homophobic and religious upbringing and toxic family. Then there were the happy moments, all the scenery on the France trip, the found family feel within the queer communities, seeing a mother stand up for her daughter fiercely, Jen powerfully standing up for herself and others. You felt for these characters; you wanted to see them come through to the other side happier. I loved that the romance was an extremely slow burn between Abi and Jen; it was so realistic, and there was so much angst, but they also communicated so well together. My heart absolutely melted at the end.
Things I loved:
Sapphic awakening
Coming out later in life
Forced proximity
Holiday romance
Social justice against religious bigotry
Slow burn (understatement)
Scenery in France
We follow Jen's point of view. She is a 34-year-old single teacher at an Anglican all-girls college in Sydney, Australia. We get two alternate storylines: one being the trip Jen takes to France where she goes on a riding tour and meets Abi, a vivacious, bold, and very openly loud and proud Scottish lesbian blogger. The second storyline follows Jen in her everyday life at home, at school as a teacher, and with family, as well as her own ongoing internal conflicts.
At the school Jen works at, she's presented with a student who is the target of homophobia and bullying in Jen's classroom. Jen then finds herself battling everything she once thought she knew, jeopardizing everything she worked hard for to stand up and fight to protect this teen and what's right. All while battling her own internalized homophobia due to her extremely religious and conservative family upbringing and also while questioning her own sexuality.
Jen and Abi's meeting was so good! Both of these characters are so easy to love. Abi has the patience of a saint. They go on tour, and Jen is very much identifying as a straight woman who's never really had luck in the romance department; Abi is very openly lesbian. As they get to know each other, the two grow close and open up, and you come to know that Jen suppresses her sexuality to meet familial and societal expectations. It's an extremely slow burn, as despite their very clear attraction and chemistry, there's a very clear boundary in place until Jen works through her own internal battles and is able to make some changes and take time to reflect on herself and accept her sexuality.
This story made my heart absolutely ache in so many ways because so much of this story felt so incredibly realistic and relatable, and you just know that these experiences are definitely pulled from real life: the heavily religious school covering up their homophobia and bullying in the name of God; Jen repressing her sexuality due to a very homophobic and religious upbringing and toxic family. Then there were the happy moments, all the scenery on the France trip, the found family feel within the queer communities, seeing a mother stand up for her daughter fiercely, Jen powerfully standing up for herself and others. You felt for these characters; you wanted to see them come through to the other side happier. I loved that the romance was an extremely slow burn between Abi and Jen; it was so realistic, and there was so much angst, but they also communicated so well together. My heart absolutely melted at the end.
Things I loved:
Sapphic awakening
Coming out later in life
Forced proximity
Holiday romance
Social justice against religious bigotry
Slow burn (understatement)
Scenery in France
September 10, 2024
Changing Gears follows Jen, a reserved private school teacher from Sydney, who embarks on a cycling trip through France where she meets Abi, a magnetic Scottish travel writer. Their connection sparks a journey of self-discovery, challenging Jen’s beliefs. Returning to Sydney, Jen confronts homophobic bullying at her school, finding the courage to stand up for her students and herself. As Abi reappears, Jen faces a life-altering choice: embrace love and defy expectations or stay in her comfort zone.
I was invested in this book from the very first chapter. Jen's POV and narrative are so rich and culturally informative. This book transports you to the locations and places in France that Jen and Abi cycle through. It made me feel like I was touring/riding with them observing everything they describe.
The novel goes back and forth in time between two stories which are Jens's daily life as a teacher at an Anglican all-girls college in Sydney and her bike riding experience in France with Abi.
After one of Jen's students is discriminated against for being a lesbian, Jen makes it her mission to ensure the student can continue her studies and protects her from bullying. We learn that even though she stands up for others, she struggles to do that for herself. Her family sees homosexuality as a sin, making Jen very insecure about her attraction to women. As a result, she chooses to stay in the closet.
Abi is a beautifully written character who plays an important role in Jens's life. She’s a quirky, extrovert, fun Scottish woman who’s very much out of the closet and helps Jen navigate her daily life struggles. Abi pushes Jen out of her comfort zone at a distance and supports her in her coming out story.
Jen and Abi's dialogues are realistic and deep. They have real conversations about life that are very relatable. Thoughts that every woman in her 30s has about career choices, life decisions, and how to navigate being a woman in these contemporary times.
I was invested in this book from the very first chapter. Jen's POV and narrative are so rich and culturally informative. This book transports you to the locations and places in France that Jen and Abi cycle through. It made me feel like I was touring/riding with them observing everything they describe.
The novel goes back and forth in time between two stories which are Jens's daily life as a teacher at an Anglican all-girls college in Sydney and her bike riding experience in France with Abi.
After one of Jen's students is discriminated against for being a lesbian, Jen makes it her mission to ensure the student can continue her studies and protects her from bullying. We learn that even though she stands up for others, she struggles to do that for herself. Her family sees homosexuality as a sin, making Jen very insecure about her attraction to women. As a result, she chooses to stay in the closet.
Abi is a beautifully written character who plays an important role in Jens's life. She’s a quirky, extrovert, fun Scottish woman who’s very much out of the closet and helps Jen navigate her daily life struggles. Abi pushes Jen out of her comfort zone at a distance and supports her in her coming out story.
Jen and Abi's dialogues are realistic and deep. They have real conversations about life that are very relatable. Thoughts that every woman in her 30s has about career choices, life decisions, and how to navigate being a woman in these contemporary times.
February 23, 2025
Finding yourself and finding love
Changing Gears is the well-written debut novel by Kiwi author LA Wright.
We follow Jen, a 32 year old teacher at an Anglican school in Sydney, Australia. She finds herself in a rut, focused on her career with little joy except for riding her bike. To break out of her box she, her very religious family and her school has caged her in she goes on a biking tour in France. There she mets free-spirit Abi from Scotland. Both hit it of, BUT … there are not only many miles between them. Abi is a lesbian. And Jen? Who knows - least of all herself.
The story is cleverly done - the lovely time in France is interlaced chapter by chapter with the more recent school drama happening at Jen‘s religious school (who knew that this happens in the land of no-worries as well?). A young girl who came out as gay is bullied not only by her fellow pupils but by the „oh so concerned“ head of school and her minions. There is a good focus on Jen‘s moral compass, her job security and the whole gay drama. The story flows well, there is a very slow burn romance too. Great debut.
The final proofreading could have been more thorough though and the daily timelines in France are at times messy. When the two story lines converge it is not always clear where we are. However, this should not detract from an enjoyable, angsty story well told.
Changing Gears is the well-written debut novel by Kiwi author LA Wright.
We follow Jen, a 32 year old teacher at an Anglican school in Sydney, Australia. She finds herself in a rut, focused on her career with little joy except for riding her bike. To break out of her box she, her very religious family and her school has caged her in she goes on a biking tour in France. There she mets free-spirit Abi from Scotland. Both hit it of, BUT … there are not only many miles between them. Abi is a lesbian. And Jen? Who knows - least of all herself.
The story is cleverly done - the lovely time in France is interlaced chapter by chapter with the more recent school drama happening at Jen‘s religious school (who knew that this happens in the land of no-worries as well?). A young girl who came out as gay is bullied not only by her fellow pupils but by the „oh so concerned“ head of school and her minions. There is a good focus on Jen‘s moral compass, her job security and the whole gay drama. The story flows well, there is a very slow burn romance too. Great debut.
The final proofreading could have been more thorough though and the daily timelines in France are at times messy. When the two story lines converge it is not always clear where we are. However, this should not detract from an enjoyable, angsty story well told.
January 28, 2024
An engaging sapphic romance novel whose villains felt heartrendingly drawn from real life.
Aussie protagonist Jen's relationship with her family, her faith and the accompanying judgment made me uncomfortable for the first half of the book or so; I was mildly concerned it was going to take a swerve into late 90s lesbian fiction (spoiler alert: One or both of them always die, because queer relationships weren't allowed happily ever afters. Thankfully, not a concern here). I eventually realized my discomfort lay in how much it reminded me of the same thoughts and feeling I had when I was younger. So huge props to the author for making that aspect feel so realistic!
But I come not to damn this book with faint praise; the relationship between the two leads was lovely, a simultaneous instant attraction that builds slowly but surely. I sincerely hope the author got to expense a bike trip to France for all the details that were put in; I can't speak to their truth, but it certainly helped me feel like I was along for the ride.
The ending felt a bit "and everyone clapped!" for my tastes, but it was still overall satisfying. Definitely following the author to see what's next!
Aussie protagonist Jen's relationship with her family, her faith and the accompanying judgment made me uncomfortable for the first half of the book or so; I was mildly concerned it was going to take a swerve into late 90s lesbian fiction (spoiler alert: One or both of them always die, because queer relationships weren't allowed happily ever afters. Thankfully, not a concern here). I eventually realized my discomfort lay in how much it reminded me of the same thoughts and feeling I had when I was younger. So huge props to the author for making that aspect feel so realistic!
But I come not to damn this book with faint praise; the relationship between the two leads was lovely, a simultaneous instant attraction that builds slowly but surely. I sincerely hope the author got to expense a bike trip to France for all the details that were put in; I can't speak to their truth, but it certainly helped me feel like I was along for the ride.
The ending felt a bit "and everyone clapped!" for my tastes, but it was still overall satisfying. Definitely following the author to see what's next!
March 27, 2025
I always love a book that includes bikes/cycling. Stick a bike on the cover and I will read it.
Jen and Abi meet in France on a cycling holiday. And then part ways but keep in touch.
Jen is from a very conservative religious family and is trying to muddle her way through life without upsetting them too much. But what about her? She wants more from life than this. She is teaching in a Christian school and they deal with homophobia by moving students onto other schools.
Everything needs to change.
There's plenty to be said about religious bigotry, the impact of family and religion on children, self hatred, and the impact of a religious education for queer kids.
This book shows you from multiple viewpoints - a teacher and child within the school system, a daughter and siblings/parents within a family, and 2 women in the world who can only see each other.
This book shows you how infuriating the system can be but also that the system is made up of people and there can be change.
Jen and Abi meet in France on a cycling holiday. And then part ways but keep in touch.
Jen is from a very conservative religious family and is trying to muddle her way through life without upsetting them too much. But what about her? She wants more from life than this. She is teaching in a Christian school and they deal with homophobia by moving students onto other schools.
Everything needs to change.
There's plenty to be said about religious bigotry, the impact of family and religion on children, self hatred, and the impact of a religious education for queer kids.
This book shows you from multiple viewpoints - a teacher and child within the school system, a daughter and siblings/parents within a family, and 2 women in the world who can only see each other.
This book shows you how infuriating the system can be but also that the system is made up of people and there can be change.
October 21, 2025
Though this story is about Jen and Abi, it’s really mainly about Jen, about finally admitting that she’s a lesbian, about standing up to discrimination and oppression when you see it.
Abi plays an important role here as Jen’s Sapphic awakening, as her confidant, and finally as Jen’s lover, but the book’s focus is Jen’s struggle to accept herself, her process of realizing that she doesn’t need her mother’s approval, or that of her brother or sister.
And then there’s the religious school. A nightmarish religious institution run by openly homophobic staff, including a principal who prides herself on driving LGBTQ+ students and staff out of their little recreation of Gilead.
Throughout all this, Jen allowed her fears to immobilize her, to make her question her own validity, and to accept a life that was, for years, nothing like what she really wanted.
For me to say more would be treading into spoiler territory so I’ll stop here. But l will add that I immensely enjoyed this book, especially after having previously had two consecutive DNFs.
Abi plays an important role here as Jen’s Sapphic awakening, as her confidant, and finally as Jen’s lover, but the book’s focus is Jen’s struggle to accept herself, her process of realizing that she doesn’t need her mother’s approval, or that of her brother or sister.
And then there’s the religious school. A nightmarish religious institution run by openly homophobic staff, including a principal who prides herself on driving LGBTQ+ students and staff out of their little recreation of Gilead.
Throughout all this, Jen allowed her fears to immobilize her, to make her question her own validity, and to accept a life that was, for years, nothing like what she really wanted.
For me to say more would be treading into spoiler territory so I’ll stop here. But l will add that I immensely enjoyed this book, especially after having previously had two consecutive DNFs.
March 6, 2025
Jen, a English teacher at a religious school, jumps in when a queer student gets bullied, and finds herself fighting the school.
Her support also comes from her friend Abi, whom she had met on a bicycle tour the year before.
I will say up front i did not like the time jumping. It kept killing the momentum of each arc, and was moderately confusing too.
I did like the Jen and Abi romance, and the school bullying arc was good.
3 out of 5 stars.
Her support also comes from her friend Abi, whom she had met on a bicycle tour the year before.
I will say up front i did not like the time jumping. It kept killing the momentum of each arc, and was moderately confusing too.
I did like the Jen and Abi romance, and the school bullying arc was good.
3 out of 5 stars.
February 1, 2026
This is the second book I've read by this author and the recurring theme is awful families and protagonists that seem to require someone to tell them exactly what to do. I wanted to give this author another shot especially because the plot jumped out at me as a queer cyclist but... I wouldn't necessarily call this a romance. Sure, there's a love story in there but there's not much actually romancing happening and Jen is kind of a limp noodle of a character.
June 8, 2025
What a great debut tale. Meeting the Scottish gay travel blogger while on a week's cycling tour in France then returning to Sydney with all those flutterings and feelings. L A Wright has written so well and courageously about teaching in a religious high school and dealing with homophobic bullying. Well done
August 21, 2025
This story dealt with the harsh realities that almost all members of the LGBTQIA+ community face during their lives. It was a fantastic read, but it was also a difficult read for me. I love how the sucky stuff was portrayed accurately without being overly triggering or sensationalized. Fantastic book!
October 10, 2023
Great first novel. Started it and didn’t stop until finished the next morning. What’s not to love about the two MCs. One Scottish who went to Uni in Edinburgh and an Aussie who understood the true meaning of N+1. Great chemistry, great read, and great description of the battles both personnel and political during passage of the Marriage Amendment Act in 2017.
April 11, 2024
Brilliant!! Once I started I just wanted to keep reading! Characters are relatable, storylines are engaging, realism at its best without going over the top. A bit sad when I was on the last page and it was over! Highly recommend! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
July 18, 2024
OMG! The roller coaster of emotions this book took me on was all over the place. At times I just wanted to crawl inside the book and give that principal a piece of my mind for her horrible behaviors. Other times I was rooting so hard for Jen and Abi to finally find their way to each other. Tears were definitely shed! There was a lot of growth for me having read this book. Highly recommend!!!! 🫶🏻
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