Matters of Change

by Benjamin Lund

A change is in the air. Can you feel it?
Gideon Carmichael is madly in love with the cocky, devilishly handsome bar owner. Kaiden Maddox is embracing bisexuality, his heart completely taken by the beautiful singer and songwriter. The undeniable connection between these two men is one of fiery passion and sweet tenderness as they explore their relationship further and deeper. It's a bond of pure, honest, vulnerable intimacy.
But this is only the beginning. Change is coming. A growth opportunity for Gideon's music career. A traumatic event that sends Kaiden on a downward spiral of grief and despair. First time sexual experiences and role reversals. A dash of holiday magic where unforgettable memories are made. A house fire that forever alters the course of Gideon and Kaiden's lives.
Will their love survive all that is to come?

447 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2026

Reviews

[Donna Scuvotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matters of Change is a sequel to Matters of the Heart where you meet Gireon Carmichael and Kaiden Maddox as your main characters. Whereas in MOTH they are exploring their relationship as sparks fly, in MOC they have taken it to the next level and are fully committed to their steamy hot relationship. And when I say steamy I mean STEAMY. A spice level off the charts but what can I say; it is a man on man romance novel after all, so you get what you pay for and then some.

It's so much more than sex scenes though.It explores a lot of 'what life throws at you' situations with raw emotion that cause non-stop tears to flow. I love that the story is written from both Kaiden and Gideon's perspective which allows you as a reader to dive deep into their personalities and their psyche. You get to know them from the inside out making this a fantastic character driven book.

The real life situations that arise throughout the book add to the genuine authenticity of their relationship as they weather them together, offering support and love along the way. These 'situations' are written with pure raw emotion that you feel deep into your heart. Handled with grace but not afraid to tackle the impact they create is done masterfully. In my opinion this only adds to the overall feel for the book and makes you love the characters that much more.

The dialogue is engaging and relatable. The scenes are vivid and realistic making it easy to picture yourself there with Gideon and Kaiden feeling all the feels. The characters are lovable, including Grandma Judy. The sex scenes intimately caliente. The storyline engaging. And it has a slew of music lyrics because Gideon is well on his way to having a successful singing/songwriting career.

I recommend this book to anyone who reads man on man romance with a great deal of spice but likes relatable, character driven, lovable characters and a storyline that deals with real life drama in a touching realistic way.

[Jordan Noll-Lamantia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful to have received an ARC of this book. A perfect sequel continuing Gideon and Kaiden's story with a blend of Hallmark warmth, heartbreak, and plenty of hot & heavy!

What I love most about Lund's writing is how effortlessly he puts you there. Whether it's the simple everyday moments, or the scenes that are full of emotion, grief, or spicyness, you feel completely pulled into Gideon and Kaiden's world. Every interaction feels intimate and lived-in, making this book such a truly special one to read.

If you're looking for a romance that balances sweetness, angst, and steam while deepening characters you already love, this is such a satisfying next chapter.

[Heidi H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benjamín Lund packs so much heart and raw emotion into every book. This story continues Kaiden and Gideon's journey toward their HEA. This is an incredible look at grief, love, and survival through change. Our MMCs must grow together and lean on each other. As always the queer representation is wonderful, and the mental health representation is crucial and well done. If you haven't read Matters of the Heart yet, do it, because you need to read this conclusion for Kaiden and Gideon.

Open door spice level: 4/5

[WickedRiverReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the journey this story took me on. I loved getting to see Gideon and Kaiden’s relationship continue to develop and they began to face changes and challenges in their lives. It was nice seeing their bond become stronger as Kaiden dealt with his grief while having the support of Gideon and I liked seeing how supportive Kaiden was of Gideon’s new career path as well as his influence when it came to Kaiden’s inspiration. This was a very sweet story that dealt with love, loss and growth within change. Gideon and Kaiden were perfect for one another and I enjoyed their relationship dynamic. The side characters were great and it wonderful seeing the support system these two had!

🤍ARC REVIEW💙

☑️ Trigger Warnings.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Benjamin's writing. I'm always swept up in the stories he writes. He has a way with his writing that really has you invested in the characters and the story.I felt so many emotions reading this book. There was a perfect balance of romance, sweetness, and spice. Gideon and Kaiden's story was just perfect.

[Justin Campana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg. I loved this better than the first book! This book had me laughing and smiling and, of course, sobbing! I’ll never stop swooning over Gideon and Kaiden and I demand more books from Benjamin Lund at this very minute!

[Wendy Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me feeling all the emotions! I love the character growth between the boys! 🖤 and grandma Judy 🥹 I just love her so much. I felt a connection with Kaiden where it comes to loss. I’m so glad the boys had each other through all the good and bad times!

[Lanie Mores · Rating 5 out of 5]

This unforgettable sequel to Matters of the Heart continues to follow the blossoming romance between Gideon Carmichael and Kaiden Maddox as they navigate through a series of changes that test the newly formed bonds of their love. Change is at the heart of this story, which comes in both fortuitous and tragic ways. The story starts off with a bang, and has a heavier feel than the first novel in this series. There are strong themes of loss and grief, which were written from a raw and vulnerable place, making it feel honest and relatable. I needed a few tissues to get through these pages. Just when my heart was starting to mend, Lund went and shattered it again.

My favourite aspect of Lund’s writing is his character development. The story is told from Gideon and Kaiden’s points of view, so I felt I got to know them intimately… their internal thoughts, desires, and fears. Their witty, teasing and playful banter, confessed insecurities, and devotion to each other brings their relationship and these characters to life. The powerful love story between these two men is made more compelling by their differences… in many ways they are an unlikely couple, and yet they compliment each other in all the best ways. Kaiden is Gideon’s muse, while Gideon is Kaiden’s rock. Together they are the perfect portrayal of what true love is all about, even with all the unexpected complications life throws at them.

Along with the gripping storyline, this is also a romance, with graphic and detailed intimacy scenes. The door is wide open and all the lights are on, if you know what I’m saying, earning this book 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ on my spice rating. I’m usually reading books in the zero to one spice category so it was an eye opener in many ways. ☺️

I can’t close this review without mentioning the musical vibe as Gideon pursues his dream of being a musician. I love a story with music tied into the plot. And Lund does it so well here, showcasing his wonderful song writing skills in the process.

I recommend this book to fans of erotic gay romance stories with deeper storylines.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matters of Change is the second book in the Matters of series.

It continues the story of Gideon and Kaiden as they strive to achieve their HEA. Kaiden's bisexuality is not a problem for his parents, thankfully, as he was so afraid it would be.

Life is change, and nothing stays the same. Changes can be good or bad, and it can take time to accept them, but they are there.

I love Gideon's songs; they are written from the heart and soul, although sometimes it's good to step outside your comfort zone.

A character from another of the author's novels appears, but even though everything is explained, I would still like to read it.

I want to keep reading everything by this author. I really liked the writing, the way the characters evolve, and how they deal with the situations life throws at them.

[A reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to the author for the ARC for an honest review!

Perfectly balanced romance with lots of heart and heat. Kaiden and Gideon's story from Matters of the Heart continues as they settle in to their relationship. Beautifully written, character driven read with emotional depth, intimacy, and growth. Will have to make a point to check out his other work.

[Mirandalikestoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a continuation of the story of Kaiden and Gideon as started in the book "Matters of the Heart." Also contains crossover characters to one of Benjamin's other book's "Weight of the World." This male male romance deals with the highs and lows of their amazing relationship