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Portland Police Bureau #2.5
Change of Pace
Sophie Matheson, Kade’s homophobic mother, is coming to Portland for a visit. Her timing couldn’t be worse. Not only is Kade newly in love with a woman, but she also promised to help her friends Aiden and Dawn move in together.
Instead of going to art museums and having lunch in an expensive restaurant, Sophie will now help U-Haul a lesbian couple. Kade tries to tell herself it’s going to be a nice change of pace, but she knows better.
Instead of going to art museums and having lunch in an expensive restaurant, Sophie will now help U-Haul a lesbian couple. Kade tries to tell herself it’s going to be a nice change of pace, but she knows better.
49 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2008
72 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
Jae
122 books3,778 followersJae is the author of twenty-six award-winning romances between women. She lives in the sunniest city of Germany, near the French and Swiss borders. The writing bug bit her at the age of eleven.
She used to work as a psychologist but gave up her day job in 2013 to become a full-time writer and a part-time editor. As far as she’s concerned, it’s the best job in the world.
When she’s not writing, she is an avid reader of sapphic books, indulges her ice cream and office supply addictions, and watches way too many crime shows.
She used to work as a psychologist but gave up her day job in 2013 to become a full-time writer and a part-time editor. As far as she’s concerned, it’s the best job in the world.
When she’s not writing, she is an avid reader of sapphic books, indulges her ice cream and office supply addictions, and watches way too many crime shows.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 15, 2025
A decent follow-up to Next of Kin, but as I’ve said before with Jae’s Wrong Number, Right Woman (where she did the same thing), I really wish Jae would stop releasing separate endings that really should have been epilogues. Including this one in the main story would’ve made the book feel more complete and cohesive, instead of making readers go hunt down the actual ending elsewhere.
September 10, 2017
A short story continuation of the Portland series. As the book description noted - Sophie, Kade's mother, visits. Sophie came a week early, and Kade already has plans. Some of which she can't get out of - like needing to be in court when Sophie's plane lands (Del will pick Sophie up), and needing to help move her friends on the day Sophie wanted to visit an art museum. So Sophie joins them at the move event.
Many points of view. Including Sophie, Kade, Del, Grace (Dawn's mother) and . . . maybe more.
Dawn's 'friend' Austen helps in the move. Though more in that her name was mentioned as someone who would be helping in the move, instead of actually having a physical presence in the story. I do not remember her at all from the prior book, and it's been way too long since I read the first book to know if she was in it. It seems more as if Jae inserted the name 'Austen' into the story so that she could then say, in the after section, that Austen has her own book that could be read - 'Under a Falling Star.' I know Jae likes putting little links between her books, but this one was a little too . . poorly done. On the other hand, I do have a strong recollection that some of the people in the Portland series do turn up in Under a Falling Star . . . um, I think? Crap, I can't remember now. No matter.
Right, sorry. Story involved Sophie dealing with the fact that her daughter is estranged from her, not straight, and . . . stuff. While people move.
Rating: 3.7
September 10 2017
Many points of view. Including Sophie, Kade, Del, Grace (Dawn's mother) and . . . maybe more.
Dawn's 'friend' Austen helps in the move. Though more in that her name was mentioned as someone who would be helping in the move, instead of actually having a physical presence in the story. I do not remember her at all from the prior book, and it's been way too long since I read the first book to know if she was in it. It seems more as if Jae inserted the name 'Austen' into the story so that she could then say, in the after section, that Austen has her own book that could be read - 'Under a Falling Star.' I know Jae likes putting little links between her books, but this one was a little too . . poorly done. On the other hand, I do have a strong recollection that some of the people in the Portland series do turn up in Under a Falling Star . . . um, I think? Crap, I can't remember now. No matter.
Right, sorry. Story involved Sophie dealing with the fact that her daughter is estranged from her, not straight, and . . . stuff. While people move.
Rating: 3.7
September 10 2017
February 18, 2021
Imagine having a demanding, upper-class homophobic mother called Sophie who turns up unexpectedly, right on the weekend you have to help your lesbian friends move house. What are you going to do? … Let her help, of course. Accordingly, Kade, the main character, brings Sophie along, so that both of them can help her friends move house. In all this, Sophie is the one who does most of the learning, which happens because of a mixture of observing a wonderfully friendly family just being them and because of listening to Grace, mother of one of the two lovelies moving in together.
What makes this story so wonderful is not only the interaction between the different characters, but also the moments when Sophie and Grace talk. Grace is a wonderful, wise woman, and she says all the right things in the right moment, to get Sophie thinking. It is wonderful to see how these dialogues, and Sophie’s own observations about women just being happy together, let her have thoughts she has not had before.
I loved the characters, how lively and friendly they were, the plot, too, the positive message, … and I would have loved this to go on for much longer. 5 out of 5 stars
What makes this story so wonderful is not only the interaction between the different characters, but also the moments when Sophie and Grace talk. Grace is a wonderful, wise woman, and she says all the right things in the right moment, to get Sophie thinking. It is wonderful to see how these dialogues, and Sophie’s own observations about women just being happy together, let her have thoughts she has not had before.
I loved the characters, how lively and friendly they were, the plot, too, the positive message, … and I would have loved this to go on for much longer. 5 out of 5 stars
August 8, 2019
Lovely little tale that tail-ends the Portland Bureau series - lovely to see how they all ended up. Class.
June 8, 2022
A short story set around Aiden and Dawn moving in together and their group of friends coming together to help. The main focus is Kade, and her relationship with her mother who is struggling to accept her sexualality. I listened to this, narrated by Abby Craden at the end of Next of Kin, and it was a nice way to have a little more of these great characters.
July 13, 2022
I marked this as an audiobook because it is attached to the audiobook version of the second book in this series, 'Next of Kin' read by Abby Craden. It is an adorable novella and the perfect ending to the "Portland Police Bureau" series. You can also find it in an ebook version.
January 26, 2016
The wonderful women from Conflict of Interest and Next of Kin are back in this novella. Kade's mother comes to town a week early much to Kade's dismay. Sophie is less than pleased to hear her daughter will not cancel her plans in order to cater to her. Instead Del and Kade invite her to join them helping Dawn and Aiden move. During the day Sophie is standoffish and just this side of unpleasant. Grace, Dawn's mother gives Sophie a wake up call on what it means to be a real mom, to love your child unconditionally no matter who they love. It doesn't hurt that Kade's niece comes out to Sophie that day too.
I liked this book because it gave me a chance to check in on old friends. It was good to see them again. I really liked the whole Sophie drama. She is called on her behaviour. Shes not allowed to be her prejudiced, high horse self. She gets shocked and stunned by Kade and Laurie's behaviour and attitude when they call her on her actions. They are done coddling her and putting her first especially when she refuses to take their thoughts and feelings into account. They all give Sophie lots to think about without being too harsh. It was really great to see her get the reality check she so desperately needs.
I would love to see another book featuring these incredible women....
I liked this book because it gave me a chance to check in on old friends. It was good to see them again. I really liked the whole Sophie drama. She is called on her behaviour. Shes not allowed to be her prejudiced, high horse self. She gets shocked and stunned by Kade and Laurie's behaviour and attitude when they call her on her actions. They are done coddling her and putting her first especially when she refuses to take their thoughts and feelings into account. They all give Sophie lots to think about without being too harsh. It was really great to see her get the reality check she so desperately needs.
I would love to see another book featuring these incredible women....
June 15, 2025
Very short and didn't really add much.
Enjoyable enough.
Enjoyable enough.
May 21, 2016
Short!
Too short. But fun to feel your mother isn't the only one. Would have loved it to be longer. But it gets the point across and all the characters are there. Yeah I admit I'd have preferred a full length novel. These novellas are becoming more popular when supporting a series. Enjoyed all three and looking forward to more.
Too short. But fun to feel your mother isn't the only one. Would have loved it to be longer. But it gets the point across and all the characters are there. Yeah I admit I'd have preferred a full length novel. These novellas are becoming more popular when supporting a series. Enjoyed all three and looking forward to more.
September 5, 2019
I actually found this little story to be amusing. It was more relaxed. Nice to see all the characters come together like this.
February 14, 2019
I give this 3.5*. It was nice quick read that gives a little glimpse of Sophie, Kade's mother, and of course an update on the charcters from the previous books in the series. It was too quick to really be that great. It could have easily been more in progressing Del and Kade and Sophie as well as Evan and Laurie. Regardless it was a nice read.
August 28, 2018
Another great read
This is a great series and I would love to read more. All the characters are such positive role model, how can you not like them.
This is a great series and I would love to read more. All the characters are such positive role model, how can you not like them.
September 8, 2023
#3 in the series …
A continuation of the first two books. However …. I want to know more. I would love to meet Aiden and Dawn’s children … Del and Kade get married … Evan and Laurie stay together and help each other through life’s challenges … Kade’s brother and sister-in-law accept Laurie and Evan and are truly supportive of their relationship … Kade’s mother disappears if she still can’t accept Kade and Laurie’s relationships. I’d like to see all of these characters develop a program for LGBTQIA+ youth who are unhoused and on the streets … and the youths that are struggling with their identity.
These are great characters! They must not vanish. Thank you. Peace
A continuation of the first two books. However …. I want to know more. I would love to meet Aiden and Dawn’s children … Del and Kade get married … Evan and Laurie stay together and help each other through life’s challenges … Kade’s brother and sister-in-law accept Laurie and Evan and are truly supportive of their relationship … Kade’s mother disappears if she still can’t accept Kade and Laurie’s relationships. I’d like to see all of these characters develop a program for LGBTQIA+ youth who are unhoused and on the streets … and the youths that are struggling with their identity.
These are great characters! They must not vanish. Thank you. Peace
January 6, 2024
Change of Pace by Jae is the final instalment to the Portland Police Bureau series.
In this short wrap-up to the series, we see all the characters helping Dawn and Aiden move in together. Sophie, Kade’s (stuck-up) upper-class mother, visits a week early. She ends up joining Kade and Del on moving day. Much to her distaste, everyone is either LGBTQIA+ or an ally. Sophie thinks that she’s not homophobic; she just doesn’t want that ‘lifestyle choice’ for her daughter! 🙄 The book is a learning curve for Sophie, especially after talking with Grace, Dawn’s mum. Will Sophie be able to look past her prejudices and reform her relationship with her daughter?
In this short wrap-up to the series, we see all the characters helping Dawn and Aiden move in together. Sophie, Kade’s (stuck-up) upper-class mother, visits a week early. She ends up joining Kade and Del on moving day. Much to her distaste, everyone is either LGBTQIA+ or an ally. Sophie thinks that she’s not homophobic; she just doesn’t want that ‘lifestyle choice’ for her daughter! 🙄 The book is a learning curve for Sophie, especially after talking with Grace, Dawn’s mum. Will Sophie be able to look past her prejudices and reform her relationship with her daughter?
February 11, 2021
More Kade Matheson!! That's really all that needs to be said for me. But okay, okay... so this was a cute little novella with the whole gang helping out Aiden and Dawn move into their new apartment, plus an early arrival of a certain Matheson mother. So no it wasn't all about Kade, that was my wishful thinking. haha It was more on the whole gang and Kade's mother still trying to keep status quo but perhaps someone helps her start to try and understand and work (however slowly over time) to accept the change of pace. ;)
March 9, 2023
meh…
I guess the author is dealing with this in small doses about homophobia with Kade’s mother. Although, this novela was more about Sophie spending a day in the life ordinary lgbt family members, couples and those that support them.
I hope Kade and Del make it. I don’t see much support in the writing that they will. The author continues to mainly tell the story of Dawn and Aiden. As much as I like them, I tired of them quickly in the first book and then just as easily in the second. It’s a journey I’m not very interested in as I am with Kade and Del.
I guess the author is dealing with this in small doses about homophobia with Kade’s mother. Although, this novela was more about Sophie spending a day in the life ordinary lgbt family members, couples and those that support them.
I hope Kade and Del make it. I don’t see much support in the writing that they will. The author continues to mainly tell the story of Dawn and Aiden. As much as I like them, I tired of them quickly in the first book and then just as easily in the second. It’s a journey I’m not very interested in as I am with Kade and Del.
November 1, 2021
Fun and entertaining...Not a standalone.
Let's deal with parents dealing with their child coming out. Still done in a loving, respectful story with fun characters that you have gotten to know from books 1 and 2.
I enjoyed this one. Nice and quick and familiar. I recommend after reading the rest of the series.
Let's deal with parents dealing with their child coming out. Still done in a loving, respectful story with fun characters that you have gotten to know from books 1 and 2.
I enjoyed this one. Nice and quick and familiar. I recommend after reading the rest of the series.
March 13, 2022
not bad
Honestly, Sophie (Kade’s Mom) gets on my nerves. She expects everyone to fit into her little box that she built, and gets pissy whenever someone speaks up. She snips at her daughter and her granddaughter, just because they want their own life. The book itself is really good, I just wish it was longer.
Honestly, Sophie (Kade’s Mom) gets on my nerves. She expects everyone to fit into her little box that she built, and gets pissy whenever someone speaks up. She snips at her daughter and her granddaughter, just because they want their own life. The book itself is really good, I just wish it was longer.
September 4, 2021
Great short story
This could be an attempt by Jae to wrap up the first two stories but I hope not. All of the characters in the Portland police bureau can continue to grow… engaging, thought provoking and uplifting like all of Jae’s stories
This could be an attempt by Jae to wrap up the first two stories but I hope not. All of the characters in the Portland police bureau can continue to grow… engaging, thought provoking and uplifting like all of Jae’s stories
September 17, 2022
WTH - that was waaaay too short.
So, that was a really nice intro, but there didn't seem to be much too it. Kinda felt cheated a little.would have been nice to get more on Del and Kade.
So, that was a really nice intro, but there didn't seem to be much too it. Kinda felt cheated a little.would have been nice to get more on Del and Kade.
December 31, 2023
A short story to continue seeing what happens with the characters from Conflict of Interest and Next of Kin. So nice to check in on old friends. Yep, I'm definitely going to read my way through Jae's catalog!
March 11, 2024
I first heard this as part of Jae’s Happily Ever After anthology. At the time, I enjoyed the story well enough. Now, having finished the preceding books in the series, I absolutely adored it!! What a fantastic way to conclude the series!!
July 27, 2025
(Listened to at the end of the book 2 audiobook. It was a nice little bonus surprise! Glad we got to spend the extra time w these characters I’ve gotten reasonably attached to after two full books worth of them)
February 17, 2019
Brilliant series
Loved this seriesnof books. This last one was a very short compared to the other two wouldbhavd liked a little more. Hopefully there will be more to come..
Loved this seriesnof books. This last one was a very short compared to the other two wouldbhavd liked a little more. Hopefully there will be more to come..
September 13, 2020
Short, sweet, and cute.
December 15, 2020
Since this is a really short piece in the series (book 2.5), this is not a real rating.
March 13, 2021
Short too short for me to let go of the amazing characters from conflict of interest.
March 22, 2021
A decent little addition that moved the series forward a smidgen.
April 13, 2021
Liked it
Now I guess I need to buy the first two books in the series. It takes some getting use for a mother to come to terms with her daughter’s sexuality.
Now I guess I need to buy the first two books in the series. It takes some getting use for a mother to come to terms with her daughter’s sexuality.
November 6, 2021
Nice and quick 40 page ending/beginning to the rest of their lives.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews