Changes Going On

Changes #2

by Kaje Harper

Three men, one summer of media, mentorship, and murder.

There's a reason Scott Edison came out as gay and poly on national TV— now no one can try to push him back into the closet. But as his men and his hockey team deal with the fallout from fans and paparazzi, moving forward isn't as easy as he'd hoped.

Will Rice was looking forward to a quiet summer, sharing the work with his guys and giving Scott a refuge from the spotlight. He's hired a couple of young ranch hands, and finally feels ready to give back some of the mentoring that turned his life around decades ago. But good fences won't be enough to keep trouble off the ranch.

Casey Barlow left the Sheriff's Department on his own terms, out and proud. But when the new sheriff is murdered— and Casey's one of the few with a watertight alibi— he's asked to investigate, and he can't resist. He's determined to solve the murder, and still take care of his men on the home front. Then one murder becomes two…

It's a summer of risks and challenges, and working together is the only way they'll make it through.

Genres: Sports, M M Romance, Romance, Mystery, Contemporary, M M M, Westerns

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 24, 2020

About the author

I 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

Reviews

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaje Harper is one of those I like to think of as my comfort authors. For some reason, I find her writing soothing and her characters and stories stick with me even when they don’t blow my mind. I’ve forgotten entire books I’ve read a few weeks ago, but I can usually recall at least the general feeling and a few details of a KH book I’ve read once 4 years ago. I think it has a lot to do with the way she can make settings come alive for me and how she can give me that feeling-good vibe even while she’s keeping it realistic and not shying away from the not-so-pretty sides of humanity. And she gives me sweet without saccharine, which is always a great accomplishment in my eyes.

She did it again with Changes Going On.

I liked the first book, if nothing else because she made me care about a threesome, but I liked this one a little bit more. Maybe because I like going back to characters I’ve already met, but mostly because I loved the way the consequences of the coming out were handled. Once again, she found the right balance of positive and negative.
As expected, things were not easy for Scott, Casey and Will after Scott’s public coming out at the end of the first book, but the reactions from the secondary characters felt very realistic to me, the positive was enough to leave me feeling good without rolling my eyes at a rose-colored, unbelievable all-around acceptance, and it helped to outweigh the bitterness of the negative. Sometimes even in the same character.
I also appreciated how the conflict was never inside the relationship, the guys are solid and they have been for some time, so it would’ve felt contrived to have them implode because of a choice they made together and with their eyes open. I liked much more seeing them supporting each other and facing together the problems that came from their new situation, even while they each had their own individual changes going on in their professional and personal lives.
The mystery (yes, Casey is once again involved in an investigation, big surprise) was a bit stronger than the one in the previous book and it blended well with all the other things going on in the guys’ lives, giving the story a more solid structure.
Last, but not least, I loved, loved the epilogue. It was just my kind of epilogue, giving me closure without closing any possibility I had of imagining how things could go on from there. I don’t usually need or even want an epilogue, unless I think the story is incomplete without one, and this one was needed and perfect and it put a big smile on my face.

If you’re into/interested/not into/on the fence about stories with poly relationships, I’d suggest giving this one a try. Maybe you’ll hate it or maybe you’ll be surprised and learn like me that the right author can make you like pretty much anything.

[Kaje Harper]

This book is now available on Smashwords and Amazon - I also reduced the price of book 1 - Changes Coming Down - to .99 on those vendors, so if you haven't met Casey, Scott, and Will, you can check out the beginning of their story. This second book completes the romance arc for these three guys.

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5***** stars

My men. Worth all of it.

All my love for Will, Scott and Casey. God they were so wonderful (and seriously hot) together. And so so supportive of each other. I love them so so much and only recommend reading this duet. ♡

⚠️ *This review contains mild spoilers for book #1 - like the blurb does too. This is a duet and the books need to be read in order


❤︎ Casey: (33) ex-marine, ex-Sheriff and ranch co-owner

❤︎ Will: (37) the cowboy and ranch co-owner

❤︎ Scott: (24) NHL Player in Portland and ranch co-owner



🏒 They are out, on national TV, the first out active professional hockey player and in a poly relationship to boot. The media circus is immense and people and reporters are nosy as fuck.

🚔 The murder of the newly elected Sheriff who kicked Casey out of his job and a presumed suicide of a teenager brings him back into the police work he missed the hell out of

🐎 Will’s past and childhood has been a mystery so far but the guys are coaxing it out bit by bit and it’s heartbreaking. And Will wants to give back to other teenagers what he found on the ranch when he was young and lost.



♥️ Certainly my highlight was when a few of Scott’s team mates came to visit, meeting his men, shooting the shit and playing hockey with some of the town’s teen hockey players.


This duet is about an already established throuple, in the first book hiding in secret, in the second out but faced with the bigots of the world —but also with many many supporters too.

I knew already after finishing the first but now it’s official. This duet is def going to hit my favorites list for this year.

***************
Changes Duet

Book 1 - Changes Coming Down - 4.5 stars
Book 2 - Changes Going On - 4.5 stars

[Gabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Scott came out publicly, the three men tried to find their footing and all the media circus didn't make it easy. But overall everything was going smoothly. They jumped over each hurdle together. Until Scott's Mom showed up. It seemed that her stay at the ranch would complicate things, but the men are really comfortable in their love for each other.

As soon as they got back to the ranch, Casey got a murder to solve. At first I was really enjoying it, tried to find the connections alongside Casey. I loved seeing this determined side of him. It also helped that the trio had a somewhat personal stake in the investigation. But as the investigation was coming to an end some things happened that I found laughable and a bit absurd.

Overall I really enjoyed it.
Oh and fyi it's HOT HOT HOT! :)

[annob [on hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I love most about this sequel, as well as the first book in the series, is how good the atmosphere or sense of place is. I can almost taste the dust and feel the heat of the sunshine out on Will's ranch. The same with the main and side characters, they're so well done. Credible individuals and enjoyable personalities. I was very happy to see how it all came together for the trio once out of the closet. Lots of steamy scenes!

The reaction to them as a trio of partners from family, friends and society all felt very varied and very real. Some of it sad, but also lots of support and great camaraderie. There's also a murder mystery going on and while I enjoyed the build up of it, the final bust of the crooked character was a little bit OTT for my personal liking. But then again, I'm neither American nor a big reader of mystery fiction, so maybe that's why I reacted with disbelief during the final event.

The author has certainly made their way into my heart with this series, love both books!

[Ariana (mostly offline) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75 stars

This book picks up right where the first one ends.
Which means that we are thrown straight into the aftermath of Scott coming out publicly. And I loved how the author has done this: sympathetic, but quite realistic.

Just like in book 1, Casey, Will and Scott are rock solid in their relationship – they know what they’ve got and what they want. We do see more interactions between them in twos (something I missed a bit in book 1), giving me a better understanding why they actually fell for each other and how their dynamics work.
I liked the way they balance each other, each bringing his own strengths to their relationship.

While the ‘coming out and living with it’ part is pretty convincing, the same can’t be said for the mystery. Maybe I’ve read too many detective novels, but that part of the plot didn’t feel right and far too coincidental.
Apart from that, I didn’t get the impression that the situation with Scott’s mum was ever properly resolved.

Still, I enjoyed this book quite a bit, but thought that sometimes there’s simply too much going on.

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✰ 3.5 stars ✰

“Okay.” He wanted to sleep, but something else was floating in his brain. Oh. “Husband. Plural. Do you guys ever wish we could?”

Will’s laugh was sweet and soft.

Scott’s chuckle was like whiskey on a summer evening. “Get married? Don’t need to. You’re ours. We’re yours. You’d kill for us, die for us. What’s a ring, compared to that?”

As I slowly start to wade into the waters of MMM Romance, the one thing that I try to keep in mind, is well, an open mind. Just because it is a dynamic that is something I would not be particularly interested in, doesn't mean that it will not work for someone else. Just because I believe in monogamy and having only one life partner, does not mean that others are not entitled or capable or having their love shared between more than one person. 💕 If it is something that makes them feel better, something that helps them in their lives, something that they want to share - an emotional connection of a love that is strengthened because it includes - them - then, who am I to say anything?

And, really, is anyone else supposed to care, except for those who are involved? 🥺

I reached out to two dear GR friends, who are certainly more knowledgeable of MMM Romances than I am. From their few recommendations, Changes by Kaje Harper caught my eye - a romance-mystery duet of the relationship between 24-year-old rising NHL star, Scott Edison, 33-year old recently-retired sheriff, Casey Barlow, and 37-year old rancher, Will Rice. Set two weeks after the events of the first book, Changes Going On explores the ramifications and repercussions of whether or not 'there’s room in the NHL and in the homes and hearts' after Scott makes the very unexpected public announcement that not only is he gay, but that he is quite happily in a relationship with not one, but two men for the past three years.

And, let's also ignore the fact that I have yet to write my review for the first book, shall we? 😊

“I think more people should do what’s best for them without worrying about what other folks think. I think we should let people alone, when they’re not hurting nobody.

Don’t try to run their lives for them. Be glad they’ve got someone to love.”

People can be judgmental and harsh with their opinions - openly rebellious in not being level-minded of other people's feelings or how they want to be treated. And seeing how they were the target of ridicule certainly sparked a fire underneath me. I appreciated how the author handled the public reaction; how the narrative explored it, but never swayed in trying to convince people to change their minds, simply to be respectful and live and let live. 😤 I felt bad for Scott at how worried he was about putting the men he loved in the spotlight - how their peaceful lives were threatened with the constant need for attention from annoying reporters who wanted fodder to their articles - to stir up trouble unnecessarily. But, seeing the steadfast loyalty and support from either side of him was so comforting. I loved Casey's unwavering daunting presence, something that was put at ease against Will's more laid-back, but still fiercely supportive shoulder - someone who didn't rely on words to show that he was never going to walk away from them. 🫂

Each character held the fort and brought their own special charisma and flavor to their bond that helped make their relationship work. Scott, especially, really surprised me. He was so very mature for his age - so receptive and understanding. He was so very considerate of everyone's feelings, whoever would become a target because of perhaps an ill-advised move on his part, and equally determined not to be manhandled or riled up about the comments aimed his way. 'When we fight, it helps to have a third voice cutting in with some sense. When I fall, it’s good to have two guys to catch me.' 🥹 Casey was a strong and confident force; being a law-man, I really appreciated how he would handle each situation rationally and objectively, and still have to make sure he would not allow his heart and emotions sway him. He deeply cared for each of them, and it showed.

My heart, though, belonged to Will; it's not the fact that he feels like he's the one intruding on their relationship or not feeling special enough, it's how he was so compassionate to the people who worked on his farm, how he rose to the occasion to accept any challenge thrown at him, how he shouldered his own feelings of not feeling like he was a part of them, but still believed in his heart that he belonged to them. ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 'Will is… he’s like the best part of Casey and me, the part that helps us stay together.' He was probably the most relatable, and yet, the one I have the most conflicted feelings for - for I'm torn that I wanted for him to be loved vocally more and yet, the fact that he was content without words being said, makes me sad for him. It's the part I'm struggling with to know whether or not my feelings are justified for it. 🙍🏻‍♀️

“No matter how much easier it would’ve gone. Without you, there wouldn’t be an us.”

“Shh,” Will said against Scott’s thumb. He was torn between how good that sounded, and the little creep in his belly that said it would be easier for Scott with only one partner to parade in front of the world.

“We’re equals. All three of us.”

I'm a little unsure as to how I should feel about the inclusion of Scott's mother's visit to their ranch. Part of me understands what the author was trying to convey - her uncertain wavering views of their unusual dynamic and how it mirrors the general populace's thoughts on it - but, then a part of me, did not quite feel satisfaction from her presence either. 😞 'This isn’t some whim or kink. This is our lives.' There are a few instances scattered where Scott and Casey hint that they sense William's discomfort about it and feel that it is something to be discussed, but sadly, that doesn't quite ever happen; never quite was the elephant in the room addressed, so to speak - how William is regarded as the third wheel in their already established relationship. 🥺

Especially with Scott's mother - I never quite warmed up to her, despite how much she was trying to be more understanding. I know it's not the point to try to convince her to change her mind or voice her blessing, but that part still felt a bit unresolved for me - how she judged Will's part in their relationship. 😒 I would have liked Scott and Casey to talk to William about it - a healthy open discussion that I don't have to rely on their unspoken thoughts or their affectionate embraces to glean how much they mean to each other. I know William didn't need to hear it, but, sadly, I would have like to have heard it. 😔

“Yet it rang so deep and so perfect inside him that he wanted to bottle it, preserve it, to take out and remember for the rest of his life. As they reached the porch steps he said, “Love you. Both.”

And kept on going up the stairs because it wasn’t about hearing anything back, or more kisses, just the certainty this was the steady center he built everything else around.”

But, if Will is happy - I suppose, I should be happy for them. For they really do love each other; there was such a balance of equivalent exchange - their passionate and intimate love-making and the fond and tender touches of being comforted and loved, that emotional connection that shined in the small unnoticed gestures of being appreciated and valued. They were so expressive in how much they valued and respected each other's lives and the demands of their jobs and how much it meant to them. 🥰 Seeing Will and Casey come and cheer on Scott at the hockey game, seeing Will in his element on the ranch, and Casey's confident stride in his fierce dedication to upholding the law - just a few instances that endeared to me. The level of commitment and trust and happiness that was their compass and unity and strength was so very palpable that it really was quite heart-warming to see.

And, of course, there was also a mystery, or as Casey so eloquently spoke, 'I do fucking love a mystery.' Truer words were never spoken to this mystery-lover. ☺️ Plus, the fact that the author so skillfully involved each of their respective careers and lifestyles into one cohesive plot line --- it's truly admirable and made it all the more enjoyable. There were a lot of sensitive subjects touched upon, and I liked that they didn't seem forced; they blended into the plot and enhanced the character development for each respective main character. I loved Scott's teammates - definitely the most fun of all the supporting cast! And with an equally steady pace and a gradual build-up of each moment, I liked how the pieces were laid out, all the various supporting characters that contributed to it, and how the threat and suspense escalated in a believable manner that made sense. 👍🏻👍🏻

Definitely a worthwhile start for me into my foray of MMM Romances - not too heavy on the spice, clear-cut writing that didn't make me squirm or cringe, and characters that loved each other - unequivocally. And despite my own personal reservations, the three of them did love each other equally and whole-heartedly. For finding that balance where not one or the other feels like a third wheel is probably the most difficult aspect for me to appreciate in a poly-romance; and I look forward to finding more reads that deliver on that note - hopefully. 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[Meep · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* it's well written and I really like the blend of characters yet it's still missing that 'something'

This book starts immediately after the first, in fact it's a continuation rather than a separate story. However old guy Lewis has aged a decade in the turn of a page going from early forties too fifty something.

Love how equal the guys are, you can see why there's three of them, they each bring something different to the relationship and feel complete together. I think Harper perhaps focused too hard on giving them equal page time and the book needed a little more one on one time. Taking the two books as one story it's a case of A sends B to support C, then a bit on B sends C to support A, then A&C support B. There's drama hitting from all angles and I'd have liked to see some downtime from that, them just being.

The mystery element again is weak. You know who the main villain is because one they're unpleasant and two you're not introduced to any other suspects.
I didn't like that Scott's mother wandered off home without any resolve. Wanted more words there, more confrontion and resolve. Will was the oldest but most vulnerable of the three, wanted to see him more valued.

I find Harper a great writer but tend to be hit&miss with her books. I really liked this, would recommend it, but stopped just short of loving it.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed getting to see these guys finding their balance after Scott's coming out. The world now knows about the three of them and of course the paparazzi won't let them all alone. But the guys do get to spend their summer back on the ranch, of course they weren't expecting to find themselves embroiled in another murder mystery. I was happy to see Casey going back to doing what he does best. He is a cop to his bones. It was also nice to see Will finding himself as the owner of the ranch too. He has plans for the future finally, not just living for the day after he inherited.

Altogether this story was a great, what's next story for these guys with a little bit of mystery thrown in. I enjoyed it because I like these guys. They're so great together and this was them having to deal with everyone actually knowing. Some good, some bad, but ultimately they're there for each other.

[NitaBee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming, still in bed sick

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three men...three lives...one love...

Will's a farmer, Scott plays hockey for the NHL and Casey's a small town sheriff or at least he was until he lost the election, what do these 3 men have in common you might wonder...well they're in love of course...with each other. But you all knew that from 'Chanages Coming Down' the first book in this duology, right?

Here in 'Changes Going On' we pick-up where things left off...Will, Scott and Casey are dealing with the aftermath of Scott coming out to the world and in the middle of it all Casey gets a call that pulls him back to law enforcement and away from his men...that's right there's murder afoot and the town that tossed him aside for a shinier sheriff now wants him to come back and find out who shot the sheriff? and somehow one murder turns into two and there seems to be a few young members of the LGBTQ community who are at risk and in need of someone to watch over them...enter Will with a little help from his hockey player.

It's going to take all 3 of these men working together to solve a murder, keep the kids safe and keep their love strong but that's ok because these men are up to the task.

I've enjoyed both of the books in this duology, but this one really nailed it for me. While there was more than just one thing going on in this story at any given time the author wove things together like a fine tapestry and always at the center of it was Will, Casey, Scott and the love they held for one another.

Like any book this one held the good...the bad and the ugly with thankfully more good than bad or ugly. I think one of my worst niggles was Scott's mom. For all her professing to love her son and want him to be happy, I just never quite felt it. To me it always felt like she wanted to cut Will out of things and that bothered the hell out of me. Will is this sweet, gentle soul who's had more than enough crap come his way in life and making Casey and Scott happy means the world to him and her making him feel not just insignificant but unwelcome in his own home...not cool Casey's mom...totally not cool. So I'm sorry even though she seemed to have been coming around by the time she returned home. When it comes to being a good mom...she's got some work to do.

As for Casey's mom who also popped by for a visit...that woman is pretty epic in my books...not perfect but she's definitely well on the road to fixing things and she's epic and a bit larger than life in her own right.

"Changes Going On" also brought some new secondary characters into play who added more than a little interest to the story there was Rusty and Kris who came on as ranch hands and then there was the appearance of a few of Scott's teammates along with the return of some of Casey's former deputies to help him solve the murders.

I really liked all three of these men at the end of the first book but I have say at the end of this one I think Will owns a little bit more of my heart than Casey and Scott...not much but he's just too sweet and gentle of a soul not to stand out. 

"Changes Going On" was a busy story with a fair bit going on which definitely kept the reader on their toes and while we were given a bit of a rest part way into the story it was nice to have that time to catch up with what I thought I knew and file things away in my brain for future reference before jumping back into the action the plot one again took off on a race to the finish line.

I know this is suppose to be the end of the road for this story but for my part I'd love to see what's happening with these men at a future date and find out if Casey might run for Sheriff at some point in time and how Scott's NHL career is doing and what's happening on the farm with Will and his efforts to pay it forward to kids in need of a little kindness.

We started with "Changes Going Down" and now things have wrapped up with "Changes Going On" but I truly hope that one day we'll find out about the "Changes to Come"...but that's me hoping and dreaming again for just a little more.

*************************

A copy of "Changes Going On" was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Relly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

4.25 stars

This one followed on directly from where we left off in the last one and is a great continuation of the guys story, so much so that I enjoyed it more than the first one.

The mystery storyline worked for me and kept me engaged throughout. While I had my suspicions about one of the baddies the why and how was totally off base.

I also enjoyed seeing the guys together and how they were working through the issues and the work that went into keeping their threesome together especially with everyone else’s opinions about their sex lives.

I thought the part with Scott’s mum was done well, with her struggling to understand the poly nature of their relationship and wanting Scott to be with just Casey with the little barbs and shutouts but then kind of disappeared. Did she accept fully in the end? It was she still ignoring Will? I did kind of want one of the guys to stand up to her and say what’s what but that didn’t happen.

The teammates parts were well done and it was also good to seeing a different side to Scott as he horsed around with the guys.

Each of the guys got their own little bit. Casey got to go back to doing what he loves without the stress of running the show and the politics. Will got to help out the kids and came up with a good plan to continue that on. And Scott got his guys and the play in the NHL

Excellent series

[AussieMum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love these three men. This was a solid sequel with more action, mystery, murder and a whole lot of sex smooshed in between the love. Here these men understand how much their world has expanded by living out in the open and that the good they can do far outweighs the bad.

It dragged a little in the middle, but there’s a whole lot of story here and a whole lot of loose ends that get tied up. Overall it was great to see these guys live their HEA.

[Kathleen in Oslo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Shorter: 🔥🔥🔥🥵🥰😛😭😍💜💜💜 [insert emoji of middle-aged woman on crowded bus surreptitiously crossing her legs and looking around to make sure no one’s reading over her shoulder, because DAMN!!!!]

Longer:

I LOVED this, but it was a lot. Propulsive, but a lot. I wished for a bit more breathing room, instead of leaping from one (usually stressful) thing to the next. Until almost the very end (the airplane scene and the extended epilogue), the only times we had all three men together were in the context of (HOT!) sex scenes or (YIKES!) action/ danger scenes. Don’t get me wrong: all of these were great. And it is nice to get more scenes with just two of the guys interacting -- or them interacting individually with others, whether Scott with his teammates, Will with Kris and Rusty, or Casey with Ransome and Forell -- as we got relatively few of those in book 1. But it would have been cherry-on-top to get some more relaxed hanging out scenes with all three of them so that we could see how our guys are when everything isn’t ramped up to 11.

Counteracting the “too much” feeling, though, is the fact that it all hangs together beautifully: everything had a point, there was almost no slack, and we got an excellent combination of external action and internal drama from all three men. And it wasn’t just that everything had a point, but that everything was working on multiple levels.

Take Scott’s mom. Talk about a buzzkill! She turns up unannounced, right when they want to finally settle in and have some trio-time at the ranch. Scott’s mom is there to give us Scott’s family aspect, of course. (We also get a cameo of Casey’s mom, who we first met in book 1; I love this character, who could have been a stereotype but ends up being awesome.) But Scott’s mom is also a means of airing doubts about the whole trio thing, from a “gay, ok; poly, folly” angle. And her skepticism is not only about poly-as-concept, but how it operates in practice in this relationship.

As I noted in my book 1 review, Scott in many ways is the odd man in the trio, and Scott’s mom essentially channels these concerns on behalf of the reader. Is Scott left out now that Will and Casey are living together full-time? Is he “lesser than” in the relationship (the kid, the one who’s not there, the one least involved in the ranch)? Why is he the only one traveling for visits? Are Casey and Will having their cake and eating it too? Having Scott’s mom voicing these doubts gives Scott (and to some extent, Casey) the opportunity to directly articulate how their relationship works, how they all complement each other, and what they all bring to and get out of it. The interactions with Scott’s mom also make us aware of Will’s own lingering sense of vulnerability as both the oldest and the one who joined the established relationship. Not that it’s good that Will still has these feelings occasionally, but it works to counterbalance all the ways that Scott seems to not fit in. It shows that everyone – even the mellow, “solid” ones – brings their own doubts and vulnerabilities to matters of the heart; and that while physical presence is an important aspect of a relationship, it doesn’t trump everything else. And it gives the other men a chance to stick up for quiet, sensitive Will.

Scott’s mom also reflects, in a gentler form, the public reaction they’re getting. I thought this was really well done. The public reaction to Scott coming out is more ambivalent or negative than it might otherwise have been if Scott was part of a traditional (especially married) couple. Even among some supporters, including in the queer community, Scott and the guys are up against the idea that being poly is problematic representation because it’s so easily twisted into stereotypes about gay promiscuity, immorality, and kink (it should be noted that the trio is vanilla, but this points to a common conflation of "poly" with "kinky" and "kinky" with "bad"). Thus, the feeling that it would have been better if the first out player was more “palatable” and less attackable. This is, of course, painful and frustrating for all the men – especially Scott, who bears the brunt of the public reaction and backlash – but it would have been very strange if it wasn’t addressed, since the reality is that poly relationships are marginalized and create more divisive reactions than a “normal” (2-person) gay relationship would. This was definitely an added layer of complexity, but it was necessary to keep the story rooted in a recognizable reality.

But yeah: by the time we got to the maliciously edited photo plot point, I did feel that it was getting to be A LOT: all the attention around the coming out, Scott’s mom, the case, Will’s ongoing grief, all against the backdrop of an invisible clock ticking down until Scott’s season starts up in the fall. But again, the photo story is doing more than one thing. Here the media hysteria and public reaction and PR spin angle – all stuff we got a lot of in the beginning of the book, which picks up immediately after Scott outs himself – feature only tangentially. What’s more important is that Scott’s teammates step up in response, which means we finally get a glimpse of Scott’s friends and team, their camaraderie and chirping and how they support each other.

This is SO important because we got almost none of this in book 1 – hockey, yes, life on the road, yes, but not really a sense of Scott having friends and a team around him. Getting to know these guys makes us feel better about all the months Scott is away, because we see how much he loves what he does and has a good group of buddies who accept him and his relationship; being away from Will and Casey doesn’t mean Scott is all alone. So that’s a really important emotional block slid into place. And then, plot-wise: the teammates’ presence and everything that flows from that is fundamental to setting in motion all the action in the back third of the book, including the resolution of the mystery.

We also see this whole working-on-multiple-levels thing in the Will band chaperone bit. At first, my reaction to Will getting roped into this was, oh god, are we going to be subjected to band-on-the-bus hijinks, and why on earth would he agree to go away for 6 DAYS when they finally got rid of the mom and Scott is only home for 2 months?? It ends up this doesn’t happen (thankfully), but the episode again hits an emotional beat – Will stepping into the mentoring role for Kris (and less directly, Rusty) that the Slaters played for him, feeling like he is giving back and helping kids who are as vulnerable as he once was – while also cannily pushing things forward in a way crucial to the mystery.

In sum: this is a real page-turner with super-tight, clever plotting interwoven with a lot of wonderful character and relationship development and interaction with our three men – even if the events of the story sometimes overtake the emotional and romantic elements. It ends with a satisfying HEA – these guys started off solid and only got moreso throughout, and now they're living openly and proudly – although also a bittersweet one, as we know that Scott will be away for long periods of time for the foreseeable future. This is hard on all of them, but it also roots the characters and their story in more than just the romantic relationship: hockey is Scott’s dream and passion, just as Casey is completed by his job and Will by the ranch.

A great installment and a wonderful, satisfying, steamy series that I will definitely go back to.

“Hands free, hearts connected.”

CW for staged suicides, reference to childhood neglect, death of parent, homophobia (verbalized and online); one side character also flees a religious anti-gay home

[Jenn (not Lily) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic story -- are there more coming for these guys? They're each so good for the other two in their family. I'd love to see Casey's Mom bulldoze over Scott's parents -- it's beautiful to see how much she supports Will in their relationship!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so good. Do you have any idea how hard it is to write books with plots like these, with THREE beautifully-developed personalities? I am so impressed I almost can't stand it. That, and keep an intricate plot in motion and intriguing? Magic. (Or, you know, really diligent work.)

This one ends their arcs beautifully. The Epilogue is perfect. I took my time finishing reading because I wanted that perfect end, but I didn't want to be done. I can offer no higher compliment.

Side note: I keep seeing reviewers call the relationship in these books a triangle, but it's what polyamorous people call a triad, three-way love. It's relatively common, if not always as equally shared as these three men manage. (My entire forty years of love have been polyamorous, and I'm a member of a large local polyam discussion group. I'm not just making stuff up here.) I was glad to see them hit that point where marriage is wished for but impossible. We've all been there in the various configurations polyamory can take.

My experience with being out as polyamorous is similar to theirs; most people are okay to cautious. Some are jerks. Few are absolute dicks. And it's weird to think you should express an opinion about someone else's choices, but it's human to react to challenges to our assumptions. It reminds me to keep my opinions to myself as long as everyone's happy. That's really all that matters, in the end.

[Lois - Who Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love these guys! I really enjoyed this sequel that starts right where the first book ended. Scott and the guys are dealing with the fallout from the press conference, the good and bad.

When they arrive home to discovery the Casey is needed back in the Sheriff's office and there is a local teenager in need of a safe place when there is a death in the family and he outs himself to his ultra-conservative narrow minded parents. There is a lot going on in this book and a great deal of it circling around the way the world treats LGBTQ people.

Casey is back at work trying to figure out who is murdering seemingly unrelated people in their small town. Will is still working on the ranch and is finally coming to terms with his dysfunctional childhood. Scott is coming to terms with what being out in the sports world means for him, his team, and his guys. The love and support these men have for each other is so lovely.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

“Changes Going On” by Kaje Harper is the sequel to “Changes Coming Down,” starting immediately after pro-hockey player Scott Edison has revealed to the public that he is in a romantic relationship with lovers Casey Barlow and Will Rice. In addition to the fallout over Scott being the first openly gay player in the league, there are other challenges facing the triad, including a couple of deaths that former sheriff Casey begins investigating. So much for having a quiet summer on their ranch.


This adult contemporary m/m/m story featuring a trio of charismatic men picks up immediately after the first story yet could be read as a stand-alone tale. I love that one is immediately invested in these three very distinct individuals who find a way to support each other and those in need despite the challenges they face.

There are multiple threads that are woven together in a captivating story that is both a mystery and a romance. The sadly pervasive occurrences of opposition to same-sex love, let alone a polyamory relationship, is explored. Not only are the men dealing with reactions in their respective professions, they are also interacting with young people who are facing their own opposition to living their lives the way they want.

In addition to the vivid depiction of their coping with paparazzi and hostility as well as the more welcome acceptance and love they encounter, there is an engaging mystery that unfolds as the story progresses. With this author’s usual finesse, intriguing secondary characters are presented and depicted with enough depth that I was worrying about them almost as much as the main characters. I love that the warm fuzzy moments outweigh the painful and distasteful episodes, and I was fascinated yet appalled to see how good intentions could be quickly twisted.

There are always wonderful lessons to be learned in these stories, including the strength that results from knowing you have people who are willing to let you be you. I love these guys and hope there will be other stories that continue to chronicle their lives, giving glimpses of ranch life, hockey, and police work. This was a wonderful escape in these troubling times, and as always, I anxiously await even more stories by one of my favorite authors in this genre.


A copy of this title was provided for review

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3.75 stars

Changes Going On is the follow up to Changes Coming Down and it picks up almost immediately after the first book ends. You will want to have read the first book before this one as this continues the guys’ journey and ties things up for them. The immediate crisis for Will, Casey, and Scott is the fallout from Scott’s public coming out. Things are kind of chaotic for them as they must deal with the media and Scott’s team and all they want to do is go home and be together on the ranch. But almost as soon as the immediate crazy dies down, Casey gets a call asking him to investigate a murder and things heat back up again.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

[Rellim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to write a better review later... but this was really good. I really enjoy Harper’s writing, these characters, the mix of mystery/suspense with the ranch and being in a hockey-star family.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

May 2024
Enjoyed it the second time . What really bothered me was Scott's mother. I think Scott and Casey should have taken a clear stance there

First review
This was as good as the first one - maybe even better. I loved all the the guys, especially Scotts teammates and I would love to get a story of Cross and Zykov. there could be something there.

I did not like Scotts mother and I think there is no real solution of this situation ... at least I did not get the feeling that there is.
Caseys mother on the other side was great.

Loved how they all developed themselves .... love the story.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect companion to Changes Going Down. There was so much to catch up on and when I started it hit me how much I missed the characters. Especially Will, I just love him.

Full review on the blog and then here.



**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**

[Janeylou · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Ulysses Dietz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changes Going On (Changes 2)
By Kaje Harper
Beaten Track Publishing, 2020
Five stars

I liked the first book in this series; but I liked this one even more. It’s not just Kaje Harper’s fine writing, it’s the fact that she took what I teased about being an m/m plotline overload (closeted cop, closeted hockey player, lonely rancher) and spun it into action-filled romantic gold.

First, I need to acknowledge, again, that only in the world of LGBTQ people does the idea of “coming out” still merit book-length study. I’ve been coming out for 46 years and it’s a process that has never ended. Even now, with the same man all this time, I get a shiver of anxiety every time I use the world “husband” in “mixed” company. Of course, that’s nothing to what Scott, Casey and Will face after Scott’s rather powerful coming-out interview as a new star in the NHL firmament. What a way to kick-start a high-tension romantic mystery thriller. If just being gay isn’t quite enough, being gay and in a throuple surely pushes things to the edge of comfort—even for other gay people.

What Harper also does is to explore varying degrees of discomfort on the part of people having to deal with Scott’s public coming out and refusal to back down about “his men.” I realized that, right from the start in book 1, I was comfortable with this idea of a loving triad—because she makes these three men so appealing as people. In this book I felt a little worried about Will—the rancher, whose dark back story is so at odds with those of his two boyfriends. Will is the add-on to this relationship, sought out by Scott and Casey together as a solution to Scott’s long absences on the road playing hockey. It’s also made clear that, for this kind of gay family, marriage really isn’t an option, since it would inevitably leave one of them as a third wheel.

Significantly, all of this is not the point of the book. What is are two supposed suicides, one of which only comes to Casey’s attention by accident. These two deaths become increasingly central to the story, not just drawing Casey into the fray as a deputized detective working for his former sheriff’s office; but also drags both Scott and Will into the increasingly uncomfortable mystery. I give Harper chops for writing some great, nail-biting action stuff in here.

Now, I’m one of these annoying people who almost always feels there’s too much sex in these m/m novels, and that is the case here (for me, I repeat). But I like very much one purpose Harper has with this literary intimacy: to show how a gay triad works, emotionally and physically. The idea of loving two people enough to commit to them together doesn’t puzzle me at all. Harper handles the inevitable juggling act of three men each trying to hold onto their identity while loving the other two.
All in all, a very satisfying book. No reason a book can’t make your heart flutter and your brain work at the same time.

[Gabbi Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite throuple

Changes Coming Down was a great book and I enjoyed it. I loved that it was an established triad who were coming to grips with what hiding their relationship was costing them individually and as a group. Scott, Will, and Casey were all strong men, and each had their own reasons for keeping the relationship a secret. When it became too much and they were forced to spend time apart to cover their lie, Scott made the decision he was going to come out. And announce his relationship with the taciturn rancher Will and the ex-army tough guy Casey. Scott, as an NHL player, had the most to lose. He might get dropped and might lose out on his dream. But he decided it was worth it and the book ended with the three men being interviewed for a segment to air the next day.

Changes Going On picks up right where the first book left off. The three men are back in the hotel room, still a little stunned that Scott chose not only to out himself but also to declare himself polyamorous. Will and Casey are more than willing to stand by Scott, but all three men recognize this is going to be a tough situation for all of them. Will plans to continue running the ranch he inherited. Casey is the ex-Sheriff who plans to work alongside Will at the ranch and Scott has the summer off before training camp.

Scott tells his parents and the team publicist who tells the team general manager just in time so they can all catch the interview. Some of the above take it better than others, but once the horse is out of the barn, so to speak, there’s no getting it back in. The three men are scheduled for a series of interviews that keep them away from the ranch and while they’re gone, Casey’s nemesis, the man who beat him in the sheriff’s election, is murdered. Since Casey was out of state with a strong alibi at the time, the town hires him back as an investigator so he can investigate the murder. Then there’s another suspicious death and suddenly things are getting hotter in the Kansas summer.

Back on the ranch, the paparazzi have set up just outside the property and it’s a challenge to get any work done. But the animals can’t wait and soon Will is back into his routine. Casey is back working for the law and Scott is in some weird place in between where he’s doing some training to keep in shape, some helping out around the ranch…and then his mother shows up. She leaves in time for more visitors to arrive at the ranch. It’s a whirlwind and with the summer staff, including two teenagers, life is never boring.

Like the previous book, there are some high stakes action and a little bit of peril. What I’ve come to expect from the series. I get my happy ending but man it was quite a ride. I like long books that I can sink my teeth into and this was definitely a good one. The care taking with the characterization was evident as I felt I really got to know each of the men. There is also humor in this book as evidenced by what happens when Casey’s mother shows up:


“Where are you?”

She chuckled lightly. “I seem to be at the gate to your ranch. Which is locked. A wise precaution since there are several media people parked here.”

Shit. “Listen, don’t get out of your car, all right? I’ll be home in twenty minutes—"

“Casey, don’t you think I know how to handle the press after all these years? I’ll be fine.”

“Really, Mom, Scott’s team likes to fine-tune all the media things. Just stay put. I’ll have someone come let you in. Or I can give you the code—"

“I think these gentlemen and ladies might like to hear about the negative climate effects of airline travel, don’t you? Or which biological, geochemical, and agricultural systems influence methane concentrations in a warming climate?”

“Uh, I don’t think—"

“I’ll keep them nicely entertained till you get here. These poor people must be so bored sitting here for hours waiting to pounce on you boys.”

“Mom, you shouldn’t—"

“I’ll see you in twenty minutes, Casey.” The call switched off.

Or maybe fifteen? He briefly considered whether Mom interacting with the press was enough excuse to turn on lights and siren. Sadly, ethics won out. But he did push the speed limit out of shape, heading back.


So, yeah, I might have laughed. A lot. I could totally see Casey racing back to the ranch. His mother is a hoot, although I’m certain she takes herself quite seriously.

I enjoyed this book as much as the first and was glad I invested the time to get to know these men better. Well done, Ms. Harper.

[Isa Tis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

Et voilà que nous retrouvons Scott, Casey et Will pour un été qui ne sera pas des plus reposants !
Ce roman est dans la tonalité du premier opus avec mystère qu'il faudra résoudre... mais si j'ai aimé cette histoire c'est avant tout pour la romance et son trio vedette !

La relation entre les trois hommes me plaît tout simplement car elle est sans fioritures inutiles mais on ressent pourtant les sentiments qui unissent nos héros. Et la façon dont ils feront front face aux différents événements qui perturberont leur été en est le meilleur témoignage.
J'adore les personnalités tout en retenue de Casey et Will et celle plus exubérante de Scott, elles se marient très bien. C'est aussi appréciable de voir ces mecs ne pas tomber dans des effusions trop mielleuses, cela ne collerait. Ce côté brut leur va par contre comme un gant !
Les scènes sexy sont bien présentes tout en évitant la surenchère et surtout, pas de sensation de pièce rapportée ! Jamais on ne ressent que l'un des deux hommes est en trop, Will a parfaitement trouvé sa place et apporte la touche d'équilibre pour que tout fonctionne à merveille.Il est d'ailleurs le personnage le plus touchant de cette duologie et cela fait tellement de bien de le voir aimé, entouré comme il le mérite.

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

August 2025
Kindle edition

Paparazzi ruins lives. I'm glad the trio remained strong but it felt touch and go for Will there and Scott's mother. Did not like her at all. I'm glad Casey's mother balanced the scales, given it felt like both men failed Will on that front. Homophobia and murder. Nice to see Casey back where he belongs. Loved the support from the rest of the team. A lot going on but the rage came from the mother trying to interfere. The way she blatantly froze out Will made me fume. Glad they came out the other side with a HEA.

[Joelle Mendes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so happy to get more of Casey, Will and Scott's story. I really love these guys and was excited to see how they would fare after Scott's shocking announcement. And honestly, I really just wanted to see them actually be able to spend time together on the ranch.

I liked this book even more than the first one. I loved how Scott and Will supported Casey when the new sheriff was murdered and how that murder was the catalyst for so many other plot points. I loved seeing Will and Scott get involved with mentoring the local kids and those scenes with Scott's teammates were fantastic. I think there's a whole lot more story to tell about one or two of those guys.

The only thing I didn't like was Scott's mother. She showed up out of the blue, which was weird and made me think that she had some kind of ulterior motive. Then she was so passive-aggressive towards Will, I wanted to scream. She wasn't supportive of them at all and that really annoyed me.

Crazy mom aside, this book sucked me in and didn't let me go. It's been over a week since I read it and I'm still thinking about these guys. I definitely see a re-read in my future.

[Christina]

3.5 Stars

[Fearne Hill]

Enjoyed as much as book 1 - maybe more :)