Changing Shape by Kathleen Wheeler

Elizabeth Thornton is an only child. It’s always been just her and her mom, Patty. Elizabeth has worked hard and is now at the top of her game. She has almost all she wants in life, a town house in Boston, her prestigious career, what more could she want? Nothing material, but the one thing she doesn’t have is love.

When Elizabeth’s mother Patty is suddenly diagnosed with cancer, Elizabeth immediately returns home to Colorado to care for her.

Hailey Jenson is a newcomer to Colorado. Hailey and Patty soon become fast friends. Patty is like a second mom to Hailey. When Patty becomes ill, Hailey is distraught. It brings back all the emotional turmoil into her life she’s carefully hidden. Hailey has been through the devastation cancer brings for a loved one and their family before.

When Hailey and Elizabeth meet, there is a definite attraction between them. But neither woman is prepared to take a chance of something more. What will it take to make them realize life is too short to turn away love?

This story got off to a really slow start. I was beginning to wonder if anything was going to actually happen. However, it did pick up all of a sudden. I don’t want to put in any spoilers, but one particular part of the story didn’t quite mesh. Elizabeth made a phone call after finding out her mom was in hospital. Instead of speaking to the person on the other end, she asked her to hold, while she gave out numerous instructions to her assistant. I would have thought her mom would have been first and foremost in her mind.

The other thing I did not like at all was an explicit hetero sex scene. I don’t spend money to read that in a lesfic book. By all means allude to it if it is an integral part of the story, but for me, it is a major turn off.

After the distaste of that, I found it difficult to get back into the book again, especially as the two characters were intending to hook up again. But I persevered.

The emotional and heart rending story of Patty’s cancer and the way in which Elizabeth and Hailey handle it, was told with a sympathy and understanding that I have to give top marks for. Kathleen Wheeler certainly knows how to get across the highs and lows of the emotions that this devastating disease brings on.

The book on the whole was reasonably good. It is not all filled with doom and gloom. There is a humor throughout, as well as some hot lesbian sex scenes.

There were a few typos and editing issues and overall, I think the book is way over priced.