Haha! That is so cute! It sounds like something that would happen to me.
T~H

Hey there. What do you know - a good story was *bound* to come up if I put in a summary search query of "gender". I have the odd gender related story myself, and had a hankering to see what else there was out there.
As a FTM myself, I can't help but enjoy your portrayal of Shep as a gentleman. I could definately identify with that.
Sometimes I found that your characterizations felt a little bit uncomfortable or forced, but if you wanted to take a bit more time to let us get to know your characters I'm sure that side of things would disspate. As it is, there are moments when the characters practically try to climb off the page at me, and I found myself generally quite drawn into the whole thing. Very, very nice.
There are a couple of things that are nagging at me, so I'll mention them here, particularly involving transition itself.
I find myself scratching my head at Shep's 'gender reassignment' surgery. First, he apparently was whisked away to Europe to have this thing done before he had been taking any hormones. The first step of the whole thing is usually the hormones, with surgery following (sometimes extremely soon, sometimes not... usually depending on waiting lists and funding and the like). Sure, some people probably jump in and have it done first, but surgeons are usually very hesitant to do that (you did address that somewhat, though, so kudos to you).
Second, from what you mention, it seems you're suggesting that the operation left him with normal, fully functional male genitals? Boy, I wish that was the case... ;-) As of today, the technology available to FTM patients is... lacking, to put it mildly. Ability to orgasm is commonly lost. 'Penetration', at least as it is commonly perceived, is usually pretty much impossible.
Third, the thing with pretending to have been killed in a car crash overseas and coming back as a 'cousin'... I'm sure people take this approach, at least in the sense that they TELL people these things if pressed, but since your only two prominent trans characters have used this approach, it's making it look like it's the norm... Which I don't think it is. And I doubt it would ever be used in a legal sense, considering it's, well, fraud.
And there are places in America (and Canada) where the operations can be done, too. There's a fairly reputable clinic in Montreal, for instance, both for FTM and MTF folk. It isn't always an over-seas affair. ;-)
I find myself a bit confused about the setting, time-wise. If it's modern day, it feels like the open hatred toward trans folk that is being expressed by the Gay Group is a little bit... overblown, or too naked, or something. Most groups happily swing around banners of "GLBTQWXYZ" and whatever other letters might become necessary, particularly in circles of young people like in, well, college. Is this story taking place somewhere (or somewhen)specific that would explain why they don't tote that same flag?
The idea that someone would actually go out of their way, as a religious group, to lobby for Gay marriage, and be so violently opposed to Trans folk is... hard for me to wrap my head around. I like your explanations about it, but it never really gels with me. I can see TOLERANCE of gays, and lack of tolerance for trans folk, but the actual loudly-proclaimed support of gays in contrast with the damnation of the evil abominations that are transsexuals just doesn't quite ring true for me.
Also, I understand that you probably aren't trying to say that "what occurs in this story is the norm", but it seems to come off that way, and I can't help but nag at you about it, considering so many folk are reading and enjoying it who don't spend so much time with their nose in trans issues as I do. So. Nag nag nag. :-)
Anyway, this has turned into a long and seemingly unhappy review. So I shall reiterate that I am *really* enjoying your story, and hoping that you update it again soon, as I notice you haven't for a while. Please, please do. We need more good stories, especially about us poor, forgotten FTM folk. ;-)
Thanks, and have a lovely day. :-)

i've reviewed before, but i just have to say again how great i think this story is. the plot is engrossing and your character development is amazing- each character has so many sides. every aspect of the story is very realistic. my only negative comment is that you don't update often enough.

UPDATE! UPDATEUPDATEUPDATE!
Please?

Brought tears to my was amazing!Very well written.

wow! great chapter. i was beginning to think you were never going to update. then i stopped checking to see if you had. for some reason i decided to see. and you did! i love this chapter... i just hope that lisa doesn't turn her back on shep... i would cry.

when i read the summary about it i thouhgt it seemed not like the oher storeis i read...i thought it would be weird, but its one of the best so far, keep it up

WELL - I have to say this was expertly written. I have not been following since it started; in fact just today did i stumble upon it. Only one thing - give us more between Lisa and Shep, we have to have a reason for wanting them to stay together, giving them a reason to overcome the obstacles we all know are coming - the love between Kia and Shep in years past is so deep, was so beautiful that sometimes you long to root for them, forgetting their differences. Otherwise, I have to say, I admire your ability to bring every character to life. They are realistic, lovable, likeable, even unlikeable at times, but that just pushes them closer to the reader;s heart :) - I noticed its been a while since the last update - I'm not surprised - i know if this were my work, I'd have absolutely NO idea where to take it - I can only hope you'll make the decision for meand not let my imagination go too far! Hope to hear from you soon, and I'm sure to check out your other stuff - :)

poor shep.

Wow...this is damn good! Keep it up! Write! Write! WRITE! *cracks whip* :D

I love this story. Please continue, your plot is amazing, the subject is one I've never read a story on yet, and you've done an absolutely wonderful job on character development in even the very beginning. I'm getting into this story and really feeling sad for poor Shep and his position about telling Lisa about himself. The poor dear. Please update soon.

~Jo-chan~

p.s. I absolutely love the last lines between Shep and Barbara, the words are so deep and emotional you truely feel for the characters. Nice job!

Lovely story! I really hope that Kia doesn't ruin Lisa and Shep's relationship, but oh well. Doesn't look like she won't, Kia really is a bitch, in every definition.

Bejipan

wow...

I think -I-'m going to cry!

once again you never cease to amaze me with anothr brilliant chapter of suspense and this time the story made me really sad, i feel so bad for shep...he just wants to live a good life...lisa, though i really liked her from the beginning, her predjudice makes me feel revolted completely, someone should take that girl aside and show her what an ass she is making of herself...and don't even get me started on kia...it's like they don't want discrimination but they discriminate completely...they are total hypocrites...but needless to say it's interesting, and that's what i love about your stories, they are vulnerable, real and you never know what is going to happen next...please update soon and thankyou so much. you rock. like i said before, i'll be first in line at your booksigning.

hey girl,

i'm glad you updated, it's about time! i always loved your writing, and i still do. your characters are always complex and well, real to me, especially shep. you have the ability to make me even love the characters that i'm supposed to hate, but i love all of em because well, they are all so human. your writing has depth and what i admire most is that your not afraid to write about something that most people consider taboo. what i like the most is that it raises awareness about transgenders and it helps people who wouldn't approve normally to see that they deserve a chance. it's empowering actually and it rocks. most people are always suprised at how ok i am with transgenders, maybe it's because i'm bisexual or something but i just don't think that there's anything wrong with being who you are and to be honest most transgenders i've befriended are kinda hot, i dunno, maybe it's because they are open minded or something. but i love it that there are other people out there who are cool with them like i am and are even awesome enough to use their talents to create characters like shep.

you also have the talent for writing supense, because this story and a number of your other stories leaves me on the edge of my seat constantly.

i also just want to say that i am desperate for another update asap. you rock girl, and keep on writing, i hope to be at one of your booksignings some day.