I DEVOURED this one! This story is so real and the characters are so human. I loved Jesse so much, I have never read a fmc with an ICD implant/Kawaski disease but as a nurse I’m well versed in what Jesse endured. The fact that Asher tries to be everything and more for her, even if she doesn’t always want that, is so freaking sweet.

You will feel your soul sucked out and put back but in the best way

Omg. Kayla Grosse makes me cry and feel all the feels. This was so sweet and fun! The plot and concept of the book was so cute, and kept me engaged the entire time. I loved Asher (called Ash) and Jesse (called Jesse), and the connection they shared was so sweet. THis book included many of my main tropes, and I think that is what I enjoyed most!

The way Ash cared for Jesse was perfection. He was patient and kind, while also trying his best to not treat her differently and I think that is what I loved most. He was patient, and gave her the time and space she needed to process everything, and really helped grow her confidence. Jesse's change and mindset through out the book only got better and better. I think it really shows how different things can be when you have people in your corner that care for you and want to see you succeed.

Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens were amazing to listen to. While looking at the cover of the book I already had in mind what I thought they would sound like, and Victoria and Grayson matched it perfectly. They really brought the emotion need to each character, and I cannot wait to listen to more books narrated by them!

Thank you Netgalley, Kayla Grosse and Dreamscape Select!

Read if you like:
One night stand
Best friends brother
Bucket list
Close proximity
One bed
Insta love/lust
Heart condition rep
Cat dad

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for ALC of "change of pace"
.
From the cover, any one would assume that it would be a cute rom-com but damn!! from the start to 16% its was so sensual. i have never been a smut fan and insta love literally frustrate the shit out of me and that's exactly what happened here but eventually when they both start checking off the jessie's checklist it was cute and humouroud sometimes too. Ash felt like such a side character to me because what in the world he had nothing to do except for help the girl checking off her bucket list. On top of that the girl he just met. Again instalove is so dumb.
Read this if you enjoy:
smut/spicy scenes/ open door spicy books
best friend's brother
living together

Asher is the biggest simp, and I am beyond here for it. Jesse had her reasons, but she definitely agitated me by not totally appreciating what Asher was doing for her and how he was loving her through their entire trip. Overall though, Asher is probably my new favorite Kayla man. Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owen’s were perfection as the narrators!

Loved it! 💛

Jesse is living with undiagnosed Kawasaki Disease and has survived multiple heart attacks before 30. She now has an ICD and is just trying to figure out how to live again without feeling like a burden. I can’t even imagine that kind of physical and emotional weight. (Extra points for the author’s note: Kayla has this condition, too, which made Jesse’s journey feel even more personal and real.)

After a one-night stand with Asher, who turns out to be her best friend’s older brother, Jesse ends up on a spontaneous, chaotic road trip full of weird stops, heart healing, and self-discovery. I’m not usually into instalove, so Asher was a liiittle intense for me at first, but Jesse? Perfect. The banter, the flirty tension, the steam? All so good. 🔥

Asher is the definition of thoughtful and patient. He helps Jesse tackle her sometimes weird and always wonderful travel bucket list in 20 days, and adds his own chaotic flair along the way. Watching Jesse learn to love herself (not despite her diagnosis, but with it) was emotional and incredibly relatable for anyone who's been through a medical crisis or personal trauma.

Also, major props for the refreshing take on the “dating your BFF’s brother” trope. Asher’s sister was all in, and I loved how she rooted for them instead of flipping out. Growth!

And last but never least...Gusgus. The ultimate wing-cat. He absolutely helped push Jesse and Asher together, and I will be accepting no arguments. That good boy stole my whole heart.

Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens nailed the audio. Total spot-on casting.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Kayla for the ALC!

3 stars ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

this was such a cute book, i’m a sucker for a bucket list & road trip rom-com. i loved seeing a plus sized woman be the main character/ love interest especially with medical representation.

i liked our main characters as people, i felt like they were both really realistic and charming although of course their faults were also really realistic as well while also being unlikable traits lol. i feel like asher definitely came on too strong in the beginning and would have icked me out and jesse could have easily avoided the main conflict in the story a lot sooner, i feel like it went on a bit too long like she should have discussed her true feelings before he went to london or at least be a bit more open about where she was mentally about them.

i did feel like her rationale for not wanting to date because she could die at any moment a little too the fault in our stars / hazel grace lancaster vibes, because although i completely understand where she’s coming from, technically anyone can die at any moment and that’s the point and reason for living in the moment before it’s too late.

their romance was so cute and i loved the mix up of her first hookup also being her best friend’s brother. i genuinely loved there dynamic and friendship even before they decided to get together which i think is really good writing.

the narrators Victoria Connolly & Grayson Owens did such an amazing job of narrating this book, i think this is my favourite audiobook depiction, the narrators completely embodied the characters and pronounced and delivered each line so so well.

Change of Pace, like everything else I’ve ever read by Kayla Grosse, was incredible. Jesse, diagnosed with Kawasaki Disease, has had two heart attacks, and she’s opted for a ICD implant. Knowing she isn’t promised tomorrow, she creates a bucket list, which includes a one night stand. Enter Asher. They meet a bar, their connection is immediate, and he comes back to her place. The night is hot—incredible—but it’s only supposed to be one night. Until she realizes that Asher is her roommate’s brother, in town for the weekend. When he learns of her bucket list, he offers to help, and they set off on a cross country roadtrip in his trusty Winnebago RV to start crossing things off. Their one night stand turns into a friendship then a situationship before becoming something permanent and real.

I loved how hesitant and vulnerable Jesse was. It felt very authentic that as someone who has come that close to death, she would have some hangups and baggage. I also appreciated the authenticity with which she lived in a larger body. For the most part, she loves herself and is confident in who she is, but there are also moments when she’s vulnerable and struggles. Everyone, no matter their size, can relate to that feeling. Asher is #boyfriendgoals, even before they’re officially together, always finding ways to encourage Jesse and also push her without being pushy. Patient, kind, loyal. He’s a walking green flag.

Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens both deliver incredible performances as Jesse and Asher. Their narration really drew me into the story, and kept my brain engaged as I listened. 10/10. All the stars. No notes.

Ideal for readers who enjoy heartfelt journeys of self-discovery and slow-burn romance intertwined with adventurous escapades and emotional depth.

This was the cutest book ever!! Ugh the audio narration had me absolutely addicted and I'm so so grateful I got the chance to read it!

Oh! I enjoyed this one so much!!!!

Asher was so patient with Jessie. I loved their adventure. I also really love a best friend's brother romance, especially when the best friend isn't mad about it!

This book was a delightful surprise—fast-paced, engaging, and packed with both heartfelt moments and just the right amount of steam. The chemistry between Jesse and Asher was off the charts, and the balance between the emotional journey and the spice was spot on.

Jesse Reeves is on a mission to truly live after a life-changing health scare and an implanted heart device. Determined to cross items off her bucket list, she dives into a spontaneous one-night stand with a charming stranger—only to discover the next morning that he's actually her best friend’s brother. What follows is an unexpected RV road trip full of quirky pit stops, emotional revelations, and a growing connection that neither of them planned for.

I loved how the story mixed laughter, romance, and vulnerability without ever feeling too heavy. Jesse's determination to live fully and Asher’s easygoing but supportive nature made for a dynamic and lovable pairing. Their evolving relationship, set against the backdrop of small-town diners and scenic roadsides, was both fun and touching.

If you’re looking for a story with road trip vibes, great banter, emotional depth, and some well-written steam, this one is definitely worth the ride.

*ALC review* I went into this story completely blind, with the exception of knowing it was a Kayla Grosse story narrated by Victoria Connelly and Grayson Owens. Let me tell y'all I do not regret that in the slightest! As usual, Kayla gives us an FMC (Jessie) who is relatable and guarded and an MMC (Asher) that falls fast, hard, and is a total cinnamon roll! These two may have met by chance, but their chemistry was so good, and I loved the idea of the forced proximity being a result of them working through a bucket list (no spoilers, so I won't tell you whose 😉). This story took my heart on a ride, but Kayla definitely put it back together in the end. The narrators, as usual, had me sucked in, not wanting to stop listening!

5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I loved this book so much! I loved how this book combined emotional real life issues with spice. It was the perfect mix of both!!! Jesse and Asher’s love story is beautiful. Highly recommend.

I love books with representation, and this book was brimming with it.
Jesse, our FMC, received a Kawasaki Disease diagnosis and got an ICD implant to help regulate her heart after a surprise heart attack. Due to this, she's ready to check off all the items on her bucket list - just in case. She's lively, curvy, and excited to get the chance to be adventurous.
Asher, our MMC, has ADHD, giving him a restlessness that he cures by living in an RV with his cat (love a cat dad!) traveling all over. He's in the perfect position to help Jesse check off everything on her bucket list. He's rich, naturally, rockin' a (cat) dad bod, and loves adventure.
Asher fell pretty much instantly, and he fell hard. Jesse took some time to come around. I didn't like how she kept going back and forth on her feelings, hurting Ash in the process, but I also don't know what it's like to not know if you're gonna be alive the next day. So I had to take her wishy-washyness with a grain of salt.
Also, the surprise that Asher is Jesse's best friend's brother, and she is THRILLED about them hooking up and traveling together was actually pretty great. I love a good best friend's brother trope, but the sneaking around gets old after awhile. It was refreshing seeing them be out in the open the entire time.
Overall, I did enjoy the story.

4/5 stars.

I absolutely loved this book. The narrators were amazing and they really brought the story to life! Jesse and Ash were so great together and I loved how they handled Jesse’s illness in a way that she celebrated the time she has left instead of wallowing in grief over what she was going to miss. The vibes between the two of them were super cute and I loved how Ash fell so hard for Jesse so quickly and how onboard he was with helping her with her bucket list. Would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys plus size MCs, golden retriever MMCs, best friend’s brother romance, immune deficiency rep, road trip romance and adventure romance tropes.

This book has it all! Spicy dance floor scene, hot springs all to themselves for deep conversation (because oh by the way, Ash rented out the entire spring so they didn’t have to share) hotel room with one bed, that’s also possibly haunted, yes please. Traveling across the country checking off items from Jesse’s bucket list after a Kawasaki Disease diagnosis and an ICD implant, might just ignite your own personal goal(s) to live life to the fullest. Buy the plane tickets, see that concert, find that childhood toy you never got for Christmas.

The story Kayla has written hit all the feels for both Ash and Jesse. The dual narration audiobook was perfection! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this wonderful story. I can’t wait for Kayla’s next book!

I wanted to love this book. The premise sounded so good, but it just felt drug out. The FMC was very contradicting which I understand her circumstances, but it just got very repetitive. I will say the characters had had such good chemistry. This book was also written well with the topics circling medical health.

The narrators did a phenomenal job bringing this story to life. Grayson Owens & Victoria Connolly really did these characters justice. Their voices matched perfectly with how I pictured Jesse & Asher would sound.

4.25⭐️


Oh hellllll ya I ate this one up!! Jesse had a bucket list but this one is a bit different—she’s been through some medical hardships and is doing this to allow herself to liveeeee. First bucket list crossed off is a one night stand who just so happens to be her besties brother, Asher!!

One thing leads to the next and now Jesse & Asher are roomies along for a roadtrip to work through both fo their bucket list items!

God it was cute & I had such a great time listening to the audio!!

I just love Kayla Grosse's writing and she always picks such great narrators for her audio books. This is no exception!

It's a sweet road trip romance with the person you had a one night stand with.

I love the way that Kayla writes about health, mental illness, and disabilities. It's with characters that are strong and capable and take the world on by force.

That said, there is a child free character and an entire GOOD BOY chapter and I feel like this one was written with me in mind. :)

Okay, all the feels. This couple is the least toxic couple I've ever met. I want to be their friends, I want to watch Gus Gus when they go on vacation, I want to babysit their future kids. My heart is so happy.

As always, Kayla Grosse brings the heat, but she also brings the romance. Asher is the biggest golden retriever I have ever read and I have no notes. The way this was written was something you could use as a blueprint for all relationships, the support all around here was 10/10. Seeing her work through her diagnosis and issues she had from childhood regarding her weight was so well done. I love that Kayla not only gave us a body positive FMC but a MMC too, I feel like this is rare to read and it was a breath of fresh air to see REAL people.

This audio narration was phenomenal and I am so glad I got a copy from NetGalley. Kayla Grosse is an autoread author for me, and she always has great narrators!