5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️ Open door scenes with dirty talk and some light bondage. Honestly, fairly vanilla for Kayla Grosse.

Okay, I’ve read this twice now. I read an ARC and an ALC, so I can confidently say this is my favorite Kayla Grosse book. Personally, I felt more connected to the characters more than I ever have when reading her books. It felt like she put more of herself in this one. You can tell how personal it was for her, and I really enjoyed that. The audiobook was absolutely incredible. Sometimes dual narration audiobooks can feel less special than duet which are my personal favorite, but this was really good. Both narrators do an amazing job. Now, it is also just an incredible story backing them up.

This book!! Such incredible characters. I always describe well-developed characters as textured because when something is written really well it tends to come alive more when I’m visualizing it in my mind. Amazing characters and descriptions of gorgeous settings. Seriously. I loved Jesse SO much. I joked on social media that their only flaws are their preference for dark roast coffee and I stand by that. I need to warn you. No MMC will measure up against Asher called Ash once you read this book. There has never been such a perfect cinnamon roll simp of a man written. When Kayla Grosse said, “He falls first and hard,” on social media…GIRL. She was not kidding. Man has it BAD. Just so good. Literally my face while reading chapter 3? His first POV? 😯

This was just simply too good. They were TOO cute. Jesse had such an incredible character arc of self love and self discovery. Ash is so incredibly supportive. I cried so many times while reading this, and honestly…as much as I go on and on about having a detailed rating system? Did a book make me cry a bunch? Was I giggling and kicking my feet? Immaculate vibes? 5 stars. This was just…you know when you’re watching a great rom-com with your girlfriends and it’s hitting just right? Or like a comfort show? That’s like the vibe this gave me. I kept stopping to do other things because I didn’t want it to end. This is the type of book you’ll want to come back to again and again. I definitely will be listening to it on audio. Can’t wait!






Content warnings: body image (weight loss and disordered eating are discussed), bondage, death & dying conversations, heart attacks (past), ICD implant, Kawasaki disease, medications, near-death experiences

Change of Pace by Kayla Gross
Contemporary romance. Health issues. Curvy female and dad body hero.
After a heart attack and ICD implant because of Kawasaki Disease, Jesse Reeves created a bucket list for her life. The first item on the list is a one-night stand and Jesse’s long time friend takes her to a bar get that item crossed off. Though the night doesn’t start out well, she soon meets Asher Jamison who is everything she hoped for. Now he wants more. He won’t push her, but he might have the perfect plan. A trip in his RV to help her with the bucket list. They can go as just friends. No pressure.
Their sparks aren’t so easily ignored. Especially when there is a severe lack of privacy when traveling together in an RV.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook version of this book narrated by Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens. They each did their chapter POV and had voices for both characters. Both did a fantastic job with the performance and the emotions were easily heard. The characters came alive and had me actively listening to find out reactions.
I did listen to this at 1.5 and slightly higher to more closely match my reading and conversation speed.

Adored the story. He fell instantly and could see their future and I fell for him too in that moment. He has a cat. There are highs and lows, of course. She planned only one night and doesn’t think she can have more because of her disease.
Swoon worthy romance.
This was my first book by this author and I will definitely be looking for her backlist.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Dreamscape Select.

Change of Pace is Kayla’s newest novel and follows a woman living with Kawasaki disease who’s determined to tackle her bucket list after surviving two heart attacks and getting an ICD implant. I really appreciated seeing disability rep here, especially for something I wasn’t super familiar with before this story. You can absolutely tell Kayla poured a lot of heart and authenticity into this book, especially with it being her own lived experience.

That said, this one didn’t hit quite the same way for me as some of her other books. I just didn’t feel a strong spark between the two leads, and the whole “we can’t be together” drama that pushed the third act breakup felt more frustrating than emotional. Still, it’s a sweet road trip romance at its core with some beautiful moments about living life fully.

I loved all the representation in this book! Honestly I have listened to a lot of Kayla’s audios and they are always fantastic! This story has a lot of emotional topics but I loved how everything fit together seamlessly and seeing our FMC gain confidence and as everything!

This is a deeply personal work by Kayla Grosse. A beautifully written story of embracing life after nearly losing it.

Jesse has just received an ICD implant after two heart attacks resulting from undiagnosed Kawasaki Disease in her youth. Deciding to embrace the life she almost lost, Jesse makes a bucket list, at the top of which - a one night stand. Enter Asher, who she meets during a night out dancing. Asher knows immediately that Jesse is his, but learns he will have to be patient when he sees her list.

This road trip romance was so sweet. The process of Jesse realizing that while a bucket list spurs one into action, life is about more than checking off a list is very angsty.

Also, Ash calls her "Jesse Girl" and it absolutely melts my heart.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 Stars)
This book was everything I didn’t know I needed.

First, a huge thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ALC! I’m so grateful I got to listen to this beautiful story early.

I loved Jesse and Asher so much it’s honestly hard to put into words. Jesse is the kind of character who sticks with you. He's strong, brave, vulnerable and messy in the most real way. And Asher... oh my GOD, Asher. He’s the swooniest MMC. The way he sees Jesse, really sees her, and helps her believe she's strong, beautiful, worthy, scars and all? It’s the kind of love that makes you tear up a little (or a lot). He’s such a cinnamon roll and just... ugh, I’m obsessed.

This story made me laugh, made me cry, and made me think about how precious life really is. It's emotional and hopeful in all the right ways, and it reminds you that living — really living — sometimes means taking scary leaps and believing you deserve more.

Also, Melissa deserves her own award.
Usually, in best friend’s brother books, the sibling freaks out and ruins everything. But not Melissa. She’s just over there being a total queen, manifesting Jesse and Asher’s relationship like the unbothered legend she is. She hypes Jesse up, pushes her to stop playing it safe, and is honestly the best friend everyone deserves. I adored her.

And that epilogue??
SPICY. 🔥 Perfectly spicy. Perfectly sweet. It wrapped up the story in the most satisfying way.

This book had everything:

A strong, curvy heroine who’s been through so much and is still standing

A cinnamon roll hero who would literally move mountains for her

Close proximity, road trip, bucket list magic

Hilarious, heartfelt banter

Beautiful rep (Kawasaki disease, ADHD)

Honestly, it’s just real in a way that hits you right in the chest. I already know I’ll be thinking about these characters for a long time. 💖

This was such a sweet novel! We follow Jessie who has a heart condition that has given her a new outlook on her life, including a bucket list she wants to complete. We also follow Asher, her best friend's brother. Through a series of circumstances, Jesse and Asher (and his cat Gus-Gus) go on a road trip to check items off of Jesse's bucket list. I loved following these characters and their character growth. Jessie is a fantastic character who is plus sized but that isn't her entire identity. I enjoyed her perspective of not letting her size or heart condition define her. Asher is such a swoony, cinnamon roll character, and I loved him from his first appearance on page! I really appreciated the realistic approach the author took with communication and life scenarios. I could not put this down because I needed to know what happened with our characters! This was my third Kayla Grosse romance, and it will not be my last.

First, thank you granting me a copy of this ARC in exchange for a review.

I loved it.
I thought it was a great, sweet, exactly what the soul needed kind of book.
Both MCs were a delight to read... and of course, the side characters. Everyone loves a meddling best friend.

This is the second book I've read from this author, but am excited to find more.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.

I do love a Kayla Grosse romance - they are always spicy but full of heart. This story follows Jesse and Asher.

Jesse has Kawasaki Disease, which has led to two heart attacks, and she is now living with an ICD implant. She has decided she wants a change of pace and has done a bucket list for herself to live life to the fullest after her near-death experiences.

No 1 on her list is to have a one-night stand- in comes Ash. After meeting at a bar, Ash is instantly drawn to Jesse and wants nothing more than to take her home. Asher and Jesse have a wild night , but Jesse is determined to it to be only night , even though she can't get him out her head.

As fate has it , she meet him again at her best friend's engagement party, as Asher is actually her millionaire tech nerd nomad brother. Who has been travelling around the US in a RV.

In order to cross off more items from her bucket list - they decided to travel together for the next month in his RV. But can they just remain friends in such close quarters?

This was a really beautiful story. I loved both the characters and the way they slowly fell in love with each other.

🎧5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🎧

Thank you to Dreamscape Select & Fat Babe Publishing, INC, for allowing me to listen and review this audiobook through NetGalley.

This book was all kinds of fun and interesting to listen to. Jesse is coming to terms with her diagnosis and her ICD implant, and she wants to make every moment count because she almost didn’t have more time.

So, she makes a list of things she would like to do; first on her list is a one-night stand.
Enter Asher, he was smoken’ hot and up for some flirting and fun times. When she wakes up the next morning and he is gone, she is a little sad, until she finds the note he attached to her list. The list she forgot she tapped to her bathroom mirror. OOPS.

Jesse’s best friend is getting married, so when Jesse goes to the get-together for the wedding party, she wasn’t expecting to see Asher and then to find out he is her best friend's brother. Things are about to get interesting.

The chemistry and understanding of these characters find is what kept me listening even when I was frustrated with Jesse for not opening up. I get it now, and I wouldn’t change a thing in this book.

The narration from Victoria and Grayson was outstanding and worth listening to.

Another great story by Kayla Grosse. What I thought was going to be an insta love story, turned into a slow burn so good!!! Although frustrating at times, I really understood Jesse’s attitude towards life. Her moment of realization was amazing to read. But the way Asher loved her and was so patient… truly the dream man.

The icd implant rep was also so important and brought more awareness to people like me whom had no idea what Kawasaki disease was.

Once again, the narrators for this story absolutely killed it!!!

Thank you to Kayla Grosse, NetGalley and Dreamscape select for the ALC.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story and the amount of amazing details Kayla put in this story was truly a gift to the readers. First of all, the way Jesse's life was portrayed, living with a chronic disease severe enough that could kill her, and how it affected so many aspects of her life was not only eye opening but touching. I felt for her. Then you have Asher, who is honestly the perfect book boyfriend. From making Jesse feel like the most beautiful woman in the world, to the most delicious steamy scenes, to buying additional medical supplies just in case Jesse ever needed them while traveling together, just pure perfection. In addition, the best friend's brother trope was done brilliantly. It was such a breath of fresh air to have a sibling that was actually encouraging them to be together, rather than being the angry sibling we see in the majority of stories with this trope. Finally, the narration by Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens was spectacular. They both did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. Oh and that epilogue??? Yes, just... YES!

As someone who has struggled with body image her entire life, I really enjoyed that the female main character truly came to accept herself throughout the book. I loved that Ash continued to lift her up and help her become even more confident throughout the story.

This felt like the slowest slow burn ever. There were even times when I questioned if the two would even actually end up together.

The twist with Jessie’s best friend was super fun. I also loved that Ash helped her check off all her bucket list items. It really makes me want to travel the U.S. after reading this.

I listened to the audiobook of this book. The narrators did a fantastic job. A duel narration audiobook is just the best!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select | Fat Babe Publishing, INC. for this copy of Change of Pace.

#ChangeofPace #NetGalley

After two heart attacks, a Kawasaki disease diagnosis and an ICD implant, Jesse Reeves decides that it is time to LIVE. To help with that, she writes a carefully thought out bucket list. Item #1 on the list is a no-strings one night stand. She manages to cross that one out when she meets Asher Jamison in a bar. Their night together is way more than she hoped for in so many ways. Her "stranger in the bar" turns out to be her best friend's brother. To her surprise, her friend couldn't be happier when she finds out and suggests a road trip with Asher, who lives in an RV, so that she can check all the items on her bucket list. Jesse reluctantly agrees with one condition: they will keep things platonic.  But what she doesn't know is that, for Asher, she's the ultimate "bucket list" item for him and he'd love to stay in her life. As the days go by, he might even convince her. 

Narrated dual style by Victoria Connoly and Grayson Owens, this audiobook tugged at all my heartstrings. Victoria's voice is perfect for the vulnerable yet determined Jesse. Grayson is swoony as the green flag personified Asher and both of them give this story incredible performances. They make you root for Jesse and Ash from the moment they meet. 

I was particularly moved by the fact that (although not autobiographical) the story is pretty much based on Kayla Grosse's own experience with the disease and it makes Jesse's experiences ring very true. 

A tech geek hero who falls first, a fun and determined heroine, a supportive best friend/sister, a one night stand for the books, one memorable road trip, one grumpy cat and a romance that gives you all the feels! Just lovely! 

Rep: FMC has Kawasaki disease and an ICD implant; MMC has ADHD

Content notes: talks of death and dying, discussions of body image, weight loss, disordered eating

Alternative title: Therapy in a Winnebago. Jesse, sweet Jesse, had so much baggage to unpack. Having a body that has previously, and nearly fatally, failing her inserted a tiny little voice in her head that drives all things - decisions, comfort, relationships, day-to-day functioning. Enter Ash. He shook up her world so disruptively that she spent almost the entire book battling that little voice. And talk about support! Gold star for green flag, Ash. I enjoyed this story. Such a beautiful perspective and so much heart. Audio note: excellent performance !! Brought all the emotions and experiences to life !

Thank you to Dreamscape and Fat Babe Publishing for this review copy of Change of Pace!

Change of Pace tells the story of Jesse, a survivor of childhood Kawasaki disease who recently received an internal implant to regulate her heart to prevent future heart attacks. After going through all these medical hurdles, she decided to make a bucket list. The first part of that bucket list includes a one night stand,
Asher is in love at first sight with Jesse, and doesn’t realize he’s part of said bucket list until afterward their night together.
What follows is a story of learning to love never knowing how long your life will be. It’s a sweet story.

Overall 4 out of 5 stars. I really liked Asher a lot. Beyond a few cheesy lines the character have great banter. Only take away a star because Jesse kind of used him towards the end.

This was my first Kayla Grosse read, and it won’t be my last 🧡 Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens brought Jesse + Asher to life brilliantly in the audiobook. I enjoyed the Kawasaki + ADHD representation in the story and was rooting for the pair of them from the go!

Thank you so much to Fat Babe Publishing, INC. and Dreamscape Select for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, Change of Pace is out now! 🧡

Change of Pace ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was heart moving, funny, emotional and spicy with a side of travel ❤️. I loved Jesse’s story of trying to tick off items from her bucket list after her heart surgery and following her dreams, I also loved how Ash fell first and he was so sweet with her in helping her tick off her list. As someone who has also had life changing surgery and bad health issues this book really tugged on my heartstrings as I could resonate with Jesse.
Loved this 💕

4.5⭐️ 2.5🌶️

This was cute, and heartfelt. I loved Jesse’s story and how she was trying to learn to actually live with her heart condition. Ash was nerdy, sweet, and had it down bad for Jesse from the very beginning. Don’t get me wrong I love a ripped MMC just as much as the next girl, but I found it refreshing that the FMC and MMC were plus size. I found the characters relatable and so funny.

Audio 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️

The audio is amazing! I love Kayla’s books but the audio ❤️‍🔥🔥 takes them over the top. I will listen to them over and over again!

Jesse is a true warrior in this book. A phoenix rising our rod the ashes of her health battles and wanting to prove she is still here and bada$$ enough to do all the things.

Starting with a one night stand. Enter Asher. He is so much and more; when he leaves he does leave his number but it was a one night stand. Until he turns out to be her besties brother. And now they were convinced to do some traveling together for the next month. Now it’s Jesse and cat Daddy Asher against the world. Nothing should break her remove to remain friends…. Not even the hottest sex of her life.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape & Kayla Grosse for the advance copy for an honest review.

#changeofpace #kaylagroseeauthor #kaylagrosse #romcom #bookworm #bookboyfriend #booklover #roadtripromance