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

After how much I enjoyed Whirlwind, I wanted to love this one just as much, but I just didn't. I very much enjoyed it overall, and I especially love a good road trip romance! It's one of my favourite tropes, and while this was a very good story, the spice was great, I loved the MMC, I just struggled to connect with the FMC. And I feel like my disconnect from the FMC made it difficult for me to be invested in the connection between the MCs.

There was so much about this book that I enjoyed, I just felt it lacked that je ne sais quois that I want to feel from a story I love and am heavily invested in.

I truly felt like the narrators Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens did such a great job. Their narration was wonderful, but I also found myself comparing to how incredible the production of the Whirlwind audio was with duet narration, including a separate actor for a side character and all the sound effects. Whirlwind was fantastic. Change of Pace was good. Unfortunately, I don't really have much more of an explanation than that.

This book has left me with mixed feelings. I love Jesse as a character and I really enjoyed that the author included her having Kawasaki Disease so that I was able to learn so much about something I knew nothing about. I could not imagine how hard it must be to live with something like that. I would have constant anxiety if I thought that every day was going to be my last, but I suppose that is why Jesse makes a bucket list and plans to live her life to the fullest.

The first item on her list is a one night stand, which she achieves with a man named Ash. I had very mixed feelings about Ash. He is romantic, cheesy, and also borderline cringe at times. He gave me the ick several times during this audio book. I hated his nicknames for Jesse. Calling her Jesse Girl made me feel as if that is something you would call your pet dog and also felt very unoriginal. She upgrades to a new nickname later in the book that was a bit more unique, but also a bit cringe. I was very thankful that he kept the thought to himself about wanting to "murder her pussy." I would have ran away so fast if a man ever said that to me in real life. With that being said, he is also super romantic and goes out of his way for Jesse several times and makes sure that she feels comfortable and safe. I do think their chemistry is good together and I really enjoyed their flirting.

In terms of the narration, my only complaint is the sex scenes. We dive into a sex scene pretty early on and for me it was just very off at times. While some of it was probably the writing of that first sex scene that also made it not so great, I think the voices were also a bit off. Other than that first bit, I think the narrators did an excellent job with the characters and I enjoyed listening to this audio book. I love that Gus Gus was included on the cover! Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Select, and Kayla Grosse for an ARC of this audio book. This review is my own honest opinion.

4.5 stars! Favourite from Kayla Grosse so far. l
Loved both the narrators so much. This book captured the complexities of chronic illnesses so well, and it was so easy to connect with Jesse on this. The chemistry between the MCs was great and really enjoyed seeing the FMCs confidence increase through the story.

🌟🌟🌟.5
Change of Pace by Kayla Grosse was definitely a change of pace. This was my first book by this author and will not be my last. I like how this book handled heavy topics, like a plus-size female lead who is also sick with a heart disease called Kawasaki disease, and a male lead who has ADHD. The representation and how she did it were good. I truly enjoyed this book, and the romance was very good.

The audiobook is dual narration, and they did a good job telling the story and bringing it to life. They were easy to listen to and understand. I listened at 2x speed.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Jesse Reeves wants to stop living on the sidelines after finding out she finds out she has Kawasaki Disease diagnosis and an ICD implant. She wants to live for herself and makes a bucket list.

1st thing on the list a 1 night stand- enter Asher Jamison.
Not only do they have a great night together they both cant stop thinking of each other but she doesnt want to start anything she wants to live. They get thrown together again and decides to be friends and he lives/owns a RV and hes on board on helping her with her list and hoping he can convince her to give him a real chance.

I loved this story it was funny serious and having Jesse go through what she did at such a young age made her a perfect main character and Asher has his own things going on but he is amazing I rooted for them the whole time.

Thank you NetGalley for this Audio Arc in exchange for my honest review.

Change Of Pace by Kayla Grosse

A BIG thank you to #NetGalley#DreamscapeSelect and Kayla Grosse for allowing me to listen to the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

About the book: Jesse Reeves had Kawasaki Disease as a child, and it went undiagnosed which lead to a heart attack when she got older. She received an ICD implant and is doing much better, but now she wants to live life to the fullest.
She makes herself a bucket list and she’s determined to check off everything on the list.
One thing on the list “have a one night stand with no strings attached”.
One night after a night of drinks and dancing with some girl friends, Jesse meets Asher Jamison. The charming strangers helps her cross that off her list. Their evening together is amazing, but Jesse’s surprise comes the next day when she discovers Asher is no stranger! He’s her best friends brother!
Her best friends wants to help check out as many things as possible on her bucket list, so she suggests that Jesse go with Asher on a road trip in his RV to help her check off as many things as possible before she starts her new job.
Jesse is very hesitant but she agrees only if they agree to keep things strictly platonic!
But as Jesse and Asher travel and experience new adventures together, her number one rule becomes harder and harder to follow.
Can Jesse let her guard down and let Asher into her heart? What is she so afraid of?

What I thought: One of my very first thought was “How does she NOT know who her BFF’s brother is?!” 😆 I really enjoyed this book! Story was super engaging. It was heartfelt but at the same time their was just the right amount of spice, and oh boy was there spice 😉 I loved both characters, and was rooting for them the whole time. Just an all around good book. I’d definitely recommend this one to anyone. I’m rating this 4 stars.

Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens did an amazing job bringing these characters to life! They were perfect!

This book released April 23, 2025

5 ⭐ 2.5 🌶️ 5 🎧

I am so used to Kayla's spicy rom-com stories, but my goodness she grabbed my heart with this one. Jesse is such a broken FMC, but the way Asher is there holding onto the hope she'll realize she's worth it melted me into a giant puddle. He was such a golden retriever book boyfriend and I was so here for it.

I loved the idea that a best friend's brother was not some forbidden relationship. Melissa knew her brother was a catch, as was her bestie, and that they'd make a wonderful couple. I loved this entire book, but that may actually be my most favorite part. That and Gus Gus. I would feed that cutie sharp cheddar mice all day everyday for some snuggles.

And the audio was perfect. Victoria Connelly and Grayson Owens were fantastic with the narration and I absolutely loved this audiobook.

Thank you to Dreamscape and Fat Babe Publishing for this listening copy!

3.5/5 ⭐️
2.5/5 🌶️
Audiobook 🎧
-ARC-

Thank you for the ARC!

Jessie was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease which has led to 2 heart attacks and an ICD implant. She’s decided to live life the fullest since nothing in her life is guaranteed and creates a bucket list. First on the list is a one night stand. As someone who’s always been in a bigger body, she’s not used to this.
Then she meets Asher and she checks the one night stand off her list. It’s everything she could have wanted, until she realizes he’s her roommate’s brother, who’s in town for her wedding.
Ash lives in an RV and they come up with a plan to travel together and finish her bucket list. But Jessie insists they do it as friends only… but soon they discover that living in close quarters is going to make that way harder than they thought.

I loved the plus size, disability and adhd rep.
I really like Ash’s carefree and kind nature. But I did struggle a little with Jessie’s stubbornness and how it hurt both of them.
Also, I’ve read this author before and this definitely wasn’t as spicy as some of the others haha

I loved this book!
This was my first book by this author and I will definitely be checking out more! And, this was my first audiobook ARC on NetGalley! The voice actors of this book were on point -- dual POV.
I could be biased because a book initially set in Wisconsin is going to grab my attention, but this book has so much going for it.
✅Plus-size FMC
✅Friends to lovers (my fave!)
✅He falls first
✅Representation -- chronic health condition + neurodivergence

All of these elements combined gave this read a specialness to it that gave it that 5 star element for me.

As indicated in the description, this one starts out with a bang (literally -- they have a one-night stand) but then turns into a slow burn. What struck me though in the writing of that one-night stand is that I absolutely loved that the scene was unhurried and felt so sensual (it stretches two chapters). I give it a 2.5 🌶️ overall.

My take on the synopsis: Jesse, the FMC, has a chronic illness (Kawasaki's disease), which has led her to have 2 heart-attacks by her late 20s and a special implant to help her heart. She creates a bucket list of things to experience, one of which is that one-night stand. Asher, the MMC, turns out to be so much more. He agrees to help her with the rest of the bucket list, even as friends (though he desperately yearns for more). The book also has a component of finding yourself/being true to yourself, which I'm also a sucker for.

3.5/5

I received an ALC thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape.

I enjoyed learning about a new illness that the author herself has. The FMC has so much energy to live and I really loved her at some moments and others I became so frustrated with her stubbornness. However I understood where she was coming from. the MMC was very cozy, kind and also full of energy.

I liked the one bed trope, road tripping and the bucket list.

I also LOVED the VA's they used for the audiobook.

My con is I didn't care for some of the dialogue, I found it a little too corny and the third act break up wasn't great. But, a lot of other reviewers loved this and maybe this would be something for you!

Oh my god this audiobook was everything I needed and more! It had me giggling and so emotional a few parts had me in tears from how beautiful it was.

Victoria & Greyson really brought Jesse and Asher to life! Probably one of my favourite audiobooks I’ve listened to in a while.

I love Kayla’s books so much and I couldn’t wait to read this one. I adore the writing in this one it made me feel like I was inside the story living through this with Jesse and Asher.
Jesse was so inspiring, watching her tick off the items on her bucket list with the help of Asher was so beautiful watching her gain her confidence while also navigating her hopes and fears for the future. The way Asher fell so hard and fast oh boy did I love that!! These two were everything!!

This was such an emotional experience and I loved every minute of it.

Thanks so much to Dreamscape Select for the ALC I was very excited and felt so lucky to receive this one as my first ALC.

Change of Pace is a new release from Kayla Grosse and I really just enjoy the way this author blends spicy and emotional aspects in her romances, the balance is so good! This one was fun with the road trip aspect. It’s also best friend’s brother, includes a bucket list, only one bed, he falls first (and hard), he’s a cat daddy, Kawasaki disease and ICD implant rep for the heroine, and ADHD rep.

Jesse and Asher meet and end up having a fabulous one night together, they go their separate ways and then later find out he’s her best friend’s brother (that said friend has been trying to introduce them to one another). He finds out about her bucket list and is about to go on a road trip of his own so she ends up tagging along. I loved their travel adventures together and how into her he was. Her hesitations of being a burden on someone else and her feelings towards that all felt so real and I liked how it was handled in the story. Definitely one of my favorites from this author!

I had an audio ALC, all thoughts in this review are my own.

CW: own-voices/author is Kawasaki disease survivor and has an ICD implant. Talk of death and dying, near death experiences, Kawasaki disease rep, ICD implant rep, past heart attacks, discussions of body image, weight loss, and disordered eating. Talk of medications, ADHD rep (medicated with a stimulant), light bondage.

Kayla has a unique way of crafting the most incredible plus-sized FMC's and then creating a MMC that treats her like a queen. There were so many moments throughout this story that I could identify with Jesse. Her struggles, her insecurities, her challenges and it just really made me appreciate her character so much more because she was just perfect. I loved the way that Asher not only showed Jesse that she was perfect as she is, but he also told her over and over again. Knowing how hard it is to believe sometimes, I loved that he never gave up.

This story while truly beautiful was such an emotional ride and I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about Kawasaki disease. Jesse's struggles in the story were very serious, but the overarching theme was that despite these limitations, she chose to live and that could not make me any happier. These two completely made me fall for them and then they broke my heart and then made me fall all over again.

The audiobook narration by Grayson Owens and Victoria Connolly was pure perfection. I love that Kayla has Grayson narrate her books and I was so excited when I started the book and heard that very first word. He has such an excellent voice for narrating the characters that she creates and I always enjoy the depth of emotions that he can bring out in a story. Not to mention, he and Victoria together is a show stopper because their voices meld together beautifully and create a masterpiece of a listening experience!

TROPES:
🖤Best Friend’s Brother
🖤Bucket List
🖤One Bed
🖤Road Trip
🖤He Falls First

Thank you to Kayla Grosse & Dreamscape Select via Netgalley for the ALC.

Change of Pace is the story of Jesse and Asher and is a best friend's brother, close proximity romance that addresses a complicated medical condition and the effect it has on the character's life.

This book is such an amazing story to listen to and the narrators were absolutely fantastic in their delivery of this heartfelt love story. Jesse is looking for a change of pace after her Kawasaki Disease diagnosis and ICD placement. She makes a bucket list and her number one task is to have a one night stand and meets a handsome stranger, Asher. With sizzling chemistry and banter, they share an amazing night but even though Asher wants more than one night, Jesse is unsure. Little did Jesse know, Asher is not such a stranger, he is her best friend's brother and their paths cross again.

Asher offers to assist Jesse in completing her bucket list by taking a cross country road trip but Jesse insists it be as just friends, even though she could want more. As much as Asher wants to pursue something with Jesse, he secides being her friend and bucket list buddy is enough, for now. As they cross the country, visiting quirky little destinations and places on Jesse's list, feelings grow but is Jesse ready to live or just want to check off the things on her list and walk away.

The representation of Kawasaki Disease is well written and explained in terms in which the reader can understand and feel the emotions Jesse has for the disease and the limitations that it might create in her life. Asher is understanding, accepting and gives Jesse the space she needs to come to terms with the things she is feeling and is just the sweetest man for and to Jesse. GusGus is an entertaining side character and his antics and interactions with Asher and Jesse are adorable.

I highly recommend this book of Kayla's, it is not quite like the others in her catalog but I loved it none the less. It is quick to spice in the beginning but the overall slow burn of the rest of the book is well worth it. The storyline, depth of the characters, their feelings and interactions are amazing and make this one of my favorite Kayla Grosse books yet.

Change of pace by Kayla Grosse
-I love a bucket list , this book found me at the right time, i’m in a little life slump, almost mid 20s and wanting an oomph in my life so I feel like Jesse wanting to live her life to the fullest. I’m also in the middle of health stuff and I don’t want it to stall the enjoyment of life so I too need a change of pace.
-I relate so much with being the plus size bestie (duff if you will iykyk) , I get Kate trying to help but also they don’t get it 😭
-AHHH we love a tall man he 6’4 and charming eeee i’m giddy
-their banter ahh I want a meet cute like them
-love the ADD and Kawasaki Disease awareness and rep
-gotta love a rugged man that acts like a teddy bear but takes charge when its needed 👀
-Kayla knows how to write spice cause damnnn oufff 🔥
-love the best friends brother dramaaa
-I love a good road trip. I really should go on one soon and revamp my bucket list
-I’m obsessed with how he helps her check things off her bucket list but also become the best version of herself
-omg the cat has me cackling I love him 🐈
-I truly feel like i’m on the road trip with them and learning about them inside and out
-the tension, the spice, the connection is sooo good KAYLA you have done it again with this one
-the audiobook truly felt so immersive , I feel like i’m there with them on a road trip and falling in love
-the tattoo I AM UNWELL 😭
-I hope I find someone like Ash that love my curves and doesn’t see my illnesses as weakness 🥹
-naughty naughty with a tie hell yeah go off 👀👔
-this book was everything and more , this masterpiece was just what I needed at this time in my life 😭♥️
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a fantastic book! Also, I am incredibly picky with narrators in audiobooks but these narrators were great!

Not to mention, the representation displayed in this book blew me out of the water. I have been reading a lot of VERY slow burn books lately and I feel like the pacing of this one was perfect. Not insta-love (well at least not for our FMC lol) but also not bone dry slow burn!

I am looking forward to recommending this to fellow readers and friends!

Thank you for the opportunity to listen to the ALC for Change of Pace in exchange for an honest review, as always it is much appreciated!

♡ One night stand to love
♡ Best friend's brother
♡ He falls first
♡ RV Road trip
♡ Bucket list
♡ Kawasaki disease rep
♡ ADHD rep

💕 Jesse (28) and Asher (32)

🎧 - 10hr 23m
🔊 - Victoria Connolly & Grayson Owens
(really enjoyed the narration!)

This was a really enjoyable and heartwarming read/listen!

Jesse, our fmc is a Kawasaki disease survivor. She's funny, strong, and resilient and wants to tick things off her bucket list. Her first goal - a one night stand with a stranger. Enter in Asher, who just so happens to be her best friend's brother. They have an unforgettable night and end up hitting the road together to tick off her bucket list adventures

Overall, this was a very well paced story that had me rooting for these characters from the start. As someone living with chronic illness myself, I really related to Jesse's feelings and thought the author conveyed them so well.

This book is a slow-burning romance and explores self-worth, finding love, plus-size representation, and chronic illnesses. I listened to an audiobook, and the narrators did a phenomenal job. It was easy to follow and connect to the characters. I am looking forward to picking up more books by Kayla Grosse. Her writing gives me vibes of Emily Henry and Carley Fortune.

Favorite quote: “Living your life isn’t just about checking off items on a list and calling it a day. Living a life is doing what makes your heart happy, what makes your soul happy.”

This one’s for you if you …
🚐 Love road trip advantures
💝 Enjoy friends-to-lovers stories.
🧬 Are drawn to characters facing life-altering circumstances.
🔥 Like slow-burn romances with a touch of spice.

Wow. This story was beautiful. Change of Pace is such a a beautiful title for this story that has so many meanings in the book. Jesse and her story is someone my younger self needed. To show me that it will all be ok and that you are beautiful and loved. I, like Jesse, was never the friend who was persude by anyone at bars or out. It was always the friends like her friend Kate who got the attention. Everything Jesse felt I’ve felt at a point in my life. I empathized so much with her - gosh I’d love to be her BFF. Asher…oh Asher called Ash. My fellow ADHD-er who always felt different and wondered why we did the things we did or felt the way we did-but all of it made sense once we were diagnosed and medicated. I felt how he felt in my soul!! Ash coming in as a knight in shining armor. He is the man the women dream of. Handsome and kind, he is thoughtful and warm and loves hard yet he has a soft heart. I rooted for him since the moment he stepped in the scene. He had heart eyes for Jesse the second he saw her. Their journey together, of finding themselves separately and together; learning hope to cope, laying it all on the line and not being afraid to get your heart broken if it means you’ve made how you feel known. These two had so much chemistry you could feel it seeping off the pages. It was so tangible. There story was beautiful, their journey and how they got there - magical and emotional. At so many points Kayla had me smiling, laughing, then wiping tears from my eyes. A few times I even let a whispered “oh no” slip out. I really could go on about this. Ash had such a passion for Jesse and her list, wanting to make sure it was all perfect, even if his heart broke along the way. Kayla has a way of making all these characters feel like home. You see yourself or someone you know in them and with everything feeling so deep and personal the story feels that much more. Learning to love yourself, allowing to let love in, growing confidence, finding your worth, holding close that you are a gift and not a burden and most of all-learning and wanting to live life to its fullest - that is what this book is about. Also, I have to say I have never read in a book about a character with kawasaki disease. I thank you Kayla for writing this as my younger brother was diagnosed with it at a very young age, when it was something no one knew about-it was only read about in medical journals and not knowing how to treat. Thank you for bringing to light this disease and the consequences it can have when untreated. Thank you.

I have to say, Victoria and Grayson brought these characters to life. Their narration that was full of heart and emotion brought you along for a ride that you never wanted to end. What a beautifully told story.

Thank you for writing Jesse and Ash. It’s rare to live so deeply both main characters at the same time throughout the entire book. And Melissa, especially in the end with her words to Jesse with the little push she needed. Your storytelling, emotion and passion you write in these pages are infectious and I can’t wait to read more from you!