Couple: Asher and Jesse
Tropes: Kawasaki Disease Representation, ICD Implant Representation, ADHD Representation, Best Friend’s Brother, Cat Daddy, Road Trip, One Bed, Bucket List

Following Jesse conquer her bucket list following her health diagnosis draws you in for an adventure filled story. Her initial no-strings-attached one night stand kicks off the plot; with the added complication that her one night stand is unintentionally her best friend's brother Asher. Melissa, Jesse's best friend and Asher's sister, is a MVP of the book. It was refreshing to find the best friend be supportive of them exploring a relationship. A road trip to fulfil her bucket list provides the perfect opportunity for them to evolve their relationship with both charming and steamy moments. I absolutely loved Asher with his love language being acts of service.

I typically listen to audiobooks at 1.75-2x speed and the narrators for this one were perfect for speeding it up and great voices for the characters.

I definitely recommend any readers who love Best Friend's Brothers romance read this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my favorite Kayla Grosse book yet! I can always count on her writing to be fun, spicy, and carefree, but Change of Pace took it to the next level. The story touched on difficult topics including body image issues, coming to terms with a chronic illness, and ADHD. But the book also had a ton of fun banter and a swoony love story. I highly recommend this book!

Wow! This was my first Kayla Grosse novel, but it won't be my last. I devoured this book. I listened to the audiobook, and Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens did a fantastic job.
This is the story of Jesse, who is a 28 year-old woman with Kawasaki disease (undiagnosed until adulthood). She almost died, and because of this, she created a bucket list. While trying to be brave and complete her list, she meets Asher. I adore Asher. He is such a great guy. Swoon.
What ensues is a beautiful story of life, love, self growth, and acceptance.
The characters and the plot are so well developed and realistic. I cannot recommend this enough! Get it now!

This was SO cute and I wholeheartedly enjoyed it!! This romance jumps right in with a one stand and the feelings develop from there.

Change of Pace has well developed characters and is a good mix of sweet and spicy romance, real life (health) issues, travel, and friendship. I binged right through it!

What you’ll find:
🎆He falls first
🎆Best friend’s brother
🎆Serious health issue /Kawasaki Disease
🎆Plus size representation
🎆Cat dad / cinnamon roll MMC
🎆Wanderlust / travel romance
🎆Bucketlist romance
🎆Forced Proximity
🎆Open door spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎆One night stand to friends to lovers
🎆Midwest nice characters 💕
🎆Dual pov / 2 audio narrators

*Audio narration was really well done.

🎧audio review🎧

Change of Pace hits all the right emotional notes! It’s spiced up with humor, warmth, and that heart-melting slow-burn romance that makes you feel all gooey inside.

Enter Jesse Reeves, a lovable character on a mission to revamp her life. She’s living with a tricky ticker that's already caused two heart attacks, and now she’s ready to seize the day and tackle her bucket list. One cheeky goal? A one-night stand.

Her fling unexpectedly turns out to be her best friend's brother—a total stranger until now. With a twist of fate, her BFF encourages her to hit the open road with him to tick off her bucket list adventures.

This delightful road trip romance stars a fierce protagonist who’s all about living life to the fullest. Plus, her charming companion, Asher, has ADHD, and both lovebirds are fabulously plus-sized.

Looking for an audiobook to sweep you off your feet? Slip on those headphones and let Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens dazzle you with their stellar performances!

I really like Kayla Grosse’s books. This was good. It’s a road trip/bucket list romance. I love a roadtrip in a romance! Rhe relationship was cute and I liked them as a couple.

The audiobook was good too. I really liked both of the narrators.

First off Big Thank You to Kayla, Dreamscape Media & NetGalley for providing me with an ALC of her latest novel, A Change of Pace.

Typically I am not a big audiobook person. However, I am no stranger to audiobooks from Kayla. Her team seriously finds the best dual narrators and I will devour them happily every time they give them to me. This one was a little bit different than her usual books for me. Now I don’t say that as a bad thing. No, it’s definitely a good thing because I came away learning something new.

What I mean is Change of Pace focuses on Jesse, a Kawasaki disease survivor. Which if I’m being totally honest had never heard of that disease before. And I appreciate Kayla for bringing attention and better understanding to the disease. Now don’t worry Kayla is more than just her disease. She’s a survivor and this book is her journey of going out and living life to its fullest. In order to do that, she enlists the help of her best friends brother, Asher. The two set off on a road trip to complete Jesse’s bucket list.

I cannot put into words how much I loved this book. I’ve never been in someone like Jesse’s shoes, but regardless she was relatable and my heart truly felt for her during her entire journey. If you can’t already tell. I 100% recommend this book just be warned once you start it you won’t stop till you finish (PS- I devoured this in less than 24 hours and it left me feeling like I just had a warm hug.) So please check this book out and any of Kayla’s other books!

All the feels. Change of Pace by Kayla Grosse was a sweet and swoony road trip romance that did deliciously good things to my heart. I loved everything about Jesse and Asher’s journey to HEA. From their one-night stand turned bucket list road trip, these two had me falling so hard!

Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens perform this audiobook in dual narration, and both fully embody their characters. Their narration had me grinning and swooning the entire time! Victoria’s soft, soothing tone perfectly captured Jesse’s vulnerability and determination to pave her own path to happiness. Grayson’s warm, mellow timbre encompassed Asher’s gooey cinnamon roll charismatic persona, making him simply irresistible. Both narrators created a steamy, hot, magnetic chemistry between these two right from the start!

Overall, I enjoyed this book! If you are a fan of a one-night stand to forever romance with an adorable tech nerd hero, a heroine with a bucket list, RV fun, a best friend’s brother, a loyal cat, a Kawasaki disease rep, intimate conversations, he falls first, love declarations, and a HEA that will change your heart, then you will love Jesse and Asher’s story. I always look forward to more from Kayla Grosse.

So, I’m a recent Kayla Grosse fan but like Asher (MMC in this book) I fell in love FAST AND HARD with her books and her writing style. She has a way of bringing heavy or lesser seen topics into her books in ways that are so real. Its not too forced or artificial it’s just- so real. I love her for it so much. This was my first book I’ve ever read with Kawasaki disease ever brought into it but I still thought it was wonderful. It was a part of Jesse’s character but that’s not ALL she was. I will say this was a bit emotionally heavy for me, Jesse thinks she’s unworthy of love, a place I think a lot of people have experience in being, and she really doesn’t think she should be taking up space. In comes brothers best friend who falls HEAD over heels and works his butt off to sweep her off her feet. It’s so so precious. The bucket list aspect of it? HOLY GOODNESS one of my fav troupes and when done well... holy cow ill have this book on stand by as a comfort. NOW!! If you’re worried about the BFF drama DON'T!!! Melissa is FULLY here for it. Two people she loves getting together 110% she’s here and supporting it. There’s no pissy sibling bestie tantrum (thank GOODNESS). It’s fun, its silly, it’s spicy, its sweet AND ITS GOT A CUTE CAT!!!! THATS THE BEST SELLING POINT I HAVE I LOVE THE KITTY CAT ITS A BABBBBYYYY!!!!

As for the Audiobook specifically, I could not imagine a better voice for Ash and it added another layer to the story I didn't know I needed. I loved it.

Change of Pace by Kayla Grosse is honestly one of my favorite reads (listens?) of year so far! It is both super cute, sweet, funny, and steamy! All of the things I love.
The plot was engaging right from the beginning! I mean bucket lists RV roadtrip with your BFF's brother that you had a one-night-stand with?! Come on!!! & I could not get enough of this one!! The characters are so lovable and just feel so real. The FMC is Kawasaki Disease survivor, has an ICD implant, and is plus-sized. The MMC has ADHD. Inclusivity has entered the chat! The narration on this one was also top-tier! The dual narration also really brings these characters to life. The narrators do a great job of expressing the emotions of the characters it was honestly a pleasure to listen to! I would definitely recommend this audiobook to anyone looking for a spicy body-positive rom-com!
Thank you to @netgalley, Dreamscape Select, and Fat Babe Publishing INC. for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I loved the meet-cute and the MMC. The story served to inform about Kawasaki disease as well.

I love a downbad MMC, and Asher WAS DOWN *BAAAAAD* for Jesse.

Thank you so much to Dreamscape Select | Fat Babe Publishing, INC. for the ALC via NetGalley!

I'm such a huge fan of Victoria Connolly as a narrator and she slayed Jesse. I can't remember if I've listened to anything by Grayson Owens yet, but he did fantastic job reading as Asher.

This is a story about Jesse, who found out in her mid-twenties that she had a heart condition that most are diagnosed with as a child. She only found out about it because she started having heart attacks in her mid-twenties. This gave her a new lease on life... she needed, dare I say, a change of pace! This leads her to a bucket list of items that she's always wanted to do, and her new pace dictates that she check some of these items off her bucket list while she can.

First up? A one-night stand.

Unfortunately, it ends up blowing her mind (thanks Asher), and yet he leaves with just a note on her bucket list with his number and hopes he'll see her again. Because he's SO INTO HER, he just knows there's more to the story.

Turns out, Asher's right. They bump into each other randomly, and then things follow where they head out in Asher's Winnebago, Winnie, to check some more items off Jesse's bucket list.

I loved this story of self reflection, deciding what the most important things in life are, and figuring out why you're making certain decisions. I love when characters sit together in these uncomfortable situations and ask for what they actually need. This book is such a healthy example of communicating in a relationship.

Other things I loved about this story:
- Gus Gus
- Pop culture references
- WWTD
- Sibling meddling
- Examples of healthy friendships
- ADHD rep
- Mental Health rep
- Seeing so much of the U.S. through Jesse and Asher's adventures
- Cute nicknames
- Best friend's brother
- One night to only one more time to more
- Putting yourself out there

This is a 4.25 star read for me. It was so lovely. It's available now as a book, and out on audio April 24th!

This title was so perfect to represent this book. Not only did it fit the story perfectly, it also was a great representation of a different type of story from Kayla. This story felt deeply personal and from the heart (pun intended.). I loved everything about it. I love when a book can teach me something and this book did just that. The whole premise of this book grabbed me from the beginning. It had me wanting to make my very own bucket list. I was pleasantly surprised with the variety of bucket list items that I wouldn't have initially thought to add to mine, but now I want them. Both of the main characters felt so refreshingly unique. I don't think I will soon forget them or their story. 3/5 spice

Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful & incredible romance!

I truly loved these characters. Jesse has a heart condition that's caused her to have a new outlook on life, which inspires her bucket list. I always love a bucket list in books and I think the plot around it was done well. Asher was such a sweetheart! He's Jesse's one night stand (thanks to her bucket list) but also he bucket list road trip companion. These two were so sweet and adorable. I liked their chemistry and friendship a lot. There's plenty of tension and swoon worthy moments between Jesse and Asher that make the romance fantastic.

My understanding is that this is inspired partially by the author's experience with this heart condition. Because of this, I think the emotional moments really hit. The writing will capture readers' hearts.

Narrators Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens did phenomenal. They hit the emotional and heartfelt moments perfectly. I think they truly embodied these characters and brought them to life.

Highly recommend, especially the audiobook!

Audiobook Review: Change of Pace by Kayla Grosse
Thank you to Kayla Grosse, Dreamscape Select, Fat Babe Publishing Inc, and Netgalley for the ARC and ALC—your books don’t just tell stories, they give us permission to love ourselves out loud.

Change of Pace is a soft, slow-burn hug wrapped in bucket lists, stolen glances, and the kind of tender love that doesn’t just accept you—but sees you. Kayla Grosse continues to reign as the queen of body-positive romance. Her books aren’t just swoony love stories—they’re self-love manifestos in disguise. And the audiobook? Absolutely phenomenal.

Grayson Owens and Victoria Connolly are always an instant 5-star in my book, and their performance here is no exception. Victoria was Jesse—her voice carried every ounce of Jesse’s fear, doubt, joy, and passion with such authenticity, I felt every beat of Jesse’s fragile but fierce heart. And Grayson Owens? That man is Ash. His voice is calm, grounding, and full of reverent warmth, especially when he's speaking to Jesse (or Gus Gus, the cat—IYKYK). The love and concern in his tone made my heart ache in the best way. Their chemistry was undeniable, and their narration brought this already-beautiful story to vibrant life.

Jesse is done waiting to live. With a heart condition that’s rocked her world, she’s determined to take control—bucket list, a one-night stand, and absolutely no falling in love. Then along comes Asher Jamison: the cinnamon roll best-friend’s-brother with a cat and an RV. What starts as a “just one night” kind of deal spirals into a life-altering road trip full of laughter, longing, and lines blurred between lust and love.

But more than anything, Change of Pace is Jesse’s journey. A plus-size heroine with a complicated relationship to her body and health, Jesse doesn’t just learn to take up space—she reclaims it. Kayla Grosse writes fat bodies with such care, nuance, and radical joy. Jesse’s internal dialogue felt like a love letter to every woman who’s ever been told to shrink. Watching her choose herself—over and over—is raw, real, and powerful.

💖 Tropes We Love:
✨ Best friend’s brother (Melissa ships it!)
✨ Forced proximity (RV road trip style)
✨ Only one bed (obviously)
✨ Cat dad Asher 🐾
✨ ADHD rep
✨ Kawasaki disease + ICD rep
✨ He falls first (hard and fast)

And let’s not forget Melissa—MVP best friend and sibling who doesn’t gatekeep but champions this love story from the sidelines.

If you can, listen to this one. Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens bring a level of emotion and depth that made me laugh, cry, and fall in love right alongside Jesse and Ash. This audiobook is a full-body experience, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Kayla's books tend to be hit or miss with me but this one was a hit! I loved the Kawasaki Disease rep and the ADHD rep and I think the author does a great job of speaking about both with care. Asher and Jesse are so cute together and I love the friendship that they formed throughout the book as well as the intimate relationship. Also, GusGus is too cute :)

Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens narrate this one wonderfully.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select | Fat Babe Publishing, INC. for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This is only my second read (or audiobook listen, I suppose) of Kayla's works - but I'm quickly becoming obsessed 😍 When I say I inhaled this audiobook, this was a one day listen - I think I took my headphones off for an hour or two to charge them and they were straight back in my ears again. This was such a lovely and tender story. I fell in love with Jesse and Asher from the get-go, and the depth of their characters, coupled with the just the right level of comedic banter between the pair, was so beautifully written.

Both narrators knocked this out of the park and did a fabulous job of bringing these characters to life. ❤️ Grayson Owens was a perfect choice for Ash, and Victoria Connolly is new to me as a narrator, but I loved listening to her narrate Jesse's chapters.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Dreamscape Select, and the author for an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review.

Change of Pace is a beautiful heartwarming and heart wrenching story about life, loss and true love. Jesse and Asher(Ash) meet at a bar and an amazing one night stand. They both truly want more but Jesse is extremely hesitant. Ash has already started to fall in love with her. After discovering that he is her best friend’s brother they embark on a road trip together as friends. The mission is to complete Jesse’s bucket list. They both try to adhere to their “friends only” agreement but their connection is too strong. The slow burn is exquisite. They are beautiful together. Now, can or will their relationship survive once the trip is over? Listen to this fantastic audiobook and find out.
The narration by Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens was outstanding. Victoria Connolly portrayed Jesse perfectly. You could literally feel Jesse’s fear, doubt, sadness, happiness, excitement, passion and in her voice. Grayson Owens was phenomenal as Ash. He had a delightful calm and seductive voice for Jesse as well as a cute cat dad voice for Gus Gus. The love, care and concern that he felt for Jesse was clearly present in his performance. These two extraordinary voice actors truly brought this story to life. I highly recommend listening.

This might be her best work yet. I love that KG writes MMC's who fall first and hard, with the FMC's being the more reluctant ones.

Dealing with chronic health issues, I like the care and balance she gave to the MC with accepting and still dealing with the aftermath, it's not something you can ever fully sort out no matter how long you've had it.

Some of the dialogue at the end was a bit over the top; overall a spicy, feel good romance.

Audio was great... Grayson Owens was perfect casting for Asher.

Loved it!!!!

Dual narration - Greyson Owen’s & Victoria Connolly
As always these two are fabulous!

Kayla had written us a wonderful and emotional story. I read this as an ARC and now got to experience it in audio. The narrators did an amazing job bringing these characters and story to life.

I highly recommend this audiobook! If you can read and listen at the same time it is chefs kiss!

Happy reading!