Jesse is trying to find a change of pace for herself after some scary health issues and makes a bucket list to bring some adventure into her life (think Last Holiday). In comes Asher who checks off the first item - have a one night stand. Then, in the happenstance that can only happen in the best romances, we find out he's her best friend's brother!

Enter now some serious sexual tension, quippy banter, deep conversations about medical conditions and how they affect your mental health, and a road trip to complete the rest of her bucket list. And I loved it.

However, there were some miscommunication or lack of communication moments that made me want to screech. I wasn't a huge fan of Jesse's insistence that she couldn't be with Asher because she didn't want to be his burden, I found myself wanting to scream that it's his choice too. But overall I still loved this story and the relationship between Ash and Jesse.

Another highlight is the plus sized representation as well as the Kowasaki and ADHD representation, you can tell this was a story that Kayla Grosse put her heart and soul into and you feel it in every moment.

The narrators did a great job bringing the story to life, though there were a few moments where there was a brief moment of confusion on whether or not what was being said was inner monologuing or actual dialogue.

Overall love it and I'll find myself reading more of this author!

The main character, Jesse, has Kawasaki Disease and an ICD implant, similar to the author. The book reads with a lot of heart, I assume that’s the author putting her vulnerabilities and experiences into Jesse. Additionally, Jesse is plus size, coping with self esteem issues and talks about learning to lover herself as she is. Meanwhile, the love interest, Asher, has ADHD and lacks a six-pack. All of the above are things I loved - the representation and diversity in books, the vulnerability created, and the fears / challenges expressed that extend past the characters depicted. And last but certainly not least, the narrators did a great job bringing the story to life.

However, there were a few things I struggled with. First and foremost, I didn’t understand or relate to ‘we can’t be together’ that Jesse kept repeating throughout the book. It felt juvenile, especially for 30+ year olds and made the third act break up predictable. Secondly, I didn’t understand Jesse’s reactions/mindset (e.g., thinking she isn’t attractive but multiple strangers call her gorgeous, getting upset at Asher for looking at how demanding hikes are only to accept it was smart on his part). It just felt like the character wasn’t fully fleshed out and consistent.

All in all 3.5 stars. Also, GusGus was fabulous and deserves a shout out 🐈

Thank you to Kayla Grosse, Dreamscape Select, Fat Babe Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this is going to be a DNF for me. I love Kayla Grosse's work usually. She writes great characters full of depth and background and her story telling is top tier. I also really enjoyed both of these voice actors that were selected and I think they suite the characters well. However, I'm having to DNF this book for a few reasons.
- I cannot stand insta-love as a trope. I find it extremely unbelievable and very cringey. You can't convince me you're in love with someone you just met at a bar and barely spoken to and expect me to take you seriously, let alone make me want to hear you out.
- The dirty talk/sexy flirting was fun at first but started getting cringe fast and would not stop. If someone spoke to me the way he did so soon I think I would end up running in the other direction.

Unfortunately, I have no desire to finish this book because of those reasons. BUT, I want to give this book a 3-star on NetGalley regardless because I know this will be a smash hit with the right crowd. I will not be posting a public review because I do not want to hinder it's performance.

Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this book before it's release date.

I loved this book so much. It was so well written, talking about a serious subject matter while not taking from the romance and humour in the story. I loved the representation in the book and how it was done in a way that didn’t feel forced, but added depth to the story.

I loved how Jesse and Asher come together and have this instant connection that doesn’t feel too scripted, but rather natural in the scenario. Asher goes up there as a top tier, down bad, golden retriever MMC!

The performance of the audiobook was perfect too - adding to the best listening experience.

This is my second Kayla Grosse book, and yet again, she's knocking it out of the park because despite some issues that would have killed a book for me, I was still locked in. I hate instalove in a contemporary romance. If they aren't mystical fated mates, it don't make sense, but the first chapters hooked me in enough to overlook it. I adored the road trip element, the bucket list, and the sweet heart to hearts. I could have done without his nickname "Jesse Girl" it just made me cringe every time, but still, I loved it and am definitely going to read her back catalogue.

Jesse and Asher had me squealing and kicking my feet! These two were just so damn cute. The book was delicious and emotional and an overall *chefs kiss*

I loved the Kawasaki disease rep and the way it was written about especially the way the effect on self esteem was included. I found this was quite powerful and half the reason I got emotional during this book. I also loved that there was an ADHD rep and the discussion around hyper fixation and how even though you know why somethings happening you can’t stop it. I found both to be written about beautifully and didn’t feel forced.

This book was also fun! Who doesn’t love a bucket list and a road trip? Sprinkle in some awkwardness because he’s her best friends sister and tension was high. Trying to ignore the chemistry between them led to a slow burn.

Gus Gus was the perfect addition. He is more than just a cat, he’s a match maker at heart. I loved him!

This was the perfect blend emotions, spice and good plot. I would definitely recommend!

Thank you to Kayla for the ALC and opportunity to review

Overall a pretty good, quick read. When there is a bucket list and a best friend’s brother involved you know you’re in for a good time! Especially when Jesse and Asher have a one night stand not knowing that they just so happen to have a bigger connection than they thought. The themes in this book are very near and dear to my heart (no pun intended). And the spice was spicing! I did enjoy the dual POV which really helped the reader understand the main characters better.

4/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️

Thanks to Kayla for providing me with an ALC of her latest novel, A Change of Pace.

I am no stranger to Kayla’s books. I usually devour them greedily in a day. This one was no exception! All of her novels feature fun and interesting plus-size FMCs and the men who worship them.

This story focused on Jesse, a Kawasaki disease survivor, and Asher, her best friend’s older brother. Given that Jesse has had close calls with her disease, she decides to make a bucket list, to live life to the fullest and get to do things before it’s too late.

She starts the bucket list with a one night stand. That one night stand turns out to be her best friend’s brother (that she had never met before). After learning the news that he’s related to her best friend, her best friend encourages her to join her brother on a cross-country road trip to mark off the items on her bucket list.

They have one month of travel before Jesse and Asher both start new jobs. They travel from Wisconsin (where the story starts) to Oregon to Maine. They become quite close friends themselves… and maybe more?

If you haven’t read anything by Kayla, do yourself a favor and pick up any of her books. I promise you will end up wanting to read her entire backlog!

This was such a fun, emotional, slightly chaotic ride—in the best way.

After a major health scare, Jesse’s all about living life to the fullest. First on her bucket list? A one-night stand. Enter Asher: sweet, charming, and way too good at making her feel things she didn’t plan for.

One night turns into a cross-country RV trip full of bucket list adventures, unexpected feelings, and some serious will-they-won’t-they energy. Jesse’s trying to stay free. Asher’s ready to drop everything for her. Cue the emotional mess (and lots of swoony moments).

Perfect if you love road trips, soft heroes, and stories where love sneaks in when you least expect it.

This book was a lovely read, I particularly enjoyed the descriptive language used in it, and how well everything was always explained from everything to clothes to the smells that could be smelt. It felt I credibly immersive which I absolutely adored.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publishing company for allowing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Kayla Grosse for the opportunity to listen to this ALC!

I found Change Of Pace to be a beautiful story. A cute, emotional read to get you in all your feels. It was a good romantic story with lovable characters, great banter, some humor and a little spice 🌶️🌶️. Some of the tropes were best friends brother, only one bed and he falls first. Asher’s love for Jesse will have you 🫠

I give it 3.75 stars. The reason being, I felt like it dragged on a bit for Jesse to embrace her feelings for Asher and for the story to get to the conclusion. I did enjoy the emotion and beauty of the moments between the main characters though. Defiantly worth the read.

The narrators, Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens did a great job, Their voices fit the characters and complemented each other well. I was able to feel the emotions they portrayed and they kept me engaged the entire story.

Thank you Netgalley, dreamscape select, the author for the e-Arc and ALC. My opinions are being left voluntarily.

What to expect
One night stand
He falls first and HARD
One bed
Forced proximity
Cat dad
Kawasaki disease rep
ICD implant rep
Friends to lovers

This is such a tender, lovely book.if you've been meaning to try this author give this one a try. It's spicy, her others are spicier imo.

I have never heard about kawasaki disease or ICD implants. I definitely learned alot about both. I love her characters they're perfectly imperfect. Jesse has alot to work through and Asher is just the man to take on the task and check items off her (their) bucket list.

There were so many favourite lines it was hard to narrow it down to just one. A few chapters large parts were highlighted.

Favourite quote

"I don't want to live my life like a checklist. I just want to love it"

Suggest giving it a try if you read open door romances. Check tropes and tw.

[author:Kayla Grosse|18891764] has quickly become one of the authors I pick up automatically. Romance with depth and spice? Yes, please. Bonus that her h's are typically plus sized.

This particular book gives us Jesse, who has suffered several heart attacks by her mid-twenties. She's decided to live life and created a bucket list. Including a one-night-stand. No more relationships for her. Enter Asher. As soon as he meets Jesse, he knows she is his forever. But she is determined not to put someone through her health problems- no strings only. In the battle of wills (and hearts), who wins?

I devoured this; read it straight through. I love that [author:Kayla Grosse|18891764]'s characters are complex. The only thing keeping this from being perfect is that I got a little tired of Jesse's reluctance. It felt like it dragged on forever.

Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens narrate the audiobook. It did seem a bit slower paced- I had to speed it up more than normal.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

I've read lots of Kayla's books and this one is my favorite. I laughed, I cried. It's steamy, it's sweet. The FMCs fears and insecurities never deter the MMC from being obsessed with the her which always heals a part of me. And there's a fun roadtrip, a bucket list, and a cute cat! Listen to this book, you won't regret it.

FANTASTIC. WONDERFUL. EMOTIONAL. HEARTWARMING.

i am blessed that i was able to have an early ALC for this because truly fabulous. not only did i already love the physical book itself and reading it, i think i loved it even more in audio form. the narrators are spectacular and truly brought Asher and Jesse to life and this story. Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens are amazing. truly becoming favorites of mine. I love Grayson's voice and how he portrays his characters and this duo together?? OUTSTANDING.

really really loved this book and i rated it a 4.5, but listening to it, bumped it up to a 5 star for me.

thank you fat babe publishing and kayla grosse!!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! This book was 100 stars actually. Then the audiobook and top of it, just made it 1,000 times better with the duet narration!!

Okay, let me start by saying I was so incredibly lucky to get to read this as an ARC!

Back to the book ... the representation in this is amazing. I learned about something I honestly had no idea about, Kawasaki disease. As always Kayla, is repping the curvy GALS AND GUYS in this one! I love a good dad bod and Asher is just that!

This book was so fun, it kept me reading the entire time! If life wouldn't have gotten in the way, this would have been read in a day! The way Asher loves Jesse is written so well in this book, and how their love just grows and grows the longer this trip goes on. It's a fantastic book! It's going to break your heart but also put it back together!

There aren't a ton of spicy scenes but the spice is spicin' when it is there!!

What an enjoyable read! Such a sweet story of romance and self-discovery. Asher was the perfect golden retriever, he-falls-first MMC— acting as a kind of guide on our FMC’s (literal and mental) journey. Jesse was a beautiful character that endured a lot of growth, change, and acceptance. The characters and premise were quite unique, and I was totally absorbed in the storytelling.

I’m usually not suuuuper into such a perfect MMC, but he was soo well-written 🤌 he had the best lines, insights, showed UNREAL amounts of patience and understanding… how could one not love him??

Jesse’s backstory was so well-presented, it was easy to find myself sympathizing, commiserating, and really relating to a lot of the feelings she experienced throughout the book. With that said, she did become a bit of a frustrating character 🫠 For totally understandable reasons… but I was just rooting for Ash so hard lol.

Really recommend for those searching for a romance that has a lot of deeper messaging, but is still fun and can keep things light throughout the discussion of what should be heavy and hard-to-face topics.

Audiobook dual narration was awesome! Both voice actors did an impeccable job, and I can’t wait to check out more of their performances.

4.5⭐️ 2🌶

This is a very refreshing and wholesome story. ☺️ low spice but feel good. 🩷

I like the audiobook very much, both narrators are doing great job. (I personally don't like acting too much on audiobook, so these two are perfect voice for the main characters, very good choice!!💯)

If Kayla Grosse writes it then I will read it. This book has to be my absolute favorite of all of them. As a cardiac nurse and a late diagnosed woman with ADHD. The characters in this book really interested me. They were both so well written and I absolutely loved their stories. I could not put this book down. I read it all in one sitting because it was THAT good!

The audiobook was done by the amazing Grayson Owen’s and Victoria Connelly. They both did an amazing job at bringing these characters to life.

This book is sweet, funny and handles complex difficult topics all at the same time. The book also does a fantastic job at plus size and adhd representation as well as teaching and spreading awareness about Kawasaki disease and ICD implants which is something that i believe most readers will be unfamiliar with. As someone who is plus size with Adhd I felt like Kayla nailed the represenation for both very well. I enjoyed how Adam the character with ADHD reflected on how it has affected his overall development as a person and the ways it has made him better even as going as far as to see him as self as different superheros. I felt that was very empowering.
The author does a fantastic job juggling several difficult topics as well as still making the story fun and spicy. I did find that the FMCs wishy washyness about desicion making got frustrating as a reader.
The audiobook narration was also fantastic and made for a really good listen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select this audiobook was very well done!