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

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.