I really enjoyed this book!
I liked how it showed a journey with her grief and although she made progress, we can still see her grief is not "finished," as I find often books do this and it is not realistic.
I did feel like her relationship with Jameson was a bit incomplete and seemed more like friends than a romantic relationship, although that may have been part of the point of it. Either way, I did feel like the end of their relationship was quite abrupt.
Overall, I really liked this book. I could see a clear development and growth from Meg throughout the book, in a very dynamic manner that was well done and I felt like all the characters we very well written.
I will for sure be looking for more from these authors!

Changing Lanes is a heartfelt contemporary novel that explores the complicated intersections of family, identity, forgiveness, and finding the courage to embrace change. Rebeca Seitz and Kathleen C. Rooney create characters who feel authentic, each carrying emotional baggage that influences their decisions in believable ways.
One of the strongest aspects of the book is its focus on personal growth. The emotional journeys never feel rushed, and I appreciated how the authors allowed difficult conversations and strained relationships to unfold naturally. The story doesn't rely on dramatic twists as much as it does on the quiet, meaningful moments that gradually reshape the characters' perspectives.
The pacing is steady, giving readers time to connect with both the central relationships and the supporting cast. I especially enjoyed how the different personalities complemented one another, creating moments of humor and warmth that balanced the heavier themes. The themes of second chances and choosing a new direction in life are woven seamlessly into the narrative without feeling overly sentimental.
While I found the middle section a bit slower than the opening and ending, the emotional payoff was worth the investment. The resolution felt satisfying because it reflected the work the characters had put into healing rather than offering easy answers.
Overall, Changing Lanes is an uplifting, character-driven story that reminds readers it's never too late to change course. Fans of contemporary fiction centered on relationships, personal transformation, and hope will find plenty to enjoy.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC! I really enjoyed this story, the characters, and the worldbuilding. Definitely recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Central Avenue for the opportunity to read Changing Lanes by Rebeca Seitz and Kathleen C. Rooney. This escape to Naples was just what I needed during a long holiday weekend.

Changing Lanes (Return To Naples) By Rebeca Seitz and Kathleen C. Rooney is a beautifully written novel about an equally beautiful place. This book is women's fiction with many lessons intertwined. The story is centered around Meg Harrison who is a successful lawyer in Washington D.C. She is grief stricken by the sudden pass of her father, a beloved lawyer in Naples, FL. As Meg returns to Naples, the gorgeous town she grew up in, to take care of her father's affairs. She is reminded of her very strong roots. Connections she made with both Neapolitans and their landmarks. The locals of Naples are too funny and full of heart! Perfect small town vibes. Meg grows in her career, in her personal strength, and close relationships. Meg's journey with grief is realistic, relatable, and moving. I was rooting for Meg right from the start. She is so lovable and an inspirational main character. A very strong woman. This book is also loaded with fragrant and vivid descriptions of local flowers, sunsets, animals, birds, and beaches. Such gorgeous lyrical prose. The book is fast paced and has quick chapters. Truly a treat to read and perfect for the beach! As a local Neapolitan myself, I can attest to the accuracy of this book. The authors did a superb job and made me fall in love with my hometown all over again. I can't wait to buy this book for myself and for all of my friends!

What To Expect:
🌴 Women's Literature
🌴 Strong Female Main Character
🌴 Grief Representation
🌴 Workplace Issues
🌴 Small Town Drama
🌴 Tropical Paradise Setting
🌴 Romance
🌴 Full of Heart


Thank you Central Ave Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

These were new to me authors. I really enjoyed this book! There was no sex,F-bombs or taking the Lord’s name in vain! I can’t tell you how much I appreciated that!
Meg is an attorney and only 32.She’s lost both of her parents.She lives in Washington D.C.but is from Naples,Florida.She returns to Naples and hears so many stories of how her father helped out the town.Her father had his funeral extremely planned out ahead of his death so that helped everyone planning the event. I don’t know anyone in real life who’s done that so that was extremely inspiring to me!

Thank you, Net Gallery, for the free advanced copy for review.
Lovely small town light romance, clearly written as the start of a series of books.
I say “light romance” as this arch/trope was not in-depth, and the focus of the story was the heroine overcoming grief and having a new appreciation for her hometown.
Delightful read, however I would have liked to have seen the romance explored more – and it was also a little confusing keeping track off the towns characters

I really wanted to love this one because the premise sounded like something I'd really enjoy. A story about grief, family, second chances, and returning home had so much potential.

For me, though, it just never fully pulled me in.

I liked Meg's journey through grief and appreciated that it felt realistic. Healing isn't something that happens overnight, and I thought that part of the story was handled well. I also loved the Naples setting. The descriptions of the beaches, sunsets, and small-town Florida atmosphere were easily my favorite part of the book.

Where I struggled was that there just seemed to be too much going on. Between Meg's career, her father's legacy, the business storyline, and the romance, I never felt like any one storyline had the chance to really shine. The romance, in particular, left me wanting more.

The pacing also slowed quite a bit in the middle, and I found myself losing interest instead of wanting to read "just one more chapter."

Overall, this wasn't a bad book—it just wasn't the right fit for me. If you enjoy slower, character-driven women's fiction that focuses more on personal growth than romance, I think you'll probably enjoy this one more than I did.

2.5 rounded to 3

I flew through this book, which is rare for me. I finished it in about a day and a half because it was such an easy read.

I really enjoyed Meg’s journey and loved the Naples setting. It made me want to visit, and I found myself rooting for her the whole time.

My only complaint is that some of the relationships felt a little underdeveloped, especially the one back in D.C. By the end, I wanted more answers, but since this is the start of a series, I’m hoping the next book dives into that more.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend this if you enjoy women’s fiction with themes of grief, family, and starting over.

what a easy to get stuck into read this one was. one that took me right into the locations featured as if i could look around and see what was being described to me including the different people we meet.
Meg and her journey was something that i could feel meant a whole lot more than changing locations. shes been through alot this woman! just seeing what she was going through and how she was trying to navigate it all made me instantly feel and root for her. losing both your parents and in ways she hasn't met the grief head on with yet can truly be felt amongst the pages. her most recent loss brings her back to a place she loves, but one that holds so many memories, ones she had to leave a long time ago.
coming back means she has to face a whole lot more than business decisions. shes an attorney now. a greatly successful one. but whilst she might be able to keep all her job and client within her control. she hasn't quite mastered the balance in her own personal life.
coming home means learning so much more about her father she just lost. he helped this town and community.
grief isn't healed with just coming home. its going to take alot. but might she be ready to face it now? i really appreciated how this topic was taken on and not glossed over as something linear or would just like some miracle by cured by a certain place or person.
i loved reading about Naples. i could feel the sun, the air and community seeping into my own bones and went to google many times to look up places. i could picture the shores, the pier and the calm waters. i definitely poured over far too many sun drenches images and sunsets on google whilst reading!
Meg has quite alot to deal with being home. she turns her visit into a somewhat continuation of her fathers work when she agrees to help out.is this where is meant to be?
the people and place gave such brilliant small town feeling. that charming feeling applies to the characters we meet along the way too. i would definitely not go into this if you rely on it being a romance book though. it didn't ever feel like it was solely for that.
i really like in this case how it feels Megs journey and many aspects of it isn't over yet. this isn't something faced and then able to tie in a neat bow. and this for me leads nicely onto there being more from this place and Meg? the book doesn't rely on big twist or plot points just for the sake of it. we move on and move along naturally. it felt so much more meaningful and authentic because of that. the balance of the charm and light more humour filled moments balanced well with the more heavier and emotional themes in the book.

Changing Lanes is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that explores grief, identity, family, and the courage it takes to rethink the life you've chosen. Set against the backdrop of Naples, Florida, the story follows Meg Harrison, a successful attorney whose carefully controlled world is upended when the sudden death of her father brings her back to the hometown she thought she had left behind.

What makes this novel so compelling is not simply the plot, but Meg's journey of self-discovery. At the start of the story, she is driven, ambitious, and determined to keep her emotions tightly contained. However, as she navigates the practical and emotional challenges of her father's death, reconnects with her community, and confronts the memories and losses she has spent years avoiding, she begins to question what truly matters.

The real strength of Changing Lanes lies in its nuanced portrayal of grief. Rather than presenting grief as something to be conquered, the authors show it as a process of understanding, acceptance, and growth. Watching Meg gradually come to terms with the loss of her father, while also revisiting the pain of losing her mother years earlier, is both moving and deeply authentic. Her evolving understanding of grief, and her eventual acceptance of it as part of her story, is what makes this book such a spellbinding read. Readers experience every step of her emotional journey, making her transformation feel genuine and earned.

The romance is woven naturally into the narrative, complementing rather than overshadowing the central themes of healing and belonging. Combined with the vivid sense of place and a cast of engaging characters, it creates a story that feels warm, hopeful, and refreshingly real.

Ultimately, Changing Lanes is a heartfelt novel about finding your way home, and discovering that strength can be found in vulnerability. If you enjoy character-driven fiction with emotional depth and meaningful personal growth, this is a book well worth reading. It is an uplifting reminder that sometimes the most important journeys are the ones that lead us back to ourselves.