The Marine vet, middle Matthews brother and a former fancy restaurant chef—now small-town soup and salad cook and guardian of three—fall in love in Dylan Newton’s Change of Plans.

Dare I say it, this may be my favorite Matthews brother book.

Here’s a collection of my thoughts on this book:
- The meet-cute had me cackling.
- I adore and am impressed by how Newton captures the children’s personalities and quirks—from the surly sullenness of the tween, who really wants to be seen and valued underneath it all to the middle child that can get lost in the shuffle to the whimsy of a preschooler—and how grief manifests for each one differently.
- The family and found family aspects warmed my heart.
- I loved being back in small-town Wellsville.
- I want to institute an emergency hug policy at my house.
- I also feel the urge to build a massive, cardboard pirate ship.
- Honestly, my heart melted with the way Ryker responds to the children.
- I love that Newton created such a kick*** heroine to go along with the kick*** hero.
- Newton manages to portray lightness and levity in the midst of so much heaviness.

This is the third book about the Matthews brothers but can be read as a standalone. I recommend reading the other two first, though, to become acquainted with the secondary characters in this book as well as with the town.

I received an advance copy of the ebook from Forever and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

The content may be sensitive for some readers. Please check trigger warnings.

Change of Plans by Dylan Newton
Out August 1, 2023
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When Aunt Beamer’s brother and his wife die suddenly, she’s transplanted from a comfortable job in Florida to a life caring for three girls and a new job many would consider a step backwards. The dynamic between her becoming a parent, the girls adjusting to their new life, and a side of romance was delightful! And of course, our favorite siblings and their love interests all make an appearance!
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If you’ve read about the other Matthews brothers, I will say this book was probably the most challenging in terms of heavy hitting topics. Like his brother, Ryker served in the military, but was discharged for a serious injury. “Beamer” is in a custody battle with the girls’ maternal grandparents as well. It’s not light in many ways, but that did not make it any less enjoyable of a read for me.
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Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for this ARC.

Ryker is the last Matthews brother to find romance in this heartwarming return to one of my favorite fictional families. He is a veteran struggling with physical and psychological effects of his time in the military. When he meets Bryce, he hasn’t dated in a long time and is a bit unsure of himself.
Bryce, meanwhile, has recently moved to town to take guardianship of her brother’s 3 young girls after their parents tragically passed away in a car accident. She is dealing with unsupportive grandparents, a new job, and a sudden thrust into parenthood.
But their attraction to each other is undeniable. Their multiple meetings are sweet, but I did wish for more conversation and interaction just between them, without kids or coworkers or grandparents in the mix.
This is a strangers to lovers, he falls first, found family, military rep, and miscommunication romcom that wraps up the Matthews brothers trilogy in all the best ways. Newton does a great job balancing funny and silly with serious and real-life. Bryce and Ryker are getting to know one another and learning how to support one another a day at a time and we get to watch them through it all. Their love story is messy for sure, but endearing all the same. We also get a few peeks of Kate and Drake, Imani and Zander, and even Mom - which I absolutely loved! I wish all romcom trilogies had interconnected characters like the Matthews family - this is one series of books I highly recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.

This is the second book I’ve read by Dylan Newton and I was just as in love with this book as I was All Fired Up!

The storyline drew me in because it was unique to anything I’ve read. A single aunt trying to juggle taking on the responsibility of raising her brother and sister in laws three daughters after unexpectedly losing both her brother and sister in law.

Bryce and Ryker were both just characters you could help but love! I loved so many things about this book, but what I love that Dylan does with her books is showcasing different mental health issues. This book brought to light PTSD.

This book was the perfect mix of everything! A must read!!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm going to be honest and say this book was simply just not for me. There just seemed to always be so much going on! Also, the miscommunication trope, a big no from me. I just can't stand it!!!! There also wasn't much romance in this book?? I wanted them to have more development in their relationship, more spice, more romance!

This is definitely NOT a bad book, it just was not for me :(

After a meet disaster at the grocery store, Ryker and Bryce can feel the connection they share. Too bad Bryce is still figuring out how to transition from single woman to caregiver of three young girls after a car accident claimed her brother and his wife. And Ryker, sticking to a stoic shell since his Marine days, is finally catching feelings for someone since his injury and return home. Through both their trauma, they keep coming back to each other, and as these two know so deeply, the plans you make always seem to change.

This was an absolute treasure of a book!! I was blown away by the emotion and heavy topics that were so well balanced with sweet and funny moments. The opening scene is a comedy of errors that had me laughing and crying in the first two chapters!

Bryce’s nieces steal the show in every scene that they’re in, because they were all so sweet, kind and hilarious. Cici’s habit of saving things from the garbage, Addison’s wings and gentle but fierce nature, and June’s apprehensive affection and pride had me wanting to gather them all up in a big family hug.

I loved the curiosity from the girls about Ryker’s prosthetics, and the connection that they built as he starts falling in love with this new family unit.

I have no experience with PTSD myself, but Ryker’s later realization of how bad things had gotten with isolating himself and shutting everyone out hit me hard. Great example of how you don’t know how low you truly are until you start to improve and look back! 

Also, MENSTRUATION ON THE PAGE!!! It results in a very sweet moment too 💖

This cast of characters, including those from the previous books, was perfection, and this will hit you straight in the heart. You’re going to love Change of Plans!

I have already reviewed this title on my bookstagram @inked_mama_reads

Cute rom com that I was able to be a part of. This included the physical book copy ARC train. Cute characters, realistic representation of handling life, and vet representation! Trigger warnings: death and grief, PTSD.

Question for always fabulous author Dylan Newton: Can’t you find some more Matthews brothers? Or cousins maybe? Change of Plans is the third book in the Matthews Brothers trilogy, and I was sad to see these guys and the loves of their lives go. Instead of another sequel, maybe Newton could write a side-quel or something. If you’ve already read books one and two, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, stop right now and go read them. You don’t want to miss a minute in Wellsville with all these fantastic folks. All three books are fun, funny, spicy, sweet rom coms with lots of serious stuff thrown in. Change of Plans will probably touch your heart the most; it did mine.

Bryce Weatherford has always loved her nieces but she never expected to become their guardian. It’s tough. Really tough. To say her life has completely changed would be an enormous understatement. She used to be a chef, but now she is working at Pattycakes Café; although it’s a great job and Patty is wonderful, the bar for culinary success has been significantly lowered. Her goal of the day is usually just to survive with a five year old who won’t remove her fairy wings, an eight year old who won't bathe, and a tween who is . . . well, a tween. Romance, career advancement? Forget it. Patty has offered them the apartment above the café and that’s a win these days.

Ryker is the serious, brooding, sometimes scary Matthews brother. An ex-Marine amputee with phantom pain and nightmares. He does know he’s lucky to be alive but it doesn’t feel that way. He has his family but he’s lonely for companionship he doesn’t feel will ever be his and keeps his focus on his vehicle restoration business.

Bryce and Ryder meet in a laugh-out-loud funny grocery store mishap. They both feel that little tingle but neither thinks they are in a place to have any kind of relationship, even a very, very casual one. Thing is, that tingle doesn’t feel all that casual. Of course they’ll be thrown together – Bryce works in Ryder’s mother Patty’s shop. And we can tell right off that Fate has something marvelous in store for these two. We just need to get them on board to take that ride.

Newton does an outstanding job of balancing the joy and wonder of a new romance with the very serious issues that both Bryce and Ryder must face each day. The author has obviously done a lot of research into the difficulties of coping with the loss of a limb as well as children trying to regain their balance after losing their parents, and of the adult now responsible for their well-being. The factual information is seamlessly mixed in with the tender moments, the funny moments, and the ugly moments. The story never shies from addressing these hard issues but it always makes us smile at this “maybe” family working to come together and give up hope for that HEA.

Thanks to the author for providing an advance copy of Change of Plans for my reading pleasure and honest opinion. The entire Matthews Brothers series is the perfect combination of swoony and informative and I recommend all three books without hesitation. I can’t wait to see what Dylan Newton gives us next – even if it’s not another Matthews brother! I voluntarily leave this review and all opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever Publishing for this ARC.

This book was such a heartwarming read! Bryce is such a great main character and I LOVED Ryker. How he fell first even after their chaotic first meeting was super cute. I am usually iffy on single-parent stories but I think the kids had their own unique personalities that helped add to the story and not distract from the plot. The book did have some heavy topics/plots, but I believe it was done really well. In the back of the book I liked how the author did a lot of research into the topics and spoke with experts on each topic.

I will say I wish we had gotten some more conversations between Bryce and Ryker
I hadn't realized the other two brothers had their own stories but I will absolutely be reading them!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy of this book to read and review. All of these thoughts and comments are my own.

This book was so cute. It’s about a family learning how to cope while grieving loved ones.

Bryce gains custody of her three nieces, June, CiCi, and Addison, after their parents/her brother and sister-in-law die in a car crash. Bryce is trying to navigate life differently now that she’s responsible for three kids while also helping them grieve their parents. During this world wind change, she meets Ryker who is a vet and struggling with PTSD. She isn’t sure if she can juggle becoming a parental figure and a relationship at the same time. Little does she know Ryker is willing to go the extra mile for her and the girls, she just has to give him a chance.

I thought this book was adorable. I loved the plot and I love how it’s centered around mental health (grieving and PTSD). It also even had a little smut which was a nice touch. It was funny, tear jerking, and just all around a good read. Definitely recommend.

4 stars!

Don’t start this book at 9:30 at night and think you will put it down before finishing it.
I absolutely fell in love with this book!
Bryce is such a strong female lead. She is a chef who tragically lost her brother and sister in law in a car accident. After losing her brother she gets custody of his 3 daughters. Not the best thing for a single chef who lives to cook but she loves her nieces.
Ryker is a perfect specimen of a man. He’s a marine, amputee, and all around perfect. He’s dealing with ptsd from the bombing that took his foot. After meeting Bryce and her nieces he falls for each of them and who wouldn’t!?!?
The support of every character in this book for each other was truly amazing. Such a great book. I want to read it again for the first time!!

Ever since How Sweet It Is, I've been looking forward to Ryker's story. I wanted to know what it would be like for the middle brother to find love against all the odds. This book was so cute while also handling some very challenging topics like PTSD, grief after the death of a loved one, and parenting.

I read it the week leading up to Mother's Day, which felt like the perfect time, as it gave such a wonderful depiction of how the term "mother" can be applied in so many unique ways (including mother-like creatures).

There were a few things throughout the story that didn't sit quite right with me, such as the crass jokes between Ryker and his brothers and Ryker and Bryce. Where they could've been funny or banter-y, instead they felt crude and sometimes even leaned towards feeling sexist or transphobic. I understand where the heart of the jokes were coming from, but they missed the mark a bit.

What I did love was the kindness shown by Bryce towards Ryker when he didn't know how to open up with her about his past and the trauma he was still battling on a daily basis. There was such grace and love and it was a really precious thing to see.

I also loved the way the characters from the past two books rallied behind Bryce amidst all of her struggles while "mothering" her three nieces. They say it takes a village to raise children and this book did a great job showing what that camaraderie can look like and how it can positively affect not only the children but the parental figures as well. I especially loved seeing Kate and Imani step in and help in so many ways.

The miscommunication trope was very strong in this book, which was a little bit of a turn-off, especially with the way Bryce goes about handling things (aka jumping to truly wild conclusions). However, I did feel as though the resolution was well done. The end of the book wrapped up everything really nicely and tied it up with a pretty bow (and lots of PattyCakes cupcakes).

Overall, I can't see it being a book I'd eagerly pick up again - unlike the first two, which I absolutely adored - but I did enjoy it and recommend it to those who are looking for something relatively lighthearted, with equal parts emotional depth and goofy encounters. It's a good summertime read.

This book was such a heartwarming and fun read! This was my second book by this author, and I enjoyed both so much. This story follows Bryce, a young chef who unexpectedly becomes the guardian of her three young nieces. When her path crosses Ryker, a veteran in their small town, she’s quickly taken by him.

With both of them having complicated pasts, their path to each other is equally complicated and adorable. This was a relatable and uplifting read that I throughly enjoyed. I’m excited to continue reading more from this author!

Thank you to Forever for my free review copy!

What a lovely story for Bryce and Ryker! I love this trio of books about the Matthews' brothers and I wish that there were more of them! I feel like Bryce and Ryker both balanced each other out and supporting each other as they face their own personal issues. Bryce is forced into the role of "Aunt Mom" when her brother and sister-in-law dies suddenly, leaving behind three daughters. This is a challenge for Bryce and would be for anyone thrust into the role after living the single life as a chef. Ryker is working through his PTSD and I loved the way that Newton wrote him and his struggles. I loved the way Ryker was with the girls and I was rooting for them to make it throughout the entire story. I'm a little partial to this series as it is set in my town and the town where I grew up (Rochester!) so I definitely enjoyed it and I can't wait to see what Newton comes up with next. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

After a tragedy, Bryce finds herself the guardian of her three young nieces and she has to balance her new job with being a caregiver. She meets veteran Ryker in the grocery store and sparks fly from the beginning. However, neither of them is in a place where they are ready to fall in love as they are each only beginning to deal with their individual traumas. But no matter how hard they try, they can’t fight the chemistry between them.

I have loved every book in this series, and this one might be my favorite. I loved Bryce and Ryker as both individuals and as a couple. I loved how they each supported each other - Ryker was amazing with Bryce’s nieces and Bryce was so empathetic when it came to Ryker’s PTSD. Their romance was the perfect balance of emotion, real life, and sweet, funny moments. The side characters were equally endearing. I loved the glimpses of Ryker’s family, especially after getting to know them in the previous two books. Bryce’s nieces added so much fun and sass to the story. They each had such a strong and distinct personality and I loved them. From the hilarious meet cute, all the way to the end, this heartwarming story had me captivated and rooting for the happiest of endings
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Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy. And thank you to Dylan Newton and @ilashreads for hosting the traveling ARC.

“Sure, you’ve had a change of plans. But when you change lanes in a race, you appear to lose ground, when all it takes is being on the low side of the curve to be back on top.”

I was a huge fan of How Sweet it Is and really fell in love with Kate Sweet and Drake Matthews. I struggled a little bit with All Fired Up because I got so invested in Kate/Drake’s story that I really just wanted to read more about them. I think that’s because I read the first two books almost back to back. Now that it’s been a year since the second book I can say that this series is fantastic and the amount of time we got to spend with Kate & Drake and Imani & Zander was perfect while getting to know Bryce and Ryker deeply.

Now I’m sad the series is over but can not wait to see what Dylan Newton writes next!

Fair warning: this book will make you hungry! Bryce is a fantastic chef and the food writing will make you want to eat a lot!

Rating:
4.5 stars

Read if you like:
PTSD and disability rep
Marines
Adoption/guardianship stories
Food writing

Thank you @readforeverpub for a digital ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Simple romance read, nothing too exciting or daring. I liked how the author incorporated some military disabilities with amputation ptsd and service animals.

Overall a decent read

Oh my gosh, this book...you guys. Now, I could go on and on about how this book is everything that I love in a novel. It's all about bettering yourself FOR YOURSELF and not for someone else or because you think someone else wants you to. It's full of actual real-life obstacles and shows them in a real and heartfelt way. There's miscommunication, but not in such a way that you're rolling your eyes and ready to throw the book across the room if they don't just TALK TO EACH OTHER ALREADY.

This book is, in essence, why all romance novels need to be dual POV. You can see the miscommunication but you also see and understand WHY it's happening - which, I have to say, as a reader, I greatly appreciated.

No, I could go on and on about all of that, but what I want to say is this: This book made me feel incredibly seen as a parent. It showed that not every moment is perfect, not everything is going to go your way, and not every parent has their shit together.

And that's okay.

I think this quote really sums up how I feel: "Little Beamer, nobody's born knowing how to parent. And no parent, or parent-like creature, is perfect, Your mother used to say there wasn't a recipe for success as a mom. Like cooking, you've got to stand at the stove everyday and do your best."

And if that doesn't explain parenthood - I don't know what does. So thank you Bryce and Ryker for showing that parenthood (like life and love) is messy, but it's always worth it.

Dylan Newton is so good at balancing the comedy and the serious topics in her romcoms! Change of Plans gives us the final Matthews brother’s love story. Ryker has been out of the marines for a while but it left him without a leg and with ptsd. He’s closed himself off from everyone and was just fine with it til he runs into Bryce and her 3 nieces, who she now has custody of after her brothers death.

This book covers some heavy topics but does so in a way that doesn’t leave you in despair. This book has so much heart and so much joy and laughter in the middle of some serious stuff. For someone who thinks he’s bad with people Ryker sure is a sweetheart with Bryce and her nieces. Goth Bunny had me laughing until I couldn’t breathe 😂 Bryce was so relatable, she was just doing the best she could in a tough situation. And the girls were so lovable, even as they were terrors lol.

I really enjoyed the conclusion to this trilogy!

This was such an adorable and endearing read! I have not yet read the other 2 books featuring Ryker's brothers and will immediately now be going back to read them!

You could feel Bryce and Ryker's chemistry immediately and I loved how the plot line started instantly in the first chapter, the quirkiness of the 3 nieces, Bryce's chaotic life and the tear jerking story of Ryker's PTSD struggles were all so raw and emotional in the best way possible. Life isn't always tidy and wrapped up in a neat little bow, I love the way Dylan Newton exposed the true messiness of life and still managed to wrap it up with a believable happy ending!

This book would have been a full 5 stars for me if not for the mis-communication trope in the third act, but that is a personal preference! I would have loved to see just a few more chapters of how Bryce and Ryker seamlessly blended their lives together, after getting so invested in their love story it all wrapped up just a bit too quickly!

Overall this was such an enjoyable rom-com read!!