I’ve been anxiously awaiting Ryker’s story in the Matthews brothers’ books, and CHANGE OF PLANS was so good!! Dylan Newton has become one of my favorite romance authors. I’m sad this is the last in this series, but I can’t wait to read what she writes next!

This book excellently represented disability and mental health. It was handled so respectfully and delicately that I just kept rooting for the characters.

I absolutely adored the found family aspect. This comes from someone who is not a fan of children in books. They usually annoy me, but I loved Addison, Cecily, and June. They entertained to no end. I’m pretty sure they are my favorite kids to ever exist in a romance book.

Oh… and Bryce and Ryker. My heart. Please just read this. Read them. Read how they go from grocery store acquaintances to falling in love. It’s worth it, I promise.

Thanks, Forever and Netgalley, for the gifted arc!

Content Warnings: war flashback, war injury, PTSD, grief, familial death, panic attacks, medical trauma, car accident, infertility

Dylan has done it again! This was such a special, lovely story and was seriously so swoony! I absolutely loved this book

This was my first book by Dylan Newton and I loved it! Change of Plans is book three of a series, which I only found out after I read it and hardly noticed - so definitely can be read as a standalone if you choose to.

I was expecting a super light and fun rom-com but it was emotional and heartbreaking also. After her brother’s death, Bryce becomes the guardian of her three nieces, moves to a new town and starts a new job. Bryce’s parenting of the girls was done really well and honestly - showing the highs and the lows of juggling being a single parent. There was also disability representation. Ryker has a below the knee amputation from an injury in the Marines as well as PTSD. I adored Ryker - he was fantastic with the kids and it was just so darn cute!!

This book has one of my favourite meet cutes ever - I was swooning for sure! Bryce and Ryker had such instant chemistry - I couldn’t wait for them to be together.

Read if you like:
🧡 Small Towns
🧡 Dual POVs
💛 Cinnamon Roll Hero
💛 Adorable Kids
❤️ Found Family
❤️ Open Door

Thank you Netgalley and Forever for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I knew Ryker's story was going to be my favorite. But what I didn't know was how much I would also love Bryce and the three little girls that came along with her. But let's be honest, Ryker needed the love of not only one woman but 4 to remind him that he is more than just his injury and trauma and that he has something to give to the world. The meet cute here was absolute perfection, I was laughing all through the grocery aisle with them. I raged against the girl's grandparents and how they treated Bryce. This book is a feels journey that I would take over and over again.

Change of Plans • Dylan Newton ⭐️ - 3.5 stars
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This is the third book and last in the Matthews Brothers Series
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I was super excited to read about Ryker the mysterious brother of the three, after reading the previous two books. Overall I loved being back with this series and did enjoy it, but I wouldn’t say it was my favourite of the three. I enjoyed Bryce and Ryker together their journey and the growth they both went through individually. I just was so over the multiple miscommunications. I don’t if it was because I had an ARC but I found there was also inconsistencies. In the beginning, June the oldest niece is said to be 13 but then later on it is said she is 12 or Elise, Ryker’s goddaughter has teeth and then later on there is a “gummy smile” which to me means no teeth.
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Thank you to @NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

This book got a bit lost in the shuffle of life, but I finally got to it and am sad I didn’t read it sooner! I thoroughly loved the heart and emotions of this book. Both Ryker and Bryce are going through some pretty tough times. One lost her brother and went from single to guardian to 3 young girls. One has major PTSD from the military and losing part of his leg and friends.

I love how they come together and are there for each other. Willing to help and love and be there. They realize they are stronger together than they are hiding their hurts and struggles.

Really, just such a sweet book!

I love the way how Dylan Newton intertwines the growth of the romance with the personal development of both protagonists is truly masterful. The supporting characters, including the friends and the community, add layers of depth and a sense of belonging that completes the overall experience. A definitive 5 stars read!

🦿🦿🦿🦿/5

Going into this book I thought it was going to a sweet but fun (and probably funny) romcom with lovable characters and lots of chaos. But it was so much more!!

This book was definitely more emotional than the last book I read by DN. And I loved everything about that. I loved this crazy world we got to be a part of and the little moments were some of my favorite scenes.

I loved watching Aunt Beamer fill her roll as guardian to three adorable but crazy girls that were left in her care after a horrible accident left them orphaned. It’s a difficult challenge for anyone to jump into and she was the perfect woman to do it, even though she thought the opposite. Watching her struggle, while sad at times, was also full of laughs on the readers end. And brought about a perfect happy tear worthy ending.

I loved that we saw a new side of Ryker in this book and I now adore him in a way I never expected. He is the sweetest and most compassionate character and everything someone would want in a life partner. He was the perfect person to help Bryce with this new role in her life and I fell in love with watching them fall in love!

If you enjoy emotional reads, with deep characters and conversations, fun loving family time, children and their hijinks, and just sweet sweet romance than you need to pick up this book immediately ❤️

Change of Plans was my first introduction to Dylan Newton and I think I have a new must-read author! This was a darling, light-hearted, tender story that had me grinning the whole way through. It was sugary-sweet and fun, which is exactly what I was hoping to read. I enjoyed the depth of the characters, and the relationship between Bryce and her nieces and how Ryker comes in to it all was exactly the level of sweetness the doctor ordered. Can't wait to see what Dylan releases next!

Change of Plans by Dylan Newton

Thank you Forever & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

This was such a powerful story!

I didn't realize until after I finished reading it that it is part of a series. However, this story can be read on its own.

Bryce's life is turned upside down when she receives devastating news about her brother's death and has become the sole guardian for her three young nieces. Not only does she have to leave her prominent chef's job and move to another state, but she also has to prove to herself and the girl's grandparents that she is a worthy caregiver.

Ryker is a war veteran who lost his leg due to an IED explosion. He suffers from PTSD and is terrified of letting anyone get too close.

There is a chance encounter where Bryce and Ryker meet and Bryce ends up working at Ryker's mom's restaurant. Once Ryker got to know Bryce and her three nieces, he was hooked!

I loved how the author discussed such heavy topics and wove it into a wonderful story.

I highly recommend this one but be prepared with a box of tissues!

This book was super cute and heartwarming! Bryce and Ryker, the main characters, found each other at just the right time, and I loved how they always had each other's backs.
There's a strangers-to-lovers thing going on, and the meet-cute in a grocery store is hilariously chaotic. Plus, the whole found family vibe is just heart-melting, especially when Ryker interacted with Bryce's nieces.
All in all, it's a heartwarming, feel-good, and quick read! Big thanks to NetGalley for sending me an early copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!! I really enjoyed this book!

Thanks so much for the arc!

This book is the third in the series. In Change of Plans we’re reintroduced to the last Matthew’s brother- Ryker. He’s the quietest of the bunch and a bit of a recluse. This is mostly due to his PTSD and attempt at adjusting to civilian life after the Marines.

Ryker meets Bryce in a grocery store. Bryce has just lost her brother and sister in law. She’s been given the challenging job of guardianship of their 3 daughters, her nieces. To say that this single chef is in over her head is an understatement. Not only are they at some challenging ages- 4, 8 and 12 but their lives have been flipped upside down. (As a mom of an 8 and 5 year old this was somewhat hard to read sometimes thinking what would happen to my kids if my husband and I passed).

Bryce and Ryker are drawn to each other. Even though both of their lives are a mess. They need to learn to get passed asking for help & admitting their faults to see they deserve each other. I found the PTSD parts of this story so interesting. It’s so hard for those who fought for our country to adjust back to life. Ryker also lost his leg and is dealing with all the challenges of that.

I had a few issues with the story. All the miscommunication (which was the major issues in the story) were completely avoidable. I’m not sure why Ryker kept his big twist such a secret. Also Bryce works for Rykers mom- Patty. I find it hard to believe Bryce wouldn’t have know about Patty’s grandbaby. I also think Patty would’ve/ should’ve been a more motherly help to Bryce (especially at Easter). I know Patty was dealing with her own retirement and love life. I just think Bryce working for her should’ve avoided most of the mishaps in the book. Also Bryce was very vocal but then at her anger towards Ryker she “chickened” out in my opinion.

Cute story overall- even if a bit heavy. There was a lot of sadness but good examples of rebuilding and letting people in.

TL;DR:
- 4 stars
- Content warnings: death of sibling, PTSD, night terrors
- Sweet and spicy romance between grieving new "mom" to nieces and wounded veteran.

Loved:
- Typically I would deem a romance with this much character development and growth women's lit, but I actually feel like both Bryce (lead) and Ryker (LI) grew a lot individually in a way that made sense for them together, so it still felt like it advanced the romance. I liked them a lot, there wasn't much about either character that rubbed me the wrong way.
- I liked (much like with brother #2 in this series) how quick they were to admit their attraction to each other. Let's not beat around the bush! Thank you!!
- Bryce's three nieces were adorable. I loved the four of them together, and Ryker as a fifth. I LOVED the movie Raising Helen as a kid and this felt reminiscent.

Less into:
- Off my last point - the grandparents gave SERIOUS Joan Cusack in Raising Helen vibes. Constantly insulting Bryce and causing friction because at their core they were insulted not to be picked as guardians by their daughter (who had passed!). This kind of reaction is not abnormal but it was frankly hard to read. I don't like when even fictional children have to be put through such familial turmoil after losing their parents. The ending felt too quickly resolved with them, but honestly I was just glad that conflict was over. C'est la vie.

Pick up for a quick, sexy, deeper-than-expected read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is a beautiful book, huge hearts on both main characters. The challenges both Bryce and Ryker face could easily have been mishandled but the author really threaded the needle here very well, and even there kids were well written. New fan here!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!

You guys, I really liked this. I think all of the characters were fairly likeable, and they didn't feel flat at all. The story begins with Bryce Weatherford, a former chef now in charge of her three nieces after her brother and his wife pass away. She juggles working, taking care of the girls, and trying to take care of herself while the nieces' grandparents try to take custody of them over Bryce. Flash over to Ryker, a retired marine that got into an accident during the war and lost his leg. He struggles with surviving life as he battles severe PTSD.

I think this was a fairly wholesome book. It does have some severe topics, but nothing that goes too depth to the point of bawling your eyes out at 3 a.m.

The romance moved a little too quickly for my liking, but for me personally I just prefer more of a slow-burn romance...needless to say, Ryker is an AMAZING book boyfriend. He should be the blueprint for everyone..

ALSO, I did NOT realize that there were 2 interconnected standalones before this that showed the romance of the other two brothers?! Now I have to go read those....

Overall, a solid book! I liked it! Was it my favorite of the year? No. But I did really enjoy this and highly recommend it

“When disaster strikes and chef Bryce Weatherford is given guardianship of her three young nieces, her life goes from cooking with fire…to controlling a dumpster fire.”

Such a sweet book. Strangers to Lovers? Check. Found Family? Check. Chaotic Meet Cute? Check. And I loved that all the girls had distinct personalities.

I do NOT love a Miscommunication Trope. I just need everyone to take a breath, read some Brene Brown, and come back reading to USE THEIR WORDS.

While this book is part of the Matthews’ Brothers series, I think it totally works as a stand-alone. You’ll get a few spoilers from the previous books, but lets not pretend it’s a surprise that they all get together in the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this HEARC.

I loved this unique story! The representation of grief, limb loss, and PTSD was done so well. I loved the unconventional way they got started and how they uncovered more and more about each other. I need more romances with stories of people getting service dogs. I k ow that may sound silly, but the impact they have on vets and mental health in general needs to be shared. Can’t wait to read more by this author.

This book would actually get a 3.75 rating but rounding up due to lack of 1/4 or 1/2 stars.
I have always been a sucker for stories where a friend or family member ends up caring for kids who suddenly lose their parents. It's such a sad situation but I feel like it gives the characters strength and comfort to be going through it all together.
I don't want to spoil anything so I won't say much more about the plot. I love Dylan's writing and thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this series. This book can be read as a standalone if you haven't read How Sweet it Is or All Fired Up.
I think the overuse of the miscommunication trope (one of my least favorite) is the only thing I didn't like.
Recommended for fans of found family and fans of movies like Raising Helen, No Reservations, and Life As We Know It.
I received a review copy and all opinions are my own.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.