Bryce Weatherford finds herself raising her 3 nieces after a tragic accident happened to their parents. Ryker Matthews has returned from Afghanistan where he was the unfortunate victim of an IED explosion and now has a below the knee amputation and debilitating PTSD. Ryker comes to Bryce's rescue in the grocery store and spark begin to fly between them. They each have their own insecurities, traumas, guilt, and past to face in order to overcome the things that can keep them apart.

This book addresses some tough real life issues and really conveys the emotions and struggles that come along with each. I loved the chemistry between the girls and their aunt and between Bryce and Ryker. A 5 star read for me!

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Forever for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

⭐4.5/5
🌶️ 🌶️ (one open door scene)

➡ Life's thrown a series of devastating curveballs at Bryce Weatherford: she's been given guardianship of her three nieces after her brother and his wife were lost in a fatal car accident, uprooted her life as an up and coming chef in Florida to relocate to New York and is spending every cent she has to battle her brother's in-laws for custody of the girls. With one niece refusing to take off her fairy wings, another refusing to bathe and the third refusing...well, everything, Bryce isn't making plans past surviving the day when she bumps into Ryker Matthews at the grocery store. Ryker, a retired veteran and mechanic, is fighting his own battles but sparks immediately and with Bryce, he feels a sense of completeness he hasn't felt in years. Their lives are complicated but something about their connection seems worth changing plans for.
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🙏 Thank you to @Netgalley, @dylannewton and @readforever for an eARC of Change of Plans in exchange for my honest review.
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🎯 What I loved: This was such a sweet story about two incredibly giving humans. Both protagonists were so likeable and their connection felt genuine and realistic- two people facing challenging circumstances that deserved to find a little happiness in the world. Some of the chaotic scenes with Bryce's nieces had me laughing so hard. I think any caregiver will smile knowing how close to reality these situations really are. I also liked the representation in this book. It seemed well-researched and was articulated with sensitivity which I always appreciate.

I'm not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope but this was less a miscommunication and more of a "I felt so secure in how I felt about you that I didn't think to..." situation. Every time Bryce looked at her phone waiting for Ryker to reach out, I felt it deep in my gut, so I guess you could say I connected well with the characters in this one.

🙅‍♀️ What I didn't: Without spoilers, it felt like the 'issue' Ryker kept trying to share with Bryce never really got resolved. He communicated about it and they moved on, but they never had a deep discussion about what it meant for them which felt unresolved because of how much time he spent worrying about its implications. And, although this was easily a stand-alone, I initially had no idea that this was the third book in a series, so make sure you dig into the other two Matthews brothers' books beforehand (I certainly will be now)!
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Read if you love:
*cinnamon roll MMCs
*series where each sibling gets a book
*complex family dynamics + blended families
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See also: Trish Doller's Beck Sisters series, Bergman Brothers series, Hot and Hammered series (Tessa Bailey)

As the sole guardian of her three nieces, the FMC feels like her life is a mess… until she meets a military veteran who helps lighten the load.

I came into this book not realizing it was part of a series. I usually hate when this happens because I don’t get the full back story on all the characters and feel thrust into an already moving storyline. This book, however, can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. If you’re a fan of love in the form of acts of service, this is the book for you! It is delightfully sweet and full of moments where you truly believe in their compatibility.

“Those Matthews boys are like cinnamon rolls—sinfully decadent, but sometimes you’ve got to unwind them to see what’s inside.”

When I started to read “Change of Plans” I didn’t realize that it is the third story about the Matthews brothers. This story centers around the middle brother, Ryker, who is struggling with PTSD after returning from Afghanistan due to an injury that took his left leg and his friend’s life. Bryce is an acclaimed chef whose life was uprooted when her brother and sister-in-law died tragically leaving her three nieces in her care. It was a very sweet story, a quick read (I read it in a day). Each of these characters were suffering from loss, and they helped each other start to heal. I laughed a lot - these girls definitely got themselves into some ridiculous situations. Warning: the main female character is a chef and her dishes sound pretty fantastic. Do not read on an empty stomach or you’ll find yourself raiding the cupboards!

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an advanced copy of this book.

First, as always, the biggest thanks to NetGalley and Dylan Newton for this ARC!

Bryce, once a shining chef in Florida, moves to small-town New York after her brother and sister-in-law are killed in an accident, and she is made guardian of their three young daughters. Ryker, a former Marine, has been struggling with the PTSD from the traumatic event that led to his honorable discharge from the military and loss of his lower leg. As the two get to know each other after a grocery store meet-cute and many small town run-ins, they have to figure out whether there is a place for each other in the fragile chaos of their lives.

Change of Plans was a cute and speedy romcom/romdram! While it touches on heavy topics (TW for PTSD flashbacks, grief, and death, among others at the bottom of this caption), it also has plenty of lighthearted moments, particularly the shenanigans of Addison, Cecily, and June, Bryce’s three nieces. Though the plot felt a bit predictable in places, the chaos of Bryce’s life, and the anxiety and pain of Ryker’s, both felt real enough to have me rooting for them both! If you enjoy a romcom/romdram from Abby Jimenez and/or Christina Lauren, this book will likely make you smile!

Rating: 4/5
Spice: 1/5

This is part of the brothers series, but this works well as a stand alone novel, so don't be concerned or worried if you haven't read the previous book.

I really enjoyed seeing the growth of our main characters. From surly to smiling. It was sweet and enjoyable.

Thank you to Net Galley and Forever Publishing for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Change of Plans by Dylan Newton. Easily giving this a 4 out of 5 stars. The only reason it doesn't hit a 5-star rating for me is because "How Sweet It Is", the first book in this series will forever be my favorite.

Not to say that this one doesn't hold a very close second. Dylan has a way of writing her characters so that you physically feel their emotions. I felt the pain that Bryce had to go through as she was suffering through her grief while also trying to figure out this new role in her life. I loved the friendship that developed between Bryce and Ryker before their relationship. Neither was emotionally ready to dive head-first into a new relationship when they first met. They each had their own journeys and demons they had to overcome before they could come together as a family in the end.

Seriously, a beautiful book and one I already know I will be rereading. I can't wait to see what Dyan Newton writes next!

Bryce is navigating life as a mom-like creature as she becomes a guardian for her three nieces, when she runs into real-life superhero Ryker Matthews who helps in her time of need.

I was so excited to pick up Ryker's story. We see our characters struggle through the tough parts of life as Bryce fights for custody and feels like she's failing as a single parent, and Ryker suffers from PTSD and problems with his leg injury.

I loved how supportive they were for one another as they tried to help each other lighten their own burdens. Ryker comes out of his shell and was so sweet with the girls and Bryce is truly trying her hardest as she tries to find balance in her new life.

There's great chemistry and emotional connection as our characters open up and learn to ask for and accept help. There's a bit of miscommunication which is always annoying, but comes from a good place as Ryker is afraid to add more complexity to Bryce's already hectic life.

It can easily be read as a standalone, but I've loved getting to know the Matthews brothers so also recommend How Sweet It Is and All Fired Up.

Thanks NetGalley and Forever for my advance copy; all opinions are my own.

I adored this book! I didn’t want it to end. I loved the first half so much. The second half had my anxiety going through it!!! The miscommunication was so hard to get through. The missed phone calls and the misunderstandings. My stomach was in knots. I loved Bryce and Ryker and loved reading about them falling in love and I hated when they were a part. I couldn’t put the book down. I wish I had another 100 pages to read of these characters.

4.5 stars rounded up. I’ve had Dylan Newton’s previous two books on my TBR for a long time and after reading this one, I’ll be moving them up in the queue ASAP. This book focused on deep issues families face with an approach that had a feel of lightness and hope without undermining the seriousness of the topics being covered. Bryce was trying so hard, and my heart broke for her as it felt like the universe was continually conspiring against her. Ryker tugged at my heartstrings. His struggles in talking to his family and Bryce felt so understandable that the miscommunication aspect of the story didn’t even frustrate me like it normally would; my heart just hurt for him. He was so good with the kids, and I appreciated that it didn’t feel like he was trying to swoop in and save the day but rather he genuinely wanted to be helpful and lighten Bryce’s load a bit. There were a few areas in the timeline where things felt rushed or skimmed over that I wish had been a bit more detailed, but aside from that, this book was a win for me.

Change Of Plans was so touching and cute. Our main characters, Bryce and Ryker, have endured difficult and tragic things in life. Bryce just lost a sibling and is the guardian of her three nieces, while Ryker is a disabled Veteran who is still working through his PTSD. Bryce juggles being a parent figure, work, and a guardianship contestation, and meets Ryker after he steps in and is there to help Bryce with her nieces and becomes a source of support for them.

As they spend time with each other, Ryker finds that he's smiling more and loves spending time with Bryce and the girls for the first time since his accident. I liked how the author wrote grief and caregiving it was well done. There were very serious topics but humorous moments that reduced the heaviness. The characters were excellent. I loved the nieces and the community and grew to love the niece's grandparents. I liked the romance between Ryker and Bryce, it was sweet, with some low-spice moments. They were perfect for each other. I wish we had gotten more communication and conversations between them about their relationship.

I didn't know this was part of a series, and now I have to read the other books. It's a standalone, so nothing was spoiled. Overall this is a heartwarming well written rom-com with great characters and a quick read.

Thank you, Forever Pub, for this arc for an honest review.

The most chaotic lovable bunch of characters I love them all. The PTDS scene with Ryker was emotional, Bryce was a great support in that moment. Bryce’s nieces were very cute and realistically written kids, I loved their comedic timing.

I really liked the book. As a veteran with PTSD, I will say it takes a very cookie-cutter approach to how we come by the disorder. While it absolutely can come from combat situations and loss, it can also come from non combat living environments. The nuclear power ratings of the Navy have extremely high incidence rates of mental health issues and just about zero direct combat experience. Anyway, it’s still good to have some representation, even if it reinforces a combat-veteran-only public assumption. And I loved Bryce and her nieces!

Change of Plans by Dylan Newton is a heartwarming and emotional tale that follows the life of Bryce, a talented chef, who, upon her brother’s sudden passing, becomes the guardian of her three nieces. After upending her life in Tampa to take care of the girls in Wellsville, New York, Bryce struggles to balance her new responsibilities as a caregiver with her passion for cooking.

Amidst this chaos, Bryce meets a former Marine, Ryker Matthews, the middle brother of the Matthews brothers, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and is trying to rebuild his life. Introverted and emotionally closed-off, Ryker comes to Bryce’s rescue as Change of Plans opens, immediately engaging the reader with romantic tension. As they spend more time together, they find solace in each other's company and develop a deep and meaningful connection.

Newton does an excellent job of portraying the characters' emotions and struggles in a realistic and relatable manner. Bryce’s struggles to cope with her new role as a caregiver and her passion for cooking are portrayed with sensitivity and compassion. Similarly, Ryker’s struggles with PTSD and his attempts to find a new purpose in life are depicted with great authenticity. The chemistry between the two is palpable and heartwarming, and the reader can't help but root for them as they navigate their way through their personal challenges. The story's pacing is perfect, with just the right balance of romance and emotional depth.

Overall, Change of Plans is an engaging and emotional read (have a few tissues handy!) that will appeal to anyone who loves a good romance. The characters are well-developed, and the story is both heartwarming and poignant. Newton’s writing style is engaging, and the story flows effortlessly, making it a perfect read for a lazy afternoon or a cozy night in. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a charming, uplifting romance.

3.5/5 stars

i was very excited about this book and it ended up being good but a little disappointing.

i liked a lot of things in this book, such as the main characters' individual arcs & growth, the heartwarming community aspect, and how the antagonistic side had depth and was not one-dimensional.

the slight letdown i had revolved around the relationships. the romance between bryce and ryker was very sweet and i appreciated how realistic their issues were and how they handled a lot of it. however, i do think there could've been a bit more development before things got really serious between them. furthermore, i really wanted more scenes & development between ryker and bryce's nieces.

ultimately, despite my disappointment, it was still a good book and i would recommend it if you're looking for a romance book with heavier feel & themes.

thank you to forever and netgalley for providing this arc!

This book tugs so sweetly at the heartstrings. Bryce is a strong willed chef who loves her nieces with her whole heart and Ryker is a sweetheart who's a little afraid. Their relationship blossoms at the perfect rate and I adore that Ryker loves June, Addison, and Cecily just as much as he does Bryce. Just when I thought I was done crying, I swiped to the recipe at the end of the book. Literally sobbing. So. Fucking. Sweet.

I read the first two books in this series last year, and I've been so excited to read Ryker's story and it did not disappoint!! Dylan Newton does such an amazing job of writing stories for characters that know how to pull at your heartstrings but also make you smile all the time. I really liked how she would put these little references to the characters from the other books, without making them too big of plot points in this story. Bryce and Ryker are such a cute pair, and I loved reading how their relationship developed!

Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of Change of Plans by Dylan Newton in exchange for an honest review.

This book had a lot of the right ingredients, but, unfortunately they did not mix well together.

I was so excited to read this book. Based on the synopsis, it was just the feel-good rom com I needed. As I kept reading, though, I realized this book was mis-marketed. Where was the rom? Where was the com? It had a few chuckle moments and a couple of romantic gestures, but overall, it read more like a drama than anything.

Each time Bryce had a parenting fail, I either hurt or cringed or wondered when her win was coming. They weren’t even funny or silly mishaps that happened less over time as she learned how to parent. It was just constant problem after problem. I kept wondering when was she going to have fun experiences with her nieces, when where they going to bond? It was just one dumpster fire after another and each one made it harder and harder for me to want to pick the book back up.

And the romance needed a lot more development. Bryce was confusing and inconsistent with her thoughts and feelings towards him and Ryker never really communicated much of anything with her. The I-love-yous were much too soon and felt super forced. They didn’t spend enough time connecting and learning enough about one another to fall in love in such a short time period. The ending also wrapped up way too neatly and didn’t feel realistic at all.

All that said, there were some things I did like about the story. The “hug emergencies” were super cute and very relatable (I do this with my boyfriend.) The three girls were adorable in their own, unique ways. And I liked the way Ryker tried bonding with the girls.

2 out of 5 ⭐️

Ryker and Bryce fit in all the right ways and I loved their journey as they figured it out. Bryce unexpectedly and tragically finds herself the guardian of her 3 nieces. She's moved to their town, gotten a job at Pattycakes, and is doing the best she can. But the girls@maternal grandparents also want custody, and becoming an instant-parent to grieving girls is no easy task. They encounter Ryker in an epic meet cute at the local Walmart- it was laugh out loud funny, mortifying, and poignant all at once.

Bryce has this love of life and ability to show up and just keep trying. She is also able to play and be present. Ryker has PTSD from the military believes he is protecting his family and friends by not sharing how he's really doing. But he and Bryce connect and he comes out of his shell. They are so good for each other. I loved the details/research into PTSD and guardianship, the girls and their antics, and Bryce and Ryker being both open and vulnerable. I recommend putting this one on your TBR list!

Thanks to the author for a copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a quick, funny read that was a nice change of storyline from your typical romance. I loved how Bryce and Ryker aren't your typical romance characters and each had their own unique battles they were facing. I thought their banter was well done and that the characters were well developed.