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.

this book did not disappoint. What a fun story, entertaining from start to finish. Thank you for my copy in exchange for a review.

I loved this book! I devoured it in only a few sittings and wish there was more to read. The story line was paced very well and the characters were easy to love!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of Change of Plans by Dylan Newton.

When Bryce's brother and sister-in-law pass away, the fun aunt unexpectedly becomes the caregiver for three young girls. Not only are they all grieving, but the girls' grandparents' are fighting for custody and Bryce tries to settle in to her new job at a local bakery after being a saucier at a prestigious restaurant. When former Marine and amputee Ryker swoops in to save the day after a mishap at the grocery store, Bryce can't deny the attraction between them. But she's busy with the girls, and Ryker is struggling to handle his PTSD and navigating the world outside his mechanic's shop.

I had read and enjoyed the first two books in the series--particularly the first, Halloween-themed one--but let a while lapse before picking up the third. But I was quickly transported back into the world of the handsome Mathews brothers and excited to see where Ryker's story took me. The "sudden parent" plot point can be annoying, but I think it was done well in this case, and each girl had their own personality and additions to the plot. Overall, it was an enjoyable story, with heartwarming moments and a satisfying conclusion.

Thanks to Forever for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 8/10

Dylan Newton has a way of merging humor and love in the way that leaves a book with you long after you’ve read it.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a first book in the series for me and now I feel like I need to go back and read the others.
This was such a heart warming romance. Bryce an up and coming chef faces tragedy when her brother and sister in law suddenly die in a car accident, leaving their three daughters to her. Ryker, an ex marine with a prosthetic leg and PTSD is guarded and not really looking for romance. So of course they are perfect for each other.
I loved the characters, the story line, the struggles, and their found love

I'm a sucker for a Marine hero, and this slightly steamy Rom Com there is one open door scene. But Ryker makes this reader swoon. And this is one where he falls first. slight spoiler I don't know if Bryce fell for him when he bought the whole feminine product aisle in a small town when she wasn't such she had supplies at home, because I did. I mean any guy that's willing to do that is a keeper in my book. Even if he is fictional.

Cute, feel good read. A definitely a quick one. This definitely reminded me of Raising Helen. Didn't realize it was part of a series, so definitely need to check the rest out.

I commend this book on the storytelling of a wounded veteran. Other than that it was just a fine romance with subpar comedy. This falls quite middle of the road in the 100+ romance books I have consumed this year.