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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I will always read Kayla Grosse’s books and enjoy them - but there was something about this one that was just good vibes. I LOVED that there was very little miscommunication - they actually talked to each other and discussed what they were feeling. They were cute and clever and I just enjoyed it.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I picked up this book for a June book club and I’m so glad it was the choice for the month. The way that Asher was obsessed with Jesse in such a wholesome way from the beginning was so refreshing to me. Add that to the fact that this was a road trip romance and I was sold. Road trip romances are a rare trope that I wish was done more often as they are so much fun and easily lend to some other great tropes *cough cough only one bed* naturally. I loved the way that Kayla Grosse was able to write a great romance that also dealt with some heavy topics while still keeping the romance between the characters light and endearing. I loved that this book also had so many different types of representation in it from neurodivergence to plus size to chronic illness rep. This created characters that felt so incredibly real that I could see wanting to be their friend. A truly satisfying read that I won’t soon forget!
This was such a sweet and sexy listen! I love a good road trip romance, and paired with a heroine trying to live her best bucket list life and a one night stand that turns into so much more, this was a really fun read/listen while also having a whole lot of heart. This is definitely one of my favorites from Kayla.
Our heroine Jesse is going through some challenging times with her health- and is trying to do all things YOLO with a bucket list- and first on the list she can check off? A One Night stand....with Asher who just so happens to be her best friend's brother. When they reconnect later, Jesse ends up joining Asher on his road trip- and thus the romantic adventure begins.
Kayla's stories are always fun and spicy, but this one had a really delightful (and meaningful) emotional side to it that made this feel a bit more robust. Jesse's journey felt really emotionally intimate, and I loved seeing her find someone so supportive and loving and thoughtful when it comes to her health condition. We have some great representation here (Kawasaki disease, ADHS, ICD implant)- which I felt really added dimension to the stories. PLUS, a cat daddy that falls first and harder? I mean MEOW. (pun intended).
While the audio wasn't as fancy as the Whirlwind audio, the narrators were top notch. Grayson Owens and Victoria have great vocal chemistry and brought a lot of heart to the performances. A really enjoyable listen.
What to expect:
Best friend's brother
Forced proximity
One night stand
Only one bed
Cat daddy
Bucket list
Plus size FMC
ADHD Rep
Chronic Illness/Heart Condition Rep
Road Trip Romance
Our heroine Jesse is going through some challenging times with her health- and is trying to do all things YOLO with a bucket list- and first on the list she can check off? A One Night stand....with Asher who just so happens to be her best friend's brother. When they reconnect later, Jesse ends up joining Asher on his road trip- and thus the romantic adventure begins.
Kayla's stories are always fun and spicy, but this one had a really delightful (and meaningful) emotional side to it that made this feel a bit more robust. Jesse's journey felt really emotionally intimate, and I loved seeing her find someone so supportive and loving and thoughtful when it comes to her health condition. We have some great representation here (Kawasaki disease, ADHS, ICD implant)- which I felt really added dimension to the stories. PLUS, a cat daddy that falls first and harder? I mean MEOW. (pun intended).
While the audio wasn't as fancy as the Whirlwind audio, the narrators were top notch. Grayson Owens and Victoria have great vocal chemistry and brought a lot of heart to the performances. A really enjoyable listen.
What to expect:
Best friend's brother
Forced proximity
One night stand
Only one bed
Cat daddy
Bucket list
Plus size FMC
ADHD Rep
Chronic Illness/Heart Condition Rep
Road Trip Romance
I will actually accept 0 critisism of this book. ZERO.
I felt SO SEEN by the FMC in this book. I think anyone with a life altering health issue will find a piece of themselves here and feel represented in one way or another.
Kayla’s audiobooks have become some of my favorites as of late. Her writing is addictive. Her characters are swoon worthy, relatable and you WANT them to grow, achieve and find happiness. Basically her books feel like a warm hug.
Jesse’s character growth and acceptance of her situation and just HERSELF through the pages of this book was absolutely so well done. Kayla handled a medical life change with so much care and compassion.
ASHER. like.. seriously? is he real?
The vibes Change of Pace brings to the party:
-Bucket List
-Road Trip
-One night Stand turned Friends to Lovers
-Best Friend’s Brother
-He Falls First
-Kawasaki Disease Rep
-Plus Size Rep
Truly. I could say a lot, but this book really speaks for itself. It will pull you in from page 1 & I highly recommend the audio if you’re an audiobook lover!
I felt SO SEEN by the FMC in this book. I think anyone with a life altering health issue will find a piece of themselves here and feel represented in one way or another.
Kayla’s audiobooks have become some of my favorites as of late. Her writing is addictive. Her characters are swoon worthy, relatable and you WANT them to grow, achieve and find happiness. Basically her books feel like a warm hug.
Jesse’s character growth and acceptance of her situation and just HERSELF through the pages of this book was absolutely so well done. Kayla handled a medical life change with so much care and compassion.
ASHER. like.. seriously? is he real?
The vibes Change of Pace brings to the party:
-Bucket List
-Road Trip
-One night Stand turned Friends to Lovers
-Best Friend’s Brother
-He Falls First
-Kawasaki Disease Rep
-Plus Size Rep
Truly. I could say a lot, but this book really speaks for itself. It will pull you in from page 1 & I highly recommend the audio if you’re an audiobook lover!
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Solid book, I love that the author was able to write from her own experience with the disease.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a sweet story!!!
I loved the Kawasaki and ADHD rep, it was so sensitively and lovingly depicted. There’s always something more in Kayla Grosse’s stories - yes it’s a fun and spicy story, but there’s also such depth to the characters.
I loved the road trip aspect of this story, the emotional and character growth that happens while they also travel the country. What more would you want in a story?
So glad to get the ALC via NetGalley.
I loved the Kawasaki and ADHD rep, it was so sensitively and lovingly depicted. There’s always something more in Kayla Grosse’s stories - yes it’s a fun and spicy story, but there’s also such depth to the characters.
I loved the road trip aspect of this story, the emotional and character growth that happens while they also travel the country. What more would you want in a story?
So glad to get the ALC via NetGalley.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Change of Pace by Kayla Grosse is a fun, heartfelt, and quietly powerful romance that blends steam, adventure, and the real-life complexities of living with chronic illness.
After surviving multiple brushes with death due to Kawasaki disease, the main character decides it's time to start actually living—not just surviving. Her bucket list includes bold new experiences, including a no-strings one-night stand. Enter: a tall, handsome, endearingly nerdy guy who is (surprise!) great in bed and even better on a spontaneous road trip—with his cat in tow.
This book is so much more than just a cute and steamy romance (though it absolutely delivers on that front). It authentically captures the internal dialogue of someone living with a chronic illness: thoughts about longevity, desirability, fear of being a burden, and the courage it takes to open up to love again. The tone balances vulnerability with charm, creating a character who feels both aspirational and deeply relatable.
✨ Expect:
🚗 Road trip romance
🐱 A memorable cat companion
🔥 Steamy but emotionally grounded chemistry
📝 Bucket list adventures
💭 Honest reflections on illness, worthiness, and joy
🚗 Road trip romance
🐱 A memorable cat companion
🔥 Steamy but emotionally grounded chemistry
📝 Bucket list adventures
💭 Honest reflections on illness, worthiness, and joy
A charming, sexy, and thoughtful story that proves you can live fully—even if life hasn’t played out the way you expected. Highly recommended for romance readers looking for stories that reflect real-life challenges with heart and hope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content