Review by browningwithabook - Change of Pace

browningwithabook 's review for:

Change of Pace by Kayla Grosse

3.0

informative reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

My thanks to the author for facilitating an ARC of this book.

All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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This is my fourth title from Kayla Grosse. I was particularly interested in Change of Pace after learning that the FMC would be navigating the impact of Kawasaki disease—a condition I hadn’t heard of before—and that it was something the author herself had experienced.

The story centres on Jesse, the FMC, who is working through a bucket list and embracing a new perspective on life after surviving life-threatening complications from Kawasaki disease. Early on, she meets Asher (Ash), the MMC, who helps her check items off her list. From the start, there’s an undeniable connection between them, though both tread carefully around their growing feelings.

I enjoyed the premise and watching the relationship between Jesse and Ash develop.

Ash is open about his feelings early on, but while Jesse reciprocates, she struggles to fully embrace the possibility of a relationship—largely because of lingering fear and doubt tied to her health scare.

Ash is the epitome of a cinnamon roll hero. I really loved his character—he’s patient, supportive, and never pushy.

He gives Jesse the space she needs and allows her to lead the pace of their relationship, even when it’s clear she shares his feelings but isn’t ready to act on them.

Also, I appreciated the depiction of his ADHD, which I found very relatable.

That said, Jesse’s ongoing internal tug-of-war wore on me after a while. Ash was, by all accounts, a bright, neon green flag, and while her hesitation was understandable, it eventually felt repetitive and belaboured. Still, Ash remained steadfast, hopeful that Jesse would eventually give their connection a real shot.

As expected in a romance, the HEA comes through, but the journey there felt more tedious than it needed to be. I would’ve preferred if, after the third-act breakup,

Jesse had come to her realisation on her own—drawing from her life-changing experience from completing the bucket list and newfound perspective on living—rather than needing her best friend (and Ash’s sister) to spell out what should have already been clear.

As a result, I found myself frustrated with Jesse

even up to her final declaration to Ash.

Also, as a fat woman, I’ve always appreciated how Kayla writes fat FMCs. In previous books, I connected more deeply with how those characters navigated societal perceptions. While Jesse faces similar challenges, I preferred the portrayal in Kayla’s earlier works.

Still, I appreciated this story’s message about living boldly and the awareness it brings to Kawasaki disease.

Overall, I thought this was a worthwhile read, though not my favourite of the author’s—largely due to my difficulty connecting with the FMC.

Content Warnings