Change of Plans & Skip to the End

I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Change of Plans by Dylan Newton
Series: Matthews Brothers #3
Published by Forever on August 1, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Contemporary
Pages: 368
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon | B&N | Kobo

In this charming romantic comedy, a hometown hero comes to the rescue of a chef unexpectedly left to care for three little girls—who may end up saving him too.

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. Five‑year‑old Addison refuses to remove her fairy wings, eight‑year‑old Cecily won't bathe, and tween June is majoring in belligerence. With all this chaos, Bryce jettisons hope for a life outside of managing her family and her new job.
 
It's been years since Ryker Matthews had his below‑the‑knee amputation, yet the phantom pain for his lost limb and Marine career haunts him. To cope, he focuses on his vehicle restoration business. He knows he's lucky to be alive. Yet, “lucky” feels more like “cursed” to his lonely heart.  
 
When Ryker literally sweeps Bryce off her feet in the grocery store's baby aisle, they both feel sparks. But falling in love would be one more curveball neither is ready to deal with… or is it exactly the change of plans they need?  
 

This was so good! This is the first time that I have read any of Dylan Newton’s works and I must say that I am impressed. I had no idea that this book was part of a series until I sat down to write this review so I can easily say that it works fine as a stand-alone. I loved the way that the writing pulled me into the story right away and I found the book really hard to set aside once I really got to know the characters.

Bryce and Ryker are both going through some big things. Bryce has recently become the guardian to her 3 young nieces which has turned her life completely upside down. I loved that the kids played a huge role in the story. Ryker lost part of his leg in Afghanistan and is dealing with not only some physical issues but also battles PTSD as a result of what he has been through. A chance meeting at the grocery store puts these two in each other’s paths and I knew that they would be great together.

I think that we really see a lot of growth for each of these characters over the course of the story and they really do seem perfect for each other. Ryker didn’t seem to be phased by any of the issues that Bryce was dealing with and was always eager to lend a helping hand. Too bad, it wasn’t nearly as easy for him to open up or accept help himself. I did love the way that Bryce, the girls, and Ryker were able to form a solid unit by the time the story drew to an end.

I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. I fell in love with this group of characters right away and couldn’t wait to see them navigate their journey toward their happily ever after. I do hope to read more of this author’s work in the future.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Forever.

I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Skip to the End by Molly James
Narrator: Kitty Kelly
Published by Forever, Hachette Audio on August 15, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Contemporary
Length: 8 hours 7 minutes
Pages: 384
Format: ARC, Audiobook
Source: Publisher, Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon | Audible | B&N | Kobo | Libro.fm

In this joyful romance, one wild night results in three kisses—only one successful—and leaves a perpetually single Amy searching for her perfect match so she can find a happy ending.

Amy Daniels has a pretty nice life. Her career is on the up, she loves her friends, and she's about to buy her very own flat. On a good day, Amy could be described as a catch—so why is she perpetually single?

The trouble is, Amy can see something no one else can: the end. As soon as she kisses someone, she knows, in intimate, vivid detail, how their relationship will finish. A screaming argument in the middle of the supermarket over milk. An explicit email sent to the wrong address. A hasty escape through a bathroom window on the second date. At the altar—runaway-bride style. There seems to be no end to the unhappy endings.

After years of trying, and failing, to change a pre-written future, Amy has given up. But then she drunkenly kisses three men at her best friend's wedding and sees three possible endings: two painful, one perfect. The problem is, Amy can't really remember who she kissed, and worse, what ending belongs to which person—the only thing she knows for certain is that she's determined to find out...

This was good! I thought that the premise of this book was really fun. This author was completely new to me but I decided to give this book a try because I just can’t seem to resist a romance with a bit of magic worked in. I am not sure that I would want to have Amy’s gift but I can certainly say that it made for a rather entertaining romance.

Amy, along with the other women in her family, has a special gift. Whenever Amy kisses someone she can see how the relationship will work out. At her friend’s wedding, she knows that she kissed the man for her but she can’t remember the three men she kissed. It is obvious to the reader who will be Amy’s happily ever after pretty early in the book but it was fun watching Amy figure things out. On top of everything else, Amy is dealing with the care of her mother with dementia which added more depth to the story.

I listened to the audiobook and thought that Kitty Kelly did a great job with the story. I believe that this is the first time that I have had the chance to listen to this narrator’s work and I must say that I was impressed. I loved the way that she was able to bring this cast of characters to life and I thought she added just the right amount of emotion to her reading. I do believe that her performance added to my overall enjoyment.

I would recommend this book to others. I really enjoyed being a part of Amy’s journey to find her happily ever after. I found all of the characters in this book to be very well developed and most were quite likable. I do hope to read more of this author’s work in the future.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Forever.

Related Posts