REVIEW: Change of Plans by Dylan Newton

Change of Plans by Dylan Newton: The last thing Bryce had planned for was to be raising three little girls on her own, but when her brother and sister in-law die unexpectedly Bryce has no choice but to pull on her best aunt cape and take in her three nieces. However Bryce is a little more used to putting out kitchen fires and bring back almost burnt dishes than contending with a sassy tween, an eight year-old that refused to bath and a five year-old that just will not part with her fairy wings! Between putting out dumpster fires in her new home-life, balancing her job and fighting the girls grandparents for custody, Bryce is also trying to help her girls grieve such a major loss… so really the last thing that she needs now is to get involved with a former Marine even if he quite literally swept her off her feet. Could Ryker be just the change in plan that Bryce and the girls need?

Change Of Plans was just the cutest most heartwarming read that will pull at all of the heartstrings but also leave you feeling hopeful, content and oh so happy. For me the whole unsuspecting non-mother-like person stepping in the role of mom trope can either go one of two ways, either I hate it and it feels forced or I absolutely love the story and with Change Of Plans it was the absolutely love direction. Newton has done a brilliant job in crafting this book and intertwining the stories of five different people all of whom have had to deal with loss in their own way. As much as I loved the romance element in this book I also equally enjoyed the fixing/healing each other note that came through in this book.

Bryce was a nice lead female character, she was relatable, kind and caring. I really liked that she felt so loyal to her brothers memory and wanted to ensure his kids had the very best, even if it was totally out of her normal wheelhouse. I will say that at times I did wish we got a bit more from Bryce but this was just minor thing that could have given her a bit more dimension. As for our hero well I think warmed to him a bit more. Ryker had been through a lot and he still carried the mental and physical scars to prove it. My heart just broke for him each time that he had to deal with his PTSD and the anxiety that came from his former Marine life. Regardless of what he might have been facing within Ryker was ever the gentleman, I loved the way he was ever willing to help Bryce and the girls. The bond that these five formed was just beautiful. Though I will say there were moments that I would have liked to have seen Ryker loosen up a bit, especially when it came to his alone time with Bryce.

Change Of Plans is a beautifully written story of dealing with grief, pain, learning to move forward one day at a time and learning to find your happiness in new places. The thing that I enjoyed the most in this book was seeing five people all effected by grief coming together to help each other heal, if anything this book cements the message that there is always hope. Definitely worth checking out.

Book Info:

Publication: August 1, 2023 | Forever |

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?