Change of Plans

Bryce Weatherford, a promising chef in Tampa, Florida, experiences a life-altering event when her elder brother passes away. The reading of his will reveals an unexpected responsibility: Bryce is appointed as the guardian of his three daughters - June, a tween, 8-year-old Cecily, and 5-year-old Addison. This sudden turn of events sets the stage for a significant shift in Bryce's life as she takes on the role of caregiver for her nieces.

Ryker Matthews, a Marine veteran who lost a limb during his years in Afghanistan, copes with the persistent agony of phantom limb pain and a condition known as heterotopic ossification—abnormal bone growth in soft tissues following severe trauma. To occupy his time and find solace, he immerses himself in the role of a town mechanic and restorer of vintage muscle cars. However, as he undergoes rehabilitation and endeavors to readjust to civilian life, he grapples with severe social anxiety and nightly debilitating nightmares caused by his PTSD.

Bryce and Ryker have a disastrous meet cute in the baby aisle at the local grocery store where Cecily gets stuck underneath a shelf and Ryker has a PTSD flashback and tries to protect the girls when three bottles of baby food fall from the shelves. Ryker is instantly attracted to Bryce but is embarrassed by his flashback to ask her out. He rushes from the store and doesn't buy anything in his cart. He's chastising himself by his truck when she approaches him and gives him a bag of his groceries and her business card.

Bryce thought she struck out when he never texted her or came to the restaurant she worked in, but when her car stopped working he came to her rescue. After that moment their relationship blossomed and the sexual tension was incredible!

Despite usually being a reason for me to stop reading, the miscommunication trope in this book surprisingly fits. Ryker's PTSD and his determination to shield his loved ones resonate with the experiences of other veterans I know. His situations and anxieties lend credibility and relatability to the miscommunication trope, making it work effectively in the story.

I HIGHLY recommend this book if you want a feel-good romance with minimal spice!

Chef Bryce Weatherford never expected her life to make the dramatic U-turn that it did. Her brother dies in a car accident and leaves custody of his 3 kids to her. She barely had her own life organized and now her 3 nieces, 5 year old addison who refuses to take off her wings. Cecily, the smelliest 8 year old that ever lived because she won't bathe and a goth tween in June just tops off the dumpster fire.

Ryker Matthews, a vet and amputee, is a recluse. He doesn't talk to anyone about how bad things are for him on a day to day basis but a chance encounter in a grocery store has both Ryker and Bryce feeling the possibilities of a romance when they never expected their lives to have any room for it. Opening up themselves to the possibility that a change of plans could be exactly what both of them needed.

This might be the cutest dang book I ever read. I loved the fact an injured Vet had major representation in this book. There was no easy path for him or Bryce and they both came from devastation. Both their lives, a total mess but once they find each other, they realize that even though they have their problems, problems most people would walk the other way from, they are like balms for each other. They lessen each other's loads and together, they make sparks fly.

I loved that this little family, who lost their parents in tragedy, found a new family with their aunt. That they learned how to be there for each other was so beautiful. I loved the writing, it was really lovely and lucid. It made me laugh, it made me cry and it filled my heart with such warmth that I didn't want that feeling to end. The best part for me too was when Ryker got his dog.... SIGHHHH I fell in love with that dog too.

I love a good romance book and this one checked all the boxes for me.

5 stars. It's out now so grab a copy today, you won't be sorry.

Thank you @netgalley and @readforeverpub for my gifted copy