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!