Change the Play is book 5 in the Nashville Rampage series and follows Foster, the last standing bachelor in the core group of friends, as he falls for Eden, the one woman who truly understands him.
About Change the Play
Foster has had a very tough childhood. He grew up in the foster care system and was shuffled between foster homes and group homes. He was an angry child until he found football. It was the one thing that he was able to work hard at and focus on to make himself the best at. In high school, he found a home with Coach Pruitt and his wife. They loved him and only wanted the best for him. But he was always walking on eggshells not knowing when they would send him back.
Eden grew up in the foster care system, as well. She is local to the Nashville area, and spent time in a local group home. Not all of the foster homes were good, but she was lucky that for a few years, she had a home where she was safe.
Foster has always held himself back from his core group of friends. They know nothing about his past. He chooses to hold everything inside. But now that the other four guys in the group have settled down and either have children or are trying to have children, he feels like the fifth wheel.
When Eden enters Foster’s life, he is shocked. She is not the usual cleaning lady. He does not understand why the agency did not notify him of the change. During her first day, she and Foster have a conversation that leads her to believe she no longer has a job and leads him to believe he no longer has a cleaning lady. Surprise surprise, both of them are wrong. And so begins a new adventure.
Between making breakfast for Eden, visits to the local group home, Foster is bonding with someone who knows his history. And completely accepts him. Someone who understands him and his fears.
Foster and Eden spend a lot of time together talking about their pasts and the families they have made for themselves. He has his teammates and their wives. She has her best friend, Carrie and her family.
But Foster has kept everyone at arms length in the past. His friends and family as well as Coach and his wife. He has no idea how to fix this. It is time for him to finally tell his family about his past. But he is nervous. He is afraid they will leave him like everyone else has done his entire life.
Can Eden be the one who helps Foster open up to those who matter the most to him? Can she help him realize that not everyone leaves you? Can he show her a life like she has never known. Can he teach her to trust again? And can she teach him to trust again?
Impressions
This is a story of being in survival mode. Do not let people in too deep because they could hurt you. Keep to yourself so you do not form attachments.
Many of us know people who grew up in foster care or an orphanage. There is good and there is bad to the system. This story seemed so close to what some have said about the system. Foster was lucky to find Coach and Hope. Although he was nearly an adult, they gave him as much love as he would allow them to give. He set the boundaries, not them. That is what makes a good family. Knowing when to step back and knowing when to stand your ground.
I loved seeing two people who grew up in the foster care system find each other. Two completely different backgrounds, but somehow they work.
Eden encourages Foster to open up, and he can just talk to her without even thinking about how much of himself he is sharing with her. He finally found the one person he can be himself with.
Foster wants to give Eden everything she has never had that is on her bucket list. Going to the ocean and walking along the beach. Such a simple excursion for many, but it is something she has never done. He makes it happen, and in quite a big way.
But my absolute favorite moment was when Sloane gave Eden her special gift she has given all of the girls. And all of the guys knew exactly what was in store for Foster when the two of them got home. They have all been there, but Foster was the only one who had no clue what they were talking about.
So who will be the characters in Risk the Play, the last book in this series? I am thinking Coach and his ex-wife, but after reading this story, I am just not sure I have it right. I cannot wait to see how this series ends.
Availability
Change the Play is currently available to read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited and for purchase in eBook format on Amazon.
Series Listing
- Make the Play (Nashville Rampage Book 1)
- Run the Play (Nashville Rampage Book 2)
- Learn the Play (Nashville Rampage Book 3)
- Follow the Play (Nashville Rampage Book 4)
- Change the Play (Nashville Rampage Book 5)
- Risk the Play (Nashville Rampage Book 6)
About Kaylee Ryan
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylee Ryan has been crowned the Queen of Swoon by her readers. With nearly fifty romance books under her belt, she’s known for penning happily ever afters with heart. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand or hanging out with her family where she resides in her home state of Ohio.
AUTHOR LINKS
Website: http://kayleeryan.com
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7060310.Kaylee_Ryan
