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Oakland Hills #4
This Changes Everything
There's more than one way to ruin a beautiful friendship.
Tech entrepreneur Sly has a portfolio of lucrative San Francisco Bay Area start-ups, but while his financial options are unlimited, his romantic options are anything but. Bored with the same old, same old, he finds himself spending more and more time with Cleo, his former piano teacher and current pizza-eating, binge-TV-watching partner.
Already divorced at only twenty-nine, Cleo's not looking for love. Certainly not with a gorgeous workaholic who usually dates high-powered, MBA-toting supermodels. Although, come to think of it, Sly hasn't dated anyone in a long time. And Cleo isn’t the only one to notice he seems lonely…
An unexpected road trip to Las Vegas forces Cleo to confront her past while Sly slams into his own demons and realizes he's his own worst enemy. What happens when they cross the line? And then move it, jump over it, trample it, zigzag across it, and forget where the line was in the first place?
Tech entrepreneur Sly has a portfolio of lucrative San Francisco Bay Area start-ups, but while his financial options are unlimited, his romantic options are anything but. Bored with the same old, same old, he finds himself spending more and more time with Cleo, his former piano teacher and current pizza-eating, binge-TV-watching partner.
Already divorced at only twenty-nine, Cleo's not looking for love. Certainly not with a gorgeous workaholic who usually dates high-powered, MBA-toting supermodels. Although, come to think of it, Sly hasn't dated anyone in a long time. And Cleo isn’t the only one to notice he seems lonely…
An unexpected road trip to Las Vegas forces Cleo to confront her past while Sly slams into his own demons and realizes he's his own worst enemy. What happens when they cross the line? And then move it, jump over it, trample it, zigzag across it, and forget where the line was in the first place?
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2015
298 people are currently reading
695 people want to read
About the author
Gretchen Galway
27 books367 followersGRETCHEN GALWAY is a USA Today bestselling author who writes mystery, fantasy, and romance. She lives in Sonoma County, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
October 15, 2017
After reading the sample I was really looking forward to this friends to lovers romance. It ended up being a cute story with annoying, meddling friends and family and dogs. I didn't really care for how Cleo acted toward Sly even after she realized her feelings toward him. She definitely behaved childish and at times I just wanted to strangle her.
August 14, 2015
4.5 stars
Sylly finally gets his story and it was fantastic! I loved this book, it was great to see Sly get his own story and Cleo was great to adding humour and ensuring Sly wasn't the perfect man but just an average man who was perfect for her. For fans of this series we of course had to have the dogs pop up along with Trixie the matchmaker, who gets her own little subplot. I thought this was the perfect story for Sly, to see him slow down and smell the roses and Cleo suits him perfectly with her personality. Gretchen Galway does a great job of writing books about girls that are a little bigger then what is deemed beautiful in today's society, so we as readers know the character is a "bigger" girl but it is not mentioned in every other sentence (while I love BBW stories that aspect can get a little grating on ones nerves). I love this entire series and I hope Gretchen continues it or if not a similar series with "bigger" girls. If you what to read this book but haven't read the others you don't have to but I would suggest that if you enjoy this book you will end up reading the others so why not start at the beginning.
Sylly finally gets his story and it was fantastic! I loved this book, it was great to see Sly get his own story and Cleo was great to adding humour and ensuring Sly wasn't the perfect man but just an average man who was perfect for her. For fans of this series we of course had to have the dogs pop up along with Trixie the matchmaker, who gets her own little subplot. I thought this was the perfect story for Sly, to see him slow down and smell the roses and Cleo suits him perfectly with her personality. Gretchen Galway does a great job of writing books about girls that are a little bigger then what is deemed beautiful in today's society, so we as readers know the character is a "bigger" girl but it is not mentioned in every other sentence (while I love BBW stories that aspect can get a little grating on ones nerves). I love this entire series and I hope Gretchen continues it or if not a similar series with "bigger" girls. If you what to read this book but haven't read the others you don't have to but I would suggest that if you enjoy this book you will end up reading the others so why not start at the beginning.
November 12, 2021
I like that it's friends-to-lovers and I like that it features a giant Newfoundland dog (one of my favourite breeds), but man, the prose in this one does a poor job at creating angst. The first half of the book is decent, but as soon as some side characters join the main story, the side characters sort of hijack the main romance and the book becomes less and less about the main couple and more about the supporting couple(s).
The dogs in this book are cute, and so I wanted to like this, but other factors were just too distracting.
The dogs in this book are cute, and so I wanted to like this, but other factors were just too distracting.
May 4, 2020
3.5 stars.
I liked it, but the supposed ‘grovelling’ at the end was a bit theatrical and didn’t ring true for me.
I also don’t think we were ever told why Sly started piano lessons in the first place. How come he didn’t he go to some fancy teacher? It just seems out of character for a trendy workaholic.
Overall it was a good read but it was missing a little something for me.
I liked it, but the supposed ‘grovelling’ at the end was a bit theatrical and didn’t ring true for me.
I also don’t think we were ever told why Sly started piano lessons in the first place. How come he didn’t he go to some fancy teacher? It just seems out of character for a trendy workaholic.
Overall it was a good read but it was missing a little something for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2021
literally no chemistry between the characters. extremely extremely boring. I dont even understand how all of a sudden he started to be attracted to her - it was completely unnatural. I can't even believe I got through 10 chapters. Holy hell. no character substance to literally any of the character. literally every single character was boring and annoying.
October 28, 2023
DNF@15%. I didn’t like the heroine.
October 20, 2017
What can I say about Sly and Cleo? I read the other books in this series, particularly Mark and Rose’s story, so I already had a bit of a crush on Sylly—though I prefer Sly…a lot—and I was eager for him to have his own story. Gretchen Galway did Sly proud, giving him a worthy heroine both in strength and in baggage.
What I truly loved about This Changes Everything is their genuine friendship. I loved that they just hung out, drinking beer and eating pizza instead of clubbing. The fact that they were great friends added a layer to this story that had me smiling most of the time. Some of those times were heartbreaking but they are few and far between.
There wasn’t much outside drama or angst and really, this kind of story doesn’t need it. Both Sly and Cleo had enough personal baggage, never mind fear of ruining an amazing friendship that provided more than enough drama. Watching them struggle with their emotions was funny at times, cringeworthy at others and really damn hot most of the time.
It was nice to see Mark and Rose and Bev and Liam, plus the tiniest little foot fetishist, Merry! And Trixie is back with her meddling, but Sly and Cleo do a bit of meddling of their own!
Bonus, This Changes Everything is two love stories in one!
What I truly loved about This Changes Everything is their genuine friendship. I loved that they just hung out, drinking beer and eating pizza instead of clubbing. The fact that they were great friends added a layer to this story that had me smiling most of the time. Some of those times were heartbreaking but they are few and far between.
There wasn’t much outside drama or angst and really, this kind of story doesn’t need it. Both Sly and Cleo had enough personal baggage, never mind fear of ruining an amazing friendship that provided more than enough drama. Watching them struggle with their emotions was funny at times, cringeworthy at others and really damn hot most of the time.
It was nice to see Mark and Rose and Bev and Liam, plus the tiniest little foot fetishist, Merry! And Trixie is back with her meddling, but Sly and Cleo do a bit of meddling of their own!
Bonus, This Changes Everything is two love stories in one!
January 16, 2025
Friends who don’t see they’re in love, until they do
Sly has been playing the field for a long time. after getting hurt. As long as he has his best friend, Cleo, he’s good.
Cleo herself lost both her husband and best friend when they had an affair and ended up marrying after he divorced Cleo. She’s afraid of getting hurt, but also wants to make sure she’s wanted as she is, to not feel she’s not enough for the next guy.
Their friendship is great, but a friend, Trixie, is intent on fixing them up. They begin to see each other in a new light, even knowing Trixie’s machinations are at play.
Going to Vegas with Trixie and Sly’s uncle results in them deepening both their feelings and fears, but on returning home, Sly wants to go slow, but Cleo needs more assurance.
Eventually Sly realizes what he’s giving up and that there’s no reason not to tell Cleo he loves her, so he does.
I really like Cleo, she’s carefree, but has depth and vulnerability, and she’s a pianist, so she’s cool and creative, and Sly is also interesting and funny. I like some of Trixie’s meddling, but at times she was too much, not my favourite character.
Great part of a great series.
Sly has been playing the field for a long time. after getting hurt. As long as he has his best friend, Cleo, he’s good.
Cleo herself lost both her husband and best friend when they had an affair and ended up marrying after he divorced Cleo. She’s afraid of getting hurt, but also wants to make sure she’s wanted as she is, to not feel she’s not enough for the next guy.
Their friendship is great, but a friend, Trixie, is intent on fixing them up. They begin to see each other in a new light, even knowing Trixie’s machinations are at play.
Going to Vegas with Trixie and Sly’s uncle results in them deepening both their feelings and fears, but on returning home, Sly wants to go slow, but Cleo needs more assurance.
Eventually Sly realizes what he’s giving up and that there’s no reason not to tell Cleo he loves her, so he does.
I really like Cleo, she’s carefree, but has depth and vulnerability, and she’s a pianist, so she’s cool and creative, and Sly is also interesting and funny. I like some of Trixie’s meddling, but at times she was too much, not my favourite character.
Great part of a great series.
September 28, 2020
4.5 stars
Best friends to lovers romance, featuring a character we first met in Oakland Hills #2.
Sylvester “Syl” (H) is a tech entrepreneur who spends every other Thursday night with Cleo (h) whom he met when he hired her for piano lessons. They have a comfortable, trusting relationship; they order pizza, binge watch TV, relax, and just talk with each other.
Their deeper attraction starts at a work related auction where she pretends to be his girlfriend and then ratchets up during a trip to Las Vegas. “He rubbed his eyes, wondering what was happening to him. If he’d never touched her in Carmel, would he still be living in blissful ignorance of his own feelings? Would he be able to hang out with an old friend without craving more? She turned and smiled at him over her shoulder, her eyes bright, her cheeks pink, and his body heated. No. His realization was overdue. There was no going back.”
Best friends to lovers romance, featuring a character we first met in Oakland Hills #2.
Sylvester “Syl” (H) is a tech entrepreneur who spends every other Thursday night with Cleo (h) whom he met when he hired her for piano lessons. They have a comfortable, trusting relationship; they order pizza, binge watch TV, relax, and just talk with each other.
Their deeper attraction starts at a work related auction where she pretends to be his girlfriend and then ratchets up during a trip to Las Vegas. “He rubbed his eyes, wondering what was happening to him. If he’d never touched her in Carmel, would he still be living in blissful ignorance of his own feelings? Would he be able to hang out with an old friend without craving more? She turned and smiled at him over her shoulder, her eyes bright, her cheeks pink, and his body heated. No. His realization was overdue. There was no going back.”
January 22, 2019
SUCH A PERFECT BOOK!
Loved this book! It was so cute.... So swoony, so romantic, so perfect!!! All the characters in Gretchen's stories are always so likeable and interesting. You get caught up in their lives like you know them personally! It was nice to catch up with some of the other characters from the previous books in the series..... I Always enjoy that very much ... It's like the icing on the cake! If you want to read a book that is great entertainment and brings you lots of smiles this is for you! I highly recommend it!!!
Loved this book! It was so cute.... So swoony, so romantic, so perfect!!! All the characters in Gretchen's stories are always so likeable and interesting. You get caught up in their lives like you know them personally! It was nice to catch up with some of the other characters from the previous books in the series..... I Always enjoy that very much ... It's like the icing on the cake! If you want to read a book that is great entertainment and brings you lots of smiles this is for you! I highly recommend it!!!
December 7, 2022
This is an okay read. It tries to have depth and teeters on the edge of being a really good, moving romance story but never quite manages it. Both Cleo and Sly have their trust issues and are a bit leery of romance/relationships. But the ease with which they overcome those issues is too unbelievable for me.
Also, Trixie's meddling was over the top. Why did Cleo or Sly put up with it? Sure, it's steamy and I enjoy the friends-to-lovers trope but when something has potential like this and doesn't meet it, I get really disappointed.
This is an okay bit of mental sorbet.
Also, Trixie's meddling was over the top. Why did Cleo or Sly put up with it? Sure, it's steamy and I enjoy the friends-to-lovers trope but when something has potential like this and doesn't meet it, I get really disappointed.
This is an okay bit of mental sorbet.
September 14, 2025
A Fun Friends to Lovers Read
I liked this book, but didn't love it. I did love that the friends to lovers relationship wasn't instant due to both Cleo and Sly's pasts; however, the back and forth was getting a little old towards the end. I feel like they just weren't talking and listening to each other and jumping to conclusions - if you are that great of friends, I feel like that wouldn't be as big a deal. Not sure if I will continue with more of the series, but not a bad read.
I liked this book, but didn't love it. I did love that the friends to lovers relationship wasn't instant due to both Cleo and Sly's pasts; however, the back and forth was getting a little old towards the end. I feel like they just weren't talking and listening to each other and jumping to conclusions - if you are that great of friends, I feel like that wouldn't be as big a deal. Not sure if I will continue with more of the series, but not a bad read.
March 14, 2021
I've read the whole Oakland Hills series, but it's been awhile and I don't remember this couple. I thought the book was good, but I didn't find the OTP of Cleo and Sly all that engaging - in fact, I thought Cleo was a little annoying. I like the friends-to-lovers trope but I think these two had been friends for way too many years before they became a couple that it felt weird.
July 19, 2017
Nice story and likeable H/h. Two stars down because featured pushy manipulative friends who went to great and annoying lengths to get the couple together and author clearly thought that was totally OK. One of my pet peeves.
January 4, 2019
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the series so far. It is so nice to escape all the depressing, stressful situations in my life. These books are so easy to dive into and submerge yourself into. The books flow so naturally after each other yet each totally stand alone too. Love them!!!
April 21, 2020
Another win!!!! So glad they finally came to the same relization!!! I mean why else would they hang out together so much for so many years??? Of course they loved eachother!!!
So glad to finally see Trixie get a man too. She deserved it just as much as her children!!!
So glad to finally see Trixie get a man too. She deserved it just as much as her children!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2022
Wrap up book
The book was almost entirely a throwback book. Everyone was in it even when they didn't need to be. You have such a big cast that the depth needed just isn't there, and that's a shame. Newfies are awesome and should be used more.
The book was almost entirely a throwback book. Everyone was in it even when they didn't need to be. You have such a big cast that the depth needed just isn't there, and that's a shame. Newfies are awesome and should be used more.
August 1, 2022
Friends to lovers story with a ton of matchmaking interference. Sly came across more as a d-bag in the other books so it was a bit abrupt for me to start seeing him as the "good" guy. The family still entertains me though.
August 8, 2023
this Changes Everything
Sorry, I liked Chloe but sadly I found the H to send mixed messages and be immature. He also assumed a lot about his relationship and thought he was irresistible. Lastly, the whole “is this a set-up or a trick” business got old quickly.
Sorry, I liked Chloe but sadly I found the H to send mixed messages and be immature. He also assumed a lot about his relationship and thought he was irresistible. Lastly, the whole “is this a set-up or a trick” business got old quickly.
November 12, 2023
Such a Good Read
If it’s written by Gretchen Galloway I don’t hesitate. I know it’s going to be a story I love. Real characters I would like to know involved in a story with a happy ending. Always.
If it’s written by Gretchen Galloway I don’t hesitate. I know it’s going to be a story I love. Real characters I would like to know involved in a story with a happy ending. Always.
December 27, 2017
I never finished the book. Unfortunately it's slow and not as interesting as the other books in this series.
October 16, 2017
I enjoyed the other books in this series but this installment was a little disappointing.
May 18, 2020
Not much to the plot, but a quick and easy read with some R rated scenes.
July 1, 2022
This romance build didn't feel as believable or as safe to me as the previous Gretchen Galway novels. Harder to feel the chemistry and the security of the final relationship. Not my favorite of hers.
July 22, 2022
Decent story but too sexually graphic for me.
July 30, 2022
Loved it, especially the interactions between the characters.
August 28, 2022
I liked the premise and the start. But I was not convinced at the sudden attraction element and the story eventually peetered off for me.
January 31, 2024
meh
The first books in this series were good. This book was not! The female characters in this book were the most annoying characters ever!
The first books in this series were good. This book was not! The female characters in this book were the most annoying characters ever!
May 1, 2024
True love
This was a heartwarming love story that was full of twists and turns. I loved Mouse with his appeal to opera. It made it a fun read.
This was a heartwarming love story that was full of twists and turns. I loved Mouse with his appeal to opera. It made it a fun read.
July 2, 2024
I thought the sample was better than the actual whole book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews