Make Your Change: A Secret Child Hockey Romance By Cali Melle Book Review

I stayed up way too late with Make Your Change: A Secret Child Hockey Romance (Aston Archers Hockey Book 4) by Cali Melle Book Rev. Carson and Andi’s story pulled me in fast. I loved the secret child twist and the way the book stands strong even if you haven’t read the others.

Key Takeaways

Make Your Change tells a touching story about family and second chances. It also shows the hard parts of being a parent when you do not expect it. This makes the book more than just a sports romance.
The book mixes fun hockey scenes with sweet family times. It also has a real romance. Readers stay interested but are not confused by too many sports facts.
You can read this book without reading the other books first. It is good by itself. The characters feel real, and the secret child part is new and interesting.

Overview

Plot Snapshot

I jumped into Make Your Change expecting a typical sports romance, but the story surprised me. The plot kicks off with Andi returning to her hometown, carrying a secret that could change everything. Carson, a pro hockey player, has no idea he’s a dad until he runs into Andi and meets little Matteo.

That moment? My heart did a flip. The story doesn’t just focus on the big reveal. It weaves in real-life stuff like fixing up Andi’s aunt’s old house and Carson juggling his hockey career with new family responsibilities. The pacing felt just right—never rushed, never dragging. I saw why so many readers gave this book high marks for its mix of humor, emotion, and believable drama.

Main Characters

Carson and Andi felt real to me. Carson isn’t just a tough athlete; he’s got layers. I watched him struggle with shock, guilt, and hope as he tried to connect with Matteo. Andi’s journey hit me hard, too. She’s strong but scared, wanting to protect her son and her own heart. The author clearly put in the work to make these characters feel authentic.

I noticed the dialogue showed their true feelings, and their actions matched their personalities. Even Matteo, the secret child, had moments that made me smile. The characters’ growth and the way they handled tough choices made the story stand out from other hockey romances.

Main Themes

Secret Child Trope

I have to admit, the secret child twist in Make Your Change hooked me right away. I felt my heart race when Carson found out about Matteo after five years. That moment felt raw and real. I could almost hear the silence in the room as Carson tried to process the news.

The author didn’t rush the reveal. I liked how the story gave both Carson and Andi space to react.
Carson’s shock felt honest. He didn’t just accept things right away. He struggled, and I felt that struggle with him.
Andi’s fear of telling Carson made sense. She wanted to protect Matteo, but she also wanted Carson to know his son.
The first meeting between Carson and Matteo had me holding my breath. I could see Carson trying to connect, not knowing what to say or do.

I’ll be honest, I usually roll my eyes at secret child plots, but this one worked for me. The emotions felt believable. The story didn’t use the secret just for drama. It showed how hard it can be to rebuild trust and start over.

Note: If you love stories where a big secret changes everything, this book delivers. The secret child trope in Make Your Change doesn’t feel forced. It feels earned.

Hockey Romance Elements

I picked up this book for the hockey, and I got what I wanted. The author balanced the sports side with the romance and family drama. I never felt lost, even though I don’t know much about hockey.

Carson’s life as a pro player felt real. He had to juggle practice, games, and his new role as a dad.
The scenes at the rink added excitement. I could almost hear the skates on the ice and the crowd cheering.
The subplot with Andi fixing up her aunt’s house gave the story a cozy feel. It wasn’t just about hockey or romance. It was about building a home and a future.
I liked how Carson tried to bring Matteo into his world. He wanted to share hockey with his son, but he also respected Matteo’s feelings.

Sometimes sports romances forget about the sport once the love story starts. That didn’t happen here. The hockey scenes stayed important, but they never took over. The family moments mattered just as much.

Tip: If you want a story where hockey, romance, and family all matter, Make Your Change gets the balance right.

Characters & Relationships

Carson’s Growth

I have to give props to Carson. He started out as a guy who thought he had his life figured out. Then, boom—he finds out he’s a dad. That moment left me gasping. Carson didn’t just shrug and move on. He messed up, he tried again, and he kept showing up. I saw him struggle with guilt and fear, but he never gave up on trying to be a good father.

He learned to listen, not just talk.
He put Matteo first, even when it scared him.
He let himself be vulnerable, which made me root for him even more.

Andi’s Journey

Andi’s story hit me right in the heart. She carried so much on her own. I felt her worry every time she looked at Matteo. She wanted to protect her son, but she also wanted to trust Carson. That push and pull made her feel real to me.

She stood up for herself and her child.
She let Carson in, little by little.
She showed strength, but also let herself lean on others.

Note: Andi’s journey reminded me that sometimes the bravest thing is asking for help.

Carson and Matteo Bond

Watching Carson and Matteo try to connect had me smiling and tearing up. Their first awkward moments felt so real. Carson didn’t know how to be a dad, but he tried. Matteo was shy, but he wanted to know his father.

They found common ground in small things, like hockey and fixing up the house.
Their bond grew slowly, which made it feel honest.
By the end, I believed in their new family.

This part of the story gave me all the feels. I couldn’t put it down.

Themes & Feel

Family & Second Chances

I have to say, the heart of this book beats with family and the hope of second chances. I felt it every time Carson tried to make up for lost time with Matteo. The story reminded me how family shapes who we are. I saw Carson and Andi both struggle and grow, not just for themselves but for their son.

The book shows how family can be messy but also healing.
I noticed how the author made every family moment count, from awkward dinners to quiet talks.
Second chances felt real here. Carson didn’t get everything right, but he kept trying.

Research backs this up. Studies show that family relationships and parenting styles shape how kids grow up and learn to trust. I read about how second-chance programs help people get back on track, especially when life throws curveballs. This book made me think about those real-life stories. It’s not just fiction—these themes matter in the real world.

If you love stories where people get another shot at happiness, this one hits the mark.

Warmth and Spice

This book gave me all the warm fuzzies. I smiled at the sweet moments between Carson and Matteo. The cozy scenes fixing up the house made me want to grab a blanket and settle in. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of spice too. The chemistry between Carson and Andi sizzles. Their romance felt natural, not forced.

The balance of heart and heat kept me turning pages.
I felt safe in their world, even when things got tough.
The story left me with a warm, hopeful feeling.

If you want a book that wraps you up like your favorite hoodie but still brings the heat, this one delivers.

Strengths & Weaknesses

What Works Well

I have to give props to Cali Melle for nailing the emotional beats in this story. The pacing kept me hooked, and I never felt bored or lost. The way the author balanced the hockey action, family drama, and romance made the book feel full and satisfying.

Character growth stands out. Carson and Andi both change in ways that feel real. I saw them struggle, mess up, and try again. That made me root for them.
The dialogue felt natural. I could hear the characters’ voices in my head.
The book’s emotional depth reminded me of what I loved in Elizabeth Lilly’s Geraldine. Both stories show characters dealing with big feelings and finding their way, which made me care even more.
The story’s structure worked well. Like Lisa Halliday’s Asymmetry, it kept things fresh and interesting.

If you want a romance that feels honest and heartfelt, this one delivers.

Room for Improvement

No book is perfect, and I noticed a few things that could be better.

Some scenes felt a bit predictable. I guessed a few twists before they happened.
I wanted more time with side characters. They had potential, but the story focused so much on Carson and Andi that others faded into the background.
The ending wrapped up a little too quickly for me. I wanted a few more pages to see how the new family settled in.

To be fair, these are small things. The story still left me smiling, but a bit more depth in the side plots would have made it even stronger.

Series Comparison

Standalone or Series?

I picked up this book without reading the first three in the Aston Archers Hockey series. I worried I might feel lost, but I didn’t. The story stands strong on its own. I got all the background I needed about Carson and Andi. The author gave just enough hints about past events to keep me curious, but not confused.

You can jump in here and not miss a beat.
Returning fans will spot familiar faces, but new readers won’t feel left out.
The main story wraps up, so I didn’t feel like I needed to rush out and read the others (though now I want to).

If you like series books but hate feeling behind, this one lets you start fresh.

Consistency & Surprises

I noticed the book keeps the same core elements as the rest of the series: hockey, family, and second chances. The author uses a clear pattern that makes each story feel connected. I saw this in the way the problem drives the plot and how the characters face real challenges.

The story follows a familiar structure: set up, big reveal, emotional peak, and a satisfying release. This matches what I’ve seen in other strong series.
Each book gives a new twist. Here, the secret child plot felt like a real surprise, not just a recycled idea.
The author keeps things fresh by letting the characters grow and by adding new problems to solve.

Research shows that readers connect with stories that have a clear problem and believable solutions. I felt that here. The surprises didn’t feel random. They fit the story and made me care even more.

If you want a series that feels both familiar and new, this one gets it right.

I stayed up late for Make Your Change. The story felt warm and real. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves secret child twists, hockey romance, or cozy reads.

Dionysus Review Rating: 7/10