vicki gunvalson’s daughter Briana has been very vocal about her dislike for Vicki's ex-boyfriend Brooks Ayers. Even though Briana really wants her mother to be happy, she didn't enjoy how Brooks was constantly hitting on her, making rude comments, and later lying about having cancer.

There is nothing that Briana enjoyed about Brooks and she gladly kept her distance from her mother's boyfriend during this time. Things were so bad that when Briana was in Orange County to visit her mother, she would prefer to stay at a hotel rather than live at home in her childhood home because Brooks was there.

However, it sounds like things have changed in orange county, as Vicki is now dating a new man.

Steve makes Brooks look like a bad catch

Last year after Vicki and Brooks broke up, Gunvalson decided that she wanted to find a new boyfriend. She has revealed several times that she does not enjoy being single and she had no plans of staying single for a while. Vicki decided to just explore what was out there and she fell in love with a man named Steve Lodge.

He was featured briefly on the previous season of “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” and it sounds like he will play a crucial role in the upcoming season. According to a new Bravo report, it sounds like Steve is approved by the entire family and Vicki could not be happier.

Vicki will be a supportive mother this season of 'RHOC'

As it turns out, Steve does not only have Briana’s approval, but he is also showing that he cares and that he is invested in the family. As it turns out, Briana is still partially a single parent, as Ryan Culberson is not living in Orange County with them. In previews for the upcoming season, Briana is seen questioning whether she can take care of the boys and how she misses having a partner in her life.

Her mother suggests that she will be her partner and will help out whenever possible. Steve has no problem helping out when Vicki is busy with work. As it turns out Vicki's grandsons adore Steve as well, because they are entertained by his way of playing with them including building wooden cars.

One can imagine that the boys absolutely adore Steve, because he has an interest in what they're doing.

Brooks never really showed any interest in Briana’s life or in her sons’ lives. That can be tough to swallow for a mother whose children is her whole world. Brooks seemed more interested in being famous for being on the reality show and getting sympathy and attention from Vicki.

It seems like whenever she was spending more time with her daughter and her co-stars, he would make up something about being sick or fuel the cancer story just a bit more. But it sounds like Vicki doesn't have to deal with any of that stuff with Steve Lodge, as he's too busy working and being a family man. One can imagine that Steve has changed her outlook on life, including her relationship with her “Real Housewives of Orange County” co-stars.

It'll be interesting to see how things play out in the upcoming season of “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” as Vicki was on the outs with her co-stars last season. She has revealed that Kelly Dodd continues to be a great friend and their relationship hasn't changed one bit after the secrets that were exposed during last year's trip to Ireland. One can imagine that she is thankful to have Kelly in her corner as the new season of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” returns this upcoming Monday.

What do you think about Vicki Gunvalson’s relationship with Steve Lodge? Are you surprised that he is so devoted to her family?