Eloise, Teresa and Lynne met on the first day of high school and were best friends until life took them in different directions. When they are reunited more than 20 years later, they try to pick up where they left off. The three of them tweak a senior-year class assignment and challenge each other to create a list of things to accomplish before their 40th birthdays, just a few short months away. As the deadline approaches and the women spend time together again, they begin to wonder if friendships really should last forever.

Although they're not my favorite genres, I occasionally read romance/women's fiction novels. I've enjoyed some, but not others, so I approached this book with more than a little trepidation. At first, I was afraid that my fears were going to be confirmed, as it took considerably longer to get into than most books that I end up liking. Once things picked up, though, I enjoyed the story and most of the characters. Everything seemed to wrap up into a too-tidy little package by the end of the book, and that bothered me enough to lower my rating, but in spite of this, I will look for more books by this author ... just not too often.

Before you start reading How to Change a Life by Stacey Ballis, make sure you've had a satisfying snack or meal, because the luscious food descriptions in this book will send you straight to the kitchen otherwise. Eloise lives a quiet life as a private chef, living in her hometown of Chicago where she's close enough to spend plenty of time with her widowed mother. Eloise thinks she's perfectly happy and has settled into her single life, until she reunites with her two best high school friends. As they are all approaching forty, they decide that they will spend the next few months pushing themselves to achieve personal and professional goals. They each pick challenges, and the others pick some for each other as well. Eloise's challenges include a hobby, getting out of the house and socializing, and, perhaps most daunting, getting back into dating. The challenges push Eloise but also allows her to spend time reconnecting with her friends and developing new relationships. This is a solidly lovely contemporary novel, and as previously mentioned, full of descriptions of food that are absolutely mouth-watering. There isn't much conflict in the story, and what does exist is very handily resolved, but it didn't take away from the enjoyment of a story that shows that you really can always "change a (your) life."

<em>How to Change a Life</em> was the first book that I've ever read by Ballis. I've heard great things about this author before so I've always wanted to try her out but never got around to it until I got this book for review. My initial thoughts right after I finished this book was, "A little slow, a lot wordy but still okay".

So, this book follows Eloise as she reconnects with her high school besties. Eloise, Lynne and Theresa were high school friends who drifted apart and come together at a funeral, 20 years later. They reconnect by daring each other to live life outside of their comfort zones with each other for help.

Eloise is a personal chef who always dreamed of owning her own restaurant but never pursued the dream so she has learned to be content with taking care of her clients and treating them like family. She likes her life just fine, or at least she thought she did until she was shown just how out of touch she is with her happiness. She hasn't dated anyone since her last boyfriend, years and years ago and she isn't in any rush to date anyone since she's still got some scars from Bernard in Paris (the ex-boyfriend) but with the help of her friends, she starts putting herself out there and she really comes into her own because of all of that.

The story also follows her friends as they complete their list but for the most part, the story revolves around Eloise. Eloise, as she makes changes in her life, lets people in and falls in love. I liked Eloise and I liked the story but for the most part, it was slow going and the dialogue was very wordy. Especially the foodie stuff. I kept waiting for something to pop off but nothing really happens. Sure, Eloise evolves as the story goes on but that's about it. I guess I never felt like I was a part of the story. I felt like I was being told what happened and ...that's it. All of the food stuff went right over my head and I glossed over a lot of it because I didn't think it was necessary. They didn't really add anything to the story being told so I could have done without it.

The other characters were nice additions to round out the cast. I liked Eloise's clients and her friends. They were interesting and charming. The overall story was interesting and I liked it enough to try another one of Stacey Ballis' books.

<strong>Grade: 3 out of 5</strong>

Quick Review: How to Change a Life: Stacey Ballis

Release Date: August 15, 2017

I really enjoyed the story line of this book- it was interesting and paced well. Had the perfect amount of culinary expertise, romance, and heartbreak. Foodie fiction is a favorite genre of mine because I get to live vicariously through the character's meals without the weight gain! Bonus: Recipes in the back of the book! I can't wait to make Mrs. O'Connor's Macaroni and Cheese and the infamous Chocolate Cream Pie! Ballis is always creative with her characters, although related in some way to the good industry, they are very diverse. I adored Eloise's job in this one and she had wit and determination- I even found the side characters intriguing and unique. I loved how she was pushed out of her comfort zone, yet used her discomfort to push herself in ways she didn't before. Her group of friends had their disagreements, but I really appreciated the detail put into their conversations and feelings. As always, Ballis is my go-to when looking to freshen my palate and really hit it out of the park with HTCAL.

Just do yourself a favor and add this to your TBR pile and pre-order it!
Here's the Amazon link (https://www.amazon.com/How-Change-Life-Stacey-Ballis-ebook/dp/B01MYPUM1X/ref=la_B001IU0S26_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1499299774&sr=1-1)
You're welcome!

Thank you Net Galley for an early copy!!!

The best part of this novel, for me, was the character development of Eloise. At the beginning, she felt content, but was often reminded that "content" and "happy" are not the same thing. She was in a rut, afraid to open herself up to changes, and still heartbroken from a previous relationship gone sour. The death of a beloved teacher reunites Eloise with her two best friends from high school, and the three of them make a list of things they all need to accomplish by their 40th birthday less than a year away. The first person to complete her list "wins" and the "losers" have to write a check to a charity in their late teacher's name. The things on Eloise's list slowly bring her out of her shell and open her up to happiness as opposed to contentment.

Considering Eloise is a professional chef and I am a foodie but a horrible cook, I was surprised at much I related to her. Her fear of getting hurt, her preference for close friends over acquaintances, and her love of alone time. I loved watching things unfold for her and appreciated her internal comments which suggested she was a "real" person with flaws. I predicted most of the twists, but I still liked the direction the author took. The hero was seriously swoon-worthy in both looks and behavior. The way things went down with the three friends was interesting to watch play out. Finally, for those who love foodie fiction, you will adore this novel. I, admittedly, skimmed some of the food descriptions to get to the action faster.

I'd recommend this novel to fans of women's fiction, chick lit, and foodie fiction.

A truly delightful read! Can picture myself as one of the friends and being a part of their group! This is my first novel by the author and won't be my last. I can't wait to get my hands on more of the authors books in the future!

** Full review to be posted online closer to release day **

Having not stayed in close contact with any of my high school friends, I found myself really touched by the thought of old friends holding you accountable to be the best version of yourself you can be!

If you liked author's other books you will enjoy this one. The characters are somewhat fleshed out. The descriptions of food and cooking are great. For readers who like their chick lit to have a little depth and for the women not to all be twenty somethings.