I was so looking forward to this book, but I was sadly very disappointed. The relationships felt forced and unbelievable. Cam was so unlikable, and although I’m glad she did change during the story, it didn’t feel genuine.

this was almost so cute, but the fmc was so unlikable for the first 30% of the book and then our mmc is like not really a character at all. we barely learned anything about him or spent any time with him. I really wish we got to dive more into who Ben was and see him do cute things except for just pine for her from afar. I think if this was dual POV, it would have worked better! the small town aspect was very cute though and reminded me a lot of stars hollow! i did enjoy my time reading it and I appreciated that cam turned it around. It was a cute message at the end! I will def recommend to readers!

I did not love this book. Maybe the magic part just did not work? I am not sure. I also truly disliked the main character and the main male character was very flat. I felt as if I knew absolutely nothing about him. The book just did not seem realistic, when I did not go into it expecting it to be quite as fantasy like as it felt. There were cute lines and funny parts, but most of the book just felt forced to me.

This was such a fun romance! Think: time loop, corporate baddie female main character, and lots of heart and humor. This felt like the book version of a Hallmark-type movie in the best way, and I really enjoyed being in our main character’s head. If you like magical realism and small towns, check this one out!

Thank you to Putnam and Netgalley for the ARC!

Change of Heart is a mix of magic, laugh, love, growth and self discovery. As always, it was a great read by Falon Ballard. I love every book she writes and this one was no different.

The story is about Campbell, a successful lawyer who only has time for work and nothing else in her life. She goes on a blind date with Ben - who is a pediatric surgeon - and after things go down pretty quickly, she goes home and goes to bed, and when she wakes up, she’s “stuck” her worst type of nightmare… she’s suddenly in a Hallmark-like small town and faced with 3 tasks to go back to her ordinary city girl life.

Cam was pretty tough in the beginning. It was hard to root for her. But as the story progressed, I liked seeing her change and grow, find her cause and make friends along the way. The community of Heart Springs was endearing and felt like a cozy little world for her to discover herself.

This book is for anyone who loves magical realism stories, good romance with a lot of heart, sarcasm and funny moments. The only criticism I will give is the “sweetheart” thing. It just gave me such an ick, and it was used ALL THE TIME. And I wish we had more of Ben or even maybe his POV? But anyway, awesome book nonetheless.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Falon Ballard, for giving me this ARC in exchange of my honest review. Can’t wait to discuss this and make everyone read it as soon as it comes out!

3.5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. What happens when you wake up in what feels like a Hallmark movie, after yet another disastrous blind date the night before? Well, Campbell (Cam) is about to find out.

Cam is too busy to have a balanced life. She has a high-powered career and that should be enough. However, other people (her grandmother…who is also her boss) still feel she should find an appropriate man and get married, hence the blind dates.

However, following her most recent lackluster blind date with Dr. Ben Loving, she wakes up in Heart Springs and Ben is her next door neighbor! How did she get here, and more importantly how does she get out?

I enjoyed this book, it was charming and an easy read. I enjoyed the alternating perspectives, the dialog was top notch, and the secondary characters were hilarious.

I really wanted to DNF this one, but I kept holding out hope that it would get better...I'm glad I finished it, but I did not enjoy it. Cam's personality was too all over the place for me. Ben was great and was really the only thing that saved this from a 1 star.

**Thanks Penguin Group Putnam via NetGalley for the arc in exchange of my honest opinion.

Falon Ballard is so creative and imaginative it absolutely blows me away! This book’s storyline that involves a bit of magical realism I enjoyed more than I expected, and that was likely due to Falon’s writing. Absolutely pick this book up if you like things that are a bit cheesy, but overarching themes around growth and independence built throughout.

Thank you to the publishing and NetGalley teams for the ARC!

Heir apparent to her grandmother's successful law firm, Campbell only wants to spend her time working. Campbell won't even chat while on a blind date with pediatric surgeon Ben. She spends her time on her phone working. The next morning, she wakes up in a town that is from a Hallmark movie on speed. All she wants is to get home, but first she needs to find real love, a career that she is passionate about, and become a valued member of the community. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I really enjoyed reading this amusing tale. I found myself smiling or chuckling throughout the story. There is a few steamy scenes and Cam does drop a few 'F' bombs. Otherwise, it's was the perfect book for me on a cold, snowy day.

I really wanted to love this. I love that’s it’s about an ‘unlikable’ FMC who cares about her career and doesn’t let anyone tell her that’s not ok. But I’m 60% in and just have no desire to pick this up. I’m finding myself skimming to see if Cam has discovered that she can be strong and independent without being awful to people but that hasn’t happened yet. I’m just not enjoying this so I’m going to put it down.

3.5 rounded up!

Falon is one of my favorite authors because all of her books really give me romcom vibes. Her books are always so so easy to read and a fun little time.

Tough and married to her job, Cam finds herself transported to an idyllic little town straight from your favorite romance TV shows. Cam finds herself not only getting to know the various town inhibitants, including Ben, a man she went on a disasterous date with. As Cam tries to find a way back home, she finds herself falling in love with not only the town, but herself as well.

This book is charming, think of all your favorite fictional small towns and add this one to it. The relationship and character development between the two leads is sweet. There's always something about a soft boy (with faults of course) who just loves the tough "unlikable" character that I'll always adore. Ben SAW Cam and that's what she needed. The ensemble cast was also a fun time, we love a mayor who simply cannot mind their own business haha. If you're looking for a sweet read, definitely pick this one up!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Falon Ballard and Penguin Group Putnam for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Campbell is a workaholic witch absolutely no time for love. After a disastrous blind date, she finds herself transported to a magical small town where she discovers her new neighbor is none other than Ben, her date from the night before. In order for both of them to get back home, Campbell must complete three tasks: Find a job she's passionate about, become an important part of her community, and (of course) find true love.

This is a tough one because it wasn't bad, but it could have been so much better. I really enjoy Ballard's writing and I was super excited to see that she was doing magical realism. However, it didn't quite live up to its potential.

Let's start with the positives. The setting was great. This cute little small town with quirky side-characters was definitely a great backdrop. I also really enjoyed Ben's and Campbell's characters separately.

My main issue is how the romance element played out. It was a very tell instead of show sort of romance. For example, there were times where the author mentioned Ben and Campbell were spending time together on the front porch after work, but we didn't get any further insight into those moments. There was just not a lot of content of the two of them together to make me believe they were falling in love. It felt like more time was spent on the 3 date's Campbell was required to go on than the actual romance that was supposed to be happening.

It just missed the mark a little for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC!

I have really enjoyed Falon Ballard's books but this one fell a bit flat for me. Maybe coming off the Holiday "Hallmark" Movie marathon it just didn't keep my attention. I was hoping it would be more along the lines of A Novel Love Story but it was not. An easy enjoyable read but a bit forgettable.

Overall, I did enjoy the book, but I found it to be a bit too "Hallmark" for my taste. While the story had its charming moments and the characters were endearing, the plot and tone often felt overly predictable and formulaic. The feel-good nature of the book definitely appeals to fans of light-hearted romance, but for me, it lacked the depth and unpredictability I typically enjoy in a story. That said, it’s still a solid choice if you're looking for something cozy and uncomplicated.

Cute romance with magical realism set in a hallmark movie town. I liked this book thought it was entertaining, felt like it could've used some editing toward the end and didn't love how everything wrapped up. Also didn't love the FMC and they didn't seem like that much of a match. All in all this was a quick cute read and would recommend. I want to thank NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

*4.5

This was just a really sweet romance. Heavy on the hallmark vibes with a little bit of spice. It was cute that he and Ben got stuck there together and I loved seeing them fall in love.

I received an arc through netgalley.

From the very beginning, it sweeps you off your feet and takes you on a delightful journey. It's a breezy read that's perfect for a cozy afternoon or a relaxing evening. And the best part? The happily ever after is assured, leaving you with a satisfying sense of joy and contentment. 🌸💖📚

I really wanted to love this one, but it just didn't work for me.

It's a Hallmark movie, but without the Heart, which is ironic considering the title. The pacing, is all over the place and I wish I could say I loved this book, I really do. Ballard is typically an easy pick because I have enjoyed everything else from her. However, this one just fell flat.

Dr. Ben Loving (seriously) was actually a fantastic MMC and the reason this gets two stars. Cam (Campbell) our FMC is not a very likeable character.

When they are set up on a blind date, it goes horribly and then when she wakes up the next morning, she finds she is in a Hallmark-ian town and must do three tasks before she can get out. Naturally Ben is there too and he has a task to complete as well.

Promising premise, yes.
Does it deliver, no.

*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the arc, all opinions are my own.

I love all of Fallon Ballards other books but this one was weird and I hated the FMC. She is so rude and she does not deserve Ben whatsoever. I think the premise is a good idea it just was not executed very well. I had to DNF it around 55% because I just could not stand Campbelle.

I’m bummed to say that Ballards newest book: CHANGE OF HEART was a let down for me.

My thoughts:
-magical realism set in a Hallmark type town
-FMC is so unlikeable
-hate the term of endearment “sweetheart” 🤢 it’s used a lot
-grumpy (her) x sunshine (him)
-open door & steamy

The magical realism didn’t work for me. I don’t really understand the why of it all. Plus I just wasn’t getting the connection between the two MCs.

Thank you Putnam and Netgalley for the arc 🩷