This book was fun! I'm not one for Hallmark movies, but when the two main characters find themselves sucked into a charming little Stars Hollow/Pleasantville/every-Hallmark-movie town, it's their real world reactions to everything that kept me going! They're forced to find themselves and accomplish certain "tasks" before they can leave... all roads lead to love, of course! I know this was suspended reality, but I do feel like we could've come back down to earth (NYC) a little sooner...

NetGalley/Putnam Books ARC

This was my favorite of Falon’s! I loved the strong female character and the magical realism in this novel. The FMC was forced to branch out to and find her real passion and realize she didn’t love her career as much as she thought. Our MMC and FMC slowing come together first in friendship and then realize there’s more to their feelings. These two compliment each other so well, and really balance on another out. I can’t wait to see what’s next from Falon

Falon Ballard has such an interesting candor and tone, and I jumped for this one as soon as I saw her name.

Notable:
- Highly relatable for this workaholic and I felt both seen and called out. Increased the tension in my read.
- Hallmark but with pizazz (some elements of magic, unexpected plot)
- Excellent pacing, light hearted.

I really enjoyed this read, though it did leave me wanting as it was a bit of a departure from the tone and pace I love from this author's books.

I have to say even though I'm not as career driven as Campbell is being transport to Heart Spring which is straight out of a hallmark movie would also be my own personal hell. So I ended up relating to the heroin and liking her fairly quick. But it took me a bit to warm up to the hero. But I did enjoy following her while she tried to complete her tasks.

Campbell Andrews is a big city lawyer who is a workaholic. She is a loner who does not believe in love or relationships. She meets Dr. Ben Loving on a date set up by her grandmother. Campbell goes through the motions of being on a date, but has no interest in Ben or getting to know him. That is until she wakes up the next morning in the town of Heart Springs. Campbell finds herself in a Hallmark movie town. Her next door neighbor is Ben! Campbell is given three tasks to complete in order to get back home to her life in New York City.

I liked Campbell’s humor and sarcasm as she made her way in the town with pastels everywhere. She showed much growth and self reflection during her stay in Heart Springs. This book has a touching message.

“I’ll find you. Wherever we end up, I promise, I will find you. You, Campbell Andrews, are unforgettable.”

A story so crazy that it's almost brilliant!!
With no patience for anything related to romance, love stories, romcoms and happily ever after, Campbell - Cam - Andrews lives exclusively focused on her career.
After a disastrous blind date - of course it would be! - she finds herself transported to a typical Hallmark movie world (I particularly love the movies on this channel, but I confess that I need to be in the mood for this).
She needs to go back home (after all, who can always live in a place where everyone knows, likes and respects each other and "love is in the air"?), but to do so, Cam needs to fulfill some requirements... (fall in love, perhaps?)
Read on. You'll have fun.
5 stars

I usually live Falon Ballard’s books, but this was a bit of a miss for me.

First, I wish this book had been dual POV. I fully don’t understand what Ben sees in Cam because she is not a good person for the majority of the book. And then when she starts changing it feels a bit abrupt, and not quite a personality transplant but definitely a fast switch.

I also don’t fully understand the magical realism aspect. Being in the town is fine and all, but at the end there’s not an explanation or even an attempt at finding one.

I would argue that this book is primarily a piece of magical realism about self discovery, and the romance is secondary. If you’re looking for a romcom like her earlier works this is a bit of a shift.

Once I got about halfway through the book I sped through it, and enjoyed reading the book, but with the beginning dragging how it did I can’t give this book more than three stars.

I was still recovering from that nightmare of “All I Want Is You” , so it took me a while to fully feel invested in the story, BUT *bigger sigh ever*… this was better!

It was!
Better!
Than the worst book I read last year.

“Change of Heart” is a cute and funny story set in an idyllic Hallmark town where everything goes as you may expect; also, you can read it in a day as so fast-paced this is.
And the smut, we can't forget that!

Listen, idk what's going on with Falon Ballard and her need to write unlikable characters, but she must be stopped because this is not the way.
Did I like for our FMC to go from being a bitch to the Hallmark version of every woman possible - with blonde extensions too - because that's the meaning of life? You can't be a badass lawyer and be a decent person at the same time? Absolutely not.
And did it like that, for someone who only talks about themselves and their needs, there was really little of the true Cam and what made her what she is, completely ignoring the toxic relationships with both her mother and grandmother? Nope.
But it's a big cliché of a book, so the “mean girl” has to change her entire personality by the end of the movie, right?

And, at least, she has one.
Yeah, not everybody here has a personality: Ben is a pediatric surgeon with a loving family, but he only exists for falling in love at first sight with Cam and believing she can be less *that* and more empathic towards others.

So… maybe just try being less rude to others who don't deserve it, and maybe you won't be trapped in another dimension with the imposition of finding the best version of yourself if you don't want to celebrate Christmas six months per year.

Thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

As a big fan of Falon Ballard, I was excited for Change of Heart, but unfortunately, it fell a bit flat for me. While I appreciated her dive into magical realism, the execution didn’t fully land, and I struggled to connect with Campbell as a protagonist—her character arc didn’t feel believable, making it hard to root for her. Ben was more enjoyable, though his overuse of “sweetheart” got old fast. The story itself was fun and predictable in a satisfying way, but overall, it didn’t quite hit the mark. That said, if you love Ballard’s work, it’s still worth a read—I’m hopeful her next book will resonate more! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was so fun! This book gave me similar vibes to both Sarah Adams' When in Rome series and Kate Robb's writing in general. I loved the premise of two people being stuck in a small town in order to find both themselves and their own connection. I think that character growth that Cam had throughout the book was very realistic and nice to watch. I kinda wish Ben had had more of his own growth, though, since it kinda seems like he is nearly the same to how he is at the beginning of the book.

I also do think that this book fell into the "we discovered sex and now that's all we do" trope a little bit at the end, but not so much that it ruined the book for me. I really enjoyed, also, the relationships between Cam and other people she meets in the town, as well as the passions she develops in other areas of her life.

Thank you to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the advanced copy of this book!

If you enjoy a touch of fantasy with your romance novels, this is the book for you! There is a lot of character development throughout and romance towards the end. Thanks to netgalley for the advanced copy.

4.5 Stars

This journey to love was one delightful ride.

Imagine waking up in a Hallmark movie every single day with the guy you just had a date with, but turned down despite your chemistry because you do t have time for love. That’s Cam and she wants to get out of this movie perfect nightmare. Every day she wakes up with perfect hair, an incredibly frilly wardrobe and lavender lattes galore. Everyone in the town is perfect and the only people who know who she actually is are the old cafe owner and her neighbor…the guy from the date. He’s stuck there too and until Cam and he both complete an arbitrary list leading them to love, there is no escaping.

Sometimes a bit slow, and more often a bit cozy, this story of self discovery and finding true love was a unique take and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

Well, this was a bit disappointing. The main character was unlikeable, the MMC was one dimensional that used “sweetheart” repeatedly to where it just didn’t sound natural. I love some magical realism, but this town and story just fell flat for me.

This is my first read by Falon Ballard. The description of this book made me want to read it.
A fast paced, romcom? Yup, sign me up.

This story follow Cam and Ben after a disastrous blind date. Cam is persistent that she doesn't need this date and they don't need to waste each other's time. She's so hung up on work, Ben mentions she should take a vacation.

The next morning, they wake up in a small town called Heart Springs, the story has a beautiful blend of magical realism and romance.

Cam is given 3 tasks to complete in order to return back to New York City and the story becomes even more beautiful.

Falon Ballard never disappoints! An auto buy author for me!

Cam and ben were so cute! Follows them on a blind date and…you know what JUST read it. Thank me later.

Such an easy and fast paced rom com! My favorite!!

Change of Heart is a romantic love story brimming with magic. This book screams Hallmark movie only with more curse words and sexiness.

Campbell (Cam) is an overchieving, workaholic, who gets transported to a magical town called Heart Springs. In order to return home, she must find true love. Cam is brash, to the point and funny. I found the romance a bit unbelievable with Ben. Overall, this was ok read.

How many times did Ben call her "sweetheart" is this book - too many!

Thank you, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons

4.5 Bright and Bubbly ✨'s

Workaholic and high-powered attorney Campbell is content to spend her days putting time into her family's business and begrudgingly going on blind dates to appease her grandmother. However, after her recent date with the charming doctor, Ben, Campbell wakes up the next day to find herself transported into a picturesque small town. To return to the real world, she must find happiness with a new career, help the community, and experience true love all with the help of Ben and the well-meaning townspeople.

This was the sweetest magical realism romance! The hallmark town and plot were so entertaining and bright, getting to explore the quaint and quirky little town was just so fun. The slow burn romance was the perfect balance to the crazy and fast paced plot. Ben and Campbell were so sweet for each other, I loved that Ben was willing to do anything to make Cam happy and fulfilled. The cozy vibes tied this romance together perfectly; if you are a fan of sweet and simple romances with hints of humor, magic, steam, and yearning, I absolutely think you would love this!

Thank you Netgalley for providing the ARC of Change of Heart by Falon Ballard. This book had a fun theme that involves the FMC and MMC being transported to a fictional town after a horrible blind date, they are each given their own objectives to complete before they can be sent home. The town was a picture perfect Hallmark-esque setting, where everything seems perfect (ex: never having to do your hair or make-up because its already perfect. #IWokeUpLikeThis) I really wanted to love this book, however I was slightly disappointed as I found the FMC to be completely unlikeable and ultimately not redeemable. The MMC was a perfect nice guy, but i found his love for the FMC to be strange and unearned.

Overall- not a winner, but maybe worth reading for the setting and supporting characters.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Campbell is a workaholic lawyer, having made partner in the family firm. Her grandmother is very demanding at work but also wants Campbell to get married and sets her up on a date with Doctor Ben. In a deplorable move, Campbell ignores him for the entire meal. The next morning, she wakes in Heart Springs, a town that may be the setting of a Hallmark movie. To return home, she must fulfill three tasks though she does have Ben’s help. Through this journey she is given the opportunity to discover what else life has to offer outside the office.

This is a delightful, fast-paced rom-com. I squealed, laughed, almost cried, and just beamed while I read it. I even found myself enjoying the character of Campbell as the book progressed, a real testament to her growth.

Thank you to Net Galley, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, and Penguin Group Putnam for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

4.5/5 stars

I probably should have knocked off another star on this one but I really enjoyed the first 50% of the book. The premise is When in Rome meets A Novel Love Story and I thought that was so cute. But once Ben and Cam fall for each other, it gets a little repetitive and the author lays it on a bit thick. I was really anxious to see it all come together though. No third act breakup and a really sweet and satisfying conclusion.