Member Reviews

I adore the cover and it caught my attention. Small town vibes like a hallmark movie with the lead who is in her thirties?? I knew this would be just the book I was looking for. It kept me entertained and I enjoyed Ballard's writing.

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This book is fabulous. It is much more crass and vulgar for me, and I wanted to quit it. But I couldn't. It was too absolutely wonderful to stop. From the first page I was hooked, the concept is brilliant and the book is laugh out loud hilarious. Absolutely hilarious. I could picture the characters from the moment I,met them, which is a sure fire marker of a winner. I had no expectation to like this book nearly as much as I did. I wish there were 10 more books just like it! Absolutely perfect.

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This was a cute book that was a great pallet cleanser in between heavier reads. It reminded me of a mix between hart of Dixie and the good place.

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This was an okay read. The mc’s lacked chemistry and the FMC was not my favorite. Well written but just not my cup of tea.

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This is third romance book I’ve read by Falon Ballard and with each one I’ve become more of a fan. The previous books, Right on Cue and Just My Type, explored romantic relationships that didn’t work out, where this one places two strangers from a blind date into an idyllic world named Heart Springs where they must complete tasks in order to return to the life.

Campbell Andrews is a workaholic lawyer who only cares about making partner and doesn’t have time for love or relationships. After sabotaging a blind date with Ben, she wakes up in a fantasy world that she doesn’t fit into and Ben is her next door neighbor. The waitress from their blind date seems to be running the show and Campbell must play by her rules if she wants to get back to her life. Will she have a change of heart and make her way back home?

A big thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Group Putnam for advanced digital copy of this book.

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I officially hate the word Sweetheart. The amount of times our MMC used this word took the cuteness away from it. While the story was cute in some ways, the love story part fell for me. While this was a magical realism type of story it was too far fetched and I honestly didn’t find the 2 main characters to have real chemistry. The “spicy” scenes felt awkward and forced into the story.

I do think this book would be a nice little palette cleanser because it did have a cute message about believing in and loving yourself and I feel that it’s important to hear..

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I didn't read the description because I just love Falon and her books. However, I do not love magical worlds and terrible main characters. I will absolutely be back for whatever's next. But this one is just not my book.

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Campbell is a hot shot lawyer who has little time for anything other than job, and she definitely doesn’t have time for the person her grandmother set her up with. After a blind date with Dr. Loving goes poorly, she wakes up in a version of Pleasantville with her former blind date, and she must complete a few tasks before being able to leave and go back to her world of corporate lawyering, of of which is to find true love.

I think the premise of this novel, a modern Christmas Carol spin-off if you will, is a fun one - readers get to see the FMC squirm under the confines of Hallmark-esque life - and she obviously learns to trust the MMC and ultimately learn to love him for her happily ever after. Still, the plot is pretty flimsy, even in a fantasy world. We aren’t given much as to who Mimi is, nor is that particular plot point explored very well, and it winds up relatively easily and quickly at the end. I feel like her character development is rather chaotic; she begins as a hard-as-nails lawyer who cannot even be bothered to be kind to literally ANYONE in the beginning, and she turns into a softie over a matter of months. I know the point is to show growth but she turns into a completely new person. That being said, I read this book easily, quickly, and enjoyed the flow of the writing. The overall movement of the book was engaging and I wanted to read it to find out what happened in the end.

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I absolutely adored this book!! The magical realism was perfection, and it really did feel like she was dropped in a Hallmark movie. Another feel-good light-hearted rom com from Falon Ballard! Definitely make sure to pick it up in February!

Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

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Cam and Ben have a bad blind date (primarily her fault) and the waitress essentially casts a spell on her and she wakes up in a town suspiciously like every town in a Hallmark movie where Ben is her neighbor. She has to pass certain tests, e.g. learn certain lessons, to get back to her real life. Will she learn that work is not the be all end all? Will she fall for Ben?

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Falon Ballard has been one of my favorite romance comfort authors for the past months and this book did not disappoint whatsoever! I loved the setting, the pacing and the characters so much. It is the perfect october read and I cannot wait for other to love it as much as I do.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Workaholic lawyer Campbell Andrews wakes up one morning in Heart Springs, a Hallmark movie-esque town, AKA her own personal hell. In order to make it back to her real life, she has to complete three tasks, one of which is experiencing true love.

I will read every book that Falon Ballard writes, but this story felt like it was missing something. I liked the concept of the book and the magical realism surrounding the town, and Cam was sent on a few “side quests” that were really entertaining (I laughed out loud at the bookstore and Chris Hemsworth lookalike scenes). As a character, she was very well rounded and I felt like I understood what made her tick, but I would have loved to know more about the MMC, Dr. Ben Loving, and would have liked some of the secondary characters to have been less one-dimensional.

Overall, this book is perfect for all the Hallmark movie lovers out there, but for me it felt a bit flat.

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This is definitely the epitome of a Hallmark movie, so if those are your jam this book is right up your alley. I enjoyed the magical realism and alternate reality Cam was sent to to work on her general demeanor and cynicism. This was light hearted and fun read. Not my favorite book by this author, but cute overall.

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**Book Review: Change of Heart by Fallon Ballard (4.5 stars)**

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group, and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the ARC of this book. I absolutely loved *Change of Heart*! This is my first Fallon Ballard book, and I already own three others, which I’m excited to pick up soon.

The premise of this story really hooked me—it definitely has Hallmark vibes, and I think the author fully embraced that trope, which I loved. The FMC was funny, occasionally unlikeable, but very real, and I thought Ben was a great character.

I’m a big fan of stories where someone is transported back in time or to an alternate reality, so this was right up my alley. I would absolutely recommend this book, and I’ll be buying a physical copy when it’s released. So far, this has been my favorite ARC read, and I can’t wait to read more from Fallon Ballard!

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Can you believe this cover? 😍 This is Falon Ballard's first magical realism book and it was fun!

Workaholic lawyer Campbell Andrews doesn't believe in love. After a disasterous blind date, she wakes up in a small town straight out of the Hallmark channel, complete with a meddling mayor, seasonal festivals, and friendly townsfolk-Heart Springs—her own personal hell.

More about it:
Reverse grumpy x sunshine
Black cat x golden retriever
Workaholic
Unlikeable main character
Single POV
Open door

I did have a few gripes about the story. The miscommunication was frustrating at times and I would have loved to know more about our leading man, Dr. Ben Loving. I also wanted the world and characters of Heart Springs to be a little more flushed out.

Overall, I liked this book and would recommend it.

I'm sorry, but this book doesn't come out until February. 🥴 But the good news is that I've read her other books and Lease on Love is a great one! Just my Type and All I Want for Christmas is You are also fun! 😊

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⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars)

Many thanks to NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons, and the author, Falon Ballard, for providing me with an ARC of Change of Heart.

If you’re looking for a light-hearted, Hallmark-esque romance, Change of Heart delivers exactly that. Campbell Andrews is a no-nonsense, workaholic lawyer who wants nothing to do with love. So when she’s magically transported to the charming (read: cheesy) small town of Heart Springs, she’s stuck navigating seasonal festivals, overly friendly townsfolk, and of course, the ultimate romantic comedy trope: finding true love to return to her normal life.

The premise feels like the trailer to a classic early 2000s romcom, complete with a meddling mayor and tasks that seem ripped straight from a feel-good movie. Campbell’s cynical, no-nonsense approach to love stands in stark contrast to the relentlessly heartwarming world she’s stuck in, which adds a bit of humor and charm to the story. Watching her wrestle with the Hallmark-y setting is mildly entertaining, though not entirely fresh or surprising.

Now, for those wondering: on the spice scale, this one’s a solid 1/5 🌶️. If you’re hoping for fiery passion, this isn’t that kind of story—it’s more about cozy, predictable feelings than anything particularly steamy. And if you’re a fan of those warm-and-fuzzy romances, that’s probably perfect. But if you’re like me and don’t care much for Hallmark-style romance, it might feel a little too sweet and simple at times.

Still, Change of Heart has its moments. Campbell’s journey from cynicism to (grudging) belief in love is heartwarming enough, and the town of Heart Springs provides a picturesque backdrop for her transformation. The magical elements are whimsical, though I found myself wishing the plot had a bit more depth to balance out the fluff.

All in all, if you love Hallmark movies and are looking for a light, low-spice romance to cozy up with, this book is for you. But for those who prefer more complex or spicy love stories, Change of Heart might not hit all the right notes. It’s an okay read—sweet, predictable, and light, but nothing that’ll leave you breathless.

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3.5⭐️

I'm a big fan of Falon Ballard and have read all of her works, with Just My Type being my favorite. While this book was entertaining and funny, it didn’t top my list. The story centers on Cam, a successful but workaholic lawyer who's blunt and often rude. She goes on a blind date with Ben, a pediatric surgeon, but spends the entire night ignoring him. The next morning, they both wake up in a magical town, tasked with completing a list of challenges to find their way home.

Ben was a likable character, though he felt somewhat one-dimensional. I would have loved to see more of his perspective, as the story seemed too focused on Cam, with Ben playing more of a supporting role. That said, I really enjoyed the magical realism elements and whimsical atmosphere. Overall, it’s a fun, lighthearted read that's perfect for anyone looking for a cute and entertaining story. This book is coming out on February, 11th of 2025.

Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Thank you Putnam Books & Netgalley for the advanced readers copy of Change of Heart by Falon Ballard.

This was my first Falon Ballard book and I can't wait to dive into others.

Romcoms are not generally my genre of choice but oh my gosh, this book made me crave more cutesy romances! What started out to be a bit slow and "hallmark-y" turned out to be super cute and adorable. The chemistry and banter between the two main characters has just the right amount of angst and mystery. I won't give spoilers but I highly recommend reading this book if you want a feel good romcom with some spice. Beware, the spice at the end does get a bit graphic so if that's not your thing you may want to skip this one.

Thanks again for the ARC, can't wait to read more of Falon's books!

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Many thanks to Netgalley and Putnam for this arc. I received this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts are entirely my own.


In this book we meet Cam who is a lawyer at her grandmother’s law firm and is set to inherit it all. Her grandmother sets her up on a date and when she abruptly leaves and tells Ben her date that she has no intentions to settle down or fall in love she goes home. Can wakes up and discovers herself in Heart Springs and realizes she’s in a Hallmark type town and is living a Hallmark movie in real life. Mimi is the mayor of Heart Springs and sent both her and Ben to town. For Cam and Ben to go back to New York and their lives Ben has to help Cam. Cam has to experience true love, get a job that she loves, and do community service. Cam goes on two dates that don’t end well. Her third date Noah is the guy version of Cam and she tries to fall in love with him. Cam starts to work with Emma who is a baker and owns a bakery and when Emma receives a notice that she could lose her bakery. Cam decides to help her and her and Ben come up with a date action. Cam bids on Ben and ends her relationship with Noah. Cam and Ben admit their feelings for each other. Cam helps the owner of the toy shop in town and realizes he calling is helping people. Then Cam finally realizes that she needs to love herself and her and Ben end up back in New York. Cam still remembers Ben and she quits her job at her grandmother’s law firm and she and Ben move in together. Cam meets Emma in real life. This book is so cute and I loved every minute of it.

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Thank you Netgalley and Putnam Books for preview copy of Change of Heart! This book was right up my alley partially set in a Hallmark movie/Pleasantville town. The sweet townspeople and Dr. Loving had me hooked. Don't miss out on this when it comes out February 11, 2025! Thank you Falon Ballard for the heartwarming stories.💖🩷

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