Oh, how I loved the magical realism of Change of Heart! I love the idyllic Hallmark-like town of Heart Springs. How nice would it be to wake up with makeup and hair already done? A perfectly curated closet that matches the seasons? Your home immaculately decorated following each season?

Our FMC is Cam, a 34 year old beast of an attorney. She prioritizes her career over everything else and is damn good at what she does. She goes on a blind date with Ben and the next morning they both wake up in Heart Springs. The only way to get back home to New York is if they complete tasks.

I love a good rom-com and I loved laughing while reading this!

But as much as I loved the town of Heart Springs and the magical and funny moments Cam experiences, I just could not buy in to Cam and Ben's love story. I felt nothing for them as a couple. Ben calling her "sweetheart" every time he spoke to her was so gratingly annoying. He was calling her that from the get go and it felt so unnatural and not endearing like how it should have naturally progressed.

Thank you, Netgalley, for giving me the opportunity to read Change of Heart as an eARC in exchange for my review.

Really struggled with connecting to the main character, could not get past the first two chapters, she was so unlikeable.

Do you love:
💖 Hallmark vibes
💚 Magical realism
💖 Cast of characters
💚 Second chance

Then you need to pick up this sweet, funny and whimsical rom-com. This story felt like being transported into a hallmark movie! I’ve loved all her books and this was no exception! The cast of characters and magical realism brought such a cozy, cuddle up with a coffee and blanket feel while reading. For me the heart of this story was in Cam learning to love herself just as she is.
Loved it!!

Thank you to Penguin Group Publishing and to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review. I was so excited to receive a copy after multiple friends raved about Falon Ballard's other novels, specifically "Lease on Love" and "Not My Type". However, "Change of Heart" was not it for me. Cam is a New York City lawyer who only cares about work and proving herself to her grandmother. After a bad (and forced) date in which she tells Ben that she has no interest, she wakes up the next morning in Heart Springs, a Hallmark-esque town where she learns she must finish moral tasks in order to go home.

Unfortunately, this book just was not for me. The characters were one dimensional. Cam was so unrealistic even for the workaholic archetype. Ben's main personality trait is ending every sentence with the word "sweetheart". Maybe the magical realism aspect just did not work for me but I found the town to be more toxic than idyllic. I still want to go back and read Ballard's first novels but this was not a winner for me.

This book was a light, cheesy, and easy romance with a touch of magical realism, set in a small town. It started off a little slow for me, especially since the female main character (FMC) was a bit unlikable at first. But I’m glad I stuck with it because it ended up being super cute!

The romance was sweet and gave me Book Lovers and A Novel Love Story vibes, so if you’re into those kinds of books, you’ll probably enjoy this one too. It was a pretty quick read that didn’t require much mental energy but still managed to hit the spot for a fun, cozy story.

If you’re looking for something lighthearted with a dash of magic, this is a solid choice!

Workaholic attorney Campbell Andrews has no patience for love, until she wakes up trapped in a Hallmark-style small town, complete with quirky locals and mandatory romance. To return to her real life, she must complete three tasks, including one she considers impossible: falling in love.

It took me a long while to process my feelings on this book. I really, really enjoy Ballard’s books, and have considered her a must-read author after her most recent publications (yes, even the Christmas novella, which I know was not most folks’ cup of tea). But this… this was a major miss for me. I can get behind magical, highly unrealistic plot lines a la Ashley Poston or Katherine Center, but when they are poorly executed, it’s simply too much to bear. The primary culprit here was Campbell’s general attitude and her vernacular, which felt like someone asked ChatGPT to write a snobbish lawyer who was rude and self-righteous. It was hard to take anything seriously with her in the mix. I will be back for more Ballard, but would definitely recommend skipping this one if you are working through her backlist.

2/5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group - Putnam for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have only read one other book by Ballard, a Christmas story, and I really enjoyed it. I was excited to give this book a read. I expected the same sort of plot line as happens in many romcom books. This was ANYTHING but similar to her Christmas story.

Campbell Andrews is a 34 year old cut throat lawyer at her family's law firm. She doesn't have time for anything but closing more deals and putting in 80 hour plus weeks as partner. But, her grandmother and her boss insists on putting her up to blind dates that she must go on to stay in her good graces. She ends up on such a date with Dr. Ben, a children's heart surgeon. He is sweet and kind and Campbell blatantly tells him she'd rather they eat their meal in silence than bother even wasting time with small talk. Their waitress notices and leaves a note taking care of their bill in hopes that their next meal will go better. Cam is aggravated, but leaves to go home to keep working.

And that's when the story starts. Cam wakes up the next day in a picture perfect Hallmark town called Heart Springs. After being a Karen and demanding to find the mayor, she sees it is none other than the waitress from her dinner last night. Upon realizing what was happening and that she'd been sent to Heart Springs as a way to make some necessary changes in her life, she also finds her neighbor is none other than Dr. Ben. And if she wants to get back to Manhattan, she must complete the three challenges she's been given. However, as she works to meet those challenges, she does some serious self-reflection and find that she might like the new life she is living more than her old one. And, Dr. Ben is someone she also wants into her life. So, is it worth finishing what she's been told to do, or would she actually find happiness if she stayed in Heart Springs?

I loved this book and all the characters. The town reminded me of a Hallmark version of Stars Hollow. I didn't want this book to end because I loved the setting and the characters so much. It was the perfect HEA and it made my heart happy. However, what I especially loved about this book is it wasn't some cutesy little story. Cam was real and gritty and messy. I can't wait for the next book by this author!

Falon Ballard’s Change of Heart is a rom-com featuring magical realism with a Hallmark movies feel. This book was such a sweet, cozy read.
This is such a delightful book, so beautifully written, I couldn't put it down.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF
This was definitely not for me.
However-it was a DNF, so take this review knowing that.
Main character and her entitlement was such a red flag for me. You can be a hard worker and good at what you do but still treat people with respect. And it only got worse. No thanks. I made a goal for myself in 2025 to DNF books I wasn’t enjoying and this one gave me a bad taste in my mouth right away so I decided to move on.

This book was a solid four stars for me. I love the magical realism. At first Cam was unlikable, but then you found yourself rooting for her. I had Instalove when it came to Ben’s character.

I loved this so much! This gave off Hallmark meets Pleasantville. I enjoyed the evolution of Campbell’s outlook and attitude. There were so many fun and cute things packed into this book. I truly loved the setting of Heart Springs and wanted to stay there. The romance was precious as were the friendships. I adore Fallon’s writing. She writes a beautiful romance.

✨ The Vibes ✨
Your classic Hallmark movie in novel form

📖 Read if…
✨ Book Lovers is your favorite Emily Henry novel
✨ You don’t mind a little magic realism in romance
✨ Hallmark movies are your preferred reading soundtrack


Falon Ballard has become a go-to author for me and I’ve loved her takes on various romance tropes, however I think Change of Heart is unfortunately my least favorite of her works. 🫣

The premise of painting a career-driven woman as a villain is, at least for me, starting to feel a little old. I don’t mind it if there’s an interesting perspective or new twist on the trope, but Cam’s character just felt very one-note. There was very little to her character other than the fact that she wanted to be successful and was also a little mean, and some additional insight into why she acted that way would have gone a long way in developing her character.

I think I was also let down by Change of Heart because it was so similar to another book I recently read. Prime Time Romance, while a very different book, had some similar vibes with the magic realism elements and the premise of being stuck in a small town, but also felt more emotional for me. This is 100% a matter of circumstance and opinion, but I feel like if I hadn’t just read (and loved) that book, I might have enjoyed Change of Heart a bit more.

If you’re a Falon Ballard devotee, this one is still worth a read (even if it might not be a new favorite), but casual fans may want to skip this one and check out some of her others instead.

Change of Heart is available now. Thanks to Putnam and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ohhh I love a good alternate universe love story! 💕 Workaholic lawyer Campbell is set up on a blind date with swoony pediatric surgeon Ben… and completely blows him off, choosing to answer emails through dinner instead. Awkward. But when the check arrives, something weird happens—and the next morning, Campbell wakes up smack dab in the middle of what feels like a Hallmark movie, in a town called Heart Springs.

Suddenly she’s rocking soft cardigans, everyone knows her name, and guess who lives in town? Yep—Ben. Only this version of him is warm, charming, and totally into her. As Campbell stumbles through her new reality (complete with quirky neighbors, town festivals, and the world’s most supportive barista), she’s forced to slow down and confront what she really wants in life—and love. The banter is sharp, the chemistry is swoony, and I was completely obsessed with watching Campbell unlearn her hustle-only mindset and embrace the magic of connection.

This book is like sipping hot cocoa on a snowy day—pure comfort, with a side of flirty fun. Falon Ballard delivers again with heartfelt laughs, emotional growth, and a delicious touch of romance that left me smiling like a total dork. If you love small-town charm, second chances, and a dash of magical realism, Change of Heart will absolutely steal yours.

Thank you SO much to NetGalley, Falon Ballard, and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the chance to read this five-star gem early! All thoughts and swoony feelings are completely my own.

Change of Heart by Falon Ballard
2 stars/5

This fantasy romance from Falon Ballard was not for me, I'm sorry to say. I read her All I Want for Christmas and loved it, but this was not the book to follow that up with!

This book is about Campbell, who is a high-powered businesswoman and has no time to find love, and she is set up on a horrible blind date with a doctor named Ben.
The next morning, Campbell finds herself in a Hallmark-inspired fantasy world where she has to complete three tasks in order to get back to her real life: 1) find true love (of course), 2) find a career she is passionate about, and 3) become a productive part of the community. And, hey, guess what? Ben is in this fantasy world as well!
I think this book was trying to satirize Hallmark movies? But unfortunately, I did not care about any of the characters and the story was too predictable.
I think I will dive into Ballard's backlist.

Always a fun read when written by Falon. This book was no exception and was enjoyable. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

This was such a cute fun fast paced romance! I love Falon’s writing so much and she does a phenomenal job character building! I loved the banter and wittiness! Ben and Cam together were perfection! The town was so fun and I loved all the side characters we met along the way! I’m so excited to see what’s in store for Falon and can’t wait to read more of her wonderful stories!

I love a good magical realism; however, this story was not my favorite of Falon. The story felt rushed and the connection between the characters was a miss for me. I am sad because I really loved all Falon other books. I think she can move towards the magical world but something different then a Hallmark story. I know this is a lot of pressure for author but if anyone can do it is this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putman's Son for copy of this book for my honest review.

if you like ashley poston & her magical realism, especially in a novel love story, then i think you’ll looooove this book!! this was such a fun light read & i felt like i was watching a movie in my head. like please…i need this to become a movie!! it follows two people who have a really terrible first date & then the following day they wake up in a town that is like the essences of a hallmark movie town. such a fun read!

Change of Heart by Falon Ballard was a sweet and enjoyable read, but it didn't quite hit the emotional highs I was hoping for. I really liked the idea of two people navigating personal growth and healing—there's something so relatable about both characters finding themselves after going through tough times. The romance was cute, but it felt a little predictable at times, and I didn’t feel as much chemistry between the characters as I expected.

That said, I did appreciate the overall themes of self-discovery and learning to move forward after heartache. The story was lighthearted, with some great moments of humor, and I found myself smiling throughout. While it didn’t totally captivate me the way I wanted it to, it was still a solid, feel-good book that I think would be perfect for a cozy, easy read. Thanks NetGalley for the early read!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Putnam for the e-arc!

Falon Ballard is one of my favorite authors—her books always hit for me and Change of Heart was no exception!

Campbell “Cam” Andrews is a successful attorney whose single focus is her career. When she’s set up on a blind date with pediatric surgeon Dr. Ben Loving, she reluctantly goes and is incredibly rude. The next morning she wakes up in her personal version of hell—Heart Springs: a quaint, adorable town that is something straight out of a Hallmark movies. Her new neighbor is none other than Ben. They’re both given tasks by Mimi, the town’s mayor who’s like a pushy fairy godmother. If Cam ever wants to return to her real life in NYC, she has to find a career she’s passionate about, become part of the community, and find true love.

This is magical realism greatness with a really fun magic system! I loved reading about Heart Springs and all of its endearing townspeople. I’ve seen complaints that Cam is unlikable but that was the point—she’s an unconventional FMC with an edge and she grows throughout the story! I enjoyed watching her learn about herself and the more important things in life. Ben was such a sweet and patient love interest and he complemented Cam perfectly. As with all of Falon’s books, I laughed, smiled, and swooned.

If you’re looking for a sweet romance with a lot of character growth, I would highly recommend Change of Heart—especially if you also love Hallmark movies!