I really enjoyed this story. Cam is funny and has a great inner monologue. I enjoyed the cute small town and its inhabitants that they end up in. I loved the relationship that Ben and Cam developed throughout the book. I do wish there was more about Ben’s story, or even a dual POV story.

I loved Change of Heart by Fallon Ballard!! I find the combination of romance and magical realism to be irresistible!
Cam Andrew’s, a high-powered, workaholic attorney reluctantly goes on a disastrous blind date. Cam wants no distractions from her career. The next morning she wakes up in Heart Springs- a small town straight out of a Hallmark movie, of course Cam’s greatest nightmare. Will, from her blind date is also there- but everyone loves him and not so much Cam. In order to return to her “real” life, Cam must accomplish three tasks, including experiencing true love. I found Cam’s journey of self discovery and expanding horizons to be so well done and very fun to read. Highly recommend!!

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy.

I love this author and have read all of her books. That being said, this book just didn't hit me like her others. I didn't dislike it, but I think I set the bar too high. In this book Cam goes on a date, mandated by her grandmother, and ends up in an alternate reality - Hope Springs - where she needs to realize what is important in life in order to move forward. She is tasked with finding a career that she loves, becoming involved in the community and experiencing true love. Ben's copious use of "sweetheart" gave me the ick, but that is just a personal dislike. Terms of endearment are not my thing. I did enjoy the ending when things start to come together, as they always do in a rom-com.

I'd recommend this to people who like their rom-coms with a side of magic. Overall, I am a huge fan of this author, and if I were to recommend you to read just one of her books to try her out, it wouldn't be this one. That being said, I will continue to read whatever she writes, because the odds are in my favor.

A new twist (at least for me) on a meet-cute….bad blind date then forced proximity sparks. Cam is a driven attorney whose Grandmother has groomed her to take over their highly successful (and ruthless) NYC law firm. Grandmother also occasionally set Cam up on blind dates that Cam wants nothing to do with. Cam doesn’t believe in love, sentiment or anything really that succeeding at her career and proving to her Grandmother that she’s worthy of taking over their law firm and that she’s nothing like her Mother who left Cam when she was young as a rebellion against the ambition of her Mother. Cam has nothing to do with her estranged Mother and sees no reason to change that. Her latest, disastrous bling date is with Ben Loving, a pediatric surgeon who’s looking for the right woman to love. Ben is a self described loner but he’s from a loving (no pun intended) family and has managed to achieve some life balance despite the emotional and physical demands of his job trying to cure the sickest of sick children. When Cam arrives at their date, she immediately tells Ben that she’s not interested in a relationship, doesn’t, believe in love and would rather use their time while eating to answer work emails. Ben tries to engage but Cam’s not having it. Mimi, their sweet waitress comps them dinner and leaves the bill with a note that they need to accept the loves that’s around them when they meet again. Ben folds the note and puts it in his pocket, Cam laughs, goes home to prep for a big meeting the next day. But, when she wakes up, she’s not home. She’s in a Truman-like made up town of sweetness and love…and Ben is her next door neighbor. Mimi is also their and Cam tries to find out how she can quickly get back to her life in NYC. Cam and Ben have tasks that they must complete before they can go home and they go on a journey of self-discovery. A fun and a little sexy HEA.

I love Falon’s stories so much. They never get old. I absolutely enjoyed this book. It kinda gave me a Barbie vibe at the beginning. I think this might be her best book yet.

If you know *anything* about the show Schmigadoon, and if it ever brought you any joy, then this is the romance for you. Magical time warp meets small town romance- in the best way! To be completely transparent, I kind of disliked the FMC for the first third of this novel, but to be frank, I think that was the point. Cam was not meant to be overly likable, nor did she like herself very much… cue Dr. Ben Loving, and a side helper of the fairy godmotheresque Mimi, to the rescue. This was a fun read, and Falon Ballard never disappoints. Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

Once I started I couldn’t put it down! I went into this one blind but it was giving Truman Show and I was here for it.

Cam is a big time lawyer and Ben is a sweet pediatric surgeon…they go on a blind date and Cam is basically horrible. Their server says they are just meant for each other and they don’t see it 😂 they leave and wake up…in an alternate reality stuck until they can finish their tasks. It was honestly so good! I kind of love these types of books! I’ve only read a few but this was so cute!!

Our lives are made up of one moment to the next - moments that are mostly logical and organic as they happen. If we're not careful, those moments that make so much sense up close may lead us down a path we never wanted for ourselves. Sometimes we have to zoom out to make sure we're on the right track. You can do it yourself as part of your planning, goal-setting, or self-care regimens...

*OR*

you might be forced into an alternate dimension by a magic waitress that forces you to examine your life in new ways.

That's what happened to Campbell and the blind date her grandmother set her up with. She was out on another obligatory date, which she had no time for and blatantly blew off, even still at dinner with him, without having had any attempt at conversation with him. Then she wakes up in Heart Springs, a tiny warped town she's stuck in like a waking dream until she fulfills all the right criteria. She must find work she loves, participate in the community, and experience true love. Oh, and the blind date is there too, with his own mission.

Sigh.

If you're looking for a straight up Hallmark movie in a novel, you've found it. Exaggerated, but fun if you don't look too closely and syrupy sweet.

We start with a character who is straight up unlikeable, and by the end she learns important lessons 'the hard way' before her inevitable happily ever after.

I had a few problems with it.

The love interest didn't make any sense. He was pretty much only in Hope Springs as an accessory. He was far underdeveloped and a huge wasted opportunity.

Campbell was just too unlikeable. She doesn't really redeem herself. Her motivation is purely to do whatever she has to to get back home to her shitty New York existence. She changes, but I'm not convinced she's really learned anything long-term. It ends too quickly for someone so flawed, in my opinion.

I didn't care enough. Due to the first two problems, I just didn't really care what happened. There would obviously be a happy ending, and the details didn't interest me much.

Now, this isn't Falon Ballard's first book. In fact, I have two others on my bookshelf right now that I haven't read yet and have been looking forward to. I'm still going to read them and I'm hoping she'll blow away my expectations with those, because this one...didn't.

I can see how this book might appeal to younger romance readers, or ones with a penchant for whimsy. It just didn't work for me.

I appreciate the chance to read this title early as an arc through the publisher and netgalley in exchange for this honest review.

This is my new favorite Falon Ballard novel. I loved the small town setting and the two main characters. If you liked A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston, then I recommend this book.

CHANGE OF HEART ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️/5. Campbell is a powerhouse partner of her grandmother’s law firm in NYC. Her career always comes first. That is until she is magically transported and wakes up in the picturesque small town of Heart Springs. Can must complete 3 tasks to get back to her reality. This book was cute, but I just hate when I’m reading a book to finish it and move on, versus turning the page due to interest. I also enjoyed the fictional townspeople more than the main characters. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

Cam is a workaholic lawyer who doesn’t believe in love. After a first date with Dr. Ben Loving, the two are transported to Heart Springs. Heart Springs is a fictional town that’s a lot like Stars Hollow. They both have certain goals to accomplish before they can go back home.

Cam must find her passion and true love. Cam and Ben have to work together as they both date other people. But they realize they’re meant to be. Cam finds her true passion for work and makes friends. She learns work is not her entire life.

It took me quite a while to get into this story. The second half really had me interested. I’m thankful there was no break up!

If you’re a fan of A Novel Love Story, I recommend this one!

I loved the writing style and the setting of the book but unfortunately, I felt like the chemistry between the two characters fell extremely flat that it made it unbelievable for me to root for them.

I am usually a big fan of Falon Ballard books and was immediately drawn to the premise (sappy love story) and cute cover. This is seemed perfect for vacation reading. It sort of fell flat for me and wasn't my favorite. I am sure others would enjoy it but it just wasn't for me.

Thank you Netgalley & PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the advanced reader copy.

I enjoyed the writing and the setting of the book but I felt like there was a lack in chemistry between our 2 main characters.

I read All I Want Is You (thank you for the ARC Netgalley!) earlier this year and loved it, which brought me to Falon Ballard as one of my must reads. The writing is fast paced where you get to the story without the story being rushed. I also enjoy the real life characters. Anything that gives me a Hallmark feel is a yes from me and Change of Heart delivers.

I love Falon Ballard! This was an awesome new novel. Captivating! I didn’t want to put it down. 5 stars and I will reccomend to friends!

Change of Heart by Falon Ballard is a heartfelt romance that explores themes of self-discovery, second chances, and embracing change. With its relatable characters and emotional depth, this book delivers plenty of charm but doesn’t quite reach its full potential.

The story follows the protagonist as she navigates a major life upheaval, leaning into themes of personal growth and unexpected love. The romantic connection is sweet and unfolds naturally, but at times, the pacing felt uneven, and some plot points could have used more development.

Ballard’s writing shines in the moments of vulnerability and introspection, and the emotional beats of the story are beautifully done. The setting adds an atmospheric charm that enhances the romance, making it easy to root for the characters as they work through their individual struggles.

While not without its flaws, Change of Heart is a solid read for fans of contemporary romance who enjoy stories about finding love and oneself amidst life’s uncertainties. It’s a cozy, feel-good story that’s worth picking up.

She is SO rude. Is she on the spectrum? Does she have Tourette's? What is her deal? I get she needs a character arc but do we have to start anti-Christ?
Just thrust into to book on the second chapter, no build up
Zero chemistry with Ben and Cam. Ben has no real personality whatsoever.
Cam curses too much. I don't even mind cursing, but it isn't appropriate in the context of the conversations.
This book has single-handedly made me hate the term "sweetheart."
The resolution to her tasks was awful.

Very cute. Somewhat reminiscent of Ashley Poston’s A Novel Love Story but with very different protagonists. Here, Cam takes sooooo long to come to terms with her heavy baggage, and then a lot of the resolution happens off page. However, it’s still a wildly satisfying story. Thanks to Putnam for the ARC.

This was a cozy rom-com that had me laughing and kicking my feet and really cemented Falon Ballard as a romance author on my radar.

Cam Andrews is a fierce, staunchly independent and driven attorney who has lived her life in a prescribed manner. She’s not willing to sacrifice anything - including love - for her career. One day, after going on an arranged and ultimately tepid date with Dr. Ben Loving, she wakes up to find herself in an alternate idyllic universe.

So much of the town she becomes a member of reminded me of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls. She begins exploring her new surroundings and meeting idiosyncratic characters, including Ben.

This is a story of love in all forms - romantic, platonic and self-love. I loved how there wasn’t a fixation purely on romantic love as being the most valid form, and I appreciated that the lessons Cam learned didn’t feel ham-fisted or forced.

The biggest critique I had was that Ben kept calling Cam “sweetheart”, which gave me the ick every time I read those words. Otherwise, this was a delightful little read, perfect if you’re a fan of Emily Henry!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!