Now, as my first Fallon Ballard read I was excited to receive this ARC. I have been looking for a swoon worthy romance and thought I would enjoy this book. Unfortunately it fell flat. The FMC was just the absolute worst. The MMC was just there and I felt that I couldn’t really connect with him. He just seemed bland with no personality. The chemistry between these two was no where. Where is the spark? The swoon worth moments? Is it too much to ask nowadays for romance books to be romance books? Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This book had a bit of a Groundhog Day vibe with its made-up world and the concept of being transported to it. That part was intriguing, but the realism of the main character’s reaction threw me off. If I woke up in a dreamland, I wouldn’t be rushing to get back to reality either—so that part felt relatable in the wrong way.

The main character was incredibly blunt and harsh for a good portion of the book, which made it hard to connect with her at first. While her journey of growth was the central focus, it took a while for her to become likable, which made it a bit of a slog early on.

The love story was cute, but it felt underdeveloped. The love interest didn’t get much depth, so the romance didn’t feel as balanced as it could have. This was more about the female lead’s self-discovery than an equal partnership in the story.

Rating: 2/5. Would read again if I had no service and this was my only option, emphasis on no service and nothing else to do.

If you are a Hallmark fan then this book is for you! The premise was so cute and fun and had the potential to be cliche and silly but ended up being heartwarming and thought provoking. Cam and Ben were such a good pair and I loved seeing their journeys both together and separate. It also had a little holiday magic which was unexpected but fun.

Falon Ballard writes adorable romances in vibrant settings! Here, the best story is the one of Cam, our main character, as she truly develops and understands what has needed to change in her life. Can starts out as a harsh, time-is-money lawyer, and eventually comes to create friendships and rely on her internal moral compass.

Typically, I love Ballard’s books, but the romance in this one totally missed the mark for me. The Ben we meet at the beginning of the book feels incongruous with the Ben who shows up just a few scenes later. I wish there had been more interaction between the two of them where we could really see their relationship grow, because it felt like it was a slow burn on low that immediately cranked right up to the highest setting. With nothing gradual in between, I couldn’t really support these two characters together.

Falon Ballard does it again! Falon Ballard is quickly becoming one of my new favorite authors. Thank you to Net Galley for the pleasure of reading this book early. This story is a charming blend of romance and magical realism, capturing the cozy allure of a small town straight out of a Hallmark movie were we all wished we could be. In Change of Heart, Campbell Andrews, a workaholic lawyer who has always put her career first, is unexpectedly transported to the picturesque town of Heart Springs. There, her tightly controlled life is turned upside down as she navigates challenges that push her to embrace true love, community, and passion beyond her demanding job. Cam’s journey is heartwarming and often laugh-out-loud funny, filled with witty dialogue, endearing side characters, and a vividly drawn small-town setting that’s hard to resist. Her transformation from a driven professional to someone who truly understands the value of love and connection is both compelling and relatable.
Change of Heart is a delightful, feel-good read that will leave you daydreaming about your own magical getaway to a town like Heart Springs.

Who has time for silly love stories and dating these days, certainly not Campbell. She didn’t work her butt off to make partner at her law firm only to give it all up for love. That’s until Cam wakes up in Heart Springs, her own personal hell straight out of a Hallmark movie. She’s forced to complete a series of tasks in order to make it back to her real life. At the top of the list is finding true love. It seems impossible but maybe she’ll have a change of heart.

Romance gets a bad rep for being predictable and all about the fluff which is fair in some cases but Change of heart is so much more then that. The alternate universe is an interesting plot line that forces the characters to face their demons and take a critical look at their lives back home. It changes Cam fundamentally and it was a joy to see her grow and slowly become a better version of herself, the woman she wants to be. I don’t want to spoil anything so I won’t say more then that.

The story kept going after the point I expected it to wrap up which was a pleasant surprise. The romance between Cam and Ben is a big part of the story but not the only thing that matters in the end. I might have cried a little when I finally understood the underlying message. This is one to look out for, romance readers will eat it up it but so will others who decides to give it a shot.

Change of Heart is the first novel I’ve read by Falon Ballard and I had a good time! Change of Heart follows workaholic lawyer Campbell who has no time for anything other than being a partner at her family owned law firm, especially when it comes to dating. After a not so great first date with Ben, a pediatric surgeon, Campbell wakes up in the picture perfect town of Heart Strings. Campbell is desperate to return to her real life but she has three tasks to complete first. I really enjoyed the concept of this novel! The plot did drag for me a bit towards the middle/end. Overall this was an enjoyable romance!

This was such a sweet and endearing story with themes of finding yourself and falling in love with yourself. I love the journey we got to watch Cam go on and how she was able to find what she really wanted out of life. Thank you to Falon Ballard, Putnam Books, & Netgalley for the ARC!

Ok so i had this in my library for a tick that by the time I picked it up I didn't recall exactly what it was about but I knew that it was by Falon (one of my absolute faves) so I knew I was in good hands, The surrealism nature took me by surprise, LOL! I didn't mind it though! This was such a clever way to make our heroine face her demons. Such a delightful read and really happy with how it turned out in the end, it could've gone several different directions (remember Pleasantville?!). Another winner from Falon!!

This book is a fun idea about a stubborn new york lawyer being forced to find true love and a fulfilling job. In theory this book is great, but in practice this book dragged and I couldn’t find the relationship between the mmc and fmc believable. The romance felt like it came out of nowhere. The beginning was really exciting and it was going so well. It was just so disappointing. There needed to be more pushing the main characters together. I think the idea was there and it could have been great.

While I love Falon Ballard this book fell a little short for me!

Campell or "Cam" is a hotshot lawyer living in NYC who can't be bothered to date, she goes out with Dr. Ben Loving and barely gives him the time of day. But when the two are unexpectedly thrust into a small town romance utopia with no way out, they're forced to work together to get back to their normal lives.

I think there are a lot of similarities between this and A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston, which also wasn't my favorite book...so maybe it's just me. Overall I just didn't feel the chemistry between the FMC and MMC enough to make the slow burn worth it. It felt like they took so long to finally connect and express their feelings that by that point I was just frustrated with the story! I also wish that for an FMC who is so smart and high achieving she wasn't demonized for that as much, I don't think it was the author's intent based on how the book ends, but I spent a lot of time wishing she was more validated for being as high achieving/performing as she is. Also they spend a good chunk of time alluding to family issues that didn't feel fleshed out enough to be a driving force for the character as it was made out to be.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book, this is my objective review. Meet Cam: type A legal workhorse, content to be under her grandmother's thumb, grumpy with a capital G. After one purposely apathetic bad date with Dr. Ben Loving, she wakes up the next morning in her worst nightmare: a cheery place called Heart Springs where everything is glossy and perfect. Even Cam, at least on the outside. But how did she get there, and what does she have to do to get back to her old life? Cam was pretty unlikeable at the beginning. Nowhere to go but up, right? I kept picturing Cam as a blonde Lizzy Caplan, all snark and attitude. The alt-reality, supernatural "learn some lessons and make some life changes to go back home" angle was a nice hook that kept me reading. I liked watching Cam grudgingly open herself up, and Ben the hunky pediatric surgeon made for a good complement for her. Cam felt like the more developed character; while Ben had some development, it felt like his purpose was more as a vehicle for Cam's self-growth. He was fine but not terribly dynamic or deep. This is a sweet book about learning to live your best life, and Cam gives it enough of an edge to keep it from getting fully sappy. The writing did pull me in and I stayed up late to finish the book. Readers who like open-door, self-growth romances with snarky heroines and HEAs will love this book! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. Publishes February 11, 2025.

This was such a fun read! There were many times the FMC made me laugh with her comments about the variety of different Hallmark cliches. While I felt like there was a huge build-up to one particular part of the book only for the ending to fall flat, I did still really enjoy this book. Cam and Ben were a fun match together.

I would definitely recommend to all the rom-com lovers out there.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Change of Heart is a romcom with a little magic. High powered lawyer Campbell has no time for love. When she’s set up on a blind date with doctor Ben, she’s ready to brush him off, and does. The next morning, she doesn’t wake up in her own bed, but in a Pleasantville type town, and Ben has been transported there as well. Cam must complete challenges to be able to get herself back home.

This has all the makings of stories I like…but overall, it was just ok. I couldn’t figure out why Cam and Ben are supposed to be together, when their only interaction prior to being in the magical town is all negative. Ben uses the endearment “sweetheart” in most interactions with Cam, and even though I could tell it is meant sarcastically early on, it felt cringey and took me out of the story every time I read it.

I did like how things ultimately come around, and I do love a tidy ending, which readers will get in this story.

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam books for the opportunity to read in advance.

Ballard’s books have been hit or miss for me since her debut (which I adored), but this one was more hit than miss. It’s short and sweet and though predictable, it was a fun way to spend a few hours a with very sweet characters.

Content flags: estranged family relationships

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Gah! I never want to hear “sweetheart” again. I liked the beginning and the magical Heart Springs, but just didn’t spark enough for me at this time.

Unfortunately, this book was just not for me. I went into this book totally blind and was so disappointed. I could not stand the FMC even after her "character growth". The MMC really gave me the ick every single time he opened his mouth and the romance felt so forced. This book went on for way too long and also was so under-developed at the same time. I enjoyed the small town vibe and the friendship with Emma and really wish that we discovered more of the world and the community.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

In this rom com with a touch of magical realism, Cam is sent to a fictional small town called Heart Springs with her most recent date, Ben. She is unable to leave until she finds a job she’s passionate about, friends, and falls in love. Since Cam is only focused on work, this is a difficult task for her. Ben is tasked with helping her succeed.

I normally love Falon Ballard’s books and her signature wit and hilarious banter. I didn’t get that feeling as much from this book as I have enjoyed with her others. Cam was extremely unlikable, and while I can appreciate an unlikable character, she never grew on me. Ben was very one dimensional and had no personality, not to mention over-used the nickname “sweetheart” way too many times. The magical realism was fun but I didn’t enjoy the side plots as much as I hoped. Overall, this was just okay and not one I’d pick up again or recommend highly to others.

Thank you to Falon Ballard and Putnam books for the arc and opportunity to be an early reader and reviewe.

What a wonderful, sexy, and cheesy little romance that, although not releasing until February, was a perfect winter/Christmas read. My major complaint was that I HATED the pet name the MMC called the FMC. This is a single POV, so Ben (the MMC) sometimes feels a little underdeveloped or like an interchangeable NPC. However, a single POV is also necessary to make the plot work. Overall, another Falon Ballard that I enjoyed!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. (pub. Feb 11, 2025)

I enjoyed the setup of the first chapter and how Cam was a workaholic and only focused on pleasing her grandma who owned the family law firm. Her flaws are immediately shown and I sympathized with Ben who took Cam's personality all in stride. Unfortunately, Ben never seemed to have any flaws and in fact was described as a gorgeous, available pediatric surgeon who wanted to find love, but never could. I wanted to see more of Ben's personality than I was given. I was also bothered by Ben's nickname for Cam that he started using at the beginning and never stopped even when their relationship changed.

The magical realism never really suspended my beliefs that this world could exist. despite that, the small town setting was excellent and reminded me of holiday movies. The secondary characters were fun to get to know. How Cam started realizing what she needed to do to go back home felt a bit too simple and was a bit confusing to me how she arrived at her conclusions.

Overall, I laughed often while reading and want to read another of this author's books. Thank you to NetGalley for me e-ARC.