Change of Heart was such a fun read and I was hooked from the very first chapter! The only way I know how to describe the book is that it’s like Pleasantville set in a quaint Hallmark type town with some Freaky Friday meddling vibes thrown in. It was so different and had me wanting to read when I needed to be focused on other things. I liked Cam’s drive and ambition, while Ben was so laid back and chill. They both brought out the good in each other and complimented each other so well. I loved how Cam grew and changed throughout the book and it made her such a likable and relatable character. It had a great message about priorities and loved every single page.

A huge thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed above are my own.

While I still enjoy Ballard's books and characters, the level of spice is getting to be a bit too much for me. I love how the characters are written, and the chemistry is always jumping off the page. I enjoyed reading this one in November, and I do recommend it to other readers if you love romance.

Change of Heart was such a sweet and slightly spicy romance read. I thoroughly enjoyed Cam’s journey to find her “happy.” Her character development was well-rounded. One the converse, I found Ben’s character left me wanting more of him. At times the plot was a bit confusing, especially at the beginning as Cam arrives in Heart Springs..
Overall this was an enjoyable read and Falon Ballard is a must-read author for me.

This was fun! I love magical realism and was instantly drawn to the book by the synopsis and the beautiful cover. There’s something about Heart Springs that instantly made me think of Barbie land. A perfect town, with pretty colors, where everyone’s so nice.

She’s a lawyer, made partner at 34. Not wanting to have kids. Married to her work. He’s a pediatric surgeon. He loves helping people. They go on a blind date arranged by her grandmother. She’s grumpy, he’s sunshine. I think I enjoyed Cam and Ben’s characters individually more than I did as a couple.

I loved Emma’s character and her relationship with Cam. It was refreshing to see Cam’s character growth finding herself, while trying new things and giving herself a chance.

Thank you Penguin Group Putnam, Falon Ballard and NetGalley for the arc!

A cozy romance read for anyone who might need to believe in love again! Falon does such a great job of telling the story while sharing the love. With some twists and turns, I could not put this book down!

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this with really high hopes that I would absolutely love it, considering I have read and adored books by Falon Ballard in the past, but I just could not get into this one and was beyond ready for it to be over. The premise had great potential, but the FMC was SO insufferable that I absolutely could not stand her. She was rude, conceited and selfish and most offensive of all, she thought reading was a giant waste of time and Hallmark-inspired small towns were cringy. The storyline between Cam and Ben felt rushed and it was really hard to root for them, much less Cam and her insufferable personality.

Hoping this was a one-off and I will absolutely still read more from Falon, but this one just was not for me.

this is such a fun, swoony, magical realism story! if you liked A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston, Book Lovers by Emily Henry, and The Co-Op by Tarah DeWitt you’ll love this story!!!!

I love how Hallmark-esque the town is to the nth degree, playing up every possible stereotype of those movies, matched with Cam’s realistic, cynical real world perspective as she’s trapped there with her bad blind date, makes this such a fun and tender story to read. I fell in love with the small town and its adorable characters, not unlike I have with Stars Hallow and Gilmore Girls. And I love how Cam and Ben find their deeper connection and eventual love story with each other. Cam is able to root out some deep-seated hurt to find deeper meaning to love and relationships, and Ben is adorable and sweet falling for her as she does.

overall, another sweet, fun read from Falon Ballard, and this time as her first magical realism romance! thank you for the arc!!!!

📚 Change of Heart
✍ Falon Ballard
📖 Magical Realism/Romance
⭐3
🌶️ 🌶️

➡ Campbell Andrews doesn't have time to date. In fact, she doesn't have time for anyone or anything that isn't related to her career as a high powered partner at her family's law firm. When she wakes up the night after a blind date in Heart Springs, an idyllic town straight out of a Hallmark movie with no way to get home other than to fulfill three seemingly impossible tasks, she's skeptical to say the least. But the longer she's stuck in Heart Springs, the easier it is to understand that the life she's been living may not be what her heart wants, but if she wants to get back to any version of it, she'll have to make some serious changes.
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🙏 Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam, NetGalley and the author for the advanced copy of Chance of Heart. All opinions are my own.
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🎯 What I loved: If you love Hallmark movies and romance with a touch of magical realism, the setting of this book is perfect for you. Most of the story is set in an idyllic small town with meddling neighbors, tasks to complete and some charming magical details like a closet that changes itself for the seasons. There's also a sweet found family theme and lots of sass, so if that sounds like you, this may be right up your alley!

🙅‍♀️ What I didn't: Campbell was clearly written to be an unlikeable character. The issue is that I'm pretty sure she was supposed to grow on me the further into the story I got, and sadly, she didn't. I have adored everything that Falon Ballard has written up until this point but I just couldn't get into this book. Between Campbell being insufferably whiney and rude to everyone that crossed her path and Ben using 'sweetheart' as a term of endearment 68 (!!!) times during the course of this short book, I just didn't love the characters the way I want to in a romance. Like any book I don't love, I won't discourage others from reading it, but it was definitely not my favorite of Ballard's.
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Read if you love:
*Hallmark movies
*enemies to lovers
*romance w/ magical realism
*small town romance
*found family
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See also: The Seven Year Slip, This Spells Love, The Two Lives of Lydia Bird

This is absolutely perfect for people who love Hallmark. The main character falls into a Hallmark-esque town complete with everything you could dream of

Change of Heart is a delightful, laugh-out-loud rom-com that tugs at your heartstrings while delivering a hilarious, heartfelt message about love, self-discovery, and the unexpected magic of small towns. This book is a gem, perfect for fans of “big city to small town” stories with a sprinkle of enchantment!
Campbell Andrews is a refreshing, unapologetically driven heroine, so laser-focused on making partner at her law firm that love is the last thing on her mind. But the author's twist on the classic Hallmark setup breathes new life into the trope, transporting Cam to Heart Springs, where she’s forced to confront her rigid ideas about life and love. Watching Cam struggle with her “tasks”—like finding true love—while resisting the town’s charms and endearing quirks is both hilarious and deeply satisfying.
The magic of Heart Springs is its vibrant cast of characters, from the meddling mayor to the warm, quirky townsfolk who welcome Cam with open arms. The town’s seasonal festivals and close-knit community atmosphere feel like characters of their own, bringing charm and humor that balance out Cam’s initially cynical worldview. The magical realism in the story adds a whimsical layer that’s handled with just the right amount of fun and flair, making Heart Springs feel as enchanting to the reader as it becomes to Cam.
The romance is swoon-worthy and perfectly paced, with an unexpected chemistry that has all the warmth and heart of a cozy fireplace in winter. Cam’s journey toward letting down her walls and opening up to love is beautifully written, showing real growth that feels organic and authentic. Watching her transformation from hardened workaholic to someone who appreciates the messy, unpredictable beauty of life and love is truly rewarding.
Change of Heart is a funny, charming, and magical escape that reminds us all of the importance of balance and the unexpected places where we might just find happiness. The author's storytelling sparkles with humor, warmth, and insight, making this novel an absolute must-read for anyone craving a fresh take on the classic rom-com.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely LOVED this!! I really enjoyed the different storyline than anything Ballard has written before. She has a way with writing the SWEETEST men- Ben was no exception. I enjoyed every character and the atmospheric writing of Heart Springs. A great read.

Absolutely loved this book! 4.25 🌟
(Thank you net galley for this amazing ARC)🫶🏼

Whenever I feel the urge for a cute yet underlying emotional read I head STRAIGHT for Fallon Ballard. Who has become and auto-buy author for me.

Ben and Cam were definitely the couple I will hold near and dear to my heart , as I truly relate/related to Cam. Emotionally and romantically. I would’ve love to know ben a bit more BUT having the context of him appreciating his family, his ability to just love and believe in anything he needs/needed to for the sake of his well being was amazing to read.

This book was not only a romcom-esque , it was riddled with a quick yet hit alllll the points a book needed. A quick/fun romance that you just need to have on your shelf.

“You are enough.” ❤️

Five stars! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Putnam Books!
There is not a single bad thing I could say about this book. It was perfect in every way possible. Am i a little bias because Falon Ballard is my favorite author? Yes. BUT STILL GO READ IT. The characters are complex and have the little details that real humans do. Also can I say I LOVED the small town. Oh my gosh! This book was so homey and just the vibes I needed this week.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for allowing me to read an ARC of Change of Heart by Falon Ballard, in exchange for my honest review.

Falon Ballard does it yet again! A super cute and magically delicious modern-day fairy tale! I definitely recommend this fun and quick read.

I'm not typically one who likes magical realism... but make it Hallmark-esque and apparently I am!

Campbell Andrews is the ultimate workaholic, her sole focus is winning cases for her family's law firm. When set up on a blind date with Ben, successful pediatric surgeon, Cam goes but only to say she "tried." She is the definition of 'not interested in love.'

Cam and Ben are transported to the quirky, picturesque town of Heart Strings. This is where the Hallmark vibes come into play. The town is idyllic and time moves on its own continuum so you experience the adorable summer carnival, fall harvest fest and Christmas season, all in a span of a few weeks. In order to get back home, Cam has to find true love. And Ben has to help her.

Very cute and feel good rom-com. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Falon Ballard always delivers intricate characters, immersive settings, and entertaining plots that make it so easy to binge her books. I loved watching her tackle magical realism in this new romantic comedy, adding the perfect amount of mystical vibes to the story.

This book is a perfect read for fans of cheesy Hallmark movies, the classic big city girl in the small town trope, and an unapologetically herself heroine!

3.5 ⭐️

Cam is a headstrong lawyer with a clearly set path in life and no time for love. To appease her overbearing grandmother, she finds herself on date with a handsome pediatric surgeon, aptly named Ben Loving. As their date comes to an end the pair has an odd encounter with their waitress and the next morning Cam wakes up in a bedroom, and town, that aren’t hers. In order to return home, Cam has to make some serious changes in her life including finding love.

Change of heart is a Hallmark movie with a touch of magical realism which is typically one of my favorite book vibes. This one didn’t quite hit the mark. It was hard for me to get into and the pacing was clunky in parts. Additionally, the change in Cam felt awkward; I knew how things would play out for her but waiting for it to click was rough.

That being said, I love the concept of this story and the message of being true to oneself. Also, I want to live in Heart Springs and be friends with so many of the characters. I think this could be an amazing book with some revisions but know that even without them there will be an audience who adores this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

3.5 🌟
Thanks to NetGalley and the Penguin Group for the ARC of Ballard's new book! I need to start out and say I have read and love everything Falon Ballard has written...except this. Ughhhh. I wanted to love it. Really. But...it just didn't grab me. It felt very pieced together and I thought we were missing a lot of parts. I also thought the FMC and MMC relationship kind of just happened? Not a ton of tension or build up. It has a really similar feel to A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston...so if that was your jam give this a shot. Just didn't do it for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the ARC of Change of Heart. Review below is completely my own.

This was a sweet story with some solid themes around not recognizing your own unhappiness. I did feel the story came across surface level and overused the nickname sweetheart. I also didn’t love the implication that a hard working successful career equates to lack of fulfillment and happiness. I love Falon Ballard but this one just felt a bit too cheesy and wasn’t for me.

3.5 stars!

Cam is a cutthroat workaholic lawyer who has been groomed by her grandmother since she was 10 to take over the family law firm. She doesn't have time for dating or friends or anything personal as work is her life. Her grandmother sets her up on a date with Ben, a pediatric surgeon and she doesn't want to disappoint her grandmother so she plays along.
Ben is interested in getting to know her but all she wants to do is eat and finish some work emails. Needless to say, the date doesn't end well.

The next morning, she wakes up in Heart Springs and is confused as to why she is there but even more curious, Ben is there too and he’s just as confused as she is. The two of them must figure out how they got there and how to get back to reality and if their first date was any indication, how to have a change of heart about each other.

This book was a cross between Pleasantville and Scrooge. They are put in the idealistic town that's full of sunshine and rainbows which is the complete opposite of what Cam is.

This book was fluffy and surface level, but not in a bad way. There were themes that were cute and some deeper heavy ideas but those were never brought front and center into the main story. This was about self discovery and finding a true passion in life. I just didn’t get the anticipation tingles on this one. Kinda choppy in certain areas and jumped forward a bit at times. Very hallmark inspired and while it wasn’t my favorite book of hers, it still was quick and fun to read.