"I'm painfully uninterested in any future that doesn't involve you." Oh Denny, my heart can't take it.

This was my first Bailey Hannah book and I throughly enjoyed it. I mean who doesn't love a cowboy cinnamon roll MMC and an independent FMC with a heart of gold. Denny and Blair first meet as teenagers and we see their love grow in the flashbacks. Inevitably life and loss rips them apart and 14 years later Blair moves back home to take care of her family. Even though they both struggle with their pasts and the demise of their relationship Denny decides that he isn't letting Blair go again.

This book was so emotional all I wanted to do was reach out and hug the characters. Bailey did a great job with the character development, seeing their internal growth and struggles was just... chef's kiss.
It was easy to fall in love with the tight knit group, even without reading the first two books in the series.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I will say Bailey talks about some heavier topics in this book so check the trigger warnings, however she does a really good job of listing those topics at the begging of the book.

*Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group and Bailey Hannah for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I've really enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this one fell a little flat for me, to be honest! It's a second chance romance, which I often like, but I think the dual timeline did not really work here. There was too much of the past, included for too long. I also found the pacing of the present day storyline off. It was sometimes fast and sometimes slow but it meant I found the whole reading experience to be a little jarring.

The spice is pretty thorough, and starts early and never lets up. I think fans of second chance more generally and also fans of spice will really enjoy this one! I seem to be the odd man out here!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Quick Summary: A second chance, cowboy romance

My Review: Change of Hart by Bailey Hannah is book #3 in the Wells Ranch series.

About the Book: "...a jaded woman reluctantly returns to her hometown—and to the cowboy who broke her heart and drove her away."

In My Own Words: A cowboy and his best friend/true love reunite after fourteen years apart. What brought them together and what drove them apart finally merge, allowing them to meet in the middle and find the reconciliation that they always needed.

My Final Say: This story was a complicated one. It was heavy and emotional. It dealt with various serious issues, ranging from life after loss to mental health. It explored a number of relationships and showed the healthy and unhealthy tendencies that impact those relationships.

In terms of the featured couple, this novel presented a dual POV. It shifted between the past and the present, allowing readers to glimpse the characters from their initial meeting until their final end and more. There were clear, precise indicators that showed what went wrong and what went right in their relationship. Along with dealing with the conflicts that arose in their relationship, the book also showed a lot of steam and spice, which will appeal very much to many readers.

I really wanted to love this book, but I am, unfortunately, the odd man out. In the end, I will say that the story was alright. I liked it okay enough. I appreciated the emotional tone, especially related to the great losses that were revealed. That is what impacted me the most. The k**k play and the hot spice took over at times and became somewhat repetitive, which took away from the heavier matters that weighed in.

In my opinion, the story pacing was mixed. It was both fast and slow. The story kept going, even though there were several places where an obvious end seemed to be appropriate, as weird as that may sound. It was an up and down reading experience, overall. With that said, I think this story would do well as an audiobook. I think the rhythm will level out via that means, allowing readers to be paced more so by an external agent.

Other: This gets a mixed bag rating. I think it will appeal to many, but I also think that it may not appeal to others. There is definitely something to the underlying love story between the main characters that warrants looking further.

Readers who enjoy cowboy romances, second chance love stories, friends to strangers romances, small town love stories, family rich fiction, and time gap novels may like this one.

Rating: 3/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 👍
Series: Yes

Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell), and to NetGalley for granting access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own thoughts and opinions. I am most appreciative for the opportunity.

4.5⭐

A Second-Chance Romance with Big Emotions and Even Bigger Chemistry

Bailey Hannah’s storytelling shines brighter than ever in "Change of Hart". This emotional, slow-burn, second-chance romance delivers everything from sizzling chemistry to heart-wrenching moments of grief and healing.

Blair and Denver’s story unfolds in a dual timeline, showing both the heartbreak that tore them apart and the undeniable pull that still exists between them. While the past is essential to understanding their dynamic, some of those flashbacks could have been condensed to allow for even more present-day interactions, because when Blair and Denver are together now, they are absolute magic.

The emotions hit hard, especially as Denver navigates the loss of his mother in the past while Blair struggles with her mother’s illness in the present. Their history is messy, and Blair has a lot to overcome, especially Denver’s well-earned playboy reputation. But despite his past, his heart has only ever belonged to her, making this an "it’s always been you" romance at its finest. Denver is an absolute dream, determined to win Blair back but never pushing her beyond what she’s ready for. He respects her boundaries while making it clear that he’s all in. Good boy! (IYKYK)

With explosive chemistry, deep emotional stakes, and a hero who knows exactly what (and who) he wants, Change of Hart is a beautifully written, deeply satisfying romance that lingers long after the last page.

Change Of Hart 🤍

Blair & Denny were like coming up for a breath of fresh air. You get all the nostalgic feels with their love.

Meeting at 13 , becoming best friends & dating through high school for them to break apart & find their way back to each other years later.

A dual timeline to make your heart whimper.

That first love that never goes away.
The one that breaks you and molds you.

They knew it was once in a lifetime, even from afar watching time pass knowing their forever love was out there living without them. Until Blair comes home to Wells Canyon all these years later, now all bets are off. He’s gunna get the girl.

Blair is no meek woman, she is vocal & never one to ask for help, always the one to give it. Denver is her exception.

Honorable mention for the “good boy” microtrope 🗣️

Felt like coming home diving back into Wells Ranch, I feel so lucky to get an ARC for this one 🥹🤍

T R O P E S

- Found Family
- Cowboy x NP
- Small Town
- Friends to Lovers
- Dual Timeline
- Second Chance

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC copy!

I was so excited to read this. We’ve been getting little bits of Blair in Seeing Red and I was anxious to find out what the full Blair and Denver story was.

This book includes two diagnoses that hits close to home for me. I appreciated how the author describes the endless rollercoaster of feelings surrounding a loved one’s progression through their illness. While I didn’t really care for switching between past and present I understand why it was necessary for the big plot twist/secret reveal.

A wonderful cozy cowboy romance that definitely has me eying neapolitan ice cream in a whole new way.

Bailey handled this story so well. The way she wrote her characters, you can truly feel their feelings about their relationship as well as things happening in their lives. This is my favorite book in the series so far!

I have to start this review with the obvious.

I am an ABSOLUTE SUCKER for "it was always you" and "second chance."

Fight me.

This was so good in a will they or won't they kind of way! Every single moment felt like a breaking point, but the love story between Blair and Denver was curated in such a way that I absolutely could not put it down.

It was beautiful and raw while also being sickly sweet and spicyyyyy. The dual timeline really nailed their beautiful and tragic love story and didn't feel like just useless information, it was a continuation of the plot.

The way both mom's were portrayed in this was so incredibly gentle while also staying true to the real life nature of their absolutely unfortunate illnesses.

Thank you to Dell, NetGalley, and Bailey for the opportunity to ARC read this beautiful story.

This was SOOOOO GOOD!!!! I love love love second chance, and was so eager for Blair & Denny's story since book 1! I absolutely devoured this, and was hooked by the dual timeline, watching Blair and Denny fall in love, separate, and fall back in love. This had very raw underlying themes of grief that were handled with incredible care, and had me crying. Their love was SO emotional, and it followed them from when they began at sixteen, to when they reconnected 14 years after it all fell apart. I just absolutely loved this. Bailey Hannah has such a distinct voice and each book gets better and better. I cannot wait to keep reading her books and cannot wait to buy a copy when this is released!!

What an emotional ride! I absolutely adored meeting Blair and Denver since they were kids and their journey to true love and happiness. They are the real definition of a second chance love story. This book brings some of the most heavy topics in life with delicacy and thoughtfulness and it also represents in a great way one of the deepest lessons in forgiveness I’ve read. Can’t wait for Bailey to bring us the next chapter in the Wells family!

I loved going back to Wells Canyon. Denver and Blair are friends to lovers who breakup but then get a second chance after years. I especially loved the flashbacks that showed them falling in love. This was a great read.
Thank you Netgalley for the arc of this book, I really appreciate it.

I love a second chance romance and I love Wells Canyon. This one was so good and tickled all the right spots. I would ride for Denny.

It was so good to be back in Wells Canyon.
I loved Denver sooo much! And his love for Blair was unmatched.
I have mixed feelings about Blair. Loved her in the beginning, and liked her in the end. The middle... my heart broke for Denver.

Super Excited for what's to come for the rest of the series!

This wasn’t my gold standard second chance romance, but I still had a lot of fun. This book really gave more of an insight into the supporting characters and the history of the Wells family. Love a series so much.

This book was full of cute moments and cowboys. I’m not hard to please. Epilogue was precious. Happy for every fictional person in this

ARC from NetGalley

To be completely honest, I did not anticipate to love this book. I'm not a huge fan of second chance romances, but my god was I wrong about this book. This is easily the best book I have read this year. Blair and Denver are the perfect description of right person, wrong time. The way they support each other as kids and then as adults is what everyone hopes for. It is truly a beautiful and heartbreaking story all in one. I cried, I swooned, I laughed. Truly a masterpiece.

I cried multiple times during this book. The characters and the story felt real and genuine. That made a huge impact on me while I was reading.
Blair is one of my favorite FMCs now. I enjoyed seeing the growth Denver and Blair both had with the flashbacks throughout the story.

✨arc review!!✨

The book that gave me a second chance at second chance romance🤍✨

I didn’t think Bailey Hannah could top Red Thompson and a god tier accidental pregnancy trope- but now she has me falling in love with Denver and Blair, AND two tropes I’d essentially sworn off as mid.

I kid you not- this is the first dual timeline book I’ve finished - and enjoyed - that I can remember! Out of the last 5 books I’ve dnf’ed, 4 were dual timeline. But the way Den & Bear’s story is interwoven as they reconcile their history and heartache with the steadfast care they still have for each other had my heart physically aching for these high school loves.

And the spice🥵🔥🌶️ Denver is THAT dirty talking, down bad cowboy. Throw in the backwards hat and I’m out here barking for this man WOOF.

Change of Hart releases May 27th!! Thank you Bailey Hannah, NetGalley & Random House for this arc!

Read if you enjoy:
🤎 Second Chance Romance
✨ Saddlebronc x Barrel Racer
🤎 High School Sweethearts
✨ “Good boy”
🤎 Grief & Alzheimer Rep
✨ Dual Timeline
🤎 Reformed playboy
✨ Open Door Spice

Wow. Just… wow. I was lucky enough to receive Change of Heart as an ARC, and let me tell you — Bailey did it with this one. I read Alive and Wells in one sitting and it became one of my top reads of the year (and honestly, maybe ever). Then came Seeing Red, which was absolutely incredible — but Change of Heart? I’m truly at a loss for words.

The way Bailey wrote Denny and Blair’s story made me feel like I was living it right alongside them. I wasn’t just reading about their love and heartbreak — I felt it. It was like I was sitting there, watching Blair in her darkest moments, feeling her pain and heartache as if it were my own. And when Denny went through his own struggles? My heart broke all over again. This book made me cry cry cry — like ugly tears, clutching my chest, full-on emotional wreck — but I loved every second of it. Even with the moments of sadness, this book had me giggling like a school girl. These two are so beautiful together and found love at such a young age, it was truly special to read. I don't think two people can be made for each other more perfectly than these two, even if they don't always think so.

You know when a book hits you so hard that you just have to sit there and think about it for a while after you finish? That was Change of Heart for me. I was devastated that it was over, but also so completely in love with Denver Wells. I didn’t think it would be possible to love another Wells more than Austin… but then came Denver. And poof — he became my number one. He’s funny, caring, and so incredibly patient and supportive — willing to carry Blair in her times of need, even when she wasn’t ready to let him.

Bailey Hannah completely outdid herself with this one. My heart is shattered, but also so incredibly full. Change of Heart is a must-read — emotional, heartfelt, and utterly unforgettable. Denver and Blair’s story will stay with me for a long, long time.

Ah, Denver and Blair! These two are such a sweet pair. I absolutely adored this book, the third in the Wells series. Bailey Hannah never disappoints.

I loved this book so much until around 80%. And I genuinely felt like Denny felt. Like the decision came from out of left field and wasn’t genuine to the character. And I say this because through every flashback, every conversation about the future, it was BOTH of their dreams to have the ranch, have the home, have the horses, have the babies. Until you get to where Blair makes her decision. And I felt like I was given whiplash from the Blair that was given to us in flashbacks and present day to the Blair from that scene. And I honestly would have wanted more insight into her depression from making that decision. The writing was incredible, as always with Bailey. And I thought Denny was beyond precious and so full of love and even in the capacity that he loved was just intense and beautiful. The flashbacks from mama Wells wrecked my soul.