As always, it’s great to return to a series you have read and loved and the Cornish Midwives books have always been emotional and engaging but this one, wow. This is probably one of the most heartbreaking ones, tackling another difficult subject but in an extremely sensitive way. I found it raised awareness of issues and how they can impact on families and relationships.
Ella and Dan, two of our much loved characters, are getting married but the path up the aisle does not run smoothly. If it isn’t home improvement issues, a sister going into early labour, it’s a scary and serious medical diagnosis.
When Ella hears news that sends her world into freefall, the impact on her relationship with Dan is massive. When everything is in total jeopardy, Ella makes decisions that hurt all of her loved ones, but breaks her heart more.
I found this book so moving, there is heartbreak but there is also a whole lot of hope, the story is uplifting and gives such an insight into many facets of different issues faced by those hoping to start families.
Brilliant read, highlight recommend.

How is this already the seventh book in the series? I've been on board from the very first book and I've enjoyed them all immensely.

This was by far the most emotional of the series and my heart wept for Ella and Dan. I might have wept a little too! Bartlett writes with warmth, allowing her characters to come alive between the pages. I'm emotionally invested in the series and the wonderful characters she's created, they've become more like lifelong friends, rather than names on paper.

You can read the book as a standalone, but why would you...you're missing out on so much!

Beautifully written, with a storyline that's as heartbreaking as it is heartwarming. A Change of Heart is a story of hope, relationships put to the test and the power of love.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Change of Heart for the Cornish Midwife is the seventh book in the Cornish Midwife series, but can also be read as a stand-alone book. In this story we are introduced to main character Ella and her fiancee, Dan. Everything in Ella’s life is so perfect – she just adores her job as midwife and can't ever imagine doing anything else. Ella and Dan are also planning their wedding – which neither of them can wait for – they are so incredibly excited to be planning the rest of their lives together.

Nothing or no-one can rock what Ella and Dan have that is until Ella starts experiencing worrying symptoms of pins and needles and numbness, and a sudden collapse at work results in her being admitted to hospital, and a very shocking diagnosis of MS. refusing to give in to her condition, Ella ignores her diagnoses and what the future holds for her, and just tries to carry on as normal. The one thing she asks is that Dan tells no-one about her condition. Ella Doesnt wanted to be treated any differently.

All this does is create a huge divide between Ella and Dan, with her not coping with her diagnosis at all, she ends up ending her relationship with Dan, and even cancelling the wedding – without even telling him! Is this really what she wants? Or will Ella have a change of heart and realise that Dan really is all she wants and needs?

A Change of Heart for the Cornish Midwife is such a beautifully written story, with such great and believable characters. The storyline tackles some very emotive subjects but is done in such an empathetic and beautiful way. I absolutely loved this story, and can't wait to read more from the Cornish Midwife series. A must-read from me 🌟

Jo Bartlett'S Cornish Midwife series is a wonderful triumph. And the latest instalment is no different.

Again we meet the group of (mostly) women who provide pre natal and ante natal care in the Cornish villages.

This book focuses again on Ella, the subject of the original book. I like the fact that Jo tackles important and difficult themes but with grace and humour. The books are deep but at the same time not taxing to read. Perfect.

My goodness, this was an emotional one – a difficult subject so sensitively handled, heartbreaking at times, but doing so much to shed a light on the realities of facing a life-changing diagnosis and the many issues around living with a disability.

Ella and Dan’s path to marriage certainly isn’t a smooth one – with work on their new home progressing apace and the wedding date drawing nearer, they need to postpone it again when an important member of the family (for very good reasons) isn’t able to be there. A new date is fixed – but they then face a whole new set of problems when Ella’s numbness in her limbs and disturbances to her vision prove to be considerably more serious than they could have ever thought. The story centres on their emotional response to the situation, and how they deal with it – Ella in denial, continuing to train for a fund-raising marathon, concerned about her ability to continue doing the work she loves, Dan being as practical as he can be in preparing for the future. But the whole situation is considerably more complicated than that – they’re both wrestling with a range of considerations and, at a time when they should be closer than ever, the issues begin to drive them apart.

At the same time, Dan’s friends Leo – severely disabled after a fall from some scaffolding – and his wife Jemima are beginning their journey towards parenthood, beginning a course of IVF, and grappling with a range of emotions given the challenges they face. Their issues only bring home the stark realities of Dan and Ella’s future – they’d planned to start a family too, and their friends’ situation gives them much food for thought about the practicalities. And, in the background, life goes on – the day-to-day happenings and dramas in the lives of the Port Agnes midwives as they tend to the needs of the new mothers in their community, every small story as well developed as always.

I found this whole book extremely moving and engaging – despite the heartbreak, the whole story proves to be tremendously uplifting and hopeful, and particularly real at an emotional level. It was enlightening too around the different and complex emotional responses to a life-changing situation, and the way that trying to do the right thing can sometimes prove to be the wrong thing entirely. The whole story makes you question how you would react in a similar situation, emphasises the importance of always living your best life whatever the barriers in the way – and, within a story that entirely engaged me from beginning to end, filled with love, provided real insights into the important area of disability awareness, with its messages quite perfectly handled. My favourite book in the series so far, for so many different reasons – and very highly recommended.

Really enjoyed this and how they both dealt with the future as they saw it and how a lack of communication can make this a lot harder than they need to be. But glad they finally managed to resolve some issues. But good for People to see it from both sides. Can't wait to catch up with more.

I thought my heart was going to break several times over reading this and I wondered what Jo Bartlett was trying to do to me, she couldn’t want to hurt me in this way, but I will forgive her because I love her books and this series, because it’s all worth it (no spoilers here) and the heartache only makes the resolution that much sweeter!

This is book seven of the Cornish Midwife series and most of these can be read as stand-alone, however this book is returning us to my favourite couple (because this wonderful series all starts with them) and although I think you could read it and not be that lost, to me I think you need to read their earlier story to truly understand, empathise and enjoy this story as much you can.

I think this book is now my favourite in the series because it tackles such emotion, it’s so heart wrenching and Jo deals with it so sensitively, the diagnosis, Ella’s reaction to it, so honest and true to life, I loved the emphasis on disability awareness and living your life (not just Ella but Leo and Hailey) your best life. I loved the inclusion and discussion around IVF, children and parenting too. I hope that people can take something away from this, I know I did.

Jo Bartlett destroyed me with this, broke me and I am glad to say she put me back together again, but not necessary how I expected. I loved the community, the support the characters give, the emotion all the characters put me through, but most of all I love Jo’s writing, her stories and her ability to touch my heart and make me think at the same time. Beautiful doesn’t do this book justice.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have been a fan of the Cornish Midwife series to this point, but A Change of Heart for the Cornish Midwife was a disappointment. Since the pandemic I am kind of over people who won't take medical advice, so found the character of Ella rather annoying. Jumping to conclusions, not including her fiance in appts. and making decisions for them as a couple without any communication. A disappointing read.

Books in this series are always poignant and heart-warming at same time, they move me to tears and make me smile.
This one was one that hit close to home as I lived the trauma of a life changing diagnosis twice in the last years and I know the rollercoaster of emotions. Diabetes is bit less dramatic than MS, but it can kill you unless you decide to change your lifestyle and that’s what I had to do.
The second diagnosis was an auto-immune illness, Sjogren syndrome, an illness that can cause chronic pain and force you to take plenty of drugs to keep the symptoms under control
This made me understand the initial reaction of Ella, but it also makes me think she was a bit of drama queen in the last part of the book as she already mapped the worst case scenario and was ready to let the illness win.
I may sound harsh, but I liked how she decided to fight back and get the happiness she and Dan deserves.
I thin that Jo Bartlett did and excellent job in describing the shock of the diagnosis and Ella’s reaction.
I read some critics about Ella not accepting help, I think this can happen as you don’t want pity and want to be treated like a “normal” person.
That said I’m always happy to travel to Cornwall and catch up with the midwives, as lovely as usual.
There’s romance, there’s happiness and there’s a heart wrenching story.
If you want a light and airy story this is not the right one, if you want a well written and thought-provoking novel read it.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books, Rachel’s Random Resources for this arc, all opinions are mine

When this book you read,
Some tissues you may well need!
An emotive story of life changing events
How they relationships break or cement.

A second chance wedding should be soon
But a birth, a collapse both signal its doom.
The prognosis news really isn't great
Should they still marry, what's their fate?

A story that shows secrets really don't assist
Chances to talk with others shouldn't be missed.
Bottling up feelings, not talking them through,
Doesn't help you see options that others knew.

Saying this is emotive is an understatement, I have to say,
With issues being faced by others every day.
From fertility treatments to disabilities and coping somehow
Different viewpoints are caringly shared now.

A cast of characters who feel like friends
A heartbreaking story with a heartwarming end.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this amazing book
And highly recommend you give it more than a look!

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

Happy Publication day! My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher @bookandtonic
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This book is one of those in the Cornish Midwives and I was not even confused with the characters and there were a lot and I could understand the storyline even though it was the seventh book in the series.
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This book was raw, and honest, talking about infertility issues, physical disabilities, IVF treatments, and multiple sclerosis. I loved the MS representation the most, I loved Dan's POV most because we don't really hear what the partner feels, just the person with the illness. So, I was happy I could get an insight into how a partner will feel.
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Ella is a character I greatly admire though she annoyed me sometimes. She's someone who offers others a lot of help, but couldn't ask for help when she needed it and that was annoying coupled with how she kept denying Dan's love for her. Anyway, I liked that she was able to accept help and Dan's love in the end.
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I could also feel and understand Ella and Dan's actions. I loved that this book taught me to treat people with disabilities properly and I appreciate that. I was able to familiarize myself with a lot of things.
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I loved Ella and Dan's relationship, it was heartwarming. I also loved the friends and family in this book, they were all so cute and admirable. I loved the HEA too.
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I loved the storyline, the characters, and the settings and i'd suggest you try one of the Cornish Midwives books.

A Change of Heart for the Cornish Midwife is the fourth novel I have from the series. It was the one I identified with the most, as the heartwrenching story of Ella's diagnosis was so detailed, yet it was dealt with so sensitively.

I have different disabilities, (Cerebral Palsy, Hydrocephalus and visual impairments) but some of the symptoms are the same as what Ella experienced.

I am all for disability awareness in writing, and this book does a great job of that. I liked Hannah too, and her attitude to her disabilties. I was pleased to find wheelchair users in the story.

The Cornish Midwife srries reminds me of Call The Midwife, as the midwives are so professional and it is amazing to witness tiny lives coming into the world. I was rooting for the new mothers, the babies and the midwives.

The pacing is quick and the chapters are short but oh, so detailed and this is a writing style I love. I really felt like I was sharing in the midwives', and other characters' lives. I felt so much empathy for Ella.

Thanks to Jo Bartlett, Boldwood and Rachel's Random Resources in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars and I'd give it more if I could. A Change of Heart for the Cornish Midwife is my favourite book in the sries so far, and I look forward to catching up with the other books.

What a corker of a read!

I've loved reading this series and spending time with the lovely Ella. This story was an emotional read for me due to personal connections to the story line but it was so well written and the feelings and responses so on point that despite a few tears as I read I loved it.

As always we get to revisit some of our firm favourites through the IVF support group and midwifery unit, plus we are introduced to some lovely new characters too. Featuring a couple of weddings, lots of births and a christening it's guaranteed to tug at the heart strings!

when i read a book in this series it feels like going home. you feel as if you are part or the community i just love how the author makes you feel part of the story. this book focuses on dan and ella and it’s a bumpy ride for them, on one hand i was frustrated at ella for being so stubborn but then you think about how you would handle what she does and you realise it’s fear that making her act that way. a great read

This is the 8th book in the series and i have loved them all. This one though was a little bit too heartbreaking and not what i want in a romance novel. Too close to home for me.

Would read more though.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

a will she wont she storyline about a ella the midwife and her boyfriend dan...

with ellas diagnose the fairytale wedding she had planned is in doubt and dans reaction has ella running for the hills

it was an ok read... inbetween the thrillers is best

Another fantastic read from this series by Jo Bartlett,. Great series and can all be read as standalones, I hope this will run and run. Would love to be able to give this book 10 stars but can only give it 5. Read and enjoy, this author just keeps giving and I feel she has plenty more to give us.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Another excellent book from Jo Bartlett continuing the Cornish midwife series. Beautiful setting and wonderful characters, just like her previous books.

Ella is the main character in this book along with her partner Dan
They are due to get married but postpone the wedding when Dan's sister goes into labour early and wouldn't be able to be there.
Ella hadn't been feeling well but had put it down to stress but when she collapses at the hospital and they run some tests she gets a devastating diagnosis which is when her life changes
I don't want too say more as it will spoil the book but I have to admit I didn't enjoy this book as much as the others as Ella did annoy me with her reactions and what she does to her friends, family and Dan. Easy for me to say as I don't know how I would react if I was in that situation but I would hope not the way Ella did

This is an emotionally insightful book in the Cornish Midwife series. It focuses on Ella, who regular readers have met before. Just about to get married to her first love, life seems perfect until events make her life spin out of her control. While this story explores devastating life experiences, the author handles them well, leaving the reader with a heartwarming and hopeful feeling. It demonstrates the strain on close relationships caused by accident and illness and how new bonds and understanding must be forged to advance in a much-changed life.

I like the characters and how they come to terms with their life challenges.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.