i was so pumped to get this arc, i have loved the other books i've read by this author!!

overall i really enjoyed it, there was some magical realism vibes that were interesting. I thought it was sweet, funny and cute overall. I felt the main character was super unlikable at first and i wasn't sure i'd enjoy reading about her but she does slowly get better. sort of had a "freaky friday" (only in magic not in body swapping) vibe where they can't go back to their world unless they prove they learned the lesson.

overall enjoyable but not my fav of falon's books!
* 𝘪 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸*

disappointed with the execution and writing choices made. I've adored previous falon ballard books so this felt even more disappointing

Cam is the no-nonsense, big city lawyer who has no time for love or friendship. Dr. Ben Loving is the charming pediatric surgeon she’s been set up with by her overly controlled grandmother. After Cam is rude and standoffish to him on their blind date, the pair magically get whisked away to a small town straight out of a Hallmark movie, with all of the cliches that come with it. The only way for the two of them to go back to their own world is to complete their tasks, which for Cam are to find a job she’s passionate about, get involved in the community, and fall in love. Cam struggles to make progress while Ben fits in immediately. As they spend more time together, Cam realizes that being with Ben wouldn’t be so bad.

This was a fun read! Imagine if the characters in a Hallmark movie were self aware. As in, they knew all of the tropes and could either try to fight them, or just go with it. As someone who isn’t a big fan of these movies, I thought that it was fun to lovingly poke fun at the genre. I also appreciated that although it was about love, it wasn’t just romantic love but also platonic and love for what you do. It was fun meeting the side characters and knowing right away how their story would go. I thought that the story was well written and well foreshadowed.

The one thing I would have liked was to learn more about who Ben was. I understand that in the genre she was playing with we don’t actually get to learn that much about the male leads, but if she was already twisting the genre I think she could have done more.

I don’t want to say too much more about what happens but I will say that it was a pleasant read and a great choice for romance lovers, Hallmark fan or not.

The latest from one of my auto-buy authors! A book I've been excited about since it was announced purely due to how much I loved lease on love (and all her other books since) i couldn't wait to dive into this one!

A few caveats with this, I dove into this one blind, purely because I love the author (also that extra dreamy cover didn't hurt, all the gilmore girls and pink goes good with green vibes) but did not read the summary. I'm not a fantasy or romantasy girlie and I loathe the alternate universe/magical realism plot twist. It never works for me. That being said....

We meet Cam and Ben on a disasterous (and that's putting it mildly) first date. An impression is left for sure and they quickly go on their separate ways. Only to wake up the next morning in heart springs where everything is positively idealic, a little schmiggadoon esque if you will, and Ben is Cam's next door neighbor. In order to return back to real life, Cam has a series of tasks she needs to complete, including falling in love. She's set up on a few blind dates, tries working in a few spots in town and ultimately, very reluctantly settles into her new life, accepting she may not make it home.

We didn't really see what exactly brought her and Ben together (I'm sorry how many times did he say sweetheart??) Cam was so insufferable through most of the book and we didn't really see them interact meaningfully that it gave nothing for the reader to root for. (Like the part of the plot that you can usually expect from this author that breaks your heart a little and puts it back together that we usually see in books from Ballard). And then the theoretical months they spent in the alternate universe were only overnight in the real world and even though they remembered everything, there wasn't resolution on some of the outside factors that made Cam hesitant to pursue a relationship. While there was some cheesy hallmark-y vibes here, I wanted more depth (to the story, the characters), I wanted a hero i wanted to root for, and an FMC who was relatable and ultimately a love story that got me in the feels. This felt a little like a glossed over could be good if done well hallmark cheesy story (which in general i normally eat up).

Ultimately this story i don't think was for me, but believe me when I say i will be the first in line to pick up this author's next book because all of her other stories have been that good!!

Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the ARC in exchange for my review!

🩷💚

Falon Ballard does it again, she writes the absolute cutest books! A beautiful love story, some magical realism sprinkled in, plus a small town straight out of a Hallmark movie. This book was so sweet and charming 🥹

Campbell is a lawyer, she’s a workaholic and has always put her career first. She goes on a blind date with Ben, she brushes him off like it’s nothing. She soon wakes up in Heart Springs, her life being completely upended. She has to complete tasks before she can get back to her real life, finding true love, helping the community and finding a job she’s passionate about. She also sees a familiar face there, Ben! Can these two make it back to their real lives?

I loved this book, such a cute and fun read for Valentine’s Day! I highly recommend 💖

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you so much to Puntam for the advance copy!

This book will be out on Feb 11th.

Listen I love Falon Ballard. I will never call her a guilty pleasure. I just simply love her books! They are cute, unserious and just a fun time! Because sometimes that is what you need. And this one was just that.

I have to be honest though this might be the first FMC of hers that was really unlikeable. Immediately Campbell Andrews turned me off! I know that was the point so we can see the character growth throughout the book. Now did Campbell fully get there? I wouldn't say she made a full 100% turn around but she got pretty close.

"You were a pain the butt, but somehow I knew you were destined to be my pain in the butt."

I will say that this book premise is what I thought another contemporary book that came out in the last year was going to be. I love the fact that we get swept into an alternate universe where Campbell wakes up with perfect hair and makeup, closet filled with pretty dresses, everything she could need ready for her. But she is not alone, her neighbor is none other than Ben, her date from the night before. Cam has no interest in relationships or love. She is work centric and set in her ways. Going to this alternate universe she is forced to be without work, her cell phone all the things she was attached to. Ben and Cam's date the night before was pretty bad but the (magical) waitress Mimi saw something in them that neither of them saw in each other. Mimi is also a character that is in the alternate universe and is the key to them getting back home.

Ben is honestly just too good for Cam. He is just so patient with her. And for some reason he is attracted to Cam. They connected as friends and Cam looked to him as be a constant. She was attracted to him but as the book goes on she just looks to him to be a sounding board. They both are in this situation and need each other to get out of their situation.

Was this my favorite Falon book? No (that belongs to Right on Cue) but I was intrigued and got sucked into the story. I think if you are looking for an unlikeable character in a fluffy romance set in an alternate universe - give this a read!

Campbell Andrews doesn't have time for love. Her job as a high-power attorney at her family's law firm leaves little time for a social life and she just doesn't see the point. However, her grandmother insists she date, and Campbell never says no to her grandmother. When she finds herself on a date with pediatric surgeon Ben Loving, she thinks it's a waste of time as usual. However, when she wakes up the next morning in a small town called Heart Springs, miles away from her old life, with Ben as her neighbor, she realizes they will have to work together if they want a shot at getting home.

Magical realism isn't always my favorite genre, but if anyone can make it a slam dunk, it's Falon Ballard! I just could not get enough of this book and devoured it in 24 hours. This story riffs on the typical Hallmark movie formula where a badass woman who is only focused on her career ends up in a small town where she becomes part of the community and falls in love, but in such a fun and fresh way. I loved watching Cam and Ben go from disliking each other (though it was more one-sided on Cam's part) to friends to more. The way they supported each other was so tender; Ben was willing to support Cam through all the ups and downs of her journey to love herself, while Cam would have risked her own happiness to give Ben his. I loved the side characters and subplots, this was just all around such a sweet, funny, un-put-down-able story!

Read if you like:
🪄 magical realism elements
💖 charming small town
🧲 opposites attract
🎭 grumpy sunshine
🔥 slow burn

This was a cute read if you like a little mix of magic and Hallmark. The little Hallm rk Town was cute and reminded me a little of Gilmore Girls too due to the town's busy bodies.

I liked how the book focused on helping Cam become a better person in a few areas of her life but the alternate universe that was basically a Hallmark set was more magic than I prefer and made it hard for me to connect.

I absolutely loved Ben. His loyalty and devotion was amazing and his close physical proximity always added some fun.

If you like books with magic this will probably be a much higher rating for you.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

I love Falon Ballard. She might be my favorite romance author. And I was so excited to have been approved for an ARC of this book.

Our FMC, Cam, is really hard to like. She’s abrasive, selfish, and at times rude. Our MMC, Ben, is very much a golden retriever. Because of these two personalities, it was hard to really get into this book due to Cam’s harshness, and Ben just being there not really showing his personality. About the 50% mark we start to see some of the more marshmallow of Cam and that’s where I really got into this book. And while Ben was fine, I don’t feel like we saw a lot of growth or even development of him so it was hard for me to feel connected to them.

All that being said, I would definitely read this again. Once you see that Cam is evolving the pacing gets much better and I found myself cheering for her. If you’re looking for a fun romcom to read, I definitely recommend this one.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Change of Heart by Fallon Ballard

A fun, heartwarming romance with a magical twist! This book follows Campbell, a career-focused lawyer who wakes up trapped in a small town after a bad date—alongside the man from the date, Ben. The only way back to her real life? Completing three tasks, including finding true love.

✨ Tropes:
✔️ Grumpy x Sunshine
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Small Town Romance
✔️ Magical Realism

Cam and Ben’s banter is hilarious, and their slow-burn romance is full of tension and charm. Watching Cam go from closed-off to vulnerable makes the story even better. The town of Heart Springs is straight out of a Hallmark movie, with quirky characters and cozy vibes.

If you love funny, heartfelt romances with a bit of magic, this one’s a must-read!

I devoured this book. Cam is a hard working lawyer and takes her job too seriously. Doesn’t believe in love at all. Goes on a date with a doctor. Is completely rude to him the whole date. She then wakes up in an alternate reality. Were she is given tasks to complete. She has to help in the community, find a job she’s passionate about, and needs to experience true love.

I don’t want to write anymore because I don’t want to give out away. The side characters and the main characters are all great. Definitely recommend.

I loved loved loved this creative and clever twist on the classic Hallmark corporate woman goes to small town, realizes the error of her ways, and falls in love with a small-town hunk movies. Except, in CHANGE OF HEART, our heroine, Campbell, magically wakes up in this small town with her blind date from last night as her neighbor and their waitress is her fairy-godmother-type barista, who each gives them a mission in order to leave. Campbell's mission? Find a career she is passionate about, be a valuable member of the community, and experience true love.

Its gives you all the heartwarming, cliche moments you want in a small town romance - it just felt idyllic, heartwarming, and felt like a comfort read. I am typically not a magical realism girly, but enjoyed this one, as it wasn't necessarily at the forefront of everything. The romance itself was a slow-burn, but when it finally clicked...it was deliciously steamy. My one point of critique is that I wish we had gotten more page-time or development with our MMC, Ben; it read as slightly one-dimensional and lacked any really growth - but I still enjoyed him!

CHANGE OF HEART is out this Tuesday, Feb. 11!

Thank you to the publisher and to netgalley! Was this cheesy? yes. Was this predictable? yes but I thought it was a cute reverse grumpy sunshine between two characters. When Cam goes on a blind date with Ben and it doesn't go well, the last place she expects to wake up the next morning is in an alternate universe where her neighbor is said blind date. In Heart Springs, Cam must fulfill these magical tasks to travel home while interacting with the town's cast of characters. The only thing I really didn't love was the overuse of "sweetheart" and lack of depth for Ben. Overall, I know when I read a Falon Ballard rom com, it's going to be a cute story and one I will always pick up.

My first Falon Ballard read and was so excited!!!

I have always been a hit and miss person with magical realism. I had a tough time getting into this book. Campbell had a bad attitude from the start and never was fully able to connect with her. I felt that as the novel progresses I didn't really see any character growth from her. I had a bad taste in my mouth.

Ben our MMC I feel this was also off. There wasn't enough development for him and Ok.... I can't do the sweetheart. And oh my gosh all the times he called her that and it was overly used. This really annoyed me.

I was super sad since this was my first experience by her and I've heard nothing but raving things about her. Sadly, this novel fell super flat for me and was disappointed.

I have heard from others that read her that this novel isn't her best so I'm going to still check out her other books.

3/5 stars

Thanks to netgalley and Putnam for my copy.

I am so disappointed to report that Change of Heart was not it for me. I did not enjoy Cam at all and Ben was hardly present in the first 50%. I will continue to read Ballard’s books because I have enjoyed most of them.

I love Falon Ballard and was so excited for this one. I particularly enjoy books (esp romances!) with complicated, nuanced characters.

Unfortunately, this one fell pretty flat for me. I enjoy whimsical and touches of magic - but this one felt off in all of the ways. It was top predictable for me, unfortunately.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Let me start off: I adored Lease on Love and Just My Type. And after reading those books Falon Ballard is an auto read author for me. However her three more recent books (Right on Cue, All I Want Is You, and this one) all came out pretty quick and I'm not sure if her publisher rushed her or what. But they all are not as strong as her first two.

And this book is my least favorite of all her work. Yes the main female character is self centered and a high powered lawyer, but that didn't bother me as much as other things. If you've watched Schmigadoon, that's the total vibe I got when reading about Heart Springs. People say it's like a Hallmark channel town, but it felt a touch more stepford wives to me. Ben is boring and flat. I mean, he's a tall, handsome doctor who makes his own furniture and the main word in his vocabulary is "sweetheart". And that's it. We don't know anything about him besides that he has wine waiting for Cam every day. The nightly sharing of a wine bottle also seemed a bit overindulgent. The romance pacing was wonky. The side characters are flat. The plot was fluffy but flat. I didn't hate this but I didn't like it.

If you're looking for a mindless palette cleanser with no stakes and a couple good sex scenes, this might be for you. But if you like some substance with your romance I'd recommend Lease On Love or Just My Type instead.

If you like magical realism and hallmark style romances, you’ll love this one. Cam and Ben wake up in Heart Springs, a perfect hallmark town. Their quest to return to home has them teaming up and the sparks between them flare. Being in Heart Springs, Cam has to reevaluate her life. This sweet small-town romance with a twist on grumpy sunshine will leave readers smiling.

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Change of Heart
Author: Falon Ballard

ARC review! Thank you Netgalley and Putnam books for this copy. I absolutely loved it, as I do with all of Fallons books! Also, I have to add we just got “All I Want Is You” in September and a new book already? 🥹🥹🥹. This was probably my favorite of hers yet! A workaholic, who does not believe in love, is set up on a date. She instantly is like.. nope don’t have time for this, not interested. But when she goes home and goes to sleep, she wakes up in her own personal hell in the form of a cute small town called Heart Springs which pretty much is like a Stars Hollow / small town romance/rom com movie setting. Oh and surprise, the man from her date is also stuck in this weird alternate reality type of state. Apparently the only way she can return home is by finding true love.. 🤩. It was so sweet and cute. I actually really loved Cam as an FMC. I can be a workaholic myself so I can relate to her mindset, and her always needing to be on the go type of mentality. This book really shows you the need to slow down, appreciate the ride of life, connections with other people, and yes.. true love.❤️. Simply perfection from Falon! This releases 2/11/25!

This charming and heartwarming novel is a perfect match for readers who crave feel-good stories filled with lighthearted romance, a sprinkle of magic, and the endearing quirks of small-town life. It will particularly resonate with those who admire strong, career-driven heroines who must navigate the complexities of their personal and professional lives, ultimately confronting their own deepest desires and finding love along the way.

With its enchanting blend of heartwarming romance, magical realism, and relatable characters, this book is sure to captivate readers from the very first page to the heartwarming conclusion, leaving them with a smile on their faces and a renewed belief in the power of love and self-discovery.