Campbell (Cam) is a no nonsense lawyer already a partner at 34 she is workaholic who puts career first- one night she finds her self in another world a perfect little Hallmark town called Heart Springs where in order to get her life back she must do a few things including finding love- this book is about growth and fi ding out what and who you are (would have liked a little more about our MMC - but I get it it wasn't his story)

Tha k you netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review

I briefly struggled with the premise of this book when the main characters woke up in a world outside of their normal reality, but I love Falon Ballard's writing and kept reading and really enjoyed the story once I settled into it.

I have read and loved previous Falon Ballard's books, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC from NetGalley! However this book was not for me.

I generally disliked Cam. The FMC is a workaholic lawyer who tries to appease her grandma by going on a blind date with Ben, the MMC. On the date, Cam is dismissive - literally just sits on her phone and silences Ben.

The next day Cam and Ben wake up in the fictional Hope Springs learning that Cam was sent there to complete a series of task. The way they got to Hope Springs is all a mystery which took me out of the book. In addition to not liking Cam, I did not like the person who was orchestrating all of this.

What was also missing is Ben's POV. I think the book would have benefited from his perspective because from just Cam's POV it doesn't make me understand Ben and his feelings.

Thanks NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an electronic advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 Stars

Cam Andrews doesn't have time for love. She doesn't even pretend to be interested in Dr. Ben Loving when she is set up on a blind date with him. However, the next morning she wakes up in the Hallmark-esque town of Heart Springs. And her new neighbor just happens to be Ben! Before she can be sent back to her real life, Cam must complete 3 tasks: find a job she's passionate about, become a vital part of the community, and experience true love. Can she complete these tasks or will she be trapped in Heart Springs forever? When she starts developing feelings for the handsome doctor next door, is leaving Heart Springs really what she wants anymore?

This was such a cute and quick read! I'm a sucker for magical realism and Falon Ballard definitely delivered on that part! I will say I struggled a bit with feeling invested in Cam and Ben as main characters. Cam is not a likeable character at the start and even though she changed over the course of the story, I just never fully got onboard with her. Ben had a TON of promise, but the story was so focused on Cam, he felt more like a minor character. Overall, an enjoyable read that I would recommend!

3.75 🌟 Thanks to Net Galley and Penguin Group Publishing for the advanced copy of Change of Heart in return for my honest review.

I was so excited for this book because I have really been enjoying Fallon Ballard's books this year. Her Christmas book All I want is You, was one of my favorite holiday reads of 2024. Unfortunately, Change of Heart did not quite live up to the hype I had in my head.

Change of Heart follows the story of Campbell Andrews, a woman who has no time for frills, love, or dating. Poised to take over her grandmother's law firm one day, Cam has her eye on the prize and is annoyed with anyone or anything that seems to get in the way. After a particularly abrupt blind date with a pediatric surgeon named Ben, Cam finds herself waking up in a small town where all her priorities and comforts are turned upside down and replaced with pink dresses, sugary lattes, and lots of socializing. Cam quickly learns that her only way to make it out of this "Hallmark" style town and back to her regular life is to complete the missions given to her by the local waitress who seems to be the town's twisted fairy godmother.

The premise of the book is the absolute cutest, and I really thought this was going to be a new Valentine's annual read for me. Unfortunately, Cam was SO unlikable at the beginning that even once her arc came around and she began to change, it was still hard to really like her. Ben, the literal boy next door, was so sweet and seemingly perfect and yet, I still could not really get on board with their pairing. The concept was there- workaholic serious woman discovers what is truly important and falls in love with the man who saw her for who she could be all along - but the execution just didn't do it. I didn't find myself emotionally attached to the main characters and therefore, couldn't really root for them.

The other odd thing was that, while Cam was stuck in this magical small town, she was told not to disrupt their way of life by talking about her assigned missions, but it seemed that the whole town already knew about it. They also seemed trapped to follow along with whatever this fairy godwaitress decided for them, but were ok with it? It was a bit odd for me, but I wasn't reading this book for realism, so I could ignore it :)

On a positive note, the idea of the book was great, and I loved the side characters in the story. I think I could read a whole book dedicated to Emma's new bakery. The banter and quips from Cam were funny and I enjoyed the conversations and misadventures she had throughout the town. All in all, I didn't love this book, but I'm glad I read it.

This was definitely a fun read and very different from what I am used to reading. This was my first magical realism story and I can say that I really enjoyed it.

Cam is a lawyer and is completely obsessed with her job. She has no time for anything else and dedicates her whole life to pleasing her grandmother. After a disastrous date with Ben, Cam wakes up in this picturesque, Hallmark style town called Heart Springs. But, she is not alone. Ben is with her. They both are now on a mission to get home, but the only way home is for Cam to find what truly makes her happy.

From the first page I really wanted to dislike Cam. She was rude, brash, and completely out of touch with reality. But once she arrived in Heart Springs, the personal growth was great to read. I loved how once she really tried and made an effort, she made friends, good friends, and even fell in love. She wanted to help others and when she realized what she really needed from life, I knew she would stop at nothing to ensure she had it.

This was my first magical realism read and I am so happy I was able to read it. It was funny and real and I fell in love with the town and the characters. It was so well written and I enjoyed every bit of it.

Cam and Ben find themselves in a super cheery town, Heart Springs, after a disastrous date but can’t figure how to get home. Heart Springs is giving hallmark vibes and is very picturesque.

We mainly see Cam’s development. She is a workaholic and a bit of a grouch. I didn’t love all of her self deprecating thoughts/humor but I suppose it fits into her character and growth journey. Overall I didn’t end up loving Cam as a character.

Ben! I wish we got more insight and back story on him. He seemed like a nice guy but him saying “sweetheart” all the time was a huge ick.

The book is a quick and entertaining read with some funny moments. I lol’ed at the bookstore scene with Cam’s book recommendations.

Cam, despises a lot of things, and doesn't have patience, but one day she is set up on a blind date with Ben, and is so rude, that the next thing she knows she is in Heart Springs, with Ben. She can't get away from the place until she learns a few things. It is an interesting read to see if she can figure out things, see the person she has become, and change. She wants to be able to go back home, but while reading, I can see why it isn't happening.
There is so much more I would like to write, because there is a lot she tries, some she fails at, some she succeeds at, but they are things that make the story so interesting. Sometimes what is happening here, happens for a reason, and even in real like it happens, and can start out one way, and see all the changes, but you can't focus on doing things for someone else, you have to see what you are have been doing and are now doing. You will have to read the book to see if and when she discovers what she hasn't been seeing, which will propel her to a life that changes her and fulfills her.
I received an ARC from G.P. Putnam's Sons through NetGalley.

While this hurts my heart to write Change of Heart was not my top read by Falon Ballard. I did enjoy the characters and the cozy little town that she created in this story.

My biggest struggle was at times I didn't know where the story was going or what the purpose was. It all started to click really well about 60% through after re-reading the synopsis a few times.

One thing that Ballard ALWAYS excels at is the crafting of characters that readers will always love. In all of her books I have always felt like I've known the characters so well to the point that I wish I could grab a cup of coffee or in this books case a glass of wine with the main characters.

I am still a super big fan of her writing and work and don't want one three star review to throw any reader off of this book because it could easily be a 5 star reader for any other reader. I do still look forward to all future works that she comes out with and will always recommend her books to my friends and followers.

2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.

The premise of this sounded so interesting and I am typically a big fan of Falon Ballard; however, this did this did work out for me at all.

As other reviews have stated the FMC (Cam) is awful. She’s so cruel to others… no amount of tragic background information could excuse her behavior or explain why the MMC (Ben) was willing to forgive her. I had to force myself to keep reading through the 40% mark because I just didn’t see a world in which the book would get better.

My other gripe with this book is how UNDEVELOPED Ben’s character was. He is a doctor and it’s a hard job… we learn he liked wood working… we learn his hard job makes it hard for him to open up to people…. Full stop.

The last 20% was basically just a montage of Cam becoming “good-guy lawyer”.

Overall I did not enjoy this book but it was well written and the plot was fresh and interesting so I will probably continue to read Falon Ballard’s new releases.

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Putnam books for a digital ARC of this book!

The thing I absolutely loved about this book was while it is a romance book, the heart of the book is centered on the main characters person development NOT just romantic development. Cam, the FMC, experiences so much personal growth in this book in addition to growth in her love life which I think is so important.

At times it felt a little bit rushed towards to end to wrap up the storyline but overall I really enjoyed it and loved this story!

If you loved Schmigadoon, this book is for YOU. (Minus the complex and hilarious musical numbers.) Transport yourself from the corporate life of NYC to the quaint little town of Heart Springs where the cinnamon rolls are delectable and sugary coffee is calorie-less and where you're given the time (and challenge) to change your life.

Cam Andrews lives a blunt life - blunt bob, blunt words, and blunt interactions. But, a precocious waitress with an eye for love is about to change all that. The night after Cam's blind date with Dr. Ben Loving (in which she spends the meal responding to emails) she wakes up in Heart Springs where her black sleek wardrobe is replaced with pastel dresses and her fast paced life has been traded in for slow, small town festivals. To get home, she must do three things - find a job she's passionate about, become a pillar of her community, and experience true love. Can Ben help her complete her tasks so they can both find their way home again?

While I thought this was a good, fast read that made Cam think about the important things in life, it lacked a sense of spark for me. It's hard to pace a book like this - you need enough time in Heart Springs where Cam is still her brash NYC self and enough plot points to challenge her to change all while giving the right time and space to a love story. I think Ballard did a great job with her professional and interpersonal growth, but I never caught the feelings between Ben and Cam. Although their spicy scenes are great, I never felt them grow as friends before the romance took hold. I needed more banter between them and pining to make their eventual union hit the right note.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own and freely given.
3.0 stars

I love anything by Falon Ballard, and Change of Heart is a cute romantic comedy with some magic.
The story begins with Cam and Ben having a terrible bad blind date, but the waitress tells them how great the are together. They leave the date thinking they will never see each other again…. Then the next day they wake up in a “Hallmark” town with no way to leave.
Campbell Andrews a dedicated lawyer to her family’s law firm. She always puts her career above all else because she does not want to turn out like her mother. She is suddenly swept away to the picturesque town of Heart Springs, where her perfectly organized life is turned upside down by a series of unexpected twists. Tasked with discovering true love, community, and a passion that extends beyond her high-pressure job, Cam embarks on a journey that is both heartwarming and full of humor.
Dr. Ben Loving is also thrown in the town of Heart Springs. He is a very sweet and likeable character, and truly wants to help Cam complete her tasks.
The book is brimming with sharp wit, delightful side characters, and a vibrant small-town charm that's hard to resist. It was an easy read and entertaining.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC and opportunity to read this.

Not my favorite Falon Ballard. Felt the beginning was really slow and then in the middle it picked up thankfully.

Change of Heart by Falon Ballard is a delightful & engaging romance that will leave you smiling. The story is a perfect mix of heartwarming moments, laugh-out-loud humor, and just the right amount of emotional depth. Ballard's characters are charming and relatable, and their chemistry feels authentic and compelling. The main character can be a bit much at times (but honestly, so can I!)

While the pacing lagged slightly in a few places, the overall story more than made up for it with its heartfelt moments and clever dialogue. This book is a wonderful pick for anyone who loves a feel-good romance with a touch of emotional complexity.

4.5! I will read anything Falon Ballard writes but I was not expecting this. I tend to not enjoy romance with mystical elements but this is written with such tongue in cheek humor and the slow burn was perfect. People who enjoyed A Novel Love Story should read this next!

An interesting concept, a little strange but fun to read.

Campbell "Cam" is a high power woman on track for a huge promotion - she isn't into love and doesn't have time for dating. However, to appease her grandmother, she takes the occasional date she's set up on. Ben is the poor guy for her last date - she's not only rude to him that night, but also the waitress. The next morning, she's magically transported and wakes up in a perfect little town of happy folks, very Hallmark-ish. There she finds Ben and the waitress -- and is told she's got 3 tasks to fulfill before she's able to go back home. So with Ben's help, she tries to win over the town and find love.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

this was not my favorite of falon’s but i did love cam and ben’s story, i think their chemistry and relationship was really beautiful but i found the plot as a whole kind of flat, it was meant to be tongue in cheek but i found the logistics too challenging to get past

thank you to netgalley for an arc of this title in exchange for my honest feedback :)

I am not typically a fan of magical realism but I AM a fan of Falon and she did not let me down.

Campbell is such a hot mess of a person and honestly I do not blame her one bit. Baby needs EXTENSIVE therapy starting like several decades ago.

I wish we knew more about Ben - but also, how does one learn more about someone when you are trapped in a magical Hallmark town that does not allow you to actually witness their real life? I want Cam to be welcomed into his family and SEE her realize how easy it is to be loved.

Very cute, cozy, and a fun concept. Would read magical realism by Falon again.

I was really excited to receive this ARC but unfortunately this book was just not for me. The FMC is rude and insufferable and the about of f-bombs in the first few chapters was just ridiculous.