#falon ballard

[jeevesreads]

15 Soft and Tender Romance Books

There are times when I’m in the mood for a tension-filled, unpredictable reading experience, and then there are times when I’m in the mood for something warm and cozy, feel good and uplifting. That doesn’t mean these soft and tender romances don’t tackle tough subjects, it just means they navigate them in ways that bring a flutter to your heart. A soft and tender love story wraps the reader up in…

[bookishbethanyerin]

• january wrap-up •

at it’s-been-84-years long last, january is officially over. i don’t know about you guys, but i have been dissociating hard.

i made it through a whopping 11 contemp romance and fantasy books and 9 historical romance – and none of them were onyx storm because my copy is STILL on its way to me (*shakes fist at january*).

on the writing front…things have not been great. i’m at nearly 90k words in my popstar romance, am nowhere near the third act (🫣), and it feels like i’m forcing the leads to have chemistry at the moment, so i need to take a step back, identify what isn’t working, and then reasses. BUT! i have started working more on my F1 romance and am feeling good about it! So fingers crossed things stay that way and I can finish up this first draft this month (right ahead of actual F1 season starting up)🏎️🤞

What were your fave reads this month?

[vvendyreads]

Change of Heart by Fallon Ballard

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.

Five stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[oracleofmadness]

This is a fun, fast-paced romance that, for the most part (picture me tilting my hand side to side), I really enjoyed.

What I loved was that this is a Hollywood romance and a second-chance romance at that! This gave it the wonderful Hollywood cheese I love and (this is very important) some very fiery sex scenes. Which, that's my perfect combo, enemies to lovers with the good spice!

What I didn't love was the lack of communication! I understand the need for friction (especially if it's more than just one kind of friction, yum), but lack in communication is too irritating for me.

Otherwise, I really loved this. It's cute, it's spicy, and it has friction (okay! Stop dirty mind!). Definitely check this out if you're looking for a fun and quick romcom!

Out February 27, 2024!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

[angeprovocateur]

christmas 2024 ⋆⁺₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆𐙚

went ice skating at a local pond, baked gingerbread cookies, spoiled my cat with endless gifts, read an entire christmas romance by the fireplace, made snow angels with my nieces, cooked a hot pot dinner, and went to see nosferatu 💝

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

[ Find my review here. ]

[dilawrosas]

[BOOK REVIEW] ARC: Lease on Love by Falon Ballard

This Falon Ballard book is OUT NOW! ✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️ This book begins with a down-on-her-luck heroine who mixed up two apps and ended up finding a roommate instead of a date. The heroine ends up sharing a home with the hero and began a new career. She ends up becoming closer to the hero and vice versa. The hero’s life changed after his parents passed away years ago, and he needed a huge push to move…

[the-forest-library]

May 2024 Reads

Ready or Not - Cara Bastone

Playing for Keeps - Jennifer Dugan

Right on Cue - Falon Ballard

Truly, Madly, Deeply - Alexandria Bellefleur

Happily Never After - Lynn Painter

Check & Mate - Ali Hazelwood

Love at First Book - Jen McKinlay

Lavash at First Sight - Taleen Vaskuni

Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame - Olivia Ford

The Book of Doors - Gareth Brown

Harriet the Invincible - Ursula Vernon

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents - Terry Pratchett

The Horse and His Boy - C.S. Lewis

Summer: A Solstice Story - Kelsey E. Gross

Dalmartian - Lucy Ruth Cummins

Mr. Postmouse's Rounds - Marianne Dubuc

Mr. Postmouse Takes a Trip - Marianne Dubuc

Bunny's Book Club Goes to School - Annie Silvestro

Yours in Books - Julie Falatko

Be Prepared - Vera Brosgol

Perfect Example - John Porcellino

Diary of a Mosquito Abatement Man - John Porcellino

King-Cat Comics and Stories #74 - John Porcellino

Hawkeye, Volume 4 - Matt Fraction

She-Hulk, Volume 4 - Rainbow Rowell

One Star Wonders - Mike Lowery

My Good Life in France - Janine Marsh

My Four Seasons in France - Janine Marsh

The Backyard Bird Chronicles - Amy Tan

90s Bitch - Allison Yarrow

Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered - Karen Kilgariff, Georgia Hardstark

The Land Before Time Management: ADHDinos - Ryan Keats

ADHD is Awesome - Penn Holderness, Kim Holderness

The Planets - Dave Sobel

The Secret History of Bigfoot - John O'Connor

The Age of Magical Overthinking - Amanda Montell

Everyday Vitality - Samantha Boardman

The Autoimmune Cure - Sara Gottfried

The Anxiety Reset Method - Georgie Collinson

Hit 'Em Where It Hurts - Rachel Bitecofer

Bite by Bite - Aimee Nezhukumatathil

Cooking in Real Life - Lidey Heuck

Seriously So Good - Carissa Stanton

Bold = Highly Recommend

Italics = Worth It

Crossed Out = Nope Thoughts:  Favorite fiction of the month: Ready or Not, which takes a whole bunch of tropes I don't love, but makes me love them. Loved the audiobook narrator, as well.

Favorite non-fiction of the month: Bite by Bite, which is a love letter to food and family. Check it out if you like Ross Gay.

Goodreads Goal: 192/200 2017 Reads | 2018 Reads | 2019 Reads | 2020 Reads | 2021 Reads | 2022 Reads | 2023 Reads | 2024 Reads

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb:

A second chance at love, small-town romance that’s all sweet with just a hint of heat from the “queen of sweet romance” (Falon Ballard) Sophie Sullivan.

Jillian Keller took the long route to her best life, but is now happily settled in her hometown of Smile, raising her little girl alone while helping her brother run Get Lost Lodge. A lover of structure and routine, she doesn’t need anyone disrupting her carefully curated life.

After chasing and achieving his culinary dreams, Levi Bright realizes he’s still missing something he can’t find in a big city. Returning home to Smile, he intends to build a different future for himself, including reconnecting with family and friends, and creating elevated comfort food for a town he loves.

When Levi and Jilly run into each other, past feelings that never had a chance to bloom flare between them… but she’s been hurt before, and falling for her older brother’s best friend seems like a recipe for drama. But sometimes, a second chance at love leads you right where you’re meant to be.

Review:

Second chance small town romance with your brother's best friend who you've had a crush on all your life? A super sweet read! Jillian Keller is a single mom who has had a bit of a rough time but has finally happily settled back into her hometown of Smile and is raising her daughter alone while helping her brother run the Get Lost Lodge. Jillian was burnt in her last relationship and hasn't really opened up her heart yet... but there is one many who has always had her interest: Levi Bright, her brother's best friend and the one boy she's had a crush on since she was a teen. Levi Bright is a chef who has done it all but is ready to try and find his dream by moving back into his home town. Levi is determined to reconnect with family and friends and build his own restaurant. When Levi and Jilly run into each other, old feelings start up again.... and now Levi is determined to sweep Jilly off her feet, if she would only let him. Jilly is cautious about opening her heart up again and being hurt, but Levi is in it for the long run and wants to prove to Jilly that her feelings are absolutely returned. A very sweet and soft read, perfect for anyone looking for a really cute time. Very fluffy and adorable small town vibes. Levi is the ultimate love interest, he's super caring and patient with Jilly and so supportive. He's honestly just so sweet. The romance was sweet from the get go and this will definitely feel like a cute hallmark movie. I would highly recommend for anyone looking for a light hearted romantic read.

Release Date: February 11,2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[jeevesreads]

4-STAR AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: All I Want is You by Falon Ballard

Huge thanks to PRH Audio and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the free audiobook! Short and spicy, I binged this in one sitting and have zero regrets. While I’m not the biggest fan of second chance romances in general, I seem to be more forgiving when it’s a holiday romance, lol. I loved the sexual tension between these two, and how it was obvious that they had never truly gotten over each other. While…

[hannasbookshelf]

𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

A Merry Little Meet Cute - Julie Murphy, Sierra Simone

Lovelight Farms - B.K. Borison

In The Weeds - B.K. Borison

Mixed Signals - B.K. Borison

Cleopatra and Frankenstein - Coco Mellors

The Perfect First - Maya Hughes

The Second We Met - Maya Hughes

The Third Best Thing - Maya Hughes

The Fourth Time Charm - Maya Hughes

Twisted Love - Ana Huang

Twisted Games - Ana Huang

Twisted Hate - Ana Huang

Twisted Lies - Ana Huang

Under One Roof - Ali Hazelwood

Stuck with You - Ali Hazelwood

Below Zero - Ali Hazelwood

The Cheat Sheet - Sarah Adams

The Fine Print - Lauren Asher

Terms and Conditions - Lauren Asher

Final Offer - Lauren Asher

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute - Talia Hibbert

Intercepted - Alexa Martin

Fumbled - Alexa Martin

Blitzed - Alexa Martin

Snapped - Alexa Martin

You Had Me at Hola - Alexis Daria

A Lot Like Adiós - Alexis Daria

The Roughest Draft - Emily Wibberley, Austin Siegemung-Broka

Christmas in Quincy - Devney Perry

Indigo Ridge - Devney Perry

Juniper Hill - Devney Perry

Garnet Flats - Devney Perry

Jasper Vale - Devney Perry

The Virgin Suicides - Jeffrey Eugenides

Get a Life, Chloe Brown - Talia Hibbert

Take a Hint, Dani Brown - Talia Hibbert

Act Your Age, Eve Brown - Talia Hibbert

Fast & Hard - Kat Ransom

Fast & Wet - Kat Ransom

Fast & Hot - Kat Ransom

Fast & Wild - Kat Ransom

The Edens - A Legacy Short Story - Devney Perry

Crimson River - Devney Perry

Done and Dusted - Lyla Sage

Picking Peaches - Ansley B Calloway

Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass - Lana Del Rey

I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki - Baek Se-hee

Desire or Defense - Leah Brunner

Passion or Penalty - Leah Brunner

Crying in H Mart - Michelle Zauner

A Sweet Mess - Jayci Lee

The Dating Dare - Jayci Lee

Booked on a Feeling - Jayci Lee

Fair Catch - Kandi Steiner

Blind Side - Kandi Steiner

Quarterback Sneak - Kandi Steiner

Hail Mary - Kandi Steiner

Everything I Know About Love - Dolly Alderton

Red, White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston

Lease on Love - Falon Ballard

Just My Type - Falon Ballard

Happy Place - Emily Henry

Love, Theoretically - Ali Hazelwood

Practice Makes Perfect - Sarah Adams

The Neighbor Favor - Kristina Forest

[galathynius]

Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn, Just My Type by Falon Ballard, The Nanny by Lana Ferguson, The Thing About Love by Julie James, The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon, It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey, The Plus One by Mazey Eddings, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton, The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe, The Good Girl’s Guide to Rakes by Eva Leigh, Do I Know You? by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

These are all authors/books I’ve enjoyed! I hope you have fun reading and on vacation (just finished The Nanny and I really liked it. Found family and adorable characters (but also smutty) with lots of laughs)

omg i totally missed this when it came in but these sound like great suggestions, thank you!

[lovelyloveday]

A workaholic is faced with striving for the one goal she never wanted: love.  Change of Heart by Falon Ballard    https://bit.ly/414XBZp

[darlenefblog]

Change of Heart 

by Falon Ballard

Publisher ‏ : ‎ G.P. Putnam's Sons (February 11, 2025)

Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 11, 2025

Print length ‏ : ‎ 332 pages

A 4.5 star review

"A workaholic is faced with striving for the one goal she never wanted: love. Campbell Andrews despises exactly three things in life: incompetence, tardiness, and love stories. Making partner at her law firm at thirty-four, she has no time for anything or anyone else. And certainly no respect for those who choose love over work. That is, until she wakes up in Heart Springs—her own personal hell. The good news? She’s not dead. She’s been magically transported to a small town straight out of the Hallmark channel, complete with a meddling mayor, seasonal festivals, and friendly townsfolk. Cam can’t stand it, but in order to make it back to her real life, she has to fulfill three tasks . . . foremost among them, experience true love. It seems impossible. But anything’s possible with a change of heart."

I love this book. Who doesn't want to wake up in your very own Hallmark movie? Campbell Andrews, that's who. Hard-nosed, hardworking, work obsessed lawyer thinks the real world is better than fantasy. Her horror at waking up in a cozy room under a comfy bedspread in a cozy house decorated with too many pillows, it's unbelievable. I'm jealous of waking up with perfect hair and makeup and she's disgusted, describes it as pledging for a sorority look. Her journey from unlikeable to a complete romance movie Christmas loving woman is such fun.

Cam gets her own romantic leading man in Ben Loving, pediatric doctor saving children. It doesn't get more perfect than that. Ben and Cam had one horrible blind date that had fate throwing them together to straighten things out. Ben spends lots of time wearing flannel shirts, making beautiful wood furniture and helping out with the zillion festivals and fairs Heart Springs has. Seems no one in a romantic fantasy show gets sick so he has lots of free time. His return to real life is tied to Cam and her awakening but there's so much more to it. It's an enjoyable read from start to finish.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons publishing.

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

[ Find my review here. ]

[anitabyars]

Description

A second chance at love, small-town romance that’s all sweet with just a hint of heat from the “queen of sweet romance” (Falon Ballard) Sophie Sullivan.

Jillian Keller took the long route to her best life, but is now happily settled in her hometown of Smile, raising her little girl alone while helping her brother run Get Lost Lodge. A lover of structure and routine, she doesn’t need anyone disrupting her carefully curated life.

After chasing and achieving his culinary dreams, Levi Bright realizes he’s still missing something he can’t find in a big city. Returning home to Smile, he intends to build a different future for himself, including reconnecting with family and friends, and creating elevated comfort food for a town he loves.

When Levi and Jilly run into each other, past feelings that never had a chance to bloom flare between them… but she’s been hurt before, and falling for her older brother’s best friend seems like a recipe for drama. But sometimes, a second chance at love leads you right where you’re meant to be.

My Review

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was a delightful read! It was a charming, heartwarming, and entertaining second chance romance that made me fall in love with the small town and its quirky characters. It was like they were meant to be together as their paths cross once again.

This is Levi Bright and Jillian Keller’s journey to a HEA and it kept me smiling until the end.

I absolutely adored these characters and their families, but the dynamic between Jilly, her daughter Ollie, and Levi was simply spot-on. Oh, and I absolutely adore childhood crushes and brother’s best friend tropes! They’re just so swoon-worthy! This is my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last! The ending was fantastic