Scan barcode
judithdcollins's review against another edition
4.0
A special thank you to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Jude Deveraux reunites two childhood friends in a magical holiday tale, A Change of Heart with a mixture of intrigue, historical, and a light contemporary romance.
Wow, I have not read Jude Deveraux in years, (not sure why), when I saw this book on NetGalley requested it and approved. I recall devouring everything she wrote, as so enjoyed the Edilean Series, Montgomery/Taggart, and many stand alones.
No one can magically weave the past with the present (historical fiction with contemporary romance) like Deveraux, a master storyteller. Her books are enchanting and engaging, with intriguing settings, with mystery, colorful characters, and delightful adventurous romance. A Change of Heart is a nice reminder of her compelling and satisfying tales with a combination and continuation of both Montgomery/Taggart and Edilean (if you have read the others, will enjoy catching up with familiar characters).
Eli and Chelsea were a little different when they were growing up. When Eli was twelve he had an IQ over two-hundred. He was a nerd, a little different than most, and his best friend Chelsea, from a wealthy family, is also smart, rich and does not fit in. So the two became a dynamic duo, partners in crime, with many creative adventures and helping many along the way.
As they grow older Eli realizes he can get into any college; however, he cannot go, as there is no one to take care of his mom, Miranda. She has a heart of gold, a lovely woman. Eli’s father, Leslie deserted his wife and son to marry a younger woman.
So Eli and Chelsea look for a suitable husband for Miranda so Eli can pursue his education. When Eli’s friend, billionaire Franklin Taggert, breaks his arm, he goes into seclusion at his rustic mountain cabin. Of course, Eli thinks that Miranda would be the perfect nurse – a match!
In the present day, over twenty years later, Eli buys a house in Edilean, Virginia and invites his old friend Chelsea for a visit. Of course they both have their own busy lives. However, Eli has turned into a tall, good-looking man and Chelsea is a famous model jetsetting around the world, and returns home visiting with family.
Chelsea has not been in touch during these missed years, and Eli has never forgotten her. They both are playing cat and mouse games and Chelsea is bullied into going by her parents. They use all kinds of crazy games, as the two are different now; however, they find themselves wrapped up in a mystery, with a family who needs to be rescued, and possibly a little more as they find their way back to one another.
It was so nice to catch up with characters and reminder of what I have been missing! A mix of humor, romance, history, and surprises for some holiday magic.
Jude Deveraux reunites two childhood friends in a magical holiday tale, A Change of Heart with a mixture of intrigue, historical, and a light contemporary romance.
Wow, I have not read Jude Deveraux in years, (not sure why), when I saw this book on NetGalley requested it and approved. I recall devouring everything she wrote, as so enjoyed the Edilean Series, Montgomery/Taggart, and many stand alones.
No one can magically weave the past with the present (historical fiction with contemporary romance) like Deveraux, a master storyteller. Her books are enchanting and engaging, with intriguing settings, with mystery, colorful characters, and delightful adventurous romance. A Change of Heart is a nice reminder of her compelling and satisfying tales with a combination and continuation of both Montgomery/Taggart and Edilean (if you have read the others, will enjoy catching up with familiar characters).
Eli and Chelsea were a little different when they were growing up. When Eli was twelve he had an IQ over two-hundred. He was a nerd, a little different than most, and his best friend Chelsea, from a wealthy family, is also smart, rich and does not fit in. So the two became a dynamic duo, partners in crime, with many creative adventures and helping many along the way.
As they grow older Eli realizes he can get into any college; however, he cannot go, as there is no one to take care of his mom, Miranda. She has a heart of gold, a lovely woman. Eli’s father, Leslie deserted his wife and son to marry a younger woman.
So Eli and Chelsea look for a suitable husband for Miranda so Eli can pursue his education. When Eli’s friend, billionaire Franklin Taggert, breaks his arm, he goes into seclusion at his rustic mountain cabin. Of course, Eli thinks that Miranda would be the perfect nurse – a match!
In the present day, over twenty years later, Eli buys a house in Edilean, Virginia and invites his old friend Chelsea for a visit. Of course they both have their own busy lives. However, Eli has turned into a tall, good-looking man and Chelsea is a famous model jetsetting around the world, and returns home visiting with family.
Chelsea has not been in touch during these missed years, and Eli has never forgotten her. They both are playing cat and mouse games and Chelsea is bullied into going by her parents. They use all kinds of crazy games, as the two are different now; however, they find themselves wrapped up in a mystery, with a family who needs to be rescued, and possibly a little more as they find their way back to one another.
It was so nice to catch up with characters and reminder of what I have been missing! A mix of humor, romance, history, and surprises for some holiday magic.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
Kinda cheesy but I can't resist Jude Deveraux.
amakaazie's review against another edition
3.0
An ok read. This book was divided into 2 parts. In the first half, Eli worked with his best friend Chelsie as a matchmaker between his mum and a billionaire friend of his.
In the second part, 20 years later, Eli and Chelsie meet again. The first part of the book was more engaging and sweet. I struggled with the second part because Eli and Chelsie seemed like a mismatch and their chemistry seemed forced.
I used to love this author's books as a teenager, so I jumped when I spotted this on my e-book reader as a recommendation. It left me with a bit of a flat feeling. Not her best work in my opinion.
In the second part, 20 years later, Eli and Chelsie meet again. The first part of the book was more engaging and sweet. I struggled with the second part because Eli and Chelsie seemed like a mismatch and their chemistry seemed forced.
I used to love this author's books as a teenager, so I jumped when I spotted this on my e-book reader as a recommendation. It left me with a bit of a flat feeling. Not her best work in my opinion.
astuart's review against another edition
So many continuity errors. The man has his arm in a cast but is able to swim, lift a woman (who explains she’s 30lbs over weight) with both hands and place her on the other side of a trail, and can peel and slice potatoes after not being able to cut his pancakes the same day. Oh and the full freezer that’s empty a few sentences later.
dark_siren's review against another edition
5.0
PART 1: Throughout multiple Jude Deveraux books we have heard about Frank Taggert being such a cold hard-a** so finally getting to really see the real Frank under that and getting to read his story was great. Miranda was such a wonderful character. She was so good and loving which was perfect to help Frank become a better man. Eli and Chelsea (as children) were so wonderfully precocious and lots of fun. I loved Eli and Frank having already had a friendly father/son type of relationship before Frank had even met Miranda and then there relationship actually being instrumental to Frank and Miranda ending up together.
PART 2: Let me start by saying I am happy to be reading a book that takes place in Edilean again as I love this town. I first read Miranda and Frank's story years ago and I have read all of the Edilean books and I didn't place it that Eli was a Edilean Harcourt until I read that he was so of course I am happy to read about that family branch again. I was pretty darn excited to read what had happened after Eli and Chelsea grew up. It was pretty sad that they had lost touch for so long after being so inseparable. I still liked Eli right away and the Eli pretending to be Jeff thing was interesting. It seemed Chelsea grew up to be pretty shallow. As the story develops we see a lot more traits Eli developed over the years from his Taggert relatives. I liked that we got to see that the Chelsea from her childhood was still inside the grown up Chelsea (just hidden pretty well). They had to overcome some obstacles and work out some issues so they could be together. I liked what they plan to do for an occupation now. It suits them very well.
PART 2: Let me start by saying I am happy to be reading a book that takes place in Edilean again as I love this town. I first read Miranda and Frank's story years ago and I have read all of the Edilean books and I didn't place it that Eli was a Edilean Harcourt until I read that he was so of course I am happy to read about that family branch again. I was pretty darn excited to read what had happened after Eli and Chelsea grew up. It was pretty sad that they had lost touch for so long after being so inseparable. I still liked Eli right away and the Eli pretending to be Jeff thing was interesting. It seemed Chelsea grew up to be pretty shallow. As the story develops we see a lot more traits Eli developed over the years from his Taggert relatives. I liked that we got to see that the Chelsea from her childhood was still inside the grown up Chelsea (just hidden pretty well). They had to overcome some obstacles and work out some issues so they could be together. I liked what they plan to do for an occupation now. It suits them very well.
saycheeze37's review against another edition
2.0
There was so much stuff going on in this book and unfortunately not in a good way. There were 3 different romance stories intermingled with actual hero and heroine's love story. There was a crime to solve and teenagers to get to some dance. With so much going on the main love story got totally lost for me.
elvenavari's review against another edition
4.0
I always enjoy Deveraux. I was surprised when the first part ended so quickly, but then realized why. I enjoyed all the characters, especially Eli, who I felt a connection with. Only thing that kept this from being 5 stars for me was how quickly it ended...seemed a little rushed.
nelsonseye's review against another edition
3.0
I actually only read the first half of the book which was a rerelease of a novella I read many, many years ago. While it was still sweet, I don't know that I actually liked the updates. I may read the second half later on.
asryne's review against another edition
3.0
This was a great idea. I loved that story way back when I read it and I was excited to see Eli and Chelsea as adults. Sadly, their adult love story did not do that much for me.