I hate to give this one star but I really didn't like it. I am a big fan of stories that start when the couple are kids and then show them falling in love as grown ups. But this one just didn't work for me. First the part as children was oddly more about Eli's mother but not enough to really enjoy that story. Then when Eli and Chelsea meet 20 years later I didn't like either one of them. She was shallow and totally unsympathetic and he was oddly loserish. Their relationship just didn't convince me at all. And the sort of mystery they were working on was not compelling either and not really all that mysterious. Oh well, I'll just enjoy JD's old stuff. ( )

Have read this author since I was a teen. Followed her Montgomery series. Change of Heart by Jude Devereaux was an overall enjoyable read. Certain areas within the story were to drawn out and others were not elaborated on enough. I would recommend. ( )

Finally finished a book in July! This was more like a 7.5 than an 8, but I enjoyed reading the short story again that was in an older Jude Deveraux book. ( )

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. ( )

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.
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