Change of Heart (Edilean series Book 9)

I have taken time to enjoy the stories by Jude Deveraux again. I think this was time well enjoyed. Thank you

An expanded version of a novella in A HOLIDAY OF LOVE, Jude Deveraux gives readers two love stories. The original story of two preteen matchmakers, Eli Harcourt and Chelsea Hamilton who manage to find love for Eli's mother and then twenty years later Eli and Chelsea's romance. THE STORY: Part 1: This is the story of Frank Taggert and Miranda Stowe who are complete opposites. Frank is a high powered workaholic who does the society scene and has never wanted to marry and have children because he had too much exposure to children being the oldest child of a large family. Miranda is the barely scraping by nurse and divorced mother. Her preteen son Eli is a genius but before he can begin to live his life, he wants his mom taken care of. He and his friend Chelsea decide that Frank would be perfect for Miranda and so they manage to get Miranda to Frank's secluded cabin where he is recuperating from a broken arm. Miranda and Frank fight and fall in love. PART 2: Twenty years later, Eli and Chelsea have drifted apart but Eli still is in love with Chelsea. When he manages to orchestrate a meeting, Chelsea does not seem the vibrant person Eli remembers. The two end up on a new adventure that rekindles their friendship and moves them into love. OPINION: I liked the first story better than the second. I enjoyed the romance between Frank and Miranda and I thought that Eli and Chelsea were precocious and well drawn. In part 2, I just didn't like Chelsea as much. She was closed in and shallow and her reasons just didn't resonate for me. That being said, I adored Eli and I loved that he was willing to do anything for Chelsea. I think that creating a twenty year gap was too much and so I overlooked the thin plot on that point and just enjoyed these two characters finally getting their happy ending. WORTH MENTIONING: There is a cameo appearance by Samantha and Michael Taggert from SWEET LIAR which pleased me because that happens to be one of my favorite books. FINAL DECISION: I think this book is sweet and I enjoyed the dual stories. CONNECTED BOOKS: This book falls into the Montgomery/Taggert series. There is no need for new readers to worry about missing anything and this book can be read independent of the others in the series. STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

I waited to write a review until I finished the entire series. This series captured my heart!!! I loved every one that is involved with Edilean!!! I will miss this small town and all the people in it!! Jude Deveraux always makes the ppl in her stories feel like they are your family!!!

Don’t want to ruin it for you! Just read it! You will enjoy it. Several twists some humor . Good read

I have read all the best romance historical books over the past 50 years and this is by far the best of all if them …it is magnificent I can’t stand the fact that i’ve finished them all and i’m going to miss every single chapter…what a absolutely precious series,, thank you jude devereaux ….whats next?

I've read Frank and Miranda's story featuring Eli and Chelsea many times over the years since the story was initially published. So I got excited about this story and pre-ordered it. I wish I'd waited until finding out that the story I already knew so well takes up 38% of this book and would have gotten this book from the library. But with that being said, I was surprised to discover that changes had been made to the original story and certainly make Frank and Miranda's story more romantic. The gist of it is still the same. So the first part of the book has Eli and Chelsea at around the age of 14, always trying to help others and the only way genius-IQ Eli is going to be able to go away to college is if they find someone who can take care of his mother and set up a scam to get his mother and his friend, billionaire Frank Taggert together. Both Michael and Samantha Taggert make an appearance. The second part of the story takes place twenty years later and Chelsea had cut herself out of Eli's life when they were still teens. So when they get together again for a visit, it's a new sleuthing adventure that breaks down the barriers. Some of the story was outright confusing in the beginning of the second part as Eli, now bulked up from the gym, looks nothing like the scrawny nerd he used to; but his personal assistance looks just like Eli did. Chelsea's not quite sure which of them is Eli and both of the guys are trying to assume the other's identity. What I enjoyed were the other characters and all of the different couple matches that take place in this story. I thought the story finally got interesting in the second part when Eli and Chelsea know something is off and want to help a woman they were sure was just scammed as Eli's father used to do to his mother. Other than the initial story, I thought the adventure was the best part of the book.

I wanted a light hearted story, and when I saw this book, I knew it would fit the bill. Another fun read by Jude Deveraux. Nice to see the Taggert characters again. I always enjoy the Edilean series. Loveable characters. At times the story felt rushed, but I think part of it was me not wanting the story to end.

I’ve loved the first part of this book since….forever. I first read it in the Christmas collection it debuted in. It took a little patience to get into the second part because I was not liking the grownups as much as I did their younger versions. As the newer story progressed and they slipped back into their ‘real personas’ things got better. It’s an implausible plot line but a fun read. Glad to be back in the Devereaux ‘stable.’ Off to find another one!

A thrilling Story with Happyend and Action between. I have read a lot of the Books of Jude Deveraux, they all very good, but at The End of them I miss something Most of Time.

I loved Frank and Miranda's story when I read it many years ago...so it was lovely to revisit that in the first portion of the book - The follow up story of Eli and Chelsea was ok. I was a bit disappointed that it was set in her new series town...and had few Montgomery/Taggert connections.

It was such a treat to read this book, full of romance, transcending generations. I was so sad to end it. Enjoy!

Change of Heart was all that I expected from an author I've read for at least 40 years thank you Jude Deveraux for many happy hours of reading .

Light hearted read with a little twist in the end. Was the feel good factor. Wish it was more like the Montgomery/tag greys of previous books. A bit more oomph to them