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Change of Heart
She's fighting for her life. He's fighting for her heart.
After the unbearable grief of losing her mom drives her to leave, an unfortunate diagnosis forces Emiliana Diaz back to the town she grew up in a decade later. She trades a successful art career in Manhattan for the sleep ranch town of Windhaven, Vermont, filled with people and memories she fought so hard to forget. She's sick, scared and running out of time. When things don't seem like they can get any worse, she is faced with another problem.
That problem's name is Alexander Cruz, the brooding local bar owner, her brother's best friend, and the boy whose heart she broke all those years ago. After the brutal fallout of their almost-love story turning to ash, Emiliana wants nothing to do with him, while Alex has spent the last 10 years dreaming of seeing her again.
The fire between then is impossible to ignore and what beings as resentment reignited, slowly unravels into something far more dangerous---hope.
But a second chance at love doesn't come easy when you're facing the unthinkable. Will it be enough to put back the pieces of her broken heart?
After the unbearable grief of losing her mom drives her to leave, an unfortunate diagnosis forces Emiliana Diaz back to the town she grew up in a decade later. She trades a successful art career in Manhattan for the sleep ranch town of Windhaven, Vermont, filled with people and memories she fought so hard to forget. She's sick, scared and running out of time. When things don't seem like they can get any worse, she is faced with another problem.
That problem's name is Alexander Cruz, the brooding local bar owner, her brother's best friend, and the boy whose heart she broke all those years ago. After the brutal fallout of their almost-love story turning to ash, Emiliana wants nothing to do with him, while Alex has spent the last 10 years dreaming of seeing her again.
The fire between then is impossible to ignore and what beings as resentment reignited, slowly unravels into something far more dangerous---hope.
But a second chance at love doesn't come easy when you're facing the unthinkable. Will it be enough to put back the pieces of her broken heart?
- GenresContemporary Romance
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2025
8 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews
December 30, 2025
Emiliana did everything to get away from her hometown and the memories it holds. She got to live in NYC and had her best friend. Unfortunately, her health had other plans and it was time to head home to be near her brothers and take care of herself.
However, returning home meant also running into her old secret flame Alex. Alex is her brother’s best friend. He was treated like another sibling in the family. But when tragedy struck the relationship between Emiliana and Alex shifted.
Be prepared with the tissues when reading this book. It’s an emotional read as you have Emiliana’s health and you read the back story of her and Alex. It pulls at your heart strings. If you have a love one going through health issues this will hit home. I’m a sucker for second chance love stories and you keep reading and hope they get to have theirs. I will be honest it did take me a little while to get into this book but by the end I was glad I finished it.
Thank you LoveNotes PR and Lani for the ARC read.
December 21, 2025
4.5 stars! ⭐️
Warning, you may need your tissues for this one! This book is packed full of emotion and often felt heavy, dealing with topics such as grief and chronic illness, as the FMC, Emma, struggles with a heart condition. After leaving Windhaven to start over as an artist in New York, she finds herself moving back home as her health begins to rapidly decline. Being back in Windhaven forces Emma to confront her past, including her complicated relationship with Alex, her older brother’s best friend. I always love a second chance romance, but this one felt especially unique due to the circumstances that originally tore them apart and the conflict of Emma’s health. The way that Lani portrayed such strong and difficult emotions was beautifully done. I loved the yearning, pining, and the tension between them. I love the way that Alex loved Emma so deeply for so long.
By the end, my soul was aching for these two, and I was so happy and relieved for Alex and Emma to get their well deserved happily ever after. I also was left very curious about Emma’s brothers (hey Leo 👀🤠) and what is to come for the rest of this series!
Thank you to the author and Love Notes PR for this eARC! ❤️
Warning, you may need your tissues for this one! This book is packed full of emotion and often felt heavy, dealing with topics such as grief and chronic illness, as the FMC, Emma, struggles with a heart condition. After leaving Windhaven to start over as an artist in New York, she finds herself moving back home as her health begins to rapidly decline. Being back in Windhaven forces Emma to confront her past, including her complicated relationship with Alex, her older brother’s best friend. I always love a second chance romance, but this one felt especially unique due to the circumstances that originally tore them apart and the conflict of Emma’s health. The way that Lani portrayed such strong and difficult emotions was beautifully done. I loved the yearning, pining, and the tension between them. I love the way that Alex loved Emma so deeply for so long.
By the end, my soul was aching for these two, and I was so happy and relieved for Alex and Emma to get their well deserved happily ever after. I also was left very curious about Emma’s brothers (hey Leo 👀🤠) and what is to come for the rest of this series!
Thank you to the author and Love Notes PR for this eARC! ❤️
December 6, 2025
Change Of Heart 🎨
Firstly I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Lani Roxanne for this beautiful ARC!
Emiliana Diaz is back in the home town, that did everything to get away from.However,as she is literally runnining out of time,this urge to be with her family again is growing and trading her career for even a moment more with them seems the only choice.
However,Alex,her teenage heartbreak,is also here,& when after 10 years will lay her eyes into his she will understand that nothing between them is over,but this time she is running out of time.
Started crying on the train while reading?YES
Continuing crying in my room?YES
Cried after the ending?YES
HAVE I SOBBED THIS WAY WITH AN OTHER ARC?ABSOLUTELY NO.
I will say that I read a piece of art,not a story & if you want to read one last book before 2025 ends please be this one.
To start with,Roxanne's wonderful writing literally MADE the book.As a reader,I could feel the heavy feeling everyone had,and most importantly what our main character Em had on her soul.As the story continued,I got remined of how hard and complicated human relationships are,but for sure are worth every struggle and risk.
Into the charaters,I loved Emiliana!
She had resilience,strength,passion & that woman REFUSED to give up.She wanted to live everything as she could truly understand how valuable every day/moment is.When she met Alex,the flame she once had started blowing up again,with her not being afraid to show it.
Alex,on the other hand was THE MAN.Patient & full of love for our girl,never left her side emotionally & physically and was READY to leave everything behind for her.More,he did a very specific ACT that had me IN LOVE WITH HIM.(as always I will not spoil anything,but when you read it you WILL get it)
These two shared a unique love story full of love and need,that kept them ALIVE.
Can I say I wonder how life turned for them after the ending?
Personally,I was so passionate while reading that the twists got me so off guard!You know,the times you have to stop reading to proccess what just happened?That is exactly what it was🥹 !& of course every time the story got better and better so no fuss over here 💖
Rounding it all up,this was a WONDERFUL love story,that will leave you with tears in the eyes but a heart so full that you will want to read it again from the start.
out on Dec,17th 🥃
5⭐
Firstly I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Lani Roxanne for this beautiful ARC!
Emiliana Diaz is back in the home town, that did everything to get away from.However,as she is literally runnining out of time,this urge to be with her family again is growing and trading her career for even a moment more with them seems the only choice.
However,Alex,her teenage heartbreak,is also here,& when after 10 years will lay her eyes into his she will understand that nothing between them is over,but this time she is running out of time.
Started crying on the train while reading?YES
Continuing crying in my room?YES
Cried after the ending?YES
HAVE I SOBBED THIS WAY WITH AN OTHER ARC?ABSOLUTELY NO.
I will say that I read a piece of art,not a story & if you want to read one last book before 2025 ends please be this one.
To start with,Roxanne's wonderful writing literally MADE the book.As a reader,I could feel the heavy feeling everyone had,and most importantly what our main character Em had on her soul.As the story continued,I got remined of how hard and complicated human relationships are,but for sure are worth every struggle and risk.
Into the charaters,I loved Emiliana!
She had resilience,strength,passion & that woman REFUSED to give up.She wanted to live everything as she could truly understand how valuable every day/moment is.When she met Alex,the flame she once had started blowing up again,with her not being afraid to show it.
Alex,on the other hand was THE MAN.Patient & full of love for our girl,never left her side emotionally & physically and was READY to leave everything behind for her.More,he did a very specific ACT that had me IN LOVE WITH HIM.(as always I will not spoil anything,but when you read it you WILL get it)
These two shared a unique love story full of love and need,that kept them ALIVE.
Can I say I wonder how life turned for them after the ending?
Personally,I was so passionate while reading that the twists got me so off guard!You know,the times you have to stop reading to proccess what just happened?That is exactly what it was🥹 !& of course every time the story got better and better so no fuss over here 💖
Rounding it all up,this was a WONDERFUL love story,that will leave you with tears in the eyes but a heart so full that you will want to read it again from the start.
out on Dec,17th 🥃
5⭐
Review of advance copy received from Author
Change Of Heart by Lani Roxanne
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
Release Day: December 17, 2025
If you love:
🌹 Second chances
🖤 Brother's best friend
🌹 Grief and chronic illness rep
🖤 Down bad MMC
🌹 Found family
🖤 Sooo much pining
"I can't lose her. I don't want to grieve her longer than I ever got to love her."
I wasn't expecting to feel so much when I read this book 😭 but I loved every minute of it.
Emma left her three brothers and her brother's best friend/love interest, Alex, in the dust to heal from her grief and start a new life. But fate dealt her dirty and she's back home. Alex (the brother's best friend/love interest) has spent years pining for Emma and he's determined not to let her slip away this time. But it's not just up to him.
Emma seemed a little inconsistent at times but maybe that's intentional due to her chronic illness and grief. I loved how much her friends and her brother's loved her in their own ways. Alex is top tier boyfriend material. The way he loved her during her grief, throughout the 10 years she was gone, and when she came back...I think we all want to be loved that way 🫶
If you're looking for an emotionally charged, beautifully written second chance romance, I hope you'll pick this one up!
Thank you to Lani Roxanne and Love Notes PR for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
Release Day: December 17, 2025
If you love:
🌹 Second chances
🖤 Brother's best friend
🌹 Grief and chronic illness rep
🖤 Down bad MMC
🌹 Found family
🖤 Sooo much pining
"I can't lose her. I don't want to grieve her longer than I ever got to love her."
I wasn't expecting to feel so much when I read this book 😭 but I loved every minute of it.
Emma left her three brothers and her brother's best friend/love interest, Alex, in the dust to heal from her grief and start a new life. But fate dealt her dirty and she's back home. Alex (the brother's best friend/love interest) has spent years pining for Emma and he's determined not to let her slip away this time. But it's not just up to him.
Emma seemed a little inconsistent at times but maybe that's intentional due to her chronic illness and grief. I loved how much her friends and her brother's loved her in their own ways. Alex is top tier boyfriend material. The way he loved her during her grief, throughout the 10 years she was gone, and when she came back...I think we all want to be loved that way 🫶
If you're looking for an emotionally charged, beautifully written second chance romance, I hope you'll pick this one up!
Thank you to Lani Roxanne and Love Notes PR for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts are my own.
December 10, 2025
⭐ 5/5 Stars: A Must-Read Emotional Rollercoaster!
I was fortunate enough to read an ARC of Lani Roxanne’s upcoming novel, Change of Heart, and let me tell you, this book is an absolute success! Mark your calendars, because this romance is officially being released on December 16, 2025.
From the very first chapter, Roxanne masterfully weaves together every incredible trope that romance readers crave. This novel delivers on all fronts, featuring:
A possessive big brother (or brothers) who adds tension.
The comforting familiarity of childhood best friends.
The fiery spark of a true enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
The navigation of grief
Pining
Some public 🌶️🌶️
But the heart of this story lies in the profound theme of second chances, not just in love, but in life itself. Roxanne beautifully explores what it means to be given another opportunity, crafting a narrative that is both gripping and deeply moving.
I was immediately and completely drawn into this book. The development of both the characters and the plot was exceptional. I literally could not put it down; I needed to know what happened next and how these intricate relationships would resolve.
The biggest and most impactful message this story carries is the importance of not taking love and life for granted. It resonates on every page, elevating the novel beyond a simple romance.
Change of Heart is a beautifully written, heartfelt novel that takes you on a journey through every emotional landscape your heart can travel. It is a stunning, unforgettable read that deserves every single one of these five stars!
I was fortunate enough to read an ARC of Lani Roxanne’s upcoming novel, Change of Heart, and let me tell you, this book is an absolute success! Mark your calendars, because this romance is officially being released on December 16, 2025.
From the very first chapter, Roxanne masterfully weaves together every incredible trope that romance readers crave. This novel delivers on all fronts, featuring:
A possessive big brother (or brothers) who adds tension.
The comforting familiarity of childhood best friends.
The fiery spark of a true enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
The navigation of grief
Pining
Some public 🌶️🌶️
But the heart of this story lies in the profound theme of second chances, not just in love, but in life itself. Roxanne beautifully explores what it means to be given another opportunity, crafting a narrative that is both gripping and deeply moving.
I was immediately and completely drawn into this book. The development of both the characters and the plot was exceptional. I literally could not put it down; I needed to know what happened next and how these intricate relationships would resolve.
The biggest and most impactful message this story carries is the importance of not taking love and life for granted. It resonates on every page, elevating the novel beyond a simple romance.
Change of Heart is a beautifully written, heartfelt novel that takes you on a journey through every emotional landscape your heart can travel. It is a stunning, unforgettable read that deserves every single one of these five stars!
December 22, 2025
God this book 😭 I was listening to the book on the drive to work at one point and that was such a bad idea. I picked the worst time for that.
I would definitely read the trigger warnings. This book had some situations that currently hit close to home and I don't think I was prepared for that. But I wouldn't take back reading it. It was quite healing reading the book.
They were being pulled away from each other and yet one of them never gave up. The way their hearts still fought for each other even when they didn't want to 🫠
🌶️🌶️/5
I would definitely read the trigger warnings. This book had some situations that currently hit close to home and I don't think I was prepared for that. But I wouldn't take back reading it. It was quite healing reading the book.
They were being pulled away from each other and yet one of them never gave up. The way their hearts still fought for each other even when they didn't want to 🫠
🌶️🌶️/5
December 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
I really love the idea for this book and the tropes it includes. The author wrote the FMC’s health issues really well and handled the topic with a lot of care, which I liked a lot.
One thing I would’ve liked more of was a bigger side plot for the characters other than the romance and health issues, as I feel this took up most of the book. There wasn’t a huge amount about their day to day lives, and I would’ve liked to have seen more of that to balance it from just being a solely romance focused book.
I also would’ve liked more flashbacks of the MC’s from when they were younger and first fell in love to gain more insight into their relationship and form a deeper connection with them as the reader.
I feel the pace of the book was fairly good. I would’ve liked for the plot to be a bit faster at points as I felt it dragged somewhat and had slower moments. But I enjoyed the suspense of some of the chapters and the mystery of the outcome of situations set up by the author.
On the flip side, the MC’s had a strong connection. There wasn’t banter, spice and lots of tension. The book is great for lovers of forced proximity, friends to enemies to lovers, brothers best friend, tattooed bad boy, small town romance. There is a lot to love.
I would read more books by this author, especially in this series because the FMC’s brothers are really intriguing characters. The side characters were funny and the author has set the rest of the series up well from the characters debuts in this book.
Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader 🫶🏻
I really love the idea for this book and the tropes it includes. The author wrote the FMC’s health issues really well and handled the topic with a lot of care, which I liked a lot.
One thing I would’ve liked more of was a bigger side plot for the characters other than the romance and health issues, as I feel this took up most of the book. There wasn’t a huge amount about their day to day lives, and I would’ve liked to have seen more of that to balance it from just being a solely romance focused book.
I also would’ve liked more flashbacks of the MC’s from when they were younger and first fell in love to gain more insight into their relationship and form a deeper connection with them as the reader.
I feel the pace of the book was fairly good. I would’ve liked for the plot to be a bit faster at points as I felt it dragged somewhat and had slower moments. But I enjoyed the suspense of some of the chapters and the mystery of the outcome of situations set up by the author.
On the flip side, the MC’s had a strong connection. There wasn’t banter, spice and lots of tension. The book is great for lovers of forced proximity, friends to enemies to lovers, brothers best friend, tattooed bad boy, small town romance. There is a lot to love.
I would read more books by this author, especially in this series because the FMC’s brothers are really intriguing characters. The side characters were funny and the author has set the rest of the series up well from the characters debuts in this book.
Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader 🫶🏻
December 29, 2025
ARC Review!
I’d like to thank Lani for allowing me to receive an ARC for this book!!
tropes:
brother’s best friend
grief rep
second chance
pining
chronic illness rep
grumpy x grumpy
open door romance
warnings:
explicit language and sexual content
alcohol consumption
mentions of parent(s) death
mention of cancer/terminal illness
mention of substance abuse and child neglect
mentions and depictions of dilated cardiomyopathy
mentions and depictions of heart failure and heart transplant
mention of cheating (not by main characters
mentions and depictions of hospitalization
mentions and depictions of grief, fear of dying, anxiety, PTSD, and nightmares
This book was definitely emotional, but I loved it. It did start off a little slow for me, but the pace picked up when I got further in
“I can’t lose her. I don’t want to grieve her longer than I got to love her” 😭
I’m so glad they got their happy ending, even though she was gone for so long but then came back, he still wanted her. But she kept her chronic illness a secret until it flared up one day, leading for him to find out.
I can’t wait to see if this author makes this a series for any of the brothers!
I’d like to thank Lani for allowing me to receive an ARC for this book!!
tropes:
brother’s best friend
grief rep
second chance
pining
chronic illness rep
grumpy x grumpy
open door romance
warnings:
explicit language and sexual content
alcohol consumption
mentions of parent(s) death
mention of cancer/terminal illness
mention of substance abuse and child neglect
mentions and depictions of dilated cardiomyopathy
mentions and depictions of heart failure and heart transplant
mention of cheating (not by main characters
mentions and depictions of hospitalization
mentions and depictions of grief, fear of dying, anxiety, PTSD, and nightmares
This book was definitely emotional, but I loved it. It did start off a little slow for me, but the pace picked up when I got further in
“I can’t lose her. I don’t want to grieve her longer than I got to love her” 😭
I’m so glad they got their happy ending, even though she was gone for so long but then came back, he still wanted her. But she kept her chronic illness a secret until it flared up one day, leading for him to find out.
I can’t wait to see if this author makes this a series for any of the brothers!
December 7, 2025
I thought this was a good second chance romance. I couldn’t really understand why Emma was so mad with Alex when she was the one that just up and ran away. You’re mad because he didn’t fight for you to stay… after you told him his love wasn’t enough and decided to leave him? I was not a fan of that. I feel like Alex should have been the one upset about it. With that aside, Emma did have a lot to deal with so I suppose in her mind it felt necessary.
It was nice to read about Emma’s family and the way Alex basically became part of that family. Everyone in this books cares about each other.
Emma’s a fighter and Alex is so patient and thoughtful. I feel like something was missing from the story but I can’t quite put my finger on what exactly. I think I might have wanted to know more about their relationship before she ran off. It was still a nice read.
Thank you to the author, Love Notes PR and BookFunnel for
It was nice to read about Emma’s family and the way Alex basically became part of that family. Everyone in this books cares about each other.
Emma’s a fighter and Alex is so patient and thoughtful. I feel like something was missing from the story but I can’t quite put my finger on what exactly. I think I might have wanted to know more about their relationship before she ran off. It was still a nice read.
Thank you to the author, Love Notes PR and BookFunnel for
December 15, 2025
3.5 Emma is back in her hometown, due to a worsening heart condition. She left abruptly years ago when her mom died. Now that she’s back, she has to see Alex, the man she left with no explanation.
I love a second chance romance, but I think the reason for the first break up needs to be pretty substantial. Emma is the one who left with no explanation, but she comes back and is mad at Alex. I understand grief and how she felt she needed a fresh start, but the way she was acting towards him felt a little bit over the top at times. Alex was down so bad and would’ve done anything for Emma.
I really enjoyed the bits that focused on her chronic illness. The vibes between her and her three brothers were great. It will be interesting to see what happens next in this series. It seems maybe the brothers are being set up for their own books!
ARC review
♥️Brother’s best friend
♥️Second chance
♥️Grumpy x Grumpy
♥️Chronic illness rep
♥️Pining
I love a second chance romance, but I think the reason for the first break up needs to be pretty substantial. Emma is the one who left with no explanation, but she comes back and is mad at Alex. I understand grief and how she felt she needed a fresh start, but the way she was acting towards him felt a little bit over the top at times. Alex was down so bad and would’ve done anything for Emma.
I really enjoyed the bits that focused on her chronic illness. The vibes between her and her three brothers were great. It will be interesting to see what happens next in this series. It seems maybe the brothers are being set up for their own books!
ARC review
♥️Brother’s best friend
♥️Second chance
♥️Grumpy x Grumpy
♥️Chronic illness rep
♥️Pining
December 17, 2025
This book had me on an emotional rollercoaster. I wanted to laugh, cry, smile, and kick my feet throughout the entire book. Some parts were HEAVY. There are mentions of grief, loss, pain, and illness, so please check the trigger warnings and take breaks as needed.
I loved how strong the fmc, Emma, was throughout her story. She never once let her challenges take her down. She continued fighting. The mmc, Alex, is the type of man every girl wants; the type who yearns! And the mustache (omg)! I loved their second chance at love and reading their story. This debut novel was perfect in every way and I can’t wait for book two!
I loved how strong the fmc, Emma, was throughout her story. She never once let her challenges take her down. She continued fighting. The mmc, Alex, is the type of man every girl wants; the type who yearns! And the mustache (omg)! I loved their second chance at love and reading their story. This debut novel was perfect in every way and I can’t wait for book two!
December 29, 2025
A huge thank you to @lovebookstours for having me on tour with you. To Lani Roxanne, you’ve written a beautiful, poignant read which I did enjoy.
We meet our FMC, Emma, she left her hometown to grieve but is back with a worsening medical condition. She left when her Mum died and in doing so, she left the love of her life - brother’s best friend- Alex behind without explanation.
Now, she’s back and Alex doesn’t want to let her go. I do feel at times, parts of the story was skimmed over and more background and detail would have improved the readers experience massively. I also think at times, Emma was a little insensitive and childish with her reactions to Alex and why she left. She came back and seemed mad at him, but why? I wanted to know more.
Alex is such a good man. He would’ve done anything for Emma - still will yet here we are with him doing all he can and Emma giving him attitude. I really felt sorry for Alex but God, the guy didn’t let it get him down or stop him from pursuing Emma. I love him!
There were so many themes to this book. So many tropes that made the book extra special. I just wanted a bit more information to Emma, her grief and why she was mad at Alex, a little more detail would’ve went a loooooong way for me.
However, the book is emotional, it’s a rollercoaster and I really did enjoy reading it.
We meet our FMC, Emma, she left her hometown to grieve but is back with a worsening medical condition. She left when her Mum died and in doing so, she left the love of her life - brother’s best friend- Alex behind without explanation.
Now, she’s back and Alex doesn’t want to let her go. I do feel at times, parts of the story was skimmed over and more background and detail would have improved the readers experience massively. I also think at times, Emma was a little insensitive and childish with her reactions to Alex and why she left. She came back and seemed mad at him, but why? I wanted to know more.
Alex is such a good man. He would’ve done anything for Emma - still will yet here we are with him doing all he can and Emma giving him attitude. I really felt sorry for Alex but God, the guy didn’t let it get him down or stop him from pursuing Emma. I love him!
There were so many themes to this book. So many tropes that made the book extra special. I just wanted a bit more information to Emma, her grief and why she was mad at Alex, a little more detail would’ve went a loooooong way for me.
However, the book is emotional, it’s a rollercoaster and I really did enjoy reading it.
December 29, 2025
This book had such a great start and kind of fizzled in the end for me.
What I liked:
I did really enjoy the descriptions the author had for the characters and the spicy scenes.
What I wish I saw:
I wish there was a bit more tension between the characters even if they knew eachother previously, but I do understand the time crunch because of what the FMC is going through.
I can see why people would like it it just wasn't for me.
What I liked:
I did really enjoy the descriptions the author had for the characters and the spicy scenes.
What I wish I saw:
I wish there was a bit more tension between the characters even if they knew eachother previously, but I do understand the time crunch because of what the FMC is going through.
I can see why people would like it it just wasn't for me.
December 17, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ This story was really good, but definitely heavy at times. If you’re someone who needs to check content warnings, I’d make sure to do that first.
Emma’s dealing with a worsening heart condition and returns to the hometown she left years ago after her mother’s death. Being back with her brothers brings up a lot of old grief, and throughout the book she’s trying to navigate both her loss and the fear that comes with facing her condition and what could happen.
Alex has loved her for most of his life, and once she’s back, he knows he can’t let her slip away again. I absolutely loved him, he was so patient, steady, and clearly all in when it came to Emma.
I will say, I didn’t always understand the level of anger Emma held toward Alex. It sometimes felt like he had more reason to be upset about how she left than she did. There were moments where she was pretty harsh, but considering everything she was carrying, I can see how the emotional weight might have made everything feel heightened.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I’m excited to see which sibling gets a book next there were definitely some dynamics between characters that have me curious!
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to the author!
Emma’s dealing with a worsening heart condition and returns to the hometown she left years ago after her mother’s death. Being back with her brothers brings up a lot of old grief, and throughout the book she’s trying to navigate both her loss and the fear that comes with facing her condition and what could happen.
Alex has loved her for most of his life, and once she’s back, he knows he can’t let her slip away again. I absolutely loved him, he was so patient, steady, and clearly all in when it came to Emma.
I will say, I didn’t always understand the level of anger Emma held toward Alex. It sometimes felt like he had more reason to be upset about how she left than she did. There were moments where she was pretty harsh, but considering everything she was carrying, I can see how the emotional weight might have made everything feel heightened.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I’m excited to see which sibling gets a book next there were definitely some dynamics between characters that have me curious!
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to the author!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks Lani Roxanne and Love Notes PR for the ARC copy. This was emotional and heartfelt from the beginning to the end, and it was compelling enough that I read it in one day.
Emmy and Alex were a great couple, once they sorted through their difficult past (that none of their family or friends knew about). I'm a sucker for a brothers best friend story, and this one played out dramatically as she had three moody brothers who were extra protective because of her heart failure.
It was a heavier read than I expected, with lots of emotions the whole way through. but overall, I thought it was engaging and well written.
Emmy and Alex were a great couple, once they sorted through their difficult past (that none of their family or friends knew about). I'm a sucker for a brothers best friend story, and this one played out dramatically as she had three moody brothers who were extra protective because of her heart failure.
It was a heavier read than I expected, with lots of emotions the whole way through. but overall, I thought it was engaging and well written.
January 6, 2026
3.5 ⭐️what a cute way to start the year!!
December 28, 2025
This book was such a heartfelt book, The characters really connect to one another, This was a great book to end the year with. I will definitely be looking into more Lani Roxanne books!!
December 26, 2025
Thank you so much for the opportunity to ARC read this!
I loved the premise of this book, and a lot of the “bones” of the story. Emma’s relationship with her family seemed really sweet, and I wish we got more of that! I also wish we had more flashbacks to when Alex and Emma first knew one another.
It’s a cute book, I just felt less connected to the characters because I didn’t know them as well as I was hoping. That said, I’m curious to read the next books in the series to learn more about her family!
I loved the premise of this book, and a lot of the “bones” of the story. Emma’s relationship with her family seemed really sweet, and I wish we got more of that! I also wish we had more flashbacks to when Alex and Emma first knew one another.
It’s a cute book, I just felt less connected to the characters because I didn’t know them as well as I was hoping. That said, I’m curious to read the next books in the series to learn more about her family!
December 29, 2025
ARC Review ✨
Change of Heart by @laniroxanneauthor is an achingly emotional second-chance romance that completely stole my heart. Emiliana and Alex’s story is layered with grief, longing, and the kind of love that never truly fades. The small-town setting of Windhaven adds so much warmth against the heaviness of illness and loss, and the brother’s-best-friend tension is deliciously painful. Watching resentment slowly unravel into hope felt raw, intimate, and incredibly real.
This is a story about love in the face of the unthinkable, and how sometimes coming home is the bravest thing you can do.
I especially loved Emiliana and Alex as individual characters, but it was the family surrounding them that made their story feel even richer. Emiliana’s strength, vulnerability, and quiet resilience made her impossible not to root for, and her journey felt deeply emotional and authentic. And of course, Alex completely stole the show. Who doesn’t love a slightly unhinged, slutty moustached man with tattoos and a heart that never stopped choosing her?
The family dynamics added so much warmth and support, creating a sense of found family that made Windhaven feel like home and left me desperately hoping for more stories set in this world. 😮💨❤️
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC. This story truly lingered with me,,, I’m still thinking about it daily. 💔✨
Change of Heart by @laniroxanneauthor is an achingly emotional second-chance romance that completely stole my heart. Emiliana and Alex’s story is layered with grief, longing, and the kind of love that never truly fades. The small-town setting of Windhaven adds so much warmth against the heaviness of illness and loss, and the brother’s-best-friend tension is deliciously painful. Watching resentment slowly unravel into hope felt raw, intimate, and incredibly real.
This is a story about love in the face of the unthinkable, and how sometimes coming home is the bravest thing you can do.
I especially loved Emiliana and Alex as individual characters, but it was the family surrounding them that made their story feel even richer. Emiliana’s strength, vulnerability, and quiet resilience made her impossible not to root for, and her journey felt deeply emotional and authentic. And of course, Alex completely stole the show. Who doesn’t love a slightly unhinged, slutty moustached man with tattoos and a heart that never stopped choosing her?
The family dynamics added so much warmth and support, creating a sense of found family that made Windhaven feel like home and left me desperately hoping for more stories set in this world. 😮💨❤️
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC. This story truly lingered with me,,, I’m still thinking about it daily. 💔✨
December 30, 2025
Change of Heart inspired me to cherish the good moments in life while also encouraging me to pause and truly appreciate every little thing, reminding me that our time is limited.
December 19, 2025
*ARC Review* This was a wonderful read. Emiliana and Alex’s story is sweet, messy, and inspiring. Lani Roxanne does a great job of painting the raw and real emotions of Emiliana’s health issues as well as the doubts and regrets that come along with second chances. Highly recommend.
December 17, 2025
Emiliana's fighting for her life. Alexander's fighting for her heart.
After the unbearable grief of losing her mom drives Emiliana to leave, an unfortunate diagnosis forces Emiliana Diaz back to the town she grew up in a decade later. She trades a successful art career in Manhattan for the sleepy ranch town of Windhaven, Vermont, filled with people and memories she fought so hard to forget. She's sick, scared and running out of time. When things don't seem like they can get any worse, she is faced with another problem.
That problem's name is Alexander Cruz, the brooding local bar owner, her brother's best friend, and the boy whose heart she broke all those years ago. After the brutal fallout of their almost-love story turning to ash, Emiliana wants nothing to do with him, while Alex has spent the last 10 years dreaming of seeing her again.
The fire between then is impossible to ignore and what beings as resentment reignited, slowly unravels into something far more dangerous---hope.
But a second chance at love doesn't come easy when you're facing the unthinkable. Will it be enough to put back the pieces of her broken heart?
YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that are not suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times.
Tropes: Second chances, Brother's Best Friend, Grief and Chronic Illness Rep, Down bad MMC, Found family, Sooo much Pining, Grumpy x Grumpy, Chronic illness rep, Pining, Small-Town, Grief Rep, Open Door Romance, FMC a Battling Heart Condition, Steadfast MMC who shows up in every Soft, Protective, “I’ve got you” Moment, Caretaking Intimacy, Love Shown Through Action Not Just Words, Emotional Gauntlet Romance that drags you Through Fear, Hope, Heartbreak, and Healing, Pearl clutching Final Act Stakes that Make You Sweat For Their HEA, Tender Resilience where Both Characters learn to Hold On Rather Than Run, Second Chance Romance, Teenage Lovers to Enemies (one-Sided) To Lovers, Successful Artist x Bar Owner, Reunion Hookup, Drama, Nostalgia, Quiet Hope, Tense/Tender Reunion, Some Bonds Never Fade, Honesty, Vulnerability, Love can be a Refuge, Push Forward,
Change of Heart is the 1st book of the Windhaven Series by Lani Roxanne.
God this book ripped my heart open and reminded me how fresh my own grief of losing my mom is. And God do I miss her so much. Especially right now, this is the first Christmas without her and my heart is so heavy with my grief over her loss and how much I miss her and how I wish I could hear her voice just one last time.
Emiliana Diaz had left her home town after her mom died, she couldn’t stand to stay in the same place her mom had lived and died. Everywhere she looked reminded her of her mom and Emiliana couldn’t get past her grief if all she could see was her mom.
Now she was back after a devastating diagnosis. Now she was running out of time and she had the desperate need to be back with her family again and she decides to trade her career for any time that she can have with them, for Emiliana it’s the only choice that makes any sense.
But, Alexander, Emiliana’s teenage heartbreak also lives in the same small town. And for him, even though it’s been 10 years, the moment he lays his eyes on her again he knows nothings over between them. And he’s going to do anything in his power to make her understand that, but he doesn’t know that she’s running out of time.
This is one of the rare books that found me sobbing like a baby through out it. Honestly, I think that this is the first one this year that had me sobbing like a baby. Other novels have had me sobbing, but never like a baby, and never throughout the entire book.
In my opinion I have to say that I feel like this is more of a work of art over just a typical story and if you’re looking for that last great read of 2025, then I would suggest that this be your choice.
First of all, Lani’s writing is absolutely amazing and is what MADE this book what it is. I could feel all the heavy emotions all the characters were feeling and most importantly I could feel exactly all the emotions Emiliana had on her soul. And then, as the storyline continued, I was hit with all the reminders of just how hard and complicated human relationship truly are, and yet, at the same time I was reminded of how worth each and every struggle and risk truly is.
Emiliana, I loved her so much, and she reminded me of myself in so many ways. I adored her resilience, strength, passion and the way that she refused to give up no matter what she’s facing. I loved the way that Emiliana as she could truly understand how valuable everyday and each moment is. And then when she is reunited with Alex and the flames that once flickered between them are reignited, Emiliana decides that she’s not going to be scared to show her vulnerability or show Alex how he feels.
Alex, man is he the kind of guy that I would want for my sister if she didn’t already have an absolutely perfect for her guy. Alex was patient, full of love for Emiliana, her never left her side emotionally or physically and he was READY to give everything up and leave it all behind for her if she asked him to. More than that though, you’ll find that he does one very specific act that will have you falling head over heels in love with him. (Not going to spoil it for you. But you’ll know it when you read it.)
The love that Emiliana and Alex share is so unique and special, it’s full of this love and need and it kept both of them ALIVE.
I wish I could have looked into the book and seen what happened after the last word was written and seen how life turned out for Alex and Emiliana after that ending. I can’t help but be curious.
This book caught me off guard so many times and the twists and turns hit me in the gut so many times that I actually had to stop reading and just sit and process what I’ve read and what’s happened. But, despite the twists and turns the story just kept getting better and better so I can honestly say for me, there was no fuss for me.
Now I want to know if Frankie and Live get together and I really want to know if there’s someone out there who can manage to steal the heart of Leo, the single dad who not only protects his heart but also has the need to protect his child.
This book was just a wonderful love story that is going to leave you in tears and a heart bursting with love. And trust me, this is one of those books that will leave you wanting to read it from the very beginning all over again.
After the unbearable grief of losing her mom drives Emiliana to leave, an unfortunate diagnosis forces Emiliana Diaz back to the town she grew up in a decade later. She trades a successful art career in Manhattan for the sleepy ranch town of Windhaven, Vermont, filled with people and memories she fought so hard to forget. She's sick, scared and running out of time. When things don't seem like they can get any worse, she is faced with another problem.
That problem's name is Alexander Cruz, the brooding local bar owner, her brother's best friend, and the boy whose heart she broke all those years ago. After the brutal fallout of their almost-love story turning to ash, Emiliana wants nothing to do with him, while Alex has spent the last 10 years dreaming of seeing her again.
The fire between then is impossible to ignore and what beings as resentment reignited, slowly unravels into something far more dangerous---hope.
But a second chance at love doesn't come easy when you're facing the unthinkable. Will it be enough to put back the pieces of her broken heart?
YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that are not suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times.
Tropes: Second chances, Brother's Best Friend, Grief and Chronic Illness Rep, Down bad MMC, Found family, Sooo much Pining, Grumpy x Grumpy, Chronic illness rep, Pining, Small-Town, Grief Rep, Open Door Romance, FMC a Battling Heart Condition, Steadfast MMC who shows up in every Soft, Protective, “I’ve got you” Moment, Caretaking Intimacy, Love Shown Through Action Not Just Words, Emotional Gauntlet Romance that drags you Through Fear, Hope, Heartbreak, and Healing, Pearl clutching Final Act Stakes that Make You Sweat For Their HEA, Tender Resilience where Both Characters learn to Hold On Rather Than Run, Second Chance Romance, Teenage Lovers to Enemies (one-Sided) To Lovers, Successful Artist x Bar Owner, Reunion Hookup, Drama, Nostalgia, Quiet Hope, Tense/Tender Reunion, Some Bonds Never Fade, Honesty, Vulnerability, Love can be a Refuge, Push Forward,
Change of Heart is the 1st book of the Windhaven Series by Lani Roxanne.
God this book ripped my heart open and reminded me how fresh my own grief of losing my mom is. And God do I miss her so much. Especially right now, this is the first Christmas without her and my heart is so heavy with my grief over her loss and how much I miss her and how I wish I could hear her voice just one last time.
Emiliana Diaz had left her home town after her mom died, she couldn’t stand to stay in the same place her mom had lived and died. Everywhere she looked reminded her of her mom and Emiliana couldn’t get past her grief if all she could see was her mom.
Now she was back after a devastating diagnosis. Now she was running out of time and she had the desperate need to be back with her family again and she decides to trade her career for any time that she can have with them, for Emiliana it’s the only choice that makes any sense.
But, Alexander, Emiliana’s teenage heartbreak also lives in the same small town. And for him, even though it’s been 10 years, the moment he lays his eyes on her again he knows nothings over between them. And he’s going to do anything in his power to make her understand that, but he doesn’t know that she’s running out of time.
This is one of the rare books that found me sobbing like a baby through out it. Honestly, I think that this is the first one this year that had me sobbing like a baby. Other novels have had me sobbing, but never like a baby, and never throughout the entire book.
In my opinion I have to say that I feel like this is more of a work of art over just a typical story and if you’re looking for that last great read of 2025, then I would suggest that this be your choice.
First of all, Lani’s writing is absolutely amazing and is what MADE this book what it is. I could feel all the heavy emotions all the characters were feeling and most importantly I could feel exactly all the emotions Emiliana had on her soul. And then, as the storyline continued, I was hit with all the reminders of just how hard and complicated human relationship truly are, and yet, at the same time I was reminded of how worth each and every struggle and risk truly is.
Emiliana, I loved her so much, and she reminded me of myself in so many ways. I adored her resilience, strength, passion and the way that she refused to give up no matter what she’s facing. I loved the way that Emiliana as she could truly understand how valuable everyday and each moment is. And then when she is reunited with Alex and the flames that once flickered between them are reignited, Emiliana decides that she’s not going to be scared to show her vulnerability or show Alex how he feels.
Alex, man is he the kind of guy that I would want for my sister if she didn’t already have an absolutely perfect for her guy. Alex was patient, full of love for Emiliana, her never left her side emotionally or physically and he was READY to give everything up and leave it all behind for her if she asked him to. More than that though, you’ll find that he does one very specific act that will have you falling head over heels in love with him. (Not going to spoil it for you. But you’ll know it when you read it.)
The love that Emiliana and Alex share is so unique and special, it’s full of this love and need and it kept both of them ALIVE.
I wish I could have looked into the book and seen what happened after the last word was written and seen how life turned out for Alex and Emiliana after that ending. I can’t help but be curious.
This book caught me off guard so many times and the twists and turns hit me in the gut so many times that I actually had to stop reading and just sit and process what I’ve read and what’s happened. But, despite the twists and turns the story just kept getting better and better so I can honestly say for me, there was no fuss for me.
Now I want to know if Frankie and Live get together and I really want to know if there’s someone out there who can manage to steal the heart of Leo, the single dad who not only protects his heart but also has the need to protect his child.
This book was just a wonderful love story that is going to leave you in tears and a heart bursting with love. And trust me, this is one of those books that will leave you wanting to read it from the very beginning all over again.
December 28, 2025
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️,5
Tension : ❤️🔥 ❤️🔥 ❤️🔥
Spice : 🌶️🌶️,5
- First book in the Wildhaven series
- Standalone
- Dual POV
- 300 pages
Plot :
Emiliana Diaz left her small-town Vermont for NYC, leaving behind her grief, her family, her twin brother, and Alexander Cruz, the boy who was her lifeline through grief and depression. The boy she fell in love with, and tried her hardest to forget ever since. In need of a heart transplant, she’s now back home, not letting anyone too close to her for fear of dying and only being a burden to the people she loves.
Alexander is Em’s brother’s best friend; he was almost a part of their family and took the Diaz’s mother’s death as hard as them. He’s now the owner of the local bar, and has never recovered from waking up the day after their fight to find Emiliana gone and ghosting him. Em’s return makes him realize his feelings never went away, and he is determined to never let her go again.
Before, their friendship was a secret, but now with her condition worsening, the secret won’t stay one for much longer.
Special mentions to :
- The pining, the yearning, the seeing
- Pride and Prejudice (and their original copy) 📙
- The heartache and the tears
- Alex staying at the hospital 24/7 for TWO WHOLE WEEKS, waiting for her to wake up 😭💔❤️🩹
- Consent king 👑
- Emiliana praising therapy for both of them (separately) !🙌
- Alex getting Em a treat from the bakery because « she deserves a warm morning » 💔💔💔
- Him spending a week renovating her house the way she dreamed of it
- His almost 2-page-long love declaration 🥹
My opinion :
First, what I loved most about this book is knowing what happened between the MCs from the beginning (first 25%). There was no need to wait 300 pages to know what went down and finally understand why they were feeling and acting the way they were. Thank you SO MUCH Lani for that !
I really enjoyed Change of Heart, Lani’s first book if I’m correct. It has all my favorite tropes, and I’m hooked for what’s next, I can’t wait !
But, Emiliana… She’s a complex character. She's lost her father young, then her mother to cancer, she grew up with a heart condition that’s taken a huge part of her life since she was 3 y.o. She found some peace of soul with Alex, but life has taught her better than to expect it to be painless. Which is why she chose to leave everything and everyone behind, not even looking back, not even coming back for her and her twin’s birthday, or for her niece’s birth, in 10 YEARS ! That’s where lies my issue with her, I understand that she doesn’t want to burden or hurt her loved ones, but in the process, this is exactly what she does, especially Franckie, to whom she doesn’t apologize, not once. Same with Alexander, I’ll be honest, I still don’t understand why he became ‘’her enemy’’, why she stayed mad at him for a whole decade, while HE had a reason to hate and be mad at her, yet did nothing of it. She is a good person at heart, but it doesn’t make her any less selfish. (ex: « All the people I love, together, in the same room for the first time in years. », when she actually was the only one missing all these years..)
As for Alexander, no matter what happens, no matter how much he has gone through in life too, how much he’s stuck in life, he’s there, always. He loves her; there’s no doubt about that, he doesn’t shy away from it. He supports her; silently, loudly, softly, unconditionally, in all the ways. He loves her so much, he’ll believe she was right to hate him and not forgive him so easily… FOR WHAT ??! I swear I feel like I missed something, because it seems to me like he was abandoned by his parents before being abandoned by the love of his life too. Everyone treats him like he is disposable, when all he wants his to be needed.
What’s next :
(potential spoilers ahead)
Excerpts :
« I count passing light poles. 89. I replay arguments from 2012. I mentally draft snarky comebacks for conversations I’ll never have. » overthinking queen
« “Do you really think I wouldn’t have drowned with you? That I wouldn’t have chosen to sink if it meant keeping you close?” His voice is raw as he continues, “I would’ve carried every ounce of that grief for you if you’d let me. Hell, I wanted to.[…] ” » ❤️🩹
« The only thing I could think about while sitting across from her, was how fucking beautiful she is. » 🥰
Tropes :
- Second chance (10 years later)
- Friends to almost lovers, to one-sided enemies, to lovers
- Brother’s best friend
- Small town
- Grief & chronic illness (heart condition [main] & cancer [side, in the past])
- 6’4" tattooed 29 y.o MMC with a slutty mustache
- 5’ something, 28 y.o Latina artist FMC
- Push & pull
- Protective older brothers
- Hair washing 😶🌫️
- HEA
Disclaimer :
*I received this book as an ARC – This review reflects my honest opinions – Thank you, Lani Roxanne and Love Notes PR for this opportunity
Tension : ❤️🔥 ❤️🔥 ❤️🔥
Spice : 🌶️🌶️,5
- First book in the Wildhaven series
- Standalone
- Dual POV
- 300 pages
Plot :
Emiliana Diaz left her small-town Vermont for NYC, leaving behind her grief, her family, her twin brother, and Alexander Cruz, the boy who was her lifeline through grief and depression. The boy she fell in love with, and tried her hardest to forget ever since. In need of a heart transplant, she’s now back home, not letting anyone too close to her for fear of dying and only being a burden to the people she loves.
Alexander is Em’s brother’s best friend; he was almost a part of their family and took the Diaz’s mother’s death as hard as them. He’s now the owner of the local bar, and has never recovered from waking up the day after their fight to find Emiliana gone and ghosting him. Em’s return makes him realize his feelings never went away, and he is determined to never let her go again.
Before, their friendship was a secret, but now with her condition worsening, the secret won’t stay one for much longer.
Special mentions to :
- The pining, the yearning, the seeing
- Pride and Prejudice (and their original copy) 📙
- The heartache and the tears
- Alex staying at the hospital 24/7 for TWO WHOLE WEEKS, waiting for her to wake up 😭💔❤️🩹
- Consent king 👑
- Emiliana praising therapy for both of them (separately) !🙌
- Alex getting Em a treat from the bakery because « she deserves a warm morning » 💔💔💔
- Him spending a week renovating her house the way she dreamed of it
- His almost 2-page-long love declaration 🥹
My opinion :
First, what I loved most about this book is knowing what happened between the MCs from the beginning (first 25%). There was no need to wait 300 pages to know what went down and finally understand why they were feeling and acting the way they were. Thank you SO MUCH Lani for that !
I really enjoyed Change of Heart, Lani’s first book if I’m correct. It has all my favorite tropes, and I’m hooked for what’s next, I can’t wait !
But, Emiliana… She’s a complex character. She's lost her father young, then her mother to cancer, she grew up with a heart condition that’s taken a huge part of her life since she was 3 y.o. She found some peace of soul with Alex, but life has taught her better than to expect it to be painless. Which is why she chose to leave everything and everyone behind, not even looking back, not even coming back for her and her twin’s birthday, or for her niece’s birth, in 10 YEARS ! That’s where lies my issue with her, I understand that she doesn’t want to burden or hurt her loved ones, but in the process, this is exactly what she does, especially Franckie, to whom she doesn’t apologize, not once. Same with Alexander, I’ll be honest, I still don’t understand why he became ‘’her enemy’’, why she stayed mad at him for a whole decade, while HE had a reason to hate and be mad at her, yet did nothing of it. She is a good person at heart, but it doesn’t make her any less selfish. (ex: « All the people I love, together, in the same room for the first time in years. », when she actually was the only one missing all these years..)
As for Alexander, no matter what happens, no matter how much he has gone through in life too, how much he’s stuck in life, he’s there, always. He loves her; there’s no doubt about that, he doesn’t shy away from it. He supports her; silently, loudly, softly, unconditionally, in all the ways. He loves her so much, he’ll believe she was right to hate him and not forgive him so easily… FOR WHAT ??! I swear I feel like I missed something, because it seems to me like he was abandoned by his parents before being abandoned by the love of his life too. Everyone treats him like he is disposable, when all he wants his to be needed.
What’s next :
(potential spoilers ahead)
Excerpts :
« I count passing light poles. 89. I replay arguments from 2012. I mentally draft snarky comebacks for conversations I’ll never have. » overthinking queen
« “Do you really think I wouldn’t have drowned with you? That I wouldn’t have chosen to sink if it meant keeping you close?” His voice is raw as he continues, “I would’ve carried every ounce of that grief for you if you’d let me. Hell, I wanted to.[…] ” » ❤️🩹
« The only thing I could think about while sitting across from her, was how fucking beautiful she is. » 🥰
Tropes :
- Second chance (10 years later)
- Friends to almost lovers, to one-sided enemies, to lovers
- Brother’s best friend
- Small town
- Grief & chronic illness (heart condition [main] & cancer [side, in the past])
- 6’4" tattooed 29 y.o MMC with a slutty mustache
- 5’ something, 28 y.o Latina artist FMC
- Push & pull
- Protective older brothers
- Hair washing 😶🌫️
- HEA
Disclaimer :
*I received this book as an ARC – This review reflects my honest opinions – Thank you, Lani Roxanne and Love Notes PR for this opportunity
December 7, 2025
ARC Provided by LoveNotes PR in exchange for honest review.
Change of Heart is the story of Emma (Emiliana), an artist who fled her hometown after the death of her mother, and has been living as a successful artist in NYC for the past ten years. Sadly, her childhood heart disease has progressed into heart failure, and the time has come for her to return home, to her brothers, her friends... and to face Alex, the man she ran from all those years ago. How will she respond to seeing Alex again? And will she get the transplant she needs in time?
This is a really sweet love story, with the jeopardy of failing health meaning love declarations are at risk of going unsaid. Emma is a feisty Latina, who despite her health struggles, is determined to live life the way she wants. She left ten years ago after grief at losing her mum overwhelmed her, believing that Alex didn't care for her the way she did him. She didn't feel she could stay for the sake of her brothers, including her twin, and her life has been successful, if a little unfulfilled in the love department. The bombshell that her heart is actively failing has dragged her back to Windhaven, and she almost instantly finds herself in the path of Alex. He makes the terrible (TERRIBLE) decision of edging her on their first reunion hookup, and from that point on she is determined to shut him out, but he refuses to go away, despite the growly interference from Emma's brothers, who threaten him with all sorts of violence for even wanting her, let alone him messing her around. Alex is in the dark about her health for quite a portion of the book, leading to a devastating reveal that will have a huge lump in your throat - but he proves the veracity of his feelings over and over. Emma's final collapse happens whilst he is out of the house again (Lani Roxanne really put him through some trauma!), and the following chapters from his point of view are incredibly emotional. The final chapters bring joy after so much despair, and I loved that there was a recognition of the consequences the trauma had on both Emma and Alex in them going to therapy.
From the perspective of a chronically ill human (albeit not as life-threateningly unwell), this felt well worked, particularly the reluctance of Emma to acknowledge her feeling especially unwell, so as not to upset her loved ones. Her difficulty in accepting the change in diagnosis is also familiar to me - to try and blindly shrug it off is so common amongst people receiving life changing diagnoses when already dealing with poor health.
My main gripe with this story was Emma's relationship with her twin, Frankie. Whilst I understand that the relationship will have been damaged by her escape to NYC following their mother's death, I do feel that as twins, their bond should have been stronger than that of her and her other brothers - or that at the least, it should have been repaired more quickly after she arrived back in town, particularly with him knowing the truth of her condition. Other than that, I felt like all the relationships were well developed.
The nod to Pride and Prejudice in this story was so beautiful, and the use of quotes to punctuate the events going on towards the end worked wonderfully well.
Overall, this was a story that played on every emotion, delivered a tonne of drama, left you wondering if those three words would remain forever unsaid, and finished with a shot full of pure joy. It has laid the foundations nicely for further stories in the series, and I look forward to reading more - I want to see Frankie and Liv get together, and I want to see someone steal the heart of Leo the single dad.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!
Change of Heart is the story of Emma (Emiliana), an artist who fled her hometown after the death of her mother, and has been living as a successful artist in NYC for the past ten years. Sadly, her childhood heart disease has progressed into heart failure, and the time has come for her to return home, to her brothers, her friends... and to face Alex, the man she ran from all those years ago. How will she respond to seeing Alex again? And will she get the transplant she needs in time?
This is a really sweet love story, with the jeopardy of failing health meaning love declarations are at risk of going unsaid. Emma is a feisty Latina, who despite her health struggles, is determined to live life the way she wants. She left ten years ago after grief at losing her mum overwhelmed her, believing that Alex didn't care for her the way she did him. She didn't feel she could stay for the sake of her brothers, including her twin, and her life has been successful, if a little unfulfilled in the love department. The bombshell that her heart is actively failing has dragged her back to Windhaven, and she almost instantly finds herself in the path of Alex. He makes the terrible (TERRIBLE) decision of edging her on their first reunion hookup, and from that point on she is determined to shut him out, but he refuses to go away, despite the growly interference from Emma's brothers, who threaten him with all sorts of violence for even wanting her, let alone him messing her around. Alex is in the dark about her health for quite a portion of the book, leading to a devastating reveal that will have a huge lump in your throat - but he proves the veracity of his feelings over and over. Emma's final collapse happens whilst he is out of the house again (Lani Roxanne really put him through some trauma!), and the following chapters from his point of view are incredibly emotional. The final chapters bring joy after so much despair, and I loved that there was a recognition of the consequences the trauma had on both Emma and Alex in them going to therapy.
From the perspective of a chronically ill human (albeit not as life-threateningly unwell), this felt well worked, particularly the reluctance of Emma to acknowledge her feeling especially unwell, so as not to upset her loved ones. Her difficulty in accepting the change in diagnosis is also familiar to me - to try and blindly shrug it off is so common amongst people receiving life changing diagnoses when already dealing with poor health.
My main gripe with this story was Emma's relationship with her twin, Frankie. Whilst I understand that the relationship will have been damaged by her escape to NYC following their mother's death, I do feel that as twins, their bond should have been stronger than that of her and her other brothers - or that at the least, it should have been repaired more quickly after she arrived back in town, particularly with him knowing the truth of her condition. Other than that, I felt like all the relationships were well developed.
The nod to Pride and Prejudice in this story was so beautiful, and the use of quotes to punctuate the events going on towards the end worked wonderfully well.
Overall, this was a story that played on every emotion, delivered a tonne of drama, left you wondering if those three words would remain forever unsaid, and finished with a shot full of pure joy. It has laid the foundations nicely for further stories in the series, and I look forward to reading more - I want to see Frankie and Liv get together, and I want to see someone steal the heart of Leo the single dad.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!
December 16, 2025
Reseña del libro Change of Heart - Lani Roxanne
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
There are stories you don’t just read you feel them. They pierce you open, break you a little, and then somehow put you back together. This book is one of those.
The author delivers a second-chance romance filled with nostalgia, grief, and quiet hope, following Emma, an artist who ran away from her small hometown after losing her mother, and Alex, the love she left behind but never truly forgot. Their reunion is tense, tender, and completely unavoidable two people shaped by their past who discover that some bonds never fade, no matter the distance or the time between them.
The story approaches themes like grief, chronic illness, fear of being a burden, and what it truly means to love someone even when loving hurts. The author doesn’t romanticize pain, but she treats it with honesty and vulnerability, showing how love can be a refuge, a push forward, and a reason to hold on during the darkest moments.
Emma and Alex’s romance feels intimate and deeply earned. Emma learning to accept support, Alex facing his own childhood trauma… their growth feels real, soft, and beautifully imperfect.
The small-town atmosphere, the warmth of family, Emma’s art, and Alex’s emotional openness make the story feel incredibly human. And even though the plot deals with fear, illness, and uncertainty, hope is always present quiet but steady.
This is an emotional read, one that squeezes your heart but leaves it full. A beautiful reminder that love doesn’t always show up to save you… sometimes it shows up to walk with you while you learn to heal.
If you love second-chance romances, the “best friend’s sister” trope, grumpy-to-soft heroes, and stories that make you cry and smile, this one is absolutely for you.
___________________
Hay historias que no solo se leen: te atraviesan, te desarman y luego te abrazan, y esta es una de ellas.
La autora construye un romance de segundas oportunidades lleno de nostalgia, dolor y esperanza, siguiendo a Emma, una artista que huyó de su pequeño pueblo para escapar del duelo, y a Alex, el amor de su vida, que nunca dejó de llevarla en el corazón. Su reencuentro es tan tenso como inevitable; dos personas marcadas por el pasado que descubren que, por más kilómetros o años que los separen, hay lazos que jamás se rompen.
La novela explora con mucha sensibilidad temas como el duelo, la enfermedad crónica, el miedo a ser una carga, y lo que significa amar incluso cuando amar duele. La autora no romantiza el sufrimiento, pero tampoco lo esquiva: lo abraza con honestidad, mostrando cómo el amor puede ser refugio, impulso y razón para seguir luchando incluso en los momentos más oscuros.
El romance entre Emma y Alex es íntimo, profundo y lleno de pequeñas ternuras que se sienten como una segunda oportunidad que la vida les debía. La evolución de ambos—Emma aprendiendo a aceptar apoyo y Alex enfrentándose a sus propios traumas—hace que su relación se sienta real y merecida.
El ambiente del pequeño pueblo, la presencia cálida de la familia, el arte de Emma y la vulnerabilidad emocional de Alex crean una historia que se siente muy humana. Y aunque la trama lidia con enfermedad, miedo y pérdida, la autora logra que la esperanza sea el hilo conductor.
Es una lectura emotiva, que te deja el corazón apretado pero también lleno. Un recordatorio hermoso de que a veces el amor no llega para salvarte… sino para acompañarte mientras te sanas.
Si te gustan los romances de segundas oportunidades, el trope “hermana de mi mejor amigo”, los personajes gruñones con corazones suaves, y las historias que te hacen llorar y sonreír, este libro es para ti.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
There are stories you don’t just read you feel them. They pierce you open, break you a little, and then somehow put you back together. This book is one of those.
The author delivers a second-chance romance filled with nostalgia, grief, and quiet hope, following Emma, an artist who ran away from her small hometown after losing her mother, and Alex, the love she left behind but never truly forgot. Their reunion is tense, tender, and completely unavoidable two people shaped by their past who discover that some bonds never fade, no matter the distance or the time between them.
The story approaches themes like grief, chronic illness, fear of being a burden, and what it truly means to love someone even when loving hurts. The author doesn’t romanticize pain, but she treats it with honesty and vulnerability, showing how love can be a refuge, a push forward, and a reason to hold on during the darkest moments.
Emma and Alex’s romance feels intimate and deeply earned. Emma learning to accept support, Alex facing his own childhood trauma… their growth feels real, soft, and beautifully imperfect.
The small-town atmosphere, the warmth of family, Emma’s art, and Alex’s emotional openness make the story feel incredibly human. And even though the plot deals with fear, illness, and uncertainty, hope is always present quiet but steady.
This is an emotional read, one that squeezes your heart but leaves it full. A beautiful reminder that love doesn’t always show up to save you… sometimes it shows up to walk with you while you learn to heal.
If you love second-chance romances, the “best friend’s sister” trope, grumpy-to-soft heroes, and stories that make you cry and smile, this one is absolutely for you.
___________________
Hay historias que no solo se leen: te atraviesan, te desarman y luego te abrazan, y esta es una de ellas.
La autora construye un romance de segundas oportunidades lleno de nostalgia, dolor y esperanza, siguiendo a Emma, una artista que huyó de su pequeño pueblo para escapar del duelo, y a Alex, el amor de su vida, que nunca dejó de llevarla en el corazón. Su reencuentro es tan tenso como inevitable; dos personas marcadas por el pasado que descubren que, por más kilómetros o años que los separen, hay lazos que jamás se rompen.
La novela explora con mucha sensibilidad temas como el duelo, la enfermedad crónica, el miedo a ser una carga, y lo que significa amar incluso cuando amar duele. La autora no romantiza el sufrimiento, pero tampoco lo esquiva: lo abraza con honestidad, mostrando cómo el amor puede ser refugio, impulso y razón para seguir luchando incluso en los momentos más oscuros.
El romance entre Emma y Alex es íntimo, profundo y lleno de pequeñas ternuras que se sienten como una segunda oportunidad que la vida les debía. La evolución de ambos—Emma aprendiendo a aceptar apoyo y Alex enfrentándose a sus propios traumas—hace que su relación se sienta real y merecida.
El ambiente del pequeño pueblo, la presencia cálida de la familia, el arte de Emma y la vulnerabilidad emocional de Alex crean una historia que se siente muy humana. Y aunque la trama lidia con enfermedad, miedo y pérdida, la autora logra que la esperanza sea el hilo conductor.
Es una lectura emotiva, que te deja el corazón apretado pero también lleno. Un recordatorio hermoso de que a veces el amor no llega para salvarte… sino para acompañarte mientras te sanas.
Si te gustan los romances de segundas oportunidades, el trope “hermana de mi mejor amigo”, los personajes gruñones con corazones suaves, y las historias que te hacen llorar y sonreír, este libro es para ti.
December 24, 2025
★Tropes:
↣Brothers best friend
↣Second chance romance
↣Pining
↣Chronic illness rep
↣Grumpy×Grumpy
↣Open door spice
↣Found family
↣Childhood lovers to enemies (one sided) to lovers
↣Artist×Bar owner
★Ratings:
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟｜6 Stars!!
★Thoughts:
Omg this book!! This story!! It was my first book by @laniroxanneauthor and its not going to be the last. I am pretty sure i cried 50% of the time in this book. Emma and Alex were EVERYTHING! I loved them so much omg!!
If your looking for a book with a story that would break your heart but then put it back together by the end, but remember to check the trigger warnings on this one.
After 10 years, Emiliana Diaz aka Emma returns to Windhaven to be with her brothers after being diagnosed with heart failure. She left the town 10 years ago after her mother death and pain was too much for her to bear, so she ran away. Alexander Cruz aka Alex who she knew since childhood, they were inseparable and were falling in love but one argument and she left the town the next day without a word to Alex.
From 10 years, Alex watched Emma from far, by following her life as a painter online through articles and stories from her brothers, he even went after her but he found out she was happy in her life so he bought one of her painting and came back to the town. Now, after 10 years Emma was back, and Alex couldn't resist staying away from her.
Emma her story was heartbreaking, facing death failure with a short time left, her story made me cry so much omg!
Then Alex!! Omg the way he loved Emma! He was the man she needed, He was supported her, He was always there her. And the pining!
The Scene Where Emma was in coma!! Those chapters were sooo sooo emotional. I cried so hard and am super glad they got the HEA cause my heart couldn't take it otherwise omg.
Overall their story was beautiful yet emotional. Not just that i also love the found family and the way Emma brothers were.
And not just that Lani Roxanne wrote the book very beautifully, i loved the writing!
Thank you so much @LoveNotes.Pr and @Laniroxanneauthor for the opportunity of Arc read 💕
Spoiler? Maybe?
★Fav Quotes:
↣“I thought I was going to lose you before I ever really got to have you. And that nearly destroyed me. I spent every second in the hospital praying, to the universe or whatever God is out there, that if someone had to take your place, it would be me. That if there was a choice between your heart stopping and mine, the universe would take mine every single time.”
↣“I’m here because I want to be. You’re it for me, Em. You always have been.”
↣“because I swear to God, Emma, there is no universe, no lifetime, no possible reality where I don’t love you or where I don’t spend every second fighting for you.”
↣Brothers best friend
↣Second chance romance
↣Pining
↣Chronic illness rep
↣Grumpy×Grumpy
↣Open door spice
↣Found family
↣Childhood lovers to enemies (one sided) to lovers
↣Artist×Bar owner
★Ratings:
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟｜6 Stars!!
★Thoughts:
Omg this book!! This story!! It was my first book by @laniroxanneauthor and its not going to be the last. I am pretty sure i cried 50% of the time in this book. Emma and Alex were EVERYTHING! I loved them so much omg!!
If your looking for a book with a story that would break your heart but then put it back together by the end, but remember to check the trigger warnings on this one.
After 10 years, Emiliana Diaz aka Emma returns to Windhaven to be with her brothers after being diagnosed with heart failure. She left the town 10 years ago after her mother death and pain was too much for her to bear, so she ran away. Alexander Cruz aka Alex who she knew since childhood, they were inseparable and were falling in love but one argument and she left the town the next day without a word to Alex.
From 10 years, Alex watched Emma from far, by following her life as a painter online through articles and stories from her brothers, he even went after her but he found out she was happy in her life so he bought one of her painting and came back to the town. Now, after 10 years Emma was back, and Alex couldn't resist staying away from her.
Emma her story was heartbreaking, facing death failure with a short time left, her story made me cry so much omg!
Then Alex!! Omg the way he loved Emma! He was the man she needed, He was supported her, He was always there her. And the pining!
The Scene Where Emma was in coma!! Those chapters were sooo sooo emotional. I cried so hard and am super glad they got the HEA cause my heart couldn't take it otherwise omg.
Overall their story was beautiful yet emotional. Not just that i also love the found family and the way Emma brothers were.
And not just that Lani Roxanne wrote the book very beautifully, i loved the writing!
Thank you so much @LoveNotes.Pr and @Laniroxanneauthor for the opportunity of Arc read 💕
Spoiler? Maybe?
★Fav Quotes:
↣“I thought I was going to lose you before I ever really got to have you. And that nearly destroyed me. I spent every second in the hospital praying, to the universe or whatever God is out there, that if someone had to take your place, it would be me. That if there was a choice between your heart stopping and mine, the universe would take mine every single time.”
↣“I’m here because I want to be. You’re it for me, Em. You always have been.”
↣“because I swear to God, Emma, there is no universe, no lifetime, no possible reality where I don’t love you or where I don’t spend every second fighting for you.”
December 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 5
🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
Where this story really shines is in how it handles grief, illness, and the weight of time. Emiliana is in heart failure and moves back home to be near her brothers, and that part of the story felt incredibly realistic and emotionally grounded. The way the author writes about illness and loss is both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, it’s genuinely beautiful, and there were moments that had me tearing up.
Emiliana (Emma) felt like a very real FMC. She’s scared, grieving, and running out of time, which explains a lot of her choices… but she did frustrate me. She gets angry, especially at Alex, without always fully owning the role she played in their past, and because the backstory is revealed very vaguely at first (and mostly through dialogue later), I struggled to fully understand why that anger was so intense. I personally have a hard time with second-chance romances when I don’t clearly know what went wrong the first time, and that was definitely an issue for me here.
Alex, on the other hand, I actually liked. He’s not my favorite book boyfriend, but I think a lot of readers will love him. He knows what he wants, he’s passionate, and he goes after it. I do wish we’d gotten more character development for him, though. The same goes for the relationship as a whole. I wanted more moments that showed why these two work together, not just that they do.
The small-town setting was nice, but I didn’t fully feel the family dynamic as strongly as I wanted to. Sibling relationships are always a favorite of mine in books. There are some great moments with Cam that I loved, I just wish there had been more of that. (Full transparency: I do have ADHD and I caught myself skimming in parts, so that’s partially on me.)
As for the romance itself: the emotional chemistry took a while to click for me, but the physical chemistry? Immaculate. The intimate scenes that are there are written beautifully, very emotionally connected and honestly top-tier. I personally would’ve liked more spice and fully open-door scenes, but that’s just preference and didn’t affect my rating.
Overall, this book has a lot going on, and while I wish there had been more development (of the characters, the backstory, and the relationships) it’s still a really good read. Not every book is for every reader, and this one will absolutely work better for some than others.
If you like:
- Emotional contemporary romance
- Second-chance love stories
- Stories about grief, illness, and healing
- Strong physical chemistry
…this is definitely worth picking up.
🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
Where this story really shines is in how it handles grief, illness, and the weight of time. Emiliana is in heart failure and moves back home to be near her brothers, and that part of the story felt incredibly realistic and emotionally grounded. The way the author writes about illness and loss is both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, it’s genuinely beautiful, and there were moments that had me tearing up.
Emiliana (Emma) felt like a very real FMC. She’s scared, grieving, and running out of time, which explains a lot of her choices… but she did frustrate me. She gets angry, especially at Alex, without always fully owning the role she played in their past, and because the backstory is revealed very vaguely at first (and mostly through dialogue later), I struggled to fully understand why that anger was so intense. I personally have a hard time with second-chance romances when I don’t clearly know what went wrong the first time, and that was definitely an issue for me here.
Alex, on the other hand, I actually liked. He’s not my favorite book boyfriend, but I think a lot of readers will love him. He knows what he wants, he’s passionate, and he goes after it. I do wish we’d gotten more character development for him, though. The same goes for the relationship as a whole. I wanted more moments that showed why these two work together, not just that they do.
The small-town setting was nice, but I didn’t fully feel the family dynamic as strongly as I wanted to. Sibling relationships are always a favorite of mine in books. There are some great moments with Cam that I loved, I just wish there had been more of that. (Full transparency: I do have ADHD and I caught myself skimming in parts, so that’s partially on me.)
As for the romance itself: the emotional chemistry took a while to click for me, but the physical chemistry? Immaculate. The intimate scenes that are there are written beautifully, very emotionally connected and honestly top-tier. I personally would’ve liked more spice and fully open-door scenes, but that’s just preference and didn’t affect my rating.
Overall, this book has a lot going on, and while I wish there had been more development (of the characters, the backstory, and the relationships) it’s still a really good read. Not every book is for every reader, and this one will absolutely work better for some than others.
If you like:
- Emotional contemporary romance
- Second-chance love stories
- Stories about grief, illness, and healing
- Strong physical chemistry
…this is definitely worth picking up.
December 16, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ARC REVIEW 💜
Firstly, thank you to LoveNotes PR and Lani Roxanne for the opportunity to ARC read Change of Heart. This book was absolutely beautiful, devastating, tender, and unforgettable 💔✨
From the very first chapter, I could feel the weight of this story settling into my chest. Emiliana Diaz is forced to return to the hometown she once fled, knowing her time is limited and that every moment suddenly matters more than it ever has ⏳💭. What follows is a deeply emotional exploration of love, grief, family, and second chances, not just in romance, but in life itself ❤️🩹
Emiliana is a stunning FMC. Resilient, passionate, stubborn, and brave, she refuses to give up on truly living, even when faced with unimaginable circumstances. Her love for her family, her art 🎨, and the life she still wants to experience made every chapter hit harder. You can feel how acutely aware she is of the value of time, and it broke me in the quietest ways 🥹
Alex is the kind of MMC that stays with you. Patient, steady, deeply loving, and emotionally present, he never stops showing up for Emiliana, even when it hurts, even when it costs him everything ❤️🔥. Their re-connection after ten years is charged with longing, regret, and unresolved love, and it’s clear almost immediately that what they shared never truly ended. There is one particular moment involving Alex that completely solidified him as that man for me, no spoilers, but you’ll know it when you read it 👀
Lani Roxanne’s writing is the heartbeat of this story. The emotions feel heavy but never manipulative, the relationships feel complex and painfully human, and the themes of grief, illness, and love are handled with so much care 🖤. I cried mid-chapter. I cried at 2 a.m. in bed staring at the ceiling. I cried after I finished. This is not a drill😭. This felt less like reading a book and more like experiencing a piece of art ✨
The twists caught me completely off guard, the emotional beats landed exactly where they needed to, and the ending left my heart full despite the tears 💖. This is a story about love that keeps you alive, even when life feels impossibly fragile.
If you’re looking for a deeply emotional, beautifully written second-chance romance that will leave you teary-eyed but full of hope, Change of Heart is a must-read 💜
🗓️ Out December 17
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Firstly, thank you to LoveNotes PR and Lani Roxanne for the opportunity to ARC read Change of Heart. This book was absolutely beautiful, devastating, tender, and unforgettable 💔✨
From the very first chapter, I could feel the weight of this story settling into my chest. Emiliana Diaz is forced to return to the hometown she once fled, knowing her time is limited and that every moment suddenly matters more than it ever has ⏳💭. What follows is a deeply emotional exploration of love, grief, family, and second chances, not just in romance, but in life itself ❤️🩹
Emiliana is a stunning FMC. Resilient, passionate, stubborn, and brave, she refuses to give up on truly living, even when faced with unimaginable circumstances. Her love for her family, her art 🎨, and the life she still wants to experience made every chapter hit harder. You can feel how acutely aware she is of the value of time, and it broke me in the quietest ways 🥹
Alex is the kind of MMC that stays with you. Patient, steady, deeply loving, and emotionally present, he never stops showing up for Emiliana, even when it hurts, even when it costs him everything ❤️🔥. Their re-connection after ten years is charged with longing, regret, and unresolved love, and it’s clear almost immediately that what they shared never truly ended. There is one particular moment involving Alex that completely solidified him as that man for me, no spoilers, but you’ll know it when you read it 👀
Lani Roxanne’s writing is the heartbeat of this story. The emotions feel heavy but never manipulative, the relationships feel complex and painfully human, and the themes of grief, illness, and love are handled with so much care 🖤. I cried mid-chapter. I cried at 2 a.m. in bed staring at the ceiling. I cried after I finished. This is not a drill😭. This felt less like reading a book and more like experiencing a piece of art ✨
The twists caught me completely off guard, the emotional beats landed exactly where they needed to, and the ending left my heart full despite the tears 💖. This is a story about love that keeps you alive, even when life feels impossibly fragile.
If you’re looking for a deeply emotional, beautifully written second-chance romance that will leave you teary-eyed but full of hope, Change of Heart is a must-read 💜
🗓️ Out December 17
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 29, 2025
First, thank you so much to Lani Roxanne and LoveNotesPR for providing me with a digital ARC of Change of Heart. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to read this story early. Emiliana and Alex’s journey was deeply moving, emotionally raw, and unforgettable. This book introduced me to your writing, and I can’t wait to continue reading this series and exploring more of your work. Thank you for trusting me with this story.
**SPOILERS**
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) | Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)
Change of Heart is an emotionally devastating, tender second-chance romance that doesn’t shy away from grief, illness, and the unbearable fear of losing the people you love most. Emiliana Diaz returns to her hometown after a life-altering diagnosis, forced to confront not only her mortality but the past she ran from — including Alexander Cruz, the boy she loved, left, and never truly got over.
What stood out most was how real this story felt. The Diaz family’s devotion to one another was powerful and grounding; when Emiliana’s brothers learn about her heart failure, they immediately step up, no questions asked. The grief over their mother, the years of emotional avoidance, and the weight of facing another potential loss were written with raw honesty. I cried — a lot — but it never felt manipulative. It felt earned.
Alex’s love for Emiliana is intense, steadfast, and deeply emotional. His devotion, especially during her illness, was beautiful and heartbreaking all at once. There were moments of frustration — Alex waiting far too long to fully say what he felt, and Emiliana leaving for New York years ago without giving him the respect of a goodbye after he supported her daily through her grief. I also would’ve loved more development around the side characters, especially Emiliana’s siblings and her supposed NYC best friend, who was noticeably absent during critical moments.
Still, this book made me feel things — joy, heartbreak, hope, and deep sadness — and I wasn’t mad about any of it. This was my first read by Lani Roxanne, and it absolutely won’t be my last. As the first book in this family’s series, I’m already emotionally invested and can’t wait to read more.
“I can’t lose her. I don’t want to grieve her longer than I ever got to love her.”
This line broke me — and perfectly captures the heart of this story.
**SPOILERS**
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) | Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)
Change of Heart is an emotionally devastating, tender second-chance romance that doesn’t shy away from grief, illness, and the unbearable fear of losing the people you love most. Emiliana Diaz returns to her hometown after a life-altering diagnosis, forced to confront not only her mortality but the past she ran from — including Alexander Cruz, the boy she loved, left, and never truly got over.
What stood out most was how real this story felt. The Diaz family’s devotion to one another was powerful and grounding; when Emiliana’s brothers learn about her heart failure, they immediately step up, no questions asked. The grief over their mother, the years of emotional avoidance, and the weight of facing another potential loss were written with raw honesty. I cried — a lot — but it never felt manipulative. It felt earned.
Alex’s love for Emiliana is intense, steadfast, and deeply emotional. His devotion, especially during her illness, was beautiful and heartbreaking all at once. There were moments of frustration — Alex waiting far too long to fully say what he felt, and Emiliana leaving for New York years ago without giving him the respect of a goodbye after he supported her daily through her grief. I also would’ve loved more development around the side characters, especially Emiliana’s siblings and her supposed NYC best friend, who was noticeably absent during critical moments.
Still, this book made me feel things — joy, heartbreak, hope, and deep sadness — and I wasn’t mad about any of it. This was my first read by Lani Roxanne, and it absolutely won’t be my last. As the first book in this family’s series, I’m already emotionally invested and can’t wait to read more.
“I can’t lose her. I don’t want to grieve her longer than I ever got to love her.”
This line broke me — and perfectly captures the heart of this story.
January 15, 2026
Can we just take about ALL the emotion this book made me feel, never have I read a book where this happened. My heart was broken, I shed tears and I was yelling at the characters in my head through this whole read but I would do it again. This book was everything I never expected, Lani is a new to me author and I will definitely be reading books by her again any day.
Emiliana did everything to get away from her small hometown in Vermont with the memories and grief it held for her. But her escape to New York was what she looked forward to after becoming besties with her freshman year roommate they make a life together until…… her heart made her make the decision to head back to Windhaven, Vermont that last place she ever wanted to be again. Now being back in Windhaven forces Emma to confront her past, including her complicated relationship with Alex, her older brother's best friend. This one felt especially unique due to the circumstances that originally tore them apart and the conflict of Emma's health. The way that Lani portrayed such strong and difficult emotions was beautifully done. I loved the yearning, pining, and the tension between them. I love the way that Alex loved Emma so deeply for so long but never knew how to come out with their feelings for one another. I mean this man has LOVED her in silence for FIFTEEN years and has watched from the sidelines, and she ran because of the way he made her feel and everyone who has ever loved her left. She truly never grieved the loss of her mother and o think that is where most of this is stemming from, as well has her chronic condition that she never wanted to burden anyone with. But sir Alex was there and he made her very aware that he was choosing to be there for her and he would always be there for her.
The ending was everything that Alex and Emma needed and they to get have well deserved happily ever after. I also was left very curious about Emma's brothers, the Easter eggs with Cam, Sophia, Frankie and Liv…. But who will Leo get to love?
Emiliana did everything to get away from her small hometown in Vermont with the memories and grief it held for her. But her escape to New York was what she looked forward to after becoming besties with her freshman year roommate they make a life together until…… her heart made her make the decision to head back to Windhaven, Vermont that last place she ever wanted to be again. Now being back in Windhaven forces Emma to confront her past, including her complicated relationship with Alex, her older brother's best friend. This one felt especially unique due to the circumstances that originally tore them apart and the conflict of Emma's health. The way that Lani portrayed such strong and difficult emotions was beautifully done. I loved the yearning, pining, and the tension between them. I love the way that Alex loved Emma so deeply for so long but never knew how to come out with their feelings for one another. I mean this man has LOVED her in silence for FIFTEEN years and has watched from the sidelines, and she ran because of the way he made her feel and everyone who has ever loved her left. She truly never grieved the loss of her mother and o think that is where most of this is stemming from, as well has her chronic condition that she never wanted to burden anyone with. But sir Alex was there and he made her very aware that he was choosing to be there for her and he would always be there for her.
The ending was everything that Alex and Emma needed and they to get have well deserved happily ever after. I also was left very curious about Emma's brothers, the Easter eggs with Cam, Sophia, Frankie and Liv…. But who will Leo get to love?
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