Change of Heart

The Flanagan Sisters #2

by Claire Boston

Software billionaire Carly Flanagan has an abundance of everything except time.

With everyone wanting a piece of her, or more accurately, her money, she spends her days trying to live up to her company's motto of Community, Sharing, Support. Having always been so focused on responsibility, success and supporting those less fortunate than her, Carly’s forgotten to consider what she wants for herself in life – until she meets Evan.

Evan Hayes is an artist and free spirit, and when they meet at a local art exhibition, he is immediately intrigued by Carly. He sees through her public persona, realizing she is not the person she portrays. Evan’s the type of man who doesn’t have a lot, but is perfectly comfortable with who he is. A man who knows what he wants – and he wants Carly.

Carly is sure Evan wants something else from her. Everyone does. All Evan is asking is the chance to get to know her, but will Carly let him in? Or will a lifetime of protecting herself prove too hard to overcome?

Genres: Romance

230 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2016

About the author

Claire Boston fell in love with romance and romantic suspense at eleven when she discovered her mother’s stash of Nora Roberts novels. Like Nora, she writes series set around families or groups of friends with a guaranteed happy ending.

She loves travelling and learning about new cultures and interesting vocations which she then weaves into her writing.

When Claire’s not at the computer typing her stories she can be found creating her own handmade journals, swinging on a sidecar, or in the garden attempting to grow something other than weeds.

Claire lives in Western Australia with her husband, who loves even her most annoying quirks and is currently learning how to knit.

You can find her complete book list on her website www.claireboston.com/books.

You can connect with Claire through Facebook and Twitter.
You can join her reader group here

Reviews

[Syndi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has some potential. After all the romance about the opposite attract is not something new. The execution of the writting, the story development and character development are off.

There is too much self inner communication on this book. Not enough chemistry between the characters to build that romance. Instead Miss Boston focuses on the technical aspect of drawing and painting. I have to admit i got bored listening to the audio book. The main theme of opposite attract romance is not execute well.

2 stars

[1-Click Addict Support Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire Boston kind of snuck up on me as must-read author. I have to have her books—ASAP—and when I start them, I find it impossible to put them down.

Change of Heart was no exception. It was addicting, and I was invested in Evan and Carly from the very first page.

No, wait, from BEFORE the first page, because Carly fascinated me in Break the Rules and I desperately wanted to read her story. She was a wonderfully layered character, and her moments of uncertainty and vulnerability struck me in the heart. This woman—this woman is the embodiment of what female characters should be. She wasn’t a simpering, whimpering walkover; instead, she’s a self-made billionaire, a woman of means and power. Amazing. She knew how to look after the people and things that mattered to her, and she was compassionate. And, damn it, she was smart.

That’s not to say that Evan wasn’t smart. He was. He was lovely, thoughtful, talented and sweet. A beautiful beta hero—something we don’t see often enough, IMHO—who wooed a woman that many would be intimidated by. I loved that he didn’t expect anything of Carly except her time, her company. He didn’t bow to her, but he understood her, understood what was important to her, and that made me swoon for him all the more. Not only that, when the conflict came, it wasn’t anything like I expected. From him, or from her.

I was worried that Change of Heart would follow a specific, overdone path to bring about the tension between these two, so I was both delighted and heartbroken (because I was very invested in this couple, if you haven’t yet picked that up…) when things came to a head in a way that felt natural, and not overly cliché. It tugged at my heart, and made me want to knock some sense into some people. But yet, it still made sense to me.

And then, when it was all said and done, all I wanted was more. That’s not to say this wasn’t a completely satisfying and lovely ending. It’s just… I really wasn’t ready for this book to be over. I would have LOVED a few extra pages, a little more time with Carly and Evan. I’m not kidding when I say I tapped the last page, and then tapped back, sure I’d missed something. Because I need more of this couple. I feel like they have more story to tell, and I don’t want to miss a thing.

But then again, I also don’t want to miss Zita’s story, and will be exercising my grabby hands for it ASAP. Who knows, maybe the extra I want need for Carly and Evan can be found there—and even if it’s not, I’m sure it’ll still be another must read from Ms. Boston. ~ Beth, 5 stars

~~~

Sometimes a woman just wants to be wanted because she’s a woman. Not for her money. Not for her fame. Not for her business connections. But for her—the real woman behind all the money, fame and business connections. Wanted because she’s smart, funny, beautiful, sexy, loving, kind . . . That’s what Carly Flanagan wants—desperately. But she’s so overwhelmed by the responsibilities in running her business, she barely has time to make it to her mother’s for lunch every two weeks. So when is she going to find time to find love?

Evan Hayes is an artist. A pretty successful one too—he’s self-made and self-sufficient due to his uncompromising worth ethic. It only took one brief meeting for Evan to find Carly fascinating and want to spend time getting to know the woman behind the “all business" façade, but where will Carly find the time for that to happen? And will Carly truly let down her hair enough to really trust Evan and his attempts to woo her?

I loved Carly and Evan together—absolutely adored how they just “got” each other in business, life and love. Two workaholics attempting to find love was both very funny and very sad because, while they “got” each other and their crazy, singularly-focused work activities, it was very sad that they’d never really found someone to share it all with until they met each other. Sure, there were a ton of trust issues and time constraints to work around, but I loved how they tried to balance it all—to make it work for once because they both wanted it so very badly.

I also loved catching up with the rest of the Flanagan family. It was great to visit with Bridget and Jack, as well as with Zita and their mother, Carmen. While I would have LOVED more of Carly and Evan, I really cannot wait until Zita’s book, where I’m hopeful I’ll have many more interactions with the Flanagan family. ~ Missy, 5 stars

[Susanna Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was wonderful to see people from two different worlds learn about each other and grow. Carly is a technical whiz who has built a business empire around her skills. She’s big on family whereas Evan isn’t. He’s an artist who has found a way to make a living doing the thing he loves. This is a lovely story with plenty of heart.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually avoid billionaire stories because reading about privileged people is not relatable for me. However Carly is the opposite of privileged and both characters are likeable and interesting. I was happy to see them both grow and get their happy ever after.

[Sherri Munson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read !!

I enjoyed this book from the first page to the last! I don’t like a lot of smutt in the books I read this had just enough and left the rest to your imagination!

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is my favorite so far

[Anne Blyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opposites attract is always an interesting trope and this was an ok read.

[Romantic Reads and Such · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read quite a few of Boston’s books and I’ve loved every one of them. The funny thing is I forget how much until I crack one open and find myself sucked in. So I think I just need to quit even reading the blurbs and pick up anything with her name on the cover :)

We got to know Carly just a little bit in Break the Rules and I was very curious to find out more about this Flanagan. She seemed like a bit of a contradiction - I couldn't decide if she was reserved or uppity or just busy. Turned out she was a bit shy and a lot busy.

She’s super gifted with coding and she’s big about giving back to the community. A refugee as a child she’s intimately familiar with their plight and works with her family to help others like her. She’s also working with other developers in the community that need a leg up. She had someone who showed her the ropes and it made all the difference so she wants to be that person to others. And because she feels like she’s been given so much, she finds it hard to say no when people ask her for things. Add in all that she's responsible for as head of her company and she has very little time for herself.

Then she meets Evan at an art event (one of those things she had a hard time saying no to) and she’s drawn to him … but heartbreak in her past has made her gun-shy when it comes to men.

Evan is doing whatever he can to make a living as an artist. An exhibit of up-and-coming artists introduces him to Carly and he’s drawn to the sexy, strong woman. While it seems like it might be a little hard to break thru her walls, a little perseverance pays off and soon they are spending time together, when they can with all of her obligations. Talented but not flighty like you'd expect an artist to be, Evan proves that he sees Carly as no one else has, easily fitting in. Which has her evaluating her life and what she wants from it. And him.

I love these two together. How they have a rhythm that works and how they complement each other so well - the fresh perspective that he brings to her life and the support that she brings to his, making two independent lives work without either of them losing who they are. I can’t wait to see what Boston has for the next Flanagan!

[Wendy Loomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

CHANGE OF HEART

Carly is a mega rich woman who had been burnt by men with ulterior motives. Being a woman in charge of her own multi billion dollar company means she must perform to the utmost particularly where men are predominant in business and often see women as inferior. She feels that she has to do everything, be better and work twice as hard just to maintain her position. Having built her software company from the ground up Carly knows what path she wants it to take, focussing on helping those who have less opportunities, providing support and expertise allowing them to follow their dreams.

Evan has struggled to follow his dream of making a living as an artist. To him it is a passion and career that requires his full attention and a lot of hard work taking on any job that comes his way. He is a quiet, down to earth man who knows what he wants and works hard to achieve it by maintaining his focus on his desired career.

Carly and Evan meet at an art exhibition sponsored by Carly. Evan is immediately taken by Carly wanting to find out more about her, which proves easier when he discovers she is the sister of his neighbour. While Evan takes every opportunity to see Carly, she on the other hand doesn't want his advances. To Carly men are only after one of two things, her money or her body. Not acceptable or worth the heartbreak she has experienced before.

At times Evan seemed too laid back, although that could well be his artistic nature, or not macho enough, particularly for a CEO like Carly. But in the end they work perfectly, complimenting each other. Evan proves to Carly that she can believe in love again as he conquers and breaks through her fears to capture her heart.

A great story with a role reversal having the woman as the accomplished business mogul of the couple, thoroughly enjoyable.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high expectations of Change of Heart stemming from Break the Rules, how the characters were developed within that story and of the story itself. I will admit I'm a little let down. The amount of naivety in COH is to much, sometimes coming off as childish. When we're first introduced to Evan we think strong driven man. He to seemed to soften to much for the story. Carly is a powerful business woman but claims to not know what she's doing and faking it. I guess to a certain extent yes it's plausible but to the capacity that's depicted no.
At first you get a sense of a strong connection between Evan and Carly but it tends to become lacklustre before half way through. I get a stronger sense of friendship then lovers from this story.
I find the fact that Carly does all the meetings, absolutely everything for the business herself when she has executives to far fetched also. If they don't have anything to do then why are they employed. It is good to read she lets go of some control, especially to Hayden. I liked Hayden.

The catalyst that created the drama was predictable, and rushed. One second everything is fine, then it's not, then it is and bam the book is finished.
I did love the aspect of Teresa, Evans interaction with her, helping her embrace something she is good at.

In all the story was soft and fluffy, definitely good for a quick read between housework or going out.

[Anne]

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. There goes my Sunday!
I have read all of Claire Boston's books and can't wait for the next one.