A Change of Heart

Perfect, Indiana #3

by Barbara Longley

Cory Marcel worked tirelessly over eight grueling years to develop a successful military career. After her commanding officer violently assaulted her, she lost everything—especially her trust in people. Despite the emotional damage threatening to sink her, Cory agrees to accept a new job at a furniture store in Perfect—a job that could offer the fragile brunette the chance to start over.

Ted Lovejoy cofounded Langford & Lovejoy Heritage Furniture, but lately he feels like an outsider in his own business. When he meets Cory, Ted realizes his company can do more than just build furniture—it can also help rebuild lives. He longs to help Cory recover from her pain, yet every time he gets too close to her heart, she pushes him away.

While Cory can’t resist her attraction to Ted, she fears the demons haunting her will drag down both of them. Could this kind, soft-spoken man help her finally bury the past…and unlock a future full of hope and happiness?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Military Fiction, Adult

309 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 26, 2013

About the author

Barbara Longley graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education/Human Relations, and holds a Master’s in Ed./SLD from the University of Minnesota. When the integration district where she taught dissolved in 2015, she transitioned into writing full time. Ms. Longley is listed on RWA’s Honor Roll of Bestselling Authors, and her books have garnered many awards, including a Maggie, the Holt Medallion, a National Readers’ Choice, two Heart of Excellence awards, a Bookseller’s Best award, and Diamond Award for reaching more than a million readers (2015). Ms. Longley creates memorable heroes and heroines who grow into their strength and go on to save the day.

Reviews

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

**** 4 PTSD Stars ****

ARC provided by Montlake Romance via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date - November 26, 2013

A Change of Heart is # 3 in a stand-alone series about a town named, Perfect, Indiana.  This book is Cory and Ted's romantic story.  I didn't read the other books and there wasn't a problem at all following the story and getting to know the characters from the prior books.  This was a sweet romance with moderate angst. 

Cory has just returned from Afghanistan with a "dishonorable discharge" and a diagnosis of a personality disorder which labels her as "unfit for duty".  This all stems from her being raped by her CO.  Just because she stood up to him and wouldn't turn her head on what he was doing, even though he was found guilty, Cory still suffered the consequences.  



Living in her mother's double-wide, Cory shuts down until her best-friend, Brenda pulls Cory out of her funk and finds her a job at L & L.  L & L employs all veterans of war who are dealing with traumatic past events from war.  Cory tries to deal with her PTSD and fear of men since she has no money, no medical benefits and no pension from the Army.  

On Cory's first day at work, she is met with Ted screaming at his partner about hiring a new veteran without consulting him first.  As Ted turns around and meets Cory's eyes, he is stunned into disbelief and automatically feels the pull she has on him.  Ted tries to get Cory to open up to him and give  him a chance at having a relationship but Cory feels she is too broken for a healthy relationship.



Ted agrees to only being friends with Cory but he continues to push bit by bit for more.  Cory runs scared each time with her night terrors getting worse.  Ted feels that he is being duped and will never find the love he deserves.

Will Ted give up the chase and friendship of Cory?

Will Cory continue to fight the Army to try and get her benefits so she can get help?

Will there be a HEA?



All of these questions will be answered if you decide to pick up this book to read!

[Trish R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was sad and depressing and regretful and unfair, and because it was all those things I think I would have liked it more if it had been a much shorter story, 300 pages was too much. All that was so drawn out it made the story not-all-that-good. There was so much push-pull coming from Cory it was hard to like her. And Ted had the patience of a saint. Really, there was just too much PTSD. Four books on PTSD in one series? All those nightmares and flashbacks, page after page. That’s just not enjoyable.

I have read the Loch Moigh series by Ms. Longley and I love them but this is my first book of the Perfect Indiana series and it was barely OK for me. I know I’m in the minority here but it was just too sad for me, and Cory really was hard to like. I could certainly sympathize with her but not like her. Even with the HEA it just took too long to get there. If there had been something else to catch my interest, like a stalker or a murder or some kind of mystery, something other than a drawn out romance, maybe I would have liked it more. I ‘am going to read the next book, The Twisted Road To You, because it’s going to have an escaped convict in it, ex-husband of the heroine, so that’ll make it better. But that will be my last Perfect Indiana book.

There was sex in this book but it wasn’t until about 85%, so if you don’t like sex in your books don’t read past 85%.

I don’t recall any swearing so if there was any it’s not even memorable.

As to the narration: Kate Rudd is just wonderful. Her voices and emotions are awesome.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy this one really got to me. I felt for Cory, no woman should be raped, let alone raped by a superior officer and then have the organization you work for betray you. I think that part is what made me want to rant. First Cory was raped literally, then it was like she was raped again by the Army for how they treated her in the aftermath.

I have to admit that Ted has never been my favorite character, there was something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. However Ted was the perfect person for Cory. I loved how Ted got that Cory had issues and always was there to give her a feeling a safety, even if he had to put his feelings on a back burner. It was the slow going that seemed to win Cory over, so that when Ted needed a break Cory felt his loss and needed to do something about it.

The ending to this one was perfect! I loved how Cory shared her good news with Ted, asked him for advice and how we got to see their HEA.

[Joan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, this was majorly angsty! I like angst, but there was very little joy to be found anywhere in this story. The premise was good, though the constant PTSD became irritating, especially as it was all cured at the 85% mark by the 'magical all-healing penis'.

It came across as ludicrous, given Cory's earlier reactions to be touched/kissed etc.

I stopped reading.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Musings

A nice addition to this series. I enjoyed his the relationship developed between the key characters, and I liked both of them. As always the narrator is excellent. I can't wait to read the next one in this series. Happy ☺reading 📚!

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect is a special place... All you have to do is be open to what comes your way, and things will change for the better.

A Change of Heart is the poignant story of Cory Marcel, a woman who is battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after being attacked and raped by her Commanding Officer while serving in the Army. Cory faught to bring her attacker up on charges while the Army faught to discredit her. Eventually she is successful, her attacker does go to jail, but the Army labels Cory as being unfit to serve and gives her a dishonorable discharge. Cory is left with no benefits to receive counseling and suffers with paranoia, flashbacks, and nightmares.

Ted Lovejoy helped found Lanford & Lovejoy Heritage Furniture store. Lanford & Lovejoy hires predominantly veterans, many which have suffered from PTSD and other issues from their time spent in the service. Cory is hired to work at Lanford & Lovejoy doing IT work and Ted takes an immediate interest in the beautiful but damaged woman. Ted learns quickly that he has an uphill battle if he wants to earn Cory’s trust.

“What if you replaced the bad memories with good ones, like one at a time? Start out small.”

Her brow furrowed. “I don’t know if that’s possible. Rape is such a violent intrusion. Any illusions I ever had of…being secure, or...safe…” Her lips compressed again, turning down at the corners. “It’s all gone, shattered into a million splintery shards. Everything in my world changed that day, and I don’t even feel like the ground I walk on is solid anymore. That center of gravity that keeps us all grounded? I’ve lost it.” Her voice hitched. “And I have no idea how to get that back.”

A Change of Heart was very well written. It offers a realistic and poignant look at one woman's struggle to reclaim her life after everything is stripped from her. While A Change of Heart is a fictional story, the issue of sexual abuse in the United States Armed Forces is a very real issue. Reports say that a large majority of assaults go unreported. While it’s always hard to read about sexual abuse or the effects of such abuse, for me it was almost more difficult reading Cory’s story, knowing that she was hurt by someone that should have been on her side, one of the "good guys".

For romance readers that expect a little (or a lot) of steam in the stories they read, please note, this story has very little. I can’t say there is no sexual contact in this book but it is extremely limited and happens at the very end of the story. The subject matter of A Change of Heart dictated how the relationship developed between Cory and Ted and the steam factor reflects that. I still found the romance between Cory and Ted beautiful and enjoyed reading about it. If a lack or steam/sex is not a factor for choosing a book, I'd definitely recommend this story. It was very well done. Just a sidenote, I was told by the author that readers can expect a much steamier story in the other books in the series. When I have some time I plan on revisiting Perfect.

A Change of Heart is book three in the Perfect, Indiana series written by Barbara Longley. The series does have connecting story lines but all books can be read as stand-alones. If you're like me and prefer to read series in order, you may want to start with the first book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Librarian Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Longley has taken on a tough subject--Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and has brought us some wonderful characters. I love them all--and can hardly wait to read some of the other books in the series just so I can read more about these characters.

Cory is not only fighting against the PTSD that she suffered, not as a result of enemy action but as a result of actions by someone she should have been able to trust. I hurt for her as she was going through the pain that is part of healing in a case like this. And Ted... well, what's not to love about him?

The supporting cast is just as important (and just as well-drawn) as the main characters and provide a wonderful framework for this story. These are people you want to hang out with and just enjoy. I so want to live in Perfect... because it is!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Change of Heart was a emotional but heartwarming story about Ted and Cory. I had been waiting for this book in the series to come out for months and I wasn't disappointed! I love Ms Longleys writing style and I always feel like Im there with the characters. At times, its like you can actually feel what theyre going thru! Awesome read!!!

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cory was in the military and was raped by her C.O. The military tried to brush it under the rug but Cory took it all the way to Congress. So, the Military discharged her without pay after a year of courts in which she proved that this man raped her she was put down as “unfit for serve” and given a “borderline personality” diagnosis instead of PTSD for the rape. So, that meant no service or benefits.
She had used all her own money to fight in court to have this man put behind bars of which he was but it took year. Her nightmare was still not over. She needed the diagnosis off her record in order to get benefits back. How backwards is that? Or it would she had to get it off her military record too.
Now she suffers from PTSD and had an outside diagnosis for that, she is back home being as she has always felt like trailer trash and no job to do, so much fear of men especially, and really people in general. Her childhood best friend reaches out since her brother works at a place that hires Vets and they need a person with I.T. skills, Cory would be ideal. Brenda snaps her out of her funk and gets her working, moved, and mad. That is why they are BFF’s
Her first day doesn’t start out well since Ted, part owner, is spouting off not knowing she is behind him, that the other partner Noah had no business hiring anyone without talking to him first. Then he says something along the lines of, do we know what skills this “guy” has thinking it is a man, has any I.T. skills? When Cory says, “Maybe I should just leave?” Making Ted jump. Their eyes meet and their both attracted which neither are happy about.
Come read how this relationship unfolds and see how they both work through their stress and attraction to one another. This is a wonderfully written story from a women’s point of view, who suffers from PTSD. The man who has fallen for her during her fall out and how he handles it. He struggles to help her and does everything to find ways to help her cope and himself to understand.
It’s about the hardest thing either of them has ever had to deal with. Loving each other yet not being able to act on it. He tries to help her fight her way through an unjust system that she fought so hard to uphold. Now they’ve turned their back on her.
It’s a must read you will not regret reading it I didn’t.
Provided by netgalley.com

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A contemporary romance dealing with serious emotional and mental health issues, A Change of Heart by Barbara Longley, made me reflect on things most of us take for granted. Well developed characters, good dialogue and plenty of angst kept me turning the pages to discover what was going to happen next. While the third book in the Perfect, Indiana series, this book can be read on its own.

Emotionally and mentally traumatized by an assault from a superior officer in the army, Cory Marcel fought a year long and difficult battle to have him brought to justice. After eight years of faithful service, Cory’s “reward” for doing the right thing was a dishonorable discharge with the remarks that she was “unfit for service” due to suffering from “borderline personality disorder”. Unemployed and unable to draw upon her military health benefits, Cory is financially broke, suffering from PTSD, and feeling lost. Fortunately her best friend has a plan to get her back on her feet; get mad, get a job and fight for what’s rightfully yours.
Co-founder of Langford and Lovejoy Heritage Furniture, Ted Lovejoy is tired of being treated like a kid by the majority of the guys at work. Feeling like an outsider because he didn’t serve in the military, like most of the male employees, he’s also dealing with a partner who keeps hiring people without consulting with him first. Something that really makes him angry until he meets Cory, their newest employee, someone he decides is irresistible.

The scenes between Cory and Ted are well written, have a lot of emotional angst and just the right amount of emotional and sexual chemistry to keep things interesting. Both Cory and Ted have emotional issues from the past they will need to deal with and they’ll also have to face Cory’s PTSD and her lack of trust due to her assault. Ms. Longley does a good job developing their characters, though there were times I felt Ted’s character was too pushy and Cory’s emotions went back and forth like a see-saw.

Will Cory have the courage and fight to demand her benefits from the Army? Will she really let Ted into her heart? And will Ted have the strength and maturity being with Cory will require? You’ll have to read A Change of Heart to find out, I enjoyed it and plan to read the rest of the books in the series.

[Melissa S Frederick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Broken heart.............

I give this book 4 stars.

What does this mean to me? I loved this book, it was a great read!

This book is part of a series called A love from the heartland, however it can be read as a stand alone book. I did not realize this book was part of a series until after I began reading and noticed the tag line under the title. I'm actually thrilled now and can't wait to grab some of the other books in the series to find the stories behind some of the background characters in this novel.

A change of heart is a great love story. A traumatized Cory Marcel finds herself lost after spending 8 years in the military trying to make her deceased father proud. Cory's commanding officer brutally assaulted her and Cory then had to spend many months reliving the trauma in court hearings and in front of the public eye. Now that it's all over, she has lost herself to the sadness of the situation and the demons that lurk in her nightmares.

Ted is a man that has a big heart and would love to have someone to share it with. Looked at as the "kid" to most the people in his life, Ted is frustrated and unhappy with where himself. Ted is blind to how wonderful he truly is.

Ted is the co-founder of a furniture store in Perfect,Indiana that has the wonderful reputation of hiring veterans as employees. Cory accepts a job with the company and from the moment Ted see's her he feels the need to get to know her. Cory also finds herself attracted to Ted, however she just isn't ready for any type of relationship, she just can't find a way to trust anyone yet.

Can Ted find a way to help Heal Cory's Damaged Heart?

Can Cory Find a way to help Ted see the man he really is?

This is another novel that takes on a hard topic. Abuse in the military is something real and something that is very hard for people to accept. The military is here to protect us and when something evil happens behind it's walls, we just can't believe it.

Barbara Longley's characters come alive in the pages of this novel. Cory and Ted's story is heartwarming and deep. If you are looking for a well written and believable love story, please pick up this book! I think you will be happy with it, I know I was.

[Janga · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Change of Heart is the third book in Barbara Longley’s Perfect, Indiana series, after Far from Perfect (Noah Langford and Ceejay Lovejoy) and The Difference a Day Makes (Paige Langford and Ryan Malloy). I’m a fan of the series because Longley has presented the lingering problems affecting Afghanistan veterans with surprising depth and a refreshing absence of the sentimental clichés to which authors writing about such characters too frequently resort. I found the third book particularly interesting since the veteran is female and the traumatizing event occurs within the military circle. Longley shows her readers what Cory’s life is like after the headlines of a highly publicized case have faded and the victim is left with a ruined professional life and emotional trauma.

All of the characters in Cory’s story early on ring true—her mother’s helpless concern, her best friend’s refusal to let Cory give up, the reassuring presence of the brother, who was practically Cory’s brother too, a big, tough military hero with vulnerabilities and an unlikely childhood nickname (“Bunny”). Once the setting switches to Perfect, fans of the earlier books will enjoy seeing many familiar characters and the evidence that the HEAs of Noah and Ceejay and Paige and Ryan are in progress. Cory and Ted’s relationship seems real, and it demands the reader’s emotional investment.

A Change of Heart can be read as a standalone. Readers new to the series will have no difficulty following the development of Cory and Ted’s relationship. Cory’s fears, Ted’s determination, and the will of their friends to protect both their vulnerable hearts make this an engaging, heartwarming story. Readers who have followed the series will particularly enjoy seeing a more mature Ted finally find his own forever love.

If you are a reader who has an affection for small-town romances or for romances featuring veterans as characters, I think you will enjoy this book. I particularly recommend it for readers who love Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series or JoAnn Ross’s Shelter Bay books.

See full review at:
http://www.theromancedish.com/2013/12...

[Books Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about getting through the bad stuff with the help of some wonderful friends. Truly, the cast of characters in this book are what made it special. It's not that I didn't enjoy our hero and heroine, because I absolutely did, but this book is really about a group of folks who felt so real, I'd know them if I passed them on the street.

Ms. Longley has a great skill for story-telling and making a reader care. She breathed life into these folks and gave them real problems and flaws. PTSD isn't a simple thing to write about, and if you consider that half the characters in the book suffer from it in one form or another, you have an even more difficult task. The author was up to the challenge.

It's clear this is part of a series as there are couples who are newlywed, or expecting children and I could tell that they were from earlier books. However, that doesn't mean I was lost or this book lacked something. It didn't. Though I expect readers of the previous novels will enjoy this book even more than I did.

The romance is sweet and tender. The one person in the book with few flaws is our hero, Ted. But he needs to be nearly perfect in order for Cory to trust him (eventually). He's what I'd call an "Omega" male -- not alpha, but not really beta either. He's strong, but not pushy or aggressive. He's handsome, but not overly so. He's intelligent, but not a nerd. He's just the perfect person for Cory.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. It had its ups and downs, and the occasional draggy spots, but it really didn't matter much to me. I fell in love with the town and its population and can't wait to revisit.

[Katie Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first came across Barbara Longley when book one from the Perfect, Indiana series was on sale at Amazon. With family members who have been in the military and suffered from PTSD, I decided to give her book a try. I am so glad I did! I loved the first book, Far from Perfect, that I immediately went out and downloaded the second book, The Difference A Day Makes. Again, I wasn't disappointed. As soon as I could I preordered the third book, A Change of Heart, but was lucky enough to win a copy through First Reads. Either way, free or pay, I would have read this book. I liked the fact that not only was it based on a female military character, but it also addressed the additional challenges that women in the military have to face on top of combat. I loved Ted from the beginning of the series and was glad to see him finally get his HEA. Now I can only hope that Ms. Longley continues this series. Keeping my fingers crossed that there is a book in the future for Wes and Carlie and that we might hear more about Kyle and Barb.

[Bette Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a LOT of books every year!! Most of those I truly enjoy and share with those I know who also love to read. Every once in a while a book comes along that truly touches my heart. For 2013 this is that book!!

This is a book about a woman's struggle with PTSD. And not your typical wartime issues. This book made me really think about some of the issues women in the military face.

I know that topic can sound dark and depressing but this book isn't either of those things. It is a book filled with love and hope and one great story.

I encourage everyone to grab your copy now and I thank Ms. Longley for sharing such a wonderful story.

[Niccisbookblog · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a story of self discovery for Cory, she finds out that not all men are like the officer that brutally rape and beat her and that she can trust again. Cory also found out that you dont have to struggle all alone that it is ok to let other people, people that have been in a similar place to where you are now really can help.

Ted is such a lovely guy genuine and really loving, the way he treats Cory after her attack is so very heart warming.

This story is just a lovely feel good read, you get a meaningful plot with great characters that are very well developed and the story flows easily.

The bonus is that there is a HEA at the end.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to make you realize what some of our troops go through away from home qnd the scars both physical and mental they have to work through. This book also highlights the goodness of some companies who help our vetarans. Wish there were more. I received this book free and was not required to give a review.

[Tamara Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this third book in the series. The hero in particular was such a nice, sweet guy. I also loved the twist that this military romance had the heroine as the veteran who had to deal with rape by a commanding officer. This issue has been in the news lately, and is something that needs to be addressed. Very well-written and compelling.

[Kerry Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well I finally made it to the end of this book. I really struggled with it, definitely my least favourite of the three in this series. I found the heroine in this book to be quite annoying although I did love Ted who had been around in the previous books and he was such a nice guy you just wanted him to get the girl even if I didn't like her.

[FW · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brims with hope. Periods of hopelessness do not equal giving up. And that is why I will read this book again and again.

I received an advance reader copy through NetGalley. Full review at http://fernweh428.wordpress.com/2013/...

[Cindy]

Change of Heart

This was a great book. It had depth in the characters especially the main female. If you like books about service members this is for you, especially with the romance.

[kathyhansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith and romance

the saga continues with a new twist on how the effects of not only war but the things that happened that change your life and how to cope with the situation and begin to get back to the life you deserve.

[Michael Starsheen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry in this series

Another great entry in this series

I gave this book five stars because it was a sweet, romantic read. I enjoyed the series theme of healing veterans through love, and I recommend this book for you.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another nearly "perfect" story. Here in book # 3, Ted Lovejoy finally gets his well deserved happily-ever-after. He's a great guy and the right partner for Cory. His patience, kindness and sensitivity help her regain her confidence and trust in herself and in them.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great third book. Loved that this time the wounded warrior was female. Also loved that Ted finally got his chance at love. This entire series was a pleasure to read. You won't regret starting (and finishing) it....

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awesome

love this story on how females in the military deal with ptsd/sexual assault. I would definitely recommend it for people to read.

[Ashley Irby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy from First Reads. What an amazing story! I loved it - & I cannot wait to read the rest in the series. Loved it!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5, loved it!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick weekend read. Made the reader think about the victim's of rape in the military and the hurdles they are forced to overcome.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Barbara Longley! Such a sweet series. I was looking forward to the release of this book and I was not disappointed.