There's something so thrilling about finding an immersive and riveting fantasy series. Compelling from the outset, when Evangeline Fox tries to fix her broken heart by stopping her beloved from marrying another (who happens to be her step-sister...) she ends up making a deal with charismatic, but wicked, Prince of Hearts. Her actions result in her becoming a national hero, bringing all manner of infamy and danger in response.
As is often typical with book one of a fantasy series, the pace is a little on the slow side as the focus is on building the world and the characters that fill it. However, when the world is this evocative and the characters so charming - that's really not a problem! A perfect Autumn/Winter read for those desperate for a bit of an escape from reality.

DNF @ 25%

This one didn't work for me. I really enjoyed Caraval because the plot kept me page-turning, but personally didn't like the characters much. Once Upon a Broken Heart is much more character focused so unfortunately I found myself bored by the time I reached 25%. If you liked the characters in Caraval and enjoy a slower paced story, this will be a good book for you, but it didn't work for me.

Evangeline is suffering from a broken heart. The man she loves is due to be marrying her stepsister, Marisol so she strikes up a deal with the Prince of Hearts, Jacks. But she has no idea what she’s letting herself in for and that maybe Jacks can’t be trusted and has his own agenda.

I’ve loved Stephanie’s style of writing since ‘Caraval’. Stephanie always has a way of making sure you don’t know what’s coming. I can’t say too much without spoiling it. It’s an absolute riot to read and there is always something happening. I couldn’t help but also get caught up in the romance.

I kinda felt I was reading two separate books, the first half felt different from the second half, the second half definitely felt more fantasy heavy. There was a few aspects of the story that reminded me of some of the classic fairytales. There’s curses, poisoned drinks, magical creatures, troubled relationships and loveable characters. With every page I just felt gripped and couldn’t wait to find out what happened next.

This is a treat to read, if like me and you loved the ‘Caraval’ series then you’ll love this. I had heard that this one is based from the same world and features a character, Jacks from the ‘Caraval’ series, I’ve only read the first one so far and hadn’t met him in that one so this has definitely pushed me to read the others.

If you’re looking to be whisked away by a book then this is definitely the one for you.

‘Once Upon a Broken Heart’ is an enchanting and magical read.

To be honest, I started reading this in the middle of (what I thought would be) a long reading slump but I think this book cured me! I read it in less than a day even while doing my university work because I just loved reading it.

I appreciated how the plot was complex enough not to be overly predictable while being easy enough to follow without difficulty and totally loved the characters. I felt like each of them had a huge journey in such a short amount of time which I loved.

There was Romance, magic, adventure, mystery, poison and I mean what more could you want?
I seriously cannot wait for book 2!

I loved Caraval and was really excited with a tiny bit of trepidation to hear about OUABH. When it arrived in my Fairyloot box, I had to pick it up and read. I waited for the hype to die down, and just savoured it. And I do not regret a thing!
This is magical with beautiful writing. It does feel like fairly young YA and I could have done with a bit higher stakes, but I love how it tied into the Caraval trilogy while still being an entirely independent book. I think that the experience would be better having read Caraval first, but I also think you can read without reading Caraval and enjoy just as much.

CAWPILE 7.57 4*

Characters: I love Evangeline and Jacks is my new Bae, yes I know he's cold hearted and not nice, but he's the perfect bad boy!
Atmosphere: 8- loved it, magical and fantastical without being complicated
Writing: 8- Stephanie Garber is a beautiful writer
Plot: 7- I liked the concept but I felt by the end there were parts still not resolved
Intrigue: 7- Unfortunately the parts I was meant to be intrigued by didn't massively grip me
Logic: 7- Most things made sense, but there were a couple bits that didn't
Enjoyment: 8- I really enjoyed it and want to continue the series. I felt it ended a bit abruptly though.

A tenacious heroine, a wicked, witty villain who isn't all he seems, and a whimsical world to lose yourself in - Garber has done it again! Fans of the CARAVAL series will be delighted with this sumptuous new fairytale.

I should probably preface this by saying that I’m not exactly the target audience for this – I’m more of a person who tends to get sucked in by books that are a bit more off the beaten path and a tad less commercially oriented. That said, Once Upon A Broken Heart does hit upon a lot of the popular trends at the moment and it makes a lot of sense that this, and Garber’s other books are as popular as they are. You have the aspirational heroines, who aren’t as well-defined as to not let readers self-insert, you have dark and broody love interests with a villainous streak and you have twists and turns, romance and betrayal.

But while it is a fun and entertaining read, it never properly absorbed me. Part of it may be down to formatting issues that the eARC had (the story is interspersed with newspaper articles, and those ended up very messy, with scattered text), which will be fixed in final copies, though I don’t think that it is only that. I guess it may also be that I am just not as taken in by either of the men in Evangeline’s life – they’re just not all that swoon-worthy to me, tbh, one is bland and doesn’t really have a discernible personality, and the other is a manipulator with a track-record of being a bad person? And Evangeline herself is kind of a damsel in distress type character throughout the story, constantly relying on everyone else to sort things out for her and going ‘woe is me’. Somehow I think I may be slightly saltier about this book than I thought before I started writing this review… It’s not like it’s a bad book, but I think ultimately, it’s not one for me. And that’s ok. It’s a book aimed at a different type of reader and I really should learn not to always get sucked in by pretty covers when I kind of know that I won’t love the story from the start.

I don’t really know what I was expecting here because I didn’t like Caraval and I knew this was set in the same universe but I again didn’t love it though I liked it more so may give it another go

Once Upon a Broken Heart reminded me a lot of Alice in Wonderland, which is not a good thing.
The writing is whimsical and it reads a little like a fairytale, but just like in Alice in Wonderland the plot is a bit of a convoluted mess with a mix of too many different tropes thrown in.
And since I didn't like Alice in Wonderland much, I couldn't enjoy Once Upon a Broken Heart either.
If you liked AiW though, you might love this book.

Another amazing book from Garber, is there anything she can’t perfectly write? I loved this so much I bought myself a hard copy. The characters, the storyline it’s all a perfect blend of what fantasy romance should be. Amazing!!!!!

Evangeline Fox grew up listening to the fairy tales her parents told her. Stories about the mythical North and the wicked Fates. When her love spurns her for another, she decides to intervene and make a deal with the Jack of Hearts, a fate with is destined to kill with his kiss, to win her lover back. However, destiny has other ideas for Evangeline and a prophecy is about to be fulfilled.

This felt very much like a tale of two halves. The first part is a sweeping story about lost love and mistakes and the sacrifices people are prepared to make for those they care about. It invokes memories of fairy tales and old stories of destiny and has a wonderful atmospheric feel to it that builds on the lore of the land as we travel with Evangeline into the North.

However, it's about half way through the story that this starts to unravel. The plot is not as well paced or tightly constructed, leaving the story open to becoming convoluted and confusing as we're introduced to more characters that I don't think added anything to the plot. I actually really struggled during the last third to want to pick this up and finish it, even though it was really easy to read, because I just couldn't get invested in what was going on. The ending also felt unfinished, with no resolution, and overly complicated. If the main character has to explain the ending to the reader, there's an issue going on there.

That said, I did enjoy the character progression we get from Evangeline throughout the story. She's a hopeless romantic, curious and yet still a little naive. Naive enough to make a deal with a fate. Yet bu the end she's fighting back, able to stand on her own and come up with a plan to sort her situation out on her own. Even if she was still incredibly blindsighted at times. I also really enjoyed her interactions with Jacks. There's a lot of tension just simmering below the surface between the two of them, with loaded looks and touches. It's incredibly slow burn - I mean, his kiss can kill, but this just made it all the more interesting.

Some good moments here, with a main couple that ooze chemistry, but the plot needed a lot more work in the final third to keep me interested and not get confused.

Once Upon A Broken Heart is the latest book from Stephanie Garber and it is absolutely charming. If you love modern fairytales, with very modern sensibilities, but a book that still retains the wonder, joy and magical world building of such classics as Alice in Wonderland and the Narnia books, then pick up your copy now.

I hadn’t realised this was a sequel of sorts to Garbers Caraval series, but dont let that put you off, you don’t need any prior knowledge to be swept up in this wondrous new tale. I love the writers ability to plunge you head first into a story, take you by the hand and within a few chapters you are completely hooked. The writing is simple and elegant, the book is packed full of bewitching and colourful characters and the world building some of the best out there. In a space packed with darker fantasy it’s great to experience a book bursting with light and it heart on its sleeve. Buy a copy for yourself or even better it would make the perfect Christmas gift - have you seen the gorgeous cover.

Addictive and joyful fantasy. Expect magic, true loves kiss, curses and happy ever afters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Out of five

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton, for the chance to read and review this book in exchange of an honest review.

Evangeline Fox believed in happily ever after...until the love of her life married another and shattered her dreams. Desperate to stop the wedding she strikes a deal with the charismatic Prince of Hearts, in exchange for three kisses, to be given at time and place of his choosing. But bargaining with a dangerous and immortal Prince means Evangeline is expected to give more that she thought and she's carried in a dangerous game.

Once upon a broken heart is the first book in a new series about love, curses, games and magic, set in world full of secrets, lies and so much more.
What would you do for an happily ever after?
Evangeline and our brilliant and charismatic Prince are wonderful and complex characters and I loved everything. The story is a mix of romance, magic, curses and it was a rollercoaster of secrets, intrigues and slow-burning romance, with deals and mysteries.
The story is enchanting, a spellbinding beginning of a new and thrilling new series by the amazing Stephanie Garber and after Caraval I couldn't not read her new series and I wasn't disapppointed at all. I can't wait to read and know more!

oh god, what was this book. that one extra star is for the vibes because i do love ill-fated boys in fiction but the rest of the stars are lost to the repetitive narration, the cringe dialogues, the unexplained subplots, and a romance that expects me to be impressed by a hot, smart, magical guy + pretty, naive, human girl dynamic just because destiny is playing a game and deals are being made—i mean, i might like it somewhere but not here.

With Thanks to Stephanie Garber and Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced readers copy of this book.

2*

It say you can read it without reading Caraval, I 100% disagree with that assessment. I a have no idea who anyone is, or what's going on, I'm pretty surprised I got to the end. Will try again after I've read the original trilogy.

“She’d wanted to just forget him, to close her eyes and have it all go away. But there were reasons powerful emotions didn’t vanish in a blink, reasons why a person had to become stronger than her feelings to let them go.”

I can’t describe how happy I’m that I read this! “Once Upon a Broken Heart” was whimsical, cute and fun. It put a smile on my face and warmed my heart.

After reading this, I directly bought the entire Caraval trilogy, because I’m not ready to say goodbye to this world.

A whimsical blend of magic, fairytales and trickster Fates. There was a lot packed into this book which made it a bit hard to follow at times. It also doesn't help that I only just found out it is set in the same world and features characters from Stephanie Garber's other books which I haven't yet read. Once Upon a Broken Heart could be read as a standalone but I think it would be more enjoyable for those already familiar with her world.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review. I would like to point out though that there were some formatting issues in my arc but hopefully they were fixed for the proper book.

I absolutely loved this book. I have been a fan of Stephanie Garber's work for a long time, Once Upon a Broken Heart was an anticipated read, it didn't disappoint. I love an Enemies to Lovers trope, Evangeline and The Prince of Hearts storyline was perfection.

I recommend this book to everyone.

It was a bit disappointing because I was very excited about reading this one. I never read Caraval series but I thought that was not needed to pick OUABH. Jacks was this famous character everybody kept reeling about but to me his character fell flat. The story was also all over the place and only picked up in the last 20%

"She'll need close physical contact for at least a full day for the cure to take"
What kind of an antidote works that way?

"Still imprisoned on Jack's lap, Evangeline couldn't quite see his face"
Why? How long was his torso?

I’m just quoting the above two examples but I had a lot highlighted.
Nevertheless the last 20% made me slightly curious about the next book,

I did not enjoy this book. I thought it was a very basic and boring YA story, this was such a disappointment as I adored Caraval. I think other readers will still enjoy this title- it just wasn’t for me.