I was so excited to read Once Upon a Broken Heart as I was always intrigued by Jacks in the Caraval trilogy.

I loved how we met Evangeline and how she herself was introduced to Jacks. I was hooked immediately.

The world was amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed traversing the world and being introduced to new characters.

Definitely looking forward to the sequel.

I think there should be a special category for books that keeps you reading till late in the night.
Let's say that a book that keeps you reading till to 2am it's a book you love.
I didn't read the Caraval series but I will surely do. It wasn't a problem as I had no problems with the world building or the characters.
It's a light hearted, entertaining and gripping story. The author is a talented storyteller and the plot always kept my attention.
The world building is fascinating and detailed, the characters are interesting and well developed.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

3.5 Stars

If you are a fan of Garber’s Caraval series you will adore this book. It very much takes place in the same world and some of our favourite characters pop up in the story. The book starts concurrently with the events of Book 3 of the Caraval series, Finale, and then progresses after. Fan’s of Jacks will be ecstatic as he plays a very big role in this story and is just as sassy as he was in the Caraval series.

I wouldn’t suggest starting this series if you are not familiar with the previous series. A lot of worldbuilding is lacking as it would be repetition of lore from that series and there are multiple references to the events of the final book that it would spoil the story for those that have not read Caraval first. I kind of found the worldbuilding a little disappointing when compared to Caraval. We were visiting new cities and countries of this world yet we didn’t really get much description of these new spaces. The new Lore and mythology we encountered was fascinating but we only really scratched the surface of it all as it really felt this was more building towards the second book in the series to reveal all. The world itself is really magical and I really would have liked more time getting to explore all the magical elements that were motioned. While a lot were pre-existing in the series we saw them in new lights or we had only had the briefest of glimpses previously and it would have been fun to get deeper explanations of them.

The pacing was also a little off for me. It felt like we skipped over exciting events but then spent time languishing around periods of time where there wasn’t very much happening. This just made me feel the exciting events lacked detail. However, the plot was fun, I loved that we got a little bit of girl detective, unlikely team solve a murder in the middle, this was such a fun section. I really wish the ending packed more punch. While we got deep hints as to what might happen in book two, the resolution of this story was very quiet and sedate compared to the rest of the plot and that left it a little disappointing. The characters, particularly Evangeline, make this such a fun read. She does read a little like Scarlett from Caraval as she does start out with the same naivety, but she progresses through that a lot quicker and by the end of the book I really loved her sass and confidence.

I enjoy Garber’s writing, and while I am not fully in love with either this or Caraval I still find them such entertaining reads. It so lovely to just be swept away by a fun magical story, to anticipate the next part of the story and to smile all the way through. This book delivers on the entertainment factor.

I have become a huge fan of Stephanie Garber after reading the Caraval series so was super excited to dive into the world again. I'll be honest, I don't find all of Stephanie's characters loveable leads, while I loved Tella, I wasn't so keen on Scarlett. The same can be said for Evangeline. I don't dislike her but something felt like it was missing. While it was wonderful to see Jack's returned I felt like the cast as a whole left something to be desired, however this was the same with Caraval so I have really high hopes for the series in general and it was certainly a strong start. I absolutely adored the world building and setting, I'm glad we had a place to explore and I wasn't disappointed, Stephanie has a real talent for making real magic. I'm excited to see what comes next for Evangeline and our prince of hearts.

I know the Caraval trilogy split readers down the middle in opinions, but aside from the odd colour descriptions in book one, I loved it. The worldbuilding drew me in and with Once Upon A Broken Heart set in that same world, how could I say no? Not only this but the Immortal Fates were my favourite part of the Caraval story and now we get more of them, as well as the Dragnas! Fantastic.

You don't need to have read Caraval to pick up Once Upon A Broken Heart (OUABH from here onward), but I recommend you do start with those. Not only to avoid minor spoilers but for Jacks' character development prior to this novel.

I like to read Garber when the world gets too dark, and let's be honest 2021 is a hot mess.
If you don't want simpering heart break and poofy dresses you won't have the patience for this, but for me right now, this is just the kind of magical, light-hearted fantasy I need.

Written in first person, present tense we join Evangeline as her one wish goes awry and she finds herself indebted to Fate.
This time we're discovering legends and traditions of The Magnificent North, but of course; it's not all ice castles, candy apples and pocket dragons. There are secrets to be uncovered and hearts to be won.

I hadn't realised until the final chapter that this is not a stand alone novel and I am SO pleased that there's more to come.
Once Upon A Broken Heart is more of the wondrous world building you can expect from Garber, packed full of twists and betrayals I highly recommend this YA fantasy.

I don’t really read a lot of fantasy (Fire With Fire is probably the only other fantasy I’ve read in the last year or so), but there have been so many good reviews about the Caravel series (which is still on my to be read list) that I was totally drawn to requesting a copy of this book through NetGalley. And actually I was quite shocked when I received a copy. I had intended to read it ages ago but I’ve been a bit overwhelmed with books to review so it’s actually a little bit late. Anyway…
Evangeline has her heart broken when the man she loves plans to marry her step-sister. The world of curiosities her father introduced her to leads her to try to find the Prince of Hearts (also known as Jacks) to request a favour that he stops their wedding. Jacks is a Fate and no favour from a Fate is free and in exchange for her favour he requests three kisses from Evangeline. These are not kisses for him as anybody he kisses would die, but rather kisses he can request of her to anybody at any time.​
As these things always go, her favour does not go as intended and Evangeline ends up having to rescue her step-sister and love putting herself in danger. She is then sent to the mystical North where she has always fantasised about going ​(as her mother was from the North) to compete for the Prince Apollo’s hand in marriage. When Jacks intervenes, Evangeline is not sure how it will end.
There are literally so many twists and turns in this book and the manipulation is real (both of the characters and of the reader to trust characters). I must say it was quite slow at first and I do wish I had read the Caravel books as I understand Jacks is quite a character in those books. However, I don’t feel like there was any information I was missing to get a good understanding of this story. Once I got into it I really couldn’t put it down (to the point my entire house grew dark around me), and I am left with soooo many unanswered questions, which considering this is clearly the start of a series is only a good thing. However, the fact that there is no information about when the next book will be released is infuriating!​
Definitely one worth picking up by teens and adults alike. And I definitely love Jacks a little bit!

As soon as I started reading, I was drawn into the world that Garber created, and I actually think I enjoyed this just as much, if not more, than Caraval. The story took a little while to get going, but when it did I found it engaging, fast-paced and so intriguing. But what really stood out to me was the characters. Although they weren't perfect, they were fun and full of personality, and I really enjoyed following their journeys. I can't wait to read the next instalment!

I will be the first one to admit that I didn’t love this authors first book Caraval. I thought this one would be different. I think the writing style was better. It described a lot in detail and where you could imagine the characters more. I felt like i was in the world, which is better than Caraval(I never connected with those characters). With that being said I’m starting to think maybe this author isn’t for me. I may give her another chance but this book wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. I think it was trying to hard in some aspects and not enough in others. I absolutely loved Evangeline, like to the point that i wanted her hair! Also loved Jacks!

This story follows Evangeline, who after having a her heart broken, makes a deal with the Prince of Hearts, Jacks, who’s immortal power is his killer kiss. Honestly, I think I have the same mentality as Evangeline and therefore found this such an easy read - all we both want is a happily ever after.

The writing is magical, and I didn’t want to stop reading it. Ever. Hence why I stayed awake til 1am to finish it. I haven’t read the Caraval series, it’s been on my kindle for a year or so now so I think they’ll be my next reads after reading this. Jacks is my new favourite - I’d go as far to say that I’m now in love with him - so very happy to know he was the main character brought over from the first trilogy. “He looked like a bad decision some unfortunate person was about to make.”

There best be a sequel to this, the ending had me dangling off the side of the proverbial cliff!

Thank you @NetGalley and @HodderBooks for sending me this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Okay so I went into this without having read any of the Caraval series as I didn’t realise it would be linked.

I feel like maybe I would have enjoyed it more and understood the world in which it was said if I had.

The scene was set, but Evangeline irritated me slightly. I got that her main goal was hope, but after everything she had already gone through would have made her be a bit more cautious. Jacks was portrayed as a bit of an arrogant and obnoxious character but I really like him and I think he would be good for Evangeline and vice versa.

I wasn’t expecting it to end the way it did, I thought there would at least be a bit of resolution but instead it was an anticlimactic cliffhanger.

With that being said I will more than likely read the next one in the series to find out what happens.

I've not read Caraval yet so I didn't have all of the context but I don't feel like you need to have read it to love this. I meant to just read a bit and ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting. I was a bit thrown off at the very beginning because it jumps into the action very quickly but once I got into the swing of it, I found it a ton of fun to read.

It tells the story of Evangeline who makes a deal with Prince of Hearts Jacks in the name of true love, not caring about the consequences. But wow do the consequences come her way. It turns out that Jacks has plans for Evangeline that she couldn't have imagined. The story ends up weaving its way through the supernatural, witchcraft, curses, royalty and so many different types of relationships that end up in question.

The whole thing flowed really well and was written in such an intriguing way, I'll definitely be reading the next in the series when its out.

A book about magic, bravery, romance and mysterious characters? Count me in for the ride. And what a ride it was! I dived into this book having no idea about the plot of Stephanie’s previous series Caraval but I don’t think it is necessary to read Caraval before OUABH. It is a standalone series of its own. And it finished on a cliffhanger. And now I have to hold on till the next book comes out!! Till that time I will be hiding in my cave with the Caraval series.
Waiting with bated breath for the next instalment..
Received an ARC from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley for this wonderful albeit incomplete journey.

OMG, what I've just read?? I loved it!!! IT was everything I wanted and more. Perfect for fairytale lovers and of course for those who loved the Caraval trilogy. Jacks is the best and the worst character ever, I love him with my soul. Evangeline is a great character too, sometimes I wanted to squeeze her and make her think faster and harder LOL. I want the sequel, right now. That ending was everything!

Once upon a broken heart by Stephanie Garber is set in the Caraval world, but can be read completely independent from that as it takes place after Finale. And this is the story of Evangeline and Jacks.

Evangeline grew up surrounded by legends and is a romantic at heart. But when the person she loves is supposed to marry someone else, she begs for the Prince of Hearts to stop this and in return he only asks for three kisses, which may sound simply and easy, but it is way more complex as the Prince of Hearts follows his own goals. I really loved Evangeline and she is curious, optimistic and believes in the goodness of everyone.

Jacks or the Prince of Hearts is definitely not your typical dark fairytale prince. He has a lot of villain tendencies and his snarky and wicked personality only intrigued me more. It was also enthralling to follow this story, as Jacks could easily turn the story into an absolute tragedy.

The book title not only starts with once upon, but the story also read like a fairytale. It was very atmospheric, whimsy and romantic, yet at the same time bad decisions, unrequited love and Jacks himself added a certain darkness to it. After only a few pages, I immersed into this wonderful story. Furthermore, this book shows that a happily ever after only comes with a price and a lot of work. I’m really excited to see more of this world.

Overall, Once upon a broken heart was a very special tale with fabulous characters that not only spoke to my romantic heart, but also challenged that. 4 stars.

(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)

For once, I feel like not reading the prequel series was actually a good thing. You absolutely don't need to have read the Caraval series to enjoy this book, and I'm glad that I didn't. I had no preconceived ideas of the characters, their behaviours etc and enjoyed coming to this world with fresh eyes and with no pre thought out opinion on what would happen/ how people would act.

Evangeline Fox is a girl who has always believed in fairy tales. Raised by her mother from the north and her father from the south, she has always dreamt of a world where the stories she grew up on were real, and has always wanted a life like in one of the books she read. But fairy tales don't always end well. When Evangeline finds out the boy she loves is set to marry her step sister she knows she will do anything to stop it, even if that means making a deal with one of the infamous and trickster fates, Jack of Hearts. Only, as the stories usually go things don't quite go to plan, and Evangeline ends up making a deal for three kisses with Jacks deciding the who and the where. After the events of her step sisters wedding, Evangeline becomes something of a fairy tale herself, and is tasked by the Empress to travel to the Magnificent North and be their envoy for Nocte Neverending, the night the Prince will choose his bride to be. But Jacks has other plans for Evangeline, plans that might make her dream of a fairy tale life come true, or have it come burning down around her.

Evangeline is a girl who wants true love, something she thought she had found. She is a little naive, always seeing the best in people, and doesn't always make the best decisions, as proved when she makes the deal with Jacks to stop her step-sisters wedding. Her journey and character growth through this book are one of the things I loved most, she is bold and brave and sometimes a little impulsive, but she is also just the quiet girl who grew up in her fathers curiosity shop, whose head was filled with happily ever afters. She quickly comes to realise that they don't always exists, but there is a small part of her that hopes she is destined for one in the end.

Jacks possibly became one of my all time favourite characters when reading this. He is wondrously morally grey, and extremely untrustworthy, but there is also something a little broken about him. Having never read the Caraval series, I really enjoyed learning more about his past as the story unfolded. We're never sure of his true intentions with Evangeline, can we trust him? Is he looking out for her, or using her for his own purposes? But good or bad I defy you not to fall a little in love with him page by page.

Once Upon a Broken Heart is reminiscent of old time fairy tales I used to read as a child, only with a little more danger and romance. Garber weaves in story lines from well known fairy tales such as Cinderella, Rumpelstiltskin, adding in the likes of Vampires and mini dragons as well as creating her own lore and mythology, such as the fates, to create a world that is incredibly rich and unique. I never got bored hearing the little fairy tales, and stories that she throws in throughout, and as well as adding to the world building, some of the stories almost prophesise the fates of our main character. Her writing is lush and really helped bring the world of the Magnificent North to life.

Though throughout the story Evangeline's efforts and actions originated from her love for Luc, I adored the relationship between her and Jacks. It was hilarious, slow burn and filled with tension. We know Evangeline finds him attractive (who wouldn't) but she constantly fights an inner battle, never trusting him or his actions. Though we don't get Jacks POV, we can see through his actions that he is developing feelings for Evangeline and their relationship had me cackling in parts, especially at the bits where they both tried to deny their growing feelings for the other. I would say I'm not 100% sure they will end up together, there are a multitude of love interests in the book, but I did love their scenes together and I'm personally on team Jacks.

I honestly adored this book, it was fun and adventurous and just filled to the brim with magic and mayhem. Garber has created a world right out of the fairy tales of old, with unforgettable characters and a lore and mythology of it's own. I absolutely flew through this story, with it's well placed plot twists and mystery woven throughout there are no good places to put it down, and after the absolute shocker of an ending I am eagerly anticipating book two.

I wanted to like this book. I really did.
Unfortunately, OUABH did not work for me.

Let me start off by saying what I did like about this book.

I am a sucker for fairytales and anything related to it. Now this book has the perfect whimsical, fantastical, storybook setting, which I immediately fell in love with.
There's wishes and curses and bargains with Fates and magical objects and princes. Oh and also vampires and step mothers, step sisters, prophecies etc, all beautifully adding to the fairytale vibe.
Our MC works in a "curiosities" shop and she has to go through several harrowing experiences, just like a heroine in a children's story.

There is also Jacks, who makes an appearance in Caraval series. He is one of the MCs in this book. I had liked him in Caraval series, I liked him in OUABH. I thought we would get to know more about Jacks in this book, but he is still mostly the same as he was in Finale. I wish there was more character growth to him.

As for the things that I did not like much, well for starters, the theme of this book felt similar that of Finale or Legendary from Caraval series, there was nothing new about it.

I wanted something more from this book.

Eg - More about Jacks, but we don't get that. Something more about the curiosities in Evangeline's shop would have been a good tale. A shop full of odd, enchanted items felt like an interesting premise, but it was only mentioned in passing.

Evangeline's character itself was not well developed. For one, she was often confused about her actions and indecisive and she had no impact whatsoever on progression of events.

The main plot was very predictable. The secondary characters, which were very few, had no depth. It felt as if they were inserted to make the plot more convenient for the writer to manipulate.

Maybe the issue here was that I expected something more from this book which, unfortunately, it did not deliver.

I would end my review by saying that whoever loved Caraval series, would definitely love this book.

Once Upon a Broken Heart is a fairytale about love, betrayal and surviving in a hostile magical land.

In Once Upon a Broken Heart we meet Evangeline Fox, a young woman who bargains with a Fate, a figure from fairytale, to stop her stepsister from marrying her first love. After the stepsister, Marisol, gets cursed and Evangeline gets a chance to go North to rid herself and her stepsister of any bad rumors, she realized the Fate she bargained with is right there waiting for her.

At first I struggled a bit with getting into the story. The first very chapters feel a bit rushed, like Garber didn’t really wanna deal with any backstory, and just wanted to get to the good parts. Once Evangeline ends up in the North and the dynamics between her and the Fate, Jacks, get going, that’s where things get interesting. It didn’t take long before I could hardly put down the book!

I had never read anything by Stephanie Garber before, but I’m very interested to try her Caraval series after reading Once Upon a Broken Heart. Though the stories can be read independently, there are certain characters that cross over from Caraval into Once Upon a Broken Heart.

Once Upon a Broken Heart is well written, with interesting characters and an enticing fantasy world that makes me want more. I’m excited to continue the story of Evangeline and Jacks.

I was so happy to get an ARC of this and so glad to say that I wasn't disappointed at all by anything , set in the same world as Caraval, but it still felt different, unique and interesting enough to suck me right in and not wanting to stop. As ever Stephanie’s writing is as magical as the worlds she creates , I was completely hooked and that ending?! I love, love, love Evangeline, I mean Jacks, it doesn’t need to be said I love him and their banter is to die for ! I need the next book now after that end. Love Caraval, you’ll love this, haven’t read Caraval, seriously go pick it up you don’t know what your missing, then come right back

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

After reading Caraval, Stephanie Garber quickly became one of my favourite authors. I was beyond excited when it was announced she was bringing out another book in the same universe, exploring more into Jack’s life. This is the book I didn’t even know I needed.

I loved learning about the other fates and their different roles. It was so exciting to read about familiar characters and about what their life had become after the events of the Caraval series. The book felt warm and familiar.

The world building, as always, was seamless. Beautiful descriptions. Beautifully written prose. I felt like I’d stepped into the world, taking in every single detail.

Another five star read. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author, for a chance to read and review this fantastic book!

The first thing I want to say is that I hadn't read the Caracal trilogy, before my request for Once Upon a Broken Heart was approved. I am glad that I decided to read the trilogy first, because it was nice to have known a few more things about Jack.
I loved the characters, Evangeline was great and I liked that we spent time to the Magnificent North. The story was more interesting and in general, I liked this book more than the original trilogy.
What I would love is for the series to be a little more mature. This is a world and a story that has the potential to be eerie, creepy and atmospheric, without getting necessarily dark and stop being YA. The vibes are there and the world building is close, but the dialogue and some characters and dynamics seem hurried and too immature at times.
This might be my idea and it's not making the book less enjoyable, but I would like better if it was a little more eerie.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.