After loving the Caraval series, I couldn't wait to read Once Upon A Broken Heart. To find that the story is set within the same world was a huge bonus.

To stop the wedding of the love of her life to her stepsister, Evangeline makes a deal with Jacks, the Prince of Hearts. What Jacks requires in return leads Evangeline on dangerous adventures with interesting characters.

I really enjoyed Jacks being a part of this story. It was definitely a highlight. Evangeline is a very likeable character who you root for all the way through too. Such an interesting start to a new series of books from Stephanie Garber and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes next!

Oh my! This book was one of my highly anticipated of the year and boy did it not disappoint. I ended up reading it in 24 hours as I simply could not put it down. This is the story of Evangeline who makes a deal with the Prince of Hearts to stop the wedding of the love of her life. However, the consequences of this deal whisk her away from her life to that of another and she has to battle to survive. Some beautiful touches for fans of Caraval. It is not necessary to have read the Caraval trilogy to love OUABH but it would probably give some context.

But yes - my book of 2021 so far. Loved Evangeline, love Stephanie Garber and cannot wait to read more by her.

Absolutely adored this book. Jacks was my favourite character from the Caraval world and I am so glad that Stephanie felt able to write more for him. I can't wait to see what else she comes up with. The character arcs are perfect, the language and imagery divine and the twists both unexpected and enjoyable. A real pleasure to read. Highly recommended.

DNF@27% I can't quite believe I'm writing this, but I couldn't even make it halfway through this book. I loved [book:Caraval|27883214], the book cover is gorgeous and the blurb enticing; I was sure I was on to a winner. Sadly not.

Admittedly, part of the problem was that the formatting on the ARC was so bad that sections were literally unreadable. More damning, however, is the writing: it's all over the place. The plot veers, the subplots pile up, the stereotypes pile on and by 20% it's one big mess. I actually had to triple check that I was reading the author I thought I was reading.

I hate giving bad reviews (and I'm so sorry Stephanie if you're seeing this), but I can't recommend this to anyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Evangeline Fox was raised in her beloved father’s curiosity shop, where she grew up on legends about immortals, like the tragic Prince of Hearts. She knows his powers are mythic, his kiss is worth dying for, and that bargains with him rarely end well. But when Evangeline learns that the love of her life is about to marry another, she becomes desperate enough to offer the Prince of Hearts whatever he wants in exchange for his help to stop the wedding. The prince only asks for three kisses. But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’s pledged. And he has plans for Evangeline that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy...

Evangeline is a curious character who is led by her heart. Her heartbreak leads her to Jacks and you could say the rest is history. Bolstered by her deal with the Fate, Evangeline embarks on an adventure that could see her finding new happiness. I like that we get to see her hopeful side of things and her optimism, her strong belief in the fairytales her late parents would tell her, and how she applies that to her everyday life. I do wish we could have seen more of Evangeline’s feistiness! We got glimpses throughout the book - then a little more in a certain scene towards the end 👀 - but I just wanted more. She lives by her own rules, standing out from the crowd. She certainly has the personality to match but sometimes it didn’t come out as much as I’d hoped!
Oh Jacks. You certainly haven’t changed. Well, he has but at the same time, he’s still very much up to his dirty tricks. There’s so much I want to say about his character but I daren’t at risk of ruining the story! Let’s just say that I LOVE the idea of Jacks having blue hair - very Hades of him!

Garber really knocked this out the park. From the vein of Caraval, we step away from such games and frivolity to more real life. We get to see glimpses of familiar characters and have many mentions of them, but they don’t detract from the fact this is Evangeline and Jacks’ story. From the moment I started reading, I found myself utterly hooked. The twists, the turns, the oodles of emotions... all rolled into one perfect story I wish I could forget just to be able to immediately read it all over again!

Overall, Once Upon A Broken Heart is another fantastic novel that leaves me oh so desperate for more.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on release day.

This was one of my most anticipated releases of this year, as Caraval is a favourite trilogy of mine, so I was so happy when I got approved! And it definitely did not disappoint, I loved every second of this book, with its whimsical and magical feel that really transported me into the story. You also don’t need to have read Caraval to read this one, as it is separate to that story so everyone should pick this up once it’s out!

I really loved the two main characters, Jacks and Evangaline. Jacks was one of my favourites from the original trilogy, so I loved seeing a lot more of him here. He's a very complex character, and I feel like we only scratched the surface with learning more about him. Evangaline felt very unique to me, considering she makes some questionable choices that often cause more trouble for her! But she has a kind heart, and I admired that about her.

The plot was different to the Caraval series, but in a way I really enjoyed. It really centred on Jacks' deal with Evangaline, and it was so interesting seeing how it was playing out, and what that meant for Evangaline. There were some very clever plot twists, which I always love in a book! The world was also so well crafted, as always Stephanie Garber's incredible writing added to the whole magical feel. I could clearly visualise what was happening and where the characters were, down to the details on a dress or the smell of food. Also, there were tiny dragons, which were adorable!

Overall, I loved this book and can't wait for more people to read it. I'm so excited to have the beautiful finished copy in my hands!

Stephanie Garber has drawn me in once again to the world of Caraval. I devoured all three books in the original series in a single day for each book (admittedly, whilst sitting on a sun lounger on holiday, not at home during a global pandemic, but nevermind) and Once Upon a Broken Heart was no exception.

The writing is fast-paced and full of all the emotion and drama that you expect, supported by that beautiful world-building that means I can't put her books down! I wait eagerly for the next book in the series so that I can once again be back with these characters and fall in love all over again with everything that she has created.

Whilst it's not necessary to have read the past books, it does help, so do start with the Caraval trilogy if you are able to, and bear in mind that the Netgalley edition sadly does not have the copies of the letters included which was rather distracting, but not too much detail is lost fortunately so you can still enjoy the story!

I really loved this book ! At the beginning I thought it would be a little too childish, but as the story takes place, it’s becoming more and more interesting ! The way magic, love, hope and heartbreaks play together is awesome. Also I love the fact that we never know who is guilty for what happens. I can’t wait for the 2nd one !

This just wasn't for me. A world that was too silly to get lost in, and a protagonist that was equally silly.

I did like Jacks but even that wasn't enough to save this story.

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

This book is pure magic! It is a beautiful story that directly speaks to my fairytale-loving heart. AND JACKS omg. You are going to love reading every second of this wildly imaginative ride.

As always, I want to thank Netgallery, Hodder & Stoughton and Stephanie Garber for providing me with a ARC of Once Upon a Broken Heart in exchange for an honest review. The review will not go to deep into the plot but will be updated once the book is released. I have to admit I was late to the Caraval Trilogy but instantly was hooked! When I learned that Garber was coming out with a new book I was incredibly excited.

Garber manages to perfectly blend wonderful world building, interesting characters, romance and elegant writing style to create a marvellous and enchanting fairy tale-esque story that kept me captivated throughout. I will admit at first, I was fearful it would fall into the ‘evil-step family’ trope to heavily and that the main protagonist would be seemingly perfect. Thankfully, this was not the case. None of the characters are overtly good or bad – well maybe some are - but carry with them, as nearly people all do, a mixture of both.

The real thing that hooked me in was the beautiful writing style used to tell the story. The prose flowed in such an enchanting way that the tone suited the genres incredibly well. All in all the book was fantastic, the genres blended perfectly, the world seemed believable and well rounded, the characters are believable (despite the fairy-tale setting) and the story keeps you engaged. I would highly recommend to any Garber fan or fan of fantasy or modern fairy tales.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this story, as a huge fan of the Caraval series, I was so excited to dive into this world again and it did not disappoint. The story takes place in the mystical north where the line between fairytale and history is blurred. As usual, Stephanie Garber does an excellent job of making the reader feel apart of the world with attention to every detail, especially the fashion which I've always loved.

Once Upon a Broken Heart is a beautifully written fast-paced adventure, with so many plot twists it was hard to tell where the story would lead you (in the best way possible). The characters were so well written, I couldn't help but feel I knew them personally and how they would react in each situation.

I would recommend reading the original trilogy to start with as this book does spoil the Caraval series, but if you already love the world of Caraval, this book does not disappoint, I cannot wait for the next installment to see where Evangeline and Jacks pick up.

Overall, this was a beautifully written, magical read that left me heartbroken that the sequel isn't out yet and is one of my top reads of the year! Definitely pick this up if your are a fan of magic, mystery and romance.

I mean... what can I say 🤷🏻‍♀️ No words can do this book justice...

Garber has done it again, the world is absolutely gorgeous in this book! 😍I thought is was beautiful in Caravel but the North of this incredible world sounds amazing!

Now for the story...

Mind. Blowing!

Addictively good, I couldn't put it down. Was reading most nights. My only criticism is the fact I have to wait for the next one 😭😭😭

A carousel of magic, mystery and curses!
I’ve made it no secret that the Caraval series is one of my favourites of all time. The setting, the magic and the world building are phenomenal and it’s so atmospheric. When I heard about Once Upon a Broken Heart, I was excited, but also nervous. Caraval has a special place in my heart and I worried if this let me down, it would taint that love for Caraval.
Luckily, it did quite the opposite.
From the moment I opened the book, I felt like I was home. The nostalgia was immediate and it took my right back to the days where I secretly binged Caraval in the store room of the library because I couldn’t bear to have to put it down.
I will say this, don’t expect something drastically different to Caraval. I feel like that goes without saying since the Fates are still involved and it’s in the same world but I feel like some people will still find a way to berate the fact that it bears similarities when honestly, I love the continuity of it!
Jacks is back, and crueller than ever. Evangeline Fox is the perfect mix of Scarlett and Donatella, and I can think of no better match for the fates.
I love that the Caraval series focusses a lot on finding love, and Garber has delved into the collateral damage that occurs to those left behind or lose who simply never find their love. Heartbreak is a huge theme and there were many moments when my heart broke for these characters.
I feel like there was one oddity in the plot. For someone from Valenda who loves history and fairytales so much I was surprised that Evangeline never mentioned Caraval at all, even in passing. Especially since she’s familiar with who Scarlett and Tella are. It definitely didn’t dampen the book at all, it was just something I found strange!
I’m so excited to see where this series will go!

Blown away.
That's all i can say!
Thank you so much to @HODDERBOOKS and @netgalley for the chance to read this book in advance of its release. I had preordered this title long before I saw it on NetGalley and was intrigued.

Once upon a broken heart is filled with twists and turns that I never saw coming and that not sure I'll recover from anytime soon! My first foray into the world created by @stephanie_garber was an incredibly successful one and I have a feeling that she has just jumped her way into the category of one of my favourite authors. Her writing style is witty and beautifully descriptive, pulling together the image in your head with ease. The ending has floored me and I legitimately face palmed when I realised it was the end, I wasn't ready for it! I need more Jacks in my life! 🍏

I cannot wait for this beauty to land physically on my doorstep on the 30th of September, in the meantime I think I definitely need to jump on the Caraval train for my fix.

Utterly delicious, absorbing and enthralling! Characters are all charmers flowing flawless within the magical vein of the plot.

Stephanie's Once Upon A Broken Heart is a hearty treat to her fans of Caravel and new readers alike.

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and Net Galley for the e-ARC.

Stephanie Garber sure knows how to write a story you can't put down. I absolutely adored the setting of this book and the whimsical way scenes were written was pure fairytale magic. I can't wait to read the next installment after that cliffhanger ending!

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read Once Upon A Broken Heart.

I absolutely loved this story surrounding Jacks! There were so many twists and turns and I adored the love story. The magic system was amazing and so was the romance! I definitely will be reading this book again! A perfect whimsical fantasy and morally gray love interests.

One word to describe the book:
Magical.

Obviously, I loved returning to this world and finding out more about Jack’s story. (Do note that according to the author’s Instagram, you can read this book without reading the Caraval trilogy. Once Upon a Broken Heart does pick off where Finale ends.)

The plot moves quickly but was easy to pick up, making it nearly impossible to put this book down. The writing style makes for such an immersive experience. I also loved how all the plot lines came together in the end. I was little hesitant about how fast Evangeline was moving on but it was addressed later in the book. I thought it was gonna be predictable towards the middle but I wasn’t disappointed as I was taken on a journey of twists and turns.

I throughly enjoyed Jacks and Evangeline’s dynamic. Some of their interactions had me squealing like a little girl. We were definitely able to get to know Jacks very well from Evangeline’s point of view but I would like to see things from Jack’s point of view at least once.

A personal favourite quote:
“I believe there are far more possibilities than happily ever after or tragedy. Every story has the potential for infinite endings.”
(Quotes are subject to change)

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone especially those who need to get out of a reading slump.
I do not think anyone understands how badly I need the next one.

I would have liked to seen a little more diversity (POC, LGBTQ+). Hopefully, this can come in future books.
Thank you NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for providing me with an E-arc.

I actually never finished Caraval - I wasn't enjoying it so I put it down. However, Once Upon A Broken Heart has blown me away so much that I'm now definitely going back to read the series!

There were mentions of events and characters that I assume were from Caraval, but I found not having read that series didn't affect my enjoyment of this book at all! Evangeline makes an ill fated deal with Jacks, the Prince of Hearts which sees her off on a non stop adventure full of intrigue and action (and maybe a little bit of seduction...)

I'm very excited for the next book in the series to see how it all unfolds!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.