TL;DR:
Loved - Extremely easy to read and the injection of Garber vibes we've all been waiting for.

I wish I had one of those memory neuralyzers thingymabobbers from Men in Black so I could zap my face and relive this book over and over. It's been a long time coming, but pals - it's worth waiting for. Our favourite heart terrorist is back and Jacks is here to ruffle everything up. Here's what you're in for:

✨ JACKS IS BACK 💔
✨ One happily every after that's about to go tits up
✨ A deal with a fate
✨ A good ol' fashioned betrayal

🍎 BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER 🍎
This is set in the Caraval world and whilst you don't have to have read them to know what the hell is going on, it will definitely help. There are a LOT of references that'll scoot right over your head otherwise.

And with that out of the way, meet your new gal Evangeline Fox. She's a carefree, goldeny-pink haired babe whose whole world gets turned up on its arse when her dad dies. Her fiancé has suddenly decided to marry her step-sister (hello Cinderella vibes), her shop of curiosities gets sold off and she's made a deal with a fate. The latter putting her in quite the pickle.

Now entangled with the Prince of Hearts and his kisses, Ms Fox is off on a wild adventure of betrayal, a hint of the magical world and, uh... weird arches?

It's really hard not to gush about this book and spoil everything so I'll keep it short. The characters are beautifully moulded into the world and you quickly feel a bit of a bestie vibe coming off Evangeline with her typically human traits. You'll be left with a weird sense of intrigue that draws you into Jacks. And you'll be thrown into a world etched in magic (although not as much as I'd like - I'm greedy) alongside the introduction of a few other, uh, species for good measure.

Whilst it's fantastic, it comes with a few wee downsides:
1. This is a fast-paced book - blink and you'll miss something important to try to keep up. There were definitely a few times that I got a little bit lost and had to scramble my way back.
2. This is 100% a set-up book and left FAR TOO MANY questions at the end. I love a good series, but there was like 7 questions left hanging and I cannot deal. Pls give me answers or the next book. Happy with either. Ta.

If you loved the Caraval series, you're going to be in for a bangin' good time. If it wasn't your jam, then you might wanna stay off the hype-train for this one.

A huge, huge thank you to both NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me the e-arc of Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber in exchange for my completely honest and unbiased review.

I have literally just put this down and as a huge fan of the world of Caraval, I was NOT disappointed! I fell in love with Caraval, it's mystery and fairytale like atmosphere that oozed magic, mystery, deception and all things fairytale...with a twist.

Once Upon A Broken Heart totally picks up the baton from Caraval, a world of fairy tale backdrops, castles, princes, ballgowns and broken hearts, it oozes magic, mystery, spells, curses, mystery and deception. Evangeline the protagonist of the story is simultaneously a fairytale character and a fallible human, she is full of hope and belief in true love, and happy ever after, with a touch of pragmatism, and Jack is Jack, both dashing and flawed, with the insouciance of a Fate utterly used to seeing and treating human beings as tools.

The story itself is compelling, totally full of twists and turns, just as you feel you've worked it out you are suddenly flummoxed as a new twist in the tale sweeps you off your feet.

I'm not going to ruin or share any secrets from this book, but if you read and loved Caraval you are in for a delight! This book was a total 5 star read for me and I'm so excited for it's release in September!

This might just be my new favourite book of 2021.
Yes, I might be dying in bed of suspected COVID but not even that has stopped me from devouring this book. I haven’t put it down all day and I am a little annoyed at myself it’s now finished!

- original and interesting concept with great plotting and superb pacing. I was hooked from the first page.
- the characters were amazingly crafted and relatable and I loved the dynamic between jacks and evangeline.
- the build up to the end and the inevitable cliffhanger has left me crazily wanting more and you best believe I will be preordering the second book when near its release if I am not lucky enough to get another ARC!
- this magic system was a fun and unique play on what fantasy lovers already enjoy and I seriously recommend this book for everyone!

<i>I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</I>

I loved the Caraval series when I read them back to back earlier this year, so I was very excited when this book was announced. Who doesn't want to see more of our favourite morally grey Fate anyway?

Most of the story takes place in the same universe as Caraval but in a different area - I was swept away into the mysterious North with our heroine, Evangeline Fox. Evangeline is distraught after Luc, the supposed love of her life, proposes to her stepsister Marisol and so she strikes a deal with Jacks to stop the wedding. Jacks agrees, but the price is three kisses of his choosing.

It was fun to see how Jacks' kisses pulled Evangeline more and more into his schemes, and to try to work out what exactly is his aim - basically, Jacks is being Jacks just as we've come to expect. Stephanie's writing is as flowing and easy to read as ever, with more gorgeous descriptions of clothing than you could shake a stick at. There are also a number of cameos from the Caraval trilogy, and eagle-eyed readers may notice that Evangeline, Marisol and Luc were in fact briefly mentioned in Finale.

I found that I really didn't care about Luc, and we're not really given any reason why Evangeline cared about him enough to make her deal with Jacks in the first place. It only really bothered me at the start of the book as once Evangeline travels to the North he becomes largely irrelevant, but it may be part of the reason why this book took me longer to get into than expected. I still enjoyed it - a lot - I think it's just that after the Caraval trilogy my expectations were so high.

On that note, if you haven't read the Caraval trilogy you should be able to follow this as a standalone, but it is FULL of spoilers so if you intend to read the trilogy maybe do so first. And if you're like me and prefer to know if a book ends on a cliffhanger, consider this your warning.

I have not read Caraval yet, so this is my first read book by Stephanie Garber, and it made me excited to read Caraval.

Once Upon a Broken a Heart takes place after the ending of the Caraval series. While I think that it can be read without Caraval beforehand, since I had no problems with understanding the story, I need to warn you that it contains SPOILERS for the CARAVAL SERIES. Plus, other readers say that it is better to read Caraval for full understanding of references to a few characters and catching some easter eggs, so I am going to trust them with this even though I was not confused. I guess I am going to compare it to reading Six of Crows without reading the three Grisha books. Anyway, it got me interested in the world and Jacks's story.

I enjoyed all the characters. She is strong and adventurous, yet gentle, kind and optimistic. Some could say she is a bit naive, but she was never annoying. At least not in my eyes. She is a fun and likeable character. I enjoyed her development throughout the story.

Jacks aka The Prince of Hearts, who is one of the Fates, definitely got my attention. I think he is a fascinating character and I need to read more about him and what he has been through. I’d love to see more of the other Fates in future books, and I am excited to see what I'll learn about them in Caraval.

I loved Evangeline's and Jacks's banter. The chemistry between was... very intriguing. I am curious where the story will take them.

Stephanie Garber’s world-building is incredible. My mum, who has already read Caraval told me that it gave her Alice in the Wonderland vibes, and now I understand why. This world feels magical, enchanting, whimsical and very fairytale like. I immediately fell in love with it. I've enjoyed the setting, characters and plot, even though that the ending was quite predictable. I did not trust some characters from the start.

Overall, this was an undeniably gripping and magical story to get lost into. I was hooked from the start and I cannot wait to read more of Stephanie Garber's books. Caraval, get ready for me, because I'm coming... very soon.

By the way, the ending has set up perfectly for a second book, and I am dying to know what Stephanie Garber has in store for us.

Read it if you are looking for:
a touch of fairytale whimsy
dazzling and magical settings
intriguing spells and curses
dangerous deals
a bit of mystery and adventure
elements of romance


A huge thanks to Hodder&Stoughton and NetGalley for an e-ARC to review!

❤ 💔 NEW REVIEW 💔❤

I genuinely can't stress enough how AMAZING this book is, Stephanie Garber has knocked it out of the park.

The story follows Evangeline, she is recovering from the loss of her father when she finds out the boy she is in love with is betrothed to marry another, so she goes in search of the renowned Prince of Hearts, aka Jacks, determined to strike a bargain to stop the wedding.

Stop the wedding he does, but as with all 'Fates' they say one thing a do another, thus begins a magical adventure with Fate's, Princesses, Princes, Witchcraft and vampires, amongst other things. Evangeline takes a journey accompanied y her sister that may ultimately be her downfall - should her fate be realised.

The characters are amazing, there isn't a huge amount of world building, but there is more than enough. I have a real soft spot for Jacks, Evangeline is really naiive, but it works.

This is another magical world that I have now become more invested in than I care to admit and I am gutted I have to wait for the second installment.

A really great budding romance is on the cards, and I am excited to see where this goes.

"The bell hanging outside the curiosity shop knew the human was trouble from the way he moved through the door. Bells have excellent hearing, but this little chime didn't need any particular skill to catch the crude jangle of the gaudy pocket-watch chain at this young man's hip."

With the opening words we're thrown back in the magical fairytale world of Garber. I was looking forward to this book from the moment I found out about it, especially once I'd learned it was a Jacks story, and it certainly doesn't disappoint! I don't want to give too much of the plot away as I know fans of the Caraval series will love this book and will want to see what mischief Jacks is up to on their own.

Evangeline Fox is another fantastic character, I loved how she was strong yet kind...and Jacks is, well, he's the Jacks that we all love from the original trilogy but we get so much more of him in this book. They're joined by a cast of fantastic and strange characters who bring the new world of the North to life.

The story is magical, Garber expands on the stunning fairy tale world we came to love in Caraval, throwing in dark twists and turns and the narrative goes on. If you loved the original books you'll love this new spin off.

Thank you so much to #netgalley and #hodderandstoughton for kindly allowing me to read an E-ARC of this book. I've already got my signed edition on pre-order and can't wait to add it my collection!

I have made it no secret on my socials that Stephanie Garber's Caraval is one of my favourite series. I was thrilled to receive an advanced eArc of this book because I just couldn't bear the thought of waiting any longer and I was not disapointed. I can not wait to see the finalised copy. A full review will be published on my blog www.awitchisreading.com closer to release.

There is something about Garber's writing that just makes me feel super comforted and at home. The world she has created is so full to the brim of magic. Once Upon A Broken Heart is such a beautifully written extension of the Caraval universe. I loved the main character. I loved her generous, adventurous and kind spirit. I loved her daring nature and her impulsiveness. I loved that she was independent and confident and believed in magic and fairytales. She is such a fun, likeable and relateable character. The reference to the rose gold hair made me feel seen as someone that enjoys making her own hair a shade of rose gold. I felt like she was the best version of me exploring a magical world.

I loved seeing a little more of some previously unknown Fates and getting to know Jacks much more. I don't think i'll ever fully trust Jacks but I can see why he makes Evangeline curious and I am so intrigued by the rest of his motivations. Honestly, I hope we see much more of this series and this story because I need to know what is going to happen next. I need to know what Jacks is really looking for. I need some closure from the events of Caraval for Jacks more than anything.

Once Upon a Broken Heart has the same whimsical writing style that made me fall in love with the caraval books. The pacing was great for me, so much was going on yet the reveals didn't come thick and fast so I kept turning pages. I know this book will bring comfort and happiness to the many readers that adored Caraval and I'm so grateful to Stephanie Garber for allowing me to enter this world again and allowing us to continue exploring different parts of this universe.

I can't fault Stephanie Garber's beautiful, lyrical, writing, but, aside from that, I really struggled with Once a Broken Heart.

Though it felt very similar in atmosphere to Caraval, the plot fell really flat and the pacing felt really off for me. I really struggled through it. I struggled to connect to any of the new characters, and only felt any connection to Jacks because I was familiar with him from the Caraval trilogy. Everything felt super surface level. The new setting was interesting, but there just wasn't enough of it. I'm hopeful that'll come late in the series, though!

It has been said that this can be read without Caraval, and I don't recommend this. There's a lot that ties into the original trilogy with Jacks' backstory and I don't feel it was super well explained in this volume, so you may be confused.

I will probably still continue the series, as I do like Stephanie Garber's writing, and I do recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the Caraval trilogy.

This book was an exciting addition to the caraval universe. I was sucked in from the very start and it was enchanting!

I have to say, you definitely do need to read the caraval trilogy before reading this book to get some necessary background.

I enjoyed the characters, especially Evangeline’s development throughout the story. The twists were unpredictable and thoroughly enjoyable to read!

I also enjoyed that we were introduced to a new environment, the ‘north’. The world building here was fantastic and made me feel as though I was completely immersed.

The ending has set up perfectly for a second book and I CANNOT wait!

A fairytale rich fantasy swamped with curious characters, swaddled in mystery and saturated with magic. This was such an enjoyable read and a welcome antidote to the loss of the Caraval universe.

3.5 stars

"Once Upon a Broken Heart" has a predictable plot, offers almost no character development, and rather obvious twists.

The only reason I'm rating it so highly is that the writing style was really easy to follow and sucked me in from the start.

I'm struggling to really see how this can be classed as YA fantasy. It's more like middle grade and very boring. I couldn't relate to any of the characters, I have absolutely zero care for Evangelines love of Luc? We don't even get a shred of their relationship and I'm apparently supposed to believe she is heart broken. Just seems like poor writing and even the cameo from Scarlett and Tella in the beginning was bad. Suddenly those two lost all sense of personality and barely even felt like the original sisters from the Caraval series. Quite disappointed by this one which is a shame really as I had high hopes but I am honestly too bored to finish it. I also need to add that all the printed letters than the author has put in are completely unreadable on kindle so that kinda ruins the flow a little too!

Once Upon a Broken is an enchanting and captivating story following Evangeline and her quest for true love, except it’s not as simple as she hoped it would be. After making a deal with the famed and deadly Prince of Hearts, she sets out on an adventure beyond her imagination. The book is full of magic, curses, and deals with morally grey characters.

The world is so beautifully illustrated, full of whimsical imagery and magical scenery akin to the Caraval trilogy. Even though it’s not necessary to read Caraval I’d highly encourage that you do. While this is a separate story to the original trilogy, there is a lot of context, especially at the beginning that is briefly mentioned but not explained in detail - as it is featured in the trilogy. As someone who has read the original trilogy, I loved reading all of the mentions of what happened before this book and I feel like it would be a shame to miss it, and be spoiled for it if you haven’t read it yet.

As for the characters, the Prince of Hearts has to be my favourite. Jacks is such an interesting character and I was delighted to see Garber delve deeper into his personality and motives in this book. I love morally grey characters, and Jacks is a perfect reflection of that. His choices are not always orthodox but that is exactly what makes him such a compelling and exciting character. I cannot wait to the sequel to see where the story takes him next. 5/5 stars!

I'm afraid to say I won't be finishing this book or leaving a full review; I hadn't realised it was set in the same world as Caraval which is a series I just did not enjoy and so I have no desire to read another book set in the same world about the same characters. I did read a portion of this book before I decided to DNF and honestly it seemed a lot of telling not showing and I just knew it was not going to be a book that I enjoyed.

Thank you so much for my review copy of Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber. This has been on my radar since I first heard about it last year. I thoroughly enjoyed the Caraval series and Scarlett and Donatella are my favourite characters. We are reunited in Valenda where the events of Caraval takes place. This time we follow Evangeline and Marisol, who are step sisters. Evangeline finds out that Marisol is to marry the love of her life Luc, and the adventure starsts there. There are references to what happened in the Caraval series but I do not think it is essential to the book ( although saying that It is quite useful to know the backstory). Jacks returns and is as devilish as ever. I loved the whimsical magic and curiosities present in this book. I love being whisked away into this world. Amazing book , I loved every minute of it and I will be rereading again when the book comes out.

"Hereos dont get happy endings. They give them to other people. Is that what you really want?"


Wow! I read I caraval series a few months ago and I LOVED the world and the fates especially. It wasnt one of my favourite series but I have a feeling this may be.

The story picks up right where caraval ended so I I reccomend reading the series before picking this up because otherwise theres some major spoilers involved.

The story follows evangeline fox after she makes a deal with the jacks to stop her stepsister from marrying the love of her life. Despite all the warnings shes grown up with about never making deals with Fates, she does so anyway with the hope that maybe jacks will take pity on her.

I loved the characters in this. The fates were my favourite part of caraval series and Jacks is just as interesting and exciting as before (if not more so because he is still facing the consequences of his actions). Even evangeline was brilliant- she was naive and optimistic enough to make some questionable decisions but it was never annoying or unbelievable.

Obviously, the world building is once again brilliant, Garber has had the chance to really explore the world by now, but we're given a completely different place and were transported to the north, a place of magic only mentioned in the past series. If anything, I found this world building even better with the magic being a part of the country, rather than just a part of the games.

Garber's writing is superb. It was brilliantly fast paced, so much so that I read the whole book in one sitting because I was so hooked. And the action was exciting while the romance was burning slowly but surely.

Garber dedicates this book to all those who's made a bad decision because of a broken heart but I'd like to think evangeline made the perfect decision in choosing to make a deal with Jacks

Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder &Stoughton for the ARC of this book.

If you'd liked the Caraval series then you'd like Once Upon a Broken Heart. It's a sweet, whimsical book set in the same fairytale-scape of Caraval. I found parts predictable.but, honestly, I really didn't mind! This was genuinely a lovely read and it was fun to have a stronger focus on Jacks.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an eARC of Once Upon a Broken Heart in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love the Caraval series, so I had high expectations for this novel set in the same world - and it delivered on on all accounts.
Jacks and Evangeline squaring off was entertaining, there was banter and tension there, and they were simply brilliantly matched. Both characters make mistakes and move in morally grey territory, and we'd definitely do well as readers to remember to never trust a Fate. There are lots of new dimensions to the world building, and the magic system is brilliantly crafted. Once Upon a Broken Heart has 'the potential for infinite endings', with plot twists I didn't see coming. Now to wait for the beautiful editions I have pre-ordered...

Wow, wow, WOW.

That’s all I can think right now after devouring Once Upon A Broken Heart. WOW!

I really enjoyed the Caraval trilogy - a lot. My favourite character was none other than the Prince Of Hearts himself. But after reading Once Upon A Broken heart, I am thoroughly obsessed with Jacks (how can you not) but I think this book is Stephanie’s best work yet.

Set in the north, this world of mystery and magic has been woven with The Fates - from our prince of hearts to poison to chaos. The mayhem created by Fates in physical form is addictive, and makes for the perfect book binge.

I LOVED the rich character development, the flaws (who doesn’t want to be loved), but most of all - Jacks. Jacks, jacks, jacks. He might be my ultimate book boyfriend - and I don’t say that lightly.

Once Upon A Broken Heart is, in my opinion, the best book of 2021. If you haven’t read Caraval, start now, get a sense of the world and the characters. The Fates need you ready for this release.

5 stars!