Once Upon A Broken Heart

I started this at 9pm, intending to read a few chapters before sleep, and finished it at 2am. Now I'm just angry I have to wait for the next in the series! Loved the mysterious, magnificent North and can't wait to go back!

Just when I thought Caraval was amazing, Stephanie went and brought us this masterpiece. I loved everything in this book: the plot, the characters, the setting... Everything added up and made the story whole. And Jacks, my dear Jacks. I love him so so much. I cannot wait to see how this develops!

First of all, I would like to say thank you for the review copy, which was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley. This fact does not in any way affect my personal opinion of this book. This post contains advertising and the rights for the book belong to the publisher.

A short note in the beginning:
Stephanie Garber said that the book can be read without Caraval beforehand. To be honest I think that the plot of OUABH spoils for the whole Caraval Series and that you can have trouble getting into the world when you haven't read the Caraval series. The synopsis DOES contain SPOILERS FOR the CARAVAL SERIES so please continue only if you are comfortable with it.

Of course, is this only my personal opinion on the book and just because I give this rating to the book doesn’t mean, that everyone will have that opinion.

I love the Caraval Series and I was so excited to hear that there will be a book about Jacks. The prince of hearts is such an interesting character and I couldn’t wait to hear more about him.
OUABH is set in the same universe as Caraval and takes place after Finale. I loved seeing old characters and the world again!
Jacks as the main male protagonist was fantastic and I also liked Evangeline. She isn’t like Scarlett or Donatella but still very likeable. I think there is still a lot of room for character development.
I liked the basic plot idea but to be honest, I had a few problems with the pacing. Some scenes were amazing and detailed but other ones were really fast and needed more details in my opinion. The book could have been 100 pages longer and more detailed in my opinion.
Sadly the book lacked a little bit of the magic that the Caraval series had but I think it will be better in the next book because it was the same with Carval and Legendary.
I am excited to read the second book and I can't wait for it.

Conclusion
A great book for all the Caraval Fans out there!

I give 4,5 from 5 Stars

Evangeline has always believed in true love, fairytales and happily ever afters, but her world is turned completely upside down when she discovers that Luc, the love of her life, is engaged to someone else. Convinced that her love’s betrayal is the result of a curse or magic, she runs to the Prince of Hearts – the mysterious Jacks – and begs him to stop the wedding. But Evangeline soon realises that you should never make a deal with a Fate, as one small agreement with Jacks sets her life on a whole new path, full of danger, betrayal and dark magic.

Caraval is one of my favourite series’ and I’ve had Once Upon a Broken Heart preordered since last year so my hopes were incredibly high, but it lived up to all of my expectations and more. Evangeline was a great protagonist, with a great combination of selflessness, determination and intelligence, without being needlessly reckless like a lot of YA fantasy protagonists are. And Jacks was the fascinating character that I remember him being, although I definitely loved him more this time around. He was unpredictable all the time and so consistent with his character in Caraval that it was easy to get sucked back into his story almost immediately.

Stephanie Garber’s world-building is incredible, and her writing never fails to impress me. Every setting felt both real and magical, from the little trinket shop to Wolf Hall, and the story that combined them all was a fast-paced quest with elements of romance, fantasy and adventure that kept me hooked from the very first page.

I genuinely loved every aspect of this book, from the protagonists, to the story, to the setting, and I’m already desperate to read the next book in the series. Once Upon a Broken Heart is absolutely a new favourite for me, and I’ll definitely be telling every fantasy-lover I know to read it.

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

I could NOT put it down!

I’d like to preface this by saying you do have to read the Caraval series beforehand. Some believe it’s not necessary but if you read OUABH before, you WILL get some MAJOR spoilers and you more than likely will not understand some references to a few characters OR catch those easter eggs.

Being a fan of Caraval, I came into this book with very high hopes and wasn’t disappointed in the slightest. The writing is familiar and feels like a sweet kiss on the cheek. Everything about Once Upon a Broken Heart SCREAMS adrenaline. The amount of plot twists that are thrown around are absolutely stunning. The story is fast-paced and the characters are so well written, you can’t help but feel like you physically know them. Imagination runs wild with this book, everything from the colours to the taste of the world is pure magic. I felt like I was watching a high-budget fantasy movie in the privacy of my own head. Stephanie Garber has done it again, she’s written a book that leaves you crying for more. I’m impatiently awaiting the next book to this series because I’ve fallen head over heels for the impeccable writing style.

If you love fantasy, YA, a bit of mystery, magic, love in the most original way, you won’t want to miss this beautiful book. But be warned, it will leave you needing more, without a doubt.

Please take in mind it’s my opinion, and everyone is allowed to have one.

This book was my MOST anticipated read of this year, and it did not disappoint!! In fact it was so good, it was completely different from Caraval but still it was magical. I still felt enchanted. It was such an easy and well written story, absolutely love Stephanie’s writing.

I will not shut up about this book, I’m in love with this.

I absolutely loved Evangeline’s character, she was so much fun. And well Jacks? He’s my man, he was one of the best characters together with Evangeline. I loved their banter.

Now let’s talk about that cliffhanger because WHAT WAS THAT? How am I suppose to go on with my life? Not knowing what’s going to happen next! I truly can’t wait for the next book, I want to know what’s going to happen.

Spellbindingly dazzling and undeniably addictive, Once Upon A Broken Heart takes all the magical grandeur of Caraval;adds a touch of fairytale whimsy and romance that will leave you speechless—it’s magnificent!

Evangeline Fox has always believed in happily ever after,until she learns the love of her life is about to marry another. Desperate to stop the wedding (and fix her broken heart) she makes a deal with the charmingly Wicked Fate, The Prince Of Hearts. The price of his help is three kisses,to be given at a time and place of his choosing.

But, after her first promised kiss, Evangeline learns that bargaining with immortals is a dangerous game—and The Prince Of Hearts wants far more from her than she pledged. For he has plans, that will either bring Evangeline great happiness or exquisite agony...

I cannot put into words just how incredible this was, I’m honestly speechless, it was that good. I actually really loved Jacks (the Prince Of Hearts) in Legendary and after Finale’s ending I really wanted to see more of him, so having a new series with him is fantastic. I also really liked Evangeline who was almost the perfect mix of Scarlett and Donatella from Caraval (though a little more naive and optimistic than either of them.)

Though Evangeline does have another love interest in this (Prince Apollo of the northern kingdom) I felt more invested in her conversations/time spent with Jacks.The chemistry between them was palpable in all of their interactions,though it’s definitely more of a slow-burn kind of attraction/romance.

A few of the other Fates also make appearances which I enjoyed immensely and I’d love to see more of them (particularly The Unwed Bride) in future books.

The pacing was also incredibly fast —it felt like there was a lot going on; with the many twists,turns and revelations. I did love it, I just wish it was a little longer so I could’ve savoured it more. Though the writing more than made up for it, being as breathtakingly magical as Caraval,but with a more focused narrative. And after that spectacular ending I have more questions than answers;honestly, I just desperately need to get my hands on the sequel ASAP!

Overall this was an undeniably gripping and utterly magical read. I’d definitely recommend to all YA fantasy lovers,magical books or Stephanie Garber.

Also,although this is a spin off series and could be enjoyed without having read Stephanie’s previous books , I feel you’d get the most enjoyment from reading the series since they’re set in the same world as OUABH and this takes place directly after the events of Finale.

Thanks to Hodder&Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC

A huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this eArc to review!

Oh my GOODNESS! This is a masterpiece. If you liked caraval and want to see some more content then please give this a go!! I genuinely cannot recommend this enough.

I immediately ordered 2 copies after reading this haha!!

I did really read ARCs til this year, I’ve read a few now and the only problem with them is that now I have to wait even longer for the sequel and the sequel of this, is definitely one I’m eager to read.
Once Upon a Broken Heart broke my heart. The Prince of Hearts is one of my favourite characters from the Caravel world, and to see him so heavily featured in the story is wonderful.
We follow the story of Evangeline, a young girl with rose gold hair and a broken heart. She loses the love of the life to someone very close to her, and decides praying to the Prince of Hearts, whose kiss is deadly, is the only way to save their love.
And as this story is over 300 pages, it clearly doesn’t work as Evangeline hopes, taking her on a wild journey with fates, betrayal, magical arches and a whole lot of cursed stories.
We meet many great characters, some not so great characters and a lot of people willing to do anything for love. We also get to meet fates that were hardly mentioned, if at all, in the Caravel series. I would really just love to meet all the fates in so much detail.
I cannot wait for this book to get out in the world. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I have.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hodderscape for gifting me this earc.

The book immediately begins very intriguing. I really love it when a story starts with a bang, and in my opinion that's exactly the start that once upon a broken heart has. I was immersed the second I began reading, which is often a good sign!

Wanting to read every spare second I have isn't something that occurs with every book I read. I really liked how brave Evangeline was in the beginning and made me immediately wonder if she might be the one for Jacks.

This story kind of gives me a Cinderella vs Alice in wonderland vibe and I absolutely love it! It's such an easy and fun read. It drawed me in and didn't let me go. I felt the joy, heartbreak & awkwardness which Evangeline went through. The writing is impeccable! It also makes me wonder why I haven't read a single book from Stephanie before. Like what was I thinking?

This is the kind of fairytale like story you can get lost in while reading, but also when you put the book aside. Amazing!

I was halfway through when I felt like I might have found my favourite 2021 book! Do I still feel that way after finishing it? ABSOLUTELY! Now the waiting begins for the second book and honestly? That's going to be one tough ride!

Thank you so much for this opportunity to read the ARC. It was an honor!

"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

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!

So.......I inhaled this book. Like inhaled. I don't often say this but if I could give this book a million stars, I would!

Evangeline makes a bargain with a fate......and what happens is.....just magical!

'It didn’t just feel like the start of something, it felt like the start of everything.'

And as a Jacks lover I can tell you that he is everything!

This book is filled with magic, intrigue, suspense and gives you all the feels! The angst I felt about Evangeline and Jacks was off the charts! 

I really can't say more at this time about the plot but I impore you all to preorder, buy and read the heck out of this because you will not regret it!

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.

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!

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!

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.

❤ 💔 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.

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!

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>

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!

I was overjoyed when I heard Stephanie was writing another trilogy and about Jacks - this was perfect from start to finish - magic, spells, potions, poisons and prophecies and one hell of a cliff hanger. I cannot wait for the next book and this one hasn’t even been published yet!,

Great characters and a fantastic story - I’m hooked!

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.

☆☆☆☆☆

HOLY SHIT I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK.

When I saw I got approved for an ARC of Once Upon A Broken Heart I was so excited to dive into it and it did not disappoint at all. I loved literally everything about it, I loved the characters old and new, the plot, the new location, the magic, the descriptions, literally everything about it had me in love with it, there were no parts I didn’t like. I think I even preferred it to Caraval. Parts of this book had me absolutely screaming because it was so entertaining and the stuff going down was just so ahhhh. I haven’t gotten through a book this fast in a while (I devoured it), I just couldn’t seem to put it down, the promise to myself of 1 more chapter turned into 3 chapters then 3 chapters turned to 5. Once Upon A Broken Heart had me reading til late in the night and then picking it up first thing in the morning. It was another magical book with brilliant world building and I’m glad I decided to read it.

(Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an eARC in exchange for an honest review)

Evangeline Fox has always believed in fairy-tales and love at first sight until the love of her life gets engaged to someone else. In order to stop the wedding, she pays a visit to the Prince Of Hearts and in return for his help, all he asks for are three kisses. However, she soon realizes that making a deal with a Fate was a terrible decision as shes lead down a path of curses, heartbreak and betrayal. Will Evangeline ever get the happily ever after shes always dreamed of?

I LOVED this book! Absolutely loved it! The writing style is beautiful and I loved the way Stephanie Garber made everything feel so real and come to life. Our main character Evangeline was amazing. She had such a good personality and I loved reading about her. She was curious and imaginative but also brave and strong and fit perfectly with Jacks, their interactions where amazing. Speaking of Jacks, the Prince Of Hearts was such a good character. He was cheeky and mischievous and I loved him.

The world building in Once Upon A Broken Heart was excellent and I loved reading about the culture and history of the North and the way all the food and places where described. My favourite thing about the North by far are the little dragons that just seem to be everywhere, if I lived there I would definitely have one as a pet. As far as the plot is concerned, I loved it. It was fast paced and there were so many plot twists that I never saw coming which made for a quick read that had you hooked the entire time, I loved every page.

I genuinely can not find a single thing that I didn't like about Once Upon A Broken Heart and I recommend it to everyone, especially if you love fantasy

I've been so looking forwards to this book and I had very high expectations and I'm glad to say that I wasn't disappointed, I absolutely loved this story!

Based in the same universe as Caraval and takes place after the events of Finale we find out more about the Fates and Jack of Hearts! He was such an interesting character in Finale and I loved reading more of him in this one.

I was completely hooked into this story, I didn't want to put it down, it was amazing and that ending?! I desperately need book two in my hands already I must know more! I can't wait to get a physical copy of this, I will most certainly be rereading the Caraval trilogy and this one again once it does come out😍 I highly recommend it!

Thank you so much to Hodderscape for an arc of this book!
First of let me say that this book is one of my most anticipated books of 2021. I have been in love with Jacks since his first appearance in Legendary so my opinion of this book is probably a little biased lol.
The story follows Evangeline Fox, a girl who believes in fairytales and who has the most unusual rose gold coloured hair. The boy she's in love with is suddenly going to get married to someone else, and Evangeline will do anything to put a stop to her heart breaking, even making a deal with a fate, and not just any fate, The Prince of Hearts. Evangeline quickly finds out that maybe a deal with Jacks wasn't the wisest of choices, and when Evangeline is blamed for a crime she didn't commit the only way to clear her name is to make an unlikely alliance with the Prince himself. But Jacks being Jacks has his own agenda...
Oh my god this book, I couldn't read it quick enough! The story is told from Evangeline's pov and Jacks makes an appearance very early on in the book thank the gods!
This book is beyond magical, if you have read the Caraval trilogy then you will know what I'm talking about, the magical balls, and the dresses are just divine and the descriptions are so rich and beautiful.
I would personally recommend reading the Caraval trilogy first, you don't have to but I think it really helps you understand Jacks and we also get to see a few familiar faces which I loved! It is set in the same world and you should read them anyway because they are amazing!
Evangeline is such a likeable character, she believes in fairytales, the good in everyone and that everyone can have a different ending to their story. I loved her determination and watching her character develop throughout the story. Jacks is... well, Jacks. I love him, I just want to stroke his hair and feed him apples...amongst other things. I love that you never really know what he wants, well apart from having something to gain for himself lol but I just know deep deep down he just wants someone to love...enter me!
The story was a lot more complex than I thought it was going to be, but it was easy to follow and I loved watching Evangeline and Jacks interact and develop a, well, shall we say understanding?
And that one scene in the mausoleum, please Stephanie, give me more in book 2 because that was too much of a tease!
This book was everything, I cannot wait to see what happens next! Now to go sit in the corner and cry because I have to wait even longer for book 2...

This was AMAZING!! I really really enjoyed this book so much!! As always, Stephanie Garber's writing is so beautiful and with the way she described things, I could easily see them playing out in my head. I loved Evangeline; she's such a great protagonist. She was a little whiny at the start (just in the first chapter, really), but throughout the book she was such a badass. I really enjoyed reading from her perspective. And of course, there's Jacks. I freaking love him so much. He's such a morally grey person that it's hard to tell his real motives sometimes. But his interactions with Evangeline were so much fun to read and their banter was just *chef's kiss*

All in all, this was an amazing read and I'm really looking forward to owning a physical copy of this!

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an e-arc of this amazing book in exchange for my opinion.
I loved it. SO MUCH! I really liked Caraval and was very excited for this new serie and it didn’t disappoint. I already cannot wait for the next book! I’m almost disappointed that I read it so fast because now I have to wait longer for the next one.
I love the writing of Stephanie Garber and I love the magic system. The one in Once Upon a Broken Heart is a little different than the one in Caraval but I think I liked this one better. I LOVE the new character, Evangeline. I think she is brave but also very human. I can relate to her. I like seeing more of Jacks. I can’t wait to see where his story is going.
The only thing I would have to say is contrary to what is being said you will appreciate the story more if you have read the caraval serie before going into this new story. There a lot of references to the events from Finale.

I was so happy when Hodder and Stoughton approved my request for an eGalley! I have binge read Caraval this year and couldn’t wait to read this one!

As usual, even if I got an ARC, it doesn’t affect my honest review.



My first thoughts are that this story is so beautiful, candid, poetic. I feel like a little girl listening to fairytales before bed, with stars in my eyes. Enchanting!

But the light and merry world filled with tiny dragons and beautiful dresses will morph slowly into a worrisome universe where hidden players have secret agenda and don’t hesitate to curse and kill to further them.

You don’t have the magic of Caraval but it had a fairytale and enchanting feel to it that I loved as much!



Let’s backtrack and get onto the story.



You know from the synopsis that Evangeline, our heroine, will make a deal with Jacks to stop the wedding of the boy she loves: Luc.

But of course, we learned in Caraval that bargains with fates are not without fallout!



“The Fates weren’t dangerous because they were evil; the Fates were dangerous because they couldn’t tell the difference between evil and good.”



Jacks has a price and he will collect when the time is right.



I don’t want to spoil your fun but some weeks after their encounter, Evangeline will be sent to the kingdom of the North by Scarlett, now empress.

The prince of the North, Appollo, is holding a royal event where girls will compete in the hope of becoming his bride.

On her way to the north, Angeline will travel with her stepsister Marisol.



I will stop here with the plot, just know that once in the North, Evangeline will go through very dramatic events and we will never know if Jacks was her enemy or became her friend. He has a hidden agenda, that’s for sure!

You’ll also get murder, curse, vampires, poison and betrayal!



Now, about the main characters…

I loved Evangeline, with her rose gold hair.

Some will find her naïve maybe but I thought she was very courageous and a firm believer of HEA.

“This was one of the reasons she’d drunk the poison that had turned her to stone. It wasn’t because she was fearless or terribly heroic; it was because Evangeline simply had more hope than most.”

I think it takes courage to remain hopeful, to believe that something good is waiting for you rather than succumb to cynicism and abandon hope.

“Evangeline had always had a weakness for hoping in things others thought impossible.”

“She knew her story had the potential for infinite endings—and that belief hadn’t changed. There was a happy ending waiting for her.”

She chased her true love, wanted something like her parents. And she felt so alone since both died.

“She just wanted someone to want her the way Jacks had wanted this girl. And she didn’t want it to be because of a spell or a curse. Evangeline wanted a real love powerful enough to break a spell.”

Evangeline is brave, loves discovering new worlds and she is also selfless. She couldn’t stand the idea of people paying the price of her error.



Of course, you also have Jacks!

If there was ever a gray character, it’s Jacks!

He is nor good nor evil. Like Evangeline, I wanted to believe he could be her friend, he could act from kindness and then he would do something to make me doubt. Was he truly only acting in his own interest or did he want to truly help Evangeline?

I think it’s a little bit of both and it’s just perfect!



Last but not least asset of that story: it has an enchanting world.

I knew from Caraval that Stephanie Garber had a fantastic imagination and great skills at building world. She did it again with Once Upon a Broken Heart.

That world is filled with tiny dragons, magical arches, beautiful gowns, huge castles, books of spells, …

“Marisol, look, tiny dragons!” “Oh my—” Marisol went pale as a robust pop sounded and a tiny pepper-black dragon about the size of a chipmunk shot out streams of red fire to sear a fish stick at a nearby stall. On the docks, the adorable little beasts appeared to be as common as squirrels.”



If there is one thing I would change, it’s the ending! Because of course it ends on a cliffhanger and we don’t have the sequel yet!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own. Any quotes in this review are subject to change.

"All stories are made of both truth and lies...what matters is the way that we believe in them."

I don't even know where to begin. Once I picked this book up, it was impossible to put down and I read it in one sitting! I read the Caraval Trilogy at the start of this year and I instantly fell in love. When I found out that there was going to be another book set in the world, I was so excited - and even more excited when I found out Jacks was going to be one of the centric characters. I had such high hopes for Once Upon a Broken Heart and Garber certainly did not disappoint.

Before we get into the review, Garber announced on her Instagram Stories that you don't have to read the Caraval Trilogy in order to read this book. However, the book does include spoilers for the Caraval Trilogy, more so the ending of Finale and the background of the character, Jacks. So if you haven't read the Caraval Trilogy yet, please do bear that in mind.

"Heroes don't get happy endings"

Once Upon a Broken Heart picks up where Finale left off and follows the events that happened after. The opening to the book instantly drew me in and already had me formulating many questions in my mind. We meet Evangeline Fox, our protagonist, as she searches for the Prince of Hearts's church. After "praying" to the elusive Prince of Hearts, we meet our antagonist, Jacks; and so starts the story between Evangeline Fox and Jacks.

The writing style in this book was phenomenal, It was easy to follow and I wasn't confused was so ever. I really liked how Garber kept building the world even though the world was already well developed from the Caraval trilogy. The character development of both Jacks and Evangeline were really good and refreshing, The amount of times I squealed throughout this book is unreal. I squealed whenever I realised something, I squealed whenever Jacks entered a scene (fangirl behaviours, I know!) and I squealed whenever there was a cameo of a character from the original trilogy. Whilst I enjoyed the cameos, I was really hoping to see some other characters cameo, but we never know, they may appear in future books.

I don't think there was anything that I disliked with this book. I would have liked to see a bit more diversity with the characters (including POC, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Disability etc.) however there is time to include these in future books.

Overall, I gave this book 5 stars and it is by far one of my top reads of 2021 so far (and the book has even given me a couple of tattoo ideas!).

Wow!!! I love reading books about fairytales, and as soon as I saw this book I knew I wanted to read it! I read it in 24 hours - I couldn't put it down and just wanted to know what happens next! Just to warn you this is book 1 and leaves lots of unanswered questions!

We meet Evangeline Fox, a 16 year old who was brought up on fairytales and believes she can have a fairytale happily ever after. Unfortunately this does not go to plan when the love of her life is set to marry another....
Evangeline decides to find the Fates....specifically Jacks - The Prince of Hearts to help her stop the wedding and get her true love back, but this doesn't turn out as she thought....
We follow Evangeline as she pays back her favours to Jacks, this takes her to the North where she becomes a pawn to Jacks and his other plans for her.
An action packed story full of magic, mystery and so many twists I couldn't keep up!

Never make a deal with a Fate..." - unless its the Prince of Hearts.

Ever since I first read Caraval, I have been dying to get back into this world, and Stephanie Garber did not disappoint with Once Upon A Broken Heart.

Now, we all love Jacks from the original trilogy, and when I say that I fell for him even more in this one, i'm not lying. But we all know that you should never trust a Fate and their deals come with a cost - normally a cost that you shouldn't be willing to pay.

Plus, we have a new leading lady! Evangeline Fox is a refreshing protagonist with rose gold hair and a Prince (or two) who cannot take their eyes off of her. She makes a deal with her heart and not her head. Consequences galore!

A new part of the world is explored in this book - the North. With new mythology, legends and captivating locations. We meet new characters and experience so many plot twists. This whimsical fantasy sweeps you off your feet, and you won't want to put it down. I gasped and laughed an awful lot throughout.

I told myself that I would read this slowly and fully savour the experience, but nope! I binge read it - it's THAT good. You are thrown straight into the action, and there isn't a single page that you aren't fully engrossed in. There's romance and suspense, magic and adventure - a bit of everything that you need in a perfect fantasy! The writing is beautifully done, with stunning descriptions and characters that you cannot help but fall in love with.

If you enjoyed Caraval, you have to read this. There's even an appearance from a few characters that we know and love already - and not just Jacks.

Undoubtedly one of the most anticipated releases this year is Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber, and I'm here to tell you about it today!
When Once Upon A Broken Heart appeared on my kindle, I couldn't contain my joy. I'll tell you, I jumped right into it. I mean, talk about Jacks, I've been longing for this book about him.

Evangeline Fox has always believed in happy endings, until she learns that, the love of her life is marrying someone else and that's how all her dreams are shattered.
Evangeline wants to stop this marriage at all costs and so she makes a pact with the charismatic and evil Prince of Hearts.
In exchange for her help though, she asks for three kisses to be given at the time and place of her choosing.
How dangerous can it be to bargain with an immortal?
The Prince of Hearts won't just ask for what was bargained for, he'll ask for a lot more, and that could end things in the greatest happy ending or... in the greatest tragedy.

Let me preface this by saying that, there is something intriguing, engaging and passionate about this story.
I'm usually one who devours books in a short time, especially if they take me so much, but in this case I preferred to enjoy Once Upon A Broken Heart.
I took my time, appreciating every page of this book!
Just as in Caraval, there is something unique about the story. We can call Garber's writing "the fife" for us readers. She writes and we follow along with our eyes closed, enchanted by her words that create a wonderful melody!

Compared to the previous series, the worldbuilding is less developed here, but I assure you that Garber makes up for it, giving life to a story full of events and twists.
Evangeline is a very strong girl, but when her dreams are shattered, I felt her heart break even through the pages. I would have loved to go inside the book and comfort her. I mean, no one wants to see the man they deeply love marry someone else.
And to further complicate an already unstable situation, you throw in the Prince of Hearts, not exactly a sugarcoater.
Regarding the Prince of Hearts...can I make a deal with him too?
I found his character to be very charismatic, charming, and just evil enough.
You will say, but can you ever be evil to the right point? Well, I assure you that the Prince of Hearts is.
Let's say that everything he does, however, does it for his own personal gain. In short, the classic villain, not everything is due for free.
Besides the "contractual" bond, it's clear that between Evangeline and the Prince of Hearts there is another kind of bond.
My guess is that we'll see more of this in the books to come!

I enjoyed everything about Once Upon A Broken Heart, a little less the beginning, I found it a little slow to get going, but after that, once you put your foot on the accelerator, the book flows like a charm and you won't be able to tear yourself away! You are there devouring page after page, longing for more!
And it's that more that I want, because the book ends with a cliffhanger that killed me. Literally!
So Stephanie, when's the sequel?!

Anyway, as soon as it comes out.... read it, read it, read it!
Also, if you loved Caraval, you'll find a nice little surprise inside the book.

I absolutely loved this book. I was a big fan of caraval when it first came out and didn’t think any book would beat that one, but this absolutely did! I was captivated from the very first page and it just kept getting better! The characters were well written, the pacing was on point, and the prose was gorgeous. 5/5 stars!

Set to be one of the best books of 2021 I had high hopes for Once Up On a Broken Heart.. and it did not let me down.

I loved the Caraval series and was excited to return to the same magical world but with mostly different characters, I am very excited for the next set of stories that will come from this series. I would wholeheartedly recommend absolutely any book written by Stephanie Garber.

<i>I received this ARC thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.</i>

<b>"I thought all of the Fates had disappeared,"
"We recently made a grand return, but that's not what this story is about."</b>
To start with, I want to address that I did read whole Caraval trilogy, and I totally recommend anyone to do that before reaching for OUABH! The book on its own would definitely still be as lovely as it is, but you'd miss out so much on every tiny sweet mention of Caraval characters and story you'd already fall in love with ;).
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<b>"Heroes don't get happy endings. They give them to other people. Is that what you really want?"</b>
Once upon a time, a peasant girl fell in love with a pretty boy, and they've seen their future as happily ever after. Not so long after, she's turned to stone and became a hero. But heroes don't get happy endings.
Meet Evangeline Fox, another addition to Caraval's lovely ladies. Her unnatural rose-gold hair was always considered as abomination to her step mother, but she didn't care and lived at her fullest. One day as her story unravels, she'd made the <b>utterly terrible</b> decision to help herself by making a deal with a Fate.
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<b>"There's no point in having another person commit murder if you're in the room with them."</b>
If you're new to Stephanie's books, meet Jacks. If you're a Jacks simp, welcome, grab something to snack on and prepare for a wild ride of wholesomeness.
Imagine a greek god, that came down to earth to mess with people in dangerous game of life. I'll never be good enough to explain Jacks persona further than that, so excuse me and just go check out Caraval... Back with the plot, Jacks has been banished from Meridian Empire, but that doesn't stop him to make a grand comeback elsewhere. And Evangeline just happens to be on his way... kinda.
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<b>"Why you're looking at that book as if it's dangerous?"
"Because it is," Jacks said.</b>
I was surprised, in a good way, of how well the Author did manage to keep up with the writing quality from her other books, it truly feels like the best spin-off it could get. You're able to feel magic just spilling at you by turning every single page, it isn't as twisted as Caraval but still keeps its mysterious aura. Most of the story is happening in the North, so it's a new setting to us, but totally matched the previously known empire lands. Together with Evangeline reader can cluelesly follow Jacks lead on an adventure to solve one riddle after another. All it takes, is three kisses to whoever your doom wants you to give.
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<b>"[...] If it weren't for me, your story would be over."</b>
I really can't tell much about the plot itself to not spoil you any joy of unraveling the story on your own, so just let me tell you that you can expect a fairy tale - like story of a fox getting to play cinderella, plot twist that you actually wouldn't expect, matching clueless main character (but in a cute and uninvasive way, trust me), deeper dive into Caraval universe (to meet some new Fates - if you know, you know) and some steam from the boy we all love...

To sum up, no matter if you did read <i>Caraval</i> or not, I highly recommend to give this book a chance. Don't turn away just because it's a spin-off, or because you haven't read the other books. No matter which of these are you - trust me. Jacks will happily hold your hand, and maybe bite you, but just a little. Intrigued? See you in september, in line to grab <i>Once Upon a Broken Heart</i> yourself :)

"Heroes don't get happy endings. They give them to other people."

This is the sort of book you need to book a day off for. Or maybe two (you'll need time to recover from that rollercoaster of emotions and plot twists).

Garber had already stolen my heart with her prose and world-building with the Caraval trilogy. This book has only cemented that fact. The descriptions of clothes, people, items and structures alike are all so incredibly vivid, without ever slowing down the pacing of the book. It's a perfect balance of flowery and informative, with every description marinated in magic. I want so very badly to visit this world (mostly so I can visit some of those amazing sounding shops).

Evangeline Fox was a brilliant main character. I've always loved someone who isn't perfect, but strives to do what is right (but also makes mistakes) and I think this Little Fox is exactly that. Her story is only just getting started and I cannot wait to see where it goes and how she develops in future books, because her development in this was just stunning.

Then there is our favourite Prince of Hearts. I loved him in the original trilogy, but I love him even more now. His character has only grown in depth and brilliance. There are shades of him in this book we have never seen before, and I am already contemplating a reread so that I can get another fix of Jacks!

Of course, it is not a review for a Garber novel without commenting on the kissing scenes! They were just as magical as always. Just as powerful and pivotal and incredibly well written.

This may be my new favourite novel set in the world of Caraval. I am now desperately awaiting the announcement of the next book, because I am thoroughly obsessed and fear there will be very few books able to break me out of my renewed Caraval obsession!

After her hugely successful 'Caravel' trilogy, Stephanie Garber's next book has plenty of ready-made fans eagerly waiting to see what she writes next. With any well-loved author there's always an element of trepidation around their next project - will it live up to the promise of their first foray into published literature? The good news for readers is that 'Once Upon A Broken Heart' certainly does.

Garber returns to the world she created for the Caravel trilogy - a wise move, as it clearly has huge amounts of scope for more stories. In fact, this story could almost be considered a sequel. The timeframe slightly overlaps with that of the third 'Caravel' novel ('Finale') and continues after. Heroines of the original sequence, Tella and Scarlett, make a brief appearance (fans may be a little disappointed that Dante and Julian do not). And one of the major characters is Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, one of the most intriguing characters from the trilogy and a fan favourite.

The point of view character is a new one - Evangeline, a seventeen year old shop worker from an ordinary family, who has always dreamed about magic. The story begins when she tries to cure her broken heart by asking the cruel Prince of Hearts to stop the wedding of her true love to her stepsister. Jacks agrees, in return for her kissing three people of his choosing, when he requires it. Failing to comply will result in her death. Evangeline immediately regrets her bargain, especially when she sees exactly how Jacks stops the wedding. It begins a magical adventure in which she travels to the north of their world to attend a Prince's ball, and tries to carry out her side of the bargain without harming anyone. However she soon finds the latter is much harder than she'd thought.

Evangeline is a likeable character who quickly demonstrates that she has a kind heart and is brave - so despite her initial dodgy deal, which was foolish rather than wicked, the reader will root for her. Jacks is every bit as contrary and tortured as you'd expect. Garber is the master of writing anguished antiheros that readers dream of seeing redeemed by love. It's cliched, but even as cynical older person I get drawn into it just the same as a younger reader might. We all love a good tormented semi-villain.

Garber also manages to recapture the sense of magic and wonder that she conjured up so effectively with 'Caravel' - that feeling of being transported to another world, where things are both wonderous and dangerous in equal measure. She always balances her whimsy with a razor sharp undertone of blood and treachery. Again, I was reminded of Erin Morgenstern's 'The Night Circus' - a recommendation for readers who like this novel.

The ending is a cliffhanger that will leave readers tweeting the author begging her to hurry with writing the next - again, very much like the 'Caravel' series. Whilst these are technically young adult books (and I'm sure will be enjoyed by that age group) I've loved them as an adult reader and think they sit perfectly well alongside 'adult' fantasy series. 'Once Upon A Broken Heart' is a great read for anyone of any age who likes escapist fantasy.

“There was something fantastically bewitching about the idea that a person’s destiny could change in one single, wondrous night.”

Once Upon a Broken Heart is the beginning of a new story set in the world first introduced in the Caraval trilogy (which you don’t have to read to understand this novel but I highly recommend that you do). It is defined by Stephanie Garber’s signature YA fairytale style — you know, the one where scents and tastes smell and taste like emotions and vice verse; where you can never predict the ending, and where the characters have the coolest names. Be it Scarlett, Donatella or Evangeline, Garber’s protagonists always manage to get themselves into the craziest adventures — like staying dead for a couple of days in Caraval in the hope of winning the game. Here, no less impossible things are possible. Take Jacks, the Prince of Hearts. My notes on him while reading included “okaaay, Jacks” (p.21 if you’re curious) and “Jacks, my man... goodness” (p. 332). I was happy to see him back, which, to be honest, I hadn’t expected (being happy about his return, that is). Hear me out! When it was Legend vs Jacks, come on, I rooted for Legend. In Once Upon a Broken Heart, I’m rooting for Jacks — despite him being a Fate and his usual (weeeell, yes and no) Fate ways.
On the final note, you know how you should avoid judging a book by its cover? Not in this case. The cover is absolutely gorgeous, yes, but so is the story inside, as well as the way the text’s presented, with all the little notes and other things that I don’t want to spoil.
Once Upon a Broken Heart is my favourite Stephanie Garber novel after Caraval. Funny, sad, unpredictable. It has been a real pleasure to read.

Oh my Gosh… this book was so so amazing. Jacks is definitely on of my favorite characters in this series. I never thought i would love him so much. The cover is so beautiful and it was love at first site. The Caraval series was an absolute fantasy highlight and Jacks has been of great interest to me since Legendary. I couldn’t wait to read the book. Right from the start, I was trapped in this world again. I couldn’t put the book down at any time and I finished it within a day. Stephanie Garber has a really great writing style. It is exciting, detailed, complex and easy to read. The plot starts very compelling and a lot of things from „Finale“ now make even more sense. I now understand the wedding scene better. Reading was never boring and it was an absolute highlight for me. The book was anything but predictable and I definitely didn’t expect this ending. I can’t wait for the second book.

The characters were wonderfully crafted. They were multifaceted, tangible and they all had their rough edges. We’re finally getting to know Jacks better and he has snuck right into my heart. He’s definitely not a hero, but he’s not evil either. But he’s pursuing his own plan again and I can’t wait to find out what it is. Evangeline is a character who is very human. Sometimes she acts selfishly, yet she is friendly and leaves no stone unturned to make up for her mistakes. Jacks and Evangeline are like night and day, but there is something between these two that cannot be ignored.

„Once upon a broken heart“ was such a terrific read and i cant wait for the second book. Fans of the Caraval series should definitely not miss this book. You can start this book without knowing the Caravan Series but it makes reading a little less enjoyable. And the Caraval series is definitely worth reading.

This book hits you hard, in the good way of course. I can say this one is my new favorite! Stephanie is back with her magic. The story was romantic, fast paced and makes you wanna read non stop. And of course what this book make it amazing was JACKS. Really creative! You will love it!!

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.

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.

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.

Once upon a broken heart – Stephanie Garber

What it’s about

Evangeline Fox was raised to believe in fairytales and legends on immortals, such as the Prince of Hearts. She knows his powers are magic, his kisses are worth dying for and bargains with him usually do not end well.
But when her love decides to marry her stepsister, Evangeline risks a bargain with the Prince of Hearts. In return he only asks for three kisses. But after the first kiss Evangeline discovers that he wants more from here than she is ready to give.. Which will either end in the greatest happy ever after or the biggest tragedy..

My opinion:

Thank you in advance to Stephanie Garber and NetGalleyUK for the opportunity to read this book in advance. This will however not influence my review.

I love Stephanie Garbers books. I loved the Caraval Trilogy and was so excited to read her new book ahead of its release.
Evangeline Fox is a character I identify myself very much with. She believes in happy ever afters and the good in people and she tries, which makes her such an adorable person.
Jacks is just mysterious. You never quite know what you get and I like that very much. He seems so kind in one minute and so secretive in the next.
What I also really liked about the book was that it felt magical, which is what I also loved about Caraval. There was never a second in which I was bored – on the contrary: I was at the edge of my seat reading this book!
Evangeline’s charactere also developed in the course of the book and she started to question all that she was told by Jacks and her sister which leaves the book with a cliffhanger ending and my desire to get the second one asap.

Conclusion

If you are into mystic and magic and a protagonist who believes in all that and more, you should definitely check this book out.
Note: Once upon a broken heart spoilers for the ending of the Trilogy so I recommend reading Caraval before.

I was given this as an early review copy via Netgalley. I was excited when I read the Blurb and when I requested it and received it I was totally bouncing.

Give me something that sounds like it could be a fairy tale and I am sold . I was totally pulled into this story from page one.

Evangeline is a wonderful character. She starts out slightly unaware of the world and maybe a bit to trusting in the ide that magick must be real.
Watching her grow and really understand that she has her own magic is brilliant.

However her interactions with Jacks and the other fates are also amazing.

Totally amazing read.

In a bid to save her first love (maybe even her true love) from marrying someone she believes to have cursed him, Evangeline Fox prays to the trickster of fates, the Prince of Hearts, to stop the wedding mere minutes before it’s to take place. Jacks is more than happy to oblige Evangeline, who ultimately gets more than what she bargained for, becoming famous, selected as an emissary of the Empress of Valenda and setting sail to a whole other Kingdom. Evangeline doesn’t know whether she’s got the best or worst of fortunes, but what becomes clear, is the Prince of Hearts has her right where he wants her. Once Upon A Broken Heart spins a tale of untangling a web of secrets, hidden agendas and long buried magic, so that the world as Evangeline knew it, will never be the same again.

I must stress from the offset, I personally found OUABH required reading the Caraval series first. There are umpteen spoilers for the series within, and a lot of context in OUABH is richer by knowing the events of Caraval, particularly Finale, with the likes of the fates and Jacks’ recent heartbreak. So I’ll repeat: read the Caraval books first!

Once Upon A Broken Heart follows the perspective of Evangeline, who is an interesting protagonist, toeing the line of being both a little bit good and a little bad throughout, which completely reeled me in. One minute she annoyed by doing things she knew to be morally wrong, but then she equally felt guilty and cared about the consequences. But most of all she was endlessly hopeful, which won me over again and again. In fact, I’d say Evangeline was like a blend of Caraval’s Tella and Scarlett. She has the hopefulness of Scarlett then the recklessness and charm of Tella.

Then there’s the wicked Fate at the heart of the story. Unfortunately, we don’t follow Jacks perspective, which I really hope changes in the sequel, but I really loved what Garber has done with him here. Jacks was his usual mischievous self, who never shows his hand and does his best to resist his inner soft side that longs for his true love, especially with his recent heartbreak. It was great to be reunited with him. Plus I LOVED his makeover! No spoilers, but gosh I can’t wait to see his fanart.

I could cheerlead about the supporting characters ALLLL DAY. They were awesome! There are newcomers in the form of Evangeline’s cold stepmother and meek cousin, then the cocky Prince Apollo and some as yet unencountered Fates like the Unwed Bride and Chaos, all the while having brief cameos from Scarlett, Tella and Poison.
It’s super impressive how well balanced and developed the new characters were; they have their own stories that appeal just as much as Evangeline and Jacks’, and I’m invested in the answers to them just as much as the main story.

Evangeline and Jacks as a couple is beyond visually pleasing. I’m just itching to see all the fanart that’s going to come in the coming months. Seeing them grow on each other, finding commonality in the pain of previous lost loves, and then their banter and humour, was a joy to read. Garber definitely captured that exciting buzz that blossoming friendships to maybe-something-more *oh so well*. I’ve got the fuzzies people!

The plot was always moving with a lot of strands interwoven well to tie together by the end. It’s my favourite kind of whirlwind, whimsical escapism. I did feel it was not quite as fairground fun as Caraval (as it’s obviously not set in a game) but it still has Garber’s all in all comforting and fairytale style. There’s curses, spells, potions, sparkly castles and people being turned to stone. It was dazzling and beautifully written. Additionally, I really enjoyed the atmosphere of mystery and intrigue throughout the book; too many times I found myself battling with my instincts telling me to believe or not to believe something, yet I still found myself pricking my finger on the spindle wheel, because I still had hope against all better judgement it would turn out rosy.

We are left with a cliffhanger but it’s not the most agonising of ones (thank you, Stephanie!!) instead I’m left excited theorising where the story goes next. There are questions of where characters stand, where characters have went, what mysterious magic is still to be discovered and how that’ll effect Valenda. There’s certainly a lot of doors – arches *wink wink, see what I did there?* - to go through and explore for the sequel.

Once Upon A Broken Heart is an incredibly fun and exciting expansion of Caraval’s world. I couldn’t put it down; I loved the story, the characters, Garber’s lyrical writing and I’m excited, curious and bouncy for more. I can already feel the sequel will be so much fun. I can’t wait to get my hands on a hardback copy! The cover has done the story true justice, well done Hodderscape!

Thank you kindly to Hodder & Stoughton, @readeatretreat and Netgalley for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for this honest review.

The twists and turns of this story are amazing! Couldn’t stop reading. The characters are complex and I simply loved the action and the romance.

Stephanie’s style of storytelling is amazing and very rich. Jacks and Evangeline are great, loved their dynamics.

Can’t wait for more of Stephanie’s books.

Arc generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review

Where to start reviewing this brilliantly written book by Stephanie Garber - ok lets start there.

THE BOOK WAS BRILLIANT.

Before I start a more in depth review I have a confession, come closer gentle readers, you will be surprised by this but here it goes....

I haven't finished the whole Caraval Series yet - yes I know its bad but I heard you didn't have to read them to read Once Upon a Broken Heart as even though there are SLIGHT spoilers it didn't ruin the Caraval Series as Jacks got a book in his own right.

OK now that you have got over your shock let me tell you a little about Once Upon a Broken Heart and why you all should have it on your TBRs/Pre-Order Lists.

Stephanie Garber's style of writing is captivating, it draws you into the world of Valenda and the North with the Fates, Magic, Witches as well as myths and legends surrounding the North. I loved being in the world and seeing it through Evangeline's eyes and how she navigates it with Jacks.

Ok the Characters - obviously you all know that the main characters are Evangeline Fox and Jacks the Prince of Hearts. We follow Evangeline on her path to find love, but it doesn't go to plan when she makes a deal with the Prince of Hearts. I really liked Evangeline, she grew more as a character throughout the book and you know that something is special about her, its hinted but you don't know. There are things left unsaid throughout the book and you are kept guessing whilst being fed some answers - I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT when a books does this.

So Jacks - I can see why everyone loves him. I don't know 100% what happened with him in the Caraval series but there are hints. It has made me want to finish the series more so I know why I love him so much. He is a Fate yes and meant to be out for what he wants, but you can see that there is some depth to him. There is something that he is searching for and I am hoping that it is something good. He is another Bad Boy that I have added to my favourite list.

So the plot - its following Evangeline on her journey from Valenda to the North after she has been left heartbroken by who she thinks is the love of her life. She takes her stepsister Marisol with her but let me tell you that is a whole other ball game. As I mentioned previously Evangeline has made a deal with Jacks and when she travels to the North he calls in those markers.

As I mentioned I absolutely loved this book. It was fast paced, there was action, humour, friendship, love and the book being slightly mysterious too. I can't wait to unravel what happens next in the next book.

This is my first book by Stephanie Garber and it was so so good!!
I didn’t realise this was a spin-off from her Caraval series, which I haven’t read yet but most definitely will! It just goes to show that you don’t have to have read Caraval to enjoy OUABH!

Love, broken hearts, unrequited love, mystery, vampires, sexy brooding Fates … seriously, what more could you want?

Evangeline Fox grew up with stories and legends about Fates and fairytales. So when she finds out that the love of her life is engaged to be married, she’ll do anything to stop the wedding, even if that means striking a bargain with Jacks, a Fate also known as the Prince of Hearts.
The price? Three kisses.
But of course, it’s not going to be that simple. This will either end with a happily ever after, or in tragedy…

Uugghhh this book!!! It was so beautifully written, the world-building and descriptions made everything so magical and come to life.
Evangeline was such a fun mc! She’s feisty, adventurous, and lives by her own rules. And then there’s Jacks *le sigh*, who is very much the broody, wicked trickster, and I’m so intrigued to find out more about his storyline! Uufff now to wait for book 2!!

(There were some formatting issues with parts of the arc where ‘letters/notes’ were unreadable, but I could guess what was said, and it didn’t stop me from loving this book!)

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an arc copy of this book!*

Was so whimsical and fun - Stephanie has grown so much as a writter and I already can't wait for the next installation- jacks is bae now 😍😍.

Ill be recommending this to anyone who will listen and ive already ordered multiple copies for my collection

Oh my goodness where to begin with this book! Stephanie Garber has created a world that is somewhere I just want to jump into and never leave again!
This book is perfect, it has magic, miniature dragons, love and curses, this book has it all! (I mean I was sold as soon as I read the words dragon!)
The characters are flawed and relatable, especially Evangeline the main character, she just wants love and a family and really who can fault that!
After making a deal with a fate named Jacks (despite knowing that is not the wisest decision) to stop the wedding between the man she loves and her stepsister, Evangeline finds herself thrown into the world of magic and fairytales that she has grown up listening to.
This book is nonstop from the start, it’s constantly moving and making you turn the next page as you need to find out what happens next!
One of my favourite characters was LaLa and I genuinely hope we see more of her (I would love to read a spin off about her character!!)
Judging from the cliffhanger of an ending I’m guessing this isn’t the last we will see of Evangeline, Jacks and Apollo and I will definitely be preordering the sequel as soon as it’s announced!! I need more!!
This has been my favourite read of the year so far. Thank you for my advanced copy.

I adore the cover here! As someone without any of the previous books to match up to, I definitely think the UK (with the archway, bright colours and the knights) has blown its competition out of the water in the cover wars.

ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART is the first book I’ve read by Stephanie Garber, and I really enjoyed her writing style. That said, obviously, that means I haven’t read the original CARAVAL trilogy, and I actually didn’t realise ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART was a spin-off/ sequel until after I’d finished reading. Clearly, you can enjoy this without knowing anything from the original books. That said, this has a cliff-hanger ending which left my eager for more, so I might go back and read CARAVAL etc. while I wait for the next instalment. Can any readers of CARAVAL weigh in here? Is it worth reading?

Evangeline is a great heroine. She’s brave and optimistic but makes some truly stupid decisions. She’s impulsive but she does try to think things through, and she does accept her mistakes and d her best to set them right. I really liked her strength and optimism.

I found Jacks an interesting character (and from what I’ve seen now, I’m guessing he was a bit of a favourite in the CARAVAL books?). A little bit of the broody YA male, but in a good way, because he actually has the mysteriousness to back it up. I spent much of the story trying to figure out his angle on what was going on, and how much (and to what ends) he was manipulation Evangeline. I’m still on the fence about his game and his motives, which makes me excited to see where the story goes next.

Something else I didn’t realise when reading (the cover sucked me in and I honestly only skimmed the blurb, okay?) is that ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART is the first in a series. That made the ending a bit of a shock for me as I was expecting a resolution. The ending felt quite the cliff-hanger, but I’m invested enough that I’ll search out the sequel when it’s time.

5 stars and more!!!!

Welcome to the Magnificent North!!

An breathtakingly phenomenonal story.
Original, Gripping, truly flawless!!
Enthralling and bewitching - can you tell I’m lost for words??

The magic of Caraval and so much more!!! I just can’t praise it enough.

Sounds like a cliche but I just could not stop reading. My favourite tropes; my favourite kind of characters; Vampires! Curses! Fates! Broken hearts and unrequited love; Romance and passion and thrill; Royal intrigue and fantasy - this book has it all. This is a beautiful story based around a young lady, Evangeline who makes a dangerous deal with a fate.

It’s definitely the best book I’ve read all year.

I will come back and write a full review closer to publishing date but highly recommend ore-ordering this phenomenal story about the Villain with a broken heart 💔

Thank you Hodderscape for my Advanced Readers Copy (on NetGalley and physical book) and the gorgeous little Fox pin. Looking forward to all my special editions arriving.

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.

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 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 😭😭😭

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.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this eARC of Once Upon A Broken Heart by the lovely Stephanie Garber! Although I have been gifted this ARC for free, my opinion will be purely my own.

I loved Caraval (Garber's previous series) and going back unto this world with Jacks and our protagonist Evangeline Fox was an absolute dream come true. From the beautiful title cards for each parts to the perfect quotes, I fell in love with Garber's writing all over again. Jacks is perfect and he's exactly the same as he always was and it's so comforting.

I absolutely loved this book and I am so excited for the rest of the series to come out once Garber has finished. Thank you again for letting me read this ARC, this is the greatest gift a girl could ever have.

A fast paced read that I really could put down. I need to know what comes next. Looking forward to another book.

The way i couldn’t stop reading it says a lot about this book!!! I couldn’t think of a better story for my favorite character Jacks, everything was so perfect, the plot, the characters, the development. Evangeline is the sweetest, kindest and most lovely character ever, i fell in love with her immediately and nothing in the book made me fall out. The cliffhangers were mind blowing, i didn’t see them coming really impressed with that. Also the way Jacks evolves throughout this book makes my heart melt i’m obsessed, can’t wait to see more of it!

OH my goodness. As a huge Caraval fan, I was mega excited to jump right back into the wonderful world that Stephanie Garber created, and I'm so glad that I was lucky enough to recieve an arc of this book.

I will admit that I was skeptical at first; would this live up to the hype I'd built around it given my love for Caraval? The answer is yes. I absolutely loved this book. It was so much fun going back into the rich world that Garber created in her first trilogy. Evangeline was, refreshingly, nothing like Donatella and Scarlett. I had been slightly worried that she would just be a carbon copy, but I shouldn't have worried at all. She was a character of her own. I was really happy about Jacks being back too, as he was such an interesting character in the Caraval series so I'm really excited to see where this series takes him and Evangeline too.

Stephanie Garber has done it yet again!! I loved immersing myself back into the Caraval universe. I was sucked in from the start. It was a wonderfully enchanting read.

The twists and turns kept me reading and i found myself not wanting to put the book down. Garber writes such amazing detail when it comes to her magic system and it just made the book so spectacular.

Then we have Jacks. He's everything i want a vilian to be. He's shady and secretive, makes you thing that maybe he's agood guy but then quickly you realise no he's not. I loved Jacks in theCaraval series and i'm so glad he got his own book.

That ending!! Ican't wait for the next book!

This is a book where i have already pre ordered several copies and i can't wait to have them on my shelves.

Rating: 4.5/5

Where the hell do I start? I can’t even! First of all, Thank you to NetGalley Uk for the e-arc. When I found out that one of my favourite fantasy trilogies is getting a spin-off, I was shook. Especially since it mentioned that it would have a lot of my first ever book boyfriend – Jacks, the Prince of Hearts. And did it deliver? HELL YEAH!

The book starts with a newspaper clipping of how the door to the PRINCE OF HEARTS’ temple is missing. Like in the Caraval series, we have many handwritten notes and additional news articles from ‘THE WHISPER GAZETTE’ and ‘THE DAILY RUMOUR’ run by the knightlinger brothers, spread all over the narrative which makes it an intriguing read.

Before I go deeper, let me mention that you don’t have to read the Caraval series to understand this. Even though it starts around the same time that Finale (Book 3 of the Caraval series) ends and has a few overlapping characters, there will be no confusion whatsoever in the storyline.

With an astonishing kingdom of fantasy and magic, characters to die for, and a storyline that will have you wrapped up, Once Upon a Broken Heart is perfect for the readers of Night Circus, Grishaverse, and fans of TVD and TO. It has everything – from an enchanting world filled with ancient architectural marvels to ball gowns that will swoon you over. From mystery and adventure to love stories and heartbreak, this book is a perfect culmination of all things amazing.

The best part? Despite all these elements, it is not overwhelming. The writing is brilliant and flows smoothly as it introduces its twists. While I was super annoyed by the MC, Evangeline Fox’s overthinking, I couldn’t help but do some of it myself. It was definitely an unputdownable fairytale and Stephanie Garber is here to make us anxious for the next part with the cliffhanger.

I loved reading it and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy, a little bit of mystery, mythology, and all things enchanting.


Yays:

Magical Kingdoms with beautifully described architecture and clothing

Secret Bookstores and Ancient Libraries

Prophecies and curses

Army of tiny dragons

Prince of Hearts – Jacks

Ghost foxes – charm one and you will get the gift to find love of your own

A VAMPIRE DEMIGOD

Handwritten notes

Something known as ‘Fortuna’s Fantastically Flavoured Waters’

Love Potions and Truth Serums


Nays:

I found Evangeline a little annoying which maybe because I am blindly in love with Jacks

The story ends with so many questions and I don’t know whom to trust

This book gets all the stars in the world! Honestly I had sooo much hype for this book as caraval series was one of my all time favourite series by Stephanie Garber! And she didn't fail me this time too!
I fell totally in love with the plot and characters and JACKS!!!!! He deserves more than what he gets!! And all the twists and turns omg you will be in the edge throughout the book to know more and more and more! And the cliffhanger is killing me and I just want the next book in my hands right now!
If you want to portal yourself into a magical world then this one is the right book for you and I guarantee you this one won't disappoint you!!
Thank you so much to the publisher,author and Netgalley for this E-Arc!

"All stories are made of both truths and lies, she used to say. What matters is the way that we believe them."
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an EARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Stephanie Garber does not disappoint when it comes to building intricate and beautiful worlds you cannot help but get immersed into. Her writing is a masterpiece in terms of atmosphere, and Once Upon a Broken Heart has showed this yet again.
Whilst this story is linked to the Caraval world and we see characters reintroduced in this book, I would not say it is completely necessary to read that before this one, however it does give a fair bit of insight and there are some spoilers if you intend to go back and read the previous trilogy.
The magic and wonder that we see in this book has got to be my favourite part of this book. I loved exploring a new part of this world, with all the fairytale esque influences.
I was sucked in from the first page, and couldn't put it down (I finished the whole book in under a day) such addictive writing and storyline that keeps you on your toes as much as the main character. Such a fun and enjoyable read, and I will definitely continue to read anything this author puts out, even if they aren't stand out favourites they never cease to make me smile.
I am intrigued to see where the story will go, and hopefully I will become even more attached to these characters and we get some more emotional moments.
Rated: 4.5 Stars

A big thank you to Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber is a return to her previous Caraval universe, although it is not necessary to read Caraval at all to read her latest novel. However, this book does end on a big cliffhanger! So, if you are like me and don't like waiting to find out more, rather wait for the other books in the series. Or don't. Where's the fun in that anyway?

Once Upon A Broken Heart follows the main character Evangeline Fox, who early on gets her heart broken and devises a plan to get her true love back. This plan involves our favourite rogue the Prince of Hearts. As anyone can guess, this gets all the more out of control, until Evangeline is given the chance for her own fairytale. She is given the chance to travel to the North and attend a ball where the prince will choose his future bride. But some bargains don't go away when you cross the border to another kingdom...

I've always loved Stephanie Garber's writing, and this transported me right back to what I loved about Caraval. It feels like a fairytale and reads easily and makes you want to know more. Some characters are written to represent evil intentions but you still root for them. All the while adding up the puzzle pieces in an ancient prophecy.

This is definitely YA, but has potential for anyone looking for a story about broken hearts and promises. I would gladly recommend this book as much, if not more than Caraval. And I cannot wait for it to release in our store!

Stephanie Garber's Caraval series has a special place in my heart and so, when she first announced we would be getting another book which takes place in the same universe and is centered around Jacks i was over the moon. Of course, i didn't know what to expect since it has been years since she wrote Caraval.. but she does not disappoint.

Garber's way of telling the story has remained much the same, she grips you from the beginning and keeps you within her clutches until the very end. There is always something to ponder, always something to be angry about, to fangirl about and ALWAYS, ALWAYS some angst around the corner.

I really enjoyed this books storyline as it was quite different from Caraval but with reminiscent elements of the world. I enjoyed the references to the events of Caraval and i found the FMC Evangeline an absolute delight. Im really, really eager to see where Stephanie plans to take this in Book 2.

Evangeline Fox wants her happily ever after, but when she finds out that the man she loves is getting married to someone else she is determined to put an end to the wedding. In her desperation she prays to the Prince of Hearts to help her… which she will soon discover was more dangerous than she originally thought…

And we’re back with our beloved Prince of Hearts!  I’m so excited that Jacks is back in his own Caraval spin off with Evangeline Fox! The story is full of magic, prophecies and trickery!  I was gripped from the first page as Jacks is addictive!!  Evangeline is a fantastic new addition to the Caraval-verse as she is a beaut and is certainly making me miss my pink hair!!

Fantastic!  And I cannot wait to get my hands on the physical copy to add to my shelf!

This book … I don’t know how to better describe it than to say that it was a very delightful surprise.

I have not read any of Stephanie Garber’s previous books (Caraval etc.), and I had no idea when getting into this book that it was set in the same world. I don’t know why, but I had gotten the idea that it was a completely different series set in a new world. However, I can’t say that I missed anything because of this. The only reasons I even realized that this was in the same world as Caraval was because of some Caraval fan art that was shared on Instagram and the name of one character was the same as one in Once Upon a Broken Heart. So, what I mean is that you definitely do no need to read Caraval before this book to enjoy it.

So, on to the actual review. As I got into this book, I was really surprised by the style of writing. It was so odd in a way that intrigued me. It’s written very much like a fairytale. And the strange thing was that as I was reading I felt like my face was stuck as a question mark. I had no idea what I was reading, and several times I kind of shook my head and thought that I wouldn’t want to keep going, that this wasn’t a book for me because of this fairytale style that it had. Then, I looked at how far I had been reading, and I realized I was already at 25%.

I had read a quarter of the book without even realizing it, because it just wanted to be read, and it was impossible to stop reading. And the longer I read, the more I wanted to keep going. And I just flew though the book because it was so easy to read, and always so interesting.

This book isn’t what I would call a traditional fantasy novel, it’s actually unlike anything that I’ve read before. And I’m very intrigued to pick up Caraval to see if that book is written in the same way.

So, if this isn’t a fantasy, then what is it? Well, I’d say that this book is like Dan Brown had a baby with Harry Potter. It’s a whimsical fantasy set in a 15-16th century style world where objects are almost sentient and magic is real. There’s this overall feel of Harry Potter in the world with all its oddities and whimsies and strange creatures and so on. At the same time, this is a mystery, and a very good one at that.


Strange things have happened that leads our main character on a quest to not only find the truth but set things right again. Only, things seem to get worse and worse the more she tries and the mystery gets deeper and harder to figure out. There no knowing who to trust and who’s actually betraying you.

The worldbuilding was really good, and I could vividly see the scenes painted before me as the story progressed. The characters felt real, and I loved how the relationships were described and how they developed in natural yet unexpected ways.

The only things I’m upset about is that I need to wait forever to read the sequel. I want to know how things end, and this is part of a series, so that means that this book doesn’t end with all the answers spelled out. We’re actually left on a bit of a cliffhanger, but still not enough that I’m upset about it (I hate real cliffhangers). In One Upon a Broken Heart, the author does wrap up most of the things that I as a reader want the answers to, and most importantly the main mystery is wrapped up. We’re left with some huge questions at the end, tough, and unresolved things between characters, which in all honesty is a great way to end and ensure the reader will want to pick up the next book.

I had a very hard time even coming up with something to put in my cons section on my blog. But I have added some things. Mainly that I do feel like the characters are perhaps a little too perfect. Everyone seems to be picture perfect beautiful, even those tho are mentioned not being as pretty are still somehow shown to be gorgeous. It ends up hard to appreciate the characters’s looks when everyone is “breathtakingly beautiful” etc.

The other thing is that the book sometimes feel a little too childish. A little too much whimsy and odd to be taken seriously.

So, with all of that rambling done. All I can say is get your hands on this book. I loved it!

5/5 stars and a huge thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc, and to the author for writing the first book in a looong time that I finished in less than 24 hours.

Read it!

oh. my. god. i loved this book so much😭 once it’s been out for a while, i’ll talk more specifically about the things i liked but for now, here’s a completely spoiler free (rubbish) review hehe

the EXACT same vibes as caraval (so… incredible). garber has the most whimsical and fairytale-y writing ever and it’s just such a pleasure to read her books.

this book was so so easy to read, i absolutely glided through it & everything was super easy to picture and imagine, the world building is *chef’s kiss*

the romance :)))))))))))))) teehee (my flatmate had to endure me literally screeching about it so let that just be that)

tHE PLOT ??? omg this book never once lost pace - something was ALWAYS happening and i was never bored. it was so so intriguing and had so many little plot points that i got invested in. i genuinely don’t understand how so much happened in quite a short book without it being confusing?? amazing

evangeline is a great, flawed & learning main character and if you didnt think jacks could get any better… think again :) and i found myself thinking about them both & the world multiple times when i wasnt reading… the sign of a good book!

okay fine, if i was being suuuupperrrrr critical about things, this book may not have been 5⭐️ but… it had too much of a 5⭐️ feel for me not to give it that 🤪

side note: you don’t have to read caraval to read this series but i do think it would help understand some parts a bit more and would just elevate the experience as a whole!! (i kinda compared it to the whole shadow & bone/six of crows situ…!) (but i also wouldn’t read this BEFORE reading caraval… so if you wanna read caraval, read it before OUABH x)

thank you so much to hodder & stoughton for the eARC of this book, you’ve made my year x

I really want to tell you about this story, but as some of it happens in the Magnificent North I just cant remember.
We're back in the magical world and I didnt realise just how much I had missed the Caraval triology until I started this book. We have a new heroine, that despite some transgressions I just wanted to hug and hang out with. Her sister not so much.
Evangaline like many young girls in in love, but it seems her beau has decided to marry her stepsister instead. Something strange happened there, and now he wont even see her. Desperate to stop the wedding Evangaline asks a fate for help. Everyone knows that its dangerous to ask the fates but she cant help herself. When Jacks helps her she ends up leading a very different life to the one she wanted.
As a charatcer we know that jacks is selfish, dangerous and the sort of all round bad your mother warns you about but Eva is confident she can handle it, armed with knowledged that her parents shared about magic and the fairytales and folklore or the magnificent North she feels well prepared.
Unsuprisingly she soon discovers that jacks' initial bargain isnt as simple as it seems and starts to question his motovations.
I think I liked all the characters Im supposed to like - So far my judgement seems to have been okay, but with more of the story to come I guess only time will tell. I suspect more of Evas history will come out in part of a plot twist to help us understand some more things.
I really hope that we get to spend some more time with the other Fates too, LaLa and Poison in particular and
I also really would like a tiny dragon or two if anyone can find me one please!

Title: Once upon a broken heart
Author: Stephanie Garber
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Synopsis:
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'd pledged. And he has plans for Evangeline that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy.

My Review:
First of all I’d like to recommend reading the Caraval Series first because this book includes spoilers for it. Once upon a broken heart takes place in the same universe as Caraval.
I really loved Caraval and adored the fact that not only did Once upon a Broken Heart return to the city of Valenda, but that we also got to meet beloved characters from the original series again. Jacks was one of my favourite characters in Caraval and it’s great to see him become a main character in this new series. He is all a villain-loving heart wants. I liked the other main character Evangeline as well.
Stephanie Garber’s writing style is gorgeous, and the story was fantastic. It’s full of twists and turns. I’m so exited to read more about Jacks and Evangeline

Conclusion
This book has fully lived up to my expectations; it’s pure magic. If you liked Caraval then you will definitely enjoy this book.

ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART is Stephanie Garber at her finest!

When I found out that this book was going to be a reality, I screeched louder than a pterodactyl. For some reason, Jacks has always been my favorite character in the Caraval series from the moment that he was introduced. He may not be a perfect Prince Charming, but his cunning, wickedness and bursts of intensity appeal to me like a forbidden fruit. Can it be a coincidence that he’s obsessed with apples? Me thinks not. So when I found out I’d be getting an entire series on my Prince of Hearts, I was thrilled, and now that I’ve had a taste for him as a main character, no one is taking the book boyfriend badge away from him. A certain blonde may have missed the train with this rascal, but we’re not making the same mistake.

And my, what a ride this book was!

Though there is a detail here or there that could minimally spoil the Caraval series for those who haven’t read it, the book itself is perfectly readable without having prior knowledge of the world. Once Upon a Broken Heart takes place in the Magical North, away from Valenda and the characters of the main series, and everything you need is explained. If you want a personal opinion, you’ll probably enjoy this book more if you’ve read the others and have an acquired taste for Jacks and the Fates, but you don’t necessarily need them. You do you.

The story follows a new protagonist, Evangeline Fox. I was in love with this character ever since seeing her rose-gold hair. Her love of stories made her immediately relatable to me, although, like Scarlett and Tella, her whimsicality sometimes takes the upper hand and she feels as if she were plucked straight out of a fairytale. Evangeline is big on happily ever afters and true love, but that doesn’t mean that she’s a naïve damsel in distress. Her strong personality and spunk made her a perfect counterweight to Jacks’s sharper edges, and their banter gave me so much life I’m probably immortal now.

I don’t want to say too much because at the time I’m writing this review, the book hasn’t been released yet, but this is a modern fairytale dream. As is a trademark of the Caraval universe, magic is a palpable essence that permeates every word and every flip of the page. You won’t be able to resist getting lost within this spell-binding story. There’s a bit of something for everyone: a touch of mystery, a dash of whimsy, and a good sprinkle of romantic tension to make everything even more delicious.

How will I survive the wait for the next book? I don’t know. If you hear weird noises it’s probably, me turning into a pterodactyl again because the ending of this book has that effect on people. I seriously cannot wait to have the sequel in my greedy hands!

Thank you SO MUCH to Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with an e-ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Okay. OKAY. I get it now.

Jacks is amazing.

Stephanie Garber found the secret to bottling magic and putting into words. Reading her books is like reading a fairytale. I’m a huge fan of Caraval, so I was obviously excited about this book despite the fact it revolved around one of my least favorite characters of the series. With that I don’t mean I didn’t like Jacks, but unlike my sister (who rooted for him from day one), I didn’t get the appeal. Between Jacks and Legend, I choose Julian.

Was I expecting to love this? Absolutely, and it lived up to every expectation and more, because it also made me appreciate Jacks so much more! Sister loyalty demands that I don’t try to claim him as a book boyfriend, but he definitely caught my interest. And Evangeline, she was the true revelation of this book, the new character introduced to this magical universe. I loved her from the beginning, from the tip of her rosegold hair to her littlest toe. This girl is a dreamer, she’s kind and brave. Her interactions with Jacks were goals! I admit there were a few moments that made me wish this book wasn't a YA. Jacks is too intense to keep some of the things he does YA friendly.

Fans of Caraval will definitely enjoy this a lot. In some ways it reminded me of the magical atmosphere of the first book, but the world expands even more. I think it’s Stephanie Garber’s best book. It was an absolute pleasure reading this, and it was difficult telling myself to put it down and go to sleep.

People who haven’t read Caraval will also love this read. Will it spoil the other series? For the most part no, although I do think you will appreciate some details more if you read the Caraval trilogy first. There are a few details that give away the ending of Finale, specifically about Jacks’s storyline (of course) and the Dragna sisters.

Now, please bookish gods, give me the sequel tomorrow. Or today. Soon. Please. I need to know what happens next!

Thank you to the Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for allowing me to read an eARC of this. Opinions are my own.

From the #1 bestselling author of the Caraval series, Once Upon A Broken Heart is the first in a new fantasy series about love, curses, and the lengths that people will go to for happily ever after.

Raised in her beloved father's curiosity shop, Evangeline Fox grew up amongst cursed stories and tales of immortals, like the tragic Prince of Hearts. His powers are mythic, his kiss is worth dying for, and 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 seek his help.
In exchange for only three kisses, he agrees to stop the wedding. But after her first promised kiss, Evangeline learns that striking a deal with a Fate is far more dangerous than she could ever know. The Prince of Hearts has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy...

A dazzling mix of magic, intrigue, and slow-burn romance, Stephanie Garber's Once Upon A Broken Heart is a perfect escapist dream. Addictive and whimsical, this novel will sparkle in your imagination and play havoc with your pulse.

Although this book is set in the Caraval world, it's true that you absolutely do not need to have read the trilology beforehand to enjoy and understand this book. It will give away a couple of spoilers of where the original characters end up, but it'll be just as magical if you've not read them as if you have.

Where Caraval is a dark and romantic game, Once Upon A Broken Heart is much more of a mysterious fairy-tale, with beautiful snowy scenery, seasonal balls and a history all of its own. There is a whole new magic system in place as we enter The North, and Garber deliciously captures this in vivid colour with her trademark writing style. Her world-building is second to none, with a whimsical quality that leaves you totally absorbed into the story. And the wonderful little cameos from Caraval characters make the world feel that much more magical and complete. She brilliantly intertwines the old and new stories without one wholly relying on the other, and does it with such skill and vibrancy that it is easy to relax into the new phase of the journey.

But it is the new cast of characters that really bring this book to life. Our protagonist, Evangeline, wants nothing more than her happy ending, which leads to some questionable decision making that you can't help but sympathise with. Her rose-gold hair and naive hopefulness makes for a perfect contrast to the shrouded mystery of The North and its cursed stories. Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, on the other hand is just as devilish and unpredictable as ever, this time framed as somewhat of an unlikely hero, whose motives are constantly in motion and in question. There are depths to his character that are as yet unexplored, and this gives the novel even more of an intensity as we search desperately for any subtle hints that Garber may have dropped. Both Jacks and Evangeline float in and out of the morally grey area, which makes for a really interesting reading dynamic. We'd definitely do well as readers to remember never to trust a Fate.

While some of the plot points went wildly off-piste from the original Caraval trilogy (I'm still trying to get my head around the newly-featured vampires), there is no question that this book is just as magical, mysterious and intriguing. The characters, setting, and plot all twist together beautifully to create a picture of total wonder in which the reader can totally lose themselves, and there is no question that this will become a staple for every fantasy-lover's bookshelf. Perhaps set towards more of a young-adult audience, Evangeline's journey to reach her Happily Ever After is one that I cannot wait to see unfold across this new series.

Oh my goodness me. Once Upon a Broken Heart was every bit as wonderful and magical as I had hoped. I really loved being back in the world of Caraval and getting to explore The Magnificent North was just incredible!

I fell in love with Evangeline straight away and it was so interesting to follow her on her journey as she makes some really brave and some really questionable choices all in the name of love. She is so in love with the idea of love and it really is her motivation for everything. I love that we, as readers, get to experience this adventure with her.

The world building is absolutely incredible. I wish I could visit The Magnificent North, it is even more magical (dare I say this) that Caraval. Reading Once Upon A Broken Heart has made me realise that my reread of the entire Caraval trilogy is really overdue.

As I knew I would, I totally fell in love (again) with Jacks. I really should know better by now but I just cannot help myself!

I honestly cannot recommend Once Upon A Broken Heart it is a wonderfully magical YA fantasy and one that I will definitely be rereading! I just need the next book already!!!

Stephanie Garber has done it again with the first in the new series Once in a Broken heart. This is a fabulous, magical story of true love and Fate.
Evangeline Fox is in love with Luc. He is her one true love. But when she hears that he is to marry her stepsister Marisol she is heartbroken. She thinks that her sister has put him under a spell, so she turns to a Fate called Jacks to help her. The stories say that Fates are dangerous and should never be trusted. But when she agrees her life turns differently to not what she was expecting.
Thank you, Hodder and Stoughton, for a copy of Once in a Broken Heart. I loved this book like her others. This is a magical fairy-tale that instantly draws you in. I loved the premise of the story and the characters especially Jacks. You have to have a bad boy in story don’t you. and Jacks did not disappoint. I was quite surprised about the ending as I thought there was a bit of chemistry between Evangeline and Jacks. Maybe it will happen in book two. Can’t wait for the next one. 5 stars from me.

What a corker.

This book opened as magical as normal, and Garber managed to keep me captivated the entire way through. I didn’t think it was possible for me to love JACKS even more! But here we are.

I loved reading more about the fates. I loved the introduction of Chaos, I’m absolutely desperate to see where the ending leads us into book 2.

I was nervous going into this book because I loved Caraval SO MUCH, but it’s a beautiful opener to what will absolutely be a cracking new trilogy. Definitely recommend.

I have never read any of Stephanie Garber's book before but have heard great things on Bookstagram so when I saw this book on Netgalley I thought I would give it a go. I was a bit worried that I wouldn't really understand it all as although the author had said that you don't need to read Caravel to enjoy this one, I had seen a few reviews that disagreed. However, I really enjoyed it and understood everything. I think there were a few easter eggs that I probably missed but it didn't affect my overall enjoyment at all.

Evangeline is a hopeless romantic. She has grown up on fairytales and hopes for her life to mirror the stories she loves. However, when her love becomes engaged to someone else she is overcome by grief. Her grief drives her to make a bargain with the Prince of Hearts in order to stop the wedding. But as soon as the deal is made things start to go very wrong. She soon realises that Jacks wants a lot more from her than the three kisses she promises.

Ah I loved it! The tension between Evangeline and Jacks was just perfect and I cannot wait to see what happens next. That is the only bad thing about receiving an advanced copy - I now have even longer to wait for a sequel! However, I think I will pick up the Caravel series to get my Stephani Garber fix until then.

I loved this more than I expected! There's not much of a world-building and you kind of get little pieces of information about the magic in this world as the story goes but I didn't mind it as much as I usually do. And that's because Evangeline's story is just full of excitement. Just when I thought I knew that the book is going to be about, there was a twist that changed the whole course of the story. This made of a thrilling read and me finishing Once Upon A Broken Heart in two days.

My first Stephanie garber book (I know I know I’m later to the party)

But I’m glad this is my first, Such a beautiful first instalment of the series. The only thing I’m mad about is that I now have to wait for the next in the series but it gives me chance to catch up with the authors other work

Oh my goodness this book is perfection! I only found the world of Caraval earlier this year and so to be able to read more about Jacks was amazing. He is such an amazing character. I loved the setting the plot the characters. Absolutely amazing now I’m just sad that i didn’t take my time to read and finished it in one day!

This book was so good. So good. I absolutely loved the caraval trilogy so I was super excited to get a book about Jacks and it definitely didn’t disappoint!

I loved so many things about this book:
- Jacks. Jacks is such a good character! He’s broody and difficult and quite frankly a pain in the ass most of the time but I love him.
- Magic, fates, vampires, curses and deals.
- Mystery and murder!

I just had a great time reading this book and I can’t wait for the next one in the series because I have questions I need answers to!

➳ Oh my! The Caraval trilogy is one of my favourite , and Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, is without a doubt my favourite character in the entire series, so when Stephanie Garber announced her new series, I knew I'd love it!
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➳ Stephanie is the "Queen of Magic." Her worlds and lore are incredibly rich! Reading this felt like I'd been doped up on rainbows and unicorn. She created another whimsical fairytale, but she's outdone herself this time by making it even more vivid and magical.
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➳ The plot revolves around Evangeline Fox,bold and brave and reckless with rose-gold hair,you can’t help but love her but also shout at her! Oh lord things people do for love! She appears to be plucked straight out of a fairytale. Her fiery personality and spunk made her the ideal counterpoint to Jacks' sharper edges, and I loved his morally grey character in Caraval, this is where I fell head over heels for him. Ugh, I'll never get enough of him! and their banter gave me so much life that I'm probably immortal now. I feel as if I've just stepped out of a fairy tale or a bizarre but wonderful dream.
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➳ I can assure you that you are in for a real treat with this one! I can't wait for everyone to read this book so we can all obsess over Jack together!

I think all I need to say is, when will the next book in the series be released please?

Step into a mesmerising world of magic.

Once Upon a Broken Heart is definitely not your traditional fairytale but it is one that enthrals and entertains.

I must admit that I haven't yet read any of Stephanie's other books but I believe this is set in a world which is first visited in her previous books. I'll be reading her other books as soon as I can.

With plenty of twists and turns, this is fantastical and romantic all at the same time. My heart raced as I read, I became lost in the mystery and mayhem.

Superb storytelling with an ending that will leave you wanting more.

I’m going to preface this by saying that I’ve never read any of the Caraval books, so I went into OUABH completely blind. However, I’m certainly going to pick them up now.
I found the start of the book to be a little jumpy, with short periods of story which moved rapidly from one to the next - from speaking to other readers, I’m willing to cede that this may be partially because I haven’t read Caraval and am therefore missing additional context - however, once they travelled to the Magnificent North, I was enchanted. Stephanie Garber so deftly weaves together a complex cast of characters, each with their own distinct personalities and motivations - some of which are more obvious that others - and it’s intriguing to watch the story unfold through our main character, Evangeline’s, perspective.
At the beginning of the story, Evangeline feels very young and inexperienced, however as the story progresses we watch her grow from a grieving and downtrodden young woman, into a confident and charming one.
Not wanting to spoil anything for anyone else, I’ll keep this vague, but I thoroughly enjoyed the settings and characters we encounter along the way, including the infamous Jacks - who you’ll know if you’ve read Caraval, and I can’t wait for the sequel to find out where the story’s twists and turns will take Evangeline next.
Definitely one worth sticking with. A fantastic new story from an author I know many already love.

This is a difficult book for me to … well … review seems a strong word for what I do, since it mainly comprising burble forth some random opinions. In any case, I requested this on NG because it was shiny. The cover was beautiful, the title was intriguing, the blurb was engaging. But, embarrassingly, I knew nothing else about what I was getting into. Which says far more about me than the book, because the author is a massive phenomenon in YA. It’s just I don’t tend to read a lot of YA.

Anyway, it turns out that while this book broadly stands alone, it’s set in the same world as the author’s previous, wildly successful trilogy, and there’s some crossover of characters and events—to the extent that apparently some of the happenings in Once Upon A Broken Heart are spoilers for what goes down in Caraval. To give the author credit, I felt lost only occasionally, and only mildly, though a few references did go over my head and I got the general sense that probably this book would be a meaningful experience if you’d read the others. I absolutely don’t blame the book for this. It was entirely on me.

The other piece of context I was lacking that seemed important was connected to the male lead. He’s a Fate, which, as far as I could tell, are kind of … not quite gods, not quite faery, magical beings who once the ruled world before being sealed in a deck of cards. Anyway, the relevant Fate here is Jacks, also known as The Prince of Hearts. And I think it’s pretty telling that reviews from people who read the previous trilogy are all “OMG IT’S JACKS’ BOOK” and I’m like “who is this psychotic dickhead, I hope I’m not supposed to feel sorry for him, oh Jesus Christ, I think he’s the romantic lead.”

So I am not Jacks’ biggest fan. I’m sure he’s deeply tragic and blah blah but I’m nearly forty. I cannot be doing with YA romantic leads. Seriously, the last YA I read, the hero was literally a mass murderer. WHAT IS WITH THIS? I mean, I know dark romance is a thing that exists for adults and, in all honesty, I’m not mad keen on it. But I really do think the average YA romantic lead could knock all those BDSM mafia dudes into a cocked hat with an arch of their exquisite serial killer eyebrows.

I should also note that I’m absolute not ragging on the genre, or YA writers, or teenage girls for this. Being a teenager is scary enough, I imagine being a teenage girl sucks beyond all reason: I can absolutely see why, in that context, stories about terrible men with extraordinary powers who can, in fact, ultimately be controlled, morally and emotionally, by a YA protagonist are needed, meaningful and valuable.

But Jacks. Holy balls, what a shithead. And, to be fair to the book, I got the sense that it also felt Jacks was a shithead. It’s just I also felt the book thought he was a secretly romantic shithead. And I thought he was a common or garden shithead shithead. He treats the heroine, like super badly. Super super badly. And, again, to be fair, she recognises it and does not, in fact, find it appropriate or attractive. It’s just Jacks himself is terribly terribly attractive (to her), and one of the main characteristics of heroine is hope: always hoping for the love, for happiness, for people to be governed by their better natures, rather than their worst. It makes her very endearing. I liked her.

BUT GET AWAY FROM JACKS, GIRL. FAR FAR AWAY.

Massive side-eye at Jacks aside, I enjoyed the almighty fuck out of this book. It is A RIDE. This slightly mind-boggling juxtaposition of whimsy and darkness, coupled with a willingness To Go There TM, that left me genuinely uncertain where it was going or what was about to happen next. I mean, in a good way. In an exciting, dangerous-feeling way that is actually pretty hard to find. Not in a “oh, genre books are so predictable, man” way, just that there’s something legitimately fresh-feeling about Garber’s take on fairytales, history, and myth. The book starts off with a bargain, transitions through a Cinderella riff, detours into a murder mystery and ends up at a prophecy. Like I said, A RIDE. Plus, it was a nice change to spend time with a genuinely idealistic and romantic heroine. I will say, it means she makes a lot of mistakes, trusting when she definitely shouldn’t trust, taking chances she definitely shouldn’t take, but it always felt like a choice—a choice to hope—rather than blind stupidity or plot necessity.

I will say, the pacing was occasionally a little uneven, and that the heroine, Evangeline Fox, and Jacks are by far the most vividly painted characters in the book. Everyone else fulfilled their roles, but felt a little one-note compared to Evangeline and Jacks. Especially since at three of the other men are literally under love curses for most of the page count, so it’s hard to get a sense of who they are. This is especially true of Luc, Evangeline’s first love, the one who broke her heart and led her to make her disastrous bargain with The Prince of Hearts in the first place. On the one hand, I appreciated that A Man What Did Her Wrong wasn’t allowed to de-centre Evangeline in her own story, but it did mean that the intense emotions that drove her to Jacks (the ones that motivate the entire action of the novel) always felt a little abstract and distant.

Also there’s no getting away from the fact that Once Upon A Broken Heart has a serious case of first-book-in-a-series. It ends on a ginormous emotional twist plus cliff hanger and ARGH. And while I think there’s a lot of interesting themes feeding into the story—I think it might be, and I bloody well hope it is, building up to a deconstruction of the whole concept of “one twu wuv” which I am oh so very here for—they still feel very much like seedlings at the point the book ends, and I’m still not entirely surely if they were definitely there or I was just imagining (and wanting) them.

Strongly recommended for people who like this kind of YA (which apparently I do). I am already absolutely desperate for the second, and will be reading the first trilogy stat. It’s always bit ridiculous to come massively late to something that is already the biggest ever hit, being like “well, this is all right, innit?”. Except it really is all right. Very very exceptionally all right and I loved it.

But sweet goddamn Evangeline needs a better love interest.

Also, one of the advantages of using GR over NG is that I can duck having to give a star rating on GR. I’m dithering a bit over this one because, for me, it felt like a four-star read. HOWEVER, I think that was because I lacked the context and depth that would have come from familiarity with the original trilogy, and it feels wrong to penalise a book (or an author) because I was a daft kipper and didn’t do enough research. Therefore, I’m going with five because, well, err on the side of generosity.

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From the beginning, just reading the blurb, this book had my attention. A deal with a mysterious powerful figure and a not so promised happy ever after? What more could you want??
I went into this book without having read Caraval (which I now HAVE to read) and tbh it was completely fine!! I understood everything and the settings omg!!!!
Totally made me fall in love 😍
As for the two main characters, Evangeline and Jacks, I honestly want to keep reading their story forever. Evangeline’s determination to do the right thing and her optimism for a happy end were so absolute that it made me root for her no matter what, and her curiosity just made me relate to her on a super deep level 😂. Also Jacks savage charm was everything!!! I don’t want to give him away because he is something that needs ti be discovered but tbh I would definitely make a deal with him, knowing full well it would be the worst decision of my life.
Although i have to mention a few revelations were sudden and felt slightly out of place, they always ended up clicking in perfectly!!! This whole book kept me on the edge of my seat, always knowing there was more to come and it DELIVERED.
So yeah. Read it. A true fairytale with a hint of darkness from the Grimms’ filled with emotion and decadence all the way. That ending showed me how this story truly has the potential for infinite endings and I’m glad it did.

This review also appears on my Instagram page!

I have read the first book of the series Caraval. But then did not have enough time.to read the rest two books. It does not mind, after all, the book can be read without the previous books.
This book was incredible, I loved everything. The story was fast, surprising, full of twists and turns and there was also romantic. Stephanie has a big imagination and this book is proof.
The last thing I want to mention is... Jacks (Prince of Hearts). He is an incredible character and I need to read more about his story and him. I am excited to know what will be in a second book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
5/5

This novel is a true testament to how Garber's just growing as a writer (saying that, I adore her writing style right from the start with Caraval). This ups her game, I could find no fault with this and I already want to reread it though I just finished it about twenty minutes ago.

If you loved the Caraval trilogy you'll probably love this, if you didn't love Caraval, you will still probably love this. Evangeline is nothing like Tella or Scarlett; and neither is her story. Jacks was perfection like always, and the setting of this was just a *chef's kiss* level of perfection as well.

5/5 HUGE CUPS OF COFFEE FROM ME. Full RTC and will be posted on the blog closer to publication. Thank you so much to Hodder&Stoughton and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I loved this book! As I watched my progress creep up into the 90% zone all I could think was '"how can there be so little book left yet so much more to go?!"

I really liked Evangeline, she is adventurous, whimsical and smart. She makes decisions that do not always turn out well for her but she keeps trying to make them right. She has a slight Cinderella-esque arc and her tumultuous relationship with Jacks is very interesting.

Jacks (aka The Prince or Hearts,), who we originally met in Legendary then were left wondering what happened to him after the end of Finale, is his usual villainous self. Despite his dastardly and manipulative ways, you can't quite help but be charmed by him.

The plot is fun and contains enough twists and turns that I had trouble putting the book down. It was also nice to have a cameo from the Dragna sisters which helped to link this book to the Caraval series.

While I feel like this book could be read as a standalone from Caraval and co, I do think readers would benefit from having read that series first. OUABH references some events in that series and I'm not sure if there was enough information provided if you hadn't already read them.

Oh - and then that ending?!?! When I finished I was immediately desperate for the next one!

I’ve read a few very good fantasy books this year and I’m glad that I can add this one to the list!

This read is a brilliant fairytale about love and magic with a dose of mystery and a lot of plot twists.

Although, this book refers to characters and events from the previous work of SG, her trilogy, the book can be read as a standalone without any confusion.

I like all the characters in this book and I love how the author didn’t neglect the characters with small parts in the book, but she used them in a way that gave depth to the read.

The writing is magical and the world building left me very satisfied (I need to read the trilogy asap).
It’s such a page turner and I couldn’t put it down! SG is an amazing storyteller! This is one of my best read this year and SG became one of my go-to fantasy authors for sure!

I adored the Caravel series and was eager to read Once Upon a Broken Heart set in the same world and this book did not disappoint, I ended up reading it in one sitting I was so swept up by the fairytale like storytelling. A must read book!

Okay, so I didn’t know this was going to be a series. I thought it was going to be a standalone, and it took me until the end of the book for me to realise it wasn’t, so that might affect my rating.

I really enjoyed this. I love whimsical fantasy, and I want to see more if it in a field where everyone is trying to be the next Game of Thrones, so this was a breath of fresh air.

I felt like I stepped into Alice in Wonderland, and was constantly bewitched with the world, the imagery, and the colourful characters that brought the book to life. I had to stop myself from reading the book in one sitting. Everything about it was addictive.

I haven’t read Garber’s Caraval series, and apparently this book is a follow on, but I don’t think you have to read the other series to make sense of this one. I followed it pretty well.

I do admit that some aspects of the story are very tropey, and I do wish things were taken a bit further. Like I wish Evangeline’s ex hadn’t been under a love spell and her step sister wasn’t a witch who bewitched people into marrying her. I feel like it would’ve hit the heartbreak theme more for Evangeline to realise her first love was just a terrible person who played with her feelings, and she was projecting her suspicion onto her sister to save herself from the pain of being betrayed. I don’t know, I felt like the love spell aspect was a cop out to make Evangeline look better.

However, I absolutely loved this, and I’m eager to read the next one. This book is full of heartbreak, love, adventure, and magic galore.

An enchanting fairy tale that brings you further into the world of Caraval - exploring the North this time and all the magic it has to offer.

This book was gorgeous. The descriptions and writing completely transported you, and I completely fell in love with the whimsical way the author portrayed the North. The core of the world building had already been done in the Caraval series, so even though this was the first book of the series, she had time to focus on bringing the setting and characters to life.

Evangeline is our heroine in this series, with beautiful rose gold hair and a fierce streak for protecting those she loves. She made a brilliant contrast to Jacks’ sly, devious character, who seemingly does things with no regard for other’s feelings. Their paths keep crossing throughout the book and we slowly see more layers to Jacks; I suspect there are many more to come.

I read this in two sittings and I feel like we only scratched the surface of the story we are unravelling here, I can’t wait for the next instalment after that cliff-hanger!

It has been amazing to be able to go back to the Caraval world, I was literally missing everything. I have to say, I was a bit scared of this book, I was sure it wouldn’t stand up to the original trilogy, but boy, I was wrong. This book is magical, it keeps you attached to the story, to the characters; it tears you apart and keeps getting better.
I found this book more static then the original trilogy. I felt like I was frozen in place with the characters, watching from afar everything going on. The world building was completely different from the other one and it definitely was a winning choice. The static feel was probably due to the limited world building, even though it was perfectly written.
I was not a fan of Evangeline. I loved her selfishness in the beginning of the book, but as the book progressed, I struggled to find her personality. She is beautiful and she is recognized for what she did at the beginning, and then? I was even not impressed with Jacks, since I found him a bit less intriguing (Mybe because I already knew a bit?). Their interaction was probably one of the best things in the book, I loved every moment and I think they might become my favorite couple of Garber’s.
This book is perfect if you miss the Caraval world and you fell in love with Jacks like I did. If you need some magic in your life, if you want to travel far while laying in your bed and if you want to live like Scarlett and Donatella, this is the book for you.

Utterly enchanting and enthralling from the very beginning!

This book can be read alone but being a massive fan of the Caraval series this book is nothing short of my idea of a perfect fairytale!

Having fallen in love with Jacks this book does not disappoint. It’s amazing how even through all his tricks and scandals he is still the perfect rogue you cannot help but fall in love with!

This story brings back a few familiar faces from the Caraval series whilst introducing a new collection of weird and wonderful characters.

The book also indulges the readers senses in the beautiful world that has been created, again this book is sprinkled with delicious treats along the way as well as whimsical and wonderful outfits throughout.

An absolutely wonderful story it leaves you desperate for more!

I was completely bowled over by this book. The prose was simple and elegant, but beautiful throughout; the characters captured my heart in unexpected ways; and the plot was lovingly crafted, with depth in surprising places. It’s been a long time since I walked away from a book desperate to read the sequel, but that’s how I feel about ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART.

Evangeline was the perfect character to guide us through this magical world. Her background in magical curiosities makes her not quite an expert, but certainly a connoisseur of oddities—and fairytales. This knowledge guides her through a story that somehow weaves pastel fantasy with heartbreaking tragedy. I was left gasping for more at the end of this one! I loved the various character dynamics—distrust, love, betrayal, friendship. It’s hard to know who to trust in this world, which is so beautiful on the surface, but which has a secretly dark underbelly.

Garber has done something really interesting with the ‘one true love’ trope and the idea of fairytales altogether, and frankly I can’t wait to see where this goes next. This is a book I’ll be recommending to anyone who wants something quick and twisty and full of light romance, all wrapped up with a mystery bow. One of my favourite reads of the year, for sure!

We all know Stephanie Garber from her bestselling series Caraval and when I heard she was writing a new book in the same world I just knew I had to read and own it. So when I was approved to read an ARC I was so honored. I downloaded it immediately and started to read. Unfortunately I couldn’t read it on my kindle because there was something wrong with the file. But after some communication with the publisher and netgalley I was able to read it through the Netgalley Shelf app and I was finally able to read and judge the book fairly.

Like I said Once Upon a Broken Heart is set in the same world and takes place after the events in the Caraval Trilogy. So if you haven’t read the caraval trilogy I would definitely recommend reading that before starting OUABH because there will be some minor spoilers. Beside the minor spoilers OUABH is separate from the Caraval series and you could read it without reading the trilogy.

Stephanie provided us with two different covers (US and UK) and for the first time I’m more in love with the UK cover than the US cover and for me it’s more fitting. In the books there are portals to a magical kind of place (sorry for the bad explanation but I don’t want to spoil anything) and the UK cover shows a portal like described in the book and this portal definitely takes you to a magic place.

Stephanie has a beautiful style of story telling that’s lyrical, romantic and fast paced. She captured me from the first word and I finished the book in 24 hours.

Evangeline is the main character and is an easy character to fall in love with. She also believes in happy endings, but when her happy ending is taken away she makes some bad decisions. These bad decisions have some dire consequences but Evangeline is prepared to bear these consequences and I loved her personal growth.

Although Evangeline is the main character, we also get a lot of Jacks. We already met him in Caraval and he was one of my favorite characters. So I was glad to see he got a more important role in OUABH. We got more of his background story and I fell even more in love with him.

Like Caraval the story is full of twists and turns and leaves you on the edge of your seat and keeps you there after the last word on the last page.

I’ve rated this book ★★★★★ (5 stars).

Oh my Fates, this book!! I really loved Stephanie Garber’s writing and world-building. OUABH felt so much like I’m inside a fairytale because of how whimsical and magical it is. This has been the first book I’ve read from Garber, but I definitely have to read Caraval after this. Another thing I also loved about this book is how distinct the voices of the characters are, especially the tone of the scandal sheets that I definitely enjoyed reading.

Once Upon A Broken Heart tells the story of Evangeline Fox who strikes a bargain with the Prince of Hearts after learning about her lover’s sudden engagement to her stepsister, convinced that her lover is under a curse. It is full of twists and turns that would make you believe you got everything figured out, but, boy, you are wrong! I enjoyed every part of this story. I literally flew through it, and I have been struggling through a slump for weeks so that’s saying something.

And also, Jacks. That’s it.

So I have never read any Stephanie Garber books, however I kept seeing the hype for Caraval and then I saw this book on netgalley and so I thought I would give it a go. Now I am wondering why I didn’t pick up Caraval because Once Upon a Broken Dream is everything. This book has made my top 10 of 2021 and has brought me out of a book slump I could feel coming.

First lets start with the plot, it never stopped. It was incredible. It was fast paced and well thought out. I loved how detailed the plot was and how it kept you on your toes as to what was going to happen next. One thing I will say about the plot is that although you don’t need of read Caraval to understand what is going on, it will spoil the trilogy if you read this book first. You meet some characters that are in Caraval and you see where they are after the events of Caraval. I don’t mind being spoiled but if you are intending to read Caraval, read that first if you don’t want spoilers. Although this is a companion series I never felt lost of like I was missing any details that you can only get from Caraval.

The characters are everything and I want to learn more about them and where they are from and what there back story is (I am going to have to pick up Carval to try find out). This story follows Evangeline and her struggle for love, which I totally get, and her dealings with a Fate called Jacks. I fell in love with Jacks and then out of it by the end, he gives me so many mixed emotions (in a good way).

I have seen around the internet that this is a cinderella retelling, and in parts I can see that, it has a ball, a prince, a step mother and step sister (and kind of a fairy godmother). However, that is where the similarities end, this isn’t a classic retelling at all, it is a brand new story. And I love it.

I will start by thanking netgalley and hodder & stroughton for allowing me access to the book early and I was not disappointed! I couldn’t wait to dive back into the world that started it all with caraval and I absolutely adore jacks! I won’t give away plot details but I 100% recommend this book.

I finished this book in one sitting so get ready for a fast paced read, I love the world building and lore that has Stephanie created it has fascinated me since I first read caraval and I was happily satisfied reading this one too!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Hodderscape for giving me this arc in return for an honest review.

A twisted tale of mischief, love and betrayal. Utterly bewitching!

It will come as no surprise to anyone that Once Upon A Broken Heart absolutely had to receive a five star rating. Stephanie Garber is a wonderful author but she truly excelled herself with this novel.

Set in the same world as Caraval only a few short months after Finale takes place, we are introduced to the character Evangeline. With rose gold hair and a quirky personality, she is destined to stand out. When her beloved is cursed and she can’t find a cure, Evangeline turns to the final option; praying to the Fated Prince of Hearts for help. And Jacks, being the mischievous little devil that he is, is all too willing to strike a bargain. Evangeline really should have trusted all the warnings to never trust a Fate.

After finishing the Caraval trilogy, I was left wanting more Jacks than ever. Being given a book devoted to him and his roguish exploits was a dream come true. I loved that we were able to delve way deeper into his character and were introduced to parts of his past. It was also extremely interesting to see how the events of Finale (and what happened with Donatella) influenced his decisions in OUABH.

It is evident that Garber’s writing only ever gets better with time because she absolutely excelled in this book. The pace and writing style were much improved - which didn’t seem possible after the excellence of Caraval - and it was far more engaging from start to finish.

I wholeheartedly loved this book and five stars doesn’t seem like high enough a rating to suffice.

I love the Caraval series & was so looking forward to reading what the author wrote next & this didn’t disappoint, saturated with the same magic & romance, I enjoyed this read immensely.

I loved this!

I have never read anything by Stephanie Garber before but based on the hype of Caraval and the blurb of this, I knew I needed to read this book. I was not disappointed. I absolutely loved this and read it all in one day. I don't know how I'm going to wait for book two.

Once Upon a Broken Heart is the first in a brand-new series that takes place in the Caraval world! This time, we follow Evangeline after she strikes a deal with Jacks. It is a story about bad decisions, broken hearts and unrequired love.
I’ve always been a huge fan of the Caraval series, so when I heard about more books in the same world, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy. Bonus: we follow one of my favourite characters!
The magical atmosphere that I loved so much in the Caraval series really shown through! With the world expanding to the North there was so much room for more, and it definitely delivered! I think this might be my favourite book out of the four! I just didn’t want this story to end, and especially with the ending that was written! It left me gasping for more pages which weren’t there!
Evangeline is an amazing character who I fell for from the very first page! She is kind and brave. Her imagination and her love and believe in fairy tales are just amazing albeit a bit naïve in the beginning. I also loved how she interacted with Jacks. Jacks has been a favourite of mine for a long time. I just love a good villain/morally-grey character like him. He’s everything and more; shady, secretive, wicked and just has this vibe that makes me love him and root for him and everything! I don’t care if he’s bad, I want him to have it all haha.
The twists and turns in this story were all done so extremely well! You don’t really see the twist coming, other than that you get a feeling something is about to happen. They left me gasping and in shock in the best ways.
I would’ve liked to see what more the story could’ve brought me as a reader if it wasn’t classed as YA but NA. I can understand the Caraval series being YA, but Jacks feels more intense and maybe NA would suit him and the story a bit better.
Overall, it was an amazing book that I enjoyed from start to finish! I can’t wait to see what more the world and the characters will bring.

Wow wow wow! I picked this up having no idea what to expect as I've never read anything by Stephanie Garber before, and I was completely hooked from the very first page. We follow Evangeline- a believer in happily ever afters- who has just made a deal with the mysterious Prince of Hearts. In return for stopping the wedding of the man Evangeline loves, the Prince of Hearts requires three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.
What follows is a hugely enjoyable fast-paced story, that is truly unputdownable.

The characters were fantastic and I instantly loved Evangeline. She was bold from the very first page, so of course I liked her! I also felt like she was quite self-aware, which is something I really like in a protagonist. She never felt whiny or annoying, which is always a win. Jacks was mysterious and sexy and perfect. Do I have a crush on him? Yes. Does that influence my review? Probably. I'm just a sucker for a morally grey character, and I loved all the interactions between Jacks and Evangeline. There were also lots of side-characters that I enjoyed reading about, and I hope we’ll get to see more of them in the next book.

The plot, whilst perhaps not stunningly in its originality, was hugely entertaining. The tropes may be well-used, but they're well-used for a reason, and that reason is they work. The plot moved at a good pace, and although there were a few moments that felt a little rushed, I prefer a plot that moves slightly too quickly over one that drags. It was a very enjoyable reading experience, and I found myself thinking about the book and what might happen next any time I was forced to put it down.

Overall a really fun book and one I highly recommend! I haven't read the Caraval series but I'm now tempted to give it a go as I enjoyed the writing style in Once Upon A Broken Heart so much. I'm just gutted that we’re going to have to wait for the sequel, because I'm absolutely desperate to know what happens next! I look forward to more of Evangeline and Jacks, and will be patiently waiting for the next instalment of their story.

I received an eARC from NetGalley in return for my honest review.

This is such a perfect continuation of the Caraval world!

Once Upon A Broken Heart picks up right after the events of Finale but you definitely don’t need to have read the Caraval series in order to understand this book although I’d suggest reading it first if you want to avoid any spoilers.

Garber has done a brilliant job of expanding on the magical world she’s created, In Caraval the world felt a bit restricted but with the introduction of the Northern region it’s become much more developed.

Jacks, The Prince of Hearts, is back but this time there’s a whole lot more of him! He’s such a fun, morally grey character and while we see more of him he remains as mysterious and intriguing as ever. Evangeline is our new main character, she has good intentions but gets tangled up in a whole lot of magic, prophecies and deals that cause her a lot of problems. She has a fabulous dynamic with Jacks and goes through some great character development, I’m so interested in seeing how this continues in the next book!

OUABH is fast paced and full of action that holds your interest from beginning to end. Yet, it manages to feel quite personal with a focus on Evangeline and Jacks above other characters and events, although there are some really interesting supporting characters I want to find out more about! There’s also plenty of magic in this book, though it’s subtler and slightly less spectacular than in the Caraval series it’s still incredibly enchanting.

This is such a good introduction to a new series and I’m so excited to find out what’s next for Evangeline and Jacks!

Unputdownable, suspenseful and thrilling. Once started, I couldn't put it down and now I need to read the next book!
Evangeline Fox has always been different, always believed in love at first. So when Luc walks into the shop where she works after her father dies, she believes they're meant to be together.
But when she finds out he's marrying her stepsister, she strikes a deal with the deadly Prince of Hearts to get him back. But Jacks has his own deadly reason for helping her.

Really, really enjoyed this. So much so that I immediately went to buy it in hardback and was gutted that Waterstones has sold out of signed editions.

I loved Jacks (I’ve not read the Caraval series, though I will be immediately) as a character. I loved the twists and turns as Evangeline tries first to save the man she loves and then to try and land a prince. All having made a risky bargain with a fate. The world and story is beautiful. The characters are great. I thought Evangeline’s nativity was slightly annoying, but plot critical. Can’t wait to find out what happens next. And having it for my next book club choice as I know everyone will adore it. Lovely.

I can honestly say I was obsessed with this book. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it and never wanted to put it down. This was such a good fantasy read!

I will admit I haven’t finished the Caraval trilogy and have only read the first book, which is now something I need to change! I think I enjoyed this one more than Caraval when I read that a few years ago. I do think this book can be read as a standalone, but I think there are some things that will probably make more sense if you’ve read the Caraval trilogy first! This book also has spoilers for that trilogy as it is set after the events of it, and some characters do feature! I also believe this is a spin off involving Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, a character that appears in the last two books of the trilogy, so he was a character I had never met before.

‘I believe there are far more possibilities than happily ever after or tragedy. Every story has the potential for infinite endings.’

Once Upon A Broken Heart follows Evangeline Fox, a girl in love with Luc, a boy who is about to marry her stepsister. Evangeline and Luc were previously in love and this marriage comes as a massive shock to Evangeline, so naturally she seeks out one of the Fates to stop the wedding. She meets Jacks and makes a deal with him, he will stop the wedding in exchange for three kisses of his choice. After the wedding is stopped which gains quite a bit of media attention, Evangeline is sent as an Ambassador to the Magnificent North to attend the Nocte Neverending, an event to help Prince Apollo of the North find a wife. Evangeline doesn’t expect to see Jacks in the North, but finds herself entangled in a mysterious plan of his.

I wish this was a standalone as I am desperate for the sequel! As the Prince of Hearts, Jacks can’t kiss anyone without killing them, unless they are his true love. And I have never wanted two characters to kiss more than I wanted Evangeline and Jacks to. Jacks is a very morally gray character, but he made the perfect love interest! Their relationship, if you could call it that, is a very very slow burn, but I think it’ll be worth the wait!

‘I wanted you here, Little Fox.’

Evangeline is a very well written character and I felt connected to her and her emotions. I loved her fascination with the North and the Fates. The world building was stunning. I felt so immersed in this book and could perfectly imagine myself in the settings described. It was incredibly easy to get lost in this book, and I’m sat here writing this review and wishing I was still reading this book! I have so much more I want to say about this book and what moments I loved but then this review would not be spoiler free!

I adored Jack’s in caraval and so excited we get to see more of him in Once Upon a Broken Heart! Evangeline is such an interesting character like in caraval, the characters of once have such a unique character development each with a fatal flaw that I love in characters.

Captivating story and left me wanting more. The pace was fluid and ramped up towards the end and I need the next book immediately!

This was such an anticipated release and it was everything I wanted it to be and more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a free ARC in exchange for a review!

This book made me so happy. From the moment a bell tried to warn Evangeline, I knew I was in for something special. Stephanie Garber is, obviously, a beautiful writer, so all of the prose is gorgeous. The story moves almost episodically at times, which I really enjoyed. Events you think will be important are merely the set ups and the set ups become so important. It's truly masterful construction.

Sidenote: I am desperate to have a book about the empress, her SKY CARRIAGE, and her scarred pirate fiance. I am begging you, Stephanie Garber, please.

I loved Evangeline. She recognized her own faults, and felt like a real person trying to sort her life out. She desperately hopes and believes in love, and wants her own happily ever after. I think most girls who grew up in the fairytale section of the library can relate. I also adore her relationships, especially with LaLa.

There were so many plot points/twists that were so unexpected and thrilling. I really enjoyed being surprised and trying to figure out how Evangeline would deal with these events. At the end, I, like Evangeline, genuinely didn't know who to believe. And I desperately want to figure it out! The ending was spectacular. A perfect way to end the first book of a series.

I am so looking forward to the next book in this series, and hopefully my empress spin off (PLEASE). Five stars from me.

I received a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this one. It felt very whimsical and magical. The writing style was beautiful and I enjoyed the character development. We follow Evangeline, a young woman with rose gold hair. Her father has passed away and she is working in his curiousity shop amongst the unusual and magical items. She is suffering from a broken heart. In her attempts to fix this, she goes to pray at the Prince of Hearts Church. She makes a deal with a fate, Jacks. He has an interesting story and he is intrigued by Evangeline. Once the deal is made, Evangeline is tasked to kiss 3 people to heal her broken heart and stop her love from marrying another. However, things do not go as planned. A series of unfortunate events take place and Evangeline ends up travelling North to the land where magic is still rife. The descriptions of the North were purely magical and I enjoyed the fairytale vibes. Evangeline ends up on an adventure of love betrayal and magic prophecies. The ending will leave you wanting more!

MAGICAL, ENCHANTING & CAPTIVATING - Three words that can easily be used to describe Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber. It’s fair to say this isn’t my “typical” go-to genre however something about the synopsis and cover of OUABH, much like Jacks The Prince of Hearts, drew me in. I loved the bewitching, fairy tale world of the North, the tangled, somewhat complicated life of Evangeline Fox and the mesmerising descriptions of Jacks – the storyline is utterly addictive and for me, this was a book I couldn’t put down. My heart cried out when it ended on a cliff hanger, and I really hope that the second in the series will follow soon. OUABH is set in the same world as Stephanie’s first series “Caraval”, I’m not sure how many parallels run between the two series as I haven’t read Caraval however I didn’t feel as if I was “missing” anything. I note that other reviewers say OUABH has some spoilers for Caraval and now knowing that I get the jist as to what some of the spoilers may be. Regardless, it hasn’t put me off reading the Caraval series which has now been firmly added to my wish list but I guess it may be something to bare in mind if you’re a stickler for plot details and would hate to know about ‘something’ before it happens (although you’re probably more likely to discover spoilers by reading everybody’s 5* reviews!). It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book of the fantasy/fairytale/magical genre and reading Once Upon A Broken Heart has truly been a pleasure, I’m so grateful for my ARC provided via NetGalley and I would whole heartedly recommend OUABH.

Oh, there is something about Stephanie Garber’s books that really gets to me. Right from the first page, I knew I was going to love Once Upon a Broken Heart. The writing style and the choice of words just felt very magical and like a fairytale. In a way, that’s exactly what this story is. And I just loved how well the writing matched the atmosphere of the book.

I can’t say how happy I was to be back in this world, even though this story is set in a yet unknown place, but a place that isn’t less magical than the ones already known from Caraval. Instead, we’re now in the cold North, that has the atmosphere of an enchanted winter’s day, beautiful, yet dangerous. I liked this setting a lot.

I said it before, but I really do love Jacks. Not necessarily his character but the way he is written. I would never wish to cross paths with him but oh, I do love reading about him and the many facettes to his character that come forth slowly and at unexpected times. There are so many questions I have about him and I NEED ANSWERS.
I also really liked Evangeline. She’s a hopeless romantic while at the same time is very selfreflected. Even when she does something reckless she is fully aware about that situation, but she sometimes doesn’t care about that or cares too much. I loved how she was written. The third person PoV gives the reader a distance to the character while at the same time the magical writing style brings you closer to her.

What was also well done was the pacing of the story. There was always something going on and when there was a page without something, I was constantly expecting the next action. The story kept me reading and reading, unable to stop (only when I fell asleep reading did I actually stop lol), I wanted to know what was going to happen next and which plot twist Stephanie Garber had thought of next.

Overall, Once Upon a Broken Heart felt very much like a fairytale you’d tell your younger cousins when they’re staying over and it’s already dark outside but there are snowflakes tumbling down outside and you can just make them out in the light of the streetlamp. It was a gorgeously written book with great characters, many, many plottwists and wonderfully romantic undertones.
If you liked the Caraval series, this is a must read for you!

How far would you go for your Happily Ever After?

Once Upon A Broken Heart (OUABH) by Stephanie Garber (Author of the best-selling Caraval series) sets to answer that exact question in the new spin-off series set in the world of the Caraval series.

OUABH follows Evangeline Fox, who has unintentionally cursed herself by asking a favour from Jacks, the Prince of Hearts. She makes a deal with him and the cost sounds slight enough, to begin with - three kisses. Unfortunately, there's more to each kiss than meets the eye, and Evangeline is quickly in the midst of a new city trying to learn its secrets and history while also trying to figure out exactly what Jacks' plan is and what part she's supposed to play.

Magical and downright addictive.

You can't help but be enticed into the seductive and alluring world that is Once Upon A Broken Heart. You're immediately immersed into the world and to be honest you might just not want to leave it.

I will be totally honest, this is my first Stephanie Garber novel. For sure won’t be the last!

Garber’s writing does a beautiful job of creating a fantasy world filled to the brim with magic, adventure and mischief. Gorgeous descriptions paired with the whimsical imagery of traditional fairytale motifs showcase Garber’s imaginative and vivid narrative at its best.

Well-paced OUABH keeps you on your toes. There's always something going on. The plot is always moving forward, even if I sometimes didn't know where we were headed. I like my books with a bit of mystery.

Evangeline, Jacks and the cast of characters were just as interesting to read about. With distinct, quirky voices Garber makes sure that you’re invested in her characters. You really only scratch the surface of both Evangeline and Jacks personalities in OUABH but given enough to keep you wanting more.

OUABH is a fun, spellbinding and captivating story. You can't help but be drawn into the magic and mayhem. I can’t wait to see what book 2 has to offer.

Star Rating: 5/5

The thoughts and opinions above are my own.

Thanks very much to Hodder & Stoughton for an e-arc via NetGallery in exchange for an honest review.

Gorgeous descriptions, a fun protagonist and the all important Jack of hearts make this book another knock out from Stephanie Garber! I loved the world of the North and how she wove in the story of Tella and Scarlet so it really felt like dipping in to another part of a richly imagined world.

Beautiful, immersive, delightful!

I am in love with Jack's even more now!!
This book is amazing and just what I needed after Finale.
The characters and world building are just as fantastic as in the Carval series and I am enjoying this new world and lore within it,
That ending though, I am already rereading OUaBH + dreading the wait for the next book in this epic world.

Coming into this book I didn't realise it's relation to the Caraval trilogy so just for anyone else who hasn't read that series you can easily follow this book.

This book was everything you want in a fantasy.. magic, enemies to potential love interest later on in the series???

This books main protagonist is Evangeline Fox who's first love broke her heart by deciding to marry her stepsister, a way to cope this pain was of course to stop the wedding by praying to one of the fates Jacks the Prince of Hearts. He agrees to stop the wedding in return for three kisses, little does she know that this leads to an adventure far more dangerous than she could ever have thought.

I have no negatives to this book, I feel like the pacing was great and I was pulled into the story quickly. Now I just have to sit and wait for the next in the series as this one ended with more questions than answers!

If you are a fan of fairytale based fantasy booked then this is a must read!

Oh my...

I didn't have any clear expectations for this- I went in for a good time and that's what I got!

The writing was magical! It's so beautifully written, with lyrical descriptions and a ton of emotion. I really can't remember how Caraval read, but I know this isn't how I felt reading that book. I was a bit hesitant because this follows a character from that series, but seriously I didn't know anything about Jacks and I still understood it perfectly! The descriptions of new places weren't info-dumpy and the world was so mesmerising, it kept me wanting too know more! The lore and fairytales were easy to follow, and the mystery element really held well. Although some parts were predictable, but oh man I enjoyed it so much.

The plot and story were so unique. The author really structured the events so well, and by the end you can kind of see how it all comes together. And OMG that cliffhanger?? how am I supposed to wait so long for the next one? * cries *

I loved Jacks. He's such a broody, grumpy and mischievous character. I enjoyed reading his interactions with Evangeline and how they had this back and forth. Also saving each other when they didn't even like each other... AHHHH (or did they...) Anyway, this is definitely a slow burn romance. Evangeline did annoy me a little with some stupid decisions, but I can overlook them, because I was SO invested in this story! I liked the aspect of her father and his curiosity shop, although I wish it had been expanded on, maybe add in some magical trinkets.

My favourite scene had to be the party where Evangeline meets Prince Apollo (and Jacks is there), so of course mischief ensues. That particular scene was so immersive and seductive.. (you'll see when you read it) hehe.

Overall, a very well-written story with an ending that will leave you gasping, and wishing there were more pages. I loved Jacks and Evangeline, and can't wait to see how their relationship develops in the next one! Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for an e-arc, you guys really made my day!

I absolutely loved this. The vibes of this book are second to none, they are dark, gritty and whimsical at the same time and I adored it.

I will say there is a bit of a time jump at the beginning that had me thrown and I was upset I felt like I'd missed out on The Week of Terror. I would have loved to read about the chaos and I'm hoping it comes up more in future books.

I love that the lines are blurred between who is good and bad and that by the end of the book it's still unclear. I'm looking forward to it being explained more in the series. Jacks is by far one of my favourite characters I've read in a while. His powers are so interesting and just fun to be honest. Other Gods I am a bit confused about their abilities and how the magic system in general works, it could have been fleshed out more but with this being a series I expect more will come to light as it developed.

The writing here is exactly what I have come to expect from Stephanie Garber after reading her Caraval series. It is fast and easy and so so smooth. I got through this book in a couple of days, which with a baby is quite the feat but I really couldn't put it down.

4.5/5 Stars

It's desperation and heartbreak which leads Evangeline Fox to enter the church of the Prince of Broken Hearts. Everyone knows to make a deal with a Fate like the Prince is a last resort because they trick and deceive humans for fun and the human is never the same again. Evangeline has lost the love of her life, Luc, who despite professing his love to her has now shunned her and has proposed out of the blue to Evangeline's stepsister. Fearing Luc has been cursed, Evangeline makes a deal with the Prince - he will stop the wedding in exchange for three kisses....but the kiss of the Prince of Broken Hearts is known to be fatal. How can Evangeline save Luc and live to be reunited with him?

Wow, I really enjoyed Once Upon A Broken Heart, the first book in Stephanie Garber's new series. I loved how within the first few pages you were straight into the heart of the action, so I was immersed in Evangeline's world straight away. It's a charming story which I struggled to put down. It's totally relatable to anyone who has been a fool in love as well! What I loved most was the mythology in the world the author created, especially the cursed stories of the North. I really enjoyed the the details within Evangeline's world, like the dragon roasted apples in the markets, and the gossip rag which the reader is treated to excerpts of. I was hungry for details of the world they live in and Stephanie Garber laid on a feast with her writing. I loved the change in relationships within the book and the heady tension towards the end. I cannot wait to delve back into this world for the next book. I'm not going to lie - I am so impatient for it to arrive. Having only just discovered this author, I will be reading the Caraval series whilst I wait, to get my fantasy fiction fix.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an opportunity to review an advanced copy of this brilliant book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Caraval was the series that rekindled my love of YA fiction so to say I was excited for this book was an understatement. And I am so happy to report that this book builds on Garber's original world and takes it to a whole new level. Pure magic in book form!!

I don't know how Stephanie Garber is expecting me to function after this book. It was everything I thought it would be and more.

I was a little scared that I wouldn't like Evangeline (because who could ever be good enough for Jacks?), but she stole my heart immediately.

She's selfless, brave, and grows into the hero she was always meant to be. I'd even go as far as to say she's my favourite female lead in the world so far. Eva, you dethroned Scarlett, be proud.

There's an array of new faces, and some old ones too. What's really fascinating about Garber's characters is that I can't hate any of them (well, minus Julian, he's my one exception), so all the new ones had me feeling for them on different levels.

If you haven't read the Caraval series before or didn't finish it, and you have plans to, then I'd suggest you don't read this until you've finished that, because it does spoil the very ending of the series. If you have no interest in reading Caraval, then I think you can still comfortably enjoy this, but there will be references to Jacks and Tella among other things.

Once Upon a Broken Heart is also different from Caraval. It feels more like a fairy tale than a magical carnival, but it's just as gripping. I couldn't put my phone down and had to read it all in one go.

Now let's talk about the vampires. Yes, WE HAVE VAMPIRES IN THIS ONE! I was not ready, but I love the inclusion. If magic exists, why can't vampires exist as well? And folks, they're the bloodthirsty kind. Fun.

And finally, that ending...I'm in pain just from thinking about it. The whole story was filled with twists, and that was the worst one. If another series goes by without Jacks being happy by the end I'll riot.

5 stars from my very broken heart.

*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Stephanie Garber just has this incredible way of building a world that I want to jump into! I highly recommend reading her Caraval series before this book as it truly made this a dream to read. I think if you loved the caraval series you will love this book, with some appearances from previous characters in that series and seeing more of the world it takes the world of Caraval and develops it even more. Evangaline Fox was an amazing main protagonist and felt very familiar in a way that made you want to route for her the whole time. I enjoyed seeing more of Jacks in this book and really loved learning more about him and his perspective after the events of caraval. I think the plot of this book was interesting although I did find it to be a little predictable towards the end.
I just truly love this world and Stephanie Garbers writing style just suits me and fills me with that warm happy bookish feeling.
5 out of 5 stars.

Having read and enjoyed the Caraval trilogy, I couldn't wait to be thrown back into the same world for this first book in a new series. Everyone's favourite Fate, the Prince of Hearts, is back alongside a new leading lady, Evangeline Fox.

We're thrown straight into the action with one of the first scenes showing Evangeline seeking out Jacks for his assistance when her heart is broken. Everyone knows it's a bad idea to make a deal with a Fate, but heartache makes people make bad choices, which is basically the theme of the novel. Evangeline's choice kickstarts the events of the novel and we follow her and Jacks through a web of intrigue, double-crossing and death.

The novel is very well paced and exquisitely plotted, leading the reader deeper and deeper into this world and leaving you wanting more. It ends on a delicious cliffhanger and with the reader having just enough information to be able to make a guess at what might be about to happen. I can't wait until the next installment is released to see if I'm right!

My only criticism is in the formatting. As with the Caraval trilogy before it, the letters which are shown as handwriting on parchment are not readable on a Kindle. I got around this with the original trilogy by switching to the phone app. With this ARC, that workaround failed and I had to download the Netgalley app to be able to read these and also the newspaper articles, which were jumbled on Kindle. Hopefully this will be sorted by the publisher before publication.

Evangeline Fox has now lost both her mother & her father, left alone except for a scheming stepmother & stepsister she longs for true love & thinks she has found it with Luc. She is, therefore, aghast to discover that Luc has agreed to marry her stepsister, Marisol. Heartbroken, Evangeline searches for the Prince of Hearts aka Jacks, & in exchange for his help, she agrees to give three kisses when & with whom he chooses. Evangeline soon regrets her choice when she returns home to find the wedding party turned to stone, & she tries to save them by drinking the potion herself. Evangeline awakens a few weeks later to find that not only has Luc disappeared, but her stepmother plans to marry her off. So when she is offered the chance to travel to the North, to represent the Empress at an important occasion, Evangeline goes & takes Marisol with her, but when she sees Jacks, she realises her agreement has become due.

When I first requested this ARC, I hadn't realised it was about Jacks who appears in the Caravel trilogy by the same author. I thought Jacks was an intriguing character, & although I was a little lukewarm about the original books, I really enjoyed this one. The world-building is detailed, & the chemistry between Evangeline & Jacks slowly builds. If I had one criticism, it would be that the main character second guesses herself far too much, but it's a minor quibble. I can't wait for the second book. 4.5 stars (rounded up to 5)

Thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Hodder & Stoughton, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Wow. It’s been a few days since I finished this book and I’m still thinking about it. Once Upon A Broken Heart is a magical book with just the right amount of mystery. Fans of the Caraval trilogy will not be disappointed, though I’d say this book has a more whimsical feel.

The main characters Evangeline and Jacks provide all the slow burn enemies to lovers tension you could hope for! There is a scene in a crypt and, oh wow, was it intense! I’m so excited to see where they will end up.

Evangeline started out sweet, if a little naive. She makes a deal with Jacks who, being the tricky Fate he is, gives young Evangeline what she wanted but with his own twist.

Over the course of the book we see her falter for a moment but she’s the sort of person who will remain hopeful even when all the odds are against her. She’s probably the most optimistic character I’ve come across and, if she were real I’d want us to be friends.

Jacks is the ultimate morally grey character! In fact I could just call him a villain. But… a villain with a secret squishy centre deep, DEEP down. His manipulations are flawless in a way that is both terrifying and impressive. He’s book crush material but also a murder. So… yeah. We’ll count him as one of the book boyfriends you’d run far away from in real life! 😂

There’s a fairytale that pops up a lot throughout the story which really added to the magical feel of the book. I’m wondering/hoping that it’s a prophecy about Evangeline and Jacks.

I was also left with many questions about Evangeline and her background. My curiosity has been piqued and I need answers! Alas, it looks like we’ll all have to wait for a sequel to get to the bottom of that mystery.

I cannot recommend this book enough! The moment I finished it I wanted to go back to the start and dive straight in all over again. It was pure magic and full of surprises. I’m calling it already: this will be on my list of favourites when I do a wrap up at the end of the year.

Prepare yourself for an emotional, fantastical ride and know that the cliffhanger will leave you wanting more.

I gave Once Upon A Broken Heart 5/5🌟 I received a free copy of this book from @hodderscape through @netgalley in exchange for an honest review. #OnceUponABrokenHeart #NetGalley

“I don’t know if I can fix your broken heart, but you can take mine because it’s already yours.”

•

You know when you root for the villain so much that you ask yourself if something is wrong with you? Well, that was the sensation reading OUABH because I fell for Jacks even harder than before.

Stephanie Garber never fails to wonder me with her writing style, which makes me dream every time. The story is full of plot twist and betrayals and secrets and it kept me stuck to the pages.

Evangeline actually reminds me of Tella, they both wanted to write their own stories and they are both so romantic even if none of them expects a prince to rescue them. Evangeline desperately wants to live a love story worth of a fairy tale and I found myself dreaming with her about it!

Coming back to Valenda and its amazing world has been wonderful. I really want to take Jacks to a safe place and show him that he can be happy and tell him he deserves to, maybe that’s the only way to change his destiny.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the early copy.

I absolutely loved diving back into Garber’s writing. Caraval was one of the first YA fantasy series I can really remember reading and I fell in love with Donatella and Scarlett. Knowing that Garber was writing a new book filled me with so much joy and then finding out it was centered around Jacks? Well I knew I would love it before I even started.

Evangeline is such a good protagonist. She is selfless and trustworthy, but desires love - true love. I adored the relationship her and Jacks had - flirty, witty and curious. And the Prince Of Hearts!? He is a ‘villian’ you just cannot help but love. We saw sides to him we didn’t really see in Caraval and I really enjoyed reading more about him. He was a brilliant character in Caraval so having his character developed and more divulged about him just added to this book.

Garber has once again drawn me into her magical, whimsical world and I devoured this book. I did take a small break reading it but I just was not ready for it to end. I am really looking forward to reading more about Evangeline and Jacks.

Another winner by Stephanie Garber! I think this one is my favorite - each book gets better. I cannot wait for the next one.

World: Nothing can top Caraval

Stephanie Garber: Hold my drink...

It feels like I've been waiting forever for this eagerly anticipated Stephanie Garber novel. If you were enchanted by the Caraval series then I promise you this is just as mesmerising. We immerse ourselves in the world of The Fates again, particularly Jacks. Forget Rhysand from ACOTAR, Jacks is where it's at now. Evangeline's character is fascinating too, there's so much going on and so much left to be discovered. I don't want to give too much away but I really, really need the next installment!

Once Upon A Broken Heart is out on 30th September 2021 and it is worth the wait. Thank you @netgalley for the ARC, it's made my year.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this eARC. I absolutely loved this book. And I literally devoured it. And I can't wait to read the second book: I need answers. Now. And more of Jacks. And of Evangeline. They both are amazing and interesting characters. The story is magical and the writing is beautiful. And the humour. Brilliant. And although it's a spin-off you can read it without having read the Caraval books first. There are some minor spoilers but the book does not give away much. As Evangeline has no idea what happened exactly I can only recommend this book.. The author did a phenomenal job.

When I first read Caraval, the last book in the trilogy had just been released. So I didn't have to wait to read them all. So I binged it and immediately after Stephanie Garber became one of my auto-buy authors. Caraval captured me in such a way that it was very hard for me to let go after finishing the books.
So when she announced that she was writing a spin off for Jacks, I was all on board. I was eagerly waiting for her next book, anticipating what she would write, what kind of story would she weave this time?
I think you can imagine my excitement and happiness when I saw that Hodder and Stoughton had approved my request to read the e-ARC of the book from NetGalley.
You guys are the best.. Thank you so much!

I was really happy. I might have done a little happy dance.

Enough with this rant. I'll start my rant about the book.

If you guys have read Caraval then you'll know the line "Never trust a fate" . It's the iconic line of the series and this book is the embodiment of that line.

The book follows Evangeline. It's her story where Jacks plays a very important role.

The story begins with our beautiful Evangeline making a deal with Jacks. In this deal she asks Jacks to stop a wedding of the guy she loves, Luc, who's getting married to her sister. In return Jacks wants Evangeline to kiss three people of his choosing. Yeah.. that got my attention alright. I wasn't able to stop after this honestly.
Of course Evangeline didn't really get what she wanted.

Ok so moving forward. I don't want to give away too much because almost every single thing feels like a spoiler.

Jumping to a few weeks later, The Empress, our Scarlet, I was so happy to see Scarlet and Tella again even though they had very little page time. Scarlet invites Evangeline to go to a royal ball being held in The North as a representative from their side. The Prince of the North, Appollo, is throwing this ball in search of his future bride. Evangeline agrees to accept only if she could bring her sister Merisol along with her.
That's where she meets Jacks again and he has three kisses to collect.

Ohh the things that happen after the first kiss..

one word: wow..

yeah… I'm not gonna say anything else. That would be too spoilery.

I loved Evangeline's character. With her rose gold hair and her sweet, courageous temperament. I love how much she is filled with hope and believes that something good will always happen. She is so brave and selfless, always trying to do the right thing.

Jacks's character is a bit complicated because you don't really know what he's feeling or on which side he is. Most definitely it's a side where he gets his way but there is another agenda at play here. He's definitely an amazing morally grey character who has underlying feelings that are not shown much but are evidently there. So I am really looking forward to seeing what he does next.

Just like Caraval, the world here is immensely captivating. The world Stephanie Garber has built is beautifully designed. Come on, it has tiny colourful dragons. What's more to say? Then there are also spells and curses and prophecies, magical books, arches and of course how can I forget the gowns.

One of the biggest mistakes I made was that I thought that this was going to be a standalone book. So when that ending happened, small but enough to make your jaw drop, cliffhanger; I was speechless, I was in deep shit. I want the next book. I need the next book.

Once again Stephanie Garber has written a beautiful book which has a fairytale-esque feel to it. The thing that attracted me to her books in the first place was how whimsical they are. All of her books, including Once Upon a Broken Heart, pours whimsy and magic by the gallon. It feels so real; it's right there in your mind playing a game of colours and sparkles.

I simply cannot wait to read the next book.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.