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!

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!

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.

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.

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!*

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.