Once Upon A Broken Heart: Stephanie Garber Paperback – 30 Jun. 2022

“All stories are made of both truths and lies, [...] What matters is the way that we believe in them.”A magical and bewitching story that took me into a fantasy world that I didn’t want to leave. Enchanting and mysterious. A story complete with fascinating characters, a dazzling world and intriguing plot twists that created so much discord and harmony among the main characters.Some things are not meant to be broken. Fate is not something that should be tampered with, and the universe that is steeped in magic and curses is to be the playground for this dark fairy tale.The plot - Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, and Evangeline, a young girl, with rose gold hair, brought up working in a curiosity shop are the two characters whose stories, lives and wishes would become entwined in this spellbinding story.Jacks overhears Evangeline make a wish to end the engagement of her stepsister who is about to marry Luc, the man Evangeline is in love with.“She wasn't making love choices, she was making compromising choices because she wanted love. Luc wasn't her weakness- love was. Not even just love but the idea of it.”Now the bond is broken, Evangeline must suffer the consequences of this spell in exchange for her wish. Although is she part of the prophecy….“You will know her because she will be crowned in rose gold. She will be both peasant and princess.”In true Cinderella style, Evangeline is asked to go North to attend a ball held by Prince Apollo, who is seeking a wife. It is then the book picks up another gear and you are immersed in every bit of the story. The twists are numerous, the action is relentless, and the danger accretive and perpetuating.Review and Comments - I loved the characters individually and the chemistry between them. Teasing us and each other through so many dazzling scenes made this fascinating.The world building is superb. The backdrop of the forbidden places and the eternal curses made this story what it was.In all, enchanting and spellbinding with such intriguing subplots. Vivid imagery, teasing dialogue, and an unforgettable retelling of a Cinderella type fairy tale.“I believe there are far more possibilities than happily ever after or tragedy. Every story has the potential for infinite endings.” Although this one was perfect.

This book and series is so well known in the community that I couldn't not have expectations. They were definitely met.The story follows Evangeline, a lover of fairytales who has had her fair share of bad luck. She travels to the North with her step sister where she meets the infamous Jacks. Though this isn't the first time. Jacks and Evangeline enter a debt involving three kisses, a prince, and a gate that could unleash great treasure or a great monster.After meeting Jacks in the Caraval series, which Once Upon a Broken Heart is based off, I knew I was going to enjoy this. Jacks is the villain that everyone loves and it's hard not to love him when he is written so well.Evangeline is a little too soft as an FMC for my liking but that doesn't mean she isn't likeable.The story is a fairytale in itself, with a prince, a damsel in distress who has her moments of growth and bravery, and a villain who you can't help but be drawn to.It's such a good start to the series and it's so fun to see one of the best secondary characters from Caraval get his own story. I don't think you need to read the Caraval series to read this but if you want a bit more context (and more Jacks) then I'd recommend reading Caraval beforehand. But if you just want to get to the Prince of Hearts... buckle up

This book has had me hooked and I've sped through it! I loved the world building aspect of this book, everything is totally on theme for a fairytale story. The description was so good that I felt like I could place myself directly into the story and watch it unfold.There was so many different themes to this book that it is impossible to get bored. From one chapter to the next there were new mysteries unfolding. I am so intrigued by this series and I can't quite figure out what is going to happen next!The dynamic between Evangeline and Jacks is fantastic to read. Evangeline is naive but makes up for it with her curiosity and need to do what's right. Jacks is difficult to describe as you don't get to see the real him, just the side he portrays. The banter between the two is hilarious and exciting!I hope to see more of Lala and Chaos in the series. I think Lala is such a big personality that she could bring something amazing to the story. And I was insanely intrigued by Chaos, I just want more!

Im a bit conflicted with this book as I do want to continue the trilogy, and I found it incredibly easy to read/ get through. But overall I found that it was written in a rather juvenile fashion. The writer was spoon feeding certain plot points and a lot of the descriptions seemed a bit underbaked/ easy. Also certain parts in the plot were so forced (especially the end). I feel if you’re wanting a bit of a brainless, teenage, fairytale easy read go for it. But if you’re after something a bit more fully rounded/ adult, maybe skip it