Once upon a Broken Heart

By: Stephanie Garber

Narrated by: Rebecca Soler

Once Upon a Broken Heart marks the launch of a new series about love, curses, and the lengths that people will go to for happily ever after from #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Garber

"Soler embodies a fairy-tale world full of vibrant characters with unique voices . . . This sultry fantasy will leave listeners guessing to the very end." —AudioFile Magazine

For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings…until she learns that the love of her life will marry another.

Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic, but wicked, Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.

But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game—and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy....

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books

©2021 Stephanie Garber (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

A fun fantasy book

The book was overall entertaining but didn’t have the consuming factor I am used to in most fantasy books. There was a lot of whimsy and fairytale themes which I enjoyed a lot, but the story and characters lacked depth that would have made the book one of those that you can’t put down until you’ve finished it. Overall, it was a fun and interesting fantasy, but I wouldn’t read it again.

What to do when you hate the main character…

I barely managed to finish this story. I really did enjoy the plot overall but I couldn’t stand Evangeline. Her insistency that Jacks has caused all of her problems irks me to no end. She is the true cause of her problems. Even in the end she blames him for causing all of her distress and yet he has helped her at every turn. Also her need to always be trusting UGHHHH. Also I just couldn’t imagine the VA as the main character and that was difficult for me.

Whimsical and Imaginative

Let me start off by saying that lots of readers note that this is a spin-off of the Caraval series. While those books are very high on my TBR list, I've never read any of them, and I still THOROUGHLY enjoyed this whimsical, imaginative fantasy!

Let me also say that I am not a huge fantasy reader. In fact, I can probably count on one hand the number of fantasy books I've read and with that said, Once Upon a Broken Heart was a surprise to me. I loved the characters and the fascinating world that Stephanie Garber created. The narrator Rebecca Soler is a favorite of mine, and she was the perfect voice for the protagonist Evangeline Fox.

Luc is the love of Evangeline's life and he suddenly leaves her to marry her stepsister Marisol. Evangeline, desperate to get Luc back, enters into a deal with Jacks, the Prince of Hearts. I immediately connected with Jacks, and would love to read more about him or hear from his point of view! If there could ever be a bad boy in a fantasy, Jacks would certainly be it. I do love an anti-hero! Evangeline doesn't fully comprehend the deal she makes even though as a reader, I knew it probably would not turn out well for her.

Lots of adventures ensue on Evangeline's path to a happy ending. She is a strong, feisty heroine and I could not wait to see what the author had in store for her next. There are lots of interesting characters, and none of them are really who they appear to be.

I understand that Jacks is a character from the Caraval series and just for him, I would read those books. He's smart, funny, mysterious and possibly wicked? But in all fairness, Evangeline knew he was one of the Fates and that making a deal with him was filled with danger. I really wanted to see if he and Evangeline would end up together since they had amazing chemistry together. There is a but of a cliffhanger but I can't wait to see what the author has planned for Jacks and Little Fox.

This book has an almost fairy-tale like quality to it that I loved. It can absolutely be read as a standalone and if you are an audiobook lover, then I highly recommend listening to this as narrated by Rebecca Soler.

just as good as the Caraval series

I was completely on edge during this whole book. So many questions and when I think I'm right, I'm sadly mistaken and it's addictive! I can not wait for the next book!!!

I Really Liked It

This book was so entertaining. It was a little predictable at times, but it was easily overlooked. The story line was unique, at least I've never read anything like it. And there were some good plot twists that made me gasp when they came up (and I listened to it at work so kind of embarrassing).

I liked it!

Had interesting twists and turns. Enjoyed the originality of the storyline! Excited for the second book!

YES!

I love this author! such a good read and I'm really excited to read the ballards!

Jacks is definitely a favorite fate

Story started slow but once I realized what was taking place I couldn’t stop. So many twists and turns. I still have a few questions I’m curious on but hoping to read that in the next book.

Liked it a lot

I liked it a lot but didn’t love it. Some things seemed to drag on so I listened to those parts at 1.5 speed. I appreciated Evangeline’s heart and courage. That’s what kept me listening.

Completely enchanted

Written like any fairy tale, beautifully narrated, and with unique twists and turns that kept me fully enthralled. Good thing I got the whole series at once. Can’t wait to see what happens next!