Once Upon a Broken Heart

Once Upon a Broken Heart follows Evangeline Fox, a young woman who makes a desperate bargain with the Prince of Hearts, one of the mysterious immortal Fates. Her deal aims to stop a wedding and save her true love, but bargaining with a Fate comes with hidden costs. The story takes place in a world where magic exists alongside ordinary life, centered in the northern region of Meridian. Here, Evangeline must navigate through enchanted shops, magical balls, and treacherous secrets while fulfilling the terms of her agreement with the Prince of Hearts. Through curses, forbidden romance, and dangerous quests, Evangeline discovers the complexities of love and fate. The price of her bargain leads her into the enigmatic world of the Magnificent North, where myths come alive and nothing is quite what it seems. The novel explores themes of sacrifice, destiny, and the true nature of love - questioning whether the stories we tell ourselves about romance are real or merely fairytales we choose to believe.

Readers praise the whimsical writing style, imaginative world-building, and complex moral choices faced by protagonist Evangeline Fox. Many note the book surpasses Garber's previous Caraval series in character development and plot pacing. Fans highlight the enemies-to-lovers romance and Jacks' character evolution as standout elements. Multiple reviews mention getting "book hangover" after finishing. Common criticisms include: - Plot feels rushed in final chapters - Some side characters lack depth - Romance overshadows other storylines - Too many unanswered questions left for sequel Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (178,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (13,000+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.7/5 (2,000+ ratings) "The best fantasy romance of 2021" - reviewer on The StoryGraph "Beautiful prose but needed more world-building" - top Goodreads review "Jacks steals every scene" - frequent comment across platforms "Ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying" - recurring Amazon criticism

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab A woman makes a bargain with a god of darkness that grants her immortality but causes everyone she meets to forget her existence.

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson A portrait painter becomes entangled with the fae after painting human sorrow in the eyes of an immortal prince.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden A girl in medieval Russia must protect her village from dark forces through ancient magic passed down from her grandmother.

These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling An elemental witch in modern-day Salem contends with first love, dark magic, and an ancient threat to her coven.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Two rival magicians train their proteges to compete in a magical circus that becomes an arena for their destined duel.

🌟 The author, Stephanie Garber, wrote the entire first draft of the book in just six weeks during the COVID-19 lockdown. 🌟 The story's protagonist, Evangeline Fox, was originally created as a minor character for Garber's Caraval series but grew into a character compelling enough to warrant her own trilogy. 🌟 The book's antagonist, Jacks (The Prince of Hearts), became so popular among readers that he received more fan mail than any other character Garber has created. 🌟 The novel's enchanted North incorporates elements from various fairy tales, including "Snow White," "Sleeping Beauty," and "Beauty and the Beast," but reimagines them in unexpected ways. 🌟 The striking cover design, featuring pink and gold elements, was created by artist Ray Shappell and went through multiple iterations before achieving its final magical appearance.