Once upon a broken heart - An Honest Review
Title: Once upon a broken heart
Author: Stephanie Garber
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers
Year Published: 2021
Page total: 432
Rating: 3 and a half stars
Summery
Evangline Fox just wants to work in her father’s shop and be with the man she loves.
She is your typical girl except for when she accidently unleashes a curse and needs all the help she can get.
She travels far and wide in her quest and encouters things past her wildest dreams.
SPOILERS AHEAD - read if you dare…
My Review
I have read quite a few love stories in my time. I feel like this one would have been more appreciated by 15 year old me.
I was already familiar with Stephanie Garber’s work. I really enjoyed her Caraval series, this book is the first in a sequel series. I think one issue I had was, comapred to Caraval, it felt under developed. The world building just wasn’t there for me. With fantasy books, I need to feel as if I am in the world with them. I did not have that connection with this series.
I will hold my hands up and say maybe this book needs to be read by someone who is more fun. Why was I immediately annoyed? Why does she have naturally rose gold hair? Are you kidding me? Was it just incase we didn’t know who the main female character was. I think that small gripe put me in a bad mood with the book. I think I am trauamtised from the 2010 dsytopian and fantasy books. The MC is just a regular person just like everyone else, nothing special about them, nothing, except for one thing…etc etc etc.
I really wanted to like it and in all fairness I did. I loved the idea of the fates, I love all things mythical. So big thumbs up on that aspect.
Jacks is a somewhat interesting character, for me, I would have prefered him to be more of an anti-hero. I have read all the books in this series and wished for Jacks to be this grey area character who could have a great redemption arc. Maybe that is just because I enjoy twisted, brooding men.
I think that was the main issue, I prefer darker love stories. I want to enjoy the sweeter love stories. I really do, but its like in my own life, I prefer it complicated.
This is a great book, If you prefer softer, sweet romantasy books. If not it might feel mildly immature.