Reading With Tyler

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Review: Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

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Name: Once Upon a Broken Heart
Series: Once Upon a Broken Heart #1
Author: Stephanie Garber
Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks
Format: Paperback
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance(?), Paranormal
Noted Tropes: Bargains / Deals, Prophecy
Steam or Spice: None

Rating:

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Synopsis: Goodreads

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.

Review:

I wanted to love Once Upon a Broken Heart. I loved the Caraval trilogy, I loved Jacks and people were saying that at least Book 1 was as good if not better! I just… didn’t connect to the story until way further in than I had wanted.

Jacks was as brilliant as I expected him to be. I am a little confused about this apparent romance that is supposed to happen in this series because whilst I see a bit of protectiveness… Did I miss something!? We also know the events of the Caraval trilogy… so, whether or not he’s capable of having a good relationship… that has to be seen yet. I hope he is actually in the rest of the series more than he was in book 1!

As for Evangeline, I like her enough. I just don’t think she’s that great at the moment. Maybe she’ll grow on me as I continue with the trilogy? I did like that we were / are starting to see some character growth with her already! That’s fun, especially given that there are 2 more books to go – where could her character go from here?

I will say I did like the unexpected twist that The Magnificent North had more than just the Fates waiting for us! Though I’ll leave that off the review for now so that when you find out you can enjoy that weird shock too.

I’ve had a string of bad books apparently because I’ve given more 3s and 3.5s out in January then I think I ever have before (as long as you don’t include the short story situation of Christmas). And Once Upon a Broken Heart is the newest member of that club. I still think the trilogy is worth reading, because at least the ending had me wanting to know more! Even if it felt a little rushed.

Ultimately, whilst it’s only a 3 star rating, I still enjoyed at least the last part of the book and would like to know what the fuss is all about! I just perhaps won’t prioritise it in the coming months in the way that I thought I would.

“You don’t want to be the hero, you want the happy ending- that’s why you came to me. If you do this, that will never happen. Heroes don’t get happy endings. They give them to other people. Is that what you really want?”

Rating: 3 out of 5.

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Hello,

I’m Tyler-Rose

I’m rediscovering my love and enjoyment of reading and I’m inviting you along with me! I’ll be posting reviews predominently! But there will be posts talking about TBRs and Read-A-Thons / Reading Challenges as well!

Join me as I pick up my next read, curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea and venture into my next story!

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So, I went through my books read this year and realised that not only was I having rating regrets on a few books, but also that there were many months this year where I read a lot of excellent reads! As a result, picking the best and worst book of the month came down to ratings first, and what stuck with me second. Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber was described as an adult Caraval - and I adored Caraval so naturally I was hyped for this release. Then the reviews came out which made me nervous… I put it off until I drew it for a TBR prompt and then accidentally ended up buddy reading it with a friend. I had an excellent time doing so. Here’s the thing, there are so many books releasing next year, and there is no way I have heard about them all or have them all on this list… but this list are the ones I either have on preorder or reminders set to buy them (because I can’t keep surprising myself with these preorders that you have to pay for later!!). Oh it feels GOOD to have actually read book 2 in this trilogy! When I picked to reread Storm and Fury I knew I needed to actually continue the trilogy and finish it this time, so naturally I’m really pleased to have prioritised that and read Rage and Ruin!

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