top of page

Once Upon a Broken Heart Book Review

And once upon a time, fate tied us all up into a crazy world full of chaotic emotions.






Song Vibe Check:

  1. "Once Upon a Dream" By: Lana Del Rey

  2. "Close" By: Nick Jonas and Tove Lo

  3. "Sooner or Later" By: Years & Years


I admit that sometimes hearing too much about a book can lead me to being skeptical of reading it. Which was definitely the case for this one and also because the plot itself of heartbreak and being left for someone was NOT what I wanted to sign up to read. Frankly, after the devastation of Some Mistakes Were Made, I was a bit hesitant about picking this one up.


Quick shoutout to another book blogger from instagram @alexandergrantwriter who dubbed this book as one of his favorites because THAT finally got me out of the hesitation I had with this book. I HAVE NO REGRETS.


Short Summary? Heartbroken girl looks for the Heartbroken Prince of hearts who claims to be heartless as she signs up to a kissing game while getting entangled in a prophecy.


Longer Summary: I definitely enjoy that we started this novel not with the whole BOO HO HOO dilemma, but with jumping immediately to the action with the main character Evangeline (Me and a mutual friend of mine call her Evie, so that's what we're calling her because her original name is fancy as hell, just saying.) desperately trying to find the Prince of Hearts to go help her with her dilemma of trying to stop her first love's wedding...


I certainly hope to never be as desperate as this woman was, honestly.


But anyway... He appears and LADIES AND GENTLEMEN... THIS MAN IS SOO ANNOYING YOU ALL HAVE NO IDEA. It has been a while since I have been so irked by a character before, but Stephanie Garber has my appreciation for making someone so wicked that you eventually kinda soften for. And I emphasize on the KINDA because I hate that I still can't pin him down on what his intentions are and it's maddening.


Jacks is infuriating and I want to make that as a mantra now. He helps her with the cost of having her kiss three people he chooses when he pleases. And as she's left in his mercy, she ends up entangled in a crazy journey to get back to her first love, all while discovering that there might be someone else in store for her.


This book turned out pretty well despite the hesitation I had. It definitely had it's twists and turns (Like, how would I have known we went from little dragons to the Fate of Chaos being a vampire?) Although the vampire arc of the story was one of the more interesting parts and Jacks in his vampire phase was I N T E R E S T I N G and definitely intense to the point that I really thought he would risk it all to kiss her.


Spoiler alert: He doesn't kiss Evie.


So, if you're like me who did not read the Caraval series before this then the spoilers from the previous series will seem like new info (it didn't feel like a spoiler for me, but I guess it is in some way) If you've read it, then this book series will provide some more insight to it. Lately, I try to read books once I know that the sequel has come out (or will come out soon) so I am stuck in the waiting game for the sequel.


The ending angered me because of course I want to know if I still need to throw Evie a brick and to see if Jacks will finally muster the courage to stop being such a mysterious, annoying fate and to just KISS Evie. (Before you all ask: the other choice she has does not convince me and her first love can go die for real this time!) but it was an enjoyable read that pulled me in, so there's that.


Overall: 5/5 stars.

Comments


bottom of page