Book of the Month: Once Upon a Broken Heart Series
Title: Once Upon a Broken Heart
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Summary:
This story beings with a girl named Evangeline whose love of her life is going to marry her stepsister but she believes he has been put under a spell by her stepmother. In desperate need, she goes to the prince of hearts for help. Everyone knows that fates are dangerous but this is a risk Evangeline is willing to make. Will it all be worth it in the end?
Review:
This book has been a game changer for me. If you usually don’t read fantasy or romance then I would definitely pick up this book. If you love yearning, tension, and a slow burn then this series is the one for you. The plot has a lot of twists and turns, the series will pick up after the first 100 pages. If you choose to pick up these books then I would recommend to read the Caraval series first since it will help you better understand the plot but it is not necessary. I can’t wait to pick up these books again.
... Read moreOkay, so while my main review spilled all the tea on *Once Upon a Broken Heart*, I just had to dedicate some extra love to the absolute masterpieces that are these book covers! Seriously, if you're like me and judge a book by its cover (guilty!), then Stephanie Garber's series is going to blow you away. The aesthetic alone is enough to draw you into Evangeline Fox's world.
Let's start with the first book, *Once Upon a Broken Heart*. The cover is just *stunning*. You get this immediate sense of a dark, enchanting fairytale. The colors, often deep blues, purples, and golds, create such a mysterious atmosphere. There's usually a glimpse of our heroine, Evangeline, looking both determined and a little lost, often with intricate, almost magical, designs swirling around her or key symbols like a broken heart, roses, or clocks. It perfectly captures that blend of romance and danger that defines her journey with the Prince of Hearts. It instantly makes you wonder what kind of magic and heartbreak awaits her.
Then comes *The Ballad of Never After*. Oh my goodness, the evolution of the cover art in this series is just brilliant. This one often has a slightly darker, more intense feel, reflecting the higher stakes and deeper complexities of the story. You might see more prominent imagery of castles, intertwined thorns, or perhaps even a more assertive Evangeline. The color palette often leans into more jewel tones, with striking contrasts that hint at the escalating conflict and the deepening, complicated relationship between Evangeline and Jacks. It screams 'epic fantasy romance' and makes you desperate to know what happens next after the first book's cliffhanger. The details in the artwork are just incredible; you can spend ages just poring over them, finding new symbols each time.
And finally, *A Curse for True Love*. This cover is often the most dramatic, bringing all the elements to a breathtaking climax. The artwork for the final installment usually features a more mature, powerful Evangeline, ready to face her ultimate destiny. The colors become even more vibrant or, conversely, more stark, emphasizing the finality and the epic conclusion. You might see more direct magical elements, perhaps a crown, a key, or wings, tying into the overarching themes of fate, choice, and true love. It's designed to make your heart pound just looking at it, knowing that all the questions will finally be answered within its pages.
What I love most about these covers is how cohesive they are as a series, yet each one perfectly encapsulates the tone and journey of that specific book. They're not just pretty pictures; they're invitations into a richly imagined world, hinting at the yearning, the tension, and the slow burn that I absolutely adore in a fantasy romance. They truly are works of art that complement Stephanie Garber's enchanting storytelling. Holding these books in my hands, with their gorgeous covers, just makes the reading experience even more magical. Seriously, if you're looking for books that are beautiful inside and out, grab the Once Upon a Broken Heart series. You won't regret it!