Enchanting fairy tale atmosphere
Lochlyn felt like a princess while reading the novel, describing the atmosphere as a magical, suspenseful fairy tale that restored their love for young adult fantasy.
Reviewed
Read Time
8 min read
Age & reading levelAges 13+ · Young adult
Reader rating
4.2 · 35,187 Amazon ratings
reader ratings, not a LuvemBooks scoreShare This Review
Our review
Once Upon a Broken Heart
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber Review: Dark Fairytale Fantasy With Addictive Danger
Once Upon a Broken Heart is the first novel in Stephanie Garber's #1 New York Times bestselling series of the same name, published by Flatiron Books on September 28, 2021. It follows Evangeline Fox, a true believer in love and happy endings, who strikes a perilous bargain with the wicked Prince of Hearts — trading three kisses for his help stopping her beloved's wedding — only to discover that dealing with an immortal Fate carries consequences far darker than she imagined. Kirkus Reviews calls it "a lushly written story with an intriguing heart," and reviewers praise Garber's "exquisitely imagined worldbuilding and her trademark heady romance," though Kirkus also notes that the fantasy world-building is unevenly developed and the writing can veer into the verbose. The series opener is designed to be accessible to readers new to Garber's Caraval universe while expanding it in significant new directions.
LuvemBooks Verdict
Best for
Readers aged 13–18 who love dark fairytale romance, morally ambiguous supernatural figures, and emotionally driven heroines — whether they're already fans of the Caraval trilogy or looking for a compelling entry point into Garber's world.
Worth it if
The dangerous-bargain premise, lush atmosphere, and an unpredictable plot centred on an immortal antihero are what you're there for — this delivers those in abundance.
Skip if
Readers who prize tightly constructed fantasy systems and restrained prose are likely to find Garber's maximalist, occasionally confusing prose style and haphazard world-building a persistent frustration.
What readers & critics say
Kirkus Reviews awarded the novel a starred verdict, praising its "well-rounded" themes of love, story, and belief and noting "welcome surprises" in the plot, while also flagging writing that "fluctuates from clever and original to overly verbose" and fantasy elements that are "haphazardly incorporated without enough time devoted to building a cohesive world." Book blog Bookish Wayfarer describes it as "a dazzling fantasy replete with intriguing characters, romance, and a captivating plot," and notes it can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of the Caraval trilogy.
“A lushly written story with an intriguing heart.”
— Kirkus Reviews4.2from 35,187 Amazon ratings— reader ratings, not a LuvemBooks score
Lochlyn from Loch’s Library reviews Once Upon a Broken Heart
Lochlyn shares a spoiler-free review and subsequent spoiler discussion of Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber.
A BookTube review by Loch’s Library, 2021 · 20.1K views · 16.8K subscribers · Watch on YouTube ·
Their views, not ours. The points are our AI summary of what they say, each playing from where they say it.
Another view · mixed feelings
The reviewer found the series to be an enjoyable romantasy with vibrant world-building, engaging romantic tension, and strong character banter. They appreciated the first book's plot structure and considered the second book the best of the trilogy, though they were let down by a rushed and messy final installment. They recommend it to lovers of whimsical fairy-tale magic and quest adventures, but caution that the protagonist's childlike innocence might frustrate some readers. Priya Kaur | Beauty, Books & Lifestyle on YouTube
Relationship to the Caraval series
While reading Caraval first is not strictly mandatory, Lochlyn strongly recommends it because it dramatically enhances the reader's appreciation for returning characters like Jacks.
Strong characters and captivating writing
Lochlyn found Garber's writing enchanting and appreciated Evangeline's smart, self-aware nature in the third-person narration.
Cliffhanger ending and lingering questions
Lochlyn mentions that a couple of plot elements felt predictable and the major cliffhanger ending leaves readers with many pressing questions, though the book still felt satisfying.
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Once Upon a Broken Heart is the first entry in Stephanie Garber's #1 New York Times bestselling series, following Evangeline Fox as she strikes a dangerous bargain with the immortal Prince of Hearts — trading three kisses to stop her beloved's wedding, only to find the price far darker than she imagined. Atmosphere, premise, and a genuinely unpredictable plot power the novel's devoted readership, with Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly praising its thematic depth and "exquisitely imagined worldbuilding." Readers who thrive on dark-fairytale romance and morally ambiguous supernatural figures will find it engineered for their tastes, though those who prize tightly constructed fantasy systems and restrained prose may find Garber's maximalist approach frustrating.
- Is it worth reading?
- For readers drawn to dark-fairytale fantasy romance, Once Upon a Broken Heart delivers on its core promise: an intriguing premise built around a dangerous bargain, a plot Kirkus Reviews credits with "welcome surprises," and what Publishers Weekly calls Garber's "exquisitely imagined worldbuilding and her trademark heady romance." Fellow #1 New York Times bestselling author Isabel Ibañez describes it as "edgy, dark, and gorgeously written" and "heart-pounding, fresh, and addictive." The key caveat, per Kirkus, is that the writing can veer from clever to overly verbose, and the fantasy world-building is unevenly developed — so readers who prioritize tightly constructed fantasy systems and restrained prose may find Garber's maximalist approach more frustrating than immersive.
- Similar books
- Readers who enjoy Once Upon a Broken Heart tend to gravitate toward other dark, lushly written fantasy romances. V.E. Schwab's The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue shares the theme of a desperate bargain with an immortal figure and Schwab's signature atmospheric prose. Amber V. Nicole's The Book of Azrael and Kerri Maniscalco's Kingdom of the Feared both deliver the morally complex supernatural romance and dark-fairytale energy that define Garber's appeal. Rachel Gillig's One Dark Window offers a similarly immersive fantasy world with a dangerous, morally ambiguous supernatural presence. For readers drawn to the fairytale retelling angle, Rachel Hochhauser's Lady Tremaine explores classic archetypes through a fresh, character-driven lens.
- Who should read this?
- Once Upon a Broken Heart is engineered for readers of young adult fantasy romance who love dark-fairytale premises, morally ambiguous supernatural figures, and emotionally driven heroines. Flatiron Books targets the novel at ages 13–18, and it is specifically well-suited to fans of lush, atmospheric prose and heady romance — the same readership that made the Caraval trilogy a global phenomenon. Existing Garber fans will appreciate the expansion into the mystical North and the foregrounding of the Fates, while newcomers to her fiction will find it a self-contained, accessible entry point. Those who prioritize tightly constructed fantasy systems or restrained prose are less likely to find it satisfying.
- What age is it for?
- Best for readers ages 13 and up. Flatiron Books targets the novel at ages 13–18, and Amazon's grade-level designation of grades 7–9 positions it at the younger end of young adult fiction. The dark-fairytale content — including a bargain with a lethal immortal figure and themes of heartbreak and dangerous consequences — suits the maturity range of teen readers without requiring prior familiarity with Garber's Caraval universe.
- About Stephanie Garber
- Stephanie Garber is an American author of young adult fiction known for the Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart series, which are interconnected trilogies.
- Why is this book trending?
- Stephanie Garber's Once Upon a Broken Heart is having a real moment on BookTok, with readers sharing reading order guides, spice-level breakdowns, and unboxing videos for a new pink edition of the book. The dark-fairytale romance premise and Garber's already-devoted fanbase make it a natural fit for the platform's romantasy community, and the surge in visibility is bringing both new readers and returning fans back to the series.
- What are the main themes?
- Kirkus Reviews credits Once Upon a Broken Heart with well-rounded thematic substance, noting that "the themes of love, the power of story, family influence, and holding onto belief are well rounded and add depth." The concept of the Fates as a functioning religious system within the world is singled out as a source of genuine thematic interest. At its core, the novel asks what lengths someone will go to for a happily ever after — a question it filters through the dark-romantic tradition of morally complex fairytale storytelling.
- How diverse is the cast?
- Kirkus Reviews notes that Evangeline and several other central human characters read as White, with Luc described as having brown skin. Broader diversity is present among the fantasy races of the world rather than in the primary human cast — a pattern Kirkus flags as a notable limitation of the novel's representation. It is a considered observation from a major review outlet rather than a fringe complaint.
Summarize this book
Is it worth reading?
Who should read this?
What age is it for?
About Stephanie Garber
Why is this book trending?
What are the main themes?
How diverse is the cast?
Summarize this book
Once Upon a Broken Heart follows Evangeline Fox, a young woman whose lifelong faith in true love is shattered when Luc — the man she loves — announces he will marry her stepsister Marisol. Desperate, she strikes a bargain with the Prince of Hearts, one of the immortal beings known as Fates: three kisses, given at times and places of his choosing, in exchange for his help stopping the wedding. What unfolds is a dark, magical journey set partly in the mystical North of Garber's Caraval universe, in which Evangeline discovers the Prince of Hearts wants far more than she pledged — and the outcome will be either the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy. The novel is the first in a series and is written to be fully accessible to readers new to the Caraval universe.
Follow up
Who is the Prince of Hearts?
Is it a standalone or part of a series?
What is the mystical North?
Synthesized from verified book data & published reviews · How we review
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Our Review
We review the evidence: published critics, reader verdicts and BookTube reviews, gathered and weighed with AI assistance and edited by LuvemBooks, rather than one reader's first-hand take.
Garber's series opener is an enchanting but uneven young adult fantasy that earns its devoted readership through atmosphere, premise, and a genuinely unpredictable plot — even as its world-building strains under the weight of its ambition.
What the Book Is and What Happens
Once Upon a Broken Heart centers on Evangeline Fox, a young woman whose lifelong faith in true love is shattered when Luc — the man she loves — announces he will marry her kind but distant stepsister, Marisol. Desperate and heartbroken, Evangeline turns not to friends or family but to the Prince of Hearts, one of the immortal beings known as Fates, a figure famed for his lethal kisses and his heart said to be waiting for revival by his one true love.
The bargain they strike is deceptively simple on its surface: three kisses, given at times and places of the Prince of Hearts' choosing. What follows, as the publisher's synopsis makes clear, is a dark and magical journey in which Evangeline learns that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she pledged — and that the outcome will be either "the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy."
The novel is set partly in the mystical North, a region of Garber's broader Caraval universe steeped in fantastical creatures and lore that the earlier Caraval trilogy had only gestured toward.
Significance and Place in the Genre
Garber arrives at this series already established as a #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author, with her Caraval trilogy translated into more than thirty languages. Once Upon a Broken Heart opens a series and represents a deliberate expansion of her fictional world into new territory.
The novel engages directly with fairytale archetypes — the desperate bargain, the wicked immortal, the hopeful heroine — while filtering them through the dark-romantic register that defined Caraval. For the young adult fantasy-romance genre, the book's central proposition (what lengths will someone go to for a happily ever after?) positions it within a tradition of morally complex fairytale retellings, though it is an original story rather than a direct retelling of any single source tale.
Blurb praise from fellow authors reflects the book's reception in its genre community: Isabel Ibañez, herself a #1 New York Times bestselling author, describes it as "edgy, dark, and gorgeously written," calling it "heart-pounding, fresh, and addictive."
Strengths: Atmosphere, Theme, and Surprise
Kirkus Reviews, in its starred-verdict notice, credits the novel with thematic substance, noting that "the themes of love, the power of story, family influence, and holding onto belief are well rounded and add depth." The concept of the Fates as a functioning religious system within the world is singled out as a source of genuine interest.
The plot is noted by Kirkus to contain "welcome surprises," and the large supporting cast generates curiosity. Reviewers, as cited by the publisher, highlight Garber's "exquisitely imagined worldbuilding and her trademark heady romance" as defining assets.
The novel is also structured around a single point of view — Evangeline's — a choice that, as noted by the book blog Bookish Wayfarer, tightens narrative suspense and sustains mystery throughout. Importantly, the book is written to stand independently for readers who have not encountered the Caraval trilogy, making it a genuine entry point rather than a sequel-in-disguise.
Limitations: Prose and World-Building Consistency
Kirkus Reviews is frank about the book's weaknesses. The writing style, the review notes, "fluctuates from clever and original to overly verbose and often confusing in its jumble of senses."
World-building is identified as the more structural concern: "other fantasy elements are haphazardly incorporated without enough time devoted to building a cohesive world." The large cast, while intriguing, is noted as underdeveloped — readers are left wanting more time with characters who are introduced but not fully explored.
These are not fringe reader complaints but the considered judgment of a major review outlet. On representation, Kirkus observes that Evangeline and several other central characters read as White, with diversity present among the fantasy races of the world rather than in the central human cast, though Luc is described as having brown skin.
Who This Book Is For
Flatiron Books targets the novel at readers aged 13–18, and the Amazon grade-level designation of grades 7–9 reflects its positioning within the younger end of young adult fiction. Readers drawn to fairytale-inflected fantasy with a dark-romantic core, morally ambiguous supernatural figures, and an emotionally driven heroine will find the book engineered precisely for their tastes.
Those who prioritize tightly constructed fantasy systems and restrained prose may find Garber's maximalist approach frustrating. For readers already fond of the Caraval series, the expansion into the North and the introduction of the Fates as foregrounded figures rather than background mythology offers substantive new territory.
For newcomers, the book's self-contained accessibility makes it a viable starting point for one of young adult fantasy's most commercially successful ongoing series.
Sources & Further Reading
The key facts and claims in this review are grounded in the retrieved, verified sources listed below.
- Cited in this review
- 1
- 2
kirkusreviews.com
- Further reading
- 3
Stephanie Garber, LuvemBooks
- 4
bookishwayfarer.com
- 5
- 6
utopia-state-of-mind.com
- 7
thetypedwriter.com
- 8
thequilltolive.com
- 9
thestorysanctuary.com
- 10
- 11
us.macmillan.com
- 12
Age & Reading Level
Recommended age
Ages 13+
Reading level
Young adult
Tropes
enemies to loversmorally greyslow burn
From how readers describe it, not our own reading.
2 content notes · who it suits
Content to know about
dangerous bargain with a lethal immortal figure
heartbreak and emotional manipulation
Best for: Ages 13+ — dark-fairytale content involving a bargain with a lethal immortal and themes of heartbreak and dangerous consequences suit the maturity range of teen readers
Skip if you want tightly constructed fantasy world-building and restrained, precise prose
Stephanie Garber on Once Upon a Broken Heart
Author Stephanie Garber introduces Once Upon a Broken Heart and discusses its fairy-tale world in an interview with Forbidden Planet TV.
Uploaded by Forbidden Planet TV, 2022 · Watch on YouTube ·
Premise of Once Upon a Broken Heart
Garber explains that while her book is set in the same universe as Caraval, it is a standalone story about Evangeline Fox making a dangerous deal with the Prince of Hearts for three kisses.
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