At a glance
LuvemBooks Verdict
Best for
Readers aged 13–18 who love romantasy with fairy-tale architecture, morally ambiguous leads, and high emotional stakes — especially fans of Garber's Caraval trilogy ready to explore more of that world through a fresh protagonist.
Worth it if
You're drawn to lushly atmospheric YA fantasy built around dangerous bargains, the Fates as a mythological system, and a Cinderella-adjacent heroine whose naïve idealism is tested by genuine darkness — and you're willing to grant a series opener some world-building patience.
Skip if
You prioritise tight, fully realised world-building from page one and deep ensemble character development, as Kirkus Reviews cautions that the fantasy elements beyond the Fates system are haphazardly incorporated and the large cast doesn't receive enough individual attention in this first instalment.
What readers & critics say
Kirkus Reviews awards a "GET IT" verdict, calling it "lushly written" with "an intriguing heart" and praising its well-rounded themes of love, family, and hope, while cautioning that the writing style can become overly verbose and the broader fantasy world-building is haphazardly incorporated. Bookish Wayfarer describes it as "a dazzling fantasy replete with intriguing characters, romance, and a captivating plot," and Wornpages and Ink highlights the world as one of extremes, crediting Garber with thoughtful and meticulous world-building.
“A lushly written story with an intriguing heart.”
— Kirkus ReviewsLook inside the book
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- Is it worth reading?
- For readers drawn to romantasy with fairy-tale stakes and atmospheric prose, Once Upon a Broken Heart delivers on its core promise. Kirkus Reviews issued a "GET IT" verdict, calling it "lushly written" with an "intriguing heart" and noting its plot offers "welcome surprises" alongside well-rounded themes of love, the power of story, family, and holding onto belief. The key caveat is structural: Kirkus finds the fantasy world-building beyond the Fates system haphazardly incorporated, and the large cast doesn't receive full development in this first installment. Readers willing to trust the series to expand and deepen what this opener establishes will find the bargain well worth making.
- Similar books
- Readers who connect with Once Upon a Broken Heart's blend of fairy-tale romance, morally complex bargains, and lush atmospheric prose will find natural companions in the books displayed below. V.E. Schwab's The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue shares the theme of a desperate, life-altering deal with a dark supernatural entity and the price that comes with it. Rachel Gillig's One Dark Window offers the same romantasy tension between a young woman and a morally ambiguous supernatural force. Kerri Maniscalco's Kingdom of the Feared brings a similarly dark, opulent fantasy world with high emotional stakes. For readers drawn to the fairy-tale-villain angle, Rachel Hochhauser's Lady Tremaine revisits a familiar archetype through a fresh lens — much as Garber reframes the Cinderella-adjacent heroine in Evangeline Fox.
- Who should read this?
- Once Upon a Broken Heart is aimed squarely at young adult readers — Flatiron Books targets ages 13–18 — who gravitate toward romantasy with fairy-tale architecture, emotionally high-stakes bargains, and a whimsical-yet-sinister atmosphere. Readers who loved Garber's Caraval series will find a natural next step here, while new readers drawn to morally complex, enigmatic male leads and Cinderella-adjacent heroines will find it an accessible entry point. Those who prioritise tight, fully realised world-building from page one may want to temper expectations for this first installment, as the series asks for some patience before the world fully coheres.
- What age is it for?
- Best for ages 13 and up. Flatiron Books targets the novel at readers aged 13–18, and Kirkus Reviews categorises it as Fantasy for ages 12–16, placing it firmly in the young adult space. The story's fairy-tale framework and romantic premise are age-appropriate for confident teen readers, and the morally complex bargain at its centre — along with the darker undercurrents beneath the whimsy — suit readers mature enough to engage with emotionally layered storytelling.
- About Stephanie Garber
- Stephanie Garber is an American author of young adult fiction known for two interconnected trilogies: the Caraval series and the Once Upon a Broken Heart series.
- Why is this book trending?
- Once Upon a Broken Heart is currently 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 romantasy genre continues to thrive on short-form video platforms, and Garber's fairy-tale-inflected storytelling — full of morally complex bargains and an enigmatic love interest — is exactly the kind of content that generates enthusiastic social sharing. If it's been appearing on your feed, the wave of attention is genuine.
- What are the main themes?
- Kirkus Reviews specifically highlights love, the power of story, family influence, and holding onto belief as themes that are "well rounded and add depth" to the novel. Evangeline's arc — a naïve idealist whose faith in happy endings is tested by genuine darkness — provides the emotional throughline. The central bargain with the Prince of Hearts also raises questions about the moral cost of acting out of desperation and whether love is worth the price it demands.
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Age & Reading Level
Recommended age
Ages 12–18
Reading level
Young adult
Content to know about
Best for: Ages 13+ — the YA target age set by Flatiron Books; the story's layered emotional stakes, dark bargains, and morally complex supernatural antagonist suit readers with the maturity to engage with romantasy at that level.
Skip if you need tight, fully realised world-building and a well-developed ensemble cast from the very first book.
Editorial Review
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 young woman who strikes a dangerous bargain with the Prince of Hearts — a fickle, immortal Fate — in a desperate bid to stop the man she loves from marrying her stepsister. Kirkus Reviews praised it as "a lushly written story with an intriguing heart" while also noting uneven world-building, making it a compelling but imperfect opening to a four-book series aimed at readers aged 13–18.
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Why It’s Trending
BookTok Is Buzzing About Once Upon a Broken Heart Right Now
Stephanie Garber's fantasy romance is having a real moment on BookTok, with readers swapping reading order guides, spice-level breakdowns, and even unboxing videos for a new pink edition. If you've been seeing it pop up on your feed, you're not imagining it.