Book Review: Once Upon A Broken Heart

I believe there are far more possibilities than happily ever after or tragedy. Every story has the potential for infinite endings

I do love a book club read, you never know what you’re going to get! A modern classic? a BookTok sensation? a YA novel that mildly traumatises you? Who knows! But, ‘Once Upon A Broken Heart’ was quite a wild ride. A lot happens within the 400 pages of this romantasy novel: Evangeline is heartbroken, her first love Luc is set to marry her stepsister Marigol, and she will do anything to stop the wedding, even consorting with a Fate - Jacks, the Prince of Hearts. Convinced Luc is in love with her and not her sister, Evangeline makes a deal with Jacks, setting them both on a journey neither anticipated. Will there be a happily ever after?

This is a tale of ‘be careful what you wish for’ as Evangeline finds out pretty quickly, as, being only sixteen years old, she fails to read the fine print of her deal with Jack. Sure, it makes her a hero and places her in the path of a handsome prince. Yet it is all based on a lie. Everyone who has ever read a fantasy novel will know that Fate is not to be messed with. Especially one that is rather handsome, double crosses and lies to you all the dang time.

This book is the first in a trilogy, which honestly surprised me, seeing as a lot happens in book one, what could possibly happen to the characters in books two and three? Evangeline is probably one of the most naive characters I've come across - she is sixteen years old, so that is to be expected, especially one who was raised on fairytales being treated as the truth. But I will admit her character development is good. She grows up a lot over the course of the book, and becomes less trusting of those around her, rather than blindly trusting everything at face value. Well, everyone except Jacks.

I also liked the world-building of this novel. Some of it feels a little too easy, too convenient, lowering the stakes of the plot. I also like the original fairytales that Garber has written into the story; it makes the story multi-textural and adds to the magic of the setting. I particularly like the ‘story curse’ where books, texts and stories change with every reading or retelling. It is an interesting plot device where the ‘story’ can either help or hinder Evangeline on her journey. I also rather liked the little twists and turns this book took. I was not expecting that ending to be sure. Okay, small spoiler, but did I know Marigol was up to no good? Yes. With an evil mother like hers, it was inevitable. No surprises there.

It begs the question, what the heck will be thrown Evangeline’s way in book two and even in book three? Trilogies typically mean that the main character will go through hell before the inevitable end. Lord help Evangeline and the twisted magical web or prophecies and Fates shes gotten herself into.