A review by bookishflower
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I haven’t felt like this about a book in a really long time! Once upon a broken heart has immediately become one of my favourite books ever! 

The beautiful whimsy of this book immediately captured my heart along with its unequivocally strong, fairytale-loving, hopeless romantic protagonist, Evangeline, and our favourite morally grey anti-hero, Jacks.

I found myself giggling and swooning throughout the entire book which I’m completely unashamed to admit. This was a whirlwind love letter to fairytales everywhere and the Disney films that raised us with an seductive bite like one of Jacks’ kisses! 

I cannot wait until September for Ballad of Never After! 

[Ironically, I originally read Once upon a broken heart before the caraval trilogy but went back to read all Stephanie Garber’s books in order because I loved this book so much. (This wasn’t necessary to enjoy and understand this book but it did add to the world building and provided more context especially for Jacks, even if my heart broken a little/a lot with

Donatella and Jacks BUT I have my crazy theories and hope for Evangeline! I also may have screamed a little too loud when Evangeline was mentioned in Finale! 😅)

Personally I loved ouabh much more than the trilogy, but the Caraval series still has that whimsy which is so perfect in ouabh if darker and more broody in its atmosphere. However, I should point out I’m likely very biased due to my odd reading order!]