Review: Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

In this Once Upon a Broken Heart review, we’ll cover everything from plot to characters to writing! This book is for the dreamers, the lover, and the broken-hearted. How far would you go for your happily ever after? 

You’ll Love Once Upon a Broken Heart If You Love…

Fairytales

Once Upon a Broken Heart is very fairytale-inspired, with a lot of references to ballads or tales that are a part of the world building. Even the protagonist, Evangeline, is representative of many Disney princesses. She’s like Aurora or Snow White. Although she is not the physically strongest, she still has a kind heart and a witty mind.

Enemies to Lovers

If you’ve read Caraval, then you know about Jacks. Jacks and Evangeline’s relationship is certainly rocky from the start, but somewhere along the way things change throughout the book. Will they continue to grow closer or will they stay disliking each other?

Slow Burn

Whenever somebody says they want to read a book that has the slow-burn trope I always recommend the Once Upon a Broken Heart series. This is the most slow burn you will ever get. However, although the slow burn trope is present, Garber still artfully writes the most amazing scenes between Evangeline and Jacks that will leave you giggling and kicking your feet back and forth.

Review

I’ve heard so many good reviews about the OUABH series that I was so excited to jump into it as soon as I finished the Caraval trilogy, and I have to say, this book lived up to my expectations. 

The plot for this story is well thought out and very engaging. It flows seamlessly, and is full of twists and turns, some predictable, but some absolutely startled me. The ending of the book was very satisfying. It left me wanting to read the next book immediately, while simultaneously wrapping up the plot of this book in a neat little bow. 

Although the plot was amazing, what really stole the show for me was the characters. As someone who read Caraval before this series I enjoyed seeing Jacks be one of the main characters in this book. And along with Jacks, there’s the female protagonist Evangeline Fox. 

Evangeline is someone who had been raised on the belief of fairytales and happy endings. She strives to reach her own, like me lol. It’s shown time and time again Evangeline’s caring nature. In my opinion, I think she’s a very relatable character, and I found her so likeable and compelling. She is a bit too trusting and naive sometimes, so I’m curious to see how that plays out for her in the future books. 

Now for Jacks. If you’ve never read Caraval, Jacks is a charismatic, calculated, and very mischievous character. However, there are moments where he shows vulnerability in this book, and these moments are just to die for. He’s such a complex character I’m so excited to keep reading about him in the next few books.

Evangeline and Jacks’ relationship is a driving force in the story, for it was Evangeline’s bargain with Jacks that made her end up in the predicament she’s in. Evangline’s naivety coupled with Jack’s troublesome intentions leads to an interesting dynamic between the two of them. It’s clear that there is clearly some chemistry between the two of them, but both characters are intent on denying their feelings, leading to a riveting relationship between the two of them that will surely make readers feel frustrated with the slow burn. 

In addition to Jacks there are a few secondary characters who certainly don’t lack amazing personalities, albeit flawed personalities. Two notable characters are Lala and Chaos, who both play important roles in the plot. Another one is Luc, Evangeline’s ex-love. Without him, there would be no book to write. And finally, there are a few guest appearances from Scarlett and Tella from the Caraval series. 

Nevertheless, this book wouldn’t be half as good if it didn’t have Stephanie Garber’s writing to flawlessly put it all together. Garber’s writing never fails to impress. Her writing as always is beautiful, and so descriptive that one can easily paint the scenes in their head. Garber often writes in a third person limited point of view, and OUABH is no exception. The writing was easy to follow while still being flowery, and the book had very steady pacing. 

Overall, I would say this book is super enjoyable, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy, or enjoyed the Caraval trilogy. I would also recommend it to anyone who is a dreamer, like Evangeline. 

TLDR: A hopeless romantic is willing to do anything for her love

Notable Quotes

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

Once Upon a broken heart pg 60

“Just love him the same way you live your life–love him without holding back, love him as if every day with him will be more magical than the last, love him as if he’s your destiny and the world will be better if you two are together, and he won’t be able to ever stop loving you.” -pg 221

“Heartbreak rips apart the soul piece by piece, how it turns you into a masochist, making you long for the thing that just eviscerated you until there’s nothing left of you to be destroyed?” -pg 197

“I don’t know if I can fix your broken heart, but you can take mine because it’s already yours.” -pg 20

“There was something fantastically bewitching about the idea that person’s destiny could change in one single, wondrous night.” -pg 137