There are many bookworms who first heard of Stephanie Garber from the series Once Upon a Broken Heart, and got straight into it without realizing that it is actually a spin-off series. It consists of three books: Once Upon a Broken Heart, The Ballad of Never After, and A Curse for True Love. It truly is the most exquisite tragedy, a remarkable enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn, fantasy romance story, but let’s break it down from the beginning, shall we?
The story starts with the Caraval Trilogy, including Caraval, Legendary, Finale, and a complimentary novella, Spectacular. The main male character—or should we say villain—of OUABH plays a key role in the Caraval series, making his appearance in the second book, so you should respect the series order, fellow reader. Especially for bigger series like From Blood and Ash, book order is the key.
.jpeg)
We know you are dying to read Jack and Evangeline’s story, so we have prepared a detailed, spoiler-free synopsis of Once Upon a Broken Heart, the first book in the spin-off series. It shares the same magical vibes, fairytale-like atmosphere, and Y/A romantasy themes as the Caraval series. You can check out our Caraval World, and OUABH World to get a feel of the aesthetic.
So, if you are not aware of the special magical world of Stephanie Garber, head on over to Amazon or Goodreads for some more book reviews. Speaking of book reviews, don’t miss out our book review of Daisy Jones & The Six, only on Crewfiction.
Would you prefer some alternatives? Go through on our extended list of 21 Best Goodreads Alternatives To Know in 2024 and take your pick.
Evangeline Fox lives in her own little world, where magic is not something to be afraid of, but a welcoming and daring whisper. Her parents raised her like that, teaching her how to be an independent woman with an open mind, always trusting her instincts and loving fiercely. They often teased her that magic brought her to them. She wears a thick crown of rose-gold hair, and her beauty is unmatched.
Unfortunately, all she has left of them is her father’s magic shop, and his hidden book store. After her mother’s death, her father remarried, so Evangeline has been living with her step-mother and her step-sister, Marisol. With her father also gone, Evangeline would have suffered a great deal, if it were not for her first love, Luc. Hurt and lost, Evangeline confides in him. She is content with her life, expecting a marriage proposal soon enough. However, it never comes.
All of a sudden, Luc has a change of heart and proposes to her step-sister, Marisol, instead. Evangeline’s perfect love story is ruined, but she is determined to find out what happened. Her trust in Luc’s love is so strong that she is willing to make a deal with the most dangerous Fate; the Prince of Hearts.
One thing about Jacks is that he will not help you if you cannot be of use to him. Evangeline has falsely bargained her own fate to stop Luc and Marisol’s wedding. It all ends up in disaster, and Evangeline sacrifices herself for the greater good. Her selfless act builds a great reputation for her name, and she is soon summoned by the Empress. She is asked to travel to the Magnificent North as Valenda’s representative in Prince Apollo’s birthday events. The intriguing part of this journey is that the prince will look for a bride during these events, and Evangeline’s hopeless romantic heart cannot help but dream of an epic love.
When she and Marisol arrive in the North, everything feels right. She believes that destiny brought her there, and she will have her happy ending. She cannot hide from Jacks, though. She still owes him a debt, one she will be called to pay soon. She owns him three kisses, in time and place of his choosing. Her first victim? Prince Apollo.
The kiss they share awakens strong feelings between them, and the pull they have on each other is undeniable—almost magical. Apollo is swept away and wants to marry her. However, Evangeline is not going to force anyone into loving her through magic. She wants to break the spell and then start over with him. All too conveniently, Jacks cannot break spells, but he can point her in a certain direction. More specifically, to a place where all questions can be answered; the Valory Arch.
Jacks claims that only Evangeline can open the arch, after she finds the four stones that are missing. Evangeline is conflicted; she wants to save Apollo, but she is sure Jacks is up to no good. What is he looking for in the arch? Certainly, something dreadful. Her feelings get all mixed up, and as she navigates the Magnificent North, and meets other people like Lala and the vampire king, she realizes that the stories her mother told her are all real.
A hopeless romantic with a heart full of dreams. Evangeline’s quest to win back her true love leads her into a dangerous pact with fate itself. She makes a deal with the Prince of Hearts; he will stop her lover’s wedding, and in exchange, she will owe him three kisses. She is self-righteous, and often puts the needs of others before her own. She is the typical romantasy heroine, the chosen one, ready to fight for what she believes in. She always sees the good in people, even Jacks, who often teases her for foolishly putting her trust in others. She is stubborn, though, and she will see things through no matter what.
The charming but devious Fate who revels in broken hearts. His story is devastating, and someone would think he is a villain looking for redemption. Do not fool yourself, dear reader. Jacks is selfish, arrogant and an egomaniac. He is ruthless and does not hesitate to get rid of whoever gets in his way. He is evil, a true villain. We do not know what type of reader you are, if you like spoilers or cliffhangers, but we assure you that his story is worth it. He is a powerful Fate, cursed to look for his true love forever. His kiss is lethal, but his one true love can survive it. Jacks becomes both an ally and a dangerous adversary to Evangeline. As the famous BookTok sound goes, “There are many good villains like Cardan, or Rhysand, but none of them compares to the greatest villain of all time; Jacks, the Prince of Hearts.”
Psst! If you want to know more about Cardan and Rhys, check out our related blogposts, The Cruel Prince Characters, and ACOTAR Characters.
Evangeline’s first love, whose relationship with her sets off the chain of events leading to her fateful deal. He comes from a wealthy family, and he is a bit superficial. Even Evangeline can tell that when he is around his rich friends, he behaves strangely. Moreover, he keeps his relationship with her a secret. Hm, sounds a lot like a red flag to us.
Evangeline’s stepsister, whose seemingly innocent desires may lead to unexpected consequences. She is always comparing herself with Evangeline, both in beauty and spirit. She is suppressed by her mother, who pushes her to marry, and reprimands her for her posture and appearance constantly. Marisol wants nothing more than to find her true love, but her ways are a lot different from Evangeline’s.
Evangeline is devastated after the announcement of Luc and Marisol’s wedding. He is her first love, and his sudden betrayal seems all too suspicious to Evangeline. Holding on to the small hope that Luc is still in love with her, but magic has driven him away, she seeks the Prince of Heart’s assistance. Evangeline is willing to pay Jacks’ price because love is her happy ending. Her quest for love will be treacherous, but her heart is strong enough to get through everything.
Evangeline visits the Prince of Hearts’ temple and pleads with him to stop Luc’s wedding. In exchange for her wish, Jacks asks for three kisses at a time of his choosing. Evangeline is no fool. She knows his price is not as innocent as it sounds, but she is also desperate. She believes in her love for Luc, and she knows in her heart that it is worth the sacrifice. However, these kisses will bring consequences that test Evangeline’s loyalty, love, and belief in destiny.
This scene sets the pace for Evangeline and Jacks’ dynamic. From the beginning, they come head-to-head, both being stubborn for their own reasons, but Evangeline stands her ground, even if she has to deal with the most dangerous Fate. She can tell, though, that he is also suffering from a broken heart, something that makes him human too. Or so she hopes.
As Evangeline ventures into a magical realm, the Magnificent North, she faces deadly trials, secret plots, and unexpected twists that change her perception of fate, love, and the people around her. She finds out that all the night stories her mother told her are true, including her favorite one; The Ballad of the Archer and the Fox. A tragic love story, the ending of which is unknown to everyone. She will make unexpected friendships with Fates, and learn about their unfortunate stories and struggles. Evangeline is not a stranger to magic, and she will soon discover that she is the key to a world-changing prophecy.
Evangeline starts off as a hopeless romantic, thinking that her destiny is entwined with her first love, Luc. Fate has other plans for her, though. She has to look deeper into herself, and let her heart decide in earnest, and not out of fear she will never have her happy ending. It seems that Evangeline would be content living with anyone who swears true love to her, like Luc, and Apollo. However, at the end of the day, she seeks genuine love, not a forced one. Many times, she is presented fighting for it alone, like in Luc’s case. Afterward, she wants to break Apollo’s love spell because she is not content with a love like that. She craves someone who will love her fiercely and truly. Someone who would sacrifice himself to save her for once. Someone who would accept her, and challenge her. She has the “I-can-change-him” syndrome, and thank god she does! Along the way, Evangeline must decide whether she controls her own destiny or if love and fate will forever dictate her life.
At the heart of the novel is the theme of broken trust, both in love and in alliances, as Evangeline navigates the treacherous terrain of both. Jacks’ manipulation and secrets drive Evangeline crazy, and all she can depend on are her wits—most of the time. She knows she cannot trust Jacks, but all paths eventually lead to him. Evangeline suspects that her fate is entwined with him, and as much as she hates him, she needs him to stay alive when the whole world turns against her.
Evangeline grapples with the question of whether love is written in the stars, or if it’s something she can control. Jacks, with his devious plans, only complicates this question. He knows what Evangeline is fighting for and uses it against her. On the other hand, he teases her for her choices, and challenges her decisions, as if to say she does not really look for the type of love Luc and Apollo are giving her. Moreover, Jacks knows more than he lets on, but we are not going to spoil that for you. Let’s just say that he hates notions like fate and destiny, and he prefers to manipulate fate in his best interest. One thing that intrigues him in Evangeline is her acting on free-will, even though she believes in destiny.
The fantasy elements heighten the stakes, with spells, curses, and mystical beings interwoven into the fabric of the love story. Evangeline can always feel the touch of magic, and she can mysteriously open any door. Jack is a Fate, cursed to look for his one true love forever. The magic does not stop there, though. There are magical places, creatures, relics, books etc. all spread within the Meridian Empire. There is a list of all that in the Caraval series. Sometimes magic stands as an obstacle in Evangeline’s quest, but other times magic is her greatest asset. All in all, Stephanie Garber’s world of magic is fun and dreamy, straight out of a fairy tale. The most exciting part is that all the answers are written in books Evangeline has in her possession, but the books have their own mind, and will not let anyone read to the end. Furthermore, magic will not let anyone share the ending of any story they know. Frustrating, right?
Fantasy lovers will adore the lush, magical world of Stephanie Garber’s fantasy universe. Romance fans are captivated by the bittersweet love story that tugs on their heartstrings. Plot twists that leave readers guessing, keeping them on the edge of their seats as Evangeline’s journey unfolds. The charming and relatable characters drive the story, as the witty dialogue and the tension between Evangeline and Jacks is giggling-and-kicking-feet worthy. If of all romantic subgenres, romantasy is your favorite, then you must not miss this read.
In case you have already finished the series, you can check out other BookTok Books That Worth the Hype. If you are interested in a slow-burn romance like OUABH but more action-packed like Powerless, then check our list of 21 Books to Read After Powerless.
If you’re enchanted by books that blend romance, magic, and mystery, Once Upon a Broken Heart is a must-read. With its captivating characters and unexpected twists, this fantasy romance will leave readers yearning for more. The quest of love and redemption is treacherous, but those worthy can survive the trials and tribulations. Will the hero get the villain? Will Evangeline be Jacks’ endgame? Each story has infinite endings, and fate cannot fully decide anyone’s path. One must know what their heart truly desires, and then their path will lead them to what they like to call destiny. Evangeline needed some time to acknowledge her desires, but when she did, oh… she will have the monster.
For more fun, bookish content, visit Crewfiction and explore trending tropes, media and deep dives into your favorite romantasy books. Do not forget to subscribe to our Tea & Cakes Newsletter, where mind-blowing world facts, royal gossip, and thrilling book recs are delivered to your inbox every week. All made by Crewfiction with magic for all the bookworms out there.
Once Upon a Broken Heart is not spicy. It is a young adult, fantasy story, with a slow-burn romance, and lots of tension. The enemies-to-lovers trope is there to spice things up, but in a non-explicit way.
The message of OUABH is that each story can have infinite endings. Like every fairy tale, this one has its own moral. It is rather positive and inspiring, supporting the notion that there is not just one right choice to make, but an infinite number of paths one can take to find happiness.
The first book of Once Upon a Broken Heart ends in a cliffhanger. A small spoiler; the next book, “The Ballad of Never After”, ends in one as well. Someone dies, and Evangeline is left in the palace betrayed and paranoid about the prophecy that wants a pink-haired girl to open the Valory Arch. Somewhere deep in the castle, a door, with a wolf emblem on it, begins to stir.
Nikki Sheryee insists that she’s “up to no good” whenever she’s in the company of books. Armed with a degree in English Language and Literature, she wields the power of words like a mischievous wizard. Her lifelong dream? To be the editor who sprinkles magic dust on manuscripts! To Nikki, a book is more alive than a caffeinated squirrel on roller skates. Readers nurture it, cuddle it, scold it, and occasionally challenge it to a duel! But in the end, a book does its own thing, pulling at our heartstrings and revealing our inner human-ness. Nikki’s favorite pastime? Well, it’s none other than the noble art of daydreaming! And she wears her daydreamer’s badge with pride, sharing this delightful delusion with the crème de la crème of her friends.
