Once Upon a Broken Heart
Book Description
When fate strikes a deal with a desperate heart, the stakes soar and the lines between love and sacrifice blur. Evangeline Fox finds herself entwined with the enigmatic Prince of Hearts, a man of unfathomable charm and dangerous secrets. As a series of twisted events unfolds, she must navigate a treacherous world where every wish comes at a price. Friends become foes, and loyalties are tested as Evangeline discovers the true meaning of love and betrayal. Can she rewrite her story before it shatters forever? What happens when the heart’s greatest desires turn into its darkest nightmares?
Quick Book Summary
"Once Upon a Broken Heart" by Stephanie Garber is a spellbinding fantasy romance that follows Evangeline Fox, a young woman desperate to mend her broken heart after losing the love of her life. In her quest for answers and hope, she strikes a dangerous bargain with Jacks, the enigmatic and capricious Prince of Hearts. What begins as a simple wish quickly becomes a twisting path filled with magic, curses, and betrayal. Set in a world of enchanting mysteries, Evangeline must discern friend from foe, navigate shifting loyalties, and confront the true cost of her desires. Every choice is fraught with consequence, and as the line between fairy tale and nightmare blurs, Evangeline races to reclaim her fate—even as the risks threaten everything she loves.
Summary of Key Ideas
Table of Contents
The Cost of Bargains and Wishes
Evangeline Fox’s journey begins with heartache when the boy she loves is set to marry another. Driven by desperation and belief in fairy tales, she seeks help from the Prince of Hearts, Jacks, one of the immortal Fates notorious for his unpredictable deals. In exchange for his aid, Jacks demands three kisses from Evangeline, seemingly a small price for the chance to reclaim her happiness. However, as old magic weaves its influence, Evangeline quickly realizes the dangerous consequences of bargaining with a Fate.
Blurred Lines Between Fate and Free Will
After striking her deal, Evangeline’s world rapidly unravels. Destinies twist as curses and mystical secrets entangle her path. Magic in this world always asks for a price, and gifts from Fates aren’t without dark strings attached. As Evangeline is swept into court intrigues and cursed balls, her decisions ripple outward, affecting more than her own future. While navigating royal deception, she learns that wishes may grant what one wants but rarely what one needs.
Love, Heartbreak, and Sacrifice
Trust emerges as a fragile commodity as Evangeline struggles to determine whom she can rely upon. Jacks, enigmatic and alluring, offers help and hindrance in equal measure, never revealing his true motives. Allies prove fickle, and those she thought were friends may hold daggers behind their backs. As loyalty is constantly tested, Evangeline must decide whether to follow her heart or to guard it fiercely.
Betrayal and Changing Loyalties
Amidst danger and wonder, Evangeline explores the depths of hope and heartbreak. Her journey forces her to confront personal sacrifice and the complex nature of love: its ability to heal and to destroy. She discovers that courage sometimes means knowing what to let go, and that true strength comes from facing the truth, no matter how painful. The romantic tension with Jacks adds both allure and frustration, making her choices ever more perilous.
The Enchantment of a Magical World
Ultimately, "Once Upon a Broken Heart" weaves a gothic fairy tale where magic is both a blessing and a curse. Evangeline’s tale illustrates how fate may offer opportunities, but it is the choices one makes—and the prices one is willing to pay—that define a story. The novel pulses with enchantment, betrayal, and swoon-worthy romance, inviting readers to ponder if happily ever after is possible when every wish comes with a cost.
Download This Summary
Get a free PDF of this summary instantly — no email required.