Article contributed by Katherine Hilker
SPOILERS AHEAD!
Once upon a time, Evangeline Fox embarked on a quest to the Magnificent North in pursuit of her very own fairy tale ending, and boy, did she find it! Now, she’s got a dashing prince as her husband, a legendary castle as her home, and a picture-perfect life that’s the stuff of legends. It’s everything she’s ever wanted…so why does she feel like something’s missing?
Evangeline is suffering from a strange case of amnesia. Her memory of the last year is a blank slate, and even though her husband reassures her that the past is best left untouched, a lingering curiosity nags at her. Why does she feel such a strong connection to Archer, the mysterious guard who keeps saving her life? And why is her husband so relentless in his mission to eliminate Jacks, the Prince of Hearts? In the dark corners of her fairy tale castle, secrets and shadows abound, and Evangeline is determined to uncover every last one of them.
If there is one thing Stephanie Garber excels at, it’s writing a compelling romance. From the very start of this trilogy, the chemistry between Evangeline and Jacks has been nothing short of electric, and A Curse for True Love is no exception. Evangeline and Jacks’ love story is a masterclass of emotion, dripping with sexual tension, witty banter, and will-they-won’t-they moments so steamy that you’ll need a fan to cool down. Each heated exchange between Evangeline and Jacks sparks off the page, leaving readers tantalised by the question of whether this star-crossed pair will ever find their way to each other. Their sizzling romance truly is the heart and soul of the entire trilogy, and I couldn’t get enough.
Not only that, but Garber’s writing in A Curse for True Love is a true showstopper. It’s a symphony of lush, sensuous words that dance across the page like falling stars and broken enchantments. Every sentence delights the senses and positively drips with ultraviolet prose. The sensory descriptions of Wolf Hall, the eerie Cursed Forest, and the enchanting Phoenix Tree encircle the readers in a fairy tale realm that feels both fantastical and familiar, almost like a childhood fever dream.
However, one of this book’s most impressive aspects is its breakneck pacing. I devoured it in less than half a day—a testament to its addictiveness and fast-paced plot. The tight narrative is carefully crafted to maintain a high level of tension and anticipation, ensuring that you’re always eager to uncover the next piece of the puzzle. It’s like literary quicksand; it pulls you in, and there’s no escape until you reach the final page.
A Curse for True Love is the final installment of the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy, and it is an explosive tour de force of imagination and romance. The long-awaited kiss between Evangeline and Jacks is a moment of pure magic that delivers the well-earned emotional payoff that readers have been yearning for since book one (and we finally get to know what Jacks’ apples are for!). It’s the cherry on top of this literary sundae, and it’ll leave you with happy sighs and hearts in your eyes.
That said, A Curse for True Love does have its imperfections. While each narrative thread gleams with its own unique beauty, when viewed from a distance, they struggle to form a cohesive storyline. In the Collector’s Edition of Caraval, Garber herself acknowledges, “I have an idea, and I think it’s good enough, but it almost always needs to be taken a little farther.” This sentiment resonates with much of the worldbuilding within the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy. The fantasy elements are there, but they come across as haphazard, convoluted, or only half-formed. One can’t help but wish for that extra step, as Garber herself alluded to—a more comprehensive exploration that would have enriched the magical tapestry of this enchanting world.
Moreover, the narrative leaves several loose ends, making me look for a deeper resolution outside of the realm of romance. Characters such as Marisol, Luc, and Lala seemed to be abruptly cast aside once their relevance to the plot waned, and this discontinuity had a tangible impact on the overall coherence of the worldbuilding.
But unresolved subplots and convoluted worldbuilding aside, this trilogy’s grand finale is a swoon-worthy and satisfying crescendo that demands your undivided attention. It’s one of those rare books that will whisk you away so completely that sleep and even food become mere afterthoughts. In short, A Curse for True Love is a story I truly love.
A Curse for True Love is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore!
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Blood will be shed, hearts will be stolen, and true love will be put to the test in A CURSE FOR TRUE LOVE, the breathtaking conclusion to Stephanie Garber’s #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling Once Upon A Broken Heart trilogy
Two villains, one girl, and a deadly battle for happily ever after.
Evangeline Fox ventured to the Magnificent North in search of her happy ending, and it seems as if she has it. She’s married to a handsome prince and lives in a legendary castle. But Evangeline has no idea of the devastating price she’s paid for this fairytale. She doesn’t know what she has lost, and her husband is determined to make sure she never finds out. . . . but first he must kill Jacks, the Prince of Hearts.
