This is the second installment in the Once Upon A Broken Heart series.
Evangeline Fox, having been betrayed by Jacks at the end of the first book, makes an oath to never trust him again. Upon tending to her ailing husband, Prince Apollo, who has been cursed into a deep slumber, Apollo’s eyes open to reveal they are now glowing red, and he attacks her. Jacks is quick to Evangeline’s rescue and informs her that another “mirror” curse has been placed upon Apollo. This time, Apollo has been cursed to hunt Evangeline, and any injury he inflicts on her will be inflicted back on himself. Jacks and Evangeline quickly flee, and Jacks informs her that the only way to break this new curse is for her to open the forbidden Valory Arch once and for all. To do so, they must first find four magical stones that need to be inserted into the arch. Evangeline is sure that Jacks is manipulating her, but she agrees to take sanctuary in the vampire lair while planning to search for the stones. What follows is a harrowing hunt for the magical stones, along with a dangerous set of new foes for Evangeline and Jacks to overcome. Unbeknownst to her, Jacks has his own hidden agenda for opening the arch, and Evangeline is in much more danger than she knows.
The storyline is entirely captivating from start to finish. The plot is fast-paced and rich with elements of magic, adventure, and romance. If you enjoyed the first book in this series, you’re in for a treat with this one. All of the central characters are further developed, and the book gives much more information about Jacks’ past and the history of the families of the North. After an exciting series of events in the second half, the story culminates with a cliffhanger ending and a twist of fate for Evangeline.
The narrator, Rebecca Soler, returns with a captivating and exciting performance. Her portrayal of Evangeline is even more convincing and emotional than in the first installment, especially during the dramatic last scenes of the novel. If you enjoyed the first novel in the series or are looking for a new epic romantasy series that is heavy on entertainment but lighter on page count, don’t hesitate to give this entire series a try!
