Mia Sheridan delivers a powerful and unique story in Heart of the Sun, a mix of second chance romance, survival, and suspense that had me hooked from beginning to end. The story follows Nova (Emily) and Tuck, childhood friends turned strangers, who reconnect in the middle of a world changing event. A massive solar flare throws everything into chaos, and their journey becomes one of love, trust, and survival.
What I loved most was the unpredictability, some people they met helped, others brought danger, and it kept me on edge. The romance is slow burn and emotional, not overly sweet but deeply felt. Tuck and Nova had real chemistry and a history that made me root for them the whole way through.
Mia’s writing is immersive, the pacing kept me engaged, and the world felt believable. If you enjoy stories with heart and a bit of dystopian drama, this one’s a must-read.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

This author is new to me, but I will be keeping an eye out for anything else they publish. I loved the story and the characters. The pacing of the story was great and the characters were relatable.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trading Publishing | Canary Street Press for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and read it in one day. This was a different type book than Mia Sheridan normally writes. I did love it!! I loved the characters and the storyline. I thought the characters had great growth. I would definitely recommend this book.

Heart of the Sun tells the story of two people—Nova and Mason—who are both running from painful pasts. Nova is trying to move forward after a terrible loss, and Mason is a former soldier carrying guilt and trauma. When their paths cross in a small, quiet town, they form a bond that slowly helps them heal. As they open up to each other, secrets from the past come to light and force them to face hard truths. Mia Sheridan writes this story with a lot of emotion and care, making you feel every heartbreak and every moment of hope.

General thoughts:
What I thought was going to be a spicy long story was so much more!!!.
This book has me thinking what if...
This book was emotional, beautiful, and heartbreaking all at once. Mia Sheridan has a way of writing that makes you feel like you’re living the story with the characters. I loved how she showed that healing isn’t quick or easy—it’s messy and personal. There were so many moments where I had to stop and take a deep breath. Her writing is gentle but powerful. The title fits perfectly, too—this book really is about finding light after darkness. but as always this was a bueatful love story in a fuck up situation and yet thioer love still shined threw!!

Plot:
The story moved at a steady pace, not too fast or too slow. It gave enough time for Nova and Mason’s relationship to grow naturally. The deeper emotional parts were handled really well, and nothing felt rushed. There were a few twists that I didn’t see coming, but they made the story even more meaningful. I liked how the past and present came together as the story went on. The ending felt complete but still left me thinking.

Characters:
Nova was a strong and relatable character. Even though she was hurting, she kept going. I really admired her. Mason’s character was written with a lot of depth. His struggle with guilt and finding peace was powerful. Together, their connection was real—not just romantic, but emotional and healing. Some of the side characters didn’t stand out much, but they helped move the story along. she did a great job showing novas and mason connection with the side characters like novas org. BF, and their parents.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy emotional romance stories with characters who are healing from real-life pain. If you like books that deal with trauma, second chances, and deep character growth, this one is worth reading. It’s not just a love story—it’s a story about facing your past and choosing to keep going. Romantic thriller lovers!!

This is a very, very slow burn. I hated Charlie. He just made me mad. I did feel like since of it was a but random. It was a mix of dystopia and romance and road trip. Some times i could tell which one was the main plot. I couldn't really connect to anyone. This is the first popstar second chance I have read and it didn't go so well.

2.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Canary Street Press for this e-arc

Man I really hate leaving low ratings for books, but this was not for me. The premise was so interesting pop-star and bodyguard childhood friends reunite only for a solar flare to turn the world upside down. I mean that is a great idea. While I liked the first 50 pages it was down hill from their an dit was really Charlie's fault. If Charlie had been deleted from this book I would have probably liked it way more. So when Charlie finally and I mean finally disappeared from the book around the 50% I was like good riddance, but the damage was done. Even though I loved the progression of Emily and Tucks relationship afterwards and the danger which was really enjoyable the first half really ruined it for me.

Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan

5 stars

-Enemies to lovers
-Childhood best friends
-Slow Burn
-Second chance
-Pop star + bodyguard 
-New adult dystopian fiction 

Childhood friends reunite when pop star Emily hires ex-con Tuck as her bodyguard. As old feelings resurface, a catastrophic solar flare throws society into chaos, forcing them to rediscover each other. 

Heart of the Sun was my first dystopian read in probably a decade, and I enjoyed every moment of it. The slow burn romance, the suspense elements, the multiple layers of the MMC and FMC that we slowly discover, and finally the love story that's wrapped in this pretty the-world-has-gone-crazy bow. 

"The Cloudless sky stretched over the land, what, to us, was the whole wide world, our patch of heaven, and where our journey had ended, all woven together by a thread of love." 
Heart of the Sun drops on May 20th, and I think it is a must-read. 

#miasheridan #dystopian #slowburnromance #bookstagram #arcreviewer #enemiestolovers #childhoodbestfriends #secondchanceromance

Mia Sheridan’s Heart of the Sun is a gripping, edge of your seat, with romance that masterfully blends survival, suspense, and love. This novel takes readers on a journey filled with deception and unexpected alliances.
The story follows “Nova” and Tuck two amazing characters as they navigate through a world of uncertainty. Their journey is marked by constant movement - traveling, hiding, scavenging, finding love. Yet just as quickly as Hope appears there is let down as well. What I found most exciting is the unpredictability of human nature. Some characters they meet along the way become friends, while others and tension.
Mia Sheridan’s storytelling is immersive and slow burning that keeps readers hooked. The emotional depth of the characters can be felt, combined with the high stakes of survival that makes this an unforgettable reading experience. Overall, Heart of the Sun is a must read for fans, it’s a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page. I’m still thinking about this book!

I have never read a Mia Sheridan book before, so thought this would be a good way to "break the seal". I had ZERO idea that this was a post-apocalyptic/dystopian story, and I was even more surprised at what a page-turner it ended up being! Romance in the time of tragedy is a special kind of story, and Sheridan did it really well. 💖
4.25🌟

✅ Tuck Mattice (formerly in prison for involuntary manslaughter, now a bodyguard) & Emily Swanson (pop star)
✅ Dual timelines : from Emily and Tuck’s childhood where they grew up as neighbors, and now
✅ In the current timeline there’s a modern day apocalypse caused by a solar flare that’s wiped out all electronics
✅ if you enjoyed watching Paradise on Hulu, or The Last of Us (but without the cordyceps)
you will enjoy this.
🌶️: not really

This isn’t really a romance, this is more like a apocalyptic quest

Tropes:
🩷childhood friends
🖤slow burn
🩷pop star x bodyguard
🖤enemies to lovers
🩷dystopian
🖤dual pov

This is not my first book by Mia and it won't be my last. If you are looking for a typical romance story Mia, is not known for that so it's not what you will read. This is a story full of interesting scenarios, suspense, tension, and conflict.

The story begins by showing us a bit of both Tuck and Emily, two best friends growing up in California, in the farmhouse area.

Fast forward 10 years.

Tuck is had recently got out of prison and Emily has become a famous singer, known by stage name, Nova, and is getting ready for a big tour. Tuck can't catch a break in life, has no relationship with his dad, and his only family is his uncle. Emily has changed. She's more into appearances and is very self centered.

When Tuck visits Emily's parents, Emilys mom sees his struggles. She tells him that Emily is looking for a bodyguard for her tour and what happens next is everything.

When something happens, catastrophic event, and their plane goes down they have to fight for survival, as life as they knew it has ceased to exist.

The romance element between Tuck and Emily is a slow burn. It unfolds within the storyline seamlessly.

The narrators for this audiobook truly did an amazing job voicing their characters. I really could feel more connected, to the story compared to when I was reading the book. They really carried the emotion of their characters.

Overall, Heart of the Sun is a novel that seamlessly combines dystopian, with a slow burn romance.
Like most of Mia's works the ability to tell a good story is top notch. If you're looking for a romance book with all the lovey dovey this is not it...BUT if you love interwoven moments of romance with great story telling along with something different this might be your jam.

Don't let this beautiful, and dreamy cover fool you into thinking this is a silly little romance - this was an amazing, dystopian, second chance, slow burn romance.

-Second chance
-Dual POV
-Rockstar x Ex Felon
-Apocalyptic & Post Apocalyptic

This was so different from what I have read from Mia Sheridan so far, but I was here for it! Tuck & Emily have to traverse a new world after out of no where all power is gone and the world is dark.

This story was mysterious, adventurous, I was swooning and I was also upset and annoyed at times with the characters - but by the end of it, I was completely in love!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for a review. If this were my first Mia Sheridan book, my review may have been higher. I have also read too many books a this point that unfortunately this one was missing a wow factor. I liked the idea of this book but it just didn’t deliver. Friends to lovers but a slow burn, I was left wanting more. It was just “ok” for me.

You’ll enjoy this book if you like:
🔥 Childhood Best Friends
🔥 Bodyguard
🔥 Popstar
🔥 Forced Proximity
🔥 Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian
🔥 The Last of Us/The Walking Dead Vibes
🔥 Slowburn

Tuck Mattice is in desperate need of a fresh start. When his childhood friend, a now-famous popstar, Emily Swanson offers him a position as her bodyguard, things begin to look up. When solar flares send the world into darkness and society breaks down, Tuck and Emily have no choice but to turn to each other in order to survive and get home. Throughout the journey, they’re forced to face their past and grow closer and find that even in the dark, love can bloom.

I fell in love with Mia Sheridan’s writing back when I first read Archer’s Voice, and I was nervous about how I’d feel about Heart of the Sun with it being a dystopian romance. I can happily report that I really enjoyed it!

I adore Tuck. From the very first chapter, I’ve been his biggest cheerleader. I can confidently say this man is a MUCH better person than me though, because I would’ve ditched Charlie - and maybe considered leaving Emily - early on… His back has to hurt after absolutely carrying those two. He is such an honorable, caring guy - even when he didn’t want to be - and I love him for that.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t a huge fan of Emily for quite some time. Around the halfway point, I finally started to warm up to her, even more so when she really started to think about everything she’d seen and experienced since the solar flares hit and came to some eye-opening realizations. I’m really glad that she had such growth throughout the story and turned into a more lovable character by the end.

The pacing was a bit slow, but honestly I really liked that it was. It truly felt like I was sitting down watching a few episodes of “The Walking Dead” (obviously without the zombies) or “The Last of Us” (once again, obviously without the infected), seeing all the different locations and the people/interactions as they worked their way back home. It was really entertaining.

The final few chapters had me on a whole rollercoaster of emotions. Be prepared to have some tissues nearby because oh my gosh some of those chapters hurt. But the ending absolutely makes all the pain worth it. I am quite curious to know how Charlie’s doing though after everything…

Thank you so much to Mia Sheridan, Canary Street Press, HTP Hive, and NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read this book. All thoughts are my own. 💗

(4.25 stars)
Heart of The Sun was my first Mia Sheridan book and I am now looking forward to checking out her earlier books. Heart of The Sun is a mix of genres: a dystopian second-chance romance and road trip. Maybe you’re thinking, “What??” I don’t blame you!

The book starts off with a vivid description of a small plane crash (not ideal, as I was reading/listening to this on a flight!!) as all systems suddenly become non responsive. It turns out that there was a major solar flare which took out virtually all electronic systems on earth.

We follow two main characters, Emily and Tuck (and a lot of side characters). They were childhood friends, having been raised on neighboring orange groves in California. Life took them in different directions and they haven’t seen each other in a long time. Emily is a pop star, while Tuck has been in prison (we eventually find out why) and has struggled to find employment. Emily hires Tuck as a bodyguard, which is why they are on the plane together, along with Emily’s current boyfriend, Charlie, a well-known actor. I could tell right away that Charlie would be totally clueless in this crisis.

The book follows the trio’s efforts to survive amid the chaos. The descriptions of how people reacted to these new circumstances was pretty realistic, in my opinion. It made me question how I would react, and whether I’d have enough smarts and skills to survive such a disaster. One of the encounters that really struck me was a father, desperate to find formula or a nursing mother to feedhis infant. My heart broke to think of that family. And of course, there’s violence, as society has totally broken down. But as Mr. Rogers would point out: Look for the helpers.

There is great character development: Emily really matured over the course of the story, and Tuck came to realize his strengths.

I mostly listened to the audiobook version of Heart of The Sun and it was so well done. We get two narrators, André Santana and Annalee Scott, each of them voicing different chapters from either Tuck’s or Emily’s POV.

Thank you to Canary Street Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

A dystopian romance, focused on survival and a second chance at love between childhood friends turned strangers after time a part. The plot kept me engaged trying to figure out what was going to happen next, which is always a win for me. I read along and listened to the audio for this one and the narrators captured the characters well. I’m a Mia fan so I was looking forward to this one, which is definitely different than others I’ve read of hers. I’m not really a dystopian romance girlie but overall I did enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this eARC and 🎧 ARC.

I really enjoyed reading Mia Sheridan books, this one caught my attention because it wasn’t the topical romance story, and I really love that it had a little bit of everything ( romance, suspense, mystery).
However I think it was missing a lot of back story for Emily and Tuck I would’ve love for the story to be focused in their relationship prior the events and what really happened before. Overall it’s a good fast paced read, defined will recommend it to my friends!

Another hit from Mia!!

Heart of the Sun is a modern day setting up until a solar flare hits and sends the world into darkness. In this post-apocalyptic setting, Tuck and Emily are forced together trying to navigate this new, chaotic world. They navigate survival and and learn to priorize what’s really important.

I am a huge Mia fan, so there may be bias here - but I really enjoyed this story! It wasn’t the typical Mia love story, but it was impactful just the same. The storyline was unique, the characters were varied and showed impressive growth, and I was absolutely locked in for the duration of the book.

This is definitely a must read for fans of dystopian romance, high-stakes plot, and Mia lovers!

4.5 stars rounded up
Mia Sheridan’s stories are intense and emotional. There was always something big happening in this book. Lots to keep me on my toes.

The dystopian aspect kept my mind intrigued the entire time. Mia starts the book with a boom and I was hooked. Tuck and Emily’s story is a classic second chance romance…while the world is falling apart around them. I fell hard for Tuck and how amazing of a man he was.

The dual POV was top notch!

Thank you NetGalley!

Wow, this book. It was so unexpected and had so many twists and turns. Is apocalyptic romance a thing? I honestly had no idea, and I am here for it. This was my first Mia Sheridan book and now I cannot wait to read more of her stuff. This was a delightful slow, slow burn that started off as a bodyguard/popstar romance and then became SO MUCH MORE. When popstar Emily, her actor boyfriend, and bodyguard wind up in a plane crash stranded in the wilderness, they must navigate their survival and the unknown world without technology or any communication systems.

I loved this book, y'all. I loved Emily and Tucker. Their dual POVs and differing timelines between the present and their childhood was so fantastic. I stayed up long into the night to finish this one.

Heart of the Sun is the Bodyguard meets Mad Max meets World War Z. I could not love this one more. Thank you, thank you to HTP Books, The Hive, and Netgalley for this e-arc. I cannot wait to read more Mia Sheridan!