This one is a tough one for me. I enjoy Mia Sheridan's books tremendously, however, this one just wasn't for me as much as I wanted it to be. I think it has more to do with me and my fear of situations happening like/similar to the events that take place in Heart of the Sun. As always, her writing and character development are top notch!

This was a really interesting take on a post apocalyptic vibe romance. I loved that he swoops in with skills the rest of the people seem to have forgotten in their comfort. And it doesn't hurt that he's taking care of her either.

I absolutely love Mia Sheridans writing and I always have a great time with all her books! I have to say this I a bit different from her others. I really enjoy childhood friendships that turn into a lovers relationship. Tuck & Emily definitely went on an adventure and I loved the ride. The whole solar flare was just as intriguing than the love story!

I would absolutely recommend this book !

Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Trade publishing for the ARC!

thank u so much netgalley & HarperCollins for this arc!!

i have SUCH mixed feelings … but after sitting on for a day it i decided i did really enjoy this .. if i try to write a review it’s just going to sound like gibberish so this review is gonna be via a pros cons list 🤣

cons:
*the “love triangle” at the beginning of this was so pointless & felt so out of place considering everything else that was happening throughout the book

*i feel like the romance aspect of this book was a little off?? it would’ve been a good subplot but you could tell it was trying to be forced as the main plot & it didn’t really work.. also it’s childhood friends to lovers but we got basically no background so it didn’t really pack a punch emotionally

*i did not like the female main character (emily)for like 70% of this

pros:
*tuck <3

*i LOVED the dystopian elements & the suspense parts!! mia’s writing is so good & i was STRESSED out for the majority of this book.. & when i say stressed i do mean stressed .. like my anxiety was actually getting bad & i had to take several breaks which is why this took me longer to read

*slowwww burn (i only like romances if they’re slow burn)

*the ending was so unrealistic but what can i say i loved it

overall i gave it 4💫 which feels generous but it was entertaining at the end of the day .. also i now have anxiety about solar flares so add it to the list! (but seriously if you also have anxiety about apocalyptic events be careful reading this
bc it was honestly overwhelming at parts 😭)

Mia Sheridan masterfully weaves together romance, suspense, and commentary in a beautifully-written novel. Throughout the entirety of Heart of the Sun, I experienced a myriad of emotions. I swooned over the second-chance romance between Emily and Tuck, I gasped over each dark twist and turn as they navigated the darkness, and I examined the state of modern society as they encountered the best and worst of humanity when consequences no longer existed. While some writers may have struggled to write a novel blending romance with such a dark and heavy storyline, Sheridan consistently struck a perfect balance between the two. The romance never outweighed the new reality of the world and, conversely, the state of the world never fully obliterated the need for hope, connection, and love.

I appreciated the time Sheridan spent developing Tuck and Emily's backstories, providing necessary context for their friendship and subsequent falling out. While the backstory did add length to an already longer book, I feel that their story would have contained less depth and meaning without it. I truly believe that this story could be expanded into a series by providing the stories of other people during the same catastrophe - and you better believe I would read each one. SUCH a well-written book - I will revisit this one again and I know it will stay with me for a long time.

The range of intense emotions I felt while reading this makes it such a five star read for me! The fmc is amazing too

ARC review. 3 Stars! I have read and enjoyed Mia Sheridan works in the past. This feels different from her previous works being more fiction opposed to romance. I went in expecting a romance, and instead got a fiction story of survival. I really enjoyed Tuck’s character and character depth. I found myself annoyed with Em’s character at times due to her inconsistent feelings. I think as a fiction story of survival with some romance, this story delivers. I believe readers going into this with expectations of swoon worthy romance will be left disappointed.

First arc of the year!! 😜

I really enjoyed this book, and even though it was vastly different from the other books by Mia I have read, I thought the storyline was executed perfectly.

Emily and Tuck are both great characters and narrators. I think that having their dual pov really helped this book take shape and see their thoughts. I also was really happy to have a lot from Tuck's pov since he seems to be a "mystery" to Emily.

Amazing work as always Mia!! Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the arc!

Thanks to NetGalley I received an advanced electronic copy of the book to read and provide a review.

This was an okay read. It was entertaining enough to want to finish but not emotionally compelling.

Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan completely captured my heart from start to finish. The way Sheridan writes her characters is so real and relatable, making it impossible not to get emotionally invested in their journeys. I found myself rooting for the protagonist through every twist and turn, feeling their pain and celebrating their triumphs. What really stood out to me was the powerful themes of love, forgiveness, and healing. The story beautifully explores the idea that everyone deserves a second chance, and it's never too late to find redemption. Sheridan's lyrical writing style is simply stunning, painting vivid images and evoking deep emotions with every page. I couldn't put this book down and was left thinking about it long after I finished. If you enjoy stories that tug at your heartstrings and make you reflect on life's bigger questions, "Heart of the Sun" is a must-read. It's one of those books that stays with you and reminds you of the enduring power of love and resilience.

Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan is a beautifully written, emotional journey that blends romance with profound themes of healing and self-discovery. The story follows two people with difficult pasts who find solace and transformation in each other’s love. The romance is slow-burn and heartfelt, with a perfect balance of tension and tenderness.

Sheridan’s writing is evocative, creating a vivid setting that mirrors the characters’ emotional growth. The pacing is ideal, allowing for deep, genuine connections to develop between the characters while exploring themes of trauma and forgiveness.

If you’re a fan of heartfelt, character-driven romances, *Heart of the Sun* is a must-read. It’s a moving and powerful story that will stay with you long after the last page. Highly recommended!

This was a really interesting read that blended contemporary romance with a sci-fi setting. It also created an interesting narrative on our societal dependence.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this Advance Readers Copy ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Heart of the Sun follows the tumultuous journey of Emily and Tuck, from childhood friends to estranged enemies, and eventually back to lovers in a world where second chances are rare. The dual POVs offer insight into their past and present, highlighting how tragedy can both drive people apart and bring them back together in times of crisis. While Emily’s character growth is commendable, her early selfishness can be frustrating, especially as she doesn't fully acknowledge Tuck’s pain.

The backstory adds depth, but I wished there was more closure for side characters like Charlie, who felt a bit overlooked. Despite my high expectations for another novel from a beloved author, this one didn’t quite live up to them. The concept of a pop star and her bodyguard in an apocalyptic setting seemed promising, but the pacing was uneven, and I struggled to connect with the characters. While the writing was solid, the plot didn’t provide the excitement I was hoping for, leaving me feeling a bit disappointed.

Well it was something unexpected, I’m not a big fan of dystopian story, I get very bored or feel like it’s just a long freaking story for not much. But here it was insane I mean wtf did I just read !!! What appeal to me first was the friends to lovers and obviously I know Mia books and was excited for that one. Was sure about the dystopian thing but give it a go. Damn it was so good the childhood friends that reconnect because they have to survive together. What an emotional rollercoaster it was.

Emily and Tuck were childhood friends, but due to life circumstances have been separated for thirteen years. They have taken two different paths. Emily is now a pop sensation and she ends up hiring Tuck as her bodyguard. Tuck has had a rough thirteen years and needs this fresh start. After a solar flare knocks out the power grid and throws the world into panic. Tuck and Emily stick together to get through this time, protecting each other.

This book is the type you read when you want to have a quick, fun time. It’s not a literary masterpiece, but it’s very entertaining. Sometimes, you need a book to scratch that itch. It has everything from dystopian to a sweet second-chance romance. Mia Sheridan is a great writer and paces the book to flow nicely.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Canary Street Press for a DRC of this book. The opinion in this review is my own.

First time reading this author and I'll definitely be picking up more of her work, a great pacy plot driven second chance romance, thought the blend of dystopian, romance and suspense was unique in this genre, fantastic!

This doomsday contemporary story was full of life-altering decisions. The dual-narrator perspective showed the development of Emily and Tuck's relationship as he tries to get them home to safety after a national power outage. With so little certainty and no communication with the outside world, Emily and her actor boyfriend Charlie have to trust their lives in the hands of Tuck, Emily's childhood best friend who is recently out of prison. With time, Emily's heart warms back up to the young man she once loved. Meanwhile Tuck struggles to reconcile his past wrongdoings with his future aspirations.
A sweet second-chance romance with a post-apocolyptic vibe, this story kept me interested from cover to cover.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing and Canary Street Press for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Heart of the Sun combined some of my favorite fiction scenarios, apocalyptic type circumstances with a romance that kept things from being all gloom and gave the necessary hope to this story. Set in the United States, a solar flare has wrought disaster and caused the electrical grid to completely fail. Our main characters, Tuck and Emily, are in a bad situation having survived a plane crash (with Emily’s movie star boyfriend) somewhere in Illinois and needing to journey across the US to Emily and Tuck’s home in California. Prior to the incident we learn about Emily’s pre-disaster vocation as a famous singer and her upbringing with Tuck, a reformed felon who she offers a job as a bodyguard in her entourage. Post disaster we see both Tuck and Emily’s perception of each other dispelled (wasn’t great to start) and how they come together to survive. The story also spends a great deal of time diving into the scenarios of what would happen to society and the goodness and badness of people that would emerge during survival. This gave Heart of the Sun a degree of believability and gritty adventure that kept the story from being too much of any one thing that might get to hard for a reader to really engage with given the circumstances.

It may not be for everyone, it can get depressing as one can assume, but I found the love story enough from spiraling too far into the disaster scenario and loved the balance overall.

A beautifully written book I love this Mia Sheridan is becoming one of my favorites. If you haven’t got a chance to read it, please do.

I enjoyed the way this was a second-chance romance novel, it had that feel that I was looking for and enjoyed how realistic it was. I was engaged with what was happening and thought the overall story was really well done. I enjoyed the way the characters were written and was glad I got to read this. Mia Sheridan has a strong writing style and am excited to read more.