This book fell flat for me. It was a lot more dystopian rather than romance and it just felt boring to me. There were a few places where it was exciting but it was a lot of inner monologue of Emily and tuck explaining how they missed how things used to be, missed each other, etc.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy!!

Review will be published on Fable and instagram on 529/25

I was very excited & intrigued when starting this book. I did enjoy it but it lacked plot. The premise was great, I just expected more. What kept me going was the fact that was dystopian. I also enjoyed the characters minus Emily’s boyfriend in the middle of the book 😭 Thank you Netgalley & The hive for this arc !

I would rate this one more 3.5 stars. This was a dystopian romance book. We meet Emily and Tuck and see how they’ve known each other from early on. Neighbors to crushing on one another. Tragedy happened, and they basically go their separate ways where they are reunited later on. Out of prison and the world is what it is, Tuck is trying to protect Emily navigating through the new world. This was an interesting read unlike anything I’ve read before especially by this author. This was a good mix of enemies to lovers, slow burn romance, second chance romance and dystopian all rolled into one.

I received this ARC through the publisher and I am voluntarily reviewing this book, opinions are my own.

I really liked the dynamic of this book at the start, the boyfriend falsely accusing Tuck of the drugs being his and then the three of them having to survive together was so tense, and I couldn't put it down. As soon as Emily finally realizes, this book really lost my interest. I wish that big reveal had happened closer to the end of the story

When I got this book, I wasn’t sure I really wanted to read it. See I’m a good ole romance reader, always have been. But sometimes I force myself to step out of my comfort zone. I did read it and I do not regret it at all.
Tuck and Emily’s adventure captivated from start to finish, including the incredible epilogue.

It has a super intriguing premise but the romance felt so disjointed, the plot pacing was inconsistent (slow for the majority of it and then way too fast towards the end), & the ending was a little underwhelming. It was lacking a little something. The whole story felt 2 dimensional.

Maybe this would be better as a movie or show. I actually got some “the walking dead” vibes from this (minus the zombies) with the whole end of the world element to this story. The parts which described how people were affected by the solar flare & collapse of society affected me most, because it felt like it could be real. Some scenes were borderline horror/thriller, and of course that got a reaction out of me. But I was bored with the majority of the book.

I still love Mia and will continue reading her backlist and taking a chance on her new releases, but this one wasn’t it.

I absolutely loved this book. I love the concept of an apocalyptic type event. But in a way that can be rebuilt. But what I like more was how Tuck and Emily had found love and family in a time of pure disaster.
It gave the right amount of romance to action.
I will read everything Mia Sheridan writes.

I really enjoyed Tuck and Emily's story of second chances and survival!! I have recently gotten into apocalypse/dystopin stories and this was another nice addition to the group. It was entertaining and exciting. I wasn't thrilled about the love triangle aspect but I tried to not let it get to me too much. Especially because I didn't feel much chemistry between Emily and Charlie.

Emily was a hard character to like. She had a naturally bristlely personality. It made it a little hard to connect with her as much as I wanted to. She did have a good heart and her intentions we well meaning even if she went about it in a prickly way.

I loved Tuck! He was such a pure hearted person and tried so hard to right the wrongs of his past. I liked how much he learned and accepted along this journey. If I was in that situation I would want Tuck by my side!

I really enjoyed all the action and tension. The writing was very well done and so descriptive. I could totally picture their journey across the US. The suspense kept me glued to the pages as it was exciting and nail biting at times. The romance could have been a little stronger as I felt it sometimes took a backseat to the end of the world aspect. Overall though I really enjoyed it and would recommend it!!

“Heart of the Sun” by Mia Sheridan is an emotional, fast-paced journey through a world turned upside down. I’m not usually drawn to romance, but the dystopian twist pulled me in—and I’m glad it did.

When a massive solar flare plunges the world into darkness, pop star Emily and ex-con Tuck find themselves reunited and thrown into survival mode. Their second-chance relationship unfolds against a backdrop of chaos, danger, and personal growth. I especially enjoyed watching Emily evolve from a fame-focused celebrity to a capable survivor, and Tuck’s quiet strength and search for redemption really anchored the story.
The pacing kept me engaged, and the post-apocalyptic setting felt vivid and unsettling. The suspense, betrayals, and unexpected moments of kindness all worked together to highlight how people respond when stripped of comfort and control.

That said, there were a few inconsistencies and plot holes that required me to suspend disbelief more than I’d like. Some moments didn’t quite add up, and the ending could’ve used a bit more impact. Still, the emotional journey of the characters and their evolving bond made up for it.

If you're into character-driven stories with a blend of action, romance, and survival in a world on the edge, “Heart of the Sun” is a worthwhile read. A powerful exploration of love, trust, and finding strength in the darkest of times.

Is it an accidental plane crash that Tuck Mattice and Emily Swanson miraculously survived? Or was there more to it? Tuck, Emily, and her boyfriend Charlie managed to escape the crash and are determined to walk as far as necessary to find help. Despite their history together, Emily and Tuck’s history together clearly prove that Charlie is a liability. But they press on.

Survival becomes paramount for the trio, especially when it seems that every mile they take leads them nowhere. As they grapple with the aftermath of the crash, they gradually comprehend the magnitude of the situation and their uncertain futures.

From the very beginning, I was captivated by this story. The sense of urgency was palpable, and the narrators delivered fantastic performances. Another intriguing aspect of the narrative was the alternating points of view between Emily and Tuck. It was fascinating to witness the profound impact of the sudden changes on their lives.

Although dystopian novels aren’t my preferred genre, I occasionally find myself drawn to them based on their intriguing descriptions. In this case, a world plunged into darkness, offering little hope of finding their homes, captivated me. Meanwhile, Emily and Tuck are forced to confront their past and reconcile it with the present, all while being accompanied by Charlie. This thrilling story boasts excellent character development and an intriguing plot. I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to Canary Street Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I was very excited to receive this e-ARC as I absolutely loved archer’s voice. Unfortunately, i had a really hard time connecting with the characters because I found them unbearable. Usually, I love a childhood friends to lovers, second chance romance but the chemistry between the two main characters was lacking. I had to DNF this one but I am grateful to Harlequin Trade Publishing and appreciate the opportunity to receive an advance readers copy. This one just wasn’t for me.

3.5-3.75 ⭐

Tropes:
💖rockstar x bodyguard
👩🏻‍🎤second chance
💖dystopian romance
👩🏻‍🎤childhood best friends
💖the last of us-coded
👩🏻‍🎤slow burn

Emily and Tucker were childhood best friends that ended up growing apart. Back from a stint in prison, thirteen years later, Tuck gets hired as Emily's security guard as she rockets into fame as a singer. After a solar flare hits the electrical grid in the United States, Emily and Tuck start on their journey west back to their families and friends.

The first thing i always say about this book is that there's a lot of walking. like A LOT. granted they are going from the midwest back to the west coast, so it makes sense that there's a lot of walking, but oof, this book could have been shorter if there was just some less walking scenes lmao.

i feel like mia books are really hit or miss for me. this one was on the cusp, but i think fell more in the miss than hit. I got to see Mia on a book stop tour recently and she talked about how it was interesting to write a character that so many people seemed to hate in the beginning and was a complete brat but had a redemption arc, speaking specifically about Emily. And OMG is Emily such a brat. I did not love her as a fmc, but her growth by the end of book did redeem her a little imo. But Tuck was just way too good for her throughout the whole story. i want a tuck if the apocalypse hits lol.

The plot was interesting, albeit slow. I feel like everything happened within the last 150 pages and wish there was more that was spread throughout the story. But if you liked the last of us, i think you should read this book! i have never watched the tv show, but i think there's some overlap? lol

Thank you to Mia, HTP, Canary Street Press, and netgalley for the eARC! I loved meeting you the other week and being the literal only person in the audience that could gush about the book with you :)

I always enjoy reading Mia Sheridan books because they’re so heartfelt and gut wrenching. All the feels reading her books. And this was no exception

This book took longer for me to get around to reading, and I could have ended up not finishing. I will start off by saying it was an honor to have been given an ARC, especially because I've enjoyed a few of the author's previous books, and I was looking forward to her newest release. For me, the pacing felt a bit off, and I couldn't completely grasp the world this book was set in, which is honestly fully on me and my lack of imagination. I usually don't gravitate towards dystopian books, and this book solidified my opinion that maybe dystopian is just not for me.

Once again, huge thank you for allowing me to receive and ARC and maybe in the future I will come back and give this book another shot because I really think that at the moment it's not for me but I love the author!!!

Emily and Tuck were once childhood friends, their properties side by side and their parents' friends with a dream for their community. Life doesn't happen the way these two imagined as children though and several years go by before they meet again. Tuck is looking for a second chance at life, Emily is looking for a bodyguard, they couldn't be at more different places, but their needs align. The two hold harsh judgements against each other, but a solar flare finds them relying on one another in desperation. As the realities of their situation sinks in, the two find that the chemistry that once burned between them is still there, burning just as the world is.

I had the absolute pleasure of getting to listen and flip the pages at the same time, which found me totally immersed in Heart of the Sun. It was novel I usually wouldn't have picked up, but as a longtime obsessive fan of Mia Sheridan I am so glad I did. I'm a huge fan of romantic suspense and major angst, but wasn't sure I'd be into a more modern dystopian romance. Sheridan proved me wrong though, as I fell in love with this second chance high stakes romance.

Emily and Tuck are both relatable, while being totally unrelatable. Their childhoods so idyllic and their adult lives so different, but a catastrophe brings them together in a way that only a crisis can. They've both been hiding themselves for so long, but as they band together to survive, to get home, their true selves come forth. I love a good second chance romance, especially one where the characters have a bit of enemy drama. The storyline was so different for me that I couldn't predict what was going to happen next, which found me flipping the pages as quickly as I could to know if these two would ever admit they carried feelings still. This wasn't just a pop star and her bodyguard romance, this is a book of survival, with excellent detail into the new dystopian they are dropped into and a complex study of two characters discovering themselves again.

The narration was excellent, I was totally thrilled there were two narrators and their voices became one with the words on the pages for me. Truly popped off the page like I was watching a show. I read in 1.5x speed and it never got roboticy.

It is extremely difficult to not automatically 5 star a Mia Sheridan story because I truly absolutely adore everything I've read from her previously whether romance or thriller. Heart of the Sun just didn't grab me and perhaps it was the dystopian aspect of the story. Was it a romance? Not especially although I do consider it to be about love and family. I think the fear of this truly happening and trying to wrap my head around it all took me out of the story. Was it well written? Absolutely! But it fell just a bit flat for me and I don't like saying that. People who like dystopian stories will enjoy it though.

I went into this book thinking that I would love it. Honestly it was okay but not my favorite for sure. I listened to this and switched between the audio and kindle version. I felt wanting for more. The story starts with Tuck showing up to his old family farms needing a job. Emily’s mom thinks this is the perfect opportunity for Tuck to work as security for Emily, an up and coming singer. Next thing we know, there’s a plane crash. Everything was decent until this happened. I genuinely could not stand Emily. I felt stuck did everything from then on out. But other than those few things the books was good!

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Audio, Canary Street Press, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Mia Sheridan for copies of the arc and alc!

I love Mia Sheridan but this one was just not for me. I got through most of the book at one point I was just dragging my feet to really finish and found my self skimming through the last bit of it. It’s supposed to be a bit of a dystopian romance but the romance was barely sprinkled in it. It was slow and at times really had me contemplating just DNF’ing altogether.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy !

To begin, I must say that book is vastly different from any other works I have read by this author, and what an extraordinary journey it was!

From the very first, this book captivated me, and I immediately knew I would enjoy it. The characters of Emily and Tuck were both well done and likable, as was the setting of the story. The author demonstrated expertise sending the reader headfirst into the narrative, leaving us breathless and eagerly anticipating the next development.

Overall, this book maintained my interest throughout with its compelling plot development, gripping climax, and intense scenarios. I have already started recommending it to my friends!

Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

A solar flare destroys the electric grid causing chaos. Childhood friends Emily and Tuck must find their way back home through it all, while navigating reawakened past feelings of friendship and more.

There really isn't anything new in this story from a plot perspective. There's the typical disaster scenario amplified. It was quite eye-opening to understand the devastation that could occur in such a situation. As for the hero and heroine, they also follow a typical good-girl-bad-boy type of romance, with Tuck an ex-con and Emily an accomplished entertainer. I thought Charlie, Emily's boyfriend kept things interesting at the start.

I did enjoy the first part of this book more than then ending which is unusual. Things got repetitive at the end, but there is a very satisfying HEA that iced the cake of this romance. Overall, 4 stars.