This is a dystopian friends to lovers romance.
It definitely starts out slow and really feels more like romance is a subplot.
The beginning felt too slow and the end felt rushed so that felt confusing.
Tuck is straight outta prison and Emily's former childhood friend. Emily's mom convinces her to hire Tuck as a bodyguard since Emily is now a popstar.
Tuck does a fine job until the solar flare where survival takes the story over.
The romance heats up towards the end, but it's just too late.

I do Love Mia Sheridan and think this is worth the read.

DNF. The beginning was good but it just got more and more unrealistic, I could not read it beyond a certain point. Too many things were going on.

This was my first Mia Sheridan book. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this one. I didn’t realize it was going to be an apocalyptic romance. I don’t think I’ve ever read one before. It took about 60% of the way in for me to start liking the story and feel invested enough to continue but once I got to that point, I really wanted to know how it would all come together. That being said, it was less about the romance for me and more just wanting to know how they’d survive.

I listened to this as an audiobook. It was dual narration which I hate. I did not like the male MMC’s voice. If you don’t mind dual narration, you’d be fine. I wished it had been duet style.

Overall, 3.5 stars rounded up for 4.

This is a slow burn romance featuring a dystopian setting.

I am a big Mia Sheridan fan. This book is very different from anything that she’s written.

This book alternates POVs between childhood friends Emily and Tuck. We see them as teens. But the main part of the book is them in their mid-20s.

Most of the story doesn’t feature romance. But instead we see that Emily has become a superstar singer. And Tuck is sent to be her bodyguard. This was quite interesting.

The main premise of the book has to do with a solar flare stopping the world as we know it. This apocalypse/end of the world setting just wasn’t my favorite.

I did like Tuck and Emily together. But I would have liked this to be more of the story vs the survival plot. The couple was great. I definitely wish that the romance aspect had been a bigger focus of the book.

One aspect that I really enjoyed was the portrayal of life after being in prison. I was not expecting this. And it added a lot to the story.

The author has written some incredible romance books. It’s definitely interesting to try something new. However I prefer reading romantic suspense and contemporary romance (I just like those genres so much more).

My favorite part of Heart Of The Sun was the last five chapters and the epilogue. These chapters were really good, they were more romance-centered and I actually found some unexpected elements. So the book did end on a high for me.

Overall, I think that Mia fans will need to read the book. However it will be more for people who enjoy end of the world survival stories with their romance.

This is a unique love story about survival after a solar flare, with a dystopian/sci-fi vibe.

I couldn’t put this one down! I do wish the romance had started earlier, but the main plot completely pulled me in. I really adored Tuck! He was layered, selfless, and fiercely protective.

I wasn’t a fan of Emily at first, but she really grew on me as the story unfolded.

Thanks so much for the early read on this one! This cover is beautiful and so was the description. Just seems like a pretty lighthearted story. I tried to read and would not get into it. But I very much appreciate the ARC!

This book pulled me in right from the start and did not let go. The mix of second-chance romance, a little dystopian chaos, and all the simmering tension between Tuck and Emily? Perfection. It was an easy, exciting read that kept me flipping pages late into the night. And let’s just be honest—Tuck is hottttt. Broody, protective, and totally swoon-worthy. If you’re into stories with rekindled love, survival stakes, and a hero you’ll be crushing on hard, this one’s for you.

Get ready for a post apocalyptic wild ride! Mia Sheridan’s new release Heart of the Sun centers around two childhood friends/enemies Tuck and Emily. Much has changed since they were young and they have reconnected under circumstances that have both of them questioning what they are doing. On top of that an event so catastrophic hits that has changed the world forever.

I love Mia Sheridan’s writing, it’s just enough without being verbose and it sets a scene that makes you feel like you’re there. This also is a multi POV so we are able to get a better understanding of our characters as they are on this very dangerous journey.

Definitely give this one a try, it is quite the adventure!

Thank you to Mia Sheridan, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A beautiful read! I love Mia Sheridan's books and though I was a little hesitant about the story for this one, it was completely unnecessary because it was just as beautiful as the rest of her books. I should have known better!

I absolutely loved the setting and story here. I was able to visualize every, single moment as if I were watching it on film, and the characters really found their way into my heart. The way that Emily and Tuck grew up together, just set the scene perfectly for when the world fell apart. There had been time and distance, not to mention heartache, but I loved getting to see the growth from each of them and the point where they finally reconnected on every level. Though, it had never really disappeared to begin with.

I've seen some reviews mentioning the lack of romance, but I didn't feel that way at all. You know their true feelings from the beginning and you know where it's headed. Yes it's a slow burn and a lot of the focus is on their journey and ya know, surviving, but I loved it! I hated any time that I had to put this book down! Definitely recommend that you pick it up!

This was one wild ride of a book. I have never been so convinced that I was reading about future circumstances that could happen tomorrow. It was seriously scary! Ms. Sheridan's weaving of the big picture story of the disruption of the power grid with the more personal second chance romance plot between Tuck and Emily is just masterful. There was plenty of suspense to go around, both concerning how everyone would survive this kind of disaster, and wondering when Tuck and Emily would finally admit to their attraction and get on with their relationship. I was so engaged with the story that it was actually rather frightening. I am glad I stuck with the story; it was wonderful to see Emily and Tuck find their happy ending even though the world was quite a different place.

Thank you so much for this ARC, unfortunately I did have to DNF it. I have come to the realization that dystopian based books just aren’t my cup of tea. I LOVE Mia Sheridan’s writing, and I really loved the voice she used with her characters….but the setting and plot were just hard to keep me focused. I will try to pick it up again in the future, and will always recommend Mia Sheridan’s books to other people.

This was a very cute romance with a distinct different plot. I liked how I had to keep going in order to find out what happens at the end of this world ending plot.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy of Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan. I was really excited to read this book, but it unfortunately was not what I was expecting. This story begins with Tuck and Emily as young friends. Something lands Tuck in jail for a few years and when he is released Emily, now a famous singer, gives him a job as her bodyguard. While I didn’t really feel any connection to the characters, I had hope since I love the way Mia Sheridan can write her characters. However, the story suddenly took a sharp turn into almost apocalyptic territory, which caught me completely off guard and didn’t click with me. I ended up soft dnf-ing at the 30%ish mark This is my fault since it is labeled as a romance and sci-fi/fantasy.
I’m still undecided if I’ll go back and finish it, but for now, it’s not feeling like my kind of book. If you’re a Mia Sheridan fan like me, I’d still recommend her other books because they hit all the right notes, even if this one didn’t quite land.

The beginning of this book was strong! Childhood friends reunited after one gets out of jail and needs a job and the other is a pop star who coincidentally needs a bodyguard. Tuck was trying to assimilate himself back into society after prison, and Emily is chasing her dreams of being a singer.

As a dystopian survival novel I was hooked, the survival as they slowly hiked across the country to get back to California had me constantly turning the page. As well, as a romance I kept waiting for Tuck and Emily to discuss their relationship more as i wanted to see growth between. The romance felt very very slow burn and almost stood out as unnecessary in the world that was built. I also wasn't the biggest fan of Emily, her attitude and judgement of Tuck was hard to put up with as long as it continued. I did start to really enjoy them together as a couple the longer I listened.

I did enjoy what the author attempted to do here but unfortunately I just didn't enjoy the blend of the two, I wish I could have just read Tuck and Emily's story as a popstar + bodyguard romance (as I enjoyed that dynamic), or separately read a dystopian fiction novel about the power grid being completely knocked out. But the combo of the two just didn't really blend or work as well for me.

Mia Sheridan delivers yet another emotionally gripping and thought-provoking story, but this time, she ventures into dystopian territory—and does it with remarkable realism and heart. Heart of the Sun is unlike anything I’ve read before. The premise is terrifying in its plausibility, yet Sheridan grounds it in humanity and hope, making the journey feel both urgent and intimate.

Emily is a pop star, glamorous and adored, while Tuck is freshly out of prison, trying to rebuild his life. When Emily’s mother suggests hiring Tuck as her bodyguard to help him reintegrate, both are hesitant. Old wounds and lingering tension resurface—Emily, still caught in the emotional echoes of their youth, and Tuck, quietly ashamed yet determined to move forward.

Their dynamic shifts dramatically when the two—alongside Emily’s celebrity boyfriend—survive a plane crash. From there, the novel becomes a survival story, but more importantly, a story of rediscovery and redemption. As they navigate a world suddenly thrown into chaos, stripped of fame and status, Emily and Tuck are forced to confront who they truly are and what they mean to each other.

Tuck’s quiet strength and level-headed heroism shine, while Emily slowly unravels the emptiness of the life she thought she wanted. Their connection, forged in shared history and rekindled through hardship, is beautifully developed. Sheridan doesn’t rush their romance—it unfolds with tenderness, respect, and emotional authenticity.

Admittedly, the middle of the book dragged a bit as the survival encounters began to feel repetitive. Around the 70% mark, I was ready for the journey to progress toward resolution. Still, the emotional core of the story kept me invested, and Sheridan’s character work carried it through.

Though dystopian fiction isn’t usually my genre of choice, Heart of the Sun felt grounded and plausible enough that I didn’t have to suspend disbelief. The themes of resilience, forgiveness, and self-discovery resonated deeply, and the narration brought the characters vividly to life.

While it may not be Sheridan’s most unforgettable novel, Heart of the Sun is a powerful, hopeful story of two people finding their way back—to each other, and to themselves.

I enjoyed reading this book! Thank you so much publisher and netgalley for this ARC. This book is a mix of a dystopian novel and also second chance romance. I read both the audiobook and the arc copy and both were very enjoyable! The characters never fell flat and there was always something going on in the story so it never got boring. I will definitely be recommending this book to people.

✨ A Post-Apocalyptic Romance Full of Heart, Heat, and High Stakes ✨

This was such a fun and thrilling read! I loved how it kept me anticipating what would happen next. I was on the edge of my seat as I waited for Emily and Tuck to uncover the truth behind their plane crash and the eerie emptiness of the city. With no cars, no electricity, and the sky turning strange colors. Ughhh! I just looooove post-apocalyptic adventures!

At the core of this gripping journey is Emily Swanson, a rising singer who performs as Nova. When she unexpectedly reunites with her childhood crush Tuck Mattice after years of no contact, her entire world turns upside down. But wait, this isn’t just a simple romance, there are so many hurdles they have to overcome, both physical and emotional, as they face a rollercoaster of challenges together.

Heart of the Sun is a mix of breathtaking action, sizzling chemistry, gritty romance, trauma, healing, heroic love, betrayals, and raw truths. It reveals both the ugliness and the beauty of humanity. How desperation can bring out the worst in people, but also how some still choose kindness, trust, and love in the face of chaos. Mia Sheridan had my heart racing so much it felt like I’d downed multiple cups of coffee. This is my first read from her, and definitely not the last. I can’t wait to dive into Archer’s Voice next!

If you love dystopia, post-apocalyptic settings, intense emotion, and character-driven romance, I highly recommend this book.

A huge thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Canary Street Press for the opportunity to read this amazing love story and thrilling adventure with Tuck and Emily.

✨WHAT I LIKED:
📌 Tuck finally taking the risk to revisit his past
📌 Tuck and all his endless knowledge (Man, this guy is just lovable!)
📌 Tuck being the perfect Superman—rescuing everyone!
📌 Emily finally seeing the true colors of the people around her
📌 Emily’s mother never giving up on Tuck
📌 People who still go above and beyond to help others
📌 Humanity is still alive and kicking!

✨TROPES:
📌 Friends to Lovers
📌 Slow – Burn Romance
📌 Famous Singer x Ex-Convict
📌 Post-Apocalyptic Romance
📌 Second Chance
📌 Forced Proximity
📌 Protective Hero
📌 Survival Against All Odds
📌 Trauma & Healing
📌 Found Family
📌 Hope in the Darkness
📌 A Subtle Hint of Spice

3.75 This book was not what I was expecting but I still really enjoyed it. I am guilty of hearing about this author and looking at the cover and requesting this and I was not expecting what was coming. This book is a dystopian story about the power grids going out. We follow Emily and Tucker as they try to make it home after surviving a plane crash. There was very little romance in this book until the last quarter and by that time I just wanted to know what happened and was not really invested in their romance by then. The characters were great and the story was compulsive as I just wanted to know what happened next but I just didn’t care if these characters were friends or lovers. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

This was so much more than a romance book. We follow Emily and Tuck as they move through the country in search of safety, healing, second chances, and survival. This book shows the growth of the characters in a situation where they have no choice but to trust in each other and themselves. The story has some dystopian/apocalyptuc vibes, romance, murder, forgiveness, and survival.
Beautifully written!

I absolutely loved this book! I can’t wait to dive into more of her books. I loved the storyline and the characters were just perfect. Thank you for allowing me to read this early 🖤