This starts out as a possible second chance romance between childhood friends Emily and Tuck. Now, as adults, Tuck is fresh out of prison and needs a job. Emily's mother offers his bodyguard services to Emily AKA popstar Nova.

Then, it turns into a dystopian survival book? I wanted to root for Tuck and Emily as a couple, but for a majority of the book she has a boyfriend. Plus, the survival aspect was more of a focus than the romance. I didn't feel their chemistry or attraction to each other.

Overall, it was just an okay read for me.

Thank you to Canary Street Press and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4/5 stars
2/5 peppers

I recently read Mia Sheridan for the first time this year and I was so happy that I was able to get an early copy thanks to Netgalley and Canary Street Press.

I haven't read many romance dystopian books. This was a first for me in a long while.

I kept wanting to turn the page and keep reading. Every page was a shock and twisted and turned. This was beautiful, heart wrenching and yet so delicious.

If you love:
-second chances
-enemies to lovers
- slow burn
- he's her bodyguard
- Dystopian romance

I loved this book and it's one for the bookshelf full of trophies.

Unfortunately this was a miss for me. I love Mia Sheridan's writing and i love second chance romance but i felt that the characters lacked any real chemistry. I really had to struggle to get to the end.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for the eARC!
I absolutely loved this. It was so good. The post apocalyptic type theme was amazing, and I loved reading it. I fell in love with Tuck pretty quickly, and loved him and Emily together.
It was a bit slow to start, but once it picked up, it was amazing and I couldn’t put it down. I loved the survival/dystopian aspect of the book, it was very unexpected.
Tuck and Emily had such good chemistry, and such a long history together, so I adored them together and watching their romance unfold. The way he protected her no matter what was really sweet.
Overall, I loved all aspects of the book, and wish that it didn’t have to end.

This book was a wild ride! I thought the dystopian theme was something that really differentiated this book from Mia Sheridan's other novels as well as your standard "contemporary" romances. I honestly think I would have enjoyed this book more if I wasn't constantly considering if I would survive each situation that they were put into! It definitely was a more stressful read than I was anticipating but it kept me reaching for my kindle to read more and to see what happens. I thought the childhood friends to lovers trope was also done very well but did feel slightly rushed in the epilogue. Overall, it was a good read and I would recommend if you are into dystopian romances! Thank you to Harlequin Trade for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

This might be one of the funniest reads I’ve had so far this year. This was so much different than Archer’s voice. The dystopian vibes was already entertaining to read, but then you add in the trope of superstar/bodyguard with an added layer of survival instincts trope. I loved every second of it and loved how unique the characters, tropes, plot was different. You don’t even know and understand the twists or turns of this book!!!

Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that is being released on May 20th called, Heart of the Sun. This story had my attention from the beginning and kept it until the very last page. It was about Emily and Tuck, childhood friends who grew apart as they got older and their lives went different directions. Now she is a famous singer and he's an ex con looking for a job, so Emily hires Tuck as her bodyguard. Then a solar flare takes out the power grid and ends the world as everyone knows it. All of a sudden there's fires, no electricity, cars abandoned everywhere. There are looters, thieves and hoarders around every turn. The only items of value are water, food and weapons. And now Tuck's past mistakes and Emily's celebrity status doesn't matter anymore, everything has changed, but one thing still remains the same: Tuck will keep Emily safe. But Emily and Tuck have to get past their bickering and learn to lean on each other to face and survive the hardest life or death challenge of their lives together: trying to get home to their families. This was such a gripping, powerful story. Mia is one of my favorite authors for a reason, and this story definitely didn't disappoint! I became so immersed in this world Mia created, I had such a hard time putting this down! I was picking it up and reading it every spare moment I could, I couldn't read it fast enough! These characters were so well written, they had depth and growth throughout the story, and they were so strong, resilient and fearless. I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end with this book, I absolutely loved it! 💛📚

Thank you so much to Mia Sheridan and to the publisher for this ARC of Heart of the Sun, in exchange for an honest review.

Definitely different than any book I’ve ever read in a good way! I had no idea at the beginning of this book how many twists and turns it would end up taking. Love Emily and Tuck but did not necessarily feel like the book made me need them to be together.

I don’t know what I was expecting this book to be (because I don’t read blurbs or reviews in advance of reading), but I did not expect a dystopian, second chance, slowburn romance. I am NOT disappointed. This was fantastic! I could not get enough.

Thank you Net Galley for a ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was my first Dystopian fiction book and I must say it wasn’t a bad read at all. At first I couldn’t stand the FMC but she had some major character development, making me
Really like her in the end. The overall story was great, the journey they went on was tough but beautiful. I wish I got a little more romance because they loved each other so much. Definitely recommend!

Heart of the Sun was such a great read. I already love dystopian fiction, so the post-solar-flare setting pulled me in right away, but what really hooked me was the slow burn romance between Emily and Tuck. The second-chance, childhood-friends dynamic gave the story a lot of heart, and I liked how their relationship developed slowly and realistically—especially with everything falling apart around them.
The popstar/bodyguard setup felt fun without being too over the top, and the survival element added just enough grit and tension to keep me turning the pages. Tuck's character was a standout for me—flawed but solid, and easy to root for.
Definitely recommend if you're into emotional romance with a touch of chaos and grit.

*I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

Such a random combo of tropes. This isn't my favorite Mia Sheridan book, but it's still good!

- Childhood friends
- Forced proximity
- Singer/ body guard
- Dystopian
- One bed
- Suspense

Rating:
3.5⭐️; I liked it
2🌶️; Open door scenes

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Book is out 5/20/25.

I had really high hopes for this book after hearing a snippet of the audiobook it pulled me in right away. I did immersive reading, listening and reading at the same time, and initially, I was hooked. The beginning set the stage beautifully, and I was genuinely excited to dive in.

But once the FMC was introduced, things started to unravel for me. I just couldn’t connect with her, and honestly, I felt like the MMC deserved someone better. Despite that, I stayed invested… until the dystopian twist hit. That’s where it completely lost me.

What started as a promising story became a confusing mix of too many plotlines, a slow burn romance that felt more forced than natural, and a tone that just didn’t land. It felt like the book was trying too hard to be unique or meaningful, but it ended up feeling flat. I was disappointed, especially after such a strong start.

This was so good. I loved the plot and characters. It was paced perfectly. I didn't wanna put it down and was on the edge of my seat. Mia Sheridans book always hit me in the feels

Heart of the Sun was my first book by Mia Sheridan and it absolutely won’t be my last. This is more than just a love story—it’s a gripping, apocalyptic journey of survival, hope, redemption, and second chances. The romance is deeply heartfelt, but it’s the raw, emotional arcs of the characters that truly shine. Sheridan beautifully explores themes of healing and overcoming darkness, crafting a story that stays with you long after the final page. My only wish was for an epilogue that offered a glimpse into the state of the country—and maybe even the world—five or ten years later.

3.75 Stars

I am new to Mia Sheridan’s work and from what I have gathered, this is a step outside the norm from what readers usually find.

Emily and Tuck grew up together on neighboring farms in California. After Tuck’s mother passed away when he was a teen, his father made the decision to sell the farm. Upset with this decision, Tuck goes to live with his uncle in Los Angles and through a series of bad choices, ends up in prison. Flash forward 6 years, Tuck is out and trying to figure out what is next. In a last-ditch effort, he reaches out to his mother’s best friend and previous neighbor to help him find a job. It just so happens Emily is now a pop star about to go on tour and needs a bodyguard. During a flight to NYC, there is an electronic magnetic pulse (EMP) which knocks out electrical systems and causes them to crash land in Illinois. Tuck, Emily, and Emily’s boyfriend action movie superstar Charlie, must find their way back to California.

This story is narrated through the perspectives of Emily and Tuck, alternating between their experiences as teenagers and adults. It explains both their journey to their current situation and the challenges they are currently facing. Both MCs are problematic in their own ways. Emily is unlikeable and comes across as being disconnected from her farming roots, hauling designer luggage with her instead of focusing on her own survival. She quickly judges Tuck and his past, assuming the worst when his integrity is questioned.

Tuck is a bit of know it all throughout the book and it seems that his character’s bookworm ways as a teen equate to having a variety of experience to draw on in all types of situations. Some aspects may seem unclear due to his six-year imprisonment and limited real-world experiences during that time. He did seem to be caring, which led them to some bad situations.

I was so thankful when Tuck and Emily parted ways with Charlie. He was by far the most annoying character in this book. I did find it strange that there was no mention of what happened to him after he left them, which just emphasizes how little influence he had on the overall story.

The circumstances described in this book were dramatic but really got me thinking about the impact of an event like this and how I would respond. The reading was challenging due to the portrayal of individuals' responses to the situation, particularly regarding the scarcity of resources and the hoarding of food and water. It was unsettling and went on for so long. Overall this story would have been more powerful if it were shorter with a little more resolution. The ending was rushed and lacked closure for some characters important to Emily and Tuck. Leaving it without mention of what happened after they parted ways was as disconcerting as the thought of an EMP knocking out the electrical grid. This was not what I was expecting in a bodyguard romance I thought I was going to be reading.

I would be curious to read other books by this author to get a sense of voice and storytelling outside a catastrophic event.

Thank you to Mia Sheridan, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this eBook.

5/5 ⭐️’s

Where to begin…I went into this book blind and was completely thrown. End of the world stuff does scare me, but also I keeps me hooked. I loved the 2nd chance romance with Emily and Tuck. I did not want want to put this book down!


Thank you NetGalley!

This is not a love story as advertised. I am not a fan of end of world . Dnfd there is nothing else to say so just writing random stuff at the moment to get the review posted

I definitely applaud any author who ventures out of their usual and with Heart of the Sun, Mia Sheridan clearly did just that. This story of survival when the grid is blown apart by what is believed to be a solar flare, starts the incredible journey of an unlikely trio that is both parts daunting and unreal. With Tuck and Emily former childhood friends, the addition of Emily's boyfriend Charlie adds a unique dynamic as their plane crashes in Illinois and they are forced to try and walk back to California. Their trek is laden with bouts of hunger, thirst and desperation. But it's Tuck, the reluctant hero, who shines throughout this book as the ultimate survivalist, his common sense and experience with doing without guiding their way.

The story is a good one and definitely made me think about the possibility of this happening within my lifetime and how hard it truly would be to survive. Sheridan portrays the human spirit well, juxtaposed against the ugly side of humanity and what people will resort to just to live another day. The trio meets the very best people along the way but also finds how desperation can change a person almost overnight. There is the added layer of angst at the uncomfortable interactions between Tuck and Emily as they relive in their minds the joy each had when they were kids. We find out why Tuck's world went sideways and the reasons he had to leave Emily and her heart forever hurt.

As the book progresses and Charlie eventually finds another way home, when it's just Tuck and Emily, we start to see how their feelings unravel and a closeness they never thought possible again emerges. This part of the book was heartbreaking yet somewhat sweet, since the pain they both experienced at being abruptly separated starts to dissipate. This second chance at romance is the saving grace to what became for me, a very tedious reading experience.

Although I understand Sheridan wanting to paint a full picture of what the world would look like post-catastrophe, it simply took too long to get to the end. Yes, there are shocking scenes and times of despair that show exactly what it might be like should this kind of event ever occur but I found myself skimming many inner thoughts and far too many descriptions of this new normal. It's almost as if Sheridan tried a bit too hard to combine two tropes with the romance part getting a bit lost in the shuffle.

I will say that I liked how it all turned out for Emily and Tuck yet the ending was rushed and we never find out about what happened to the compound in California, whether or not Emily's former business associates were ok or if Charlie ever made it back to L.A. Sheridan tied a bow that was way too neat and tidy for all that had happened to this couple and those they encountered. I suppose that might be the way life would be if news was hard to come by and the grid stayed unrepaired for many years. Either way, I felt as if there could have been less with respect to the tedious journey and more about Tuck and Emily and the love that never fully extinguished between them. I know that is a hard balance to achieve and again, I give huge kudos to Sheridan for even attempting it.

Although not a winner for me, I'm still glad I got the chance to give Heart of the Sun a go and look forward to more from this talented author.

3.25 stars.

Second chance romance. There were some holes in this story at the beginning but they were eventually back filled enough to make sense. There were events that happened just when conveniently needed. But there was also hope and love. I felt Tuck and Emily’s journey back home and to each other.