⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book is utterly delightful! Foss is the perfect mix of practical and relatable, and Sylvester is as charming as he is infuriating (in the best way). Their banter made me laugh out loud more times than I can count, and don’t even get me started on the cat! The world is so cozy and vivid, like a magical hug wrapped in sarcasm. If you love cozy fantasies where magic is unpredictable and love feels like home, this book will steal your heart—though hopefully not literally.

This just wasn't for me. Read too much like a YA novel and I just couldn't get into it/didn't keep my interest.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

This story is described to be a whimsical and unforgettable story in the tradition of Howl's Moving castle, however, going into the novel I had forgotten about this description and upon reading kept talking to myself stating how much this felt like I was reading Howl's. Which bothered me a lot at the beginning of the story as it felt like it was to close to the original story, but I persevered through the similarities and found the unique story which the author wove into the tale.

Over all the I had a decent time with my read but do note that this book reads very YA even though it is shelved at Adult. For example the protagonist continuously talks about how ugly she is in a way that reminds me of how a high schooler (this is a generalization) is overly focused on looks and sees this as their only value in life.

A harvest of hearts is a cozy fantasy that follows the main character Foss after a peice of her heart is snagged by one of the kingdoms magic workers, Sylvester.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed Foss a lot. She is determined and resourceful, and though she is often unsure of her place in the world and her village, I found her endearing and funny.

I wish we had seen more of Sylvester’s growth through out the book as almost seemed to happen outside our view. It made it a bit harder to connect with him and it took a while until I could see in him what Foss did. For the most part though I found their relationship charming and though often antagonistic, it made for a sweet read.

This book did have quite long chapters which I’m not personally a fan of but that’s nothing against the story. It was paced well and really enjoyed the authors writing style. I was pulled along in the story well and was always eager to read what happened next.

The ending for me plot wise was good and I liked how everything was wrapped up. The only negative I have about it is that it seemed to wrap up quick. I would have liked the pacing to extend into the ending and to get a little more out of it than the one chapter it all seemed to get tied nearly up in.

My favourite part of this book was obviously the talking cat! He and Foss were so adorable together and I could happily keep reading about them.

This book has a lot of heart (pun not intended!) and the relationship between Foss and her father was one of the strongest and sweetest parts.

Thank you Kensington Publishing and Erewhon Books for the arc! It was a joy to spend time in this book :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC. This is 100% my honest review.

3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Harvest of Hearts is a magical tale of our FMC, Foss, who is the village butcher’s daughter, who gets magically snagged by one of the magic-workers of the kingdom, Sylvester. These sorcerers and sorceresses harvest hearts from the villagers of the kingdom for “protection” from outside kingdoms. Sylvester being the only son from the King, who has wild magical tendencies, accidentally and unintentionally put a spell on Foss’s heart which causes her to fall in love with him and follow him to his home, where she lives as his housekeeper. She befriends the house’s Cat, Cornelius, who can speak. Later, they find out the truths of the kingdom and magic world.

I enjoyed this story more than I was expecting to! It is a very slow-burn with little dialogue. It completely wraps you into the thoughts of Foss and the atmosphere she experiences.
The language I think is fairly poetic and great for this setting, but also found that, in the beginning, it was quite vulgar at certain points, it came so unexpectedly. I guess I thought this was a YA, because the FMC reads young, but it is very much an adult novel, while also still being a closed-door romance.
Example: “His little cat arsehole winking at me with each step.”

This gave me the same feeling as reading Twilight for the first time. This one magical guy is so mysterious and here is ol’ plain Jane enraptured by him for some reason and I guess that includes me, the reader, as well. I did find her self-consciousness to be irritating. Some may find this relatable, but the constant inner belief she has, that she is ugly, and the constant projection of this thought onto others was annoying. Yes, some bullied her for her looks or made insinuating comments or looks, but it became aggravating, that this otherwise strong and independent female character let this simple thought cloud her so much.

As already mentioned, there is quite little dialogue. It was frustrating, because it gave you so little information of the plot at a time, that I was begging to know more, but had to read another 20 pages to find out. I found this more aggravating than interesting.

I loved the cat companionship 🐈‍⬛ and although, it was an extremely slow-burn romance, I ended up liking it as well. This is not a romance book by any means, definitely fantasy.

I would recommend this book for any who enjoy fantasy!

Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this. The premise appealed to me, with the comparisons to Howl's Moving Castle, but the prose failed to draw me in after the first chapter.

I must say, I absolutely adore the Studio Ghibli movie, but in comparison, this book captures a beautiful combination of cozy and whimsical charm. The writing style is captivating and the story unfolds with a solid foundation and flow. Although this book draws comparisons to Howl's Moving Castle, they do have two clear paths. Instead of a wholesome story that Howl’s Moving Castle tells, A Harvest of Hearts is filled with wit and dark humor.

Fair warning… Cornelius the cat was hands down my favorite side character!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read/attempt to read this book. I did not finish this book due to my own personal tastes/opinions. Unfortunately this book was not for me from chapter 1. Throughout chapter 1 the author used filler phrases and repeated "or so we believed" around 3-4 times. I think the cover is beautiful and the premise of the story seemed interesting and intriguing but unfortunately I could not get in to it due to the wording. I believe others may enjoy this book as long as they can look past the phrasing.

This is such a great book! The world building was immersive but a tiny bit jarring at times. There’s a mystery a that was twisty and full filling to read. The whimsical vibes were ON POINT - it gave me nostalgia from Howl’s Moving Castle. The romance between Foss and Sylvester was slightly lackluster - I shipped it but didn’t feel it fully develop on page. I wanted more! Overall, it was a great escapist book that I could reach for in the future.
3.5-4/5.

A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames is a whimsical, heartfelt fantasy that swept me off my feet. From the moment I started, I was hooked by its quirky magic, witty writing, and a protagonist who feels refreshingly real.

Foss Butcher isn’t your typical fantasy heroine—she’s clumsy, cynical, and entirely relatable. Her journey through a world of enchanted houses, mysterious sorcery, and, yes, a talking cat, is both delightful and surprisingly emotional. The magical elements are creative and full of charm, while the story touches on deeper themes of identity, resilience, and what it means to truly belong.

The writing is immersive, blending humor and heart with just the right touch of whimsy. And while I wish there had been more time to develop certain relationships (hello, Sylvester!), the dynamic between the characters—especially Foss and the scene-stealing Cornelius—makes this story shine.

If you love cozy, magical adventures with a touch of darkness and a heroine you can root for, A Harvest of Hearts is the book to pick up. It’s a little bit Howl’s Moving Castle meets its own unique flair, and I couldn’t put it down!

With a unique magic system, enticing mystery involving stolen hearts (literally!), and an evocative writing style that is breezy, lyrical and poetic, a Harvest of Hearts is a book that is hard to put down. When the book mentioned being similar to Howl’s Moving Castle, I knew I had to request for an eARC right away.

Initially, I found that the first 30% felt too similar to Howl’s Moving Castle, but I was glad that after that, the novel gradually found its own voice and I was left captivated by the lore and was unable to put the book down. I loved the magic system in the novel involving the use of heart magic and the mystery surrounding it that Foss, the FMC, had to uncover. There were genuine stakes with how the heart harvesting affected Foss as well as the villagers and I felt the urgency for it to be stopped. I loved that it was really unpredictable as to how the antagonist would be stopped. The author also has a gorgeous, flowy and evocative writing style that portrays the heart harvesting in a gruesome light that visibly made me squirm. Though in saying that, I am not sure if this novel can be marketed as a cozy fantasy because of how visceral those scenes were.

Foss as a protagonist was someone I liked even if others did not feel the same way. I like that she has a low self esteem and negative perception of the world due to her appearance yet does not hesitate when it comes to rescuing those in need. Underneath her lack of self worth is a selfless, kind and logical individual who will go out of harm’s way to help those in need and not leave them behind. I never found myself annoyed with her and if anything, I felt sympathetic towards her for being unattractive. As someone that also struggles with insecurities about my appearance, I found myself relating to Foss and understood where she was coming from. I loved her journey of self discovery and how the book reminds us that beauty goes beyond appearances. Honorary mention to Foss’s dad who was always uplifting and supportive to Foss. It was really refreshing to finally have a FMC that had a healthy relationship with their father.

Another character I loved, perhaps most of all, was the talking cat, Cornelius. Yes, the cat talks! The cat CARRIED the novel. I was convinced more by Foss and Cornelius’s friendship than what she had with Sylvester, the MMC. Cornelius is crafty and charismatic and I loved seeing them work together and comfort one another in times of need. Honestly, I feel that Cornelius had more screen time than Sylvester, but I didn’t mind because it made their friendship more convincing and wholesome. I really wish Cornelius was real!

Sylvester was a love interest that took me a while to like as I feel I was more invested in the plot than romance. Sylvester initially came off as flat, robotic and dismissive which made me feel disconnected to him. I did not like how curt and standoffish he was with Foss, though there was a plot twist that explains the way he is that made me like him better and become more invested. He lacks emotional intelligence, but those moments gave way to his humorous and cute side that I grew fond of by the end. I liked the heart to heart (no pun intended) moment he shared with Foss, but I felt like there needed to be more of that for the romance to be convincing even if it was clear both of them cared for each other. In saying that, I do think they make a great couple. They are more alike than they initially believed and what they had was ultimately unique and wholesome.

While an enjoyable read, I feel this book had a lot of potential that wasn’t quite fully tapped into. A lot of themes were introduced but never fully explored. There was some political intrigue that only expanded towards the last 20% which was a shame because I was genuinely fascinated. I liked how the book attempted to explore the lines between good and evil, but again could have been expanded and paced better with the antagonist. All in all, this is a great read for fans of magic and mystery.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the eARC!

Let's start with the good. The good here is the magic and whimsy give it a taste of Ghibli. But it doesn't travel or adventure like a Ghibli. I think this could have done loads better if it hadn't followed so closely to Howl's Moving Castle in the beginning. The idea of heart magic and the sacrifice needed was interesting but not executed well enough. The plot became stagnant and boring. The story itself felt like it was told poorly. Foss also whinges a lot in ways I don't like. I wanted to like this, but found myself caring less and less as I got further into the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the eArc!

I really wanted to love A Harvest of Hearts. The premise had everything I usually enjoy: a grumpy protagonist, an eccentric sorcerer, a talking cat, and a mysterious magical sickness. It even had those Howl’s Moving Castle vibes that sounded perfect. But sadly, the execution just didn’t work for me.

The story starts with Foss, a young woman whose heart is accidentally “snagged” by a sorcerer. Determined to get it back, she sets off on a journey full of magic, mystery, and a sentient, shapeshifting house. Along her journey, she meets a hilarious talking cat (who is easily my fav character). The setup was fantastic, but the pacing completely threw me off. The first half dragged with way too much unnecessary detail, and by the time things picked up, the ending felt rushed and predictable.

I also struggled with the characters. Foss’s constant self-doubt felt overwhelming and made it hard to connect with her. The romance between her and the sorcerer lacked any real spark, and their interactions were often underdeveloped or off-page. Most of the side characters, especially the villain, felt flat and uninteresting, which didn’t help.

The writing itself didn’t pull me in either—too many repetitive phrases and descriptions made it hard to stay engaged. Honestly, if it weren’t for Cornelius, I probably wouldn’t have made it as far as I did.

I can see how this might appeal to fans of whimsical, light fantasy, especially those just dipping their toes into the genre. But for me, it just didn’t live up to its potential.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing

First I want to say thank you to Netgalley for providing an E-ARC of this book.

I love Howl's Moving Castle and I love a bit of a dark fantasy, so on paper this is something I should love. And while I did find it enjoyable enough, I just couldn't stayed hooked on it. It just seemed to fall flat for me, but had the makings of a great story.

I think the inspiration from Howl's Moving Castle was a little to on the nose for my liking, the set up felt a little "fanfiction-y" to me. This is also tagged as a cozy read and I think that is where the source of my issue lies. I love a cozy story, but this didn't feel like it fully committed to it. It wanted to be cozy, while also being a dark fantasy with some stakes. This worked against the story. If you want to have a cozy fantasy, then embrace that the plot stakes may be low, but the characters stakes and reactions will probably be the focus.

Foss is a great narrator in concept, and there were some fun one liners in the story. It is not overall a bad book, I just think it fell very average for me and the characterization of all the characters throughout was not consistent for me.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read the E-Arc version of this book!

Really adored the author‘s writing style, it‘s very descriptive and conversational.

The relationship between the characters was delicate and sweet and I believe any fantasy fan would have fun reading this.

The only reason I‘m not giving this 5 stars is because the pacing felt a bit off, while the first half felt a bit too long, the second one felt a little rushed.

This book was not quite what I was expecting. It was billed as "cozy", but I found the stakes were too high for it to really feel cozy for very long. However, that's not a bad thing, by any means.
A Harvest of Hearts started out with a few too many similarities to Howl's Moving Castle, but quickly turned into something wholly different. It was, at times, cozy, but it was also heart wrenching. The world was fantastical, yet bleak, and it was interesting to see how the characters fit into it.
I was completely invested in Foss and Sylvester's adventure, and the delicate relationship forming between them. I also adored Cornelius. He's truly the star of the book.
The writing style was what really kept me reading. It felt like I had sat down at the Tavern with Foss, and she was telling me the whole story over a pint. It was very conversational, but in a way that never took away from the detailed and layered storytelling.
I think this book is great for any fantasy fan. The magic system is interesting, the adventure is great, and the characters are loveable.

Thank you to Kensington and Netgalley for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Erewhon Books/Kensington for letting me read A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames! This was a really good read, I was engaged from page one. The concept was really interesting and kept the stakes high throughout. Not recommended for readers who are highly bothered by an insecure, self-hating narrator. Foss was relatable but her self-criticism was pretty extreme even if it is realistic.

3.5/5.

There was a lot that I loved about this book. It was an engaging and entertaining dark fairytale with an interesting magic system.

Andrea Eames writing was really fantastic and incredibly descriptive.

In A Harvest of Hearts, Foss Butcher, the main character embarks on a mission to track down the sorcerer who "snagged" her heart and get it back, befriending a talking cat and the sorcerer himself through the process. The story is told from Foss' perspective, helping the reader to understand her and her character development throughout the story. The sorcerer, Sylvester, was a great character, and I found him very likable but thought he lacked some dimension. I really wanted more depth and development on page between Foss and Sylvester. We only had a few scenes where they seemed to connect, and I would have loved more!

Additionally, though the entire book was enjoyable, the pacing was inconsistent throughout the first and second half of the book. I wish the second half was longer because it felt a bit rushed, and I wanted more information!

Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend it!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts are my own!

A spellbinding, thought-provoking tale with a fresh and captivating take on magic, tradition, and personal growth.

In a kingdom where magic-workers harvest human hearts for their spells, Foss Butcher, a practical and unremarkable woman, never thought anyone would want hers. But when a sorcerer named Sylvester accidentally Snags a piece of her heart, she’s left in a desperate race against time to find a cure. Determined to get her heart back, Foss travels to the grand City, only to find Sylvester is more petulant and clueless than capable. As Foss seeks answers with the help of a talking cat and a temperamental enchanted House, she uncovers dark secrets about the true nature of heart-taking magic—and her own unexpected role in it.

One of the most unique aspects of the novel is its central premise: the harvesting of human hearts to fuel sorceress magic. It’s a chilling concept, one that initially shocks, but also serves as a poignant metaphor for the corrupting nature of long-standing traditions, no matter how sinister they may be. The horrifying aftermath of a heart harvest and the toll it takes on the victim is not only gripping but also underscores the theme of how deeply ingrained societal norms can often be blind to their own cruelty. The novel expertly explores the concept that these dark customs can become so normalized that even those living within them might struggle to break free.

The magic system in is equally fascinating. Sorcery is depicted as a complex force, with each sorcerer tied to a magicked home that represents their core identity, and original being. This intricate system adds depth to the characters and highlights the idea that, at our essence, we are all human—even when our powers set us apart. The book brilliantly explores the connections between magic, identity, and humanity, making it not just a fantasy novel but also a meditation on the things that define us as individuals.

Breaking free from stereotypical portrayals of female protagonists, Foss is unapologetically herself. She is fully aware of her appearance, accepts her fate, and refuses to change for anyone—especially Sylvester. Her strength is in her authenticity, and this stands in stark contrast to closed-off Sylvester, whose journey of growth and self-discovery is driven by Foss’s unwavering confidence and independence. As Foss challenges him, Sylvester learns to confront his own emotions, take responsibility for his actions, and, ultimately, gain compassion for others. This subtle yet powerful transformation is one of the most rewarding aspects of the novel.

Of course, no story would be complete without a memorable sidekick. Cornelius is the type of companion readers will quickly fall in love with—wise and hilariously unhelpful. Whether offering guidance, providing comfort, or simply delivering some much-needed banter, Cornelius brings a lightness to the darker elements of the story, making him a perfect foil to the novel's more serious moments.

Overall, this is a magical and emotionally rich tale making this a cozier fantasy than most. With a mix of magic, mystery, and heart, this novel will stay with readers long after they turn the last page.

A Harvest of Hearts is like Howl's Moving Castle but darker.

Instead of just one sorcerer being rumored to steal hearts, twelve sorceresses and one sorcerer steal bits of hearts and even sometimes whole hearts at the command of the king. The hearts are what power all the magic in the kingdom keeping them safe from disease, famine and war, or so the king claims.

I really loved this book! I have seen some reviews where people say that Foss' self-esteem issues bothered them, but to me that made her seem real. As someone who has struggled with her self-esteem since she was a teen, seeing a strong main character with those issues was nice and grounding. There are too many books where the heroine is a gorgeous slim girl whom the boys fawn over. Give me more sturdy realistic girls like Foss.

Sylvester was 100% Howl coded. Slightly childish and prone to temper tantrums but with a "heart" of gold underneath. I loved watching the relationship between him and Foss grow. He starts out as a bit conceited and rude but really grows the longer he and Foss interact.

And of course, I can't leave a review without mentioning my favorite character, Cornelius the talking cat. He acted exactly like I imagined a talking cat would act and he was so sweet and fun. I just wanted to scoop him up and give him a kiss on his little furry forehead.