dnf @ around 50%

I was really excited for this book, but I unfortunately just wasn't vibing. This book is a "Howl's Moving Castle" retelling, as the description tells you. However, some elements of the book felt so close to the film (I haven't read the original book) that it wasn't engaging.

Additionally, I couldn't really find it in myself to care about Sylvester. While this book is YA (I think?) he reads so much like a sullen, petulant teenager (because he is) that I just didn't care about him. As far as the romance goes, this was extremely insta-love and there wasn't really any natural chemistry between this characters. I like Foss, but that wasn't enough alone to keep me interested.

Thank you NetGalley and Erewhon Books for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

For fans of “Howles Moving Castles”!

With “A Harvest of Hearts”, Andrea Eames takes us into a picturesque and magical world in which people's hearts are stolen.

We accompany the young Foss, whose heart was unintentionally stolen by the sorcerer Sylvester. In order to get it back, she leaves her village and sneaks into the sorcerer's house as a new maid, where she meets the talking black cat Cornelius, who joins her on her quest to find her heart.

The author's vivid and atmospheric writing style caught my eye from the very first pages. She tells the story of Foss so vividly and creates such a cozy yet exciting atmosphere - similar to the Studio Ghibli films by Hayao Miazaki. It quickly becomes apparent that there are some parallels to “Howles Moving Castles” in “A Harvest of Hearts”, which only made the story more appealing to me.

The first half of the book was simply fabulous and exciting. Until it sped up with events and picked up so much speed that it lost credibility for me.

Nevertheless, “A Harvest of Hearts” was an interesting story worth reading and gets 3 out of 5 stars from me.

Many thanks to Kensingtin Publishing and NetGalley Germany for the review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to review this ARC.

If you love a forced proximity moment with very different love interests then this might be a book for you!

I found myself not very attached to these characters and annoyed at the main character several times. However, if you love talking animals there is a wonderful one in this book and he was my favourite character by far. The plot moves at a slow-ish pace, with a lot of it taking place in the magical house, which was fun. The middle felt as though it dragged, and then the last 20% or so felt rushed in comparison.

The magic system is very cool in this book, and the impacts it has on the people who have magic done to them is suitably shocking. Overall, this story was very creative and I enjoyed it.

3.5 stars

f you are looking for something quaint, that reminds you of Howl’s Moving Castle, you will find many things to like about this book. It had its moments, but it felt like the first half of the book was better paced than the second half to me. This book seemed to drag, especially at the midway point and I never really found it picking up after that. It is definitely a charming read for a certain vibe/mood, but that pacing really seemed off to me. The underlying plot was interesting and Sylvester was ADORABLE, but Foss started to grate on me after a while. She was constantly putting herself down and it was hard for me to rally behind when she just couldn’t see her own worth. It didn’t seem to me that her character was developing and it seemed to drag down the book at times. While I really enjoyed the premise of this book as well as the House, I don’t think I would reread this book because of Foss alone.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a delightful and surprising book! “A Harvest of Hearts” is a layered whimsical dark fantasy novel, and I was drawn to the marketing that compares it to “Howl’s Moving Castle.” I would agree that there are similarities there, though I also found myself thinking of Naomi Novik’s excellent “Uprooted” while reading. The tale is familiar in the setup, with no-nonsense plain butcher’s daughter Foss getting caught up in a handsome sorcerer’s spell, but the strength of the writing, the focus on strange heart-magic, and the exploration of Foss’s self-worth made this an unexpectedly deep read. Of course, the wonderful talking cat Cornelius was a bonus! I really loved reading this and always looked forward to picking it back up, to learn more about the mysterious spells or to see if Foss would finally allow herself to accept the love she deserved. Eames has crafted a satisfying, slightly gory fairytale with tons of feeling and wit, and while there were dark and scary elements, I felt that the warmth of the writing kept it cozy.

Thanks to Erewhon Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was first drawn to this book because of it being comped as an adult novel with Howl's Moving Castle vibes. Howl is everything to me and I will read anything that could resemble it. This does have some of those vibes in the beginning but diverges from there. I enjoyed reading about Foss's story and seeing her relationship with Sylvester. There were parts in the middle of the book that lost some of the momentum for me, which had me put the book down a few times. But the overall story had me wanting to know what would happen next.

I loved Cornelius, the talking cat who stole my heart (pun intended) from his introduction. He was the best part of this book. Also, I liked many of the scenes with the sentient house that is just as grumpy and petulant as its master could be. Man, I'd love to have both the house and Cornelius in my life.

This story is quite dark for a cozy fantasy especially dealing with the heart harvesting. Though, I will say there is still a good amount of whimsy and cozy feelings. It feels like a dark fairy tale the entire time and I cannot get enough of those. I had a great time listening to the audiobook and reading the ebook. It was not a perfect story but the charm made up for it.

Honestly the only reason I finished this book was because of Cornelius (the fabulous talking black cat). I struggled terribly with the pacing. The first half of the book was incredibly descriptive but to the point of redundancy…..I can only handle so many ways you tell me the fmc is plain……or that the house is black…..and everything in it is black….and Sylvester is just a slob and uncaring……but then I’m supposed to shift and want Foss and Sylvester to be in love? I just couldn’t quite manage to care.
So for me……Cornelius earned all 3 of the stars and I would probably read a whole book just based on him.
I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

"A heart could be taken in bits and pieces, with the victim barely noticing, or all at once, prized from a chest like an oyster from a shell."

2 stars. DNFed at 60%.

My hopes were crushed. I was genuinely excited to read A Harvest of Hearts, but unfortunately, this book just didn’t work for me. I had seen comparisons to Howl’s Moving Castle, which raised my expectations, but honestly, I don’t see it. While I can understand why some readers might draw parallels, I believe those comparisons oversell what this book delivers.

One of my biggest disappointments was the romance between Foss and Sebastian. The potential was there — so much potential — but it felt squandered. Their relationship barely scratched the surface, lacking the emotional depth and development that could have elevated the story.

The writing itself was fine; there were moments of lovely prose, and some descriptions stood out. However, the plot dragged, and I found myself growing impatient, constantly wishing the pace would pick up.

In the end, I couldn’t push myself past the 60% mark. It’s a pity because I wanted to love this book — the premise had promise, but the execution didn’t deliver.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

If youre searching for a story that is reminiscent of Howls Moving Castle, then this is the one! Down to Sophie's mannerisms, Calcifer's companionship and Howl's moodiness, you can find it all through the wonderful characters in this book through Foss, Cornelius the Cat and Sylvester! I really enjoyed this story and can't wait for this book to be published.

A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌟 Fantasy with heart... literally!

Let me tell you about this book that completely SNAGGED my attention! 📚✨ I dove into "A Harvest of Hearts" expecting Howl's Moving Castle vibes and got that PLUS so much more! This magical tale had me utterly captivated from the moment Foss Butcher's heart got accidentally snagged by a ridiculously handsome sorcerer, setting off a chain of events that mixes whimsy with darkness in the most delicious way.

This story follows Foss Butcher (already loving that name) who gets her heart accidentally "Snagged" by Sylvester, the kingdom's only sorcerer with cheekbones that could cut glass. Next thing you know, she's stomping off to the City, living in a magical house with MAJOR mood swings, and befriending a talking cat named Cornelius who—not gonna lie—totally stole the show! 😻

The vibes we're tracking:
🫀 Heart magic that's both cute AND creepy
🏠 Architecture with ATTITUDE
🐱 Sassy cat companion energy
💕 Slow-burn romance that'll make you giggle then sob
📚 Cozy reads that pack a PUNCH

What starts as whimsical fantasy takes a DELICIOUSLY dark turn midway through—suddenly we're dealing with some seriously visceral heart harvesting! Foss herself is the perfect protagonist—practical, stubborn, and convinced she's "plain as a boot" while carrying the inner fire of a warrior.

The real standout? Cornelius the cat deserves his own spin-off series immediately! 🐈‍⬛✨

The book is available now, but the audiobook drops March 18th, and I'm absolutely grabbing a copy! If you need a fantasy that feels like Miyazaki with a darker edge, THIS IS YOUR NEXT READ. It's cozy fantasy that isn't afraid to show its teeth, and I am HERE FOR IT! 💖🔮

Thank you Kensington for the arc gifted copy!

A Harvest of Hearts includes a FMC with a macabre connection to a sorcerer, a magical house, and a talking cat. I enjoyed the beginning of this book, but I lost interest before the halfway point and never seemed to reconnect with the characters or the pacing. I did enjoy the narrator Jessie Elland and would absolutely listen to future narrations by her.

I received an ARC and ALC from Kensington Publishing | Erewhon Books and RBmedia | Recorded Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

At the heart of A Harvest of Hearts is the slow-burn romance between Sarah and Alec, both of whom come from different worlds. Sarah is an aristocratic woman trying to navigate the constraints placed upon her by her social standing, while Alec, a man with a rough past and a complicated present, enters her life in a way that forces her to question her world. Their initial interactions are filled with tension, as their differences create friction, but as the story progresses, they find common ground and discover deeper emotional connections. The novel is filled with emotional highs and lows as Sarah and Alec face obstacles both internal and external, including societal judgment, family expectations, and personal doubts. Their relationship isn’t without its struggles, which makes their eventual growth together all the more rewarding.

This novel explores themes of love, redemption, and the challenges of overcoming class and societal barriers. Both Sarah and Alec deal with issues of personal worth and identity — Alec struggles with his past, while Sarah wrestles with her desires versus the expectations of her class. Their journey towards mutual understanding is not just about love but also about personal growth and acceptance. The supporting characters, particularly Sarah’s family and Alec’s friends, add depth to the story, serving as both obstacles and catalysts for the central couple’s journey. These characters are well-developed and add layers of complexity to the plot.

After overcoming their personal struggles and societal challenges, Sarah and Alec find a way to build a life together. The resolution of their relationship is earned, with both characters growing significantly through the course of the book. While the ending is fulfilling and sweet, it does not shy away from the complexities of love and the hard work that comes with it, making it all the more rewarding A Harvest of Hearts is a poignant and beautifully written historical romance that explores love, redemption, and societal constraints. The chemistry between the two protagonists, combined with the rich historical setting and emotional depth, makes it an enjoyable read for fans of the genre.

This was a nice read. There was some world building in the beginning to set up the second half of the book, which did make it feel like it was a very slow paced book. There were times that I had to take a break from the book due to the main characters negative self image, however, she is a strong character. I ended up enjoying the magical house and talking cat more than anything!

2.5 (rounded up) ✨ A whimsical cosy fantasy reminiscent of Howl’s Moving Castle sounded just like my cup of tea.

My key takeaway is that I would very much like my own talking black cat because Cornelius was genuinely the best thing about this book. And I would also love to live in a grumpy, sentient house that can conjure up any food I want.

I liked the underlying plot and finished the book because I genuinely wanted to know how it ended, but the narration unfortunately fell flat. I found that the first POV monologue was meandering with short sentences and lots of commas, which made the flow of words in my head choppy and frustrating. The FMC Foss’s self-deprecating narration also made her unlikeable to me as a reader (she repeatedly calls herself ugly and relentlessly talks down on her efficacy and traits).

While I found it hard to emotionally attach to Foss, I did enjoy reading about the side characters and her interactions with them. Her monologues about the reciprocal love with her “Da” (her father) were moving, and I also loved the MMC Sylvester (because he’s pretty much Howl 2.0) so this bled into Foss by proxy.

She’s clearly not the hateful hag she perceives herself to be because they all love her, especially sweet little Cornelius. So it’s a shame that her narration didn’t reflect any character development around this.

——

Tropes:
- Magic
- Hidden truth
- Ugly duckling
- Forced proximity
- Unattainable love interest
- Dark lord and femme fatale antagonists
- Closed door spice (barely any spice)
- Standalone

I enjoyed the premise of Hearts being needed for "real" magic to occur. I especially liked the House and Cornelius. The sorcerer's sulking and Foss' constant habit of putting herself down got on my nerves. 4 stars.

Witches need hearts to perform magic – and the people in Foss Butcher’s village have long accepted this fact. As long as they themselves are left alone, they simply look the other way. Foss, however, feels invisible, unlovable, and trapped in her life. Until a sorcerer appears in the village and awakens something in her that she can’t ignore. She follows him to the city, becomes his housemaid – and finds herself in a house full of magic, secrets, and a talking cat named Cornelius.

Right from the start, I loved the book’s snarky, witty narrative style. Foss’ thoughts are sarcastic, sharp, and full of self-doubt – a combination that often made me smile. The enchanted house was also a real highlight for me: it seems to have a will of its own, grants wishes, and occasionally forces Foss to discover things she might rather not see. I especially enjoyed the chemistry between Foss and Sylvester. Their dynamic was unique, and his mix of eccentric professor, absent-minded genius, and mysterious coldness made him an intriguing character.

However, the story also had its weaknesses for me. While the beginning drew me in, the middle dragged noticeably. Foss was too hesitant at times, and I wished for bolder decisions and more interaction between her and Sylvester. Although the second half picked up the pace, I still felt a lack of connection to the characters, and the suspense never fully gripped me.

Overall, this story had a lot of potential, a great atmosphere, and fantastic ideas – but in the end, it wasn’t a standout read for me.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!

while this was certainly heavily inspired by howl’s moving castle, this was neither cozy or whimsical for the most part — there are quite a lot of trigger warnings that should be emphasized, specifically the removal of bodily and cognitive autonomy through the process of “harvesting hearts”.

i found this harvesting of hearts to fuel magic to be rather original, but also the graphically gruesome descriptions of those divested of their hearts was simultaneously horrifying but interesting.

despite the darkness of this world and the magic, i really enjoyed this book, especially the cat companion cornelius 💗

as for the narrator, she did a fantastic job!

Unfortunately I did DNF this book because at the time I didn’t realise this is a sort of cosy fantasy which is not usually I pick up. Maybe that’s why I wasn’t gripped into the story.

What this book is about:
Everyone in Foss Butcher’s village knows what happens when the magic-workers come; they harvest human hearts to use in their spells. That’s just how life in her kingdom works. But Foss, plain, clumsy, and practical as a boot, never expected anyone would want hers.

When a sorcerer snags a piece of Foss’s heart without meaning to, she is furious. For once a heart is snagged, the experience is … well, unpleasant. So, Foss finds herself stomping toward the grand City to keep his enchanted House and demands that he fixes her before she keels over and dies, or whatever happens when hearts are Snagged.

But the sorcerer, Sylvester, is not what she expected. Petulant, idle, and new to his powers, Sylvester has no clue how to undo the heart-taking, or how to do much of anything really, apart from sulk. Foss’s only friend is a talking cat and the walls themselves have moods.

As Foss searches for a cure, she accidentally uncovers that there is much more to the heart-taking – and to the magic-workers themselves – than she could have ever imagined…

This book is aptly described as akin to Howl's Moving Castle: full of whimsy and dynamic world-building, this story follows Foss, a butcher's daughter in an unremarkable village, who becomes a sorcerer's housekeeper in his magical, ever-evolving house. For as long as anyone can remember, sorcerers and sorceresses have come to various villages and harvested people's hearts for their magic, which they use to protect the kingdom and its people. Foss falls victim to this and of course becomes embroiled in the kingdom's growing issues, and shenanigans ensue.

This book was so fun to read. The world-building was succinct yet detailed, Foss was an easy protagonist to root for, and the side characters were truly a joy. The pacing was great - a lot of times in fantasy romance books the last 25% is so jam-packed that you get lost and the emotional notes don't quite hit, but here the build felt natural and the stakes high. Eames does a wonderful job of maintaining a cozy atmosphere while not making it feel too schmaltzy, and the whole story feels very unique. I loved this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!

At the end of the day I am just a girl who became enamored with the wizard Howl and that castle at a formative age. So I really liked this.
Look. This book was imperfect. Slow paced start. A lot of walking around and housework in the beginning. Clunky paragraphs. The pacing was sporadic, all or nothing. I’ll admit I don’t really care though.
Foss was a great main character, she actually reminded me more of Sophie than Sylvester reminded me of Howl. I really loved her attitude and the way she handled herself. And Cornelius the talking cat gets 5 stars.
It’s like this story scratched an itch I’ve had for a while. I want more adult romantasy’s with this specific whimsical lighthearted vibe, or even in this specific world. I’d be glad if Andrea Eames decided to write more. :)