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.

Apparently I’M in the minority here, but I loved this one!

Emily and Tuck were the best of friends growing up. Their parents owned neighboring farms, and although they wanted to kill each other, as kids, as they grew up they became very close.

And then, things changed…

Emily became a pop star, with the voice of an Angel.
And Tuck well, he went to jail…

When he finally got out, he went to Emily’s parents looking for work on the farm. Unfortunately, they were looking to downsize, but said Em needed a bodyguard…. And so it begins….

To say that things were NOT good between them would be a huge understatement …. But that’s only just the beginning of it. Because, the world as we know it was about to change… and not for the better.

So now, it seems that some of the skills Tuck learned in jail, just might be very helpful to them…

This one brought so much to the table…

Friendships. Family. Romance. Natural disasters. Food shortages. Turf wars. And… so much more. But through it all, we got to experience, through each page, that even when the world around you is FALLING APART, there are still some good people out there in the world!!

5 big, sunny 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me!

#HeartOfTheSun by #MiaSheridan and narrated beautifully by #AndréSantana and #AnnaleeScott.

*** RELEASE DATE is on 5/20/25 ... SO LOOK 👀 FOR IT SOON!!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarlequinAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

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I loved this book! I have always loved Mia Sheridan thrillers and am not usually into romance but this was so so good I loved it!

This audiobook blew me away.

André Santana and Annalee Scott are an incredible narrator duo. They brought Tuck and Emily to life with such emotion and nuance that I felt like I was in that sun-scorched, chaotic world with them. Santana captured Tuck’s guarded pain and protective warmth perfectly, while Scott infused Emily with strength, vulnerability, and spark.

Their performances elevated every moment—from the quiet, aching conversations to the high-stakes chaos of a society unraveling. The emotional beats hit harder, the tension felt sharper, and the romance? Swoony and intense.

Mia Sheridan’s writing already delivers so much depth and heart, but this audio production turned Heart of the Sun into a cinematic, fully immersive experience. I didn’t want it to end—and honestly, I’ll probably listen to it again just to relive those performances.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan was my first read from her—and it definitely won’t be my last! I was completely drawn in by the blend of dystopian world-building and heartfelt romance. The second chance love story at the core hit all the right emotional notes, and Sheridan’s writing is just beautiful. She captured so many facets of human nature—love, loss, hope, resilience—and wove them together into a story that stayed with me long after I finished. Bravo, Mia Sheridan!

I read and listened to the audio, simultaneously, and it devoured my life for 2 days. How can one finish this book unscathed? My mind is still hungover and I just know that I will never forget this epic love story.

Ok. Wow. I don't know what I was expecting but that wasn't it. However, I loved it. I loved the characters, except Charlie. What a jerk. The pace was good, the plot was great. It really just makes you stop and think....what if? Loved the narrators. Just excellent.
Mia Sheridan is one of my favorites and this book didn't disappoint me at all.

Thank you to the Hive for the E-Arc and ALC of Heart of the Sun. This is my first book I have read from the author and I definitely see some potential here! I gave this rating a 3.5 stars for the book but I did like the ALC which was a 4 star for me. I enjoyed the focus on how others would react to a disaster. This definitely reminded me of vibes of The Last of Us and The Walking Dead. I think those who enjoyed those shows would appreciate the vibes this book brings.

This definitely felt more YA and a little rushed in my opinion of the love focus on Tuck and Emily. I wish it felt more organic and not rushed. The narration was nice! It felt easy to engage with the narrator and was easy to follow. He really set the scene for you as you listen!

This was not like Mia Sheridans other books, I made it almost 50% and I couldn’t do it. I had the eARC and the ALC. I usually don’t mind immersive reading and push through. Just was not for me but might be for you.

I grabbed this without reading the synopsis so shame on me. I have loved a lot of Sheridan's books but this one was not for me. It was totally Walking Dead without the zombies.

I like how the story shows how people react to natural disaster. I didn't buy the love story between Emily and Tuck, they were thrown back into major catastrophe and there was no time to develop love. It felt like forced proximity and reach for comfort.

I sort of wanted to know what happened to Charlie as well and he just drove off and nothing.

I enjoyed the dual POV and André Santana and Annalee Scott's narration.

Thank you Harelquin Audio and publisher for a copy of the book.

I have read a few of Mia Sheridan’s books and enjoyed them, but this book was not it for me. I did not like the characters or the plot and the book seemed pointless. I unfortunately would not recommend this book to friends.

Thank you to the publisher and author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not really sure how I feel about this one. Heart of the Sun follows Emily and Tuck. They’ve grown up together on their families respective farms. Tuck was always studious with his head in a book, Emily always singing and humming a tune. The death of Tuck’s mom and the sale of his family farm sets the two off on very different trajectories. Tuck ends up jail and serving a six year sentence, while Emily becomes a pop superstar star.

The story kicks off with Tuck getting out of jail and needing a job. Emily ends up giving Tuck a job as her security. On a flight to a show, a solar flare hits earth and basically shuts down all electronics. The story ends up feeling like some zombie apocalypse type story. It seemed like it went on for longer than it needed to. The ugliness of humanity when times are desperate was really reflected in this apocalyptic story, which makes the tiny moments of kindness shine brighter.

All in all, this one was just okay. Not one I would read again myself.

Two childhood friends, Emily and Tuck, are ripped apart by the circumstances of life and reunite after many years for a second chance at connecting. Emily is a rising popstar in need a security guards and Tuck is an ex-con in search for a new start, so she agrees to hire him as her new bodyguard. When a major catastrophe happens that wipes out the country’s electric grid, they find themselves in the middle of nowhere many miles from home and it quickly morphs into a story of survival and redefining a person’s worth in present day society by the skills they hold. I really enjoyed this book and had trouble putting it down. I think the largest downfall is that this book is labelled ‘a love story’ when really it is more of a present-day dystopian novel with a side of romance. Because of the label, I was anticipating more romance but thankfully I love dystopian stories so was incredibly invested in the events that take place and what would happen next. This book does have a romantic storyline but it is minor, especially compared to some of Mia Sheridan’s other books. I liked Tuck’s character from the very beginning but did not love Emily at first as she came off very superficial and materialistic, but she became more authentic and grew on me by the end. I would highly recommend it as it was a very enjoyable read for me! I listened to the audiobook and the narrators for Tuck and Emily are both excellent so it was an easy and engaging listen. Thank you to NetGalley, Mia Sheridan, Harlequin Trade Press, and Harlequin Audio for the gifted ALC in an exchange for an honest review.

Heart of the Sun had a very interesting and original storyline, which kept me engaged throughout. While I appreciated the uniqueness of the plot, I’m not sure I fully believed it, which made it a bit harder to connect with.

Thank you to HTP for this arc! I think it’s perfect for younger readers. The vibe skewed more YA. If you like intrigue and tension with characters reuniting and evolving their relationship within every changing if sometimes dire straights, this may be for you,

Mia Sheridan writes beautiful expressive prose and always brings up strong emotions. Wow. The audio narration is very engaging and easy to listen to, I loved the performance.

Thank you for the preview arc.

Tropes:
🩷childhood friends
🖤slow burn
🩷pop star x bodyguard
🖤enemies to lovers
🩷dystopian
🖤dual pov

This is not my first book by Mia and it won't be my last. If you are looking for a typical romance story Mia, is not known for that so it's not what you will read. This is a story full of interesting scenarios, suspense, tension, and conflict.

The story begins by showing us a bit of both Tuck and Emily, two best friends growing up in California, in the farmhouse area.

Fast forward 10 years.

Tuck is had recently got out of prison and Emily has become a famous singer, known by stage name, Nova, and is getting ready for a big tour. Tuck can't catch a break in life, has no relationship with his dad, and his only family is his uncle. Emily has changed. She's more into appearances and is very self centered.

When Tuck visits Emily's parents, Emilys mom sees his struggles. She tells him that Emily is looking for a bodyguard for her tour and what happens next is everything.

When something happens, catastrophic event, and their plane goes down they have to fight for survival, as life as they knew it has ceased to exist.

The romance element between Tuck and Emily is a slow burn. It unfolds within the storyline seamlessly

The narrators for this audiobook truly did an amazing job voicing their characters. I really could feel more connected, to the story compared to when I was reading the book. They really carried the emotion of their characters.

Overall, Heart of the Sun is a novel that seamlessly combines dystopian, with a slow burn romance.
Like most of Mia's works the ability to tell a good story is top notch. If you're looking for a romance book with all the lovey dovey this is not it...BUT if you love interwoven moments of romance with great story telling along with something different this might be your jam.

Don't let this beautiful, and dreamy cover fool you into thinking this is a silly little romance - this was an amazing, dystopian, second chance, slow burn romance.

-Second chance
-Dual POV
-Rockstar x Ex Felon
-Apocalyptic & Post Apocalyptic

This was so different from what I have read from Mia Sheridan so far, but I was here for it! Tuck & Emily have to traverse a new world after out of no where all power is gone and the world is dark.

This story was mysterious, adventurous, I was swooning and I was also upset and annoyed at times with the characters - but by the end of it, I was completely in love!

(4.25 stars)
Heart of The Sun was my first Mia Sheridan book and I am now looking forward to checking out her earlier books. Heart of The Sun is a mix of genres: a dystopian second-chance romance and road trip. Maybe you’re thinking, “What??” I don’t blame you!

The book starts off with a vivid description of a small plane crash (not ideal, as I was reading/listening to this on a flight!!) as all systems suddenly become non responsive. It turns out that there was a major solar flare which took out virtually all electronic systems on earth.

We follow two main characters, Emily and Tuck (and a lot of side characters). They were childhood friends, having been raised on neighboring orange groves in California. Life took them in different directions and they haven’t seen each other in a long time. Emily is a pop star, while Tuck has been in prison (we eventually find out why) and has struggled to find employment. Emily hires Tuck as a bodyguard, which is why they are on the plane together, along with Emily’s current boyfriend, Charlie, a well-known actor. I could tell right away that Charlie would be totally clueless in this crisis.

The book follows the trio’s efforts to survive amid the chaos. The descriptions of how people reacted to these new circumstances was pretty realistic, in my opinion. It made me question how I would react, and whether I’d have enough smarts and skills to survive such a disaster. One of the encounters that really struck me was a father, desperate to find formula or a nursing mother to feedhis infant. My heart broke to think of that family. And of course, there’s violence, as society has totally broken down. But as Mr. Rogers would point out: Look for the helpers.

There is great character development: Emily really matured over the course of the story, and Tuck came to realize his strengths.

I mostly listened to the audiobook version of Heart of The Sun and it was so well done. We get two narrators, André Santana and Annalee Scott, each of them voicing different chapters from either Tuck’s or Emily’s POV.

Thank you to Canary Street Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

A dystopian romance, focused on survival and a second chance at love between childhood friends turned strangers after time a part. The plot kept me engaged trying to figure out what was going to happen next, which is always a win for me. I read along and listened to the audio for this one and the narrators captured the characters well. I’m a Mia fan so I was looking forward to this one, which is definitely different than others I’ve read of hers. I’m not really a dystopian romance girlie but overall I did enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this eARC and 🎧 ARC.

Another hit from Mia!!

Heart of the Sun is a modern day setting up until a solar flare hits and sends the world into darkness. In this post-apocalyptic setting, Tuck and Emily are forced together trying to navigate this new, chaotic world. They navigate survival and and learn to priorize what’s really important.

The audiobook is a dual narration with each narrator performing on their point-of-view chapter. Both narrators were absolutely perfect for their roles and portrayed the characters wonderfully and with great emotion. I switched between the digital book and the audiobook, and found myself drawn to the audio performances. It was a wonderful listen!!!

I am a huge Mia fan, so there may be bias here - but I really enjoyed this story! It wasn’t the typical Mia love story, but it was impactful just the same. The storyline was unique, the characters were varied and showed impressive growth, and I was absolutely locked in for the duration of the book.

This is definitely a must read for fans of dystopian romance, high-stakes plot, and Mia lovers!