I was really intrigued by the premise of A Harvest of Hearts—a whimsical fantasy with magic, romance, and adventure? Count me in! However, while the book had some strong elements, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

The world-building was one of my favorite parts. The idea of heart magic and the mystical forces at play in this story had so much potential, and I enjoyed the atmospheric writing. Some moments felt reminiscent of Howl’s Moving Castle, but the book managed to carve out its own identity.

That said, I struggled with the characters. Foss was an interesting protagonist, but her self-doubt and indecision sometimes made her frustrating to follow. Sylvester, the love interest, felt underdeveloped and lacked the charm or depth I was hoping for. Their romance had a slow-burn quality, but it didn’t quite spark the way I wanted it to.

The pacing also had some issues—some sections dragged, while others rushed through key moments. I found myself wishing for a bit more consistency in the storytelling. However, Cornelius, the talking cat, was an absolute delight and easily my favorite part of the book!

Overall, A Harvest of Hearts had a unique concept and some lovely prose, but it didn’t fully click for me. If you enjoy whimsical fantasy with slow-building plots and don’t mind a protagonist who takes time to grow into herself, you might still enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

So my initial thought for this book was oh my gosh this is cute and cozy not super great but not terrible. Eh Im enjoying it. However, as the book kept progressing, it got worse and worse. While the first half of this might be cozy and cute the second half definitely wasn’t it turned very dark very fast and it drug on and on I feel like this book could’ve been at least 100 pages shorter than it was. The narrator did very well though and made it a bit more enjoyable honestly she might be the only reason I kept reading it. Thanks to NetGalley for the arc for my honest review.

To me this book is categorically NOT a cozy fantasy at all! It is gruesome and disturbing in a way that I would never expect from a book described as a cozy fantasy. I was really trying to work out why I didn’t enjoy this book because it is not badly written & the story is good. But I am a mood reader and I realised that I was wanting something cozy and heartwarming which this definitely wasn’t.

The people having their hearts ripped from their chests then turning into mouldy, disgustingly fungus ridden dying husks is not what I would expect from a cozy fantasy. It’s pretty gross and made me feel quite queasy.

I struggled to get into the book at the start because it felt like a lot of looking back and telling stories from the past in a way that felt a little unnatural and meandering. I was wondering what the point of it was.

The narration was excellent and I enjoy that the narrator has a northern English accent but does other voices and accents convincingly.

Cozy, lovely, and real, "A Harvest of Hearts" melds the vibes of "Howl's Moving Castle" with a commentary that questions the cultural understanding of beauty, power, and what the people want. I could swoon for this world with its mystery, rivaling components of "Alice in Wonderland". A sentient house, grumpy talking cat, and MMC with a vague backstory add to the found family our main character stumbled into unexpectedly. Foss has no idea the mess she's found herself in, nor the key roll she plays in the fate of her world. Magic, though, has an interesting way of working things out when all else is lost.

What I enjoyed:
- The lovable characters and the struggle to find their place in the world.
- The character development in this book is both cozy and impactful, focusing on how the positive way someone else sees us can change how we view ourselves.
- The high stakes plot felt simple in the best way as we, the readers, are immersed into a dynamic, magical world with all the ambience of a ghibli-style tale.
- The romance in "A Harvest of Hearts" is incredibly sweet and may have changed my brain chemistry a tad.
- This book left me feeling hopeful and at peace with its satisfying last moments.
- The audiobook narrator has the most comforting voice, enhancing the atmosphere of the story.

What didn't quite hit:
- The only thing that threw a wrench in my experience was part of the ending, which felt abrupt, needing further development. It's like we built up to the climax and it just... wasn't everything I personally had hoped for. Now, that's not to say the actually plot points were problematic, because I think what happened was appropriate. However, it didn't feel as well executed as I would have liked it to be.

With all this in mind, I thoroughly enjoyed "A Harvest of Hearts"!

I really wanted and expected to like this more than I did. I actually enjoyed the story but thought it was much, much longer than it needed to be. I remember thinking "this is definitely coming to a conclusion" and then realizing there was still over 5 hours left of the audiobook.

A Harvest of Hearts is a fantasy novel that reminds me of Howl’s Moving Castle, weaving together magic, adventure, and a touch of romance. The story follows a young girl named Foss that comes upon a sorcerer that has harvested a piece of her heart. She journeys to find her missing piece by seeking out the sorcerer, and comes across a house. A house that is magical, that can accommodate your needs and is complete with a talking cat which is where the mysterious sorcerer lives. She pretends to be a new housekeeper and begins to learn more of the sorcerer in hopes to find the piece of her heart, but instead finds the sorcerer’s true nature.
Overall, A Harvest of Hearts is a good read, especially for fans of Howl’s Moving Castle and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. While it doesn’t fully reach the depth or complexity of a fantasy novel I would normally enjoy, it had enough interesting magical elements that were different enough to intrigue me to finish the book.

A whimsical and cosy fantasy that is also dark and emotional.
As I haven’t read Howls Moving Castle I don’t have anything to compare the book to, but I am pretty sure that this book didn’t disappointed my expectations of fantasy romance, magic or darker magic because I absolutely loved the story. I enjoyed the characters too especially Cornelius the cat.
The narrator did an excellent job in making the story and characters alive because she took me with her through her narration.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher RBmedia for the ARC-audio.

🎧 Audiobook: A Harvest of Hearts-a standalone

✍🏾 Author: Andrea Eames-new to me author

📅Publication date: 3/18/25 | Read: 3/13/25

Genre: YA, Sci Fi/Fantasy, Romance

Tropes: slow burn, magic, sorcerers, sentient/magical house, hidden secrets, forbidden romance, forced proximity

🗣️Narrator: Jessie Elland voices all the characters with standouts from Foss, Sylvester, and Cornelius. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.

🏃🏾‍➡️Run Time: 13:33

🌎 Setting: Village to The Grand City

👆🏾POV:1st person, single Foss

⚠️TW: bullying-h, death of a parent-h, kidnapping-H, human experimentation

Summary: In Foss's village, King Darius and his sorcerers protect the village in exchange for magic workers taking human hearts. They use the hearts for spells and Foss falls victim to a male sorcerer Sylvester. Feeling heartsick, she travels to his enchanted home to make him fix it. Posing as a housekeeper, Foss uncovers what magic users really do with the hearts while fighting her attraction to Sylvester.


👩🏾 Heroine: Foss Butcher-her mother died in childbirth, she believed she was cursed.
👨🏾 Hero: Sylvester- the only male sorcerer, has unpredictable magic. The king created all 13 magic workers

🎭 Other Characters:
*Cornelius-Sylvester's talking cat
*Dav Mallet- a fellow villager taken by a sorceress, returned but was never the same
*Clarissa-a sorceress who knows Sylvester
*Basil-a scribe, invites Foss to a secret meeting about magic users

🤔 My Thoughts: There wasn't much interaction between Foss and Sylvester until the end. Most of Foss's time was spent with Cornelius or the secret society of the "Snagged." They all had stories about the effects on their lives and the literal rotting of their hearts. When Sylvester made the ultimate sacrifice to end the devastation and gave Foss the life she deserved.

Rating: 4/5 ✨
Spice level 1/5🔥kissing only

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, RB media | Recorded Books, and Andrea Eames for this ALC🧙🏾! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

Foss and Sylvester both grow into their personality as the story moves forward. I loved seeing their confidence grow. The suspense throughout kept me invested in the story, and for a moment, I even feared that they would not get a happy ending. Also, who doesn't love a talking cat?😺

Thanks to the publisher for the ALC and e-arc!

A cozy fantasy with heart-stealing magic, a grumpy sorcerer, and a stubborn heroine? Yes, please! A Harvest of Hearts gives major Howl’s Moving Castle vibes with its witty banter, a sentient house, and a snarky talking cat.

Foss, a butcher’s daughter, never expected a sorcerer to literally steal a piece of her heart. Furious, she storms into his enchanted home, demanding he fix it—but clueless, broody Sylvester has no idea how. What follows is a delightful mix of adventure, humor, and unexpected romance.

The world-building is whimsical yet dark, and Jessie Elland’s narration brings the characters to life beautifully. If you love found family, reluctant magic, and slow-burn tension, this one’s for you!

Thank you, NetGalley and RBmedia, for the ARC audiobook!

A story with whimsical writing and out-of-the-box adventure, A Harvest of Hearts snagged me from the first sentence. The story follows Foss Butcher, a village girl who lives and works with her butcher father, in her plain, practical, and somewhat-lonely life. But when a sorcerer comes to her village and accidentally snags her heart, she leaves all she’s ever known to find him and break the curse. Filled with heart and a cast of endearing side characters, this book was fun from start to finish. The narrator also did an excellent job and although I enjoyed the performance for all characters, I’d say Cornelius was my favourite.

A Harvest of Hearts is perfect for readers who like:
- Sentient houses
- Awkward characters finding love
- Talking cats
- Whimsical writing
- Slow-burn romance
- Standalone fantasy books

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the audiobook ARC. I look forward to Andrea Eames’ future projects.

I really enjoyed this audiobook! I absolutely loved this book. It reminded me of Howl's Moving Castle, and with that in mind, I essentially visualized that kind of animation in my head as I listened to A Harvest of Hearts.

What a gorgeous, dynamic, and insightful book about perseverance, staying true to oneself, the power of kindness, and finding strength when all seems dark. I loved the overall plot, unexpected plot twists, the comedic relief from the talking cat (so sassy), and the constantly brooding MMC. I highly recommend this book to people that love Howl's Moving Castle, movie and book, and those that may like a YA novel. Although it has one spicy scene in the book, there's a lot of slow burn in the beginning, and then it turned into a snowball effect. The story in itself was light, but super cozy to read. I cannot wait to read/ listen to more from Andrea Eames.

I hope there will be more to this story, or a spinoff novella, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ALC.
Thank you NetGalley, Andrea Eames, and RB Media!

Thank you Andrea Eames, NetGalley and Erewhon Books for this ARC

A Harvest of Hearts was a pleasant surprise for me; the premise sounded like Howl’s Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones, which is one of my favorite books of all time, so I knew that, at the very least, I would have an okay time with it, and boy oh boy, did I have a good time with it.

I loved this book with all my heart; It was a cozy, low-ish stakes narrative that kept me entertained whilst I waited for sleep to arrive. Shoutout to Jessie Elland, who narrated the book to perfection, I’m literally in love with her voice, a voice which managed to not only be perfect for the main female protagonist, Foss, but also for the main male character, Sylvester.

The novel immediately captivates with its unique premise and even more unique voice and quirky vocabulary! The introduction of Foss, whose grounded and naturally flawed human demeanor offers a refreshing contrast to other fantasy main characters, is well executed and most anticipated! The fantastical elements surrounding her are told in a kind of tall-tail way that provides deep world building and the whimsical yet dark tone sets the stage for an adventure that promises to either break our hearts or save it! Foss stands out as a relatable protagonist with her flawed perception of the world, embodying a strong sense of determination that guides her journey to reclaim her life before she loses it for good. Her interactions with Sylvester, the blundering sorcerer who hasn't a clue as well as a surprisingly captivating talking cat provide both humorous banter and a chance for Foss's personal growth as she explores her new reality. The characters are well-developed and well rounded with each one more relatable than the last! The world is elaborately envisioned but not so much so that it is difficult to follow. My favorite beings in this world have to be the sentient House and the lore built around heart-based magic that gives sorcerers and sorceresses magic a root, a beating heart if you will.

The narrative is comfortably pace, not too hand heavy with either thought or action but with a perfect balance of both. Foss's quest to retrieve her heart maintains reader interest through its unexpected discoveries. Plot movement in the latter half feels a little abrupt but it does not affect the story's flow much. Some readers might find the resolution lacking in complexity but I personally enjoyed its simple quality which brought a perfect end to Foss's internal and external troubles. Eames's writing style is suggestive and blends fanciful descriptions with concrete, original ideas. The tone shifts seamlessly between lighthearted moments of humor to serious themes that narrate the danger of Foss's world which includes dangers towards the heart. The novel explores numerous themes that I enjoyed exploring such as autonomy and the complexities of love and shifting worldview.

A Harvest of Hearts offers a fresh take on elements in the fantasy genre, combining traditional magic and sentience and giving them a unique, raw twist. While not without its minor flaws, the novel is a cozy fantasy must-read!

This book healed parts of me I didn't realize I needed to have healed.

Having a main female character who felt and thought like me? An hero who didn't want to be one, but did it because it's the right thing to do? Horror and darkness and cruelness, and yet people are still crawling towards hope and goodness? A TALKING CAT?

If you are not sold yet, can I talk about how unique the magic system is? People's hearts being what magic is based on is so amazing, because hearts are the lifeblood of what makes us, well, us. And then there are other forms of magic out there that are less harmful, and yet people choose the most brutal form?

I also appreciate the conversation around propaganda and how if we are raised a certain way, it can be hard for us to question it and realize it is wrong.

Honestly, no notes. This book is perfection, and I am off to pick up a physical copy!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher of our early access to this audiobook. I love this audiobook and the narrator. The story was great and at times reminded me of the beauty and the beast storyline. I look forward to reading this authors next book!

I was promised an adventure in the style of Howl's Moving Castle, and that's exactly what this is! I wish I could have stayed with Foss and Slyvester just a little bit longer. I love that this is a stand alone, but the end felt a little rushed to me. I listened to the audio of this and the narrator also did an amazing job! Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

A Harvest of Hearts is a cozy, captivating fantasy with adventure, magic, and romance that hooked me from the first line.

Oh my goodness, I adored this story. It was warm and comforting, laced with darkness and magic that made the story unputdownable. Foss was a wonderful, strong main character I loved from the beginning. Cornelius was a brilliant character; he had me laughing and grinning the entire time. The romance between Foss and Sylvester was touching, and their character development was beautiful. I enjoyed the adventure in the story as Foss journeyed to multiple magical places and the lovely world-building. Andrea’s prose presented a stunningly atmospheric tale. The magic system was fascinating, and the Howl’s Moving Castle vibes were spectacular. The pacing was engaging, and the ending was satisfying. I am beyond excited to see what Andrea writes next!

Jessie Elland was the perfect narrator for this story. Her brilliant accents, beautiful emotion, and lovely voice made for an unforgettable reading experience. I highly recommend the audiobook!

Thank you to the publisher for the free ALC!

I thought this was a nice read! I would say it does give the Howls moving castle vibes which is why I requested to read this. It has a really nice whimsical fantasy feel to it! I loved the world building and the premise of the book is unique enough that I would 100% pick this up based on the synopsis alone. HOWEVER, it's hard for me to like the FMC & at times the MMC. I just didn't like their personalities and that may just be a me issue (a little immature). I would def give this book a chance if you're looking escape to this world to a magical world. Be warned though, the book takes a pretty big shift in terms of tone (I really enjoyed it). I think there is a big audience that will love this book and look forward to seeing it on the shelves!

A Harvest of Hearts immediately transported me into a world that felt both familiar and refreshingly new. At first, I almost wondered if I had accidentally started Howl’s Moving Castle—the premise had striking similarities—but instead of feeling derivative, the overlap gave the book a cozy, nostalgic charm. This was exactly the kind of warm fantasy I love, perfect for a rainy day, whether I was working on art mock-ups for my job or simply unwinding at home.

Foss’s journey was both heartbreaking and rewarding. I truly felt her struggles and pain, and it was deeply satisfying to see her come into her own and finally be seen for the beauty she possesses. And of course, I can never resist a sassy talking cat—Cornelius was a highlight!

Jessie Elland’s narration was excellent, especially in bringing Cornelius to life with just the right touch of wit and personality. Her performance enhanced the overall experience, making this the perfect audiobook for those who enjoy cozy fantasy while crafting, baking, or curling up under a blanket.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to hearing more from Jessie Elland—and to reading more from Andrea Eames in the future!