"you have a responsibility to protect yourself. You must care about yourself and no one else".

In this YA historical romance, Sare tragically finds out her mother is deceased. This leads to a panic attack, and negative thoughts consuming her. The curse of heartbreak leaves her isolated from love, family, and friendships. Not allowed to cry. With so many severe heartbreaks in life, no matter how hard she tried to fight it, she is left with only one heartbreak left. This story follows our FMC as she discovers why she is cursed, and how she can break it. She finds an unexpected love interest along the way (which as a reader is easy to get immersed in). The emotions that were flooded during this read.

The grief and heartbreak resonated deeply with me, as it had alot of death in my family the last few years. This book shocked me at how I was able to resonant with it. It has curses, forbidden love/ slowburn, coming of age, middle eastern folklore. It is well written, and flows at a medium pace. If you love romantasy or fantasy novels, this will be right up your alley!

Romance is still a genre that I’m getting used to. I don’t know if it was that or maybe that I read this through the read aloud feature and parts of the book just didn’t translate well through that feature. This is a great book for those who love the romance genre, but this one just wasn’t for me.

4.5 rounded up.

So if you like Urban Fantasy type romantasies, this is gonna be your style. But it's also incredibly elegant in the way it was written. The story really brings you into Istanbul, and the mystery and betrayals unfold organically. Character development was incredible as well, and overall I'm just loving how this came together.

The only thing I didn't like was how slow it was at the beginning. Between that and how unlikable I felt Sare was at first, I was struggling. But around a quarter of the way in it started grabbing my attention enough that I was loving it!

I went into The Book of Heartbreak by Ova Ceren expecting a whimsical romantasy with a poetic twist, but what I found was something far more layered, tender, and emotionally resonant. It’s a debut that wears its heart on its sleeve while questioning whether the heart can survive being worn at all. Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for my ARC.

The setup is instantly gripping: Sare Silverbirch is cursed. Every time her heart breaks, she dies. And after four heartbreaks, she’s only got one left. Her entire life has been shaped around this ticking emotional time bomb. She doesn’t cry, doesn’t connect too deeply, and certainly doesn’t fall in love. The story opens as Sare’s mother dies—her fourth heartbreak—and the sense of urgency sets in immediately. But instead of leaning into melodrama, Ceren writes grief with a quiet sharpness. Sare’s pain is internalized, heavy, and all the more relatable because of how restrained it feels. She’s not dramatic—she’s just trying to survive.

Sare ends up moving to Istanbul with a grandfather she’s never met, and this is where the novel begins to take flight. The setting is moody and magical without falling into stereotype. Ceren’s Istanbul is elegant, ethereal, and steeped in mysticism. While some parts of the city could’ve been explored more deeply, the atmosphere is rich enough to feel lived-in. I especially enjoyed how elements of Turkish folklore are woven into the narrative—not in an expositional way, but like whispers just beneath the surface of the story. There’s a quiet reverence for culture and place here that never feels like window dressing.

Then there’s Leon, the seer Sare meets in Istanbul, who quickly becomes a partner in her quest to uncover the origins of the curse. Their relationship is where I had mixed feelings. There’s undeniable chemistry and emotional stakes, but the romance feels a bit too quick for a story built around emotional restraint and fragility. Sare is literally cursed to die of heartbreak—so the speed at which she lets Leon in stretched plausibility a bit. That said, they do grow into each other well, and the bond they share around unraveling generational secrets is more compelling than their romantic arc.

Ceren also makes a bold choice by incorporating emails and interludes from the celestial beings who seem to be orchestrating—or at least monitoring—Sare’s fate. At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of these emails. They felt jarring, pulling me out of the deeply personal story into what felt like an over-the-top cosmic HR department. But as I kept reading, I realized they served a purpose. These moments inject humor, irony, and a strange kind of bureaucratic absurdity into the story that acts as a foil to Sare’s intensely human struggles. Think The Good Place meets The Screwtape Letters, with a bit of Terry Pratchett flair.

Thematically, this book goes beyond fantasy and romance. It’s about inherited trauma, maternal silence, and what it means to be shaped by pain you didn’t choose. Sare’s mother is a shadow throughout the book—not just in death but in what she left unsaid. Unpacking that silence is one of the most powerful parts of the novel. I found myself more drawn to Sare’s journey toward emotional truth than to the curse-breaking mechanics, which sometimes felt convoluted or underexplained.

If I have one major critique, it’s that the climax comes too easily. For a story with such high emotional and mythological stakes, the resolution felt rushed and a bit too neat. The celestial beings who had loomed large throughout ended up feeling more like comic relief than actual threats. I wanted more weight to the final confrontations, more consequences for the ones who had manipulated Sare’s life from above.

Still, there’s something undeniably beautiful about the way this book handles grief, longing, and identity. Sare isn’t just fighting for love—she’s fighting for her right to feel anything at all. Ceren’s prose balances lyrical beauty with emotional clarity. Some passages stopped me cold, not because they were flowery, but because they were honest. There’s a gentleness to the writing that doesn’t undercut its power.

The Book of Heartbreak is a quiet storm of a novel. It doesn’t yell to get your attention—it just keeps building, one truth at a time. It’s whimsical, funny, sad, and hopeful in equal measure. If you’re drawn to character-driven fantasy with emotional depth, cultural richness, and a touch of myth, this is a story worth falling into. Even if it breaks your heart a little.

I did not read this book all the way through, but I do think it is well written. I could not get hooked on the story at this time, but I would potentially go back to it at a later date. The premise is unique, and the setting is not like most of today's romantasy novels.

A curse that causes literal heartbreak and the girl who must break the curse before her fifth and final death or before she loses her heart forever: The Book of Heartbreak certainly has a unique premise! Add onto that a beautiful setting, interesting folklore, and a bunch of angelic hosts who range from quirky to malicious, and Ova Ceren's debut is a fun read. However, the instalove is hard at work, and I didn't truly feel the connection between the main character, Sare, and her love interest. As friends, sure; as partners in breaking the curse, sure; but not as a romantic pair so quickly. There were also some confusing moments as people (intentionally) went by different names and things were happening so quickly that it was a little difficult to keep track of who was doing this or that, but these weren't often enough to really impact the story. However, the found family, generational trauma, and lessons on forgiveness really shone and made up for the cons. The Book of Heartbreak is a great debut, and I can't wait to see what Ceren writes next!

This was such an amazing book! I loved everything about it. The magic and the characters in this book was perfection! I look forward to reading more from this author.

This one hit all the emotions—heartbreak, hope, laughter, and that deep ache you only get from a truly great romantasy. The writing was stunning, the characters unforgettable, and the mythology—new to me—made the world feel even more immersive. I couldn’t put it down. I’ll absolutely be grabbing a finished copy as soon as it’s out. A beautifully crafted, emotional ride from start to finish.

I didn't know anything about the folklore behind this story, but I don't think that hindered my enjoyment of the book. Sare is an occasionally frustrating character to follow, but I was still rooting for her to break the curse. The romance felt a bit forced. I would have liked to see more of her relationship with her grandfather.
Five being the catalyst for the curse and its revival feels a bit unnecessary, though I did like the addition of Heaven being like a badly managed government office. It's not entirely clear if Five sired Sare specifically to be his prophet, or if that was an afterthought on his part.

3.5 stars

This was a beautifully written book that I think just missed the mark a bit with its tone.

Overall, I really enjoyed the plot and thought that Istanbul was the perfect setting for this magical story. It was atmospheric and vivid and cozy and emotional. Sare's story was a great exploration of trauma and complicated familial relationships and the work that goes into trying to fix broken families. Sare had to somehow come to terms with the reality that her mom had two separate lives and kept her in the dark about some very important truths. She had to learn to accept that her mom wasn't the greatest mother in the world, and it's okay to resent her for that, while also understanding that she was dealt a really bad hand in life involving things that were so far out of control. These types of conflicts are so hard to portray correctly, but I think Ceren really killed it. It all felt believable and I felt my heart breaking along with Sare's.

However, I really had a problem with the ending. While I do like how it ended for Sare, I think it was a little too quick and easy and the seriousness of the whole situation was really undercut by the silliness of the celestial beings and their bickering. I don't think those email breaks were needed, and I think we could have just learned all the world building from that through Sare's growing relationship with Leon, which was honestly too underdeveloped and lacking in chemistry. It all moved too quickly in my opinion, and this could have been helped if Ceren got rid of the emails and used that space to have Leon and Sare spend more time working together. Additionally, in the end, I don't feel like the villain was really punished and Ceren leaned too much into the weird office vibes of the celestial headquarters. I don't know, Sare just went on such an amazing personal journey and I wish it focused more on that than the fantastical elements of the story.

I received a temporary digital copy of The Book of Heartbreak from NetGalley, Alcove Press and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sare Silverbirch is cursed and with less than a few months to break the curse, Sare must discover the origins. Can she uncover her mother's story without her heartbreaking? Without killing herself?

I found The Book of Heartbreak extremely difficult to get into. The hierarchy of the celestials was extremely confusing in the beginning, maybe due to the emails? Although, once I gained the understanding of who-was-who, the emails were a highlight and very funny. I loved Sare and Leon's relationship and did enjoy the story after the half-way point. 3.5 stars rounded up.

This was such a unique and refreshing story and I’ve honestly never read anything quite like it. The idea of a curse tied to heartbreak is something I haven't really seen in YA/NA. Even though the beginning moved a little slowly, plot picked up, especially when Sare traveled to Istanbul. I was hooked. It turned into something really emotional and layered, and I loved watching Sare start to question everything she thought she knew.

The relationships in this book felt deep and well-developed, especially between Sare and Leon. It wasn’t rushed, and it made their connection feel real. The world around Sare was also beautifully built, it had this dreamy feel without it being too complicated. Even with a slower start, it ended up being a story that really stayed with me. Excited for future projects!

The Book of Heartbreak by Ova Ceren is a sad yet beautiful coming-of-age tale, wrapped in folklore, emotion, and hope. While it’s not my usual genre, I found it enjoyable, thought provoking, reflective, and heartwarming.

The story follows Silverbirch, a young woman cursed to guard her heart from heartbreak or suffer the consequences. After a life altering event forces her to move to Istanbul, she begins a journey to break the curse that has defined her life. Along the way, she uncovers long hidden secrets, hard truths, and a new path toward the life she deserves.

Ceren’s writing is lyrical and immersive. I appreciated the way she wove her culture into the narrative, giving readers a deeper sense of place and meaning. It felt like she offered a piece of herself through the story. The mix of folklore, witty banter, forbidden love, and supernatural elements made this a truly unique read.

very fun and interesting book with some interesting writings and ideas. would definitely recommend. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

I loved the concept of this book unfortunately it felt too drawn out and too little plot. I was excited by the synopsis but felt like the characters were flat and I was racing through each scene because they felt so long.

Sare Silverbirch is cursed. She can only have five heartbreak before she turns 18 or she’ll die. When her mom passed away, her heart broke for the fourth time, and she started to questioning her curse. Then, her long-lost grandfather showed up at her mom’s funeral and invited her to live with him in Istanbul. Back to where it all began, Sare starts to see a glimmer of hope in the answer to her questions about her curse and her mom’s past.

I find the concept of a heartbreak curse intriguing. Combined with the presence of Munu, an ethereal tasked with preventing Sare from experiencing another heartbreak, their dynamic is truly unique. The most captivating moment for me was the revelation of the truth about Daphne, Sare’s mother. While it was heartbreaking, I also recognize that this pain is essential for a significant turning point.

The thing that is quite annoying is part of the work system of the angels here. Their system is too intricate to be integrated into Sare’s narrative, which diminishes its prominence. Nevertheless, the story remains intriguing and quite enjoyable.

This was so beautifully written. I am someone who struggles with the concept of death, and yet I gravitate towards books that go over this concept. I felt this piece did a fantastic job at intertwining the beauty of life, loss, and what we value in between. A five star read that I will be recommending to everyone I know.

This was such a beautiful and emotional read. The Book of Heartbreak completely pulled me in from the very first page. Ova Ceren’s writing is really, really good. Smooth, lyrical, and packed with emotion without ever being too much. Every sentence feels carefully chosen, and the story flows in a way that kept me hooked until the very end.

What makes this book truly special is how it blends modern fantasy romance with rich Middle Eastern mythology and folklore. The story follows Sare Silverbirch, a woman cursed to die if her heart breaks five times.

After the fourth heartbreak triggered by her mother’s unexpected death, she goes on a journey to find out the truth behind her curse. This journey takes her to Istanbul, and that setting adds so much depth and atmosphere. The cultural details and references, especially the Easter eggs tied to regional myths, were absolutely lovely to discover. They never feel forced, they're woven naturally into the world and the plot.

Sare is such a strong and relatable main character. Her fear of love, her grief, and her courage to seek answers all feel real. And then there’s Leon, the mysterious seer who helps her through it all. Their relationship is slow-burn and bittersweet, and I loved watching it unfold, even with the constant tension of Sare’s fragile heart.

The book also does a great job mixing magic with emotion. Celestials, fate, curses, and destiny all play big roles, but the story never loses its human touch. It’s deeply romantic, but also full of mystery, ancient power, and self-discovery.

If you love fantasy with a strong romantic core, rich cultural roots, and writing that really sings, this is for you. The Book of Heartbreak is haunting and hopeful all at once. I absolutely recommend it and I’ll be looking out for anything Ova Ceren writes next.

Thank you to Alcove Press for the ARC.

I have nothing but praise for this book and its author. It is a mystery of life and death! The characters are loveable and heartwarming! The story is unique and engaging! I can't say enough positive things for "The Book of Heartbreak".

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful book!!

Okay, so "The Book of Heartbreak" by Ova Ceren? This book is literally a hug for your soul, but like, with a side of fantastical angst. The whole premise of Sare being cursed so a fifth heartbreak will actually stop her heart is wild, and I was instantly hooked. The way she goes to Istanbul to unravel her family's past and finds this whole hidden world of angels and destiny? Obsessed!
Ova Ceren's writing is just so atmospheric and beautiful, it's giving cozy fantasy but with deep, real emotions. I loved the blend of Middle Eastern legend with a modern romance, and the witty humor, especially the emails between the angels, had me giggling. It’s bittersweet in the best way, making you feel everything without being overly heavy. If you're looking for a book that's gonna break your heart and then gently piece it back together with magic, love, and a strong sense of self-discovery, this is it. It's a debut, and honestly, it's a masterpiece. Definitely recommending this one to everyone.