Overall, I'm torn between giving this book 2.5 stars or 3 stars. There's some language randomly thrown in that starts out of nowhere and doesn't truly fit, but this is definitely a book for a young adult.

This book is messy messy messy. Everyone is connected to everyone and it gets complicated.

I love the premise, history aspect, connected family, and folklore. I enjoyed Sare and Leon as characters, but pretty much everyone else got annoying very quickly. I wish Sare started to stand up for herself earlier to find out what she wanted, but I understand what it's like to be gaslighted for years. Practically everyone in this book has their own agenda and lies to get their way. They'll use who they need to meet their goal. I didn't trust Munu from the start and knowing the ending, I get it, but I'm still not a fan. I felt like some characters, like Pelin, were not really necessary to the story and were added in randomly.

I know it was most likely due to the format that the eARC was sent, but the letters to Munu and others were extremely hard to follow. However, the part in the first letter that I got a good laugh at was the sugar. It was good to know that if she survives to 18 years old, that, yay, she’s alive, but some emotions are removed. That’s crazy! You have to fight not feeling anything for 18 years and what?- after you survive you get to feel almost nothing! Give them a prize for what a life their providing. It almost sounds like an Ella Enchanted situation where someone thinks they’re doing good but they really suck, fighting it as much as they can to try to live a reasonable life. But also, I like how Munu can’t even talk to her boss. This is like a real life situation with people you work with and they like to clarify you’re not friends. That’s cool and all as I wasn’t asking for your life story but where we’re at on a mutual work project and they evade you at every turn. Just trying to do my job, but that’s fine.

Also, the premise is a little interesting- Somehow Sare is cursed as a child, which is already hard enough growing up and essentially anytime she’s sad her heart breaks? It’s inevitable in life to get your heart broken by someone you’re interested in, family, friends, etc. So, cursing a child, or well anyone, is exceptionally cruel. Seems a little extreme, at least in the first case, but I can understand that children that little don’t know how to regulate their emotions. At least Sare knows what her fate will be if she survives.

As someone who personally wants the truth above all else, I sympathize with Sare because she’s trying her hardest to figure out what’s going on and why this was done to her. She feels betrayed by everyone and sometimes, trying to keep someone you love “safe” is the way you bring their downfall. However, I do see some of the other side of things. She has another parental figure in her life who cares to some degree. Her grandfather implements rules that she isn’t used to and Sare didn’t seem to have very many rules as she pretty much fended for herself. It’s hard when you become independent and stuck in a routine or the way you do things. People have clearly lied to her her whole life and she's just trying to get by and then fight for herself/ the life she wants.

Unfortunately, at the end part of this story feels like a bad parody of a fairytale or Disney movie. Leon and Sare's love story felt too fast. They're young and don't know each other well, but they instantly love each other? I know they're supposed to have a connection and Leon has been dreaming of Sare for years, but it just didn't feel right and felt rushed.

I received an eARC from Crooked Lane Marketing via email through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was invited to read this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Based on the summary of the book, I thought I would really love this one. The concept is really unique and interesting. Unfortunately I had difficulty getting into the book and the style wasn’t really for me. The pacing was a bit slow. Unfortunately it’s just not for me, but I always say don’t let my review stop you from giving it a shot!

This story felt like a tragic romance with fantasy elements deeply enmeshed. There were a lot of beautiful lines and creative interludes and I loved the overall message that love and forgiveness are stronger than fear or anger.

Loved this book. An emotional roller coaster, I was rooting for Sare on every page, and so happy she got her HEA after everything she’s been through!

This book was absolutely everything I needed and wanted out of a fantasy novel with elements of magical realism and historical accuracy.

Although, if I'm honest, it took me a moment to fully get into the story. But by chapter eight, I was fully invested in every aspect of the story.

The narrative is told through both first-person POV and a series of letters/email correspondence. The story was poetic, timeless, and very well written.

My favorite part of the whole novel was how well the author was able to incorporate an already existing medieval Middle Eastern legend into the narrative by acknowledging the mystery of the legend itself before turning it on its head.

I cannot explain to you how much I LOVE historical fantasy. It's not always done well, but when it is, you can bet I'll be screaming about it from the rooftops.😅

The story begins in England, and then the rest of the narrative is set in modern-day Istanbul. The author does a fantastic job of really transporting the reader halfway across the world to walk through the ancient city's bazaars.

Plus, the incorporation of the real historical landmark, the Maiden's Tower, into the curse itself was just absolutely masterful.

The characters were also so well written that I couldn't help but love them, especially Leon. The complex relationships between each character and how they navigated them were probably one of the most compelling aspects of the book, aside from the enigma of the curse and its origin.

Lastly, the supernatural elements of the book were fascinating, and I couldn't help but want to learn more about how to world and its hierarchical system worked.

Overall, this book was every bit as beautiful and cozy as it is sad and tragic. It is perfect for readers who love OUABH, stories about hope and the power of forgiveness, angels& demons, fated mates, self-discovery, and independence. I give this 4.5⭐️ (rounded up to 5).

There were some inconsistencies and pacing issues in the book for me. Times where I wasn't entirely sure what they were talking about, it made it hard to keep my attention and pull me in at the start but once it did it did. I think this is a good book, and I loved the concept. I love something unique. Overall I liked it but I do think there are some things that could have been fixed to make it more captivating.

I’ve followed the author on instagram for a while now and she told us she was writing a book so I was routing for her from the start and couldn’t wait to read it . From the moment i turned the first page I was hooked . I thought the description of sera silverbirch’s mother’s death was beautifully written and the author really understood grief and its significance to the character. As soon as she arrived in Istanbul the city was bought to life with its vivid descriptions I really felt I was there with her and seeing such a beautiful vibrant city for real . The story is pure magic with plot twists and turns and an array of characters that just make you want to keep reading late into the night to finish it . I loved it with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher hot key books and ova ceren . Read on kindle

The Book of Heartbreak is a book about a girl who is cursed to die every time her heart breaks, and after 5 she will not come back. We start the book off having already died of heartbreak 3 times. This is based on a Middle Eastern legend and takes place mostly in Istanbul.

I enjoyed the slight mixed media in this. We saw some emails back and forth between the involved celestials throughout the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for sending me a copy to review.

I thought this was a fun little fantasy read! It reminded me of Invisible Life of Addie LaRue for sure. Overall, was just decent for me—I’d have to say three stars.

The Book of Heartbreak was not a book I requested, it was instead sent to me by the publisher. I do not typically read books marketed as romantasy, and while I wanted to try to enjoy this one, I just couldn't quite get over the genre it was being labeled as. I thought that it read a bit young at times, which makes the whole "romantasy" label weird to me- which I see as a definitively adult category. I think this book would be excellent for people who enjoy mythology, fantasy, and romance, but that's just not really my cup of tea.

This is a unique story for fans of urban fantasy or magical realism. I was intrigued and worried for the main character as she navigated her curse. At times the writing felt slow but overall I enjoyed it!

I was initially drawn in by the gorgeous cover. Then I read the blurb and was so intrigued so I decided to dive in. This was a great read.

I enjoyed the writing style and the story was interesting. I learned after reading that this was a take on a Turkish folk tale with a twist, and I feel that it was well done.

As a big fan of fantasy, this dip into magical realism was a fun one. Something I’ve noticed is that 17 year olds are frequently portrayed with poor decision making skills, but Sare was different. She didn’t make those rash decisions that you often see. She was a great portrayal of a strong, intelligent young girl.

This was a fun yet unsettling adventure. If he heart breaks five times, she will die. But why on earth is she stuck with this curse, and how is she supposed to avoid heartbreak when life can be so cruel?

Ova Ceren's The Book of Heartbreak is a lovely blend of fantasy, romance and Middle Eastern folklore.
We follow our FMC Sare as she travels to find a cure to her curse - a fifth heartbreak that will stop her heart forever - and meets our seer Leon. Their blossoming romance is tender even as Sare's fragile heart hangs in the balance.

The story had a good balance of heartbreak, humor and hope. The dialogue flows well and feels genuine, the characters are well developed and written so that it's easy to empathise with them. The plot is progressive, well paced and keeps readers engaged.

The Book of Heartbreak is a fun romantasy that will break your heart and piece it back together again. Thank you to Netgalley and Alcove Press for an ARC of this book to review.

The Book of Heartbreak is a beautiful retelling of a Middle Eastern Legend that immediately captured my attention!! Sare must risk her final heartbreak, and her life, for the truth. My heart broke for her and all the love she needed but was never given.

If you love Middle Eastern Legends, forbidden romance, coming of age, and hefallsfirstbutshefallsharder tropes, this book is perfect for you!

Thank you for the opportunity of an eARC, and I am leaving this review willingly.

Loved this one! I went in expecting OUABH vibes and was only slightly wrong on that one. I anticipate this being a big hit in the book community!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book for an honest review!
It was magical!

Such a wonderful story with richness of Istabul, magic, love, life and trust. The main character Sare learns so much about the unexpected with the journey she goes on physically and mentally. Does she find what she's looking for? Does she get more than what she bargains? It was an emotional read. I felt like Sare was trying to figure it all out and I was right there with her. I wanted her to get happiness and to understand all the things that were happening to her.

Does she get her happy ever after?
You will have to go get this book when it comes out.

The cover of the book is gorgeous!

There were surprises along the way which made me jump. I will say there was one thing that I thought was hilarious in the book and was not expecting it which leads me to the word - emails. There were other moments in the book that I thought were sweet.

Everything was unique and rich throughout the plot, characters and everything! I think you should add this book to your collection. Go pick it up at your local bookstore and request it at your local library for August 2025!

This was a fun fantasy! I loved the relationship between Leon and Sare. The setup and premise for this story was one that set the stakes high from the start. It had me gripping my seats in anxiety worrying about when things would go wrong. Forbidden love in the absolute sense of the word, no bigger consequence than death itself. I’ve never quite read anything similar to this, and honestly that was for the best. This could just exist as its own thing with no references to hold it to. The plot was fun, the romance was believable, and the characters were all well written as well.

This was a quick and fun fantasy read. I enjoyed the two main characters (Sare and Leon), the romance was sweet (hello slow burn), and the overall plot felt new and fresh.
One of my favorite aspects was the "correspondence" interruptions - it mixed things up and kept things interesting!
For fans of Young Adult Fantasy - specifically urban fantasy.

One complaint (and this did not change my review) was it was incredibly difficult to read as far as formatting is concerned. The ARC had no page breaks - so you would start a new chapter mid paragraph.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC!

I’m sorry but this just didn’t do it for me. It didn't feel unique. It honestly felt like an origin story of “Once Upon A Broken Heart” if Jacks was a girl.

After about 2 chapters I didn’t need to read further, I immediately knew what would happen. A girl who is cursed with a limited number of heartbreaks, if she has another she dies. She only needs to avoid every relationship until she turns 18 in a few months. I wonder what could happen….👀. I could tell that she would be scared to find love, but take the risk and it would end up happily ever after.

I did like the discourse with the Angels/Heaven and the FMCs guardian. That part was different and added some cool angles to what was really going on.

I probably wouldn’t recommend this book to others seeing that it just didn’t have an “umph”.