This book was very different than your typical romance novel. I was excited to read it based on the synopsis: two childhood best friends are reconnected as adults, bodyguard (MMC) x popstar (FMC) trope, and then add in an apocalypse type event (solar flare) that adds in a dystopian element to your typical romance book. When the electrical grid in the US is destroyed and everything goes dark, our MCs are on a plane and end up crashing. When they stumble out of the woods, they are outside of Springfield, IL and spend the rest of the book trying to make it back home to LA.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy it. The MMC was really the only character I enjoyed. The popstar FMC was pretty insufferable and I really dislike when the FMC is narrow minded and rude. By the end, there was some character development but not enough to make up for all the mistakes and actions she made in most of the novel.
The romance was sub-par at best, I felt absolutely no connection between the main characters. This was marketed as a second chance but they were only childhood friends/neighbors and by the time they were teenagers, they hated each other. I would’ve loved to see more flashbacks from their childhood relationships but unfortunately, we only received a handful of flashbacks in the beginning, not enough for me to form any real connection with the characters. To me, the flashbacks we received did not enhance their relationship in any way. This was also marketed as a slow burn (which i typically love), but this was just slow, there was no burn.

Since we barely received any romance or flashbacks, the author did spend a majority of the story focusing on the dystopian aspect. Again, I was excited for this, I love a good dystopian concept. However, this plot was also disjointed and boring. The survival aspect was boring and felt wannabe Walking Dead/Last of Us (sans zombies). As someone who loves The Walking Dead, I could only keep seeing plot holes with the author’s concept of the “end of the world”. For as much time as the main characters were forced to spend together, you would then think the romance would make sense, but it just felt forced.

I have read Archer’s Voice by this author and it is one of my favorite novels....this feels like it was wrote by a completely different author. Which after reading the acknowledgments, I saw that this was not even her idea and was provided the outline/concept of the story from Temple Hill. Overall, I was disappointed with this "love story".

Thank you to NetGalley, The Hive, and the author for the eARC!

I read this ARC through NetGalley. This is a wonderful story about childhood friends who reconnect later in life where Tuck has a chance for redemption from the mistakes he’s made in his life. Mia Sheridan does a great job describing the different types of people there are in the world and how they’d respond to a catastrophic event. I highly recommend!

Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan 3.5 ⭐️

Tuck + Emily

Second chance slow burn romance
Sci-fi
Dystopian
Apocalypse
Dual POV


“Where were you when the lights went out?”

Tuck and Emily have history. Childhood neighbors are turned adult coworkers after years apart. Emily is a singer/songwriter. Tuck is on parole after a 6-year stay in prison. Emily hires Tuck as her personal bodyguard before her first major tour. Before the tour can even begin, a solar flare takes out the North American power grid-possibly the entire planet’s power grid. Tuck, Emily, and her boyfriend Charlie are stranded in the Midwest after their plane crashed due to the plane’s system failure. Faced with of obstacles all kinds, the trio has to trek back to their home in LA.




There were a few REALLY good moments:

“We enjoyed an incredible dinner of vegetable stew and bread baked over the firepit, and for a brief few hours, the world felt almost normal, if a bit primitive. I’d spoken to Tuck earlier about appreciating the quiet. And the simple but delicious dinner with Tom and Jane and their boys made me realize too how little time I’d made to slow down and enjoy what was now so precious: good food, kind people, a feeling of safety, and later, a warm bed and walls surrounding me.”

“And I was surprised that that girl with the glamorous nails and luxurious hair extensions already felt so distant, the false parts of her dropped piece by piece on lonely back roads and in dewy fields as I was both lost…and somehow found.”

“This odd feeling of disbelief overcame me to know that so much healing could happen when you weren’t even paying attention. And I had this sudden appreciation for my body that I’d never had before. Not because of the way it looked or performed, but because of the way it could heal.”

This was unlike anything else I’ve read by Mia Sheridan. A romantic dystopian novel and honestly liked it more than I expected. I instantly gravitated towards Tuck and his story. But I have to admit for about 60% of the book I found Emily insufferable. The book focuses on the their journey back to Emily’s parents. I loved how Tuck stepped up and took care of Emily and made it his mission to get her home. Along the way she started to notice that Tuck was still the same person she fell in love with as a kid. The journey lead them to realizing how they always felt for one another.

I LOVEEEE Mia’s books. Literally such a big fan. Had the pleasure of meeting her twice at signing events. She’s sweet as pie, and a really talented writer. I was so excited for this, and I’m so thankful NetGalley approved me for the arc, but this was a bit disappointing. It didn’t even feel like Mia wrote it.

It has a super intriguing premise but the romance felt so disjointed, the plot pacing was inconsistent (slow for the majority of it and then way too fast towards the end), & the ending was a little underwhelming. It was lacking a little something. The whole story felt 2 dimensional.

Maybe this would be better as a movie or show. I actually got some “the walking dead” vibes from this (minus the zombies) with the whole end of the world element to this story. The parts which described how people were affected by the solar flare & collapse of society affected me most, because it felt like it could be real. Some scenes were borderline horror/thriller, and of course that got a reaction out of me. But I was bored with the majority of the book.

I still love Mia and will continue reading her backlist and taking a chance on her new releases, but this one wasn’t it.

I did read in the acknowledgment that she was given the idea for this story from Temple Hill Production Company, so maybe that’s why it doesn’t feel like her writing, because it wasn’t of her creation. It was lacking that heart and passion that’s in her other books that I love so much. This was fine though, just not great.

I loved what this book could have been. The premise was so interesting and I really liked the romance. Unfortunately, this book had huge pacing issues. Some parts of the story were so dragged out while other parts felt extremely rushed. I tend to struggle with “journey” books so it could be partially a me issue. I really wish we cut out some of the journey and had more flashbacks of Tuck and Emily when they were younger.

I will say I loved Tuck and Emily’s romance when it finally began. I totally bought into them. I was also satisfied with how we left them at the end.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an arc

This book took me on a wild adventure I was not expecting! I was completely captivated and loved every bit of this book!! Heart of the Sun is a journey of friendship, hope, and the power of love.

The story weaves past life with present and how Emily and Tuck have been connected over the years. Their journey takes them from the middle of Illinois through various states back to California. Along the way they are piecing together the possibility of what might have happened when their plane crashed. They meet some interesting characters along the way and I loved the way these interactions shaped their character as they continued on their journey. It was filled with many action packed moments but also sweet tender moments in the inbetween. Tuck was such a softie and just loved his endearing moments with Emily.

Dystopian/post-apocalyptic with a subplot of romance? I don’t know if the marketing is off or I was just thrown in the deep end lol
I actually enjoyed this book but did not expect this! The character development was top notch but the situations felt like they were just repeating.

Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan is a great book! I really enjoyed the plot and the romance a lot, very nice story.

I went into this basically blind. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Little did I know that this would be perfect for the mood I was in. I did an immersion read I had the audio and the ebook. First I loved the narrators. I thought they did an amazing job. I highly recommend getting the audio and doing this one that way if you can. It is a dual narration so they switch off when it is their characters chapter.
It really drew me into the story even more and I sometimes have a harder time with romance audiobooks. This one just worked for me.

The story. It is a post apocalyptic a solar flare happens, and now they have to figure out what to do and kind of like you would in a fantasy book. They have to go on a journey and that’s just you know my kind of book minus this isn’t a fantasy. They were childhood friends now it’s enemies to lovers. He’s an ex-con. She is more of a famous singer. There is one character in this book that I found absolutely annoying and I believe that was the authors intent because it is not a main character so good on Mia Sheridan. You will know exactly who I mean when you met them. I thought the pacing was great. I read it in one setting and could not put it down. I thought the characters showed development throughout the book. This is definitely what I’m going to have to get a physical copy of when it comes out.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced review copy!

This wasn’t what I was expecting. I like to go into my books blind, and I wanted the ARC of this because I love Mia Sheridan’s work. I was expecting some cute love story, and this was not it. However, I enjoyed it! I don’t usually gravitate towards dystopian novels, but this was intriguing and kept my interest the entire time. I felt that the ending was a bit rushed, but apart from that I had a good time.

Wow! This story was very well done and was a realistic account of a post-apocalyptic type situation.
Emily is a rising star named Nova who is about to go on her first major singing tour. She is in need of a bodyguard on the tour when her mother calls and says her childhood best friend and crush should have the job. Emily reluctantly agrees because she feels guilty but is weary because Tuck just got out of a six-year prison sentence after pushing her away.
While on a plane for the tour, they lose all communications and their plane crashes with the pilot, Emily, Tuck, and Emily's hot shot actor boyfriend.
What ensues takes a look at humanity, perseverance, and love.

Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan is the kind of book that grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go. It’s raw, emotional, and brimming with that signature Sheridan angst—but this time, with a dystopian twist that adds even more intensity to the romance.

Emily and Tuck were childhood best friends, the kind of soul-deep connection that should have lasted forever. But life (and heartbreak) tore them apart. Now, Emily’s a popstar, and Tuck—broody, protective, and freshly out of prison—is the last person she expects to be guarding her body and her heart. Their tension is electric, their banter sharp, and the slow-burn chemistry? Off. The. Charts.

Then, just when you think you’re getting a classic second-chance romance, the world literally falls apart. A solar flare wipes out the electrical grid, and suddenly, it’s not just their past haunting them—it’s survival. Emily’s fame means nothing in this new world, but for Tuck, this chaos might be the redemption he’s been searching for.

This book is a perfect mix of angsty romance, survival drama, and deep emotional healing. If you love enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and bodyguard tension—all set against a gripping, apocalyptic backdrop—Heart of the Sun is going to wreck you in the best way. Fans of The Last of Us and slow-burn, high-stakes romance won’t be able to put it down.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Wow! What a unique storyline!
I enjoyed the origin story of the two main characters, Emily and Tuck, and the tumultuous evolution of their friendship that brought them to present day. But what I enjoyed the most about this book is that it really made me think and put myself and my family in their shoes.
This book unlocked a new level of anxiety I’m not sure I was ready for…
The situation the characters find themselves in is fascinating yet terrifying. My husband and I went down a rabbit hole researching solar flares as I would lay in bed at night making him read excerpts asking him, “wait can this really happen?!?!”
As for the romance aspect, it is predictable but sweet. If you are looking for any kind of spiciness, you won’t get it here.
I’m still thinking about this one a week later, so for that alone it deserves ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ in my book.

Mia Sheridan’s Heart of the Sun is an emotional, gripping romance that completely pulled me in. The story follows childhood friends Tuck and Emily, who are reunited years later—Emily as a rising pop star and Tuck, an ex-con, as her unexpected bodyguard. Just as they begin to untangle their complicated past, a catastrophic solar flare throws the world into chaos, forcing them to rely on each other in ways they never imagined.

I loved how Sheridan weaved deep, emotional character development with the urgency of a survival story, making every moment feel raw and real. Tuck’s struggle for redemption and Emily’s journey of self-discovery made their slow-burn romance all the more powerful. The post-apocalyptic setting added an intense layer of suspense, but at its heart, this book is about love, second chances, and the resilience of the human spirit.

If you enjoy stories that blend heart-wrenching romance with high stakes, Heart of the Sun is an unforgettable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harleyquin Trade Publishing for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC for this book and it was just ok. I think it was more of a dystopian fiction book than an outright romance bc the slow burn was obvious but still felt like an afterthought. The FMC is annoying until about 75% of the way through and the MMC is a tortured hero- a bit cliche. The dystopian plot saved the book from being boring and if it had been developed more instead of leaving room for the angst I think this book could’ve been fantastic.

You will like this one if you love the tropes
Enemies to Lovers
Childhood Best Friends
Slow Burn Romance
New Adult Dystopian Romance

My Review
This book is the first arc I have finished for @htp_hive and @htpbooks. I was absolutely hooked from the beginning. I assumed this was going to be your normal pop star/bodyguard childhood friends to lovers story, but boy was I wrong! This had a dystopian element when a solar flare knocks out the power grid. Tuck and Emily really had to rely on one another more than ever. Emily finds out that her status doesn’t matter in this new world and Tuck has a chance to prove himself while they run into those willing to help them And those willing to harm them. Who can you truly trust? You will have to read to find out. With the state of our country today and hearing about solar flares and our power grid, this one was so thought provoking. It really had me wondering how would we handle something like this? Either way this one was an easy 5 stars for me. I want more like this for sure! Mia is a new to me author and I will definitely be reading more of her books as well !


Thank you so such for this exciting opportunity @htp_hive , @htpbooks, @netgalley, and @miasheridanauthor. #hiveinfluencer

SPOILER ALERT
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-Star Review | Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan

I went into Heart of the Sun completely blind, not knowing what to expect—boy, was I in for a wild ride. The story starts off strong, pulling me in and making me fall in love with the main characters. Just when I thought I had a sense of where things were going, BAM 💥—a twist I never saw coming. A plane crash. The world falling apart. I was hooked.

Tuck and Emily’s banter and love story immediately drew me in, but their journey back home was what truly captivated me. Every challenge, every triumph, and every moment of hope felt so real, like I was right there beside them. And the ending? It was exactly what I had pictured—deeply satisfying and heartfelt.

Beyond the romance and adventure, Heart of the Sun made me reflect on the fragility of our world. It left me rethinking how to prepare for the unexpected while also appreciating the beauty of a simple life at home. A powerful, unforgettable read that lingers long after the final page!

Rating: 2.5/5

Tuck and Emily were best friends growing up in California, but life pulled them apart. Thirteen years later, Emily is a famous pop star who needs a bodyguard, and Tuck, who used to be in trouble with the law, is looking for a fresh start. When they meet again, Emily hires Tuck to protect her, and they end up arguing like they used to, but there's also a spark between them. When a big solar flare messes up the world and everything changes, they both have to figure out how to move on and find their way back to each other.

I wanted to DNF this book at 50%, but I really wanted to know how the book ended.

I really liked the premise of this book. However, it fell flat and was extremely boring. Each chapter was a day of them walking back home across the US and some days were better than others. The bad days were not very climatic.


I didnt mind the characters. The MMC, Tuck, was constantly feeling bad for hmself. Throughout the book and I wanted to shake him and say "Look what is going on around you. Stop moping around. You were given a second chance. Suck it buttercup!"

The ending was HEA but not in the sense you were hoping. The ending was somewhat realistic in a way, but I was hoping the epilogue would have been like 5 years later instead of 1 year later.

Overall, if you enjoy a dystopian and childhood friends- second chance - to lovers, than this book may be for you.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and Mia Sheridan for the ARC.

4/5 Stars ⭐️

I want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC.

This was nothing like I've ever read by Mia Sheridan. Heart of the Sun is an adult dystopian love story through and through. This story takes you on a wild ride that has many twists and turns with a slow burn like no other. You get dual POV from Tuck (MMC) and Emily (FMC) on their journey from childhood to the present day when the world went dark. Mia Sheridan does an amazing job detailing how humanity is tested when faced with no world order.

I found myself thinking about should something like this happen today, what would I do if I were in these character's situation, and it's a very scary and dark thought because it absolutely felt like something that could actually happen.

I recommend understanding the trigger warning(s) in this book. Death and violence is a major factor in this story.