⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan

Thank you Netgalley and Harelequin for the ARC!

This book blew my expectations out of the water. I’ve never read a romance like it! It was both sappy and sweet, but had a lot of angst, and stressful moments. The way Mia wrote a post apocalyptic love story without making it feel like it was strictly one or the other was amazing!
This book has weaving timelines, childhood friends/enemies to lovers, second chance romance, and so many other things I love!

This book follows Emily, a rising popstar and Tuck, her childhood friend/neighbor who fell on some hard times. They reconnect because Tuck needs a job, and Emily needs a security guard. They head to NY, and encounter a solar flare and have to fight their way to safety. Through road blocks, and scavenging for food, they have to work together to survive.

The entire premise was so interesting, kept me engaged, and made me think about the world if this situation ever came to be. The only thing I wish is that there was another epilogue or chapter with some details of some of the people we met along the way. I would have loved to know others stories!

🏷️
#bookreview

Overall, I did enjoy this read. It is marketed as a romance focused book, but it was more dystopian based. I enjoyed the dystopian pieces but I felt myself just ….waiting… for the romance part to happen. While romantic pieces did happen, they didn’t happen to the level that I was expecting. I was also a little disappointed to see that the idea wasn’t really Mia’s and was more the idea of the publishers. Overall, I would recommend it but not how it was marketed.

Ce titre ne sort qu'au mois de mai mais j'ai eu l'opportunité de le lire en avance! J'ai passé un bon moment avec ce livre même s'il y a quelques bémols...

Nous allons suivre Tuck, un ancien détenu qui cherche un emploi pour se réinsérer dans la société et il va se retrouver employer par son ancienne meilleure amie et maintenant chanteuse à la mode, Emily Swanson. Mais lors d'un trajet en avion, un incident survient et ils vont devoir faire face à un monde postapocalyptique...

J'attendais avec impatience ce livre surtout avec un tel synopsis, les tropes qui nous étaient vendus (surtout quand on me dit que le livre convient à ceux qui ont aimé la série The Last of Us^^). J'ai passé un très bon moment avec nos personnages avec une première partie haletante et addictive mais par contre, j'ai eu du mal avec la seconde partie... Tout d'abord, car le rythme est plus long, qu'il se passe plein de choses (peut-être trop) dans un laps de temps assez limité ce qui m'a laissé un peu sceptique. C'est ce qui m'a un peu gâché la fin du livre du coup ^^. J'ai beaucoup aimé les personnages qui évoluent au fil des pages!

En bref, un livre avec lequel j'ai passé un bon moment mais avec des bémols...

The love story is a slow burn but totally worth it and the plot in this book is bingeworthy and could not put it down!!

4.5 🌟
1 🌶

This book, what can I say? I went into this book blindly, I didn't even read the synopsis, I just have read other books by this author and loved them, so I knew I would most likely love this as well. This story is so different than any romance book I have ever read before and I was sacked into thw story from the get go.
This is about Emily and Tuck, who grew up together, and had farms next to eachother. Their mothers were best friends, Emily had a love for music, and Tuck for the farm. When Tuck suffers some tragedies, he rebels and it costs him big time. Fast forward 13 years, Emily is an up and coming big name in the music industry, and Tuck just got done serving 6 years in prison! Fate brings them back together when Tuck needs a job and Emily needs a bodyguard, but something seriously unexpected happens when they are on a private plane on their way to Emily's tour, and their plane goes down, but then they realize it is so much worse, because it wasn't only the plane it was everywhere, a solar flare made everything go black, and off the grid. This book was so good, it has dystopian, friends to lovers, and it also makes you really think, the world could drastically change if the power were to all of a sudden go out everywhere!! Highly recommend this book, thank you netgalley for letting me read this as an ARC and can't wait to buy a physical copy for my shelf on May when this releases!

Mia Sheridan delivers a mesmerizing blend of heart-wrenching romance and high-stakes drama in Heart of the Sun.
In a world teetering on the edge of collapse, Heart of the Sun follows the lives of childhood friends, Tuck Mattice and Emily Swanson, who are thrust together again by fate after 13 years apart. Tuck, a brooding ex-convict haunted by personal tragedy is in need of a fresh start. Emily, a rising music icon in the need of a bodyguard. When a catastrophic solar event leaves Earth’s infrastructure in ruins, Tuck is forced to work with Emily and her egotistical movie star boyfriend. Tuck and Emily must navigate treacherous landscapes, hostile survivors, and the ghosts of their pasts. They butt heads and bicker, just like the old days—yet neither can deny the connection blossoming, challenging their carefully guarded walls and reigniting hope in a seemingly hopeless world.
With her signature emotionally charged storytelling, she invites readers into a dual-perspective narrative that deftly balances the personal and the apocalyptic. Sheridan’s ability to craft multi-dimensional characters shines in Heart of the Sun. Tuck’s quiet strength and vulnerability create a poignant contrast to Emily’s resilience and unyielding determination. Through their alternating perspectives, readers gain an intimate view of their fears, desires, and growth as individuals and as frenemies turn couple. The novel is as much about emotional survival as it is about physical endurance. Sheridan masterfully weaves in themes of love, redemption, and hope against the backdrop of a ravaged world. The pacing is impeccable, balancing tense, action-packed moments with tender, introspective scenes that tug at the heartstrings. The chemistry between Tuck and Emily is electric, their journey from reluctant allies to soul-deep partners unfolding with authenticity and emotional resonance. The apocalyptic setting adds layers of urgency and stakes to their relationship, making every moment between them feel significant. Sheridan’s vivid descriptions bring the decimated world to life, immersing readers in a landscape that is both harrowing and hauntingly beautiful. The writing is evocative, with prose that lingers long after the final page. Heart of the Sun is a triumph—a gripping, emotional, and deeply satisfying read that will appeal to fans of romance and dystopian fiction alike. Mia Sheridan proves once again why she’s a master of blending heartfelt love stories with extraordinary circumstances. Highly recommended!
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read this advance readers copy of Heart of the Sun and provide my honest feedback. Mia Sheridan has crafted yet another beautifully written masterpiece.

Every book I read of Mia’s I never know what type of plot I’ll be reading, and I love going into it blind. She always has a way of writing that makes you feel immersed in the story and this one is no different.

Tuck and Emily were childhood friends, but when tragedy strikes Tuck’s life he closes himself off and ends up moving away from their home town. He ends up getting into trouble and going to prison, and Emily becomes the famous singer that she’s always wanted to be. Fast forward years later, Tuck is out of prison and Emily needs a body guard since she’s becoming so popular and their reconnection ensues.

Tuck, Emily and Charlie (Emily’s fiancé), are taking a trip across country, but find themselves in an apocalyptic state of the US once their plane crashes. They are trying to navigate their way back from Illinois to CA where their family is, but they keep running into issues.

There is a lot of tension between all 3 of them and they don’t know who they can trust. Charlie and Tuck butt heads a lot through their journey. Emily starts to see the differences between Charlie and Tuck and wonders what she ever saw in Charlie. There’s so much pain, sadness, but also hope with the people they come across in their journey.

Quotes I loved in the book:
“Even the hardest parts of our lives provided positives from which to draw.”

“I don’t think we were meant to live in a rat race. How many people spend their lives going to jobs they hate only to barely pay their bills? Coming home to stare at a television set that rots their brain while eating food that makes them sick?”

Tropes:
Apocalyptic state
Childhood friends
Body guard/famous singer

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Mia Sheridan has created another amazing book with Heart of the Sun! I’ve been a fan of her writing for a long time, and this story reminded me why I love her so much.

The characters felt so real, and I connected with their emotions deeply. The story was full of love, hope, and resilience, and it kept me hooked from start to finish.

Mia’s writing is so beautiful and heartfelt—it’s like she pours her soul into every word. This book made me feel so much, and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.

If you’re looking for a touching, unforgettable story, you need to read this book. I can’t wait to see what Mia writes next!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn the Boats 🔥🍊✈️🎤
Whew! This one was a trip. An adventure. An anxiety attack. 😂💀 I had no idea the twist this one would take when I started, but I was in for a ride. It’s definitely in a league all its own when it comes to romances.
Tuck + Emily
From growing up together, knowing just how to get under one another’s skin, to heartbreak that ultimately becomes a rift between you. Reunited after years, neither could predict the drastic events that would soon take place. Life changing, world altering, but who is there for you when everything falls apart?
Thanks so much to @Netgalley for this ARC.
Mark your calendars for this crazy trip, out May 20th!

☀️✨ Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan ✨☀️

🔥 Popstar + Bodyguard. Childhood Best Friends. Second Chances.🔥 This TikTok sensation from bestselling author Mia Sheridan combines all the feels with a dystopian twist!

🌟 What It’s About:
• Emily Swanson: Rising pop sensation with fame, fortune, and a past she can’t forget.
• Tuck Mattice: A brooding ex-con in desperate need of a fresh start.
• Once inseparable, life tore them apart 13 years ago. Now, Emily needs protection, and Tuck needs redemption. When fate brings them together again, their fiery tension reignites.
⚡ And then the world goes dark.

When a solar flare plunges society into chaos, survival takes center stage. With fame and fortune crumbling around Emily, Tuck steps up in ways she never expected. Together, they must confront their painful history and rediscover what they’ve lost—each other.

💔 Why You’ll Love It:
• The slow-burn romance will have you swooning and yelling “JUST KISS ALREADY!”
• It’s enemies-to-lovers AND childhood best friends! (We know, perfection 🥰).
• The dystopian edge adds high stakes and gripping tension.
• Fans of The Last of Us will love the survival themes and emotional depth.

💬 Who else is obsessed with Tuck and Emily? Drop your thoughts below!

📖 #HeartOfTheSun #MiaSheridan #PopstarBodyguardRomance #SecondChanceLove #SlowBurnFeels #DystopianRomance #EnemiesToLovers #ChildhoodFriendsToLovers #MustReadRomance #BookishTok #SwoonWorthyReads #HarlequinPublishing

I love the childhood friends to lovers trope and this did not disappoint. I thought it was so unique with the added solar flare taking out the grid. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend anything Mia Sheridan writes.

I've liked all the books I've read so far from Mia, so I wasn't surprised that I liked this one as well. Really made me want to go full doomsday prep. 😅 The only reason it wasn't a full 5 stars was because it took a while for the FMC to grow on me, but overall, I enjoyed the story and felt it was pretty realistic. The romance almost kind of seemed like a subplot, which I actually didn't mind because it makes it more of a slow burn, which I enjoy.

Tropes:
Childhood friends to lovers
Slow burn
Second chance
One bed
Popstar +bodyguard
Adult dystopian

Thank you, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley, for the ARC. While this was an advance reader copy, my thoughts are entirely my own.

Full review at link below on Instagram Hangingbyapage. Review was also left on goodreads and fable.

I really enjoyed this dystopian romance... This was my first book from this author and I would pick up another from her.

I have to be honest, I wasn’t expecting an apocalypse book from Mia Sheridan- and I would have lived happily never having read one. When I was reading the acknowledgements at the end of the book, I discovered that this story was not Sheridan’s idea and that it was outlined by other people… and all I can say is that this information wasn’t surprising to me.

This was marketed as a romance book, but the romance was secondary. This book, while about something as extreme as the end of life as we know it- was boring and flat. I found myself liking Emily and Tuck, but also not being invested in their story. 



I want to be clear- I adore Mia Sheridan books- this just did not feel like one at all. How was this the same author that wrote Archer’s Voice and Stinger?

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

loved this romance that happens in the future with a solar flare and the people that they meet along the way. Loved the romance and the different point of views. Glad that they found their way to each other.

So this review was a little difficult for me to write because there are elements in the book that I really liked (mainly the beginning and the characters). However, I think maybe I expected too much from it because of the author. I am in love with almost everything this author writes, but this wasn't one that I would have thought was written by her if I didn't see her name on the cover. It was not as emotional, deep, and heartfelt as her usual books. Although I liked it, I wasn't as into it as I wished that I was. Overall, it was a good book. I would really give it a 3.5 if I was able to. I was provided a complimentary copy from NetGallery and these thoughts are my own.

This was so interesting! Childhood friends to lovers with a twist. There was some parts where it felt almost dystopian. I do wish there was a little more romance but I did enjoy it still!

What an adventure! This book is full of excitement and not only a physical journey but an emotional one, too. I loved it! I especially loved that it's so different than a typical romance story.

The writing is downright haunting, as in, Mia Sheridan does an amazing job painting a picture with words of every feeling these two characters are going through and the world around them. It's so beautifully done, and the story is gripping from the first chapter. The pacing and storytelling had me up to all hours trying to find out what happens next. The story is quite different than the typical romance, and it's better knowing what you're getting into before getting into it. I'm not sure if everything was realistic, but that didn't matter. What mattered was how emotional and thrilling the ride was through the pages. I loved the book as I love all of Mia's works.

After reading (and loving) Archer's Voice, I was scared to pick up another Mia Sheridan book. After writing as amazing as that book, how can you write something else as amazing? WELL She definitely did that with this book! I'm not the biggest fan when a main character is a pop star, but Mia Sheridan made me one. I loved the flashbacks of both characters as kids and how they became so close. The book was a bit slow at times but towards the end it picked up and I couldn't put it down! Mia Sheridan does an amazing job at pulling at your heartstrings and making you relate to the characters. I found so much of myself in Emily. I absolutely adored her. Definitely gonna be recommending this book to everyone I know!

Heart of the Sun, by Mia Sheridan, is a dystopian romance. Emily hires her childhood friend who is now an ex-con, to be her bodyguard and while Emily, her famous actor boyfriend, and her bodyguard are traveling, the world falls apart around them. When things go bad, who can she count on?
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.