Best friends to enemies and to lovers. A lovely reunion after so many years of a life hardship Tuck had, the reunion was well worth it because it’s what makes them come back stronger together again and what makes you think of the things that are worth it in life…really isn’t. This book was written really well and let’s you see how much you really don’t need certain things in life or how much you depends on the grid to live.

As someone who will skip the synopsis for an author I’ve read before and think I know what to expect…READ THE SYNOPSIS FOR THIS ONE! lol

This book was so shocking due to my lack of adventurous expectations. Once I realized what was going on, I was happy to be along for rhetorical ride. If you’re in the mood for an “end of the world” style romance with plenty of action, this is the book for you.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

ARC REVIEW

Heart of the Sun
By Mia Sheridan

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 (4 out of 5)

Publishing date: 5/20/2025

I unexpectedly, really enjoyed this!

I've never read anything like this. It had a lot of action packed into it and it really did feel like an adventure which is not what I'm used to with romance. In fact, for a good chunk of the book I kind of forgot about the romance aspect and was more interested in the world's catastrophic events. It was pretty long, but it actually kept my interest the entire time. I couldn't wait to find out what caused the world to go off the grid. But honestly, it's a frightening thought. This book definitely made me question a lot of things.....let's hope this never happens!

The book centers around Emily and Tuck who knew each other from childhood. Emily is now a famous pop star and she hires Tuck as security, following his release from prison. And for some reason, when I envisioned Emily, I saw Tate McCrae 🤣🤣

I haven't read anything else like this and I'm glad I did! I think it was an entertaining story and different from most romance. But I'm not mad about it!

Big big thanks to @netgalley and @htpbooks for the early read opportunity. It surprised me, in a good way!!

3.5 stars

Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan is a dystopian fiction novel with a slow burn second chance romance.

Woof. This one was a heavy read - definitely as far from cozy fantasy as you can get. Set in modern day USA after a "solar flare" or something more nefarious... childhood friends Tuck and Emily survive a plane crash in Indiana and set out (along with Emily's horrible boyfriend Charlie) to get back to their lives in California by whatever means necessary. There's no electricity which means no cell service -- which means no answers to what the heck is going on. Various conspiracy theories circle around and society does what it has to do to survive...

This one is kind of depressing, because it feels like something that could potentially happen. It felt a little too real at some points, and there are some HEAVY themes that pop up throughout the story.

I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys dystopian fiction and is in a good mental state that won't spiral. The romance is SLLLOOWWW BURNNNN and there's a lot of unanswered questions at the end, but I did enjoy myself and appreciate the DUAL pov between Emily & Tuck.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Heart of the Sun is an intense dystopian romance set in a post apocalyptic world after a solar flare leaves the entire country without power. The story is depressing at times and shows the dark side of humanity, but it’s also hopeful and emphasizes the good that can come from helping others. I was held in suspense as Emily and Tuck traveled over halfway across the country mostly on foot while avoiding gangs and thieves and relying on the kindness of strangers.

I enjoyed the second chance childhood friends to lovers romance but I feel like the romance was actually less prominent than I thought it would be. Tuck and Emily weren’t necessarily my favorite couple ever, but I thought their story was sweet nonetheless and they had good character development. Everything I’ve read from Mia Sheridan so far has been really unique and I’m looking forward to reading more.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mia Sheridan is one of those authors where I have to read everything she puts out. So when I saw she had a sci-fi/fantasy book, I'll be honest, I was a little hesitant. It's not usually my go to genre.

But I was so pleasantly surprised! While it might not knock my all time favorite Sheridan book (Archer's Voice) off its pedestal, I liked it way more than I anticipated.

The main characters, Emily and Tuck, were just lovely. The underlying romance that simmered throughout the story definitely kept me invested. The sci-fi and fantasy elements were interesting and definitely held my attention, although there were a few moments where the pacing felt a tad slow.

So, if you're already a fan of sci-fi and fantasy, I think you'll really enjoy the journey this book takes you on. And if you're a romance lover like me who's maybe a little unsure about dipping your toes into sci-fi, the romance woven throughout will definitely keep you hooked.

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars

While this one might not be my absolute favorite from Mia Sheridan, I still really enjoyed her writing and the characters she created. It was a fun and engaging read!

I really enjoyed this book! I loved Archer’s Voice so I requested an ARC for this and was so excited to get to read it early. Anyone that likes The Last of Us or really any media with a post apocalyptic setting will most likely enjoy this.

Most of the book is centered around the main characters traveling across the US on foot and trying to survive as society crumbles due to massive solar flares. It’s stressful and dark but throughout the journey these two estranged childhood friends work together to try to make their way home after surviving a plane crash on the other side of the country.
Inevitability, the crushes the main characters used to have on each other as kids start turn into much more as they travel and trauma bond but it’s a sloooow burn, so be prepared. I like a slow burn and all the tension it brings with it, so I wasn’t complaining ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I do think that someone going into this book expecting a lot of romance might be disappointed. Maybe that’s part of the reason there’s a few low star reviews. I liked it though, even if it stressed me tf out lol.

I don't really like apocalyptic books, so this was not a favorite of mine. I found the story hard to get into and the characters not well developed.

Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan is an emotional, slow-burn romance set against a backdrop of survival and second chances. With her signature heartfelt storytelling, Sheridan delivers a story that’s equal parts tender and intense, exploring the bond between two people brought back together in the most unexpected way.

The chemistry between the main characters simmers throughout, and the stakes—both emotional and external—keep you hooked. It's a story about love enduring through chaos, and what it means to find hope when the world feels like it's falling apart. Quietly powerful and deeply romantic, Heart of the Sun is one that lingers after the last page.

I am a fan of Mia sheridan but sadly this book wasn't for me. this book is sci-fi dystopian plotline but for me it was a lot dependent on the character arc to built a story but for me even that felt flat. I loved Tuck but overall this story wasn't for me.

This was an average romance read for me. I wish there was more to the storyline. I had to convince myself to continue reading to finish the book.

Emily and Tuck grew up together, but after tragedy strikes Tuck’s family things begin to change. He moves to LA where he finds trouble and Emily follows where she finds fame. Years later their paths will cross again in the midst of a global disaster. Will the put aside hurt feelings and possible able to get back to the way they felt when they were kids?

Mia Sheridan tells the best stories and you never know what they will be like. I’m always blown away how she can tuck romance in the midst of disaster and make you so happy that live can exist in terrible situations. Soooo good!

This book is a childhood friends turned popstar x ex-convict romance, and I loved every second.

"It felt like she’d not only invaded my personal space, but somehow crept into my private thoughts as well."

When Emily and Tuck decide to reconnect after years apart, they realize things aren’t the same anymore, but try anyway. She then hires him to be her bodyguard when suddenly solar flares hit the Earth, and everything changes. Now, they are navigating everything after surviving a plane crash and proving themselves in different ways. This book is filled with hope, growth, and positive change, and I couldn’t help but root for the characters the entire time. 

This book takes place in a post-apocalyptic/dystopian setting, so much happens quickly. But something I loved about this book was how the characters didn't rush into their relationship. After everything that happened, they took their time and got to know one another again, and it felt so natural. It is a bit of a slow burn, but it is so worth the wait. This book is heartfelt, and if you enjoy enemies to lovers, second chance, and childhood best friends, then you will love this book! I cannot recommend it enough!

This one was just okay for me. The story didn’t quite deliver the emotional punch I was hoping for because I never fully connected with the characters.

Emily was kind of hard to root for, and her dynamic with Tuck felt a little underdeveloped. The romance took a backseat, which might’ve been fine if the rest of the plot had more depth.

Not a bad read, just didn’t leave much of an impact.

Thanks Harlequin Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read the ARC.

I'm not usually a fan of post-apocalyptic novels, but this story was a five star read for me! The world and romance build-up was phenomenal and I thought the author really set this book apart from other similar novels (none of which I have liked in the past). The plot got intense at times, which made it so hard for me to put this book down. This wasn't my first book by this author, but it has become one of my top reads by her.

Pop star Emily and fresh from prison Tuck have history. When they meet again years in the future, Emily hires him to be her security guard. When a solar flare disrupts the power grid, society is thrown into chaos giving Tuck the opportunity to prove himself to Emily. A second chance, dystopian romance.

Heart of The Sun by Mia Sheridan
I went into this one completely blind & was blown away! A solar flare causes everything to fail, including the plane our MCs are in 😱 watching Tuck & Emily grow to understand each other was so precious & I love the depth of the characters ❤️

I was genuinely captivated by "Heart of the Sun," a tale set in a dystopian world following a solar flare that devastates the grid, intertwined with a romantic twist. The narrative centers around childhood friends Emily, a pop star, and Tuck, an ex-convict hired as her bodyguard, as they navigate life in a post-solar flare landscape after their plane crashes. While the romance is present, I found the apocalyptic backdrop even more compelling. There were moments when the plot felt a bit slow, yet I remained eager to discover what would happen next. Much of the book is filled with action, making it difficult to set aside. Overall, it was an enjoyable read with a unique approach to romance. The audiobook's duet narration was excellently executed and truly enhanced the storytelling. This was very different than any of the other Mia Sheridan books I have read, but I still loved it!

I’m a huge Mia Sheridan fan, and I was a little disappointed.

I loved the idea of a post-apocalyptic romance and was super excited when I learnt that it featured childhood friends-to-lovers. As soon as I jumped in, I was so thrilled! I appreciated the chapters set in the past, but as soon as the solar flare occurred, it slowly fell apart, much like the world they were living in.

The romance between Tuck and Emily was extremely lacking and felt very forced. I didn’t mind if the romance was a side plot, but the cover states “a love story”. Tuck was the standout character here. His backstory as an ex-con was refreshing, and the way he handled the situation he was thrust into makes him a better person than me. Emily has some development, but if they were never in this situation, she never would have respected or cared for Tuck. He was her only chance of survival, so she clung to him, hence their relationship occurring. If Emily and the romance plot disappeared and it focused on Tuck’s second chance at life in a dystopian society, I would have devoured this.

The apocalypse was the only part I genuinely enjoyed. It gave me The Walking Dead vibes which kept me interested in their journey until the end. Seeing how different people react in those situations was so entertaining and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. The end left me with so many questions, like what happens after those first few days? The premise sounded so interesting, but I felt like it wasn’t explored to the full extent. I honestly think this could have been a decent dystopian series rather than a one-off post-apocalyptic romance.

I hate that I didn’t enjoy it, but I’m sure it will be enjoyable for others. This is my sixteenth Mia Sheridan novel; it won't be my last, and I highly recommend her to everyone!

3 stars. A genre-bending apocalyptic romance. While Mia Sheridan's skilled writing shines through, readers should note this is not a traditional contemporary romance. Instead, it ventures into survival territory, blending elements of romantic suspense with post-apocalyptic themes.

The story follows an unlikely pair navigating a doomsday scenario, featuring a complex male lead with a troubled past and redemption arc. While the apocalyptic setting may not appeal to readers seeking pure contemporary romance, those who enjoy cross-genre narratives combining survival elements with romantic tension will find much to appreciate here.

Sheridan demonstrates her versatility as an author by crafting compelling characters and maintaining tension throughout. Though the apocalyptic elements may surprise readers expecting her usual contemporary style, the emotional depth characteristic of her work remains present. Recommended for fans of romantic suspense who don't mind darker themes and high-stakes scenarios.

I personally did not particularly enjoy this one, but that’s mostly because I don’t think this genre is for me.