This book, about a catastrophic EMP, was so different from anything I've read before. The author did a great job of exploring the aftermath of this event as well as building relationships -- friendly, familial, and romantic. Follow Tuck, Emily, and Charlie after they survive a plane crash landing them halfway across the country from home. The journey is perilous but also comes with bouts of intense showings of the goodness of humankind. I loved the writing style and will continue to gladly read Mia Sheridan's books.

This was the first book I’ve ever read by Mia Sheridan and I enjoyed it! This was a good post-apocalyptic dystopian book but I just didn’t vibe with the romance sub-plot. I think it might be because I didn’t like Emily’s character that felt like a wanna-be Taylor Swift. I really enjoyed Tuck as a character, especially as you see his growth from getting out of prison through navigating the outside world again.

Overall, I really enjoyed Mia’s writing style but the plot of this one wasn’t my favorite.

Thank you to Canary Street Press for sending me an early copy!

I picked it up because I liked Archers Voice, and then I should have put it right back down when I saw the sub-genre change. I didn't see a dystopian romance working, and i was right. it didn't work. Their entire relationship was based on a crush from their childhood days, and it just didn't make sense or feel like a natural progression in 20 DAYS. There were multiple events that felt like fillers for some action points, like the entire ending was confusing and didn't add anything to the story. Not my cup of tea overall 🙃

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this. This book had a very unique premise. Not only a love story but a survival story,
Our two main characters, Emily and Tuck, were childhood friends. However they grew apart and their lives changed very dramatically from one another. When they are brought together again just before catastrophe strikes. They share a journey back home together and learn about themselves and each other.
I mostly enjoyed it. There were moments were it felt very unrealistic and sometimes I felt scenes weren’t fully fleshed out and were very chilly. She would go from details to quickly moving on. At times it felt very disjointed and rushed. Other times it flowed very nicely.
I loved the characters and how they learn to trust themselves and each other. The end was satisfying enough although there were so many unanswered questions, which I understand given their situation.

Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.

I've been reading this author for years now, and her books consistently offer an angsty but not over the top romance with an engaging plot. This one has a dystopian/apocalyptic twist that was an interesting change from her normal MO. The romance is second chance and a slow burn, but when it finally happens it's well worth the wait. I liked how we got background on Emily and Tuck's friendship when they were younger. I think the fact that they had history together had more of an impact on the story than if they had just met and it was insta-love. Good choice with that!

At first, I was a bit concerned about how the story would play out because I was worried she wrote too deeply into this tragedy. I was really hoping it wasn't going to be an easy fix, and for sure it was not! It did drag a bit in the middle, because Illinois to California is a LONG way and she needed to fill in that time, but the story flowed pretty well and kept my interest. The characters that were introduced along their journey were interesting and had an impact on the story, and also on Emily and Tuck.

I'm glad I listened to this one, because it was almost like listening to a movie. The narrators did a great job, and conveyed the emotions the characters felt very well.

I will say that I miss the punch that her older books threw - Archer's Voice, Grayson, Travis, Leo, Eden, Ryland...those were fantastic. This one was entertaining but not quite the same for me.

3.5 stars rounded up

Such a good book! I was so invested! The characters and the story had me hooked! I couldn’t put it down despite needing to study for finals. Definitely recommending this to friends!

I love Mia Sheridan, but this book was not it for me. It's been a long time since I read anything dystopian and while I like Emily and Tuck, the plot just fell really flat and dull for me. I think it was a good try at a new genre, but it was just meh for me.

“Heart of the Sun” by Mia Sheridan was my first book by this author, and I was blown away. I went in completely blind and did not know what kind of story I was getting into and let me tell you, I absolutely loved it. This book is way more than just a fluffy romance. It’s a deep and thought-provoking story.

The story follows Emily and Tuck, childhood friends who have been estranged for years. Now, reunited, Emily is a rising pop-star that goes by Nova, and Tuck is an ex-convict who’s her bodyguard. They’re thrust into a post-apocalyptic world where they have to fight for survival. What unfolds is a very, very slow slow-burn, but honestly, the romance seems almost secondary to the bigger picture of what this book is about.

The modern day dystopian vibe that Mia Sheridan was going for in this book absolutely absorbed me. I was so invested in the story of the fight for survival in this new civilization, I forgot that I was reading a romance story. And yeah, even with the romance taking a backseat in this story, Mia Sheridan still managed to make me tear up reading this book. The second chance trope here is not just for the romance. It is a second chance story for humanity as a whole.

Though it took forever, the romance between Tuck and Emily does blossom beautiful and their story does have an HEA but not without its struggles.

If you’re looking for a gripping, emotional, and hopeful story, “Heart of the Sun” is definitely worth reading. It’s a testament to Sheridan’s storytelling that she can still make you cry even in a post-apocalyptic setting with a slow-burn romance.

I’m giving this one a 3.5.. I was really excited to dive into this book—the premise drew me in. While I did enjoy it overall, I found myself wanting more from the plot; it felt a bit thin at times. That said, the dystopian setting definitely kept me hooked, and I liked most of the characters (except Emily’s boyfriend halfway through—he just didn’t work for me 😭). Big thanks to NetGalley and The Hive for the ARC!

This book fell flat for me. It was a lot more dystopian rather than romance and it just felt boring to me. There were a few places where it was exciting but it was a lot of inner monologue of Emily and tuck explaining how they missed how things used to be, missed each other, etc.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy!!

Review will be published on Fable and instagram on 529/25

I was very excited & intrigued when starting this book. I did enjoy it but it lacked plot. The premise was great, I just expected more. What kept me going was the fact that was dystopian. I also enjoyed the characters minus Emily’s boyfriend in the middle of the book 😭 Thank you Netgalley & The hive for this arc !

I would rate this one more 3.5 stars. This was a dystopian romance book. We meet Emily and Tuck and see how they’ve known each other from early on. Neighbors to crushing on one another. Tragedy happened, and they basically go their separate ways where they are reunited later on. Out of prison and the world is what it is, Tuck is trying to protect Emily navigating through the new world. This was an interesting read unlike anything I’ve read before especially by this author. This was a good mix of enemies to lovers, slow burn romance, second chance romance and dystopian all rolled into one.

I received this ARC through the publisher and I am voluntarily reviewing this book, opinions are my own.

I really liked the dynamic of this book at the start, the boyfriend falsely accusing Tuck of the drugs being his and then the three of them having to survive together was so tense, and I couldn't put it down. As soon as Emily finally realizes, this book really lost my interest. I wish that big reveal had happened closer to the end of the story

When I got this book, I wasn’t sure I really wanted to read it. See I’m a good ole romance reader, always have been. But sometimes I force myself to step out of my comfort zone. I did read it and I do not regret it at all.
Tuck and Emily’s adventure captivated from start to finish, including the incredible epilogue.

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 absolutely loved this book. I love the concept of an apocalyptic type event. But in a way that can be rebuilt. But what I like more was how Tuck and Emily had found love and family in a time of pure disaster.
It gave the right amount of romance to action.
I will read everything Mia Sheridan writes.

I really enjoyed Tuck and Emily's story of second chances and survival!! I have recently gotten into apocalypse/dystopin stories and this was another nice addition to the group. It was entertaining and exciting. I wasn't thrilled about the love triangle aspect but I tried to not let it get to me too much. Especially because I didn't feel much chemistry between Emily and Charlie.

Emily was a hard character to like. She had a naturally bristlely personality. It made it a little hard to connect with her as much as I wanted to. She did have a good heart and her intentions we well meaning even if she went about it in a prickly way.

I loved Tuck! He was such a pure hearted person and tried so hard to right the wrongs of his past. I liked how much he learned and accepted along this journey. If I was in that situation I would want Tuck by my side!

I really enjoyed all the action and tension. The writing was very well done and so descriptive. I could totally picture their journey across the US. The suspense kept me glued to the pages as it was exciting and nail biting at times. The romance could have been a little stronger as I felt it sometimes took a backseat to the end of the world aspect. Overall though I really enjoyed it and would recommend it!!

“Heart of the Sun” by Mia Sheridan is an emotional, fast-paced journey through a world turned upside down. I’m not usually drawn to romance, but the dystopian twist pulled me in—and I’m glad it did.

When a massive solar flare plunges the world into darkness, pop star Emily and ex-con Tuck find themselves reunited and thrown into survival mode. Their second-chance relationship unfolds against a backdrop of chaos, danger, and personal growth. I especially enjoyed watching Emily evolve from a fame-focused celebrity to a capable survivor, and Tuck’s quiet strength and search for redemption really anchored the story.
The pacing kept me engaged, and the post-apocalyptic setting felt vivid and unsettling. The suspense, betrayals, and unexpected moments of kindness all worked together to highlight how people respond when stripped of comfort and control.

That said, there were a few inconsistencies and plot holes that required me to suspend disbelief more than I’d like. Some moments didn’t quite add up, and the ending could’ve used a bit more impact. Still, the emotional journey of the characters and their evolving bond made up for it.

If you're into character-driven stories with a blend of action, romance, and survival in a world on the edge, “Heart of the Sun” is a worthwhile read. A powerful exploration of love, trust, and finding strength in the darkest of times.

Is it an accidental plane crash that Tuck Mattice and Emily Swanson miraculously survived? Or was there more to it? Tuck, Emily, and her boyfriend Charlie managed to escape the crash and are determined to walk as far as necessary to find help. Despite their history together, Emily and Tuck’s history together clearly prove that Charlie is a liability. But they press on.

Survival becomes paramount for the trio, especially when it seems that every mile they take leads them nowhere. As they grapple with the aftermath of the crash, they gradually comprehend the magnitude of the situation and their uncertain futures.

From the very beginning, I was captivated by this story. The sense of urgency was palpable, and the narrators delivered fantastic performances. Another intriguing aspect of the narrative was the alternating points of view between Emily and Tuck. It was fascinating to witness the profound impact of the sudden changes on their lives.

Although dystopian novels aren’t my preferred genre, I occasionally find myself drawn to them based on their intriguing descriptions. In this case, a world plunged into darkness, offering little hope of finding their homes, captivated me. Meanwhile, Emily and Tuck are forced to confront their past and reconcile it with the present, all while being accompanied by Charlie. This thrilling story boasts excellent character development and an intriguing plot. I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to Canary Street Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I was very excited to receive this e-ARC as I absolutely loved archer’s voice. Unfortunately, i had a really hard time connecting with the characters because I found them unbearable. Usually, I love a childhood friends to lovers, second chance romance but the chemistry between the two main characters was lacking. I had to DNF this one but I am grateful to Harlequin Trade Publishing and appreciate the opportunity to receive an advance readers copy. This one just wasn’t for me.