4 1/2 stars

Mia Sheridan will continue to be one of my favorite authors. I'm convinced she can write just about anything she sets her mind to. With this book, she handily gives us what felt like an apocalyptic romance and she did it well.

Our two main characters, Emily and Tuck grew up as neighbors with their parents as best friends so they always knew each other. They both had a crush on the other person but both had been nervous to pursue it. Just when they were starting to figure out that they might have something there, tragedy struck and threw Tuck's world sideways. When his world changes, he doesn't respond well and ends up getting himself into trouble. In the present day, Emily is an up and coming singer who is still holding a grudge against Tuck for how he behaved years before. Tuck is disappointed with Emily for "selling out" in his viewpoint and not singing her own music but rather doing whatever her label tells her. When something happens and most electronics stop working, Tuck, Emily and her current boyfriend are stranded after a plane crash. When they start trying to work their way back to California across the country, it will show everyone's true colors. Over the course of the trip, Emily and Tuck will both remember things about the other person that made them friends before. And gradually they both open up about that time and what happened.

I would have probably liked to see a little bit more about the apocalyptic side of things although I felt the author had definitely done her research about solar flares and so on. However, I did love the storyline around salvaging their relationship.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: I was also fortunate and received an early copy of the audiobook. It's really enjoyable with good, solid narration which keeps you immersed in the story. I was so caught up in the audio version that I listened whenever possible.

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the audiobook and ebook.

I just finished this book last night and have already recommended it to everyone I saw today. Not only was the romance aspect of the book great, but the dystopian aspect of the book was eye-opening as well. I know that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but for someone who is really into homesteading, and emergency preparedness this spoke to me in allllll the ways. Not only did it immediately pull me in, the slow-burn of Tuck and Emily’s romance added a level to the story that made it so much more compelling. First I’m going to share it with everyone, and then I’m going to add on to my plans for canning…because this opened my eyes to a world that I don’t want to come, but very well could.

2 stars! 🌟 Huge thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the eARC & Harlequin Audio for the ALC! 💌

Oh boy. Where do I even start? This was my first Mia Sheridan book, and let’s just say... it did not go well. I came in with expectations—after all, people rave about Archer’s Voice—but yeah, those expectations? They crashed and burned harder than the electrical grid in this book.

Let’s talk about the romance (or lack thereof).
This was supposed to be a second-chance, childhood-friends-to-lovers romance, but I swear these two had the chemistry of two wet socks in a washing machine. I didn’t feel anything between them—no tension, no passion, nothing. Like, was I supposed to believe they were in love? Because I didn’t. At all. And since I didn’t believe in the romance, I didn’t care about the relationship, which meant I didn’t care about the book. Oops.

The characters?
Everyone was either unbearable or just straight-up bland. Emily, our pop-star FMC, was insufferable for most of the book. And Tuck? I wanted to like him, I really did, but he was just... there. No depth, no personality beyond “brooding ex-con.” And the side characters? I already forgot their names. That should tell you something. 🤡

The pacing was a mess.
This book could not decide what it wanted to be. Was it a romance? A dystopian survival story? A road trip novel? A guide to how to properly saddle a horse? Because there were way too many descriptions of that. The apocalypse was more like an inconvenient roadblock than actual chaos, and the “action” felt like someone was making up problems just to give the characters something to do.

Now, the narrators.
I switched between the eBook and audiobook, hoping one would make the story more tolerable. It did not. 😩 I didn’t vibe with the narration at all, and that only made an already frustrating read worse.

Final thoughts?
This book was just not it. ❌ Boring characters, unbelievable romance, slow plot, and an overall lack of emotion. And then I read the acknowledgments and found out the idea wasn’t even Mia Sheridan’s own?! 🤯 It all makes sense now. Maybe I’ll give Archer’s Voice a try someday, but as of right now? Yeah, no. 🚪➡️

Mia has done it again. She has a way with words and writing like no other. The kind of story that will leave you speechless and clinging to every word.

Hmm, this was interesting read. I will say my love for Mia Sheridan started with ‘Unwanted’ so this was an immediate read for me. The 2nd thing that peeked my interest was the plot. A dystopian second chance romance sounds right up my alley. While I did enjoy this book as well as listening to the audio - it was just okay in my eyes.

Seemed more dystopian with a little romance/tension from an old flame. But not heavy on the love story.
I did enjoy the journey and the people they met and how they gained information.
I was fully expecting it to be some else from previous books by the author, but had a good ride.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Canary Street Press for this eARC. All opinions are my own, and this review is written voluntarily.

Heart of the Sun is such a unique romantic thriller that follows estranged childhood friends Emily and Tuck who find themselves in the middle of a national emergency when a solar flare causes the U.S grid to go completely dark. Tuck has just been released from prison, while Emily has been climbing the social ladder, gaining fame as a pop star. Tuck finds himself in need of a job, while Emily needs reinforcement on her security team. The pair have a lot of history and pent up feelings that have been lingering over the past decade. The emergency situation they find themselves in allows them to learn more about each other and how each of them got to where they are today. As they navigate getting back home, they witness first hand how desperate times can bring out the best and worst in humanity. This story is one filled with redemption, passion, deep love and a hope for a better tomorrow.

Overall, I give this book 4 stars. I really enjoyed the journey the main characters go on, and how strong Emily and Tuck are as a team. I really enjoy Mia Sheridan’s writing style, and her narration provides great insight into what the world might look like if a situation like this were to arise. I often found myself putting myself in the character’s shoes, questioning my own judgement and how I would make choices with little resources and danger at every turn. This story is a beautiful reminder that we are ultimately not in control, and it's important to live in the moment and find even little moments of peace whenever and wherever you can. We are all faced with choices every single day, and we can’t change the past. Life is full of loss, but it's so important to chase after love and cherish every moment we have in this short life on earth.

I love the plot of Heart of the Sun and the concept is so incredibly cool but curse words (d-word, s-word, taking the Lord's name in vain, etc.) were used much too frequently for my liking.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the free e-ARC of Heart of the Sun in exchange for my honest opinions.

FIRST OF ALL: thank you SO very much to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC copy of this book! This was my very first Mia Sheridan book and it won’t be my last.

Now, onto my review. Overall I’d give the experience of reading this book somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars. Rounding up to four because I adored the characters and the ending so much. And…

I finished it!!!! I felt like I was never going to make it to the end of this story.

Okay, let me start out by saying this book hooked me from the first moment I stared reading! I was fully invested in Emily & Tuck and thought it was so charming and different.

And then the plane crash happened and I was just like what… just happened?!

Maybe it was my fault because I went into this story 100% blindly (I don’t like spoilers) but I in no way/shape/form thought I would be reading a story about a post-apocalyptic event. Like, at all. So I was really thrown?

And then I think the pacing was just weird for me without my being able to put my finger on it. Things seemed to drag on that maybe I wouldn’t have cared to focus on.

BUT! I never wavered from adoring Tuck and Emily! I really loved the characters in this story. Their slow burn was scrumptious!!!!!! I was so damn happy when Charlie exited the picture! And this book kept me guessing, that’s for sure!! I couldn’t figure out what was going to happen next from moment to moment.

To refresh— I loved the beginning and adored the ending… it’s the long middle of the book I struggled with. The characters are so wonderful; they are going to stay with me for a long time. And truly the story was unique! I say give this book a shot after fully reading the description — if it sounds like something you’d like then give it a go.

This was exactly what i expected, a second chance, childhood friends love journey. Plus a total blackout that has them fighting for their lives, very intriguing. The characters are likable and relatable throughout the book. I appreciate the dual POV and enjoyed the time jumps in the beginning they set up the foundation for the main characters really well. Though the plot was well executed overall, I think the ending was too simple. I wish it would have been more flushed out, for it being 400+ pages I think the journey should have been cut sooner to get adequate closure.

I was immediately drawn to this book by the emotional weight of Tuck and Emily’s story. I found their journey from childhood friends to estranged adults incredibly compelling, and I couldn’t wait to see how their lives would intertwine after all these years apart. I loved how their reunion felt both fiery and tender, as their banter and unresolved emotions leapt off the page. As I read about Emily’s glamorous yet vulnerable world as a pop sensation and Tuck’s struggle to rebuild his life after prison, I found myself rooting for both of them to find redemption. When the solar flare hit, I felt a palpable shift in the story’s tone. I was completely immersed in the chaotic, post-apocalyptic landscape and captivated by how it tested their resilience. What resonated most with me was the emotional depth of their connection. I felt the bitterness and heartbreak they carried, but I also saw the warmth and hope that slowly rekindled between them. Overall, I was deeply moved by this book.

This book gave me a perfect mix of romance, tension, and high stakes, set against a fascinating backdrop of both sunlit California and a darkened world without power. I left the story feeling inspired by its messages of resilience, love, and finding light even in the darkest moments.

"Amid the sun-drenched orange groves of California, childhood friends Tuck Mattice and Emily Swanson shared a bond that seemed unbreakable—until life ripped them apart.

But when a cataclysmic solar flare disrupts the electrical grid, society is suddenly plunged into chaos and darkness. For Emily, the familiar comforts of fame and fortune crumble, but for Tuck, this stark new reality could be the chance he needs to finally prove himself. As they come to terms with all they've lost and the bitterness that's kept them apart, they must find their way back to one another and discover a new place, under the sun."

Heart Of The Sun was a deep dive into the reality of what could happen at any time. To me Tuck and Emily's story took back stage to the real story of surviving an event like a complete failure of the grid. And honestly I was here for it. The devastation, confusion, survival and hope were all present.

This was my first Mia Sheridan novel and I will definitely be adding more to my shelves. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this great story.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

I really enjoyed this! I wouldnt say it was a second chance in my opinion because they never started before, BUT its a really wonderful old connection romance.

I loved the dystopian touch. I actually hadnt read a dystopian story before and this one was good. It felt very true to how those types of changes would affect people’s psyche and dynamics.

Another hit for Mia!

I wasn't sure what to expect with this one, but I enjoyed it. Tuck and Emily were childhood friends. Tuck lost his mom and was handed hardship upon hardship in the years that followed. Bad decisions led him to prison. Emily was a talented singer and became famous and in need of security. Tuck needed a job and got one thanks to Emily's mom prodding Emily to hire Tuck. Emily, her boyfriend Charlie, and Tuck are in a plane crash when a solar flare puts the world in chaos. They survive the crash thanks to the pilot's maneuvers and set out to find their way back to California. The story of survival starts here. Tuck is the reason they survive. Charlie is absolutely useless. Emily learns a lot about her self on this journey and falls for Tuck. Once Charlie is out of the picture, Tuck and Emily grow closer and make it back to California. The thought of any of this actually happening is pretty terrifying. I'm a typical romance reader, so the survival story dragged a bit for me, but the love of Tuck and Emily was a good read.

Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan

4.25/5⭐️
1/3🌶️ (spice)
2/3🦋 (swoon)

•My Thoughts•
Do I kind of have the desire to become a prepper now? Why yes, I do. This was absolutely fascinating. I haven’t read many dystopian stories but you better believe I will now! It’s a very cool cross between the “known of our world” contemporary and a kind of fantasy as the author imagines what it would look like if some huge event changed EVERYTHING.

I love the way Mia looks at humanity in this book and how we see the good and the ugly in a newly lawless world. Tuck and Emily’s story was mesmerizing and I loved how they each got a second chance at being a better version of themselves but also together. I do wish that *even* more of their romance was developed and shown on page but between the chaos and and their history, I still absolutely enjoyed the book immensely. If you’re looking for something different with lots of action, a dive into the gritty side of humanity and a sweet romance, please please considering giving this one a try! This book only solidifies that Mia Sheridan is an author that I need more of in my life.

Thank you so much to Mia Sheridan, Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This review will post to my Instagram page in the next few weeks and is up on Goodreads and StoryGraph (all linked below)

This book gives me the vibe of the walking dead or The Last of Us just without the undead creatures, but the end of the world vibe with romance mixed in.
What would happen in a world without electricity? It's scary to think about because everything relies so heavy on it. I liked the book. Childhood friends who who lost contact due to life circumstances reunited after years apart only one became famous and the other became a felon. They need to help each other survive a possible apocalypse.

Sheridan is hit or miss for me because she often writes about young twenty-something’s whose lives are overly dramatic and full of angsty whining. Those are the books of hers that I skim through or skip. Sometimes she has great romances that are engaging and full of great plot and character. Those are the books I really enjoy. Heart of the Sun is the former, and aside from the whiny, unlikable Emily in the first half of the book, the brief allusion to a solar flare and speculative situation did not really correctly reflect the whole collapse of civilization and survivor storyline. That’s not my typical go-to, but I forged ahead because I thought surely there would be some redemption. This book could’ve been 20% shorter with less whiny introspection and it would’ve been so much better. Sadly, it’s a miss for me.

Reviewed for A Wanton Book Lover Blog

Heart of the Sun is quite a bit different from Mia Sheridan's previous books. It still has romantic elements, and the story of a second chance at love, but the setting is in a post-apocalyptic world at odds with each other, focusing on their own security and survival. Tuck and Emily were close growing up. Although Tucker was a little older, he and Emily lived on neighboring orchard farms and were good friends due to location and the fact that their parents were best-friends too. But when death trickles into Tuck's life, poor choices are made, and Tuck's own willingness to help anyone out, results in him ending up in the jail, gone is the boy that once had hopes and dreams and what is left is a jaded, cynical young man desperate for a job which is how he ends up back in Emily's life. Emily always had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. Her career is beginning to take off, she is dating one of Hollywood's leading actors, and the crazy fans are starting to come out of the walls, so she needs security: enter Tuck as security. Emily is not fond of this older version of Tuck but when she finds herself in what is quickly looking like the "new" world is, there is no other person she'd rather be with.
As I stated, this isn't what I think of as Mia's typical romance story. Yes, there is some romance and attraction between Tuck and Emiy but there is also a lot of focus on the rebuilding of their relationship, how Tuck is navigating this new world in which they find themselves in the middle of (and how he learned these things). This story also focuses on how the world would function and how people would respond when the normal life as we know it is no longer how it is. A very eye opening story. It took me a while to get into it but once I did, I enjoyed it enough to see where this journey was going to take Tuck and Emily and their relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for Heart of the Sun!

In some way I connected deeply with the male main characters upbringing. Tuck held on to the story of his grandfather and the idea that he was to follow in his steps. After a tragic loss a domino affect causes Tucks future to go downhill once the dominos pause so does his futures certainty.

The plot was oh so sweet and daunting I couldn’t get enough of it. I got to scratch a dystopian itch in my brain that I didn’t know was in need of my attention. If you enjoy a good romance with spice and an absolutely gorgeous plot and a some unexpected action packed please pick up Heart of the Sun!!

This one was so-so for me. It was an interesting combo of romance and dystopian, which I don’t think I’ve really read together. Looks like lots are loving it, which is great, but I don’t think it was really my style.