This was a unique experience, the entire concept of a heroine who is not typically pretty or charismatic, awkward and disinterested hero, magic with a cots of life stealing and rotting away.

This was just the right balance of cozy fantasy and adventure! I think Eames did a great job setting up the world and had a really steady pace!

I could not connect with the slow paced story or main character and the decsions they made. I felt it was reminiscent of other stories.

Ugh. I finished A Harvest of Hearts. Finally. It wasn't bad... I get that the author was trying to do an old school fairy tale thing. It's just that the main character was so ugh. She had all these great qualities- she was smart, and loyal, and hardworking, and brave... but all she talked about what how ugly she was. I thought she'd eventually move past it, but 400 pages in she's all "and he loves me even though I'm still really ugly". 😖 She had other character growth. It's just that one thing she couldn't let go of and it ruined the entire story for me. I liked the world building, the magic house, the talking cat, the creepy sorceresses with heart magic. I even liked Foss (the MC). It's just that one thing that kept getting brought up that soured the book for me.

I admit, when I read the blurb that it was like Howl's Moving Castle, I was excited for this book. I mean I can see a bit of resemblance, though Foss was not really cursed per say, just hooked, with no change of appearance, to feel like she should follow the sorcerer who spotted her in the village. This book is a lot more adult though (with Foss's longings) and I did get a bit tired of her thinking all the time how ugly she is. That being said, I absolutely love Cornelius! He is so awesome and I love his thoughts and antics which really lighten up the situation of all three in also what I consider a cool house (not a moving one but fun rooms and things appearing as needed).

It does pick up to be more interesting around 50 percent. You finally get to see what is going on with the harvested hearts and more history about Sylvester and his sisters. Sylvester also gets a bit more of a personality (because he actually starts interacting with Foss) and I do like how they solve the whole harvesting hearts issue and the ending is sweet.

So, not as cute cozy as Howl's Moving Castle but a sweet story in the end. And I would love to have a talking cat like Cornelius!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book.

I feel a bit conflicted about my feelings of this book. The first half was very slow and I felt like I kept reading the same thing without moving anywhere in the story. The second half of the book had me hooked (or snagged might be more appropriate) and I flew through it and really enjoyed it.

It was a little disheartening how often Foss says she’s ugly (or some version of it), comparing herself to the beauty of the magic workers. While I understand that is a major part of the story because it was in her POV, it still felt redundant. I would have liked to see more of Sylvester’s perspective, because I think it would have offset a bit.

The world building was good, very descriptive and immersive. It is a very unique concept, and a great standalone fantasy.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*

"A Harvest of Hearts" by Eames is a very obvious "Howl's Moving Castle" (Diana Wynne Jones) rip-off in terms of characters, plot and even world building. Our protagonist Foss is a butcher (Sophie is a hatmaker) whose ugliness singles her out from all the pretty girls in her small hamlet. In their kingdom, people are 'snatched' by beautiful sorceresses. These magic-workers take their hearts and leave the men (or sometimes women) they take as broken people. When Foss is then snatched by the only male magic-worker (who is as terrifyingly beautiful as his sisters), she leaves home to find him. Like Sophie Foss joins his household as the housekeeper and befriends the magic house as well as the magic cat (Calcifer was cooler). Sylvester (the sorcerer) is whiny and useless (Howl) but she falls in love with him anyhow even when the spell from her is lifted (yaaaay). Where Jones's prose and writing is fun and has hidden depth, the majority of this book just profits from the pacing and the fondness created through it's closeness to "Howl's Moving Castle". While it is more explicit with feminist topics and sex (not explicit, explicit, but female desire is mentioned etc.), I was overall disappointed. The ending was predictable, I would have wished that Foss had not fallen in love with her sorcerer after the spell had ended because he lacked characterisation and memorability. The world building did not make a lot of sense either and was left unexplored. I enjoyed reading the book nevertheless. It was easy to read, the pacing was alright and the tone was very close to the whimsical tone of "Howl's Moving Castle". 3 stars

So I was a little concerned about the Howl’s comp because it’s a common comp for books that are nothing like Howl’s… But this was really good! Definitely had a LOT of Howl’s vibes, both in the story and the characters, but I think Andrea Eames managed to make them her own. I really liked this!

Despite a bit of a slow start with quite a bit of exposition I ending up really enjoying this. It definitely takes inspiration from Howl’s Moving Castle and there are some nods to that story, but there are also fae vibes and really interesting world building that is uniquely its own.

I really loved the otherworldliness of the magic workers, their ability to enthrall and the horror adjacent side to their magic and identity. Our main characters are lovable, especially a certain cat familiar (honestly Cornelius was my favorite part). The magic wielders and their actions are horrific but their circumstances are complex. At the same time however there was a lot of repetitiveness; the story’s heroine Foss’s self doubt and the reasons for it were tiring and a bit overdone. The layers to this world were interesting to explore, both seen and unseen, as well as how the characters interacted and moved between those layers. The vibe is very fairytale-esque both fanciful and not straying from the darker elements of fairytales.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Another book that clearly surfaced from tropes and inspiration (Howl's Moving Castle) without actually delving much more past that. Lowkey, I'm tired of fantasy authors giving us the same recycled storylines and characters, slapping other names on it that they clearly got from the internet, and calling it a day. What has happened to originality, to writing because you actually want to create something unique and beautiful, instead of writing in the hope of you're gonna be popular with the romance readers of booktok. sigh. i just don't know man.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First the positive: The premise of a Howl’s Moving Castle like story with a twist was so intriguing. And while I disliked the execution, the author worked to develop a flawed character. I can appreciate a lead that isn't cookie cutter or self-insert.


That being said, I think the story relies too heavily on the inspiration while lacking the charm of the original. The main character is insecure about her looks, continually reminding us she is overweight and thus unattractive. She makes impulsive choices and sometimes acts in morally grey ways that were hard for me to agree with. I also found the male lead unlikeable.
For all that the story moves very slowly in the beginning, it does a lot of telling versus showing. We are told about how magic works, the diversity of her small village, how people around her feel about her.
Toward the middle and later half, the story gets too broad. There are a couple (flat) villains introduced and so many things to be resolved. Ending for me was unsatisfying.

How whimsical.
I agree with the comparison to Howls Moving Castle.
Cornelius is the star of the story. The villains lack depth. I wish the relationship between Foss and Sylvester was explored more.
I think Foss’ self hatred and constant self doubt was exhausting.
please give me more Cornelius.

I really liked the premise of the book but it really felt flat. I don’t DNF for ARCs to give the book a fair chance to turn itself around I did finish this but it was a struggle.
My main issue was that I majorly disliked both the male and female main characters.

I especially disliked how obsessed the main female character was with her physical appearance she constantly was body checking and thinking about how ugly she thought she was

The plot itself was mediocre and I didn’t find myself enjoy really any aspects of this book

A plain butcher's daughter has a piece of her heart snagged away by a mysterious sorcerer and she becomes enveloped in his world.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book and it is the type of book that I would typically go crazy for! I think that the concept is really well thought out and the world building was well executed.
Unfortunately I had to DNF this book. I had a hard time getting in to the book and it felt a bit too old timey for my tastes. I don't mind books set in ancient times but I do find it hard to keep my inter3st when there is a lot of old timey speak happening in the book that makes me pause to evaluate what is being said.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

This book felt like a lukewarm story. It had a dry beginning, then picked up the pace, and then slowed down again,
It tries a lot to appeal to the fans of HMC, maybe even too much so, it is one thing to capture an inspirations vibe, the other to lift from it to build on it your own story. I love hmc and its coded books, however, the set up and the beginning felt way too similar to be just inspired by the book.
Even worse, the characters that are both charming in theirhuman unlikable ways in the original book, feel like cheap caricatures. The best character is by far Cornelius (Calcifer?) who has a semblance of creativity in him.

Also, the excessive use of shite didn’t feel necessary and didn’t fit the the tone of the writing, at least in my opinion.

Maybe my expectations were so high because I heard so much praise about it. Maybe things will change up a bit before the release date, so I might actually give it a peak when it hits the bookstores because it isn’t all bad! Especially the parts that don’t try to bank on source material are interesting - the bits with the heart magic, the house was very cool, and the dialogue was also quite alright. And the cat of course,
However, please make the MC check her self conscious self image. To hear soo often how ugly she is from a first person pov, in so many ways, wasn’t really that necessary. That could be cut down a bit.
The book isn’t all bad of course. Though I didn’t see it exactly as cozy, it’s an ok ride for in-between if you don’t have anything else to read.

Full review will be posted closer to the publishing date on my socmed. Still, a big and heartfelt thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with this eArc!

I didn't enjoy this one, I just couldn't get past the voice that it was written in, the narrator was too cheeky, it overtook what they were actually trying to say. I think the author borrowed a bit too much from the stories they were influenced by without actually trying to divert from them at all.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book, this is my objective review. Our reluctant heroine is the plain-faced and sensible Foss Butcher, who lives in a village in a kingdom protected by sorceresses. In exchange, the sorceresses go from village to village harvesting small pieces of the villager's hearts in order to maintain their magic powers. During one of these visits, Foss's own heart is ensnared by a rare sorcerer and she is magically compelled to seek him out in the big city. She believes that the means by which he has be-spelled her has also cursed her to be attracted to him. Once in the city she finds a bewitched and sentient house, a talking cat named Cornelius, and an awkward sorcerer named Sylvester who's full of secrets. Will Foss ever be able to return home safely, or will she be forever ensnared in the perilous city and its dangerous secrets? I enjoyed this book so much, and it had an interesting premise with enough going on to keep you hooked, especially in the main plot. Foss was delightfully cranky and capable, but I thought Sylvester was much harder to pin down as a character and so it took me a long while to fully invest in him. The story has a slightly uneven flow, it dragged a bit in places. Although the pace was sluggish in places for me, it definitely picked up towards the end and I was glad I persisted. The romance seemed under-developed for most of the book, and didn't really come to fruition until late in the book. For those looking for a romantasy book, this wasn't that so much as a fantasy/mystery with a romantic sub-plot. That said, I enjoyed all aspects of this story and I would definitely read this author again. Publishes 3-4-25.

It is an unforgettable, cozy fantasy where sorceresses harvest human hearts for their spells. Foss, the butcher's daughter, whose life takes a surprising turn when a sorcerer, Sylvester, takes a piece of her heart, and she wants it back. She is a nonsense but practical character. Foss decides to confront Sylvester and marches to his enchanted house; soon, she is under Sylvester's spell while searching for the missing piece of her heart. She becomes his new housekeeper. The dynamic between Foss and Sylvester is both humorous and charming. Sylvester lacks magical abilities and is not living up to his sisters' expectations. They see Foss as a nuisance, and he does not need her since he lives in an enchanted house. Foss befriends Sylvester's clever talking cat, which creates fun banter and a delightful touch of whimsy. The enchanted house, its moving walls, and its moody personality create a wonderful backdrop for the story.

As Foss digs deeper into the mystery of the heart magic, she uncovers secrets about the king that she never could have imagined. Foss realizes there is much more to the kingdom's magic than meets the eye. Her journey is about reclaiming her heart and discovering the true nature of the sorceresses and the magic that governs her world. This story was genuinely delightful, with adventure, bravery, and a touch of romance, making for a heartwarming read. I wish I could read it again for the first time.

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, Erewhon Press.

A Harvest of Hearts follows outer villager Foss Butcher. In her kingdom, magic workers come to steal hearts from villagers to sustain the kingdom’s magic and protect them. Foss doesn’t give much thought to this until a handsome sorcerer visiting her village inadvertently snags a portion of her heart. Foss tracks the sorcerer down in the city to demand her heart back.
This book gives off the same cozy, magical, fantasy spirit as Howl’s Moving Castle. With a magic house, a talking cat, and a powerfully moody sorcerer, there is plenty to join the two in similarity.
Foss as a main character is a little dull. She asks the same questions over and over, and despite the high stakes of the world around her, seems disproportionately focused on her self-perceived ugliness. I also found the pacing of the book to be quite odd. Up until 60% in, Foss is working as a housekeeper to the sorcerer, and it isn’t until about 70% that the characters go off on what it seems should be their main quest. This pacing makes the book seem like it is missing a main plot, and relies heavily on its cozy atmosphere to keep the reader drawn in.
If you are looking for a cozy, magical mystery to pass your time, this book may be the one for you. However, if you are on the hunt for a story with an enticing plot and quick-witted main character, I may recommend looking somewhere else.

Andrea Eames' A Harvest of Hearts is an evocative novel that feels like poetry woven into prose, with lush descriptions and rich depictions of the Zimbabwean landscape. Set against the backdrop of a country caught between tradition and modernity, Eames captures the essence of a world in transition, where characters are constantly navigating the shifting sands of culture, identity, and belonging. While there is much to admire in the novel’s style and ambition, it ultimately falls just short of its potential, earning it a solid, if somewhat restrained, three stars.

First and foremost, Eames' prose is stunning. Her lyrical descriptions of both the physical landscape and the emotional terrain of her characters are often breathtaking. The Zimbabwean setting is more than just a backdrop—it is alive, as much a character as the people inhabiting it. Eames’ strength lies in her ability to bring readers into this vivid, sometimes harsh, but always compelling world. She draws out the tension between the land’s beauty and its struggles, mirroring the characters’ own internal conflicts.

However, the same lush prose that initially captivates can also become the book’s greatest challenge. The pace of *A Harvest of Hearts* is slow—almost too slow. The central narrative, which follows characters trying to make sense of their place in a changing world, lacks the momentum to fully carry the reader through. Eames is more focused on mood and atmosphere than on driving the plot forward, which can leave the story feeling adrift. There’s a sense that something big is always about to happen, but that moment never quite arrives.

The characters, while complex and multi-dimensional, sometimes feel distant. Their emotional journeys are intriguing but hard to fully connect with, as the novel leans heavily on introspection and inner turmoil rather than external action. Eames paints her characters with subtlety, but this very subtlety can make them feel more like ideas than fully realized people. For a book centered on the theme of "harvest"—both literal and metaphorical—the payoff of emotional investment feels elusive.

Thematically, A Harvest of Hearts touches on powerful issues—identity, colonialism, family legacy, and the clash between old ways and new realities. These themes are explored with sensitivity and depth, but they often feel underdeveloped, as if Eames is hesitant to fully confront them. There are moments where the novel brushes up against something truly profound but then pulls back, leaving the reader wanting more.

Ultimately, A Harvest of Hearts is a novel that excels in atmosphere and beauty but falters in narrative momentum and emotional engagement. It’s a book that will appeal to readers who enjoy slow-burn, contemplative stories, but for those looking for a more tightly woven plot or deeper emotional resonance, it may feel underwhelming. There’s no denying Eames’ talent as a writer, but in this particular novel, the balance between style and substance feels uneven. Three stars reflect both the promise and the limitations of a story that could have soared higher.