A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames takes the "cozy fantasy" trend and adds refreshingly real stakes to it. From beginning to end the stakes were enough to keep my quickly turning the page, but not enough to ruin the cozy vibe. Andrea Eames has also created a very unusual magic system within a traditional medieval setting.

The main character in A Harvest of Hearts is a very plain young woman. She is not the traditional "beauty" or amazing warrior of most book heroines which I found to be quite nice. She's just a village girl with a very simple life until the events of the book unfold. Even though she is simple, I really enjoyed her a a protagonist and liked her more down-to-earth common sense approach to whatever situation she found herself in. It made her very relatable. The other main character is your more typical type. Annoying at first and then quite charming by the end, but done well in my opinion. And, let's not forget there's a talking cat who ends up maybe being the most likeable character in the entire book.

The plot is very interesting but linear. There are not a ton of side quests or distractions, but that works well since this is a stand a lone. There were a few times by the end of the book that I wished certain people or story beats could have been more developed, but that wouldn't really work without turning this into a duology which I think would have been a mistake, so we loose a little world building for the sake of a well developed but straight forward plot.

Overall I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy or even a quick snack of epic fantasy.

2.5/5 stars for me.

I really wanted to love this book, I struggled a lot with finishing this, I think it's just okay for me. I don't think I am the target audience maybe? I was really intrigued from the title and the cover and the synopsis, but it was a miss overall in my personal opinion!

Thank you to Netgalley and the author and team for letting me read this book!

A Heart of Harvest promises to be a lovable story similar to Howl's Moving Castle. It certainly lived up to the similarities. Sorcery, love, adventure, and more. Andrea Eames weaves a beautiful tale that keeps readers hooked. My only complaint was how often our FMC talks/thinks about how ugly she is. Everytime it popped up, it threw me right out of the story. Towards the end I would skip right over the "I'm so ugly and unwanted" negative self talk. I think once or twice in the beginning would have been fine but it was often, even towards the end. I liked Foss, I thought she was a strong character and I was rooting for her the entire time. Wish the self loathing was cut down a bit.

Overall, this was a 3.5/4 star read. I enjoyed the vibes and world building.

I would give this 3.5 stars. I loved the cat, Cornelius, and it got very interesting the last 15-20%, which I appreciated. I think I was expecting a cozy read and it definitely felt darker than what I was anticipating. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, I just think “cozy” wouldn’t be the descriptor I would choose. It was a very unique story and felt for like a “Grimm’s Fairytale” throughout most of the book. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book! I will be referring it to my followers if they’re looking for a far, witchy book.

Thank you for the ARC read! Honestly when starting this book I was hooked. The energy I got while reading 10/10. It helped me get out of my reading slump!

The eerie medieval setting +dark magic was intriguing but the story overall lacked for me. The premise itself showed promise and was interesting at first with a blend of Stockholm syndrome like tension and a magical backdrop. However, the story slogged by the protagonist’s internal monologues and self esteem issues. The FMC’s repetitive self loathing was ok at first but got old quick. It also doesn’t seem to evolve much which just killed the pacing. I liked the cat and the house + her relationship with her father which was heartfelt. However, it wasn't explored much, while the romance with Sylvester felt meh and shallow.
The magic system + plot was easy to follow but the ending felt too convenient and wrapped things up a bit too neatly.
— main critiques (slow pacing, underwhelming romance, excessive internal monologues)
— redeeming aspects (magical setting, atmosphere)

I really wanted to LOVE this book, and when you break it down - unique magical systems, intriguing MMC, whimsical side characters, world building, FMC POV, slow burn... its enticing! The concepts are there and the story itself is ok, however I couldnt get past the FMC persisting self sabotage and self esteem issues. The slow burn romance was good, but is it romance if aspects of her autonomy is gone? MMC was quite immature for my tastes, but that just could be a personal preference issue on my end.

The world building is great, the imagery was there for me and while I can understand some comparisons to Howl's Moving Castle, the story created was detached and much its own. HMC does help you immerse yourself into that whimsical dreamscape thats created.

Cornelius was the showstopper and I loved the banter and wit. He brought the pizzazz the story needed and was quite refreshing.

Overall, it was a good read, at times a bit of a push through, but I did like it.

Thank you for the opportunity to review!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

This was such a good and unique cozy fantasy read! The folks comparing to T Kingfisher are right on. It was dark but cozy and just so interesting.

The plot labored a bit in some spots and pacing wa off, but I still rather enjoyed the whole of it.

If you loved Howl’s Moving Castle you will love this adult novel. It definitely has similar characteristics and vibe as Howl’s. With a talking cat, a magical, sentient castle, a strong and brave female protagonist, and a moody sorcerer that isn’t in full control of his magic, what’s not to love? Add a bit of darkness and a touch of romance and this is a fun read. Although a bit slow paced with a rushed ending, I enjoyed every bit of this story.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, Erewhon Books for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

I really wanted to love this book, but it unfortunately just wasn't for me. I couldn't mesh with the writing style or really connect with the characters. I have too much of my own personal negative self talk for this book to give me the true escape I was looking for.

But If you are looking for a cozier fantasy with howls moving castle vibes then you may really enjoy this one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an ARC.

I really enjoyed this book! Some reviews seem bothered that it was compared to Howl’s Moving Castle because it gives this book too much to live up to, but I thought the worldbuilding and character development was similar enough without being a rip-off. A fun read!

The blurb of A Harvest of Hearts on Net Galley compares this dark fairy tale-style novel to Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle. And I can definitely see it. We've got the weird house, we got the sensible/exasperated heroine with powers she isn't aware of. We have the talking magical creature. The style however is more comparable to T. Kingfisher. (Not to say that Diana Wynne Jones wasn't capable of being dark--Dogsbody was extremely unsettling and dark, from what I remember when I first read it when I was kid. I just feel that the tone is closer to some of T. Kingfisher's work rather than Jones.)

Our Heroine Foss is the daughter of a butcher, who lives in a kingdom supposedly protected by sorceresses whose powers are powered by hearts. The sorceresses visit towns on the outskirts of the kings, and charm people into giving up their hearts or pieces of their hearts (which is somehow both a physical and metaphorical process) to them. The sorceresses are all supernaturally beautiful, and no one seems to mind about it, but under the glamor, there is a sense of dread and horror. (Which is very effectively written.)

Foss has spent most of her life being bullied for being unattractive, so it's a surprise to our heroine when the only sorcerer (rather than sorceress) Foss has ever seen "snags" her heart. The love spell draws her yearning after the sorcerer and eventually becoming extremely ill. When she realizes that the illness is because of the sorcerer having snagged her heart, Foss rather boldly decides to find a way to regain her heart by finding the sorcerer and (hopefully) stealing it back. This leads to her becoming the sorcerer's housekeeper--and getting in over her head when she draws the attention of the sorcerer's sisters and father.

Foss is an engaging character, with a lot of determination and tenacity--while having also having the kind of lack of confidence that comes from having been bullied. The sorcerer--whose name is Sylvester--hovers somewhere between terrifyingly eldritch and disturbing and strangely sympathetic. The various revelations about the rot (literal rot) lying at the center of the kingdom are well paced and the plot is engaging. It does however get slightly bogged down by Foss' hesitance to act at critical moments. (They do feel natural to the character, and most of the twists and pitfalls of the plot are well worked.)

My only--very mild--objection is that the romantic aspects of the plot are not as well paced as the overall plot. I would have liked more interaction between Foss and Sylvester. The romance worked, and they definitely have chemistry, but I would have liked more development of the relationship. There was also a point near the end where the romantic subplot got in the way of the main plot. Despite this point, I enjoyed reading this book.

This review is based on a galley received from Net Galley.

2.5 ⭐️
I really wanted to love this book. The Howls moving castle comparison is what made me interested in it, the the vibes are there at the beginning but that’s it. I feel like this book was 150 pages too long. It’s so over descriptive for no reason. Paragraphs and paragraphs that we don’t need.
Also, I could not find the MC interesting or relatable at all. So repetitive about how she’s not pretty.
I was ready to dnf it so many times

A Harvest of Hearts was a pleasant enough read, but it didn't quite capture my heart completely. The story, set in a picturesque village, follows the lives of several interconnected characters as they navigate love, loss, and the challenges of rural life. Eames' writing is warm and inviting, creating a cozy atmosphere that draws you into the story. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the countryside and the sense of community among the villagers.

However, the plot felt a bit predictable at times, and I found myself wanting more depth and complexity from the characters. Some of the storylines felt a bit rushed, and I didn't always feel fully invested in their outcomes. While the book had its heartwarming moments, it lacked the emotional punch that I was hoping for.

Overall, A Harvest of Hearts is a light and enjoyable read, perfect for a lazy afternoon. If you're looking for a feel-good story with a touch of romance and a charming setting, this book might be for you. However, if you're seeking a more profound and emotionally impactful reading experience, you might want to explore other options.

2.5/5⭐️

This book was full of dark whimsy, inspired by howl’s moving castle I saw the similarities. The story was easy to follow and I felt the magic system was quite straight forward. The authors use of metalepsis also did not go a miss! I really think it added to the story being portrayed!

I was ‘snagged’ straight away! Our FMC Foss’s dialect was immediately captured throughout the story, her tone was set emulating where she came from and her story which I thought was very nicely done. Her bond to her father was very endearing and made me wish her Da had a bigger role, he was just so loveable!

I thought the descriptions were very eerie in a poetic way, the acceptance of a slow mutilation once harvested. Everyone’s brainwashed in awe of their beauty while being snagged, this part of the story really captivated me just like how the villagers were drawn in.

Our MMC, is described as beautiful yet lazy, I wish to have known more about Sylvester. I feel there’s so much more to his story and how he was made, I would’ve liked to see more in depth dive into his background.

I feel Cornelius and the House really carried the story, I loved their personas and how they truly added to the story. It showed how magic could be used in others ways and not just to ‘harvest’.

I would also have liked to see a bit more on the ‘snagged’ secret society, to truly connect with the others on deeper emotional level.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington publishing for this arc!

Once again I requested this book after seeing it was similar to howls moving castle. And once again I didn’t enjoy it the way I did howls so I’m a little pouty about that. Cornelius was honestly my favorite part. Fmc was too focused on how ugly she was and it made it hard for me to get past it because her development came so far into the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for letting me read the ARC of this book!

I have to say I only got through 35% of this book in over a month of stopping and starting it, struggling to read this book is an understatement.

I did enjoy the start of the book as it felt light and fun as it was set in a small town and these sorcerers came to visit but as I read on I felt the story get weird, dark, I would of assumed that harvest of hearts was a metaphor as the book is meant to be for young people. When Foss when to the Secret meeting and there was one guy talking about how he saw someone’s chest and the heart was literally gone and his chest was caved in I had to put the book down and call it a day, it is not for me, I’m not into dark stories with mentions of suicide, and death in childbirth. This is definitely not a cozy but as described.

I did enjoy the idea of the house moving and granting her what she needed, and the relationship between Foss and her cat Cornelius. Although when she described his butt hole it did turn my stomach a bit.

Thank you to NetGalley and KensingtonPublishing for providing me with an ARC of Andrea Eames novel in return for an honest review.

Foss is a young woman in a kingdom where magic exists but can only be wielded by the king's children and relies upon the harvesting of human hearts to power the spells. The kingdom's inhabitants are enthralled by the unnaturally beautiful magic workers and accept that this harvest must happen to ensure the kingdom's stability, health, and success.

But when she is accidentally "snagged" by a sorcerer and she learns the truth of what happens to those who lose their hearts, Foss knows that something must change and that corruption is at the heart of the kingdom itself. It's up to her to set things right and hopefully find and accept herself in the process.

Early reviews are likening this story to Howl's Moving Castle, and I see the similarities in the whimsier aspects of the story and in the comparison of Sylvestery and Howl. You even get a Calcifer-type character in this, in the form of a talking cat. I loved that about this book: even when the stakes are high, the whimsy of it keeps a little nugget of joy and light heartedness that kept me reading. Despite the comparisons though, I do believe A Harvest of Hearts brings a unique representation of magic and stands on its own legs.

Some weaker moments in character development let me down or frustrated me a bit, but overall the characters themselves are strong and well done (Cornelius is my favorite, which won't be a surprise if you know me).

I'll be looking forward to reading more from this author and seeing the reception around this book upon its official release!

Happy reading 📚
Shell

A fun, fresh magical system with a robust cast of supporting characters really carried this book. The Howls Moving Castle influence felt distinct and further supported Eames's world. Absolutely loved Cornelius, maybe more than Sylvester. I'm not convinced that "cozy" fits the bill for this particular book with it's higher stakes and sometimes brutal description of death but I enjoyed the read regardless and would recommend it to a YA audience with an interest in fairytales, folklore, and slow burn romance.

I have never read Howls Moving’ Castle, but I have seen the cartoon — so that’s the limit of my ability to compare the two storylines. Yes, you have the frumpy main character chasing after a beautiful sorcerer, barging into his house and offering to be his house keeper and cook, but this is its own story with its own world building, characters and plot. The similarities feel very surface level (again, compared to the cartoon), and I was easily able to separate this book from the comp title.

Foss is a character that I think you’ll either get along with or be annoyed by. She’s blunt, pragmatic, and above all, self-deprecating. Not once in the course of the book does she ever think highly of herself, and it’s one of my few small nitpicks. I would have liked to have seen some character growth from her but, at the end of the book, she is much the same character she was in the beginning, only having lived a little more and had a few adventures.

Spencer, the sorcerer, is harder to pin down, character wise. His slow growing love for Foss feels more like friendship than romance — which isn’t a bad thing. But this isn’t a breathless, whirlwind courtship with explosions and violins in the background, and it feels a little … taken for granted. Like, because this is a romantasy, of course they fall in love; I would have liked to have seen more tension between them, more time spent building them up as a couple rather than it feeling like Foss was given Spencer for no more reason than because she was the main character.

Honestly, Foss had more adventures and more of a connection with Cornelius, the cat, than Spencer.

The world building is a slow burn, itself, with much time spent in Spencer’s house and the world itself only eventually being revealed. The magic system is pleasantly vague, with magic users able to do grand things … but how is the question, and who are they is another. Why are there only so many of them? Why are they all inhumanly beautiful? Why hearts?

Honestly, the magic system was the best part of this book for me. The plot is solid, the pace is nicely brisk with no moments of lagging or filler … even though I might have, myself, preferred a bit more time spent in the world and on the romance, as I said. But that’s just me.

Overall, this is an easy read and a fun book — more of a 3.5-3.75 than a 4 star read — and I’d consider it more fantasy than romantasy. Still, if you give it a try, I hope you enjoy it. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for letting me have an ARC.