A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames is such a delightful and captivating read! It’s down-to-earth yet completely irresistible. Foss is an amazing character, and the addition of her talking cat makes the story even more charming. The book strikes the perfect balance between classic storytelling and fresh, unique twists—making it an absolute joy to read. I loved every moment of it!

A Harvest of Hearts is a captivating read with a unique magic system and an intriguing storyline.

I loved Foss. Her mother died during childbirth, practically unheard of in their town, so everyone believes she’s cursed. Add the fact that she’s quite plain and clumsy, she has a very negative view of herself. Despite this, she’s incredibly brave and caring. I was rooting for her to get her heart back after being “snagged” by the only sorcerer in the kingdom.

Speaking of snagging hearts, the sorceresses harvest human hearts to fuel the magic the King uses to protect the kingdom and the people have come to accept this despite the terrible toll it takes on the victims. Foss however, is determined to find her heart so she makes her way to the sorcerers enchanted house and becomes his housekeeper. While there she secretly searches for her heart, realizes that Sylvester isn't what she expected and discovers the dark truth behind the Kingdoms magic.
This leads her on a quest with the help of Sylvester and Cornelius, a talking cat, to stop the corruption eating away at the harvested hearts and maybe even the King himself.

Cornelius is the best! There’s a lot to love about this book but he definitely stole the show.
I will say I’m glad the romance wasn’t the main focus of the book because it was a bit underwhelming. While we do see her develop real feelings for Sylvester, I think my biggest issue is that Foss was literally under a spell that made her love him. That being said, I really liked them as a couple once we saw him do more than just laze around all day.

I recommend this if you enjoy darker fantasy full of magic, adventure and a dash of romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing the ARC.

This was such a cozy read! I really enjoy atmospheric books, especially ones based on one of my favorite books/movie. This book had a really awesome magic system that I loved learning about. I also really enjoyed Foss, the main character. She was an incredibly dynamic character and I felt drawn into her story. Sylvester was incredibly intriguing and I found myself wanting to know more about him over the course of the story. I wish there had been more development to their romance, but I was not put off by it.

The book was darker than I thought it would be, but it didn't detract from the overall plot and vibe of this book. The vibes for it are absolutely immaculate, and it was great for my own personal brand of escapism. It is a solid fantasy romance book, and I think that people who love Howl's Moving Castle will likely enjoy it, even with the darker bits in the story.

I found this book ok, I liked it but didn’t love it. I couldn’t get into the story, the story idea was good but I kept getting lost throughout.

An intriguing premise with a unique magic system! While the writing style started off slow and the main character, Foss, wasn’t immediately lovable, the story grew stronger as it progressed.

The world-building stood out with a magic system unlike anything I’ve read before—engaging without being overly complex. As Foss developed more confidence and self-assurance, she became a character I truly rooted for.

One of the highlights of the book was Cornelius the cat, easily one of my favorite side characters ever. He added humor, lightness, and much-needed companionship to the story.

The ending tied things together well, leaving me satisfied. While it took a bit to fully engage, A Harvest of Hearts is worth the read for its originality and heart.

I enjoyed this. I found it very readable and hard to put down. There’s an interesting tone to the narration that I found very engaging. The worldbuilding is really interesting and clever, there were lots of ideas in it that I liked. I enjoyed how the house was portrayed, and how Cornelius worked as a character.

I liked the main character, Foss; I thought she was very distinct and well-drawn. I wasn’t so invested in Sylvester. I found his character a little vaguer in comparison, though I did warm to him towards the end. Plot-wise, I liked it; it was intriguing and I wasn’t sure where it was going and there were twists and turns I didn’t expect.

However, I found the romance element a little underdeveloped. I would have liked to see Foss and Sylvester spend more time together before the main plot took over. That said, this would have made the book even longer, and as it was it did feel a bit too long for me. The pacing wasn’t quite right; some parts of the book felt very fast whilst others felt slow.

I also found the book a little darker than I had been anticipating. This wasn’t a bad thing, as I did enjoy the darker tone, but it wasn’t quite the cozy fantasy I had been expecting. There were certainly cozy parts of the book, but there were some quite heavy scenes in it that took me by surprise.

Overall, though, this was a very solid fantasy romance. If you’re a fan of Howl’s Moving Castle and would like to read a far more grown-up version, then this would be a good place to start. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.

Content Notes: Death of a parent (in past), death in childbirth (in past), grief, blood, violence, murder, death, torture, animal injury, slavery, non-descriptive on-page sex.

This is not Howl's Moving Castle, but if you are looking for a gothic, cozy fantasy then this might be for you. Giving this a 3.5 out of 5. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I almost DNF'ed this at about 40%. Foss found her way into the home of a mysterious magic-worker and meets the best character of the book, aka Cornelius the newly talking cat. But then she stays in that house for chapter after chapter without the plot moving or any real character development.

At about the 60% mark, things finally begin moving forward and you finally get more insight into the character of Sylvester and the skeletons in the closet of the kingdom. The end of the story felt a bit rushed and unsatisfying.

When a handsome sorcerer travels through Foss Butcher’s small rural village, Floss finds herself inexplicably drawn to the magic user. Her chest aches for him in a way that she cannot explain, and the only remedy is his very presence. Foss leaves behind all she knows to follow the sorcerer to the city, determined to reclaim her stolen heart. Only, things are not so simple. Dark secrets lurk in the shadows of the kingdom’s underbelly, and the truth behind the magic users and the hearts they steal is more than Foss bargained for. What we get is a dark yet whimsical story reminiscent of Howl’s Moving Castle but still uniquely its own.

Foss is not your typical heroine, which is a breath of fresh air. She’s not beautiful in the traditional sense, and she has no magic powers of her own. In fact, the entire story happens simply by accident - an awry spell and a girl in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, she is strong and stubborn and maybe a little crude. She’s more relatable than most characters, and I love her for that.

Marketed as a romantasy, I wish there were more interactions between Foss and Sylvester. I think this is my biggest complaint. Foss fawns over the sorcerer because of the spell, but it isn’t until much later in the book that there is any meaningful communication. I did not care for Sylvester early on as he’s quite childish and bratty - largely ignoring Foss - but he did grow on me as the story progressed. But their romance felt lacking, or, at least, very one sided. I got friend-vibes most of the story.

I absolutely adored Cornelius. He is the best boy, and I will accept no criticism whatsoever. By far, he is the star of the book.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. I thought it was fun and different enough to keep my attention. It’s a little long winded at times, but the writing itself is full of wit and charm. I think it’s definitely worth a read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Erewhon Books for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

A Harvest of Hearts definitely has the feel of Howl's Moving Castle until the secrets become more harrowing and dark.

In a land where bits of hearts are harvested to sustain magic and peace across a kingdom lives Foss. A sturdy butcher's daughter, raised by a doting father in a small village on the outskirts of her kingdom. Her life is fairly ordinary until the day a sorcerer comes and ensorcells her heart, leading her on the adventure of a lifetime.

I'm a bit torn, much like Foss. There are definitely parallels in the story of Howl's Moving Castle (the movie more so than the book) and A Harvest of Hearts, which I deeply appreciated. Especially at the beginning. And yet I wasn't entirely blown away like I hoped to be.

I struggled with the relationship between Foss and the sorcerer. I’m not sure if it was the pacing of the book, or the repetitive, intrusive thoughts of Foss, but I never really felt a relationship develop between the two. Just a forced codependency. Frankly, the relationship between Foss and Cornelius was more compelling. I could read a whole book on the two of them faffing about, saving their world. Cornelius is by far the star of the book. He absolutely cracked me up, and his nature was incredibly spot on.

Despite my misgivings about the overall plot Foss is a lovable character. She's stalwart, resilient, and hearty (maybe the pun is intended?). She's human and makes the best of her situation. I appreciate that.

Overall I give this a solid 3.5 stars. I think it's an entertaining story that will worm its way into the hearts of those that read it.

A huge thank you for Kensington Publishing and net galley for providing this arc!

I went in blind for this book, like I always do, and was instantly hooked by the narrative. Foss had such a unique way to tell her story, that I could not stop once I started.

I really liked the idea of heart harvesting and how the hearts could be used to do magic! I feel like I haven't seen (read) something like this before. With the talking cat and house with some kind of consciousness I enjoyed the start of the book and Foss' adventures very much! But really, I did not care about the sorcerer at all. Cornelius carried this book for me!

While the book had a very cool story, it in some parts reminded me of Howl's moving castle, and maybe too much. With the beautiful magic makers, talking cat (Cornelius - Calcifer), the house with consciousness, and Foss' unexpected becoming of the sorcerer's house maid, I felt like very many main points very already familiar to me. I didn't mind this as much at the end, when we clearly turned into different direction from the Howl's moving castle.

The interesting world building, Foss' unique narrative and Cornelius, still how ever made this a four star book!

I loved this cosy adventure, it was an easy read that had me immersed in the magic of it all, fun read overall.

A Harvest of Hearts was a fun mix of whimsical setting, unique magic, and a stubborn FMC. The story’s Howl’s Moving Castle-esque elements make for great imagery and I found Foss to be a refreshing protagonist.

However while the premise was intriguing I struggled with the pacing, certain moments felt rushed and other moments felt dragged out. The romance while engaging sometimes felt too under-explored.

Overall A Harvest of Hearts is an enjoyable read for fans of the genre even if this specific story wasn’t a fit for me!

This was a cozy, whimsical fantasy. It was an easy quick read. I will always love a book with cats as characters. Was this a literary masterpiece I'll reference for years to come? meh, no. But it was fun! If you're looking for a quick read with a fun magic system, give this one a chance.

Part cozy fantasy, part gothic fairytale vibes and I am here for it! The theme of self love and acceptance is a big part of this book and I truly enjoyed reading that. Sometimes there are books that truly connect with and this is one of them.

ARC Review Of 📚 A Harvest Of Hearts

Release Date : 4th March 2025

There’s nothing in the world I love more than a book that reminds me of Howl’s Moving Castle. It’s my favorite Studio Ghibli movie, and this book captured that same whimsical yet deeply magical feeling.

Foss was incredibly relatable to me. That experience of growing up believing you’re special because your parents treated you like you were only to face a world that isn’t nearly as kind? I understood that all too well. Her journey felt so personal and real, making the story all the more immersive.

And Cornelius, the cat? Absolutely delightful. He reminded me so much of Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service, bringing that perfect mix of sass and charm. Every scene with him was pure joy.

Sylvester, on the other hand, was effortlessly charismatic, and his relationship with Foss was one of the best parts of the book. Their dynamic was so engaging, and I loved seeing how it developed.

Then there’s the magic system harvesting hearts for magic? It was dark, unique, and utterly fascinating to explore. The book started off with cozy, whimsical vibes, but as the story progressed, it took a darker turn in the best possible way.

Overall, I adored this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves enchanting magic, compelling characters, and a story that evolves in unexpected ways.

This book was so my vibe—fairy-tale magic, intrigue, and a hint of darkness. It’s been compared to Howl’s Moving Castle, and I totally see it, but it also stands strong on its own.

Foss gets her heart (literally) stolen by a sorcerer, Sylvester, and she’s not having it. She tracks him down, moves into his magical house as his “housekeeper,” and starts investigating. The talking cat? Instant favorite. The father-daughter relationship? So sweet. And Sylvester? Emotionally detached, disturbingly attractive, and definitely hiding something.

What starts out whimsical turns darker as the truth about the kingdom’s magic unfolds. The heart-stealing sorceresses aren’t exactly evil, just completely inhuman, and the magic system is both fascinating and brutal. The romance is a slow burn, but it works—Foss fights the pull, and Sylvester doesn’t even realise he’s being drawn in.

I was hooked the whole way through. It’s not a perfect book, but it gave me everything I wanted, and I loved it. 5 stars!

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you’re looking for a leisurely read with a unique take on a magical world; with some romance thrown in of course. Then this book is for you. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Foss and Sylvester’s story.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!!

Foss is the definition of an ordinary girl living an ordinary life, and it's not hard to love her from the first moment we meet her. She faces struggles and a life that seems so realistic, and you truly yearn for what she yearns for. The magic in the book as well seems natural if slightly sinister, and the true nature of it grows so well throughout the book.

Sylvester is goth Howl redesigned, and I truly love that he is aloof and out of touch, but at the same time so earnest and endearing. I also will ride at dawn for Cornelius and would let him harvest my heart ANY time.

The book has a simple style of writing that made it difficult to put down, and i loved the twists and turns the story made. I absolutely will be picking up a physical copy of this book and look forward to enjoying it again and again!!

The best things about this book are the talking cat and the cover. It was slow and boring and the ending was too rushed. The characters didn't have any chemistry.

A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames is a cosy fantasy novel with elements of romance and a unique magic system. I really enjoyed the magical aspects of this novel, especially Sylvester’s magical house and Cornielius the talking cat.

As a new reader to romance and romantasy I enjoyed the slow burn romance in this novel and thought it was fairly well done.

I would have liked to have seen a bit more character development, especially when it came to Sylvester who had a lot of potential but ultimately lacked depth.

My main negative with the book was the pacing, at times I had to force myself to pick the book up and other times I couldn’t put it down. I felt it could have had some words cut from the middle and added to the final quarter, which I felt was a bit rushed and took away from the ending slightly.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and rated it 3.5 stars. I would recommend this book for someone looking for a cosy fantasy read, with slow burn romance and a unique magic system.