Thank you Andrea Eames, NetGalley and Erewhon Books for this ARC

A Harvest of Hearts was a pleasant surprise for me; the premise sounded like Howl’s Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones, which is one of my favorite books of all time, so I knew that, at the very least, I would have an okay time with it, and boy oh boy, did I have a good time with it.

I loved this book with all my heart; It was a cozy, low-ish stakes narrative that kept me entertained whilst I waited for sleep to arrive. Shoutout to Jessie Elland, who narrated the book to perfection, I’m literally in love with her voice, a voice which managed to not only be perfect for the main female protagonist, Foss, but also for the main male character, Sylvester.

The novel immediately captivates with its unique premise and even more unique voice and quirky vocabulary! The introduction of Foss, whose grounded and naturally flawed human demeanor offers a refreshing contrast to other fantasy main characters, is well executed and most anticipated! The fantastical elements surrounding her are told in a kind of tall-tail way that provides deep world building and the whimsical yet dark tone sets the stage for an adventure that promises to either break our hearts or save it! Foss stands out as a relatable protagonist with her flawed perception of the world, embodying a strong sense of determination that guides her journey to reclaim her life before she loses it for good. Her interactions with Sylvester, the blundering sorcerer who hasn't a clue as well as a surprisingly captivating talking cat provide both humorous banter and a chance for Foss's personal growth as she explores her new reality. The characters are well-developed and well rounded with each one more relatable than the last! The world is elaborately envisioned but not so much so that it is difficult to follow. My favorite beings in this world have to be the sentient House and the lore built around heart-based magic that gives sorcerers and sorceresses magic a root, a beating heart if you will.

The narrative is comfortably pace, not too hand heavy with either thought or action but with a perfect balance of both. Foss's quest to retrieve her heart maintains reader interest through its unexpected discoveries. Plot movement in the latter half feels a little abrupt but it does not affect the story's flow much. Some readers might find the resolution lacking in complexity but I personally enjoyed its simple quality which brought a perfect end to Foss's internal and external troubles. Eames's writing style is suggestive and blends fanciful descriptions with concrete, original ideas. The tone shifts seamlessly between lighthearted moments of humor to serious themes that narrate the danger of Foss's world which includes dangers towards the heart. The novel explores numerous themes that I enjoyed exploring such as autonomy and the complexities of love and shifting worldview.

A Harvest of Hearts offers a fresh take on elements in the fantasy genre, combining traditional magic and sentience and giving them a unique, raw twist. While not without its minor flaws, the novel is a cozy fantasy must-read!

This book healed parts of me I didn't realize I needed to have healed.

Having a main female character who felt and thought like me? An hero who didn't want to be one, but did it because it's the right thing to do? Horror and darkness and cruelness, and yet people are still crawling towards hope and goodness? A TALKING CAT?

If you are not sold yet, can I talk about how unique the magic system is? People's hearts being what magic is based on is so amazing, because hearts are the lifeblood of what makes us, well, us. And then there are other forms of magic out there that are less harmful, and yet people choose the most brutal form?

I also appreciate the conversation around propaganda and how if we are raised a certain way, it can be hard for us to question it and realize it is wrong.

Honestly, no notes. This book is perfection, and I am off to pick up a physical copy!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher of our early access to this audiobook. I love this audiobook and the narrator. The story was great and at times reminded me of the beauty and the beast storyline. I look forward to reading this authors next book!

I was promised an adventure in the style of Howl's Moving Castle, and that's exactly what this is! I wish I could have stayed with Foss and Slyvester just a little bit longer. I love that this is a stand alone, but the end felt a little rushed to me. I listened to the audio of this and the narrator also did an amazing job! Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

A Harvest of Hearts is a cozy, captivating fantasy with adventure, magic, and romance that hooked me from the first line.

Oh my goodness, I adored this story. It was warm and comforting, laced with darkness and magic that made the story unputdownable. Foss was a wonderful, strong main character I loved from the beginning. Cornelius was a brilliant character; he had me laughing and grinning the entire time. The romance between Foss and Sylvester was touching, and their character development was beautiful. I enjoyed the adventure in the story as Foss journeyed to multiple magical places and the lovely world-building. Andrea’s prose presented a stunningly atmospheric tale. The magic system was fascinating, and the Howl’s Moving Castle vibes were spectacular. The pacing was engaging, and the ending was satisfying. I am beyond excited to see what Andrea writes next!

Jessie Elland was the perfect narrator for this story. Her brilliant accents, beautiful emotion, and lovely voice made for an unforgettable reading experience. I highly recommend the audiobook!

Thank you to the publisher for the free ALC!

I thought this was a nice read! I would say it does give the Howls moving castle vibes which is why I requested to read this. It has a really nice whimsical fantasy feel to it! I loved the world building and the premise of the book is unique enough that I would 100% pick this up based on the synopsis alone. HOWEVER, it's hard for me to like the FMC & at times the MMC. I just didn't like their personalities and that may just be a me issue (a little immature). I would def give this book a chance if you're looking escape to this world to a magical world. Be warned though, the book takes a pretty big shift in terms of tone (I really enjoyed it). I think there is a big audience that will love this book and look forward to seeing it on the shelves!

A Harvest of Hearts immediately transported me into a world that felt both familiar and refreshingly new. At first, I almost wondered if I had accidentally started Howl’s Moving Castle—the premise had striking similarities—but instead of feeling derivative, the overlap gave the book a cozy, nostalgic charm. This was exactly the kind of warm fantasy I love, perfect for a rainy day, whether I was working on art mock-ups for my job or simply unwinding at home.

Foss’s journey was both heartbreaking and rewarding. I truly felt her struggles and pain, and it was deeply satisfying to see her come into her own and finally be seen for the beauty she possesses. And of course, I can never resist a sassy talking cat—Cornelius was a highlight!

Jessie Elland’s narration was excellent, especially in bringing Cornelius to life with just the right touch of wit and personality. Her performance enhanced the overall experience, making this the perfect audiobook for those who enjoy cozy fantasy while crafting, baking, or curling up under a blanket.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to hearing more from Jessie Elland—and to reading more from Andrea Eames in the future!

this author heard the book girlies say “i need more howls moving castle!” and provided it!

the story was captivating, the magic system was fun, and the curse felt familiar.

this book was a fun twist on what would of happened if howl really did keep the girls heart, and it played out SO well. i loved sylvester and all of his broody-ness.

Foss was an interesting FMC. although i understood her self doubt it started to feel too repetitive and.. juvenile? for being a grown up story.

oh and the cat, the cat was the perfect comedic relief. he was snarky and it felt like you could feel him roll his eyes every time he said to say “as i have said, i don’t know.”

Thank you to Netgalley & RBmedia for providing me the advanced listener copy of this audiobook. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook & would absolutely recommend it. I thought the narrator did a fantastic job with all the characters she voiced & my favorite character hands down is the talking cat Cornelius. Even though the chapters were long, the narrator was able to keep my attention so I was able to move through them quickly.

First, the narrator does a wonderful job with this magical story. Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Ames is a cozy, magical tale that draws you in from the start. The inclusion of a talking cat is an instant charm, adding a delightful touch. When Foss’s heart is stolen by a dreamy sorcerer, the adventure truly begins. While the whimsical magic is enchanting, I found myself wishing for a bit more romance to balance the fantasy elements. Nonetheless, the story is enjoyable, and I’m excited to see what this author has in store for future books.

Harvest of Hearts is a whimsical and enchanting tale that feels like a love letter to Howl’s Moving Castle. With its magical world, charming characters, and a romance that unfolds with both humor and heart, this story sweeps you away in the best way possible. The sense of adventure and wonder is palpable, making it perfect for fans of fairy-tale-like fantasy with a touch of unpredictability.

The narrator does a phenomenal job, breathing life into each character with distinct voices and emotions, making the story even more immersive. Their performance enhances the magic, ensuring listeners are fully drawn into this spellbinding world. If you’re looking for an audiobook that captures the same whimsical charm as Howl’s Moving Castle, Harvest of Hearts is a must-listen.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for a copy to review!

A beautiful tale of love, courage and acceptance. I wouldn't call it whimsy, since it has truly dark themes, and the author doesn't try to hide them, but if you like Howl's Moving Castle - try it! Also, there is a talking cat!!!!

3.5 stars

A Harvest of Hearts was a fun and enjoyable read! While cozy fantasy isn’t my usual genre, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this story. Andrea Eames is a skilled writer who created a wonderful world with an intriguing magic system.

The audiobook was monumental in bringing the story to life as well. Jessie Elland did a fantastic job voicing Foss in a believable manner. The book is told in 1st person POV (with brief moments of 2nd person POV) in a narration style which worked well in an audiobook format.

I have not read Howl’s Moving Castle (only seen the movie), so I can’t speak specifics about the comparison between the two literary works, but I can definitely see this story appealing to a similar, albeit older, audience. Sophie and Foss shared some characteristics (though instead of being “old” Foss is self described as being conventionally unattractive) as did Howl and Sylvester (the latter being less charming yet sweet in his own way). Cornelius (a talking cat who acts as the Calcifer-esque character) was especially lovable.

I enjoyed learning about the origin of the sorcerer/sorceresses which allowed readers to feel empathetic even towards some of the more “villainous” characters. I would have liked to see a bit more of the magic on the page, though I understand that for most of the story we follow a human and a new sorcerer who is conflicted by the manner of magic requiring a heart sacrifice.

Overall, the story has enough familiar elements while telling a unique story which culminates into a wonderful cozy fantasy with darker elements. I loved following Foss and Sylvester (and Cornelius) on their adventure, and I look forward to Andrea Eames’ future works!

I listened to this book on audio and think the narrator did a wonderful job of differentiating the characters and had a pleasant voice overall. I’m giving this book more of a 3.5 rating as the writing was good and I could see how a lot of people would enjoy this. Sadly, this was not really for me. This is definitely a cozy fantasy, but with some dark elements. The premise seemed intriguing That there were sorceresses plus a sorcerer who could harvest hearts in order to do magic. The main character. Foss had her heart accidentally ensnared by the sorcerer. The heart magic is where the dark elements of this book come into play, however, it seemed to be a bit confusing to me as to how exactly just pieces of hearts versus full hearts were taken. My favorite relationships in the book were between boss and her father, as well as between Foss and the cat Cornelius. I never felt that the main romantic relationship between Foss and the sorcerer was ever fully realized. I also didn’t really care for the fact that Foss was continually disparaging herself on a superficial level throughout the book. It was a bit much. But if you are a lover of cozy fantasy, I think you would enjoy this book for the simple setting and the other character relationships.

I would like to thank the oublisher for sending me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

Foss, the butcher's daughter, lives in a world where otherworldly beautiful sorceress take random people from the village, only to return them with bits of their hearts taken from them. Becuase everyone knows that hearts fuel magic. But Foss is plain, and she knows no one would want her. So when the only sorcerer in the kingdom visits her village and snags her, she goes on a journey to the city in search of him, only to offer herself up as a housekeeper. What she gets is a magic house, a talking cat, and of course Sylvester. As the two of them grow closer together, and she learns about a blight sweeping through the kingdom, the two of them will have to work together to save everyone from the evil that is growing before it's too late.

I loved this. The magic with the hearts and how people legit fight over bits of dried hearts in order to trade for just a drop of magic was interesting to see. I loved Foss and Sylvester and I was honestly dreading the end, even though I went in with my fingers crossed. With lyrical prose and gorgeous imagery, A Harvest of Hearts is something other. It was cozy and yet full of action, it was heartbreaking and yet full of hope, and most importantly it really embodies the concept that just because something is beautiful on the outside doesn't mean they aren't corrupt on the inside. Fantastic book.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
Jessie Elland did an excellent job bringing the character of Foss to life. I think she well captured her voice.
Foss and Sylvester's relationship was also well written and well developed through out the story.
I liked the general concept of the magic and the "anti magic" was cool, but at times how magic worked in the world and all the twist and sub plots of how people were trying to control magic became confusing.
The talking cat, Cornelius, actually became my favorite character (this seems to be a trend recently of prefereing the animals in stories over the actual humans). He was well written and provided good comic relief.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read/listen.

Jessie did a phenomenal job with narration.
The story itself was very hard for me to get into. 30% in and I'm about to DNF.

This book started out so good and interesting…..

Now at 26%, it feels like the author is legitimately copying Howl’s Moving Castle. It doesn’t feel like its own story anymore. Plus the FMC is so critical about her own appearance — it comes up at least once a chapter that she’s “not pretty”. So I’m going to not continue. It could just be me but it’s too similar and not grasping me anymore.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a good book and no spice it had heart magic and that was interesting I'm not sure how much I will remember about it but it was a great adventure