A Curse for True Love

Stephanie Garber

Full starFull starFull starFull starHalf star
4.4(24,975 Ratings)
Left wheat earsGoodreads Choice AwardsRight wheat ears
Left wheat earsBarnes & Noble BestsellersRight wheat ears
3 Months Free TrialArrow right
Clock131 Min Reading Time
MicrophoneAudio Version Available
cover backgroundA Curse for True Love

About this book

Evangeline Fox thought she had earned her happily ever after. Married to the handsome Prince Apollo, she believed her story was finally over. But fate, it seems, has other plans. When a dark curse resurfaces, Evangeline's memories are stolen, leaving her unsure of who she can trust—her seemingly devoted husband or the enigmatic Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, whose intentions are as alluring as they are dangerous.

As Evangeline struggles to piece together her lost past, she uncovers a web of secrets and deceptions that could shatter her carefully constructed world. Two villains, one girl, and a deadly battle for happily ever after collide in this epic conclusion to the Once Upon A Broken Heart trilogy. With time running out and powerful forces at play, Evangeline must decide who to believe and what she's willing to risk for a love that might be a curse in disguise. Will she reclaim her true love, or will she lose everything in this final, perilous game?

Summary of Key Ideas

  • Choices Define Destiny

    The Power of Choice: Evangeline consistently faces difficult choices that determine her fate and the fates of those around her. Her decisions highlight the theme that even in a world filled with magic and curses, personal agency and the choices one makes hold immense power. This concept emphasizes the importance of free will and the consequences that follow, reinforcing the idea that destiny is not fixed but rather shaped by individual actions.

  • Love's Complexities and Challenges

    The Ambiguity of True Love: The novel explores the complexities of true love, suggesting it is not a simple, easily defined concept. Evangeline's relationships, especially with Jacks, are fraught with challenges, betrayals, and sacrifices. The narrative questions whether true love is enough to overcome curses, manipulative forces, and personal demons. This challenges the traditional fairytale notion of 'happily ever after' and presents a more realistic view of love as a constant struggle and negotiation.

  • Love's Sacrificial Nature

    Sacrifice as the Ultimate Expression of Love: Characters repeatedly make significant sacrifices for love, demonstrating that true love often requires selflessness and the willingness to prioritize another's well-being above one's own. These acts of sacrifice, whether it's giving up power, memories, or even life itself, underscore the profound depth of love and its transformative potential. This theme elevates the narrative beyond simple romance, exploring love as a powerful, sacrificial force.

  • The Price of Power

    The Corrupting Influence of Power: The book delves into how the pursuit and possession of power can corrupt individuals, leading them to make morally questionable decisions. Characters who seek power often become manipulative and ruthless, willing to sacrifice others to achieve their goals. This exploration highlights the dangers of unchecked ambition and serves as a cautionary tale about the ethical responsibilities that come with power.

  • Finding Yourself Through Trials

    The Importance of Self-Discovery: Throughout the story, Evangeline undergoes a journey of self-discovery as she grapples with her identity, her past, and her desires. Facing numerous trials and tribulations, she learns more about her strengths, weaknesses, and what truly matters to her. This theme emphasizes the significance of understanding oneself and growing through adversity, portraying self-discovery as essential for personal fulfillment and happiness.

  • Fate vs. Free Will

    The Intertwined Nature of Fate and Free Will: "A Curse for True Love" explores the tension between destiny and free will, suggesting that while some events may be predetermined, individuals still have the agency to shape their paths. Characters grapple with prophecies and curses, but their choices and actions ultimately influence the outcomes. This interplay between fate and free will creates a dynamic narrative, highlighting the ongoing struggle to control one's own destiny.

  • Memory Defines Identity

    Memory and Identity: The story uses memory loss as a plot device to explore the connection between memory and identity. When Evangeline's memories are wiped, she struggles to understand who she is and what her purpose is. This amnesia underscores the idea that memories shape our understanding of ourselves and our relationships, and losing them can lead to a profound sense of disorientation and a search for identity.

Chapter Recap

1. EvangelineEvangeline Fox had always envisioned finding herself within the pages of a fairytale. As a child, she eagerly anticipated the arrival of new curiosities at her father's shop, hoping to discover an object that would transport her to a world of fantasy. She would examine each item, wondering, *Could t
Read MoreArrow right

About The Author

Stephanie Garber

American author of young adult fiction

Main Quotes

""Love is the most twisted curse of them all.""

""In fairytales, there was always a price for magic. Nothing came without a cost; peasants who turned into princesses always had to pay.""

""I’m not going to hurt you.” “I feel as if that’s what people always say just before they hurt you.""

""Then don't ask me to let you go!""

""Being yours does not make you mine.""

""True love's kiss? Have you not worked it out yet?""

""It was a strange thing, to be ruined and reborn in the same breath.""

""Maybe love wasn't about fairy tales or perfect endings.""

""She realized then that love wasn't a single story, it was every story.""

""She was a villain, but she was his villain.""

Who Should Read This Book

Young adults (ages 13-18)

Fans of the "Caraval" series

Readers of young adult fantasy

Readers interested in romance and adventure

Fans of fairy tales and mythology

Readers who enjoy strong female protagonists

Book Summaries Like

A Curse for True Love
cover backgroundThe Ballad of Never After

The Ballad of Never After

Stephanie Garber

Evangeline Fox vowed never to trust Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, again after his devastating betrayal. Now wielding her own magic, she seeks to reclaim the happily ever after he stole. But a terrifying new curse throws her into a precarious alliance with the one person she desperately wants to despise.

This time, the stakes are deadly. A murderous spell has been unleashed, and to break it, Evangeline and Jacks must confront old allies, new enemies, and a magic that warps both minds and hearts. In a world where trust is a dangerous game, Jacks might be the only one she can rely on. Evangeline has always followed her heart, but can she trust it now when everything she believes is at risk?

Return to the enchanting world of Once Upon a Broken Heart in this spellbinding sequel, where love, curses, and the fight for happily ever after collide.

cover backgroundOnce Upon a Broken Heart

Once Upon a Broken Heart

Stephanie Garber

Evangeline Fox believed in happily ever after, until the man she loved was betrothed to another. Desperate to stop the wedding, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic, but wicked Prince of Hearts, Jacks. In exchange for his help, she promises him three kisses, given when he chooses.

But after Evangeline's deal is made, she discovers that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game – and that Jacks wants far more from her than she anticipated. As the line between reality and legend blurs, Evangeline learns the dark secrets of the Magnificent North, and questions her feelings for Jacks. He might be her only hope, but can she trust him with her heart when it's clear he only wants to break it?

Dive into the enchanting world of Once Upon a Broken Heart, where love, curses, and dangerous bargains intertwine in a darkly seductive fairytale. Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers romance, morally gray characters, and captivating fantasy.

cover backgroundWings of Starlight

Wings of Starlight

Allison Saft

In the enchanted realm of Pixie Hollow, a young Queen Clarion faces a daunting challenge. Unnatural creatures are wreaking havoc, threatening the delicate balance of their world. To protect her kingdom, Clarion must forge an unlikely alliance with Lord Milori, the stern and enigmatic Warden of the Winter Woods.

As they work together to uncover the source of the growing darkness, their contrasting personalities spark a forbidden connection. But a shared secret and age-old prejudices threaten to tear them apart, even as their bond deepens.

Brimming with magic, romance, and adventure, "Wings of Starlight" explores the origins of a legendary love story. Can Clarion and Milori overcome their differences and unite the warring seasons, or will their love be the catalyst that plunges Pixie Hollow into eternal night? Discover the untold story of how a queen and a lord defied expectations and risked everything for a chance at forever.

cover backgroundA Court of Thorns and Roses

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Sarah J. Maas

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre Archeron kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal High Fae.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous Fae world. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it… or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

A Court of Thorns and Roses is a sweeping romantic fantasy that blendsBeauty and the Beast with faerie lore, creating an unforgettable tale of love, sacrifice, and the courage to defy darkness.

FAQ