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How The Heart Breaks
- GenresRomanceContemporary
260 pages, Hardcover
Published February 1, 2024
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38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 16, 2024
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
Angst: 💔💔💔
Cliffhanger? ❌️
Do I recommend it? ✔️
Tropes: Contemporary romance, forbidden romance, reverse age gap, grief/healing, tragic past
Emery Robert’s life is everything she wanted. But when Emery’s husband dies tragically, she is the one who stops living. Three years later, at the age of 30, she’s still struggling to move on. Deciding to move to a new town to start fresh with a new job and house, Emery’s 17-year-old niece, Addison, moves in with her for her final year of high school, where she instantly forms a crush on the popular and mysterious, Mason James. At 19 years old, Mason has been through far more than most. A past full of tragedy and loss, Mason is mentally years beyond his peers. Not feeling he belongs anywhere, until he meets Addison’s very sexy aunt. Overwhelmingly drawn to her, he can’t seem to get this older woman out of his head. And no matter how much Emery denies it, he’s the first one who has sparked life in her, making her feel things she shouldn’t. As much as she fights her forbidden desire, the sparks between them can’t be denied. When reality crashes down, it’s not just the taboo of their age difference that will rip out their hearts. It’s what fate has in store for them that will show them how the heart breaks.
This author's books have been on my TBR for quite some time, and after reading this story, I want to kick myself for waiting so long. Emery and Mason’s story was one I ate up and won't be forgetting anytime soon. The plot decimated my heart but creatively pieced it back together. I enjoyed every step they took in fighting for their HEA. Their journey was beautiful, hot, painful, and full of delicious angst. If I could, I would shout from every rooftop to read this book. It is definitely in my list of top reads for 2024. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
Angst: 💔💔💔
Cliffhanger? ❌️
Do I recommend it? ✔️
Tropes: Contemporary romance, forbidden romance, reverse age gap, grief/healing, tragic past
Emery Robert’s life is everything she wanted. But when Emery’s husband dies tragically, she is the one who stops living. Three years later, at the age of 30, she’s still struggling to move on. Deciding to move to a new town to start fresh with a new job and house, Emery’s 17-year-old niece, Addison, moves in with her for her final year of high school, where she instantly forms a crush on the popular and mysterious, Mason James. At 19 years old, Mason has been through far more than most. A past full of tragedy and loss, Mason is mentally years beyond his peers. Not feeling he belongs anywhere, until he meets Addison’s very sexy aunt. Overwhelmingly drawn to her, he can’t seem to get this older woman out of his head. And no matter how much Emery denies it, he’s the first one who has sparked life in her, making her feel things she shouldn’t. As much as she fights her forbidden desire, the sparks between them can’t be denied. When reality crashes down, it’s not just the taboo of their age difference that will rip out their hearts. It’s what fate has in store for them that will show them how the heart breaks.
This author's books have been on my TBR for quite some time, and after reading this story, I want to kick myself for waiting so long. Emery and Mason’s story was one I ate up and won't be forgetting anytime soon. The plot decimated my heart but creatively pieced it back together. I enjoyed every step they took in fighting for their HEA. Their journey was beautiful, hot, painful, and full of delicious angst. If I could, I would shout from every rooftop to read this book. It is definitely in my list of top reads for 2024. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
July 15, 2025
This was my first read by S. Marie (Stacey Marie Brown), even though her Savage Lands series has been on my TBR forever. Let me just tell you…I am now a fan!
The beginning of the book was kind of hard to get through in the sense that Emery’s grief over her husband’s death is absolutely heartbreaking. The writing was, I felt, delicately handled–realistic without being either over-the-top or underwhelming. Grief is its own monster and no two people will handle it the same, and I felt it was believable and written well.
The chemistry between Emery and Mason is electric. It’s slow burn, but the build up was intense and delicious. There’s immediate attraction between the two and it just keeps building throughout the book.
One of my favorite parts of this book was how Mason kept coming up with more excuses to come see Emery. He’d claim he was there to help fix an appliance, but then he’d flirt with Emery in that intense, no-nonsense way of his, leaving Emery completely flustered. I loved these two characters and seeing the growing relationship was so wonderfully written.
Emery’s growth in this book was beautiful. She really flourished from the beginning of the book to the end and I loved that. Mason was so good for her, and vice versa. The amount of heartbreak both these characters have been through is astounding but has given them compassion and resilience. Sure, they face a few roadblocks along the way and Emery’s hang up on their age gap is super detrimental to their relationship for a time, but it was all so incredibly well-written.
I also want to mention that the twist that was written hit me out of nowhere. I’m normally pretty good at predicting these kinds of things, but I didn’t see this one at all and I thought it was perfect.
Huge thanks to Hambright PR for the gifted copy of this book! All opinions stated are my complete honest thoughts.
Full review here: Alated Bibliophile's review of How the Heart Breaks
The beginning of the book was kind of hard to get through in the sense that Emery’s grief over her husband’s death is absolutely heartbreaking. The writing was, I felt, delicately handled–realistic without being either over-the-top or underwhelming. Grief is its own monster and no two people will handle it the same, and I felt it was believable and written well.
The chemistry between Emery and Mason is electric. It’s slow burn, but the build up was intense and delicious. There’s immediate attraction between the two and it just keeps building throughout the book.
One of my favorite parts of this book was how Mason kept coming up with more excuses to come see Emery. He’d claim he was there to help fix an appliance, but then he’d flirt with Emery in that intense, no-nonsense way of his, leaving Emery completely flustered. I loved these two characters and seeing the growing relationship was so wonderfully written.
Emery’s growth in this book was beautiful. She really flourished from the beginning of the book to the end and I loved that. Mason was so good for her, and vice versa. The amount of heartbreak both these characters have been through is astounding but has given them compassion and resilience. Sure, they face a few roadblocks along the way and Emery’s hang up on their age gap is super detrimental to their relationship for a time, but it was all so incredibly well-written.
I also want to mention that the twist that was written hit me out of nowhere. I’m normally pretty good at predicting these kinds of things, but I didn’t see this one at all and I thought it was perfect.
Huge thanks to Hambright PR for the gifted copy of this book! All opinions stated are my complete honest thoughts.
Full review here: Alated Bibliophile's review of How the Heart Breaks
March 14, 2024
This was a brand new author for us and we enjoyed our first read by them. The story was highly emotional and had a cast of great characters one that pulled you right in from the moment we started turning the pages. We found the characters to be loveable ones.
Emery has experienced so much pain and found herself in a state of limbo and decides to pack up and make a change little did she know her departure would have a plus one but, they too are struggling emotionally. I loved Emery she was a sweetheart of a woman who was full of fire and passion.
Mason James gives off those bad-boy vibes and is too looking for his own good he loves his grandparents to the moon and back and had a rough unkind life until he landed on their doorsteps but, Mason holds regrets and secrets and what we call an old soul wiser than his years.
The story had its ups and downs took a few twists and turns and one that was sexy, hot, filled with fire and passion, and the forbidden and one highly emotional for all characters involved but, for a widow moving on it even more so as she falls for a man so much younger for her it feels wrong and forbidden and one she can't help but, be drawn to the man that sets her afire and she hadn't felt like that in years.
We loved the story it had you balling your eyes out and at the end, Mason and Emery's chemistry was off the charts scorching hot even. That kind of passion and fire is hard to ignore. We have to say the twist we did not see coming but, boy it was a doozie of a one and one of those OmG! moments that we never saw coming it seemed either like a blessing or a curse but one that fate had a hand in. We loved it from cover to cover.
Emery has experienced so much pain and found herself in a state of limbo and decides to pack up and make a change little did she know her departure would have a plus one but, they too are struggling emotionally. I loved Emery she was a sweetheart of a woman who was full of fire and passion.
Mason James gives off those bad-boy vibes and is too looking for his own good he loves his grandparents to the moon and back and had a rough unkind life until he landed on their doorsteps but, Mason holds regrets and secrets and what we call an old soul wiser than his years.
The story had its ups and downs took a few twists and turns and one that was sexy, hot, filled with fire and passion, and the forbidden and one highly emotional for all characters involved but, for a widow moving on it even more so as she falls for a man so much younger for her it feels wrong and forbidden and one she can't help but, be drawn to the man that sets her afire and she hadn't felt like that in years.
We loved the story it had you balling your eyes out and at the end, Mason and Emery's chemistry was off the charts scorching hot even. That kind of passion and fire is hard to ignore. We have to say the twist we did not see coming but, boy it was a doozie of a one and one of those OmG! moments that we never saw coming it seemed either like a blessing or a curse but one that fate had a hand in. We loved it from cover to cover.
July 12, 2025
5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3/5🌶️🌶️🌶️
What to Expect:
🩷Reverse Age Gap
💔Forbidden Love
🩷Second Chance at Love
💔Widow
🩷Bad Boy
💔Spicy
🩷Heartbreaking
Wow. How the Heart Breaks by Stacey Marie Brown destroyed me—in the best, most deliciously soul-twisting way. From the first few pages, I was hooked by Emery’s raw grief, her desperate attempt to start over, and the quiet strength she carries even when the world keeps knocking her down. Her bond with her niece, Addison, adds so much heart to the story, and when Mason James enters the picture? Whew. Everything shifts (including my heart…). That first scene at the game? Instant chemistry. Sparks flying. COMPLETE heat! And suddenly Emery is forced to face the fact that maybe her heart can beat again—even if it’s for the one person it absolutely shouldn’t.
This reverse age-gap romance is equal parts forbidden, magnetic, emotional, and scorchingly hot. Mason is persistent, patient, and wise beyond his years—and the way he sees Emery? It made me PERSONALLY feel seen. Every stolen glance, every slow-burn brush of fingers, every “you shouldn’t want me but you do” moment had me holding my breath and begging for more. But this story isn’t just about steam (though trust me—it brings the HEAT!!!!!); it’s about healing, risking the fall, and finding love again when you thought that part of your life was over. The epilogues gutted me… but in such a beautiful way. This is def a must read!
A huge thank you the S. Marie & Hambright PR! I am so appreciative to have received this and had a chance to read this! I LOVEEE Staceys fantasy worlds, so this was amazing to dive into her different world!!!
3/5🌶️🌶️🌶️
What to Expect:
🩷Reverse Age Gap
💔Forbidden Love
🩷Second Chance at Love
💔Widow
🩷Bad Boy
💔Spicy
🩷Heartbreaking
Wow. How the Heart Breaks by Stacey Marie Brown destroyed me—in the best, most deliciously soul-twisting way. From the first few pages, I was hooked by Emery’s raw grief, her desperate attempt to start over, and the quiet strength she carries even when the world keeps knocking her down. Her bond with her niece, Addison, adds so much heart to the story, and when Mason James enters the picture? Whew. Everything shifts (including my heart…). That first scene at the game? Instant chemistry. Sparks flying. COMPLETE heat! And suddenly Emery is forced to face the fact that maybe her heart can beat again—even if it’s for the one person it absolutely shouldn’t.
This reverse age-gap romance is equal parts forbidden, magnetic, emotional, and scorchingly hot. Mason is persistent, patient, and wise beyond his years—and the way he sees Emery? It made me PERSONALLY feel seen. Every stolen glance, every slow-burn brush of fingers, every “you shouldn’t want me but you do” moment had me holding my breath and begging for more. But this story isn’t just about steam (though trust me—it brings the HEAT!!!!!); it’s about healing, risking the fall, and finding love again when you thought that part of your life was over. The epilogues gutted me… but in such a beautiful way. This is def a must read!
A huge thank you the S. Marie & Hambright PR! I am so appreciative to have received this and had a chance to read this! I LOVEEE Staceys fantasy worlds, so this was amazing to dive into her different world!!!
July 6, 2025
How the Heart Breaks pulled me in with its intensity. There’s something so real about the way S Marie writes grief and desire side by side- it’s not overdone and it’s not dramatic for drama’s sake. It just feels honest. This isn’t just a love story; it’s about surviving loss, rediscovering who you are, and giving yourself permission to feel again.
Emery is a character I instantly felt for. She’s grieving, lost, and trying so hard to move forward even when she doesn’t really know how. Her pain is palpable. And then there's Mason... This is a reverse age gap romance, but don’t let that label fool you. Mason may be younger, but he’s emotionally mature and carrying his own heartbreak. Their connection isn’t just about heat (though there's plenty of that!)- it’s about two people who see each other when no one else truly does.
The chemistry between them is magnetic and the tension is off the charts. But what surprised me most was how beautifully this story handled grief, healing, and letting yourself love again- even when it’s messy, complicated, or unexpected. The writing is emotional and immersive. And yes, I cried more than once.
There’s a twist I did not see coming, and it wrecked me in the best way. If you love emotional romances with steam, angst, and a lot of heart, this book is a must-read. Easily one of my favorites this year.
Emery is a character I instantly felt for. She’s grieving, lost, and trying so hard to move forward even when she doesn’t really know how. Her pain is palpable. And then there's Mason... This is a reverse age gap romance, but don’t let that label fool you. Mason may be younger, but he’s emotionally mature and carrying his own heartbreak. Their connection isn’t just about heat (though there's plenty of that!)- it’s about two people who see each other when no one else truly does.
The chemistry between them is magnetic and the tension is off the charts. But what surprised me most was how beautifully this story handled grief, healing, and letting yourself love again- even when it’s messy, complicated, or unexpected. The writing is emotional and immersive. And yes, I cried more than once.
There’s a twist I did not see coming, and it wrecked me in the best way. If you love emotional romances with steam, angst, and a lot of heart, this book is a must-read. Easily one of my favorites this year.
July 13, 2025
5⭐️
Content & Tropes inside:
▪︎ Forbidden romance - reverse age gap, "no one can know"
▪︎ Slow burn tension - stolen moments, yearning, spicy spicy reunions
▪︎ Passionate spice - public/exhibitionism, "mine"
▪︎ Heartbreaking grief- FMC is a widow, MMC with health issues & familiar loss
I loved Emery & Mason's story. I went in pretty blind so I wasn't sure what to expect and I am very happy I did - I was enthralled from the very beginning. Both Emery & Mason dealt with so much loss and were holding back from truly living - their draw to one another represented hope and both of them finally being able to look to the future. I enjoyed the magnetism of their attraction for one another - and finding the depth of their connection as soul mates & best friends was beautiful to experience. Also, it takes a lot for me to cry from a book and this one had me tearing up multiple times! Very emotional!
Content & Tropes inside:
▪︎ Forbidden romance - reverse age gap, "no one can know"
▪︎ Slow burn tension - stolen moments, yearning, spicy spicy reunions
▪︎ Passionate spice - public/exhibitionism, "mine"
▪︎ Heartbreaking grief- FMC is a widow, MMC with health issues & familiar loss
I loved Emery & Mason's story. I went in pretty blind so I wasn't sure what to expect and I am very happy I did - I was enthralled from the very beginning. Both Emery & Mason dealt with so much loss and were holding back from truly living - their draw to one another represented hope and both of them finally being able to look to the future. I enjoyed the magnetism of their attraction for one another - and finding the depth of their connection as soul mates & best friends was beautiful to experience. Also, it takes a lot for me to cry from a book and this one had me tearing up multiple times! Very emotional!
June 28, 2025
Ok reverse age gap is such an underrated trope! I mean hot younger guy meets older aunt?! Sign me up. This book had me in a chokehold from the beginning. It was full of emotion and hurt and healing and love. Watching Mason slowly put Emery’s heart back together after the loss of her husband was perfect! These two had just the most amazing chemistry. It was undeniable even though they tried! Mason was well beyond his years even if he was only twenty. He had such a rough life and that aged him. I think they both saw hurt in each other which drew them together. The twist in this book literally had me shook. Like my jaw hit the floor. Like what?!? Stacey like how did you even think that up?! 😂 I just loved these two and their beautiful yet unconventional love story! Oh and the mouth on that man…I was sweating. Mason James was a dirty dirty boy and I was here for it!
July 12, 2025
I’ve loved reading this spicy reverse age gap story. The chemistry between Emery and Mason was palpable and lit the pages up every time they were together.
I loved both the main characters and loved how well matched they were. Even with the significant age gap, I really felt that they were just meant to be. The challenges that they had to overcome made their journey worth it.
The story itself is really angsty, incredibly well written and just one heck of an emotional rollercoaster with a twist that I didn’t see coming, one which I loved by the way. It sucked me in and I was hooked from the start. I just couldn’t put it down. It made me feel so many emotions throughout and the epilogue had me in tears.
I loved both the main characters and loved how well matched they were. Even with the significant age gap, I really felt that they were just meant to be. The challenges that they had to overcome made their journey worth it.
The story itself is really angsty, incredibly well written and just one heck of an emotional rollercoaster with a twist that I didn’t see coming, one which I loved by the way. It sucked me in and I was hooked from the start. I just couldn’t put it down. It made me feel so many emotions throughout and the epilogue had me in tears.
July 20, 2025
This book was so emotional for me. I was crying within the first few pages and completely hooked by the raw emotion that poured from the story. Emery is the definition of strength. A true survivor, her journey through grief, healing, and rediscovering herself was so powerful and moving. And then there’s Mason… He came crashing into her world when she least expected it. They weren’t supposed to make sense, but somehow, they just did. Their connection was intense, unexpected, and so beautifully imperfect that it felt like magic.
This story is about more than love, it’s about starting over, learning to breathe again when life knocks the air out of you, and letting someone in even when you’re terrified to. It’s tender, emotional, and impossible to put down.
✨ Reverse Age Gap
✨ Dual POV
✨ Forbidden Love
✨ Emotional Healing
This story is about more than love, it’s about starting over, learning to breathe again when life knocks the air out of you, and letting someone in even when you’re terrified to. It’s tender, emotional, and impossible to put down.
✨ Reverse Age Gap
✨ Dual POV
✨ Forbidden Love
✨ Emotional Healing
July 3, 2025
I absolutely devoured this book! And I will do my best to make this spoiler free. I'll admit I was nervous when I started reading this book because of reverse age gap. But I quickly came to be like Mason and realize it didn't matter. These characters were soulmates. The tension, the chemistry, all the dynamics were wonderful to see flying off the page. Mason helped Emery come out of her cocoon. She blossomed on the page in so many ways. It may have taken her awhile to get to the true HEA, but it wouldn't be a great story without some dips and turns. If you're looking for a good, tension, they have to fight for each other and themselves romance this is for you!
July 6, 2025
4.25 ⭐️
Would I typically believe that a 19 year old boy and 30 year old woman would have the thickest tension, that you could cut it with a knife and end up falling in love? No. But S Marie made me believe it. I was so invested in this story - even the second time I read it! The tension is amazing, the pining makes you feel all the things in your chest and the spice is top notch!
Even as a reread, I cried at the end, truly feeling everything for these characters. If you love angst, age gap, forbidden romance and sneaking around, you’ll love this book!
Would I typically believe that a 19 year old boy and 30 year old woman would have the thickest tension, that you could cut it with a knife and end up falling in love? No. But S Marie made me believe it. I was so invested in this story - even the second time I read it! The tension is amazing, the pining makes you feel all the things in your chest and the spice is top notch!
Even as a reread, I cried at the end, truly feeling everything for these characters. If you love angst, age gap, forbidden romance and sneaking around, you’ll love this book!
July 11, 2025
This was my first book by this author.I loved the writing style .I like how the author handled the grief issues.Emery had lost her husband and Mason was your typical bad boy .The angst between them and the spice is ooh la la .If you are looking for a reverse age gap romance this is it .I love finding new authors to me and adding to my never ending tbr.I can’t wait to read more books by this author.I did not see the twist coming at all.
March 13, 2024
Reverse age-gap.
Emotionally draining! Cathartic tears!
Mason and Emery…just amazingly written characters!
Steam.
Surprises.
I couldn't put this down. Or, rather wouldn't. I had to know. I just had to.
NOW, I think I need a rom-com to lighten what's drifting around in my brain, in my heart!
Well done! Brava! More than 5 stars for sure!
Emotionally draining! Cathartic tears!
Mason and Emery…just amazingly written characters!
Steam.
Surprises.
I couldn't put this down. Or, rather wouldn't. I had to know. I just had to.
NOW, I think I need a rom-com to lighten what's drifting around in my brain, in my heart!
Well done! Brava! More than 5 stars for sure!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews