The Broken Hearts Agency

by Clarence A. Haynes

AN EVIL FORCE IS FEASTING ON DESIRE...

Evelyn Kendricks is having a day. An overworked, exploited manager, she’s been dumped by her toxic boyfriend while struggling to cope with the recent ghost invasion that’s shocked the world. Devastated, she is mysteriously summoned to an eerie townhouse where she meets Linda Villaneuva, a private investigator who runs a secret mystical detective agency. She’s able to sense the emotions of others, especially those suffering from heartache.

Linda would like nothing more than to help her latest client, but she soon makes a gruesome discovery: People are losing their memories and wandering DC streets in a zombie-like daze. Their eyes, demon red. Their skin, blistered, burning…and no one understands why. Panic has begun to consume the city as more folks succumb, putting Evelyn and other residents at risk.

In the biggest case of her life, Linda follows a trail of clues to unearth an evil force far deadlier than anything she could’ve imagined. And all the while, she must reckon with the tragedies of her past and the price she’s paid for her supernatural gifts.

A layered urban fantasy that serves up spicy romance, titillating mystery, and otherworldly horror, The Broken Hearts Agency is the latest page-turner from an acclaimed storyteller.

256 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 23, 2026

About the author

"...an accomplished urban fantasy that’s sure to win Haynes plenty of fans."—Publishers Weekly, on The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery

A native New Yorker and Columbia University grad, Clarence A. Haynes is the author of the urban fantasy/glam horror novel The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery. He's also the cowriter of Omar Epps’s lauded YA sci-fi/fantasy title Nubia: The Awakening and its sequel The Reckoning. And he's the author of the nonfiction work The Legacy of Jim Crow, which breaks down the history of discriminatory laws in America for young readers.

Having a love affair with speculative fiction, Clarence has also worked as a developmental editor with different publishing houses. He lives in Brooklyn.

Reviews

[Courtney N · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that hops outside of the boxes your typical urban fantasy books live. This was a sleek, sexy, heartfelt, thrilling and borderline horrific story.

And you know what? This was exactly what I was longing for after I finished The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery (if you haven’t read that one yet, pick it up!)

This time we’re in Washington D.C. (I love when you can tell an author knows a place inside and out. The setting made the story such a vivid adventure) and the multiple POV’s aid us in following a few characters dealing with a new kind of ghostly terror on the streets. Imagine people on the streets with glowing eyes and peeling skin - yikes (but also, cool, tell me more!)

While this book centers around an intriguing fantasy/paranormal plot, I found that it was very character and emotional journey driven, which I appreciated. The strength in this story really relied on the characters and how they jumped off the page and into my heart. I loved some of the cross over details from Gwendolyn’s book but also found new characters to latch onto.

At just around 250 pages, this was a great length for the story and what it was trying to accomplish and quick read for a bit of thrill and escapism.

While I enjoyed the first book in this universe a bit more and felt it had a bigger, more fleshed out and satisfying plot, this one was still very enjoyable and can’t wait to read more in this universe if there are more to come.

Thank you NetGalley the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Prof. Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Broken Hearts Agency is a captivating sequel that masterfully expands on the universe Haynes introduced in the first book. As someone who appreciates layered storytelling, I was drawn in by how this novel delves deeply into themes of self-discovery, trauma, and the resilience of the human spirit. Haynes does an excellent job illustrating how chaos and supernatural forces can threaten not just our safety, but also our sense of authentic self.

The story centers around Evelyn Kendricks, a character I quickly grew to admire—her struggles as an overworked manager, her heartbreak, and her mysterious encounter with Linda Villaneuva, a private investigator with supernatural abilities. Linda’s ability to sense emotions adds a poignant layer to the narrative, especially as she and Evelyn navigate a city descending into chaos. The eerie, haunting descriptions of townspeople losing their memories and wandering in a zombie-like state are both chilling and heartbreaking, emphasizing the novel’s blend of horror and emotional depth.

I particularly appreciated how the novel balances paranormal elements with themes of love and self-acceptance. Several characters, many of whom are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, are beautifully portrayed, each seeking their own truth and longing for genuine connection. It’s refreshing to see representation woven seamlessly into the story, emphasizing that love in all its forms is a powerful force against darkness.

While the paranormal aspect takes a slight backseat compared to the first book—where it was more front and center—the shift allows for a richer exploration of character development and emotional stakes. The mystery surrounding the evil force feeding on desire adds suspense and keeps the pages turning, with plenty of twists and revelations along the way.

Overall, The Broken Hearts Agency is a layered urban fantasy that combines spicy romance, titillating mystery, and otherworldly horror into a compelling package. It’s a thought-provoking read that encourages introspection about our desires, fears, and what it truly means to be authentic. Haynes’s storytelling is engaging, and this novel is a worthy continuation that left me eager to see where the series goes next.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clarence A. Haynes’ The Broken Hearts Agency is gothic glam horror in a city setting. We meet Evelyn as she’s already going through it experiencing a fresh heartbreak, overwhelmed, trying to hold herself together in a world that’s already been shaken by supernatural chaos. And then she gets pulled into Linda’s world and that’s where things really open up.

Linda runs this lowkey mystical detective agency but it’s not just about solving case it’s about about reading people, especially their pain. She is a child of Elegua and can feel heartbreak. In this story, heartbreak is literally being hunted. People in the city are losing their memories, their bodies are breaking down, and no one knows why. The energy in this book is unsettling in that slow, creeping way where you realize something is feeding off people and it’s not random.

I love how in Haynes’ writing he ties the horror to emotional truth. The evil here feeds on desire, on longing, on vulnerability and that lands. It feels like a metaphor but also very real within the story. As a bibliotherapist, I’m always noticing when a book understands how tender people actually are and how that leaves them vulnerable to harm and this one does.

I was so happy to see Fonsi again. His presence adds that grounding energy, like okay, there are people in this world who understand what’s happening on a spiritual level. And Linda’s intuition, her ability to move between emotional and spiritual spaces, the way her gifts guide he but also cost her is another lesson in following our purpose. Linda is sharp, empathetic, and honestly just a compelling lead.

And the folklore references are strong.The dorlis are creepy. The way Haynes brings in Caribbean mythology around desire and violation adds a whole other layer. This story is rooted in cultural memory and in stories that have been carried and told for generations.

This book is mystery, horror, romance, all of it but at the center it’s really about heartbreak and what happens when we’re most vulnerable. And the question it leaves you with is real: who protects us in those moments?

I was fully in this one.

[Ladiami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story pulled me in pretty quickly with its darker atmosphere, supernatural mystery, and emotionally messy characters. From the beginning, there was this lingering sense of tension hanging over everything that made it hard to stop reading. Evelyn is already dealing with heartbreak and emotional exhaustion before getting pulled into a much bigger supernatural situation, and I liked that the story balanced those personal struggles alongside the mystery elements.

The atmosphere throughout the story kept me invested because there was always this underlying feeling that things were about to get worse, and the tension built naturally as the investigation started uncovering more pieces of the mystery. The horror elements were creepy without feeling over the top, and I liked how the emotional struggles of the characters stayed just as important as the supernatural side of things. It gave the story a darker vibe while still feeling grounded in the characters themselves.

I also loved seeing familiar faces throughout the book. It made the world feel more connected and added an extra layer of enjoyment while following the investigation. Linda was another standout for me. Her ability to sense the emotions of others gave the story a more personal feel, especially as her own past and struggles started connecting to the larger mystery.

The pacing kept me invested for most of the story, and I genuinely wanted answers about what was causing everything. My only issue was that the major reveal and final confrontation felt a little rushed compared to the buildup. After all the tension leading up to it, the payoff ended up feeling more anticlimactic than I expected.

Even with that, I still had a really good time with this one. The mix of paranormal mystery, emotional tension, and horror made it a fun and engaging read, and I’d definitely come back to this world again.

Thanks Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing
|Legacy Lit for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

[Malika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

This one really surprised me! Equal parts detective story, multi-threaded romance, and vibrantly built throughout with beautiful and heart wrenching elements of Black culture, I really enjoyed entering this world. Set in an alternate reality DC amidst a society forcibly learning that it shares space with supernatural ghosts and those with special abilities, I loved how each character was written so three-dimensionally and weren't lost to the mystery or general plot. Even “victims” in the supernatural disaster were given vibrant backstories with threads that were laid down and then picked up again as part of the overall narrative.

I’m always a bit hesitant to pick up stories with many POVs as they can get confusing to track but Clarence A. Haynes did such an amazing job making not only every POV worth reading, but helped the reader keep track through imagery and detail so it felt like through each point of view, we were putting together the mystery of this supernatural event together and also in a first-row seat to watching a lot of these characters work through some tough situations and grow beautifully through them.

I really loved both Linda and Evelyn’s POVs - seeing both of their intertwined healing and growth was really beautiful. The lore from supernatural powers rooted in Yoruba and Afro-Caribbean traditions was so interesting to read about as well, this was my first novel that had a magic system based on that!

Really enjoyed this story. The only thing I wish there was more of would be more to Evelyn’s healing arc (what she’ll be doing next) and Linda finally opening up in her own healing as well, but honestly that’s because I loved this story so much I just wanted more! Hoping for a book two!

[Casey R Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghostbusters for Grown Black Folks, But Make It Emotional, Spicy, and Terrifying

📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf

Book: 97
Dates read: 05.16.2026 – 05.17.2026
Title: The Broken Hearts Agency
Author: Clarence A. Haynes
Format: physical ARC

#caseysbookshelf

I don’t read a ton of speculative fiction because sometimes the worldbuilding loses me if I can’t clearly picture what’s happening. But Clarence A. Haynes is SO good at making the supernatural feel tangible. You can visualize every scene like a movie.

And honestly? You can tell he’s an editor by trade. The structure of this book is incredibly intentional. The pacing. The reveals. The layering of clues. The way emotional moments connect back to the horror elements. Nothing feels random. Every choice feels deliberate and polished.

This story exists in the same universe as The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery and I was so happy to see Fonsi again. These books really give modern Black Ghostbusters energy 😭

The story follows Evelyn after a breakup as she gets pulled into the world of Linda Villanueva, a mystical PI who helps the heartbroken. Meanwhile, people across DC are losing memories, wandering the streets like shells of themselves while something dark feeds on longing, grief, and desire.

What I loved most is how emotional this story is beneath the horror. The supernatural elements work because they are tied to real human vulnerability.

The Caribbean folklore references were also SO good. Creepy. Atmospheric. Addictive.

I was fully locked in.

This title releases June 23, 2026 (happy birthday to me!). Thank you Legacy Lit for the #giftedcopy in exchange for an honest review.

Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚

[Roslyn Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of The Broken Hearts Agency from NetGalley, and since this was my first read by this author and honestly a new type of book for me, I wasn’t sure what lane it would fall into. Contemporary fantasy? Spicy romance? Mystery? Horror? Somehow it manages to be all of the above, and it works. The story kicks off with Evelyn Kendricks, who is absolutely having the worst day imaginable, dumped, exhausted, and still trying to process the literal ghost invasion happening in the world. When she’s mysteriously summoned to a strange townhouse and meets Linda Villanueva, a PI with mystical abilities and a detective agency for the heartbroken, the book shifts into this fun, eerie, emotionally charged ride. Linda is such an interesting character, tough, intuitive, and carrying more pain than she lets on. As she digs into a case involving people losing their memories and wandering DC like demoneyed zombies, the story blends supernatural danger with very human grief and desire. The mystery deepens quickly, and the stakes get surprisingly dark as Linda uncovers what’s really feeding on the city. What I really loved most is how layered the book feels. It’s spicy without losing its heart, mysterious without getting too muddy, and the horror elements add just enough bite to keep things tense. For a genre blend I don’t usually pick up, this one pulled me in more than I expected. #NETGALLEY #THEBROKENHEARTSAGENCY

[Brittney Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers

(I actually rated this book a 3.5 and rounded up)

This novel takes place a few months after the events in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘨𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘺. It follows the four main characters: Evelyn, an overworked manager; Linda, a former cop turned PI running her own business; Jeremiah, one of the "afflicted"; and Fonzi, ifyky (therefore I def recommend reading 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘨𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘺 before picking this up).

This book takes place in DC, as I mentioned earlier, months after the ghost equinox in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘨𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘺. The country is on eggshells, as everyone is afraid what city will be hit next.
It opens up from the POV of one of the "afflicted". These individuals all show the same symptoms, but no one can figure out how or why this is occurring.
Evelyn has a chance meeting with Linda, who also runs the Broken Hearts Agency. This "agency" helps people find their inner selves (which Evelyn had lost completely).
With everything happening with the "afflicted", Evelyn meets with Fonzi to get to the bottom of what is going on - and to the bottom they got.

I read 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘨𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘺 and was excited at the end because it seemed like it may become a series; however, you can read this one alone as it brushes up on what happened in the previous book. I was also hoping that the character from the end of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘨𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘺 would be in this novel, but they weren't so it has me thinking that this may just take place in the same universe and there may be a 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘨𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘺 sequel lol

Overall, I do recommend this book. It was a fast and interesting read but definitely try to read 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘨𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘺 first!

Thank you again to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC!

[Kendra Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not wait to get my hands on this book. I am a huge fan of The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery and am now a fan of its sequel.

The Broken Hearts Agency follows Linda as well as other characters on the heels of the paranormal events that rocked NYC. Set in DC, Linda is a private investigator with spiritual gifts she uses to help her special clients or “Broken Hearts.” Strange events begin to occur in the DC area that pulls Linda’s attention away from usual business and into the paranormal. With the aid of Fonsi (our MMC from the last book), they must get to the bottom of a mysterious darkness that threatens to destroy their victims.

I was sucked in immediately and loved how much the modern world is so tied into the spiritual world in these books. The beautiful and diverse cultures and representation throughout the story. I also love how I could see myself in these books. I can’t wait for the next book and to see who else we get to meet.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to think about this book when comparing the cover to the blurb, but I started it and was immediately captivated. We are introduced to Evelyn who doesn’t know she’s fed up with her life until she’s unexpectedly drawn to the Broken Heart Agency. I am having a hard time trying to figure out how I felt about this book. It is definitely well-written and interesting, but I felt to book was more about the emotional impact the characters had with other characters. That is not a bad thing, but it’s not something I generally look for in my books (and it’s well done here). A personal preference, not an author’s problem. What there was of the paranormal baddie was good, but I wish there was more of it. I think if you like a more character-driven book, this one is definitely for you. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Kandi R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not explain how quick you all should go out and preorder this book!!!! Haynes has created such a masterpiece with this urban fantasy. This is sort of a continuation from The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery (in which I did read as well) which focuses on PI Linda Villanueva as she is the owner of The Broken Hearts Agency. Linda uses her “powers” to help troubled people deal with their true selves. A few of her clients especially Evelyn Kendricks has found Linda’s services uplifting and soul changing. While all of this is going on, the ghost equinox is running rampant and now people are mysteriously becoming what you could called possessed and they have no memory. Now Linda is drawn to figure out what the heck is happening in her city and she calls upon Fonsi (a character from The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery) to help her with his gifts. Overall this is a fantastic world building or should I say city building book that has plenty of spicy romance, thrill, paranormal fantasy aspects. Every character was well written with their very own distinct personality and they were highly diverse. I truly could see this series becoming a movie or tv series.

Thank you to Legacy Lit for sending me this fantastic ARC read!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author’s note made me enjoy this even more! This is a great read for those who like multiple POVs. We have our favorites like Evelyn and Fonsi, but also get to jump in the heads of new characters giving us a full perspective of events. I also appreciate how the author, Clarence A. Haynes is intentional about weaving in history and the mystical giving us realism amidst the fantasy. If you enjoy layered stories and complex characters this is for you! The plot is strong with lots of action and spice, but I think the highlight of this story is the journey and personal growth each character goes through. If you are looking for a movie/book comparison I would say Ghostbusters but more modern and focused on the characters journeys.