Heart's Gambit

Heart's Gambit #1

by J.D. Myall, Khaya Fraites (Narrator), Eric Lockley (Narrator)

A thrilling and romantic debut fantasy where competitors from two prominent, time-traveling Black families must fight in a deadly magical duel - and find themselves falling in love.

The Baldwins and the Davenports have been sworn enemies for centuries. Ever since Venus Davenport and Titus Baldwin, two enslaved kids, fell in love, tried to run away, and got caught by their mistress, Sabine, a powerful witch. Desperate for freedom, they struck a bargain, and she gifted their families the ability to exist outside of time, along with magic to survive and thrive.

Those gifts came at a price.

Once a generation, their families must put forth a competitor for a magical duel to the death to feed Sabine's immortality. This time, Emma Baldwin - a wish spinner - and Malcolm Davenport - a maker of illusions - are chosen.

But when they meet to check out the competition, sparks fly. Soon, the two are exchanging letters, having secret meetings, and fighting off their cursed urges to hurt one another, all while trying not to fall in love. And if they are ever going to have a chance to be together, they only have one choice: to put an end to Sabine’s curse, once and for all.

J.D. Myall's Heart's Gambit is an irresistible journey of dazzling magic, unforgettable first love, and daring to dream of something more.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romantasy, Romance, Time Travel, Audiobook, Magic

12 pages, Audiobook

First published February 3, 2026

About the author

J.D. Myall is a literary assistant at Neighborhood Literary Agency, co-chair of Drexel University's MFA Alumni Association, and host of the Craft Chat Chronicles podcast. Her work has appeared in Ms. Magazine, Writer’s Digest, and HuffPost. Her debut novel, Heart's Gambit, launches in Winter 2026. When she’s not conjuring magic, murder, and mayhem, she mentors writers through workshops at www.jdmyall.com.

https://linktr.ee/jdmyall

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heart's Gambit (Heart's Gambit, #1) by J.D. Myall

Book Blurb: The Baldwins and the Davenports have been sworn enemies for centuries. Ever since Venus Davenport and Titus Baldwin, two enslaved kids, fell in love, tried to run away, and got caught by their mistress, Sabine, a powerful witch. Desperate for freedom, they struck a bargain, and she gifted their families the ability to exist outside of time, along with magic to survive and thrive.
Those gifts came at a price.
Once a generation, their families must put forth a competitor for a magical duel to the death to feed Sabine's immortality. This time, Emma Baldwin - a wish spinner - and Malcolm Davenport - a maker of illusions - are chosen.

Rating: ***
Feels: Adventure, Tension, Intrigue, Excitement
Style: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Romantasy
First published February 3, 2026 : 336 pages

High stakes and fast paced whirl wind trip through time as two families cursed to compete in deadly trials against each other meet again. The world building was intense and I liked the inclusion of magic and how each family member used it differently and how it affected each one differently. The most fun was the popping through different time zones constantly and seeing how they adapted in each. I had a difficult time with the hard and fast insta attraction , while battling against the urge to harm each other due to the curse and the family rivalry. The end was not expected and after all the heartbreak in the book was surprising. It was a really enjoyable face paced tromp through time while trying to find a way out of their family curse.

Favorite Quote: "You're the best thing in my life. I love you like I love music. You see me. Sometimes my family just sees me as a protector. A soldier. A rockhead, " ...

This book has:
High Stakes
Deadly Trials
Enemies to Lovers
Forbidden Romance
Love Letters
Family Curse

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the uniqueness of this story. It was charming and the characters were all special. The reason I gave it a four star instead of five is this whole book didn't really give you any break from the doom and gloom. When I finished this book, I was hoping everyone would be happy and we would actually get some sort of satisfaction from it. If it wasn't the tether, it was fear of the birds/witch, fearing strangers, fearing the other family, fearing loss that had already taken place and possibly would take place... etc. Immediately after the climax, we are thrown right back into despair. This made it hard to enjoy the story completely.

I do understand that the ending is meant to be a setup for a second book, so I'm hoping there will be more balance between doom and gloom AND courage and confidence after what these families overcame in book 1.

[Karly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review in progress!

[Stacey | read.with.stacey]

DNF at 37%

Thank you to St Martin’s Press and the author for the e-arc.

Unfortunately, this one was not for me. Despite the synopsis sounding really good, I just could not connect with the story and I struggled with the writing style.

[Shannon Knisley · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️ 𝐻𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓉'𝓈 𝒢𝒶𝓂𝒷𝒾𝓉 ❤️

Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio , Author J.D. Myall, and Wednesday Books for giving me the opportunity to listen to this ALC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

𝒮𝓎𝓃𝑜𝓅𝓈𝑜𝓈:
❤️A high-stakes romance set against long-standing family tension and buried secrets

❤️Centers on Emma and Malcolm, heirs on opposite sides of a deep-rooted conflict

❤️What begins as rivalry and mistrust slowly shifts into cooperation and something more

❤️Both characters are forced to confront the truth behind their families’ feud

❤️A character-driven story where growth and accountability take center stage

𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈:
A quick-paced story with a unique magic system and a seamless blend of modern day + magic. I loved how it explores legacy, power, choice, and emotional maturity, with a strong focus on communication and breaking harmful family cycles.

The book thoughtfully highlights present-day struggles African Americans face, as well as the realities endured throughout history, adding real emotional weight. Make sure you check TW.

I listened to the audiobook, which I highly recommend. Alaska Jackson, Eric Lockley, and Khaya Fraites all did a fantastic job bringing the story to life! Overall, this was a strong, engaging listen with an ending that will have you wishing the sequel was out!

Author: @jd_myall
Publisher: @wednesdaybooks @macmillan.audio
Audiobook Length: 12 hrs 17 min
Audiobook Narrators: @laska_jackson @iamericlockley @khayafraites
Release Date: February 3, 2026

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, this one wasn’t for me, despite loving the synopsis and really wanting to enjoy it. I make a point to seek out fantasy written by Black authors because their perspectives often feel fresh, imaginative, and eye-opening in ways I’m not accustomed to—and that’s something I truly value. Unfortunately, this time, something didn’t quite land.

I found the story to feel disjointed at times, and I slowly found myself losing focus even while listening to the audiobook. The narrators—Alaska Jackson, Eric Lockley, and Khaya Fraites—all did a solid job, and I’ve enjoyed their work in other projects, which is ultimately why I settled on a three-star rating. Still, the narration wasn’t enough to keep me fully engaged or bridge the gap where the story itself lost momentum for me.

The book leaned heavily into very detailed descriptions of more superficial elements, while the deeper, more meaningful plot threads felt underexplored. I’m usually someone who appreciates rich, detailed prose, especially when it enhances a cinematic reading experience, but here it felt more like an exercise in craft than a tool that served the story. At times, the writing came across as more pedantic than purposeful, which pulled me out rather than drawing me in.

That said, this is very much a personal taste issue. There were sections that were genuinely strong, well-written, and engaging, even if they didn’t sustain that level throughout for me. I can absolutely see this working better for other readers, and I’m glad I gave it a chance despite it ultimately not being a hit for me.

I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Macmillan via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.

⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me as it has way too many issues; I never DNF ARCs but would have had it not been one.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.

[jenny reads a lot]

Rec via Rebecca Danzenbaker

[SuzieQuzie7973 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you thank you thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and J.D. Myall for the opportunity to read this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

Heart's Gambit is an amazingly awesome debut for J. D. Myall. I was hooked from start to finish, and was left begging and praying for more. I'm having a hard time finding the perfect words to describe this book...All that's coming to mind is...OH MY WOW!!! The character development, the world building and the flow were nothing short of phenomenal. I can't wait to see what else J.D. Myall has in store for us. Y'all can bet your bottom dollar I'll be here waiting for everything's that's to come.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all y'all.

[ᴄᴀᴛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5☆ | This book was so different and fun. I loved all the time travel and magic, and the world building was nice too.

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
This was definitely more of an emotional read, I feel like it was constant gloom with hardly any break from that.
I loved all the magic and see the differences there were with every family member, as well as the time travel aspect of the book.

I do think this book could've done well as a standalone instead of being the first in the series. Just much longer and more focus on the ending as it felt a little rushed.
And since it's the first in the series, I think it would've been nice if the romance wasn't as soon as it felt, if it had started maybe at the end of the book or in the second, rather than the first. And even if they didn't become friends quite as fast as they did, maybe a little more time disliking/distrusting each other. I didn't really believe that the characters loved each other as much as they said they did. Alsoo I'm just not a fan of insta love, and I just didn't feel like it worked here.

I also think the book was really good at showing all the hardships black people went (and still) go through. The fear they have and the hatred they faced just because of their skin color.
I loved reading about the exploration of Black culture and seeing it represented so nicely in this book.

There was also quite a lot of like pop culture references & just celebrities if these days mentioned (the Kardashians, Kendrick Lamar, etc.) And generally, I don't really enjoy that in books, set in the present/future or not.

𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍:
I'm definitely excited for book two, whenever that comes out. I do see the building up for it, though I'm not quite sure exactly what could/will be done in it.
I want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to have a free, advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
Ebook - 0🌶 (fade to black) - 3.5☆

[Jess Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy of this Young Adult Romantasy.

3.5 ⭐️

This is a true young adult book with young adult writing, but it is still descriptive, atmospheric and done well. This is a good debut full of black excellence, perseverance and strength through oppression, and time travel. The author sends a great message that is extremely relevant right now about unity and community coming together to rise up and defeat their oppressor.

This is a fast paced plot full of time travel, games and trials and young love. The romance is closed door, but there is a line about waking up sweaty and tangled in the sheets the next morning. There is also reference to condoms. Without this one page the book would have been acceptable for audiences as young as 12 in my opinion.

This was an enjoyable young romance that I can see many young adults loving. Plus there are time traveling Bentleys, who wouldn't want one of those?

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded to 4 for Goodreads

I really enjoyed this audiobook from Macmillan Audio! The narrators did an absolutely amazing job bringing every emotion and sentence of the story to life.

This was a emotional, heart wrenching and warming fantasy story. I loved the witchy magic mixed with the time travel. I think this story series has a ton of potential and am excited to see where the author takes these families next. While the audiobook itself was captivating and had me wanting more I am not sure if I read the physical book I would have felt the same way. The first 1/3 of the book was a slow burn leading to a bit more pickup in the second portion of the book. I think that a lot of time was spent on the build up to the last third of the book leaving the ending rushed. Although I love a good cliffhanger ending I would have liked to see more detail and time spent on the last third of the book and what was going on during the 3 stages of the gambit.

[Kenzie Deerin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this!!! Such a unique story that had amazing romance and incredible themes. 🥹✨🖤

[Fanna]

deadly magical duel? pretty romantic, i would say.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, Macmillan Audio, and Macmillan Young Listeners for this advanced copy! You can pick up Heart's Gambit on February 3, 2026.

From the get-go, I could feel how immense the stakes were in this story. Two families, cursed generations ago by a witch and slaveowner, are forced to battle to the death every few years and be locked in a decades-long feud that can only end in bloodshed. So much has been lost and sacrificed by both families, but can Emma Baldwin and Malcolm Davenport heal what's been broken?

I absolutely loved the magic on display in this book. Emma, our FMC, specializes in manifesting wishes and making them come true, while Malcolm crafts elaborate illusions and can occasionally see visions of the future when he plays music. I appreciated J.D. Myall's attention to detail when setting these scenes and trying to immerse the readers in the world, especially when time travel is involved for both families. We follow Emma and Malcolm through so many different time periods, leading them to dress/act a certain way so as not to draw attention to themselves.

This book was also a wonderful exploration and celebration of Black culture throughout the decades. From the 1920s speakeasies and jazz clubs to the more harrowing experiences during Jim Crow times, we see Emma and Malcolm understand their history and work toward a better future for Black people in general.

But setting and magic system aside, I do wish we'd seen both the conflict and romance in this story spread out across multiple books. The plot sets up an interesting dilemma: participate in this deadly competition by choice, or the witch who cursed them will start killing off family members at will. Malcolm and Emma have already lost siblings, parents, and countless other kin to this cruel game, and they have a choice in participating or trying to break the cycle.

I think it would've been a tad more believable if these two spent a bit more time distrusting each other before becoming fast friends and lovers. I understand that neither wants to perpetuate the cycle, but that kind of understanding and revelation usually takes more time to develop. It also would've helped their conflicts with their families feel more nuanced and drawn out, as both are under physical and mental strain by their families to train to kill the other person. Some of these training scenes were just heartbreaking, even if you know it's done because the families want their kids to survive.

But for all that conflict to come to a head and be (mostly) resolved by book one just felt a bit rushed to me. There is a cliffhanger setting up Book 2, but overall, I wish this had been spread out more across both books so Emma and Malcolm could take more time breaking down each other's walls.

If you're in the mood for time-traveling magic users caught in a deadly competition, though, this is your book!

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

This book surprised me in the best way. Hearts Gambit delivers a romantasy that feels fresh, bright, and a little different from what I’m used to, while still hitting the emotional beats I love. From the start, the story pulls you into a world where time, fate, and choice are constantly at odds, and I found myself genuinely invested in seeing how it would all unfold.

The characters were one of the strongest parts of this book. They felt well developed and layered, with growth happening naturally as the story progressed. I loved watching them navigate not only the external conflicts but also their internal struggles, especially as the time-traveling elements added extra weight to their decisions. Nothing felt easy, and that made the stakes feel real. Will love banish evil?

The plot itself was fun and engaging, with the time-travel aspect woven in thoughtfully rather than feeling gimmicky. It added tension, intrigue, and emotional depth, especially when characters had to face the consequences of altering moments that mattered. I appreciated how the author kept the story moving at a steady pace while still giving us time to connect with the characters and understand their motivations.

Overall, Hearts Gambit is a strong, imaginative romantasy with compelling characters, an interesting twist on the genre, and a plot that keeps you turning the pages. I’m really glad I picked this one up, and I can’t wait to read the next one.

I also received the audio of this book, I thought all 3 of the narrators did an amazing job with bringing every emotion that the characters were feeling and helped to bring this story to life.

I want to thank NetGalley, SMP and Macmillan for the opportunity to review this book.

[Arthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! Broadway streaks, magic circus shows and feuding families tethered to destroy each other is a unique Romeo Juliet doomed love perspective.. add in a fated fight to death with a shadowy witch and spying Ravens, it elevates the tension!!
My heartfelt gratitude to St. Martin's Press snd Netgalley for this wonderful opportunity.
J.D.Myall enthralls with the exploration of black history, meandering through key events and cultural gambit that capture the essence and spirit of each age. The Davenports and the Baldwins have been engaged in centuries of clan battles, we with each side losing beloved members, tracing back to an ancient curse by the witch Sabine!
The book boasts of a melt your heart letter exchanges, beautiful dates and wildly and madly dysfunctional families, all helped by strong matriarch! The New Orleans vibe is alive throughout the book!
I blazed through it in 2 days time and am a satisfied, culturally immersed and in love with Emma and Malcolm- cannot wait to see more!!!

[Ashlee (bookswithnopictures) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Our story isn't written in stone, Emma. Neither is the future. We write it every day with every choice we make."
Heart's Gambit pubs today! If you enjoy star-crossed lovers, time traveling, magic, and tender moments amidst turmoil, I think this is a book for you. I'm definitely adding this to my kids' TBR.
Generations ago, the Davenports and Baldwins were pitted against each other when a powerful witch manipulated one to illuminate the others. A love broken by betrayal, each generation must compete to the death at the witch's behest.
If teens these days are anything like Malcolm and Emma, I have so much hope for our future. They're inspiring and the perfect amount of rebellious. J.D. has so many one-liners that had me press pause to absorb the emotions of the moment. The narrators’ performance brought this story to life. Highly recommend this format.
Thank you @macmillan.audio for the complimentary audiobook! All thoughts are my own.

[Hailey]

DNF @42%

The premise was interesting but the characters didn't draw me in. I struggled with the writing style: a lot of the dialogue was repetitive, as was the internal monologue of both MCs. I tried to keep going to see what would happen but I just didn't care enough about the characters by almost half way through.

An intriguing premise but lacked character development and connection for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.

[Danielle | daniellereadslikealot · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT A RIDE. Oh my goodness, Heart’s Gambit was magical, devastating and such a whirlwind of a story. The magic system, especially the time traveling, was SO COOL. I loved the Romeo and Juliet meets The Night Circus vibes so much. Both Malcolm and Emma were such incredibly written characters and their romance was absolutely beautiful. I loved both of their families so much, especially Malcolm’s sisters! I thought the look at different parts of history as both families time traveled to stay safe and protect one another while also feeling the guilt of not being able to stop all of the horrific acts of racism was gut wrenching, but so well done. AND THAT ENDING. Oh my god, perfect set up for book two, but I AM TRAUMATIZED. Such a unique and beautiful love story that defies time and a hateful curse.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the digital reader’s copy!

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea of this story more than I liked actually reading it. Too much telling verses showing and the constant time traveling, nearly every single chapter to a different time and place, made it so I never felt rooted or connected to the story. I felt all over the place, we literally were all over the place. I found the writing to be lacking in any emotion. The romance was okay; some cute moments for sure and lovely declarations but again the writing caused a disconnect there too.

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ The Heart’s Gambit by J. D. Myall swept me off my feet with its perfect blend of magic, time travel, and romance. From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked, racing through the story and constantly wanting just one more chapter. This book pulls you through twists, emotions, and moments that linger long after you’re done; and I am beyond ready for the next installment!
🎧 Huge thanks to #NetGalley and #MacMillanYoungListeners for the advanced listening copy. The narrators absolutely nailed it, bringing the characters and world to life in a way that made the story even more immersive and magical.
If you love magic, time travel, historical vibes, swoon-worthy romance, or young adult reads, this one belongs at the top of your TBR. Trust me, you’ll want to take this journey! 📚✨

[Summer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sure there are readers who will love how descriptive this novel is, for me, this was just a bit too much style and not enough substance.

Sentences here were so often overstuffed that it became a drag on the pacing, and even when the tempo of the story picks up, extraneous details keep coming, décor and fashion are noted in moments where you’d think any character/any person’s focus would be on the life and death of it all.

It wasn’t just the amount of descriptives either, it was also the type that were overused, pop culture name drops and fashion marked the various time travel periods, sure, but in a somewhat shallow way. Rarely did I feel like the vibe of a time and place had truly been captured.

I would have been more forgiving of this narrative’s desire to tell me unnecessary things (like the direction any given skirt twirled in), had this also spent more time telling me things I actually needed to know more about to be fully pulled into the story.

Emma’s family’s circus and Malcolm’s family’s show (Circus, too? A Musical revue?) were so underexplored that I wondered why they were even part of the novel. The time travel wasn’t delved into enough to feel like it had a true purpose in the story either, we’re told some events can be changed and others can’t, we’re not told why that is, nor is there much information about why these families live and travel where they do, or what the scouting missions entail.

I also needed more concrete worldbuilding for the curse and the witch. If she needs dead people and she’s so powerful, why doesn’t she just kill them herself instead of waiting around for them to kill each other? And why would she arm them with magic and time travel abilities when both of those things might help them elude or defeat her? Also, if the point of the “duel” is to battle to the death, why are there three stages of “competition,” why aren’t they just immediately battling to the death? I have so many more questions and so few solid answers.

I was really interested early on when Emma uses her magic in a way that morally compromised her, that was a standout moment that felt like it had a ton of potential to build story on, so it was disappointing when neither Emma’s magic nor anyone else’s is explained or explored to a satisfying degree.

As for Emma and Malcolm’s romance, it developed in too much of hurry. Their families spent generations killing one another, yet these two exchange a few not very deep letters and they’re devoted to one another? When there’s that much bad blood you’d think it would take more time and more situations where they’re gradually earning trust before they could overcome such ugly history and fall in love. Their connection here was achieved too simply and too on the surface for me to really buy into it, but I did think the author did well with the bonds between the siblings, those relationships were much more convincing to me than the romance between Emma and Malcolm.

This ends by setting up a sequel so expect a cliffhanger. Unfortunately, I doubt I’ll read any further in this series, it might work for someone else but it just wasn’t a good fit for me, it didn’t go deep enough into anything, even the most serious aspects like slavery and Emma’s mental health, seemed just touched upon rather than dug into in a meaningful way.


I received this ARC through a Goodreads giveaway.

[CozyDreamsStudio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Received ARC from NetGalley

I DNF this book around 60%

It’s a really cool concept. Two families blessed with unique forms of magic, but cursed to hate each other and forced to participate in duels at the whim of the witch who gave them power.
The blurb gave me The Night Circus or Hotel Magnifique vibes. And the beginning def had some of that. But there was just one circus show. All these examples of how cool magic could be, but it was never expanded upon.

The writing style of as also not for me. It felt like a lot more tell not show. But things were told jn a weird order, or certain details were repeated more than needed. For example, one scene is described with certain scents. They leave that area, but then go back and it’s repeated that there are those scents again. It just felt unnecessary.

Finally, there is a constant message of racial injustice in America. Which I think is great for shaping these characters, their desires and the reasons behind all their actions. But it was overdone in my opinion. It felt like every few pages something was said about racism.

Cool concept, and while I do want to know how they beat the witch, I just couldn’t get with the delivery of the story.

[Michelle Eisele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ho-ly cow. This book was AMAZING. The writing was beautiful at times. I'm a sucker for a time travel book so I knew I wanted to read this, but dang. I loved it so much I want a special edition!

Malcolm and Emma are two teens caught up in centuries worth of feuding and fate, but they are both determined to end it. Neither one has a stomach for violence. Malcolm and his family do as much as they can to be a positive force in a world that is constantly hurting others and Emma and her family are grieving a loss that cuts deep. Both families are living a life of grief and survival. They have to decide together to fight each other or the evil that demands an unwilling sacrifice.

I mention this because I am a teen librarian who lives in a very strict state that loves censorship. There is minimal cursing and implied s3x, but nothing beyond kisses happens on page. No drinking, no vaping, no drugs.

*This book was provided to me by NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

[Steff Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

J.D. Myall's Heart's Gambit had so much insane potential and I'm genuinely somewhat devastated that the text didn't live up to it. There are some truly exceptionally strong elements to the story Myall was trying to tell, to the ideas behind the plot—all lost behind nonsensical decisions and underdeveloped characters. And it's so frustrating because not only was there immense potential, but there were also some incredibly strong moments in this novel that I just can't help desperately wishing had been expanded upon.

Where this novel fails the most is with the romance—I don't for a second buy that these characters know each other well enough to be in love, their letters do not portray any genuine depth of feeling, and there were nowhere near enough moments of emotional character connection for me to accept that they could have these feelings overpower the magical forced desires to murder each other. This is exceedingly disappointing to me largely because the two strongest moments that this entire novel had lay with these two characters at the very beginning of the story.

For Malcolm, this moment of novel strength relates heavily to his struggles centered around a desire to alter history in order to decrease the pain unfairly inflicted on black families throughout time. When you tie this in with the fascinating concept of the two families' time-travel curse, I'm convinced Myall had so many opportunities to incorporate historical moments that built upon the emotion of the characters and had the poignant commentary she was going for. Unfortunately, I think that incredibly important commentary got lost somewhere along the way, resulting in some readers feeling that this message was forced as a result of its insignificance to the overall plot. And this sucks immeasurably because there truly could have been so much to say in a way that would have really stuck with readers emotionally.

But since the plot is more focused around the unearned romance and this poorly written curse, we lose all of that opportunity.

And speaking of poignant messages! Having Emma's power to grant wishes revealed to us in the most shocking of ways at the start of the novel was an excellent decision. The commentary behind the wish of this little girl being for her father to die because he was abusing their family? This had such an incredible impact on me emotionally only to...fizz out in favor of forcing me to develop an incredible frustration, yet again, with all of the lost potential here. I'm sorry, but I don't care about her emotional attachment to her sister or the struggle she has with this girl's death—especially after her abusive family used it against her in “training”—when it felt so shallow in comparison to the story we almost got.

Why didn't Emma and Malcolm meet each other before the tether? Why did they not have similar driving motivations regarding the injustices their families and black people, in general, have faced throughout the course of history? Why couldn't they both have felt this strong urge to use their time travel and powers to change things, to do good? Why couldn't this have led the internal conflict between them as they work toward this common cause despite their families' hatred for each other? Why not then bring in the tether? Have it impact their ability to work together, to cause change? Why not have that be the moment they realize how much their work together has brought them close? Helped them develop feelings? Why not then have that be the leading motivation to destroy this curse that has been put on their families?

Doesn't that sound like such an incredible message? Something far better than the complete loss of these themes as these two characters are brought together by their sudden chosen status to compete to the death with each other? I just...I'm so mad about how excited I was for this story, how much brilliance I saw in the concepts that were presented at the beginning only to see it all get dropped for the dumbest of love contrivances, some emotional connection that didn't even make sense for these two characters given that they never even met before this magical bloodlust desire to violently murder each other was forced onto their beings.

And this is without me even bothering to get into the fact that the curse doesn't even make any sense. The "duel to the death" isn't so much a duel to the death as it is...some weird arenic—okay, so apparently this isn't a word, but I feel like it should be; anyway, I guess I was looking for arena-style—competition that has multiple challenges which ultimately are supposed to end in one of them murdering the other and it's somehow supposed to extend villain-with-confusing-motivations Sabine's life somehow. And then the only way to get these two into this arena to compete and kill each other is to threaten to have the tether that chose them transferred to their siblings, instead? I'm sorry...what? I'm just saying, the curse and the villain's motivations needed to be reworked a bit.

I know this is a debut, but I've read some phenomenal debuts in my time and I'm just utterly convinced that this story had all the makings of being something so much better with an infinitely more impactful message—but everything was lost amongst a poorly written insta-love focus alongside a curse that didn't really say much at all. This shift in focus only served to cause the characters to lose sight of their best qualities and the exceptional message the author had an opportunity to write but chose not to.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A dynamic, heart altering ride through history and time

My Review: Heart's Gambit by J.D. Myall is book #1 in the Heart's Gambit series. It is scheduled for release on 2/3/26.

About the Book: "A thrilling and romantic debut fantasy where competitors from two prominent, time-traveling Black families must fight in a deadly magical duel - and find themselves falling in love."

In My Own Words: Time jumps from the distant past into the near future. Loss and betrayal across a timeline steeped in tragedy. Love and secrets all around. Dark, malevolent magic that tortures and torments. The lives of two families bound by the crushing weight of a curse.

What I Liked/Loved:

- I loved the originality of this story. It was like a shadowed version of Voyagers but more than.

- I loved the characters. The lead characters drew me into their drama right away. Even the family members were captivating. I liked that the families were so similar. It was interesting to see the other side of the coin where they were both concerned.

- I liked the temporal play and the adventures through time. I thought the author did an amazing job with weaving in notable historical events, periods, and people. There was a sense of nostalgia, just as much as things seemed contemporary.

- I was intrigued by how the primary antagonist got the curse started. It was pretty darn deep. Still, I know there is more to learn. All I know is that I am ready for book 2.0.

- I loved the unpredictability of what was happening. Wow! I never saw what was coming. The cliffhanger ending was chef's kiss.

- The supernatural elements and revealed powers were amazing. The variety of magics was top notch.

- I really liked the strength that came through the words of the matriarchs of both families.

- Although I did not like the training situation that Emma had to endure at the hands of her grand, I did understand it. It was written so well that I hated to love it, but I did.

About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Alaska Jackson, Eric Lockley, and Khaya Fraites. The trio did a remarkable job bringing the story to life. They were able to create tension, churn up emotions, and voice the angsty drama that existed between the characters. It was insanely good!

My Final Say: This was an outstanding story. It was creative, moving, and unforgettable. It was action-packed. There was never a dull moment. I cannot wait to see how it all plays out. Let's go!

I recommend this book for older YA, teens, new adults, and adults. It would be a wonderful book club read.

*** Some of the content in this story may be triggering. Potential readers are encouraged to read any and all author/publisher notes. ***

Other: Readers who enjoy supernatural fantasy, enemies to lovers stories, forbidden romances, dark dramas, and time travel will love this story.

Rating: 4.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Ages 15 and up
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️3/4
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +
Series: Yes
Content Warning: Yes

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners), and to NetGalley. Thank you so very much for providing access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. I thoroughly enjoyed the listening experience. I look forward to reading more in this series.

[Sara G · Rating 3 out of 5]

***ARC received from Wednesday Books and NetGalley, opinions are all my own. Thank you!***

Heart’s Gambit is a debut novel that explores generations of two families as they navigate a curse that gives them the freedom from time at a cost. There is so much potential in this book and while it dabbles in that potential it never gets farther than surface level.

The book is told in multiple times from the points of view of Emma and Malcolm. Emma is okay, I liked her well enough but I think I liked Malcolm’s sections more. He is the far more interesting character of the two and the family dynamic is really interesting. He is hurting from the loss of his brother and the lingering mental health struggles of his mother at that loss. It motivates him to try and make things better, not just for his family. I felt his motivations to wanting to end the curse were more structured and believable, Emma lacked that for me.

The Baldwin and Davenport families live outside of time and the book definitely plays fast and loose with the rules of time travel. They can go into the past as well as into the future, one of Malcolm’s drive is trying to better things for Black Americans in history. I did like these aspects, how it weighs on him that despite attempts there are just certain things they can’t change, key events in history that will always be locked in. Small things they can stall but eventually it is like the universe always corrects itself. I did like this aspect of the time travel and wished that it had been explored more.

Unfortunately though the book goes to quickly into the romance aspect of it. I don’t dislike Emma and Malcolm as a couple, I’ve always loved those star crossed lovers storyline and I like this one as well it just happens far to fast. For two families that seem to be so at odds with each other they just move a little too quickly into trusting each other. It didn’t need to be an enemy to lovers but a slow burn would have been appreciated seeing how they are not supposed to like each other.

I did like the aspect of the two families, for the most part they go about their business of living their own lives. They run their own businesses they seem to live and exist in completely different times and only really have the conflict when the tether is enacted. Neither family is an antagonist, not even to each other they may hate each other but that seems to be about all. I found it easy to sympathize with both families they are all victims to Sabine, hurting each other only does unnecessary damage to each other not to ending the conflict.

What truly frustrated me the most about this book is that it never felt like it was meant to be, I assume, a duology. It is structured and written and reads like it is all going to be resolved in a single book which is why I think some of it felt a little too rushed near the end. So much of the primary conflicts are handled and handled rather okay in this book only then to decide at maybe the last 30 pages or less to turn it into a duology without going back and restructuring the rest of the book. The romance deserved more time, I like Emma and Malcolm as a couple but I would have found their romance more believable if it was given the time it needed to develop. The way this book ended was satisfying for the main story line, which is the conflict of the two families.

I so wanted to love this book, its a fascinating story but unfortunately it just fell flat.

[Blurb It Down Official · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve spent the last few days completely wrapped up in a story that feels like a fever dream of history and magic, and honestly, I’m still trying to process the sheer scale of what J.D. Myall pulled off in Heart’s Gambit. Imagine being born into a blood feud so ancient and deep-seated that your only purpose in life is to kill a member of another family before they kill you—all because of a curse leveled by a witch and a slaveowner generations ago. It’s heavy, high-stakes stuff that immediately grabbed me by the throat.

What really blew me away was the texture of the magic. Our lead, Emma, has this incredible ability to manifest wishes into reality, while her “rival,” Malcolm, weaves illusions and catches glimpses of the future through his music. But they aren’t just sitting in a room practicing spells; they are literally hurtling through time. Myall’s attention to detail is gorgeous here—we’re jumping from the smoke-filled jazz clubs of the 1920s to the terrifying reality of the Jim Crow era. It felt like a vibrant, often heartbreaking, celebration of Black culture and resilience across the decades. Seeing them navigate these different eras, carefully shifting their clothes and speech to survive while uncovering their own history, added a layer of depth you just don’t see in your average “deadly competition” trope.

The central dilemma is brutal: you either play this murderous game by choice, or the witch starts picking off your family members one by one. Both Emma and Malcolm have already lost so much—parents, siblings, any semblance of a normal life—and they’re under immense pressure from their surviving kin to be the “winner.” Some of the training scenes were genuinely hard to read; seeing these characters being physically and mentally broken by the people who are supposed to love them, all in the name of “survival,” was gut-wrenching.

If I have one grievance, it’s that I wanted more time to let the tension simmer. Emma and Malcolm are technically sworn enemies, yet they move from “I’m supposed to kill you” to “I think I love you” at a breakneck pace. I’m a total sucker for the “enemies-to-lovers” slow burn, and I think their relationship—and the massive internal conflict of betraying their families—could have easily filled two or three books. Everything is resolved so quickly in this first installment that it felt a bit rushed, even with the cliffhanger ending that sets up the next chapter of their story. I wanted to see them struggle more with their distrust, to really watch those walls crumble brick by brick rather than seeing them knocked down in one go.

For readers who like:
If you like the high-stakes magical competition of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, the time-traveling historical weight of Kindred by Octavia Butler, or the ancestral magic found in Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, this should be next on your list.

Final Verdict
If you’re looking for something that blends the urgency of a survival game with rich historical time travel and a unique magic system, this is absolutely worth the ride. It’s the kind of book that makes you think about how much of our “fate” is just baggage we’ve inherited from people we never even met.

Grateful to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and J.D. Myall for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

[Erin Arkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

J.D. Myall’s Heart’s Gambit is an imaginative entry into the "romantasy" genre, blending the high-stakes tension of a magical thriller with the mind-bending complexities of time travel. It is a story rooted in legacy, sacrifice, and the desperate attempts to outrun a fate that seems written in the stars.

The novel introduces us to a world where magic isn’t just a gift; it is a burden tied to ancient, generational curses. The story centers on Emma Baldwin, a protagonist who finds herself thrust into a reality she never asked for. Emma discovers that she is part of a legacy far more dangerous than she imagined, caught in a family where the cost of having magic means she may have to play a dangerous game that could cost her more than she bargained for and impact those she loves.

The plot kicks into high gear when Emma decides she won't just sit back and instead she is going to go check out the Davenport family and see what her competition is like and determine if there is a way to beat the witch at her own game. What she never expected was that she would be immediately drawn to her nemesis and instead of the hate and anger she should feel for him, she ultimately comes to have strong feelings for him.

Emma Baldwin is a resilient heroine who is motivated by a deep sense of loyalty, but she is also angry...at her family and her situation. And because of that, she struggles with finding her place in her world, especially since her sister died. But when she meets Malcom, she finds a person who will put her first and protect her above everything else and I think that is what draws her to him.

While the world-building is fascinating and the magic system feels fresh, the execution of the narrative had some inconsistencies for me. The romance felt rushed, and while they are supposed to be enemies and there are glimpses of the curse making them feel that way, there was never a moment where I felt that they truly were. Additionally, the pacing felt off at several points. The book alternates between action sequences that leave you breathless and slower, heavy chapters that occasionally stalled the momentum. However, despite these hiccups, the core story of the curse and figuring out how to break it was strong enough to keep me turning the pages.

Overall, Heart’s Gambit kept me thoroughly interested. Myall has a talent and the way the time travel interacts with the magical elements creates a sense of constant, underlying dread that is very effective. The book excels at making the reader feel the weight of the curse these characters are facing.

What truly saved the experience for me was the ending. Just when you think everything is over, the final chapters ramp up the tension to an almost unbearable degree, culminating in a massive twist and a cliffhanger that left me reeling. Despite my reservations about the pacing and the speed of the romance, that ending was so effective that I’m definitely going to have to pick up the next book to see what happens next for Emma and Malcolm. If you enjoy time-travel stories with a dark, magical edge and don't mind a fast-moving plot, Heart’s Gambit is a solid start to a new series.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Features:

- Forbidden Romance
- Time travel that highlights Black culture throughout history
- Explores themes around grief, family, resistance, and survival
- Challenging society, destiny, and magic in order to build something better

Synopsis:

When Venus Davenport and Titus Baldwin attempt to escape their enslavement ends in tragedy, the two strike a bargain with their mistress Sabine. Sabine grants them and their families the freedom to roam both in and outside of time and the magic they will need to survive. In exchange, the families are cursed to hate each other and must feed Sabine’s immortality by putting forth a member in each generation to fight to the death in a magical duel. Emma Baldwin and Malcolm Davenport are chosen to be the next of these dualists, but plans quickly change when sparks begin to fly. However, if they are ever going to be together and truly free, they must find a way to break Sabine’s curse.


Thoughts:

This book defied my expectations with both its beauty and the way it navigates its heavy themes. It manages to highlight and celebrate Black culture as the characters throughout American history while also redefining the meaning of ‘freedom’ in each passing era. I wasn’t expecting such a deep and impactful approach when I first picked up this YA Romantasy, but I certainly applaud Myall for all she managed to achieve through her storytelling.

In this world, each family member is blessed/cursed with a different magical ability. The way each family member’s magic expresses itself was not only beautiful, but always seemed to carry a deeper meaning in the context of the story’s themes. Yes, the time travel element is not really explained and the magic system could be a little tighter. In fact, I found the jumping around time part a bit confusing at the start. However, this ultimately didn’t take away from the overall impact of the story.

The setup of this story would make this an enemies-to-lovers romance. However, Emma and Malcolm almost skip the ‘enemies’ part entirely. I am honestly of two minds when it comes to this relationship. On the one hand, I think there is some missed opportunity in not taking it a little slower and having the two struggle to fully understand and trust each other prior to becoming fully romantic. This is especially true given how much pain each family has caused the other by the time they meet. That being said, I like their chemistry and it is clear before they meet why these two would be more motivated to ally with each other than fight. We still see the cost of survival in this ongoing battle between the families and I actually found myself appreciating how this approach prevented the story from becoming too bogged down by this conflict.

Overall, this book is captivating and brings a lot of depth; especially for a YA book. The romance is present but closed door and I feel it is a good read for both teen and adult readers. The ending was a little rushed and there are some things that I wish had been drawn out a little more. However, I am excited to see where the second book in this duology goes!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!