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The Book of Heartbreak

A Novel

Author Ova Ceren
Paperback
5.49"W x 8.27"H x 0.87"D   | 11 oz | 32 per carton
On sale Aug 26, 2025 | 352 Pages | 9798892421751
FOC Jul 28, 2025 | Catalog June 2025

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FROM BOOKTOK AND BOOKSTAGRAM SENSATION OVA CEREN: A Middle Eastern legend gets a magically romantic modern makeover perfect for fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.

A young woman must find a way to end the curse on her heart before it claims her forever in this delightfully witty fantasy romance.


Sare Silverbirch has already had her heart broken three times. A fifth heartbreak will stop her heart forever. Such is the nature of the curse she was born under, which forces her to live a life without letting anyone get too close.

When her mother dies unexpectedly and her heart breaks for the fourth time, Sare begins to urgently question the curse. Where did it come from? Why her? And rather than accept it, could there be a way to break it? 

Her questions lead her to Istanbul, where she meets Leon, a seer who helps her track down the mysteries of her mother’s past. But Sare’s heart is a fragile thing, and their blossoming romance poses a great risk to her survival. Especially when she discovers that her fate is in the hands of celestials beyond this earthly realm.

Now the heavens are stirring, for they have a stake in Sare’s destiny—and they don’t like their plans being overturned. 

The Book of Heartbreak is a dazzling, haunting romantasy sure to break—and mend again—the hearts of readers everywhere.
Ova Ceren is a software developer and the creator behind the highly popular BookTok and Instagram channels @excusemyreading, where she shares literary landmarks, cosy views of her garden library and ongoing adventures of her resident flock of ducks. Half woman, half book, she was born and bred in Izmir, Turkey and now lives in Cambridge, UK. Ova never forgets a heartbreak. She writes magical stories to put the pieces back together.
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additional book photo
Praise for The Book of Heartbreak:
“A lush, emotionally charged romantasy that threads ancient cursework, divine intervention, and coming-of-age vulnerability into a rich tapestry of self-discovery.”
Publishers Weekly

“A true delight—vivid, fresh, and gripping.”
—Laini Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Strange the Dreamer

“A tour de force of lyrical angst and magic.”
—L.J. Shen, New York Times bestselling author of Truly Madly Deeply

“This book is a love letter to those who’ve ever dealt with grief and heartbreak. Make a cup of tea, grab your favorite sweet, and get ready to fall in love with this stunning debut!”
—Breanne Randall, New York Times bestselling author of The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic

“A treasure trove of a story written by an exceptional storyteller. The Book of Heartbreak is both hugely entertaining and a powerfully emotional story full of wisdom and humanity.”
—Alice McIlroy, author of The Glass Woman

“A beautiful, folkloric exploration of generational trauma, love, and ultimately forgiveness. An evocative tale of star- and curse-crossed love seamlessly blending Ottoman history and fantasy.”
—Brigitte Knightley, author of The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy

About

FROM BOOKTOK AND BOOKSTAGRAM SENSATION OVA CEREN: A Middle Eastern legend gets a magically romantic modern makeover perfect for fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.

A young woman must find a way to end the curse on her heart before it claims her forever in this delightfully witty fantasy romance.


Sare Silverbirch has already had her heart broken three times. A fifth heartbreak will stop her heart forever. Such is the nature of the curse she was born under, which forces her to live a life without letting anyone get too close.

When her mother dies unexpectedly and her heart breaks for the fourth time, Sare begins to urgently question the curse. Where did it come from? Why her? And rather than accept it, could there be a way to break it? 

Her questions lead her to Istanbul, where she meets Leon, a seer who helps her track down the mysteries of her mother’s past. But Sare’s heart is a fragile thing, and their blossoming romance poses a great risk to her survival. Especially when she discovers that her fate is in the hands of celestials beyond this earthly realm.

Now the heavens are stirring, for they have a stake in Sare’s destiny—and they don’t like their plans being overturned. 

The Book of Heartbreak is a dazzling, haunting romantasy sure to break—and mend again—the hearts of readers everywhere.

Creators

Ova Ceren is a software developer and the creator behind the highly popular BookTok and Instagram channels @excusemyreading, where she shares literary landmarks, cosy views of her garden library and ongoing adventures of her resident flock of ducks. Half woman, half book, she was born and bred in Izmir, Turkey and now lives in Cambridge, UK. Ova never forgets a heartbreak. She writes magical stories to put the pieces back together.

Photos

additional book photo

Praise

Praise for The Book of Heartbreak:
“A lush, emotionally charged romantasy that threads ancient cursework, divine intervention, and coming-of-age vulnerability into a rich tapestry of self-discovery.”
Publishers Weekly

“A true delight—vivid, fresh, and gripping.”
—Laini Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Strange the Dreamer

“A tour de force of lyrical angst and magic.”
—L.J. Shen, New York Times bestselling author of Truly Madly Deeply

“This book is a love letter to those who’ve ever dealt with grief and heartbreak. Make a cup of tea, grab your favorite sweet, and get ready to fall in love with this stunning debut!”
—Breanne Randall, New York Times bestselling author of The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic

“A treasure trove of a story written by an exceptional storyteller. The Book of Heartbreak is both hugely entertaining and a powerfully emotional story full of wisdom and humanity.”
—Alice McIlroy, author of The Glass Woman

“A beautiful, folkloric exploration of generational trauma, love, and ultimately forgiveness. An evocative tale of star- and curse-crossed love seamlessly blending Ottoman history and fantasy.”
—Brigitte Knightley, author of The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy
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