A Curse for True Love Summary: Tale of Memory and Love’s Curse

A Curse for True Love Summary – A Thrilling Love Story with Dark Secrets

Introduction: Would You Trust a Stranger Claiming to Be Your Husband?

Imagine waking up in a castle with no memory of the past year. A prince holds you, calling you his wife. He says a villain stole your memories.

But your heart screams something’s wrong. This is where Evangeline Fox finds herself in Stephanie Garber’s breathtaking finale, A Curse for True Love. Our A Curse for True Love Summary dives deep into this tale of lost memories, dangerous magic, and a love so fierce it defies curses.

Forget simple fairy tales—this story asks if true love can survive when every memory is a weapon and trust is the hardest spell to break. Buckle up; it’s a wild, emotional ride.

TL;DR: Quick Summary

• Core Story: Amnesiac Evangeline fights to reclaim her stolen past and uncover why “villain” Jacks protects her, while “hero” Apollo spins deadly lies.

• ❤️ Key Relationship: Evangeline & Jacks’s tortured, sacrificial love defies curses and rewrites fate.

• ⭐ Rating: 5/5 stars! A perfect, emotionally devastating finale.

• Perfect For: Fans of Caraval, Sarah J. Maas, fierce heroines, morally grey love interests, and fairy tales with sharp edges.

• ✅ Pros: Jaw-dropping twists, complex characters, lyrical writing, satisfying payoff.

• ⛔ Cons: Emotionally intense; requires reading books 1 & 2.

Reader Reviews: Real Feels from Fans

“My heart is in PIECES. That ending healed me and broke me all at once.” – Sarah, Goodreads

“Jacks is the blueprint for tortured, morally grey heroes. STEPHANIE, I OWE YOU MY THERAPY BILL.” – Alex, Amazon

“Garber stuck the landing! The twists had me screaming. Evangeline’s growth? CHEF’S KISS.” – Maya, Bookstagram

“Apollo is the most terrifying villain because his ‘love’ feels so real. Chilling.” – Ben, Barnes & Noble

“LaLa deserves her own spin-off. That’s all.” – Chloe, Goodreads

“The memory loss trope done RIGHT. The emotional payoff was worth every tear.” – Daniel, Amazon

“Finished it at 3 AM. No regrets. Just a massive book hangover.” – Priya, NetGalley

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• Court of Secrets and Flames Summary: Dragons, Betrayal & Romance in Nina Frost’s Spellbinding Fantasy
• A Curse Carved in Bone Summary – Myth, Magic & Betrayal Unleashed

A Curse for True Love Summary & Plot Summary

What is A Curse for True Love About?

Non-Spoiler Section:

At the center of A Curse for True Love is Evangeline Fox, a princess who wakes up to find her memory stolen. She remembers nothing of the past year or her supposed marriage to Prince Apollo Acadian, a prince who claims to have returned from the dead to be with her. As Evangeline grapples with her forgotten memories, she finds herself ensnared in Apollo’s twisted narrative. Apollo has told her that the villainous Lord Jacks was responsible for poisoning him and stealing Evangeline’s memories, but something doesn’t add up.

With the help of the mysterious Kristof Knightlinger and the enigmatic Archer (who is later revealed to be Lord Jacks), Evangeline embarks on a journey of rediscovery, unearthing painful truths, and uncovering a love far more complicated than she ever imagined.

Spoiler Section:

As the story unfolds, Evangeline’s memories return in fragments, revealing her deep connection to Lord Jacks, whom she initially believes is the villain. It is revealed that Apollo, the prince she once adored, is the true antagonist—manipulative, controlling, and willing to sacrifice Evangeline’s memories for his own gain. Apollo’s obsession with her leads him to erase her memories and manipulate the narrative around her, all while claiming to be the loving husband who has returned to save her.

In stark contrast, Jacks, despite his dark, destructive nature, is revealed to be the true protector and the one who sacrificed everything, even his heart, to save Evangeline. With the revelation of Apollo’s treachery, Evangeline confronts her feelings for Jacks, defying the curse that was meant to keep them apart and ultimately choosing her love for him above all else.

A Curse for True Love Summary By Chapter

Chapter 1:
Evangeline wakes with no memory, and Apollo, claiming to be her husband, tells her Lord Jacks stole her memories. Apollo shows a tattoo of her name on his chest.

Chapter 2:
Evangeline questions her lost memories as the price for her new life. Apollo assures her safety but keeps her confined in his castle.

Chapter 3:
Physicians confirm Evangeline’s memory loss. Kristof offers to help uncover her past. Apollo warns her against seeking Jacks.

Chapter 4:
Apollo meets with Kristof to vilify Jacks publicly. He confesses to erasing Evangeline’s memories to protect her and prevent her from remembering Jacks.

Chapter 5:
Evangeline discovers a scar on her wrist and feels uneasy despite the royal treatment. Apollo takes her to witness a “Firenight.”

Chapter 6:
Evangeline is disturbed by a magical book about her “love story” with Apollo. A title referencing “The Archer and the Fox” triggers painful memories.

Chapter 7:
Evangeline attempts to leave the castle but is stopped by Apollo’s guards. She learns her scar is Jacks’s mark, and her blood is needed to track him.

Chapter 8:
Apollo prevents Evangeline from meeting with Lord Slaughterwood. A scroll about the Tree of Souls is revealed, which Apollo believes grants immortality.

Chapter 9:
Evangeline sees a scandal sheet with a drawing of Archer (Jacks), confirming his identity. She plans to meet him and receives a note from Madame Voss.

Chapter 10:
Evangeline is pushed into a well and rescued by a “golden-haired angel,” later revealed to be Jacks. She lies about the fall, but Apollo grows suspicious.

Chapter 11:
Jacks, disguised as “Archer,” forces Evangeline into self-defense training. He reveals he turned back time to save her life, causing her memory loss.

Chapter 12:
During training, Jacks gives Evangeline his dagger, triggering a fragmented memory. She realizes he lied about knowing her.

Chapter 13:
Apollo orchestrates a fake attack on Evangeline to make her depend on his protection. He orders the execution of his guards to cover up his actions.

Chapter 14:
Evangeline plans to find Jacks after her memory is triggered by his dagger. Apollo invites her to a grand dinner, where she hopes to see Jacks.

Chapter 15:
Apollo hosts the dinner, trying to control Evangeline. Lord Belleflower reveals the deaths of her guards, disturbing her. Apollo dismisses it and toasts to “curses.”

Chapter 16:
Evangeline is disturbed by Apollo’s toast and meets Aurora Vale, who talks about the cursed story in the North. Aurora notices Jacks’s dagger, raising Apollo’s suspicion.

Chapter 17:
Evangeline tries to meet Jacks secretly, but Aurora foils her plan. An assassin attacks Evangeline, but Jacks appears and kills the attacker.

Chapter 18:
Jacks chastises Evangeline for her lack of self-preservation. She realizes he’s the one who rescued her from the ocean, not Apollo.

Chapter 19:
Apollo investigates a massacre and forces a boy to draw Jacks as the murderer. He kills the boy to maintain the false narrative that Jacks is responsible.

Chapter 20:
Evangeline confronts Jacks, feeling an intense connection. She accidentally says “Archer” during a kiss with Apollo, fabricating a memory to cover her mistake.

Chapter 21:
Jacks observes Evangeline and Apollo. He confronts Castor, who hints that Aurora knows Jacks’s plans. Jacks prepares to leave for Evangeline’s safety.

Chapter 22:
Evangeline sees a drawing of Archer (Jacks) and decides to warn Apollo about Jacks’s presence. Her new guards inform her Apollo has gone to the Cursed Forest.

Chapter 23:
Evangeline meets Lord Byron Belleflower, who attacks her in the Cursed Forest. She escapes after stabbing him with Jacks’s dagger.

Chapter 24:
Apollo orders Evangeline’s immediate retrieval from the Cursed Forest after she escapes.

Chapter 25:
Evangeline enters the Cursed Forest, trapped in an illusion of her best day. Chaos (Castor Valor) helps her, and Jacks stabs him.

Chapter 26:
Evangeline confronts Jacks, who admits he turned back time to save her life and caused her memory loss.

Chapter 27:
Jacks takes Evangeline to “The Hollow,” where he pretends they are married. She finds a letter in his doublet, triggering the full return of her memories.

Chapter 28:
Apollo meets with Wolfric and Honora Valor, seeking help with the Tree of Souls. Wolfric warns that drinking its blood will cost Apollo’s life.

Chapter 29:
Evangeline and LaLa find Aurora’s hidden lair and learn about her curse on Jacks out of jealousy for him.

Chapter 30:
Evangeline regains her full memories, realizing her love for Jacks and Apollo’s betrayal. She plans to find Jacks and express her love.

Chapter 31:
Evangeline is confined to Merrywood Village, where she remembers Aurora’s connection to Jacks. She plans to escape to find him.

Chapter 32:
Apollo recalls how Aurora helped him erase Evangeline’s memories. He learns that Evangeline has regained her memories when he sees the protection cuff on her wrist.

Chapter 33:
Evangeline and LaLa escape the royal encampment. Jacks acts cold but is warned by Chaos (Castor Valor) that he is dangerous. Jacks stabs Chaos.

Chapter 34:
Evangeline and LaLa plan to escape to Merrywood Forest. Evangeline finds Jacks, who behaves strangely. Chaos warns her that Jacks is not safe.

Chapter 35:
Aurora leads Apollo through the Cursed Forest to the Tree of Souls, where Apollo plans to drink its blood for immortality.

Chapter 36:
Evangeline learns the glass cuff on her wrist protects her from Apollo’s harm. LaLa helps her escape to find Jacks and stop him from making a “horrible decision.”

Chapter 37:
Apollo discovers Evangeline has escaped and orders his guards to find her.

Chapter 38:
Evangeline and LaLa find Aurora’s spellbook in Merrywood, which reveals Aurora’s curse on Jacks and her jealousy of Evangeline.

Chapter 39:
Evangeline receives a note from Jacks but believes his heart has already been altered. They follow flower petals to a dead fox, signaling Jacks’s cruelty.

Chapter 40:
Aurora reveals that Jacks intended to destroy his heart, not regain it. Evangeline plans to save him with love despite Aurora’s warnings.

Chapter 41:
Evangeline arrives at the phoenix tree, where she confesses her love for Jacks. She kisses him, breaking the curse. She survives the kiss despite the intense effects.

Chapter 42:
Evangeline and Jacks share endless kisses, symbolizing their renewed love.

Chapter 43:
Apollo arrives and sets the phoenix tree on fire, capturing Evangeline. She screams for Jacks as she is taken away.

Chapter 44:
Apollo carries Evangeline to the Tree of Souls, enduring pain from her protection cuff. He shackles her to sacrifice her for immortality.

Chapter 45:
Jacks searches for Evangeline and is tricked by Aurora. He learns that Apollo has taken her to the Tree of Souls.

Chapter 46:
Evangeline struggles at the Tree of Souls. Apollo confesses his love and plans to sacrifice her for immortality. He kisses her as she fights.

Chapter 47:
Jacks arrives at the Tree of Souls and attacks Apollo. Wolfric and his sons restrain Jacks, but he fights for Evangeline.

Chapter 48:
Evangeline frees herself as Apollo drinks from the Tree of Souls, which consumes him. His face is trapped in the roots.

Chapter 49:
Jacks fights Wolfric’s sons. Evangeline frees herself and stops the fight. She and Jacks leave the cavern, uncertain of their future.

Key Characters & Their Journeys

Themes Explored: More Than Just a Fairy Tale

Author Spotlight: Stephanie Garber

Stephanie Garber is a New York Times bestselling author, best known for her Caraval series. With her signature blend of romance, magic, and high-stakes adventure, Garber creates richly imaginative worlds that captivate readers. A Curse for True Love is her latest foray into exploring the darker sides of love and memory.

Garber’s writing style is immersive, drawing readers into her enchanting yet perilous world, filled with vibrant characters and emotional complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the book A Curse for True Love about?

A Curse for True Love follows amnesiac Evangeline Fox as she uncovers the truth behind her stolen memories. Prince Apollo claims he’s her loving husband and that villain Lord Jacks is to blame, but Evangeline’s returning memories reveal a dangerous web of lies, sacrifice, and a love powerful enough to break curses.

Is A Curse for True Love spicy?

The romance is intense and emotionally charged, with passionate kisses and high-stakes yearning, but it’s not explicit. Garber focuses on emotional tension and romantic sacrifice over steamy scenes.

Is A Curse for True Love a happy ending?

Yes! It delivers a deeply satisfying, earned happy ending for Evangeline and Jacks, resolving major curses and betrayals. It’s hopeful, romantic, and feels true to their journey.

Is A Curse for True Love the last book?

Yes, it’s the final book in the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy, concluding Evangeline and Jacks’s main story arc.

Who does Evangeline end up with?

Evangeline ends up with Lord Jacks, choosing him and their complex, true love over Apollo’s lies.

Why did Apollo steal Evangeline’s memories?

Apollo stole Evangeline’s memories using a magical elixir to erase her history with Jacks and rewrite her past, making her believe Apollo was her true love and ensuring she’d stay with him.

What is the broken heart scar on Evangeline?

The scar is a magical protection cuff forged by Jacks. He traded his literal heart to Aurora Valor in exchange for this enchantment, which physically shields Evangeline from Apollo’s attempts to harm her magically.

Does Jacks get his heart back?

No. Jacks traded his heart permanently to Aurora. His sacrifice is irreversible, symbolizing the depth of his love for Evangeline.

Is Apollo really dead?

Yes. Apollo is consumed by the Tree of Souls after attempting to sacrifice Evangeline for immortality. His demise is final.

Can you read this without reading the other books?

Strongly not recommended. The plot relies heavily on events, relationships, and curses established in Once Upon a Broken Heart and The Ballad of Never After.

Conclusion :

A Curse for True Love Summary: Tale of Memory and Love’s Curse

In conclusion, A Curse for True Love is a spellbinding tale that combines love, sacrifice, and the power of memory. With its richly crafted world, emotionally complex characters, and unpredictable twists, it offers a fresh perspective on the fairy tale genre. If you’re looking for a story that blends romance and fantasy with deep emotional stakes, this novel is a must-read.