Evangeline and Jacks are central characters in Stephanie Garber’s ‘Once Upon a Broken Heart’ series, a fantasy tale filled with magic, curses, betrayal, and the complexities of love. Readers of the trilogy often find themselves asking: does Evangeline end up with Jacks? Their relationship is filled with emotional twists, deep longing, and a sense of fated connection that draws readers into every page. While early moments between them are riddled with mystery and manipulation, their journey evolves into something far more profound and emotionally layered by the final book in the series.
The Beginning of Evangeline and Jacks’ Story
In the first book, Once Upon a Broken Heart, Evangeline seeks Jacks’ help to stop the man she loves from marrying her stepsister. Jacks, the Prince of Hearts and one of the infamous Fates, offers his aid but not without a cost. From this first interaction, it’s clear that Jacks is no ordinary love interest. He is enigmatic, unpredictable, and bound by his own curse. Their initial relationship is built on uneasy alliances and a shared sense of desperation rather than trust or affection.
Evangeline, hopeful and driven by her belief in true love, is caught in a world where nothing is as it seems. Jacks’ involvement complicates everything. Despite their growing connection, Jacks is hiding more than he reveals, and Evangeline quickly learns that dealing with a Fate always comes with consequences.
The Evolution of Their Relationship
As the story progresses into The Ballad of Never After, the bond between Evangeline and Jacks deepens. What begins as a reluctant partnership grows into a layered relationship full of tension, mutual reliance, and emotional conflict. Jacks, initially portrayed as cold and self-serving, starts to show more vulnerability around Evangeline. He saves her multiple times, often at great risk to himself, and hints at emotions he refuses to name.
Evangeline, in turn, begins to see beyond Jacks’ hardened exterior. She challenges him, questions him, and slowly breaks through the walls he has built around his heart. Their chemistry intensifies, and moments between them become more emotionally charged. However, their journey is far from simple. Jacks’ curse prevents him from loving freely, and his past actions make Evangeline wary of trusting him fully.
Key Moments That Shape Their Bond
- Jacks betrays Evangeline’s trust early on, setting a rocky foundation.
- Despite their conflicts, Jacks repeatedly protects Evangeline from harm.
- Emotional confessions and silent sacrifices begin to hint at deeper feelings.
- The curse affecting Jacks becomes a central obstacle to their love.
The Final Book and the Fate of Their Relationship
In A Curse for True Love, the final installment of the trilogy, readers finally see the full emotional weight of Evangeline and Jacks’ relationship come to light. Without spoiling every detail, the final book confronts the most pressing questions: can Jacks break his curse? Will Evangeline choose him despite the risks? And is their love strong enough to survive all the lies, curses, and heartbreak?
The climax of their story tests both characters like never before. Evangeline has changed she is no longer the naive girl who believed every fairytale. She has endured pain, betrayal, and difficult truths. Meanwhile, Jacks continues to wrestle with his feelings, his nature as a Fate, and his desire to protect Evangeline even from himself.
In the final chapters, it becomes clear that their connection transcends fate. Jacks’ actions show genuine love, not manipulation. He is willing to let Evangeline go if it means her happiness, and that selflessness marks a turning point. Evangeline, in turn, must decide whether she wants a fairytale ending or a real, imperfect love with the man who has stood by her side in the shadows.
Major Themes in the Final Book
- Love versus destiny: Can true love defy fate?
- Redemption: Is Jacks capable of change?
- Choice: Does Evangeline choose to love Jacks freely?
So, Does Evangeline End Up with Jacks?
Yes Evangeline ends up with Jacks in the end, but not in the traditional ‘happily ever after’ way seen in classic fairytales. Their ending is bittersweet, deeply emotional, and earned through hardship. Rather than being handed a perfect romance, they fight for their connection, choosing each other despite pain, uncertainty, and the darkness in their past.
Stephanie Garber crafts a conclusion that feels both magical and grounded. Evangeline and Jacks’ relationship is not idealized; it is built on forgiveness, understanding, and mutual sacrifice. By the final pages, readers see that what they share is real and lasting, even if it came at a cost. Their love story isn’t about perfection it’s about choosing to love someone flawed, and being loved back with the same fierce loyalty.
What Makes Their Ending Unique
- Their love grows through trials, not instant attraction.
- Jacks evolves emotionally, breaking past his Fate identity.
- Evangeline’s agency and strength define the final choice.
- Their ending respects character growth over fairytale simplicity.
Why Their Relationship Resonates with Readers
The romance between Evangeline and Jacks resonates because it explores the messiness of love. It’s not about perfect timing or fairy godmothers it’s about trust, betrayal, hope, and healing. Their journey mirrors what many readers seek: a love that sees you at your worst and still stays. The story doesn’t rush their relationship but lets it unfold slowly and organically over time.
Jacks, as a character, becomes far more than a charming rogue. He represents the struggle to believe in love again after being broken. Evangeline represents courage the willingness to keep loving, even when it hurts. Together, they create a story of transformation and vulnerability, and their decision to be together feels earned rather than expected.
Emotional Impact of Their Journey
- Their dynamic shifts from distrust to deep emotional intimacy.
- Readers witness real change in both characters over time.
- Their love is portrayed as a choice, not a guarantee.
Evangeline and Jacks’ story is a powerful example of how love can bloom even in the most unexpected places. Their journey from adversaries to allies, and ultimately to lovers, is filled with hardship, heartbreak, and healing. While the path to their union is anything but simple, the ending delivers emotional satisfaction and poetic justice for both characters. Evangeline does end up with Jacks, not because fate decreed it, but because they chose each other despite everything.
Their love story reminds us that sometimes, the best kind of fairytale is the one that dares to be honest where love is not a magical solution but a powerful decision made again and again, even when it’s hard. Readers close the final book knowing that while their story might be marked by scars, it is also marked by hope, growth, and true devotion.