Hearts Gambit, J.D. Myall
Hearts Gambit, J.D. Myall
List: $26.99 | Sale: $18.89
Club: $13.49

Heart's Gambit

Author: J.D. Myall

Series: Heart's Gambit #1

Narrator: Alaska Jackson, Eric Lockley, Khaya Fraites

Unabridged: 12 hr 17 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/03/2026


Synopsis

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. This program features multicast narration.

"A high-stakes fantasy that’s impossible to put down... the dangerous romance between Emma and Malcolm kept me on the edge of my seat. Don’t miss this beautiful, powerful debut." - Kristen Ciccarelli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Heartless Hunter

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.

"Heart's Gambit is positively magic. Readers will fall in love across time and place as they follow Emma and Malcolm through the terror, danger, and redemption of the family curse keeping them bound. It felt like the perfect mix of Caraval and The Night Circus, stamped with Myall's personal brand of hope and rage." - Nisha J. Tuli, USA Today bestselling author of Trial of the Sun Queen

A Macmillan Audio production from Wednesday Books

About J.D. Myall

J.D. Myall is the cochair of Drexel University's MFA Alumni Association and a publishing and library professional. She hosts the Craft Chat Chronicles podcast, where she interviews authors and industry insiders. Her work has appeared in Ms. Magazine, Writer’s Digest, and HuffPost. Heart’s Gambit is her debut novel. When she’s not conjuring magic, murder, and mayhem on the page, she mentors emerging writers through workshops. Find her online at jdmyall.com.

About Eric Lockley

Eric Lockley is an OBIE award-winning actor, writer, host and voice-over artist with over twenty years of professional experience. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland (Go Ravens!), Lockley is inspired by stories that highlight the complexities of marginalized communities - from world-building fantasy, to grounded non-fiction, Eric is passionate about giving voice to the oft “voiceless”. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Eric specializes in Young Adult, Horror, Self-Help and Comedic narration. Lockley’s versatile work can be heard in books, documentaries, podcasts and audio dramas produced by BBC, Audible, Macmillan Audio and more. Recent highlights include Lockley’s work in the “big-hearted speculative horror” Listen To Your Sister by Neena Viel.

About Khaya Fraites

Khaya Fraites is a New York–based voice actor. She has narrated over 50 books and has been featured in Business Insider, Empire Magazine, and NBC's Today in the Bay for her voice work. She has received an Earphones Award and has been nominated for a One Voice Award.Some Macmillan titles she's lent her voice to include Where Shadows Meet by Patrcie Caldwell and The Summer I Ate the Rich by Maika & Maritza Moulite. She is inspired by stories about women across all genres and loves the opportunity to help tell these stories with her voice work.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Katie on November 23, 2025

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 actual......more

Goodreads review by SuzieQuzie7973 on October 04, 2025

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......more

Goodreads review by Lee on November 02, 2025

*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. 1.5 rounded up I initially put this book down around the 30-40% mark but decided to pick it up again because the concept of the Tether/Gambit, curse, and battles/trials were intriguing to me. I unfortunately......more

Goodreads review by Emma on November 12, 2025

With thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. 2.5 Stars Time travel is always an interesting concept, but it can also be confusing, and this story definitely sits in that space. There are moments where the logic doesn’t quite hold up for me. The idea of timelines that they somehow stick to is intriguing, but......more

Goodreads review by BookForAHeart on November 29, 2025

Stop what you’re doing, because I just found your next favorite romantic fantasy, and it’s irresistible! J.D. Myall’s Heart’s Gambit isn't just a book; it's a whirlwind of dazzling Black excellence, centuries-old family feuds, and a curse that absolutely demands an enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Serious......more


Quotes

"Black teens from rival magical families opt to fight fate instead of each other in debut author Myall’s extravagantly imagined series launch… a vibrantly wrought portrayal that celebrates Black culture and community while illustrating the legacy of racism and discrimination in the United States." - Publisher's Weekly

"Deadly duels and time-travelling enemies make Heart’s Gambit a high-stakes fantasy that’s impossible to put down. Myall’s writing is breathtaking, the world she’s created is vivid and unique, and the dangerous romance between Emma and Malcolm kept me on the edge of my seat. Don’t miss this beautiful, powerful debut." - Kristen Ciccarelli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Heartless Hunter

"Heart's Gambit is positively magic. J.D. Myall has created a completely immersive fantasy world with realer-than-life characters who sparkle on the page. Readers will fall in love across time and place as they follow Emma and Malcolm through the terror, danger, and redemption of the family curse keeping them bound. It felt like the perfect mix of Caraval and The Night Circus, stamped with Myall's personal brand of hope and rage." - Nisha J. Tuli, USA Today bestselling author of Trial of the Sun Queen

"Filled with luscious prose, dazzling magic, and stark glimpses of real history, J.D. Myall’s Heart’s Gambit, hooked me from the beginning and didn’t relent with its beautifully tragic and hopeful story full of characters that will make you laugh and cry and cheer (and one that will make you give a sigh in the best way possible). If you like your fantasy romance both spicy and sweet and peppered with magical delights, this is the book for you." - Mindee Arnett, author of Onyx & Ivory