REVIEW: A Cursed Heart by Jax Stuart

- September 29, 2025

A CURSED HEART

by Jax Stuart

Release Date: September 26, 2025

Review

Aww, these two are pretty cute. They may be bound by a spell, and possibly fate, but they also choose each other.

Cursed to live in the heart ruby for his past sins, Malacoda only gains his freedom when the owner of the stone allows him out. For thousands of years, he’s passed from owner to owner (mostly greedy and power hungry).

Until Ryan (and his daughter Fiona). Ryan has found himself in a spot of trouble with a mafia boss. A good guy, who loves his daughter, has made some morally grey decisions in the protection of those he loves. Which is why you love him even more.

Bound together and working to keep themselves safe, they develop the most endearing love for one another. They truly make such a cute family, and I love how it all works out in the end.

Seriously…can we all say ‘awwww’?!?!

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Synopsis

A demon cursed by greed. A human cursed by circumstance. Together, they must forge a path to freedom and maybe even love.

Cursed to live in the heart ruby because of his greed, Malacoda spends centuries serving those who want his power for themselves. When he meets Ryan, he seizes his chance, using his magic to urge Ryan to become his master.

As a single dad, Ryan's had to make some questionable decisions to protect his daughter and has lost no sleep over them. The consequences of them forces him into working for Scythe, the ruler of the underbelly of the city. Ryan's a fighter, though. He refuses to be a pawn. While hacking into Scythe's computer, he's tempted into touching the heart ruby, sealing his fate.

A drop of blood ties them together into a bond unlike anything either has experienced, awakening feelings neither has had before. For the first time, Mal pushes aside his greed, keeping Ryan safe, while all Ryan wants is for Mal to be free of the gem. Is it just their bond, or is something real between them? Could Ryan be the family Mal has always longed for, while being the love Ryan deserves?

A Cursed Heart is a low angst MM paranormal romance between an ancient demon and a morally gray single dad. CW for mentioned drug use and drug-related deaths. There is a threat of violence and a brief violent scene.

About Jax Stuart

Jax Stuart is a Scottish-born author, mum of two, and owner of a menagerie (two cats, a tortoise, and 3 fish tanks of fish!).

She started writing her first book at age eleven but gave writing up for years. A big birthday in 2021 prompted her to finally go after that publishing dream.

When she isn’t writing, Jax is an avid reader and likes to spend time with friends and family.

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