* Reactor, "Most Anticipated Young Adult SFF/H for January & February 2026"
* Girls’ Life, "Your Snow Day TBR Starter Pack Just Dropped"
* Hasty Book List, "Romantic Books For Valentine's Day"
* Book Riot, "A Magic Circus, and More New YA Book Releases for February"

"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

"Fans of the romantasy genre will find plenty to enjoy in this series opener." - Booklist

"This book starts off strong with an original premise, interesting worldbuilding, and poignant moments of insight as it celebrates Black history, excellence, and resilience." - Kirkus Reviews

"Myall’s YA debut evokes the essence of Romeo and Juliet with this tale of fated lovers from enemy families." - Swooon

“Dazzling, romantic, and utterly irresistible, this is the ‘enemies-to-lovers’ epic you’ve been waiting for!” - Bookstr

“Readers who enjoy character-focused fantasy, doomed romance, and stories about breaking generational curses will likely find this one deeply affecting.” - YA Books Central

"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