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Once Upon a Broken Heart Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Stephanie Garber
3 Entries
Quick Answer

Start Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber with "Once Upon a Broken Heart", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

The complete reading order for the Once Upon a Broken Heart series by Stephanie Garber. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "Once Upon a Broken Heart"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

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?Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Once Upon a Broken Heart conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Once Upon a Broken Heart. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "Once Upon a Broken Heart" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Once Upon a Broken Heart" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "Once Upon a Broken Heart"Explore all by Stephanie Garber

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Reading Order3 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
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1

Once Upon a Broken Heart

Pub: 2021

The story of Evangeline Fox, Jacks, the Prince of Hearts and the pursuit of true love. (Ages 13 to 18)

2

The Ballad of Never After

Pub: 2022

Plot details hidden until you finish "Once Upon a Broken Heart".

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! Stephanie Garber’s THE BALLAD OF NEVER AFTER is the jaw-dropping sequel to the ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART, starring Evangeline Fox and the Prince of Hearts on a new journey of magic, mystery, and heartbreakNot every love is meant to be.After Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, betrays her, Evangeline Fox swears she'll never trust him again. Now that she’s discovered her own magic, Evangeline believes she can use it to restore the chance at happily ever after that Jacks stole away.But when a new terrifying curse is revealed, Evangeline finds herself entering into a tenuous partnership with the Prince of Hearts again. Only this time, the rules have changed. Jacks isn’t the only force Evangeline needs to be wary of. In fact, he might be the only one she can trust, despite her desire to despise him.Instead of a love spell wreaking havoc on Evangeline’s life, a murderous spell has been cast. To break it, Evangeline and Jacks will have to do battle with old friends, new foes, and a magic that plays with heads and hearts. Evangeline has always trusted her heart, but this time she’s not sure she can. . . .Also by Stephanie Garber:The Caraval Series- Caraval- Legendary- Finale

3

A Curse for True Love

Pub: 2023

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Ballad of Never After".

Blood will be shed, hearts will be stolen, and true love will be put to the test in A CURSE FOR TRUE LOVE, the breathtaking conclusion to Stephanie Garber’s #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling Once Upon A Broken Heart trilogyTwo villains, one girl, and a deadly battle for happily ever after.Evangeline Fox ventured to the Magnificent North in search of her happy ending, and it seems as if she has it. She’s married to a handsome prince and lives in a legendary castle. But Evangeline has no idea of the devastating price she’s paid for this fairytale. She doesn’t know what she has lost, and her husband is determined to make sure she never finds out. . . . but first he must kill Jacks, the Prince of Hearts.Also by Stephanie Garber:The Caraval Series- Caraval- Legendary- Finale

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Once Upon a Broken Heart series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Once Upon a Broken Heart?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Once Upon a Broken Heart" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Stephanie Garber intended.

Can I read Once Upon a Broken Heart books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Once Upon a Broken Heart universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.