Once Upon a Broken Heart Reading Order
Complete series guide · Updated August 2026
The Once Upon a Broken Heart series by Stephanie Garber has three books as of August 2026: Once Upon a Broken Heart (2021), The Ballad of Never After (2022), and A Curse for True Love (2023). Read in publication order. A companion novella called The Mirror of Infinite Endings releases in September 2026. The series is set in the same universe as Stephanie Garber's Caraval trilogy, but you do not need to read Caraval first.
This is a young adult fantasy romance about fate, deals with dangerous immortals, and the cost of trying to control your own happily ever after. Each book builds on the last with major cliffhangers, so skipping around will spoil reveals and leave you confused.
Short answer
The Once Upon a Broken Heart series by Stephanie Garber has three books: Once Upon a Broken Heart (2021), The Ballad of Never After (2022), and A Curse for True Love (2023). Read in publication order. A companion novella, The Mirror of Infinite Endings, releases September 2026. The series is set in the Caraval universe, but you do not need to read Caraval first.
How many books are in the Once Upon a Broken Heart series?
The Once Upon a Broken Heart series has 3 books in the main trilogy. A companion novella, The Mirror of Infinite Endings, releases in September 2026. It features Jacks and Evangeline with 20 full-page illustrations by Lotusbubble and is not book 4 of the main series.
What this series is known for
- Deals with dangerous Fates and the cost of wishes
- Slow-burn tension with Jacks, the Prince of Hearts (morally gray immortal)
- Lush fairy-tale atmosphere and fate-driven romance
- Set in the Caraval universe with crossover characters
After the reading order
Want a Once Upon a Broken Heart-level story where you are the main character?
Ember can write a fate-and-bargains romantasy where you are the heroine, with the same slow-burn tension, dangerous immortals, and impossible choices that made you love Jacks and Evangeline's story.
Once Upon a Broken Heart series books in order
Once Upon a Broken Heart
Released 2021
Evangeline Fox believes in happily ever after. When the boy she loves is about to marry someone else, she makes a desperate deal with Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, a dangerous Fate with his own agenda. The deal: three kisses to be given at the time and place of Jacks's choosing.
The Ballad of Never After
Released 2022
After the aftermath of her first deal with Jacks, Evangeline has lost everything. To undo the damage and reclaim what she lost, she strikes a second bargain with the Prince of Hearts. But opening her heart again to Jacks is a risk that could cost her more than she ever imagined.
A Curse for True Love
Released 2023
The final book in the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy. Evangeline has lost her memories, and the stakes have never been higher. Blood will be shed, hearts will be stolen, and true love will be put to the test in this conclusion to Jacks and Evangeline's story.
The Mirror of Infinite Endings (September 2026)
A companion novella featuring Jacks and Evangeline after the events of A Curse for True Love. This 256-page book includes 20 full-page illustrations by Lotusbubble and cameos from fan-favorite characters. It is not book 4 of the main series, but a standalone story set in the Hollow.
Do I need to read Caraval first?
No, you do not need to read Caraval before starting Once Upon a Broken Heart. Stephanie Garber wrote this trilogy to be read as a standalone. You will understand the plot, the magic system, and the romance without any prior knowledge of the Caraval books.
That said, reading Caraval first is recommended if you want the full experience. The Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy is set in the same universe as Caraval, and Jacks (the Prince of Hearts) first appears as a supporting character in Legendary and Finale, the second and third Caraval books. If you read Caraval first, you get Jacks's backstory, understand the mythology of the Fates, and see how the magic system works across both series.
Reading Once Upon a Broken Heart first will not ruin Caraval. Once Upon a Broken Heart takes place years after the Caraval trilogy ends, and while there are references to past events, the stories are distinct. If you read Once Upon a Broken Heart first and love Jacks, going back to Caraval later will give you his origin story and deepen your understanding of his motivations.
Recommended reading order options
Option 1: Full universe order (recommended)
Read Caraval, Legendary, Finale, then Once Upon a Broken Heart, The Ballad of Never After, A Curse for True Love. This gives you Jacks's full arc from his first appearance to his own series.
Option 2: Standalone order
Read Once Upon a Broken Heart, The Ballad of Never After, A Curse for True Love. If you love Jacks, go back to Caraval later for his backstory.
Option 3: Alternating order
Read Caraval, Legendary, Once Upon a Broken Heart, Finale, The Ballad of Never After, A Curse for True Love. This keeps Jacks's character fresh across both series.
Where to start with Once Upon a Broken Heart
Start with Once Upon a Broken Heart. The first book introduces Evangeline Fox, a girl who believes in happily ever after with the kind of certainty that makes you ache for her. When the boy she loves is about to marry her stepsister, Evangeline makes a desperate deal with Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, a dangerous immortal Fate who cannot love because his kiss is fatal to anyone who is not his one true love.
The deal: three kisses to be given at the time and place of Jacks's choosing. Evangeline thinks she can control the outcome. She cannot.
This is a young adult fantasy romance with slow-burn tension, lush fairy-tale atmosphere, and a morally gray love interest who will wreck you. The magic is beautiful and dangerous. The bargains have real costs. The romance is fate-driven, with all the impossible-choice energy that implies. If you like fantasy romance where the stakes are emotional and the love interest is chaos incarnate, you will like this series.
Each book ends on a cliffhanger. Do not start this series unless you can handle waiting or have all three books on hand.
What to read after Once Upon a Broken Heart
If you have finished all three books and need something to fill the Jacks-shaped void while waiting for The Mirror of Infinite Endings, these are the reads that hit the same notes.
If you want more of the same universe and Jacks's backstory, the Caraval trilogy is where his character first appears. It has the same lush fairy-tale atmosphere and morally gray romance energy.
Once Upon a Broken Heart blends fantasy, romance, and fairy-tale retellings. If you loved the fate-and-bargains tension, explore more romantasy picks with similar high-stakes magic and emotional depth.
For more young adult romance with slow-burn tension, magical worlds, and morally complex love interests, these YA romance picks deliver the same emotional intensity.
Finished Once Upon a Broken Heart? Want one written about you.
Ember writes a full-length personalized romance novel about your relationship. Pick the trope, heat level, and fate-driven stakes. Delivered in 10 days.
Create my romanceFree 15-minute interview. Starting at $149.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Once Upon a Broken Heart reading order?
The Once Upon a Broken Heart series by Stephanie Garber has three books: Once Upon a Broken Heart (2021), The Ballad of Never After (2022), and A Curse for True Love (2023). Read in publication order. A companion novella, The Mirror of Infinite Endings, releases September 2026. The series is set in the Caraval universe, but you do not need to read Caraval first.
Do I need to read Caraval before Once Upon a Broken Heart?
No, you do not need to read Caraval first. Once Upon a Broken Heart can be read as a standalone trilogy. However, reading Caraval first is recommended because the books share a universe and Jacks (the Prince of Hearts) first appears in the Caraval series. Reading Caraval adds depth to Jacks's character and gives you the full context of the world and magic system.
How many books are in the Once Upon a Broken Heart series?
The Once Upon a Broken Heart series has three books: Once Upon a Broken Heart (2021), The Ballad of Never After (2022), and A Curse for True Love (2023). A companion novella called The Mirror of Infinite Endings is releasing in September 2026. It is a Jacks and Evangeline novella with illustrations, not a fourth main series book.
What is the relationship between Once Upon a Broken Heart and Caraval?
Once Upon a Broken Heart is set in the same universe as the Caraval trilogy. Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, first appears as a supporting character in Caraval's Legendary and Finale. The Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy centers on Jacks and introduces a new protagonist, Evangeline Fox. Both series share the same magical world, Fates, and mythology.
What order should I read Stephanie Garber books?
For the full experience, read the Caraval trilogy first (Caraval, Legendary, Finale), then the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy (Once Upon a Broken Heart, The Ballad of Never After, A Curse for True Love). If you want to start with Once Upon a Broken Heart, you can read it standalone and go back to Caraval later for Jacks's backstory.
Is Once Upon a Broken Heart spicy?
Once Upon a Broken Heart is a young adult fantasy romance with minimal on-page sexual content. The spice level is around 1-2 out of 5, with romantic tension and some kissing scenes but no explicit sex scenes. The series focuses more on slow-burn tension, fate-driven romance, and emotional stakes than physical intimacy.
Looking for a gift for a Once Upon a Broken Heart fan? Personalized romance novel gifts let you create a custom book where they are the main character.
Sources
Series order and release dates verified as of August 2026.
- Stephanie Garber WikipediaUsed for Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy publication dates and ISBN verification.
- Once Upon a Broken Heart Series (Goodreads)Used for series order, reader context, and The Mirror of Infinite Endings announcement.
- Caraval Wiki: Once Upon a Broken HeartUsed for Caraval universe connection and standalone reading confirmation.
- The Mirror of Infinite Endings (Goodreads)Used for September 2026 novella release date and companion book details.
- Stephanie Garber Books In OrderUsed for complete publication order verification across all series.
- Prince of Hearts (Caraval Wiki)Used for Jacks character background and Caraval series appearances.
- Stephanie Garber 2026 Book ReleasesUsed for Alchemy of Secrets release date and upcoming 2026 publications.
Your love story, written into a novel.
If Jacks and Evangeline's fate-driven romance is your standard for impossible choices and slow-burn tension, Ember can write that energy as a personalized novel about your relationship. Answer a 15-minute interview, pick your trope and heat level, and get a full-length novel within 10 days.
Create my romance