Book 1
Once Upon A Broken Heart
Average Goodreads rating4.2
Author · American
Stephanie Garber is a bestselling fantasy author known for enchanting, romantic stories filled with magic, mystery, and high-stakes games. She is best known for the Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart series.
New to Stephanie Garber? A popular place to start
Book 1 of Once Upon a Broken Heart
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber is a fantasy romance of magic, intrigue, and forbidden love, following Evangeline as she navigates a dangerous world of fae, bargains, and heartbreak.
Picked from Stephanie Garber’s most widely rated books on Goodreads, starting at the beginning of its series.
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3 books in reading order
Book 1
Average Goodreads rating4.2
Book 2
Average Goodreads rating4.6
Book 3
Average Goodreads rating4.4
4 books in reading order
Book 1
Average Goodreads rating4.2
Book 2
Average Goodreads rating4.3
Book 3
Average Goodreads rating4.4
Book 4
Average Goodreads rating3.8
Stephanie Garber is a bestselling fantasy author celebrated for her lush, atmospheric storytelling that blends magic, romance, and mystery. She is best known for the Caraval trilogy and the Once Upon a Broken Heart series, both of which have captivated readers with their fairy-tale aesthetics, morally complex characters, and emotionally driven plots.
Garber’s novels are defined by immersive world-building and a dreamlike tone, where illusion and reality often blur. Her stories frequently centre on high-stakes games, curses, secrets, and dangerous bargains, inviting readers into worlds where nothing is quite as it seems. Romance plays a central role in her writing, with slow-burn relationships, longing, and emotional tension woven seamlessly into the narrative.
A hallmark of Stephanie Garber’s work is her use of popular fantasy romance tropes. Her books commonly feature star-crossed lovers, enemies to lovers, forbidden love, magical competitions, curses, fate versus free will, and richly imagined fairy-tale settings. These elements, combined with her lyrical prose, make her stories particularly appealing to fans of romantic fantasy and young adult fantasy.
The Caraval series introduced readers to a magical game where participants risk everything for a chance at their heart’s desire, while Once Upon a Broken Heart expands on this universe with darker fairy-tale themes and a stronger romantic focus. Together, these series have helped establish Garber as a leading voice in modern fantasy romance.
Stephanie Garber’s books are often recommended for readers who enjoy enchanting worlds, emotionally intense romance, and stories filled with mystery and wonder. Her work continues to influence the fantasy genre, making her an essential author for readers exploring fantasy tropes, romantic storytelling, and fairy-tale inspired worlds.
Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), book 1
Average Goodreads rating4.5
Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), book 2
Average Goodreads rating4.8
Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), book 3
Average Goodreads rating4.7
Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), book 4
Average Goodreads rating4.1
Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), book 5
Average Goodreads rating4.7
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Blood And Ash, book 1
Average Goodreads rating4.6
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