The Recommended Reading Order for Fallen Crest High
To fully experience Samantha Strattan’s journey and her intense relationship with the Kade brothers, Mason and Logan, it is highly recommended to follow the narrative sequence. While some spin-offs and companion novels can be read out of order, the main series relies heavily on chronological character growth and plot development.
Here is the recommended reading path for the core storyline:
- Fallen Crest High (2012) – The essential starting point. This book introduces Samantha, whose life is turned upside down by her mother’s affair, forcing her to move in with her new stepbrothers-to-be, Mason and Logan Kade.
- Fallen Crest Family (2013) – Deepens the family dynamics and explores the emotional aftermath of Sam's family upheaval. It is crucial to read this second to maintain narrative continuity.
- Fallen Crest Public (2013) – The drama intensifies as Sam and Mason face high school rivalries, vicious rumors, and threats to their relationship.
- Fallen Fourth Down (2013) – Deals with the high-stakes pressure of football, loyalty, and transition as the characters prepare for the next stage of their lives.
- Fallen Crest University (2015) – Sam and Mason move on to college, navigating a new set of challenges, social circles, and mature struggles.
- Fallen Crest Christmas (2015) – A festive novella that picks up directly after the events of Fallen Crest University, offering a cozy yet character-focused holiday interlude.
- Logan Kade (2016) – A companion novel centered on Logan Kade. While it is technically a spin-off, it contains critical character development that sets up the events of the next main installment and should be read before Fallen Crest Home.
- Fallen Crest Home (2017) – Sam returns back to her hometown, confronting unresolved past traumas and defining her future alongside the Kades.
- Fallen Crest Forever (2017) – The emotional conclusion of Samantha and Mason’s primary story arc, wrapping up years of high school and university drama.
- Kade (2024) – The ultimate conclusion to the Fallen Crest saga, bringing the beloved brothers back for one final story to tie up all loose ends.
Narrative vs. Publication Order: The Family/Public Confusion
If you search online databases or automated catalog systems, you might notice that Fallen Crest Public is sometimes listed before Fallen Crest Family. Both books were published in 2013, which has led to persistent confusion on retail sites and database algorithms.
For the best reading experience, ignore the publication timestamps that list Public first. Narratively, Fallen Crest Family is Book 2, and Fallen Crest Public is Book 3. Reading them out of order will result in major spoilers, as the emotional consequences of Family directly trigger the conflicts that occur in Public.
Prequels, Novellas, and Alternate Versions
Tijan has written several companion pieces that enrich the Fallen Crest universe. Here is where they fit into your reading schedule:
- Mason (2014) – A prequel novella written from Mason Kade's perspective. It offers a look at his mindset before Samantha entered his life. You can read this at the very beginning of your journey or as a flashback after finishing the first book.
- Fallen Crest Extras (2017) – A collection of bonus scenes, deleted chapters, and character insights. It is best enjoyed after reading Fallen Crest Home or Fallen Crest Forever.
- Fallen Crest Nightmare (2018) – A novella set concurrently with the final chapter of Fallen Crest Forever, offering a darker, high-adrenaline side story.
- Fallen Crest Alternative Version – A full-length alternate retelling of the events of the second book, giving fans a chance to see how the plot might have unfolded under different circumstances.
The Expanded Universe: Spin-Offs and Crossovers
Once you finish the main saga, the Fallen Crest world continues through several connected spin-offs and crossover stories. Tijan has built a shared universe where characters frequently cross paths:
The Crew Series
Set in the neighboring town of Roussou, the Crew series is a grittier, high-tension trilogy featuring street crews, rivalries, and survival. It consists of:
- Crew (2018)
- Crew Princess (2019)
- Always Crew (2020)
While the Crew series focuses on a new cast of characters (led by Bren and Cross), it shares the same timeline and setting. Beloved Fallen Crest figures like Heather and Channing play major roles in the series, and Aspen (Nate's sister) makes a guest appearance. You can read these books independently, but they are most satisfying after completing the core Fallen Crest series.
Fallen Crest Campout (2020)
This novella is the ultimate crossover event between the two series. It follows Sam and Mason from Fallen Crest on a camping trip where they meet up with the cast of the Crew series. It is highly recommended to read this after finishing both the main Fallen Crest series and the Crew series to fully appreciate the character interactions.
Nate (2021)
Nate has long been a fan-favorite side character in the Fallen Crest group. This standalone novel gives him the spotlight, exploring his own romantic and personal struggles. It is best read after finishing Fallen Crest Forever.
Other Connected Standalones
- My Anti-Hero – Follows Brett Broudou, a character who first appeared as a supporting figure in Fallen Crest Family and Fallen Crest Public.
- Kess – A short story companion that can be read at any time.
- The Boy I Grew Up With – A standalone story focused on the relationship between Heather and Channing.
What to Know Before You Start
Fallen Crest High is a cornerstone of the modern New Adult romance genre, famous for its high-angst drama, intense loyalty, and protective male leads. The series deals with mature themes including family dysfunction, infidelity, bullying, and trauma. What starts as a forbidden stepbrother romance quickly evolves into a story about found family, where Sam, Mason, and Logan form an unbreakable shield against the toxic world around them. With its fast-paced style and addictive writing, it is best enjoyed as a continuous binge-read.