Heartbreakers Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for the Heartbreakers Series

Lauren Blakely's Heartbreakers series is a collection of standalone contemporary romance novels. While each book focuses on a different couple and can technically be read on its own, the stories are deeply interconnected. Characters frequently drop in on one another, and the overarching timeline flows naturally from one book to the next. To get the absolute most out of the Hart brothers' sibling dynamic and see their family relationships evolve, we highly recommend reading the series in chronological order.

Chronological Reading Order

This reading path places the holiday novella, Once Upon a Red Hot Kiss, in its proper timeline position between Campbell and Miller's full-length stories:

1. Once Upon a Real Good Time (Book 1) – Campbell Hart & Mackenzie (Published 2018)
2. Once Upon a Red Hot Kiss (Book 1.5) – Kirby & Macy (Published 2019)
3. Once Upon a Sure Thing (Book 2) – Miller Hart & Ally (Published 2018)
4. Once Upon a Wild Fling (Book 3) – Miles Hart & Roxy (Published 2018)

Publication Reading Order

If you prefer to read the books in the exact order Lauren Blakely released them, you will dive into the three main novels featuring the Hart brothers first, and then circle back to the companion novella featuring the secondary characters Kirby and Macy:

1. Once Upon a Real Good Time (2018)
2. Once Upon a Sure Thing (2018)
3. Once Upon a Wild Fling (2018)
4. Once Upon a Red Hot Kiss (2019)

Deep Dive into the Heartbreakers Books

The core of the series revolves around the three Hart brothers: Campbell, Miller, and Miles. Once members of the chart-topping teen boy band "Heartbreakers," the brothers disbanded the group years ago to focus on their personal lives, especially after Campbell's wife passed away. Now living in New York City, they are devoted single fathers or guardians who are wary of love but ready for the unexpected.

Once Upon a Real Good Time (Book 1)

The series kicks off with Campbell Hart, a former rock star turned music teacher, and Mackenzie, a single mother. What starts as a sizzling, no-strings-attached one-night stand quickly becomes complicated when Campbell walks into a classroom and realizes he is the new music teacher for Mackenzie's young son. The book utilizes the forbidden romance and single-parent tropes to create a heartwarming, chemistry-filled story about overcoming grief, finding second chances, and learning to play a new tune together.

Once Upon a Red Hot Kiss (Book 1.5)

This companion novella shifts focus to Kirby and Macy, two secondary characters established in the broader Heartbreakers world. Macy is a perky, outgoing music manager, and Kirby is a jaded, brooding musician who is cynical about holidays—especially Valentine's Day. Kirby has always kept Macy at arm's length to protect their long-standing friendship, but a sudden shift in dynamic forces them to choose between keeping their relationship platonic or risking it all for a red-hot romance. It is a quick, sweet, and steamy friends-to-lovers holiday read.

Once Upon a Sure Thing (Book 2)

The second full-length novel follows Miller Hart and his lifelong friend Ally. Ally is a single guardian raising her niece and nephew, while Miller is a charming rock star looking to start a new musical duo. When they decide to team up and form a band together, the close quarters and shared passion for music spark a fire. The friends-to-lovers transition is handled with Blakely's signature banter, heat, and emotional depth, highlighting how family responsibilities and romance can beautifully harmonize.

Once Upon a Wild Fling (Book 3)

The final book in the core trilogy stars Miles Hart, the youngest brother, and Roxy, the sister of his business manager. Miles is a single dad who is protective of his heart and his kid. During a high school reunion, Miles and Roxy reconnect and make a friends-with-benefits pact. What was supposed to be a temporary, fun fling quickly turns serious as emotional walls start to crumble. The story deals with trust, vulnerability, and the joys of blended families.

The Interconnected Blakely Universe

One of the most exciting aspects of reading Lauren Blakely is finding yourself in a massive, shared literary universe. While the Heartbreakers series focuses specifically on the Hart brothers, these characters do not exist in a vacuum. Macy and Kirby's novella, Once Upon a Red Hot Kiss, also bridges into Blakely's Dating Mr. Right series. Furthermore, characters from her other popular contemporary rom-com series—such as her sports romances and standalone books like Big Rock—frequently make brief cameos or are mentioned by the Hart brothers, rewarding long-time readers with fun Easter eggs without making the plot confusing for newcomers.

Practical Tips for Readers

Here is what you need to know before you start your binge-reading session:

• Start with Book 1: While you can read these as standalones, Once Upon a Real Good Time establishes the family dynamics, the history of the band, and the brothers' relationships. Starting here makes the later books much more rewarding.
• Perfect for Audiobook Lovers: If you enjoy listening to romance, the Heartbreakers series is famous for its stellar audiobook productions. Narrated by romance superstars Andi Arndt and Sebastian York, the audiobooks bring out the dual-perspective banter and emotional depth perfectly.
• Expect Heavy Romance Tropes: From forbidden teacher-parent dynamics and fake-relationship vibes to friends-to-lovers and second-chance stories, this series has something for every contemporary romance reader.