How to Read the Shattered Hearts Series
Cassia Leo’s Shattered Hearts is a rollercoaster of raw emotion, music, secrets, and second chances. Spanning seven books, the series traces the turbulent lives of Claire Nixon, her first love and tattooed guitarist Chris Knight, and the charming surfer Adam Parker. Because the series includes a prequel published out of order, plus multiple companion novels and spin-offs, choosing where to start can be confusing. Below, we break down the two main ways to read the series: the Chronological Order (which is also the author’s recommended starting path) and the original Publication Order.
1. Recommended Chronological Reading Order
For the most seamless emotional journey, reading the series chronologically is highly recommended. Starting with the prequel, Forever Ours, allows you to witness the foundational foster-sibling bond and intense first love between Claire and Chris before the heartbreaking events of the main trilogy tear them apart.
- Forever Ours (Prequel, published in 2014) – This prequel details how fifteen-year-old Claire enters the Knight household as a foster child, meeting Chris and forming a deep, music-infused bond that sets the stage for the entire saga.
- Relentless (Book 1, published in 2013) – The core trilogy begins here. Claire is trying to rebuild her life in college after a devastating heartbreak, finding comfort in the arms of surfer Adam Parker, until Chris unexpectedly returns to win her back.
- Pieces of You (Book 2, published in 2013) – The stakes rise as secrets from Claire's past begin to unravel, forcing her to confront her unresolved feelings for both men.
- Bring Me Home (Book 3, published in 2013) – The dramatic conclusion to the main love triangle where Claire must make her final choice.
- Abandon (Spin-off / Book 4, published in 2014) – A companion novel focusing on Tristan, the enigmatic bassist from Chris’s band, and Senia, Claire’s fiercely loyal best friend.
- Chasing Abby (Next-Generation Sequel / Book 5, published in 2014) – A emotional follow-up set years later, focusing on Abigail, the daughter of Claire and Chris, who searches for her biological parents after discovering she was adopted.
- Ripped (Spin-off / Book 6, published in 2015) – The final installment centers on surfer Adam Parker years after the main events, highlighting his career pressures, marriage to Lindsay, and the sacrifices of family life.
2. Publication Order
If you prefer to experience the mystery of Claire’s past the way original readers did, you can start with the publication order. In this path, Claire's history with Chris is shrouded in mystery during Relentless, and the gaps are filled in later when you read the prequel.
- Relentless (2013)
- Pieces of You (2013)
- Bring Me Home (2013)
- Abandon (2014)
- Forever Ours (2014)
- Chasing Abby (2014)
- Ripped (2015)
Understanding the Subseries and Spin-Offs
The Core Trilogy (Claire, Chris, and Adam)
The heart of the series lies in the trilogy of Relentless, Pieces of You, and Bring Me Home (along with the prequel Forever Ours). These books tell a singular, continuous story. Because of the heavy continuity, cliffhangers, and unresolved character arcs, they must be read in order. Skipping any of these books will leave you entirely lost in the plot.
Tristan and Senia's Romance: Abandon
Abandon shifts the spotlight away from the primary love triangle to focus on Tristan, the playboy bassist, and Senia, Claire's best friend. While Tristan and Senia appear as supporting characters in the main trilogy, their book functions as a standalone romance. Reading the core trilogy first is highly recommended, however, as it explains Tristan's complex background and his relationship with the band.
The Legacy Sequel: Chasing Abby
Chasing Abby serves as a bridge to the next generation of the Shattered Hearts universe. Following 18-year-old Abigail as she uncovers her adoption and searches for her biological parents, this book brings back Claire and Chris in parental roles. It is a highly emotional, high-stakes family drama that works best if you have already bonded with Claire and Chris in their younger years.
Adam's Story: Ripped
For readers who fell in love with surfer Adam Parker during the main trilogy, Ripped provides a satisfying look at his life years down the road. Rather than a standard romance, it is a domestic drama focusing on the realities of marriage, career pressure, and parenthood with his wife, Lindsay. It serves as a nice epilogue to the entire series, giving closure to Adam's character arc.
What to Know Before You Start
The Shattered Hearts series is known for its intense emotional triggers, including foster care struggles, trauma, and a polarizing love triangle. Cassia Leo writes with raw honesty, meaning characters make messy, realistic, and sometimes frustrating mistakes. If you prefer romances where the couple is completely solid from page one, be prepared for a bumpy ride here. However, if you love high-drama rock star settings, coastal California vibes, and second-chance romance, this series is a must-read.