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series Reading Order

Shattered Past Books in Order

3 Books
2014 – 2015 Published
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Reading order
01
Once Perfect
Once Perfect
2014
Amazon
02
Once Loved
Once Loved
2015
Amazon
03
Once Pure
Once Pure
2015
Amazon

The Recommended Reading Order for Shattered Past

Cecy Robson’s Shattered Past series is a contemporary romance trilogy that centers on three siblings of the Tres Santos family as they struggle to overcome trauma, family conflict, and personal pain. Because the overarching family story develops across the trilogy, the best way to read these books is in their publication order:

  1. Once Perfect (2014) – Follows Mateo Tres Santos and Evelyn Preston.
  2. Once Loved (2015) – Follows Lety Tres Santos and Brody Quaid.
  3. Once Pure (2015) – Follows Sofia Tres Santos and Killian O’Brien.

Transitioning into the O’Brien Family Spin-Off

In the final book of the trilogy, Once Pure, readers are introduced to Killian O’Brien, an MMA heavyweight contender. His presence lays the groundwork for a five-book spin-off series focusing on the tight-knit and protective O’Brien siblings. If you want to continue following these characters, proceed directly to the O’Brien Family series in the following order:

  1. Once Kissed (2015) – Follows Curran O’Brien and Tess Newart.
  2. Let Me (2016) – Follows Finn O’Brien and Sol.
  3. Crave Me (2017) – Follows Wren O’Brien and Evan Jonah.
  4. Feel Me (2017) – Follows Declan O’Brien and Melissa Fenske.
  5. Save Me (2018) – Follows Seamus O’Brien and Allie Mendes.

Plot and Character Breakdown

Once Perfect (Book 1)

The series opens with Evelyn Preston, a young woman dealing with the emotional scars of a strict, abusive upbringing, and Mateo Tres Santos, a man with a dark past of his own. Together, they find a path to healing through mutual vulnerability and undeniable chemistry.

Once Loved (Book 2)

Lety Tres Santos has built high walls to protect herself from the abuse and trauma of her childhood. When Brody Quaid enters her life, he is determined to show her she is worthy of safety and love, slowly earning her trust in an emotionally charged narrative.

Once Pure (Book 3)

Sofia Tres Santos, the youngest sister, works to reclaim her life and independence. Killian O’Brien, an MMA fighter and friend, steps in to train and protect her, sparking a deep romance that officially bridges the gap to the O’Brien family’s own book series.

Practical Reader Advice

Can they be read as standalones? While each novel delivers a complete romance with a happily-ever-after (HEA), they are highly interconnected. The characters support one another across stories, and the family’s collective healing forms a single narrative arc. Reading the trilogy out of order will spoil the events and resolutions of the preceding books.

What to know before you start: Cecy Robson does not shy away from heavy topics. The series deals heavily with physical and emotional abuse, PTSD, and survival. However, these themes are balanced by Robson’s signature humor, strong family ties, and hope-filled resolutions.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the correct reading order for the Shattered Past series?

The series should be read in publication order: Once Perfect, followed by Once Loved, and concluding with Once Pure.

QAre the Shattered Past books standalones?

While each book features a different couple and concludes their romantic storyline, the overarching plot involving the Tres Santos family continues across all three books. It is highly recommended to read them in order.

QHow does the O’Brien Family series connect to Shattered Past?

The third book in the Shattered Past series, Once Pure, features Killian O’Brien as the male lead. This character crossover serves as the direct launchpad for the spin-off O’Brien Family series, which centers on Killian's siblings.

QWho wrote the Shattered Past series?

The trilogy was written by Cecy Robson, an award-winning contemporary and fantasy romance author who also worked as a registered nurse.

QAre there any novellas or short stories in the Shattered Past series?

No, the Shattered Past series is a completed three-book trilogy with no extra novellas or companion short stories.

QWhat themes are explored in these books?

The series focuses on healing from trauma, overcoming domestic abuse, rebuilding trust, family loyalty, and personal redemption, balanced with humor and passion.