In This Article
- What the novella is and what it contains
- Who is involved and what the series encompasses
- Context: where the series stands
- What to watch
Stephanie Garber is returning to the world of Jacks and Evangeline Fox. As confirmed in Beautiful Books' May 2026 Marginalia news roundup, Flatiron Books has announced and published The Mirror of Infinite Endings — a new novella set in the Once Upon a Broken Heart universe — in 2026. According to New Books Alert, the title is the fourth installment in the Once Upon a Broken Heart series and is scheduled for a September release.
What the novella is and what it contains
According to the official Flatiron Books series page, The Mirror of Infinite Endings picks up after Jacks and Evangeline Fox have reached their happily ever after — and proceeds to complicate it. The publisher's description notes that the story is set in the Magnificent North, and that while everything appears to be going well, at least one secret is being kept. The novella features cameos from fan-favourite characters and twenty full-page illustrations by the artist Lotusbubble. Flatiron is also releasing a deluxe collectible edition of the first book in the series alongside the new title — that edition includes an illustrated slipcase and hardcover, illustrated endpapers, limited-edition stencilled edges, and the previously unpublished fairytale "The Ballad of the Archer and the Fox," per the same Flatiron series page.
Who is involved and what the series encompasses
Stephanie Garber is the author of the Caraval trilogy and the Once Upon a Broken Heart series, both published by Flatiron Books. The Once Upon a Broken Heart series — which follows Evangeline Fox and Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, through a world ruled by ancient beings called Fates — is part of the same fictional universe as Caraval, as noted by Bookish Wayfarer. The series is a #1 New York Times bestseller, according to the Flatiron series page. The illustrations for the novella are provided by Lotusbubble, whose work features across all twenty full-page interior spreads.
Context: where the series stands
The first book in the Once Upon a Broken Heart series established Evangeline Fox as a protagonist whose pursuit of love draws her into a bargain with Jacks, the Prince of Hearts — with escalating consequences across subsequent volumes. Liberty Patriot Press previously reported on the series' expansion, noting that Garber announced a third installment in September 2022. The new novella extends that continuity into a fourth entry. Per The Bean Workshop, Garber's books have already been translated into more than thirty languages, and The Mirror of Infinite Endings is confirmed to launch simultaneously in Brazil, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, and Poland — a coordinated international release that the same outlet reported as notable for a novella-length title. For an assessment of the first book in the series, see LuvemBooks' review of Once Upon a Broken Heart.
What to watch
The September 2026 release window, flagged by New Books Alert, means the novella arrives alongside the deluxe collectible reissue of book one — giving booksellers and readers two distinct entry points to the series in the same season. The simultaneous multi-country launch, as reported by The Bean Workshop, will be a concrete measure of the series' international publishing footprint. Full pre-order and retailer details are available via the Flatiron Books series page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Once Upon a Broken Heart worth reading in 2026?
Yes, especially with the new novella The Mirror of Infinite Endings returning to the same universe. Once Upon a Broken Heart earns a 4.2/5 at LuvemBooks for its lyrical prose and emotionally complex protagonist, making it a strong choice for fantasy romance readers who value atmosphere and character depth.
What is Once Upon a Broken Heart about?
Once Upon a Broken Heart follows Evangeline Fox, a young woman who makes a dangerous bargain with a Fate — a powerful, ancient being — in order to prevent the love of her life from marrying someone else. The story unfolds in a richly imagined world where magic, fate, and heartbreak are deeply intertwined.
Who should read Once Upon a Broken Heart?
This book is ideal for readers who love lush, atmospheric fantasy romance with a morally complex edge. Fans of Stephanie Garber's Caraval trilogy will feel immediately at home, as will readers who enjoy worlds built around bargains, fate, and high emotional stakes. Those who require tightly consistent magical systems may find some frustration.
What is The Mirror of Infinite Endings and how does it connect to Once Upon a Broken Heart?
The Mirror of Infinite Endings is a novella by Stephanie Garber published by Flatiron Books in 2026 that returns to the Once Upon a Broken Heart universe. As reported in Beautiful Books' May 2026 news roundup, it was announced as a direct continuation of that world, offering fans a new story set in the same magical setting.
Do I need to read the full Once Upon a Broken Heart series before The Mirror of Infinite Endings?
While the novella is announced as a return to the OUABH world, readers new to the series would benefit from starting with Once Upon a Broken Heart to understand the universe's rules, characters, and emotional landscape. The original book also stands strongly on its own as an entry point to Garber's fantasy romance work.
How does Once Upon a Broken Heart compare to Stephanie Garber's Caraval series?
Both series share Garber's signature lyrical prose and immersive world-building, but Once Upon a Broken Heart leans more heavily into romantic consequence and moral complexity. Many readers consider the OUABH world slightly darker and more emotionally ambitious than Caraval, though the stylistic DNA is unmistakably the same author.
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