What to Read After We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

We Were Liars is currently available to watch on telly; the full eight-episode series dropped on Prime Video UK on 18 June 2025. In case you missed the memo, the psychological thriller adaptation produced by Prime Video, developed by Julie Plec & Carina Adly MacKenzie follows Cadence Sinclair Eastman whose idyllic summers with her cousins and friend on a private island take a dark turn following a mysterious accident and memory loss. Critics have described it as “Succession‑lite” – a soapy, twisty teen melodrama with emotional gut punches.

But of course, the book came first. And please please read that before watching the show. In the UK, We Were Liars by E. Lockhart was first published in May 2014 and we loved it here at LoveReading from day one, declaring it one of our books of the year, a gripping story with a brilliantly shocking ending.

Rich, beautiful, privileged – the Sinclair clan seem to have it all. For Cadence and her cousins that means long hot summers on their special holiday island. Days of swimming and picnics and parties. But around them swirl the problems of their parents and particularly, the complex issues of their inheritance. When Cadence hits her head in an accident she can’t remember anything about how it might have happened; a whole section of her life is missing. It is only when she goes back to the family island that the truth slowly and painfully becomes clear.

Emma Matthewson, Editor-at-Large at Hot Key Books commented, "This has been one of those books that just sucked everybody in from the moment we started reading. E. Lockhart has written a book of contrasts and of many parts, and that is what makes this book so very, very extraordinary and addictive. It is a book that was born to be talked about."

LoveReading Guest Editor Chris Whitaker selected it as one of his favourite reads ever, commenting, "I’m a sucker for a mystery, and am a huge fan of YA fiction, and in We Were Liars we try and pluck the truth from a wash of glossy lies as teen Cadence pieces together the trauma of a summer accident that tore her life apart."

What to Read After We Were Liars

If you're a fan of a twisty plot, unreliable narrator, and emotional shockwaves, here is a sleection of books you just have to read next.

If We Were Liars by E. Lockhart left you reeling, gasping, spiralling at the twist, nursing a book hangover, and wanting more, you're not alone. We all did too. This bestselling YA novel delivers an unforgettable blend of privileged family drama, psychological mystery, and emotional intensity, all wrapped in lyrical prose and a devastating reveal.

So what comes next?

Here at LoveReading we've rounded up a list of smart, twisty, emotionally-charged reads that hit many of the same notes: unreliable narrators, buried secrets, summer settings, and stories that will break your heart (in the very best possible way).

Family of Liars by E Lockhart

What better place to start than the instant New York Times bestseller and prequel to We Were Liars. Return to the story of another summer, another generation, and the secrets that will haunt them for decades to come. But you must, must, must read We Were Liars first.

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

If you loved the mystery element of We Were Liars, step into Bayview High, where five students walk into detention—and only four walk out. Packed with secrets, lies, and a compelling whodunit structure, this is perfect for readers craving suspense with strong character drama.

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

For those who fell in love with We Were Liars' dreamy, nostalgic summer setting, Jenny Han’s coming-of-age trilogy offers another beachside world of love, loss, and self-discovery. Plus a love triangle that will tug at your emotions.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

A gripping, layered mystery where a teen investigates a closed murder case for her school project, only to find it may not be closed at all. Smart, addictive, and full of twists, it’s perfect for fans of Lockhart’s sharp plotting.

Circle of Liars by Kate Francis

Stacked with shocking twists, this is the perfect YA summer read for fans of super-tense thrillers. Rippling with suspicion, paranoia, and the excruciation of having to make impossible decisions in the name of self-preservation, Circle of Liars is a thrillingly tense and wildly unexpected rollercoaster.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Though technically adult fiction, this beautifully written novel explores family secrets, identity, and grief in a way that resonates deeply with older YA readers. It's quietly devastating, and full of emotional truth.

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We Were Liars is the kind of novel that lingers long after the final page. If you’re looking to recreate that sense of emotional impact and narrative mystery, these books promise the same blend of heart, heartbreak, and haunting twists.