If You Loved We Were Liars, Read These Books Next

E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars left many readers reeling — and craving more. With its unreliable narrator, tragic twists, and eerie, emotional undertones, it’s no surprise this novel became a cult favorite among YA fans. If you’re looking to recapture that same atmospheric magic, haunting storytelling, or emotional gut-punch, here are several books that belong at the top of your TBR pile.

1. One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Vibe: High school mystery, multiple POVs, secrets unraveling

In a modern-day Breakfast Club with a deadly twist, five students walk into detention — only four make it out. With everyone under suspicion and secrets slowly leaking, this whodunit is impossible to put down. If you loved the suspense and shifting truths in We Were Liars, this one’s for you.

2. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Vibe: True crime meets high school sleuthing

Pip investigates a closed murder case in her small town for a school project — but what she uncovers is more twisted than she imagined. Like We Were Liars, this book dives deep into a seemingly perfect community hiding dark secrets.

3. The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Vibe: Dark academia, psychological thriller, elite social circle

Though more adult in tone, this cult classic shares many elements with We Were Liars: a privileged group, a narrator on the outside looking in, and a chilling spiral into tragedy. If you liked the poetic prose and slow-burning tension, this might be your next obsession.

4. Sadie by Courtney Summers

Vibe: Gritty, emotional, missing girl mystery

Told through a podcast transcript and a heartbreaking first-person narrative, Sadie explores grief, vengeance, and trauma. Like We Were Liars, it’s deeply emotional and structurally creative — and it’ll leave you haunted long after the final page.

5. The Cousins by Karen M. McManus

Vibe: Family secrets, mysterious island, twisted legacy

A wealthy family. An estranged grandmother. A mysterious summer invitation to a private island. Sound familiar? This book echoes many elements of We Were Liars — including a tangled family past and a setting full of secrets.

6. The Girls Are All So Nice Here by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

Vibe: Toxic friendships, past meets present, psychological suspense

Two college friends are reunited at their ten-year reunion — but someone knows what they did back then. This one leans more adult, but fans of We Were Liars will appreciate its exploration of identity, guilt, and manipulation.

7. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Vibe: Time loops, redemption, emotional resonance

This Groundhog Day-style YA novel follows Samantha as she relives the day of her death over and over, trying to right wrongs and understand the people around her. Beautifully written and emotionally devastating — much like Lockhart’s style.

8. The Lying Game by Ruth Ware

Vibe: Atmospheric, boarding school past, secrets resurface

Four women are bound by a lie from their past at a boarding school. When that past comes back to haunt them, everything unravels. Ruth Ware’s adult psychological thriller is perfect for We Were Liars fans wanting something a little more mature but just as gripping.

Bonus Pick: Family of Liars by E. Lockhart

Vibe: Prequel perfection

Can’t get enough of the Sinclair family? This prequel dives into the older generation’s secrets, adding context and tragedy to the original novel. You’ll see how the lies began — and it’s just as dreamy and devastating.

Final Thoughts

If We Were Liars left you emotionally wrecked and craving more books with unreliable narrators, jaw-dropping twists, and complex relationships — you’re not alone. These titles offer similar vibes in unique packages, ready to pull you in and leave you breathless.

Have a favorite book with We Were Liars energy? Share it in the comments!