Name: Zoe Smolen's review of Family of Liars: The Prequel to We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Item: Family of Liars: The Prequel to We Were Liars
Rating: 5
Author: Zoe Smolen

E. Lockhart

The thrilling prequel to the TikTok phenomenon and #1 New York Times bestseller We Were Liars takes readers back to the story of another summer, another generation, and the secrets that will haunt them for decades to come. A windswept private island off the coast of Massachusetts. A hungry ocean, churning with secrets and sorrow. A fiery, addicted heiress. An irresistible, unpredictable boy. A summer of unforgivable betrayal and terrible mistakes. Welcome back to the Sinclair family. They were always liars.

Family of Liars: The Prequel to We Were Liars

Clara Côté

Zoe Smolen

Somewhere around a 4.5. 

I loved We Were Liars when it first came out. I reread it in preparation to read this and am glad I did to refresh myself with the Sinclair family. 

If you liked We Were Liars for the family drama and relations, I think there's a good chance you'll like this one too. If you liked We Were Liars for the plot twist, you might not love this one as much. 

The book spoils We Were Liars on the first page (so read that one first if you haven't and want to!) and uses what we learn in the first book as the set up for this second one. It's equally as sad, there's some great twists at the end, and there is lots of family drama and a dash of doomed romance

The writing style is similar as well with poetic moments interspersed through the narrative. In the ways that We Were Liars now feels a little dated reading it, Family of Liars does a good job at bringing the Sinclair family into modern conversations that teens want to have despite it being set in 1987. It's not perfect, but where We Were Liars fails to have conversations about privileges, this book explores that more. 

Lastly, Lockheart just does a great job at capturing the feeling of being a teen. The conversations feel real, the feelings are so deeply felt. It's clear to see why these books are such a hit with teen readers. 

I would pick up another book about the Sinclair family.

Thanks to the publishers for an ARC! Can't wait to get my special edition preorder!

Clara Côté &
Family of Liars: The Prequel to We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

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Clara Côté &Family of Liars: The Prequel to We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

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Clara Côté &
Family of Liars: The Prequel to We Were Liars by E. Lockhart