E. Lockhart's We Were Liars captivates with its lyrical prose and gripping plot, centered around a wealthy family's secrets. Reviewers praise its emotional depth and unexpected twists. Some readers criticize its pacing and find the narrative style disorienting, but many agree that the haunting conclusion leaves a lasting impact.

A reader who would enjoy We Were Liars by E. Lockhart is typically a young adult interested in psychological thrillers and contemporary fiction. Fans of E. Lockhart’s other works or novels like Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon, which blend mystery with emotional depth, will likely find this book captivating.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart follows nearly 18-year-old Cady Sinclair as she recounts her summers with her wealthy family on their private Beechwood Island. Cady spends her time with her cousins Johnny and Mirren, and family friend Gat, who becomes her love interest. After a traumatic accident at 15 leaves Cady with memory loss, she returns to the island, gradually uncovering the mystery of what happened and the dark family secrets buried there. The story includes topics of memory loss and trauma.

Private island, Massachusetts / Contemporary

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Bittersweet / Emotional / Melancholic

- We Were Liars won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fiction in 2014, recognizing its popularity and acclaim among readers.
- E. Lockhart wrote We Were Liars in a style heavily influenced by fairy tales, aiming to create a timeless, mythic story that would engage readers with its mysterious and emotional narrative.
- The book inspired a prequel titled Family of Liars, released in 2022, which delves into the events and backstories of the Sinclair family prior to the events of the original novel.

**Cady Sinclair**  
An 18-year-old girl from the affluent Sinclair family, who lives in Burlington, Vermont, and struggles with her family's values and the consequences of a tragic event involving her friends.

**Gat Patil**  
Cady's intellectual and justice-driven friend, who is connected to the Sinclair family through his father's relationship with Cady's aunt; his assertive nature makes him stand out in the family.

**Mirren Sinclair**  
Cady's kind-hearted cousin, known for her generosity and part of a close-knit group called the "Liars."

**Johnny Sinclair**  
Cady's caring cousin, who enjoys playful activities like playing with Legos, and is part of her close circle of friends.

**Penny Sinclair**  
Cady's mother, who embodies the Sinclair ideal of maintaining appearances, but also deeply cares for Cady and plays a crucial role in her recovery.

**Harris Sinclair**  
The patriarch of the Sinclair family, known for his financial power and strict adherence to family ideals, but also displays moments of openness.

**Tipper Sinclair**  
Cady's grandmother, noted for her beauty and association with wealth, with limited presence in the story.

**Bess Sinclair**  
One of Cady's aunts, known for instigating family conflicts over property and inheritance issues.

**Carrie Sinclair**  
Johnny's mother, who struggles with the aftermath of family tensions but is also involved in disputes over property.

**Taft, Will, Liberty, Bonnie**  
Bess's children, known collectively as the "Littles," who each exhibit varying characteristics and interactions with Cady.

**Ed**  
Gat's father and Carrie’s partner, who works in New York and feels unwelcome by the Sinclair family, underscoring the family's complex relationships.

E. Lockhart

Novel

We Were Liars

Fiction

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Before You Read

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Before You Read We Were Liars | SuperSummary

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Overview

We Were Liars explores Cadence’s search for truth amidst her wealthy family’s secrets, leading to shocking revelations on their secluded island estate.

We Were Liars Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1:“Welcome”

Part 1, Chapters 1-3

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We Were Liars Part 1, Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 4-5

We Were Liars Part 1, Chapters 4-5 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 6-10

We Were Liars Part 1, Chapters 6-10 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 11-15

We Were Liars Part 1, Chapters 11-15 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Vermont”

Part 2, Chapters 16-22

We Were Liars Part 2, Chapters 16-22 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Summer Seventeen”

Part 3, Chapters 23-27

We Were Liars Part 3, Chapters 23-27 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 28-33

We Were Liars Part 3, Chapters 28-33 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 34-40

We Were Liars Part 3, Chapters 34-40 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 41-49

We Were Liars Part 3, Chapters 41-49 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 50-57

We Were Liars Part 3, Chapters 50-57 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: "Look, a Fire"

Part 4, Chapters 58-63

We Were Liars Part 4, Chapters 58-63 Summary & Analysis

Part 4, Chapters 64-67

We Were Liars Part 4, Chapters 64-67 Summary & Analysis

Part 4, Chapters 68-74

We Were Liars Part 4, Chapters 68-74 Summary & Analysis

Part 4, Chapters 75-79

We Were Liars Part 4, Chapters 75-79 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Truth”

Part 5, Chapters 80-84

We Were Liars Part 5, Chapters 80-84 Summary & Analysis

Part 5, Chapters 85-87

We Were Liars Part 5, Chapters 85-87 Summary & Analysis

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We Were Liars Character Analysis

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We Were Liars

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