Family of Liars - E Lockhart (Prequel to We Were Liars)

Genre: New Adult | YA | Mystery | Thriller

Release Date: Expected 4th May 2022

Publisher: Bonnier Books

Welcome back to the Sinclair Family - they were always liars.

It's another beautiful summer on Beechwood Island and Caroline Taft Sinclair is drinking whiskey alone, trying to explain to her son Johnny why he died. But it's complicated, and to tell that story she'll have to unravel an endless web of lies and deceit, uncover all the skeletons buried on Beechwood and shine a light on the lies she told. Starting with that first lie she told herself about a boy all those years ago …

"I've been a liar all my life, you see. It's not uncommon in our family."

I read We We Liars almost as soon it came out back in 2014, and it's the one and only time I've ever thrown a book at a wall in rage. I've reread it countless times over the last 8 years, so it's safe to say I had very high expectations going into this - and that obviously, this book will contain major spoilers for We Were Liars, so read with caution.

From the first line, the distinctive voice that narrated We Were Liars was set and I recognised it right away - a unique, lyrical tone of voice that is so compelling and alienating at the same time. Every page is full of a strange, ethereal prose that feels like a fever dream. I was also very happy to see the story woven with fairy tales and folklore like its predecessor, taking and twisted the morals and lessons into something dark and terrifying.

A tale of family, of first and old loves - Carrie takes us back to her younger days and the beginnings and endings that happened on Beechwood before the homes we see in with Cadence in We Were Liars were even built.

Expect quiet discomfort, darkness hiding in the sunshine, and an entire family of liars that will leave you wondering if you can trust anything written on the pages.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was gifted an advanced reviewers copy of this title in return for an honest review.

CW: Death, Drugs, Alcohol, Surgery, Sexual Assault, Homophobia.

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