Unfortunately this was a DNF.
I didn't DNF because I wasn't enjoying it, not by any means, but instead it just wasn't the right time for me to read it as I fell into a massive slump. However I'm definitely going to pick this back up again at some point in the future as I have so far enjoyed what I have read.

We Were Liars was an iconic twisty-turny read, beloved by so many of my students, this prequel (which *must* be read after, not before WWL) is a strong return to the world of the Sinclair family. Set in 1987, we find out why the family became the way they are. Delicious schadenfreude-ladden escapism, I'd recommend 14 years and above.

Great sequel to We Were Liars. It has been several years since I read the last book but that didn’t matter as I got straight into this story and loved delving deeper into the family’s secrets.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really loved We Were Liars so when I heard there was going to be a prequel novel I knew I had to read it.

Lockhart has this amazing way of writing that just has you hooked and needing to know more.

I can't say too much in fear of spoiling the story but if you enjoyed We Were Liars then you need to pick this one up!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After loving the initial book in the series, I was excited to get started on this one. It was a slow burner, one I put down for a few months and then, determinedly, picked back up to finish. I have to admit, the last quarter of the book turned it around and felt back to the original draws of the first book. A great ending but much to slow throughout the main story.

I wasn't sure how to feel about this going into it since we were Liars came out so long ago. However this was a lot of fun and gave good insight into the family and their dark past. Obviously I don't want to give away anything that happens but let's just say this family has always been messed up and it's no wonder the situation in we were Liars happened when the parents were just as dark and messed up.

As usual Lockhart triumphs in creating a delciously twisty unreliable narrator, which is laudable.
Family Of Liars is the prequel to We Were Liars and takes us back into that secluded, priviledged world of an island near Martha's Vineyard where entitled kids act out their teenage angst.
This was an easy to read book which touched on some societal issues like racism and hompohobia. However, I felt that unlike many other YA novels I've read, these issues semed 'thrown in' yet never fully developed as themes. I kept expecting there to be more of an exploration of them, but each time these were referenced it was in a transitory way which left me wanting to know more about how these issues affected the teens in question.
Other issues like gaslighting, peer pressure, toxic relationships were explored more fully, but still within the very narrow context of a slither of priviledged society.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it because the imagery is beautiful and it was intriguing to catch a glimpse of how the other half lives.

I wasn't sure whether or not "We Were Liars" actually needed a prequel but having read it, I was really glad it wasn't up to me!

This was a really enjoyable read which had me rethinking what I thought was happening constantly.

One minor warning, this contains spoilers for We Were Liars so approach with caution!

On a small secluded Beechwood Island off the coast of Massachusetts, the Sinclair summers are full of fun, family, and adventure. Until three new guests come to holiday and things are never the same again…

I really loved We We’re Liars when I first read it and couldn’t wait to read the prequel.

I loved the atmosphere of this book, the luxury and care free nature of a summer without responsibility. The dynamic between Carrie and her sisters was interesting to read and I love rich people family drama. I really enjoyed reading this, it was fun and everyone was flawed. It has also made me want to reread We We’re Liars to see if there were any Easter eggs I missed because it’s been so long since I’ve read it.

The one thing I will say is that this does contain spoilers for We We’re Liars so if you haven’t read that one, go and do that first!

Family of Liars is the prequel of We Were Liars, where we skip back a generation. Summer at Sinclair Island, where it seems that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to betrayal and liars.
I really enjoyed this book, I felt totally wrapped up in the story, it was paced well and it was full of suspense.
I did wonder how this would pan out when I heard it was a prequel to the original, however, E. Lockhart did it again, it was fantastic!

This book had me stumped. Sitting smug and thinking I had it all thought out, the author put me in my place. Finally we have a thriller that will keep you your toes.

This is the prequel to We were Liars centring around the story of another summer which will haunt the family for decades to come. The Sinclair family visit a private island off Massachusetts each summer - this year three boys join them with devastating consequences.

I enjoyed We were Liars so felt I wanted to read this - I however struggled to feel any empathy for the family despite their losses and was not invested in the story.

Ahhhh I wanted to love this so much but just couldn’t. I think I’ll revisit at a later date! I found it trickier to get into but think that’s on me and not the book! Will rewrite review when I inevitably read and love it

Having read and loved We Were Liars when it first came out, I was really surprised to learn that there was another book in the series! I’ve been wanting to reread We Were Liars since I finished it, so this felt like a perfect opportunity to get back into that world, and I was grateful for the opportunity to get drawn back into Lockhart’s writing! Unfortunately, for me, this didn’t have quite the same pull as the original, taking longer to get into and to build bonds with the characters. This made it more difficult to pick up consistently compared with We Were Liars which I devoured in just a day or two. A good read for those who have enjoyed the original, but not one to read as a standalone without the wider context!

Welcome back to the Sinclair family , this takes you back a generation and to a summer on the private island where romance and betrayal will change their lives forever

Actual rating 4.5/5 stars.

First Thoughts:
BREAK MY HEART. Thank you kindly.

Second Thoughts:
Yardley is an icon who deserves her own novel.

Final Thoughts:
This was not quite as traumatising as its prequel, We Were Liars, for me personally, but still displayed a focus on a wide array of issues, interspersed with scenes of summer fun and how the white and wealthy live. There is something so compelling about reading about the genuinely hard-hitting and the eye-roll worthy 'woe betide me' side-be-side.

One thing I'm especially enjoying about this book is how accurate the teen dialogue sounded. Conversations are littered with 'like', and awkward pauses, and slightly immature humour, and it all felt so real. I actually love pretentious teens in some other YA books, such as those penned by John Green, but it is also refreshing to find authenticity here.

As a teacher, my pupils absolutely loved We Were Liars. I was very much looking forward to this and left feeling slightly underwhelmed. This may be because I had forgotten a lot of the plot to the sequel and so perhaps missed the point?
YA readers would definitely enjoy!

I have to be honest the writing style was something I didn't enjoy and this spoilt the book for me. This book wasn't for me but I appreciate the opportunity to have read it. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

I read this novel straight after reading We we’re Liars, I didn’t enjoyed it as much, but it’s still a great story and if you enjoyed ‘We were Liars’ you will enjoy discovering more about the three sisters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for letting me review this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you enjoyed ‘We were Liars’, you’ll love ‘Family of Liars’. Compulsively readable, this story is evocative of a rich, lazy summer on an island off Martha’s Vineyard. All seems perfect on the surface, but dark secrets lurk under the veneer and not everyone will escape the summer unscathed.