Book Reviews

Book Review: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Media Type: Ebook (ARC)
Title: We Were Liars
Author: E. Lockhart
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: Kindle; 227
Release Date: May 13, 2014
Source: NetGalley
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Content Screening: Adult Language; Mild Violence

HDB Rating: 5 Keys to My Heart

Recommended to: Readers who enjoy deep, poignant and original stories.

Add it on: Goodreads | Amazon | BookLikes

A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author, National Book Award finalist, and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.

Read it.
And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

Ah, where do I even begin with my passion for this book? How do I accurately express to you how much this book surprised me, and broke me apart? When We Were Liars first came out, and everyone was praising it, I was skeptical. I always am when a book seems perfect. I now know what all the hype was about. This book is perfect, or at least it was to me. It’s sad, it’s beautiful, and it’s full of so many sharp and bitter truths. I only hope this review does it some justice.

Cady, and the entire Sinclair family, came alive for me while I read this book. I saw their shimmering, golden outsides that only barely masked the vicious cracks running underneath. I fell in love with this family. Despite their flaws, despite their entitlement, I fell absolutely head over heels in love with them. Especially Cady. The “Liars”, as Cady lovingly calls the group of the four of them, sat in my mind long after I’d finished this book. Each with their own special quirks and faults. They’re still there too. I don’t think they’re ever going to leave.
Oh, and the pieces of this book that just got me with their brutal honesty were so plentiful that I stopped counting. They stabbed me with their sharp, poignant little truths that we all forget to consider. My favorite part was watching as the Liars realized the reality of their situation. That wealth and glamour don’t always make a happy life. These four were so wise beyond their years. Even while being silly, even while being teens, they spoke to me. I loved the line “Be a little kinder than you have to.” and I’ve been repeating it all day. This book broke my heart so many times, and I’m not even upset about it.
I would ramble on, but I can’t because I don’t want to spoil one moment of this book for you. It shocked me how much We Were Liars crawled under my skin and became a part of who I am now. I don’t run across books like this often. When I do, I savor them. Just like I did this one. Word of warning? Have tissues on hand, and quite possibly a fuzzy blanket to curl up under. You’re going to need them.




FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.