Emily has a PhD in English from the University of Southern Mississippi, MS, and she has an MFA in Creative Writing from GCSU in Milledgeville, GA, home of Flannery O’Connor. She spends her free time reading, watching horror movies and musicals, cuddling cats, Instagramming pictures of cats, and blogging/podcasting about books with the ladies over at #BookSquadGoals (www.booksquadgoals.com). She can be reached at emily.ecm@gmail.com.
Everyone is talking about We Were Liars, the Prime Video show based on the novel by E. Lockhart. The entire first season dropped on June 18, and that twist and cliffhanger ending has everyone wondering what’s next for the series. Yes, the season wrapped up a lot of mysteries and answered questions, but the door is still open for more exploration of the world of the Liars.
E. Lockhart told Hollywood Reporter. “I don’t have any news to share about season two yet. [But] it’s not a limited series!” So there is some hope for more! And there is more material for the show to pull from; Lockhart has written a prequel called Family of Liars, and a sequel, We Fell Apart, is coming later this year.
But we know how long these things can take, and in the meantime, you might be looking for more twisty YA novels to fill that We Were Liars-sized hole in your heart. Here are some other young adult novels with surprising twists that you’ll love. Bonus: some of them have also been adapted into series and films!
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Maddy Whittier is an 18-year-old girl living with her mom in suburban Los Angeles. But she’s not just your average teen. She’s being treated for an immune disorder, and her mother doesn’t allow her to leave the house. Then, a new family moves in next door, and they have a son Maddy’s age. Olly makes eye contact with Maddy through a window, and from there, nothing will ever be the same. In Olly, Maddy sees all the possibilities that the outside world could offer her, and she wants to experience it all.
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
One of Us is Lying is a murder mystery with surprising twists. One Monday afternoon, five students walk into detention. Only four of them will make it out alive. Before the end of detention, Simon, the notorious creator of Bayview High’s gossip app, has died. And his death wasn’t an accident. Everyone else in detention had a reason for wanting Simon dead. But they all say they didn’t do it. Someone has to be lying, but which one is it?
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A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
If you love YA thrillers and true crime podcasts like Serial, then A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is the book for you. Andie Bell was a high school senior when she was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then took his own life. Or, at least, that’s the story everyone in Fairview has been telling for the past five years. Pip is not so sure that Sal was the murderer, and now that Pip is a high school senior herself, she is ready to prove Sal’s innocence. But not everyone in Fairview is so happy that Pip is digging for the truth.
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
If you like the psychological thriller side of We Were Liars, you won’t be able to put down Tiffany D. Jackson’s White Smoke. Marigold is haunted by the ghosts of her past, but when her family moves from California to the midwestern city of Cedarville, everyone sees this as an opportunity for a fresh start. Marigold’s mom is starting a new job, and their house on Maple Street is so idyllic it seems too good to be true. And maybe it is. Everyone else in the town seems to think something is up on Maple Street, and Marigold keeps hearing strange noises and voices in the house. And her 10-year-old stepsister Piper keeps talking about a friend who wants to be rid of Marigold.
These books should keep you entertained while you wait for more news about We Were Liars season 2! And make sure to keep your eyes peeled. We’ll be back with more adaptation news whenever it’s available!
English (US) · 