The best-selling and critically acclaimed novel We Were Liars by E. Lockhart tells the twisted story of a seemingly perfect family that hides dark secrets.
This collection of book recommendations encompasses similar themes of drama and intrigue while featuring complex characters, alluring backdrops, and spellbinding narratives.
1. Sadie by Courtney Summers
When runaway Sadie goes missing in search of a gruesome killer, a radio personality transforms the search into a national thriller, full of clues for all the world to decipher.
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2. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
When Samantha passes away from a terrible accident, she's surprised to discover that she gets seven more chances to set things right. This wildly popular ghostly story was turned into a major motion picture and recognized as the Best Book of the Year by Amazon.
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3. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Everyone in the entire town of Fairview knows Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal. But when Pip decided to reexamine the evidence for a school project, she discovers there is a darker side to the story than anyone had imagined.
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4. Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer
When Jam Gallahue loses her British boyfriend, Reeve Maxfield, she is sent to a boarding school to overcome her grief. Full of poetry, teenage angst, and enduring romance, this ambitious novel makes for a captivating read.
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5. The Cellar by Natasha Preston
Summer and three other girls are trapped in a basement by a kidnapper in this fast-paced thriller that is full of hope despite the dark themes.
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6. The Female of the Species by Mandy McGinnis
Award-winning author Mindy McGinnis delivers the exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story of Alex, a damaged girl who leaves bloodless bodies in her wake.
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7. Family of Liars by E. Lockhart
This prequel to the break-out psychological thriller, We Were Liars, recounts the gruesome family history of the seemingly perfect Sinclairs.
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8. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
If you knew you were going to die, would you be able to live a lifetime in a single day? That's the fascinating premise of this book about two boys who become friends for life.
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9. The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller
This tale of history, adventure, and love from debut author Madeline Miller speaks to the enduring nature of classic Greek epics such as the Illiad and the Oddysey.
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10. Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
Charlotte has experienced more loss in her short life than most people do in a lifetime. This tale of grief, heartbreak, redemption, and family death will keep readers engrossed for hours.
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11. The Forgotten Girls by Sara Blaedel
This addictive must-read mystery is a puzzling story of a horrific murder where the facts don't add up and the truth is stranger than fiction.
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12. One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
When five students walk into a detention hall but one of them doesn't walk out, it will take a team of investigators to solve the hardest mystery they've ever come across.
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13. People Meet Vacation by Emily Henry
Poppy and Alex are friends who have been vacationing together for over a decade but haven't talked about the elephant in the room: their potential for romantic love.
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14. Red, White & Royal Blue: A Novel by Casey McQuiston
When two princes from warring family dynasties fall in love, they learn the importance of self-acceptance and authenticity despite being ostracized by their own parents.
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15. The Dead Girl by Melanie Thernstrom
A murder confession leads to a gripping exploration of the nature of evil in this dark mystery novel.
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16. The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther
A family vacation is a colorful backdrop for this story of strained ties, unrequited love, and honoring a family's legacy.
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17. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
When Nora takes her life out of desperation, she visits the afterlife and discovers all the ways her life could have unfolded and what may have made it worth living in the first place.
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18. Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone
Sam may look like the popular girls in her class but she is hiding a dark secret: she has OCD and is consumed by dark thoughts that don't have an off switch. But will her eccentric new friend and budding love of poetry be enough to help overcome her disorder?
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19. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
This supernatural thriller tells the tale of Addie who makes a deal with the devil for everlasting life but is cursed to be instantly forgotten by her loved ones.
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20. Clique Bait by Ann Valett
Chloe is bent on discovering the secrets of the popular clique and revealing them to her entire school. But her plans are derailed when she develops feelings for a sworn enemy.
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25 Teacher-Approved Kids Books about the Library