I really enjoyed how it fit into the world that e. lockhart created with We Were Liars. The vibes are all there to keep you guessing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I had to give this 3 stars, one because it wasn’t as good as the other two in this series, and two for the animal cruelty. That was so unnecessary; and it happened twice in this book! I know sadly these things can happen in real life, but it does not need to be put in there. She writes about it in a lot of her books which is very upsetting to me.

Other than that she just has such a unique way of writing! It’s hard to put my finger on it, but it is very much her. And I can get behind it for the most part. She has a beautiful way of storytelling.

I didn’t think this story very shocking. It was pretty slow moving too.

June annoyed me, I thought her way of thinking was not very great. I think that was the point of her character, but still, she was very off-putting.

Meer was a sweet brother, but very childish. I liked how kind Matilda was to him.

Brock wasn’t in it very much. He was a cool and funny character, but I wanted more out of him.

I really liked Tatum and I thought him and Matilda had a really interesting relationship, but I didn’t really feel the romantic chemistry between them. Their dynamic was really cool, but I thought they were better as just friends.

I loved Holland! She was a great character, I wish she was in it more.

Matilda was fine, but I didn’t love her. I thought it was really cool that she was really in into video games and could design her own things with it, but I didn’t get very attached to her.

Saar was the secret MVP of the novel. Matilda should have treated him better. Not that she was ever actually bad to him, but she should have updated him more. He was so sweet and seemed like such a nice guy.

It says that this can be a standalone novel, but personally, I do not think it should be. You can understand it easy enough because it is different characters, but it called back to a lot of things that happened in “We Were Liars” and “Family Of Liars.”I thought there would just be one or two references to those novels, but a huge part of the story was about them. So if you read this one first, you get spoiled majorly for the other two books and if you read it without reading the other two, you are missing out on a ton of stuff so you won’t get much out of the book. I highly suggest reading the other two before you read this one. Otherwise there is no payoff to this story, in my opinion.

I wouldn’t say this was a waste of a read because at points I was really entertained and was curious what was going on, but at other point I was kind of bored and didn’t see where the story was going.

It ended a little too abruptly for me, at least the main climax of the book did. A major thing happened and then it was kind of like okay that is done. And Matilda didn’t really react much to it. Which is kind of understandable, but I still think it ended too quickly.

It’s so short that it doesn’t hurt to read it, but if you skip out on it, you aren’t really missing much.

I thought the ending had a good message, but I didn’t connect to this one very much overall.

We Fell Apart by E. Lockhart has all the ingredients for a fast, engaging read: a mysterious invitation, a long-lost family, a crumbling seaside estate, and secrets that twist like vines through every chapter. On paper, this should have been a book I devoured in a weekend. But in reality, I found myself struggling to pick it back up once I set it down.
The premise is undeniably compelling—Matilda, suddenly invited to Hidden Beach by the father she's never met, is thrown into a world of estranged siblings, hidden motives, and emotional wreckage. Lockhart sets the tone with her signature moody, lyrical style, which many readers love. And if you are a fan of her unique voice and fragmented narrative approach, I truly think this book will hit the mark for you.
For me, though, the writing style just didn’t work. That's a personal preference rather than a flaw in the book itself. The prose felt a bit too stylized and distanced, keeping me from fully connecting with the characters or the emotional core of the story. I often found myself wishing for more depth or momentum.
That said, there is a lot to admire here: the haunting atmosphere of Hidden Beach, the slow unraveling of long-buried family truths, and the way Lockhart explores identity and belonging through Matilda's eyes. The twists kept me curious, even if I wasn’t fully invested in the execution.
Overall, this is a solid read for those who enjoy Lockhart’s storytelling style and layered, character-driven mysteries. While it didn’t quite land for me, I can absolutely see it resonating with the right reader.

This is the third book in the We Were Liars universe, while it’s a part of the same world, this book introduces new characters and a new storyline. The story centers on Matilda, who receives a mysterious invitation, travels to Hidden Beach to meet her father. This book carries Lockhart’s psychological suspense atmospheric setting, and exploration of family secrets. Overall, the mystery aspect is more of a quiet, background element and it focuses more on Matilda’s emotion journey and the theme of finding family.

Fans of Family of Liars will appreciate this outside perspective into the family. Like her other novels, this one will keep readers guessing until the very end.

The story grabbed my attention from the start with its hook and the characters. The idea behind the book was really good, but I don’t think it was well executed. I started to lose interest around the middle and it kind of felt long to read afterwards. While the ending was interesting it didn’t leave me fully satisfied. The plot twist also didn’t surprised me as much as the twists in the other books from the series. Additionally, I didn't like June that much and was not resonating with her at all .

When Matilda receives a surprise invitation from the father she’s never met, she journeys to Hidden Beach hoping to uncover her identity. Instead of Kingsley, she finds a cast of troubled souls—including a lost brother, a haunted actor, and a hostile stranger—each guarding secrets of their own. As the summer unfolds, Matilda is drawn into the eerie mystery of the seaside sanctuary and the tangled truths it conceals. In a place where lies flow as freely as the tide, she must decide how far she’s willing to go to find the truth.

*Thank you NetGalley, E. Lockhart and Random House Children's Books for an eARC of We Fell Apart.

Though the author specifies at the very beginning of the story that this is a stand-alone story but takes place in the same world and time period as We Were Liars, I would highly recommend reading the first book before you read this one. If you would read We Fell Apart first, it would ruin the twist at the end of We Were Liars. I do appreciate E Lockhart putting a statement as such at the beginning of the story.

Matilda just graduated high school and plans to attend a college in California to major in video design. Matilda is invited to Hidden Beach the summer before college starts to meet her biological father for the first time. She knows very little about her father. Her mother has always uprooted Matilda every couple of years to live with a new, exciting boyfriend. Matilda actually decided to stay with her mother’s ex-boyfriend her senior year instead of moving with her mother. Matilda simply wants to be someone’s first priority. According to her mother, her father didn’t want anything to do with her. Her mother has always put her own needs and wants first. Matilda’s boyfriend broke up with her a few months ago due to her being too intense. Matilda is hoping this trip to Hidden Beach will give her a better sense of family.

“…I want my father to see me. To redeem me. To help me find my place in the world, when I have always been on the move. To help me understand my own mind, how I go so deep into games that the rest of the world falls away, how I am so full of rage and want and righteousness and loss, standing on the brink of my own future. I want him to give me the weapons I need to conquer the levels ahead. I want him to have the answer to Matilda Avalon Klein.”

“I don’t feel like she’s [Matilda’s mother] my family anymore. I mean, she is. We will always have our blood tie. But blood ties are just what you make of them.”

Things are strange from the point of her flight landing at Hidden Beach. Matilda somehow finds her father’s “castle” even with the very generic instructions with no specific address. She finds out that she has a brother the same age as her. Her father is currently in Europe and doesn’t have a return date. She gets sedated the first night she is at the “castle”. She finds herself having more questions than answers as the days and weeks go by waiting for her father to return.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I loved all the Easter eggs left from We Were Liars (some more hidden than others). You get more of a background story of the Sinclair family. We Were Liars and We Fell Apart are very well connected. Anyone who fell in love (or fell in hate) with We Were Liars are definitely going to want to pick this book up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Press for providing me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

I adored E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars and Family of Liars, so I dove into We Fell Apart with high expectations. And while the mystery definitely kept me intrigued, the overall experience didn’t quite hit the same highs—mostly because I just couldn’t connect with the main character, Matilda.

The premise is promising: Matilda leaves sunny California to spend part of her summer vacation at a mysterious castle in Hidden Beach, finally hoping to meet her elusive painter father, Kingsley. But when she arrives? No Kingsley. Just a crumbling castle full of secrets.

While the setup had me curious, Matilda as a protagonist fell flat for me. Her sudden romance with one of the boys felt way too rushed and kind of came out of nowhere. That said, I did really enjoy her dynamic with her half-brother, Meer—he’s a total scene-stealer, and I found myself looking forward to every moment he was on the page.

One of the coolest things about We Fell Apart is its unexpected connection to the Sinclair family from the previous books. I won’t spoil how, but it’s subtle, smart, and gives longtime fans something to chew on by the end.

If you’re already invested in the world of We Were Liars, this book is definitely worth the read. You can read it as a standalone (Lockhart gives you just enough context), but the experience is richer if you’ve read the previous books.

Not my favorite in the series, but still worth picking up for the atmospheric mystery and those trademark Lockhart twists.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

So with We Were Liars(4 Stars) out on Prime, I thought this might be the beachy summer mystery I needed. Sadly I set the bar too high and this stand alone novel fell short.

The good: I finished the book, it was interesting but it didn’t shock me or wow me with the”twist” or the ending. The writing wasn’t bad, it was more of the plot was boring. I liked for the most part the characters. The romance was okay.

The eh: I didn’t really feel anything about anyone except for Matilda who is our main character. I wanted to feel more for Meer but I couldn’t. The ending was wrapped up to nicely. I needed a bit more.

Overall it was okay. Fans of We were Liars will like it.

This is obviously the most disconnected from the original characters which I was sad about at first because I love them but then I grew to love these guys too. The author just has a way of writing a quirky character that doesn’t get old and I love it. Now I want more seasons of the show based on these books.

Review also posted on goodreads

If you loved We Were Liars, you’ll love this one too! Set at the same time, at an island adjacent, a girl searches for the father who abandoned her, in hopes of learning more about who she is through him. What follows is a wild adventure with her newfound friends and family in the search for the elusive Kingsley Cello. Though sad and at times, tragic, it’s mostly the story of finding and creating your family, whether or not you share the same blood. Fans of E. Lockhart will highly enjoy this book as they continue to learn more about the Sinclair family. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

While the book is set in the same world and shortly after the events of We Were Liars and Family of Liars, one does not need to read those books to fully appreciate this one. I wish I had reread WWL or at least FOL before reading to brush up on family lore, but it did not take away from my appreciation of the book.

I've loved E. Lockhart since I first read Disreputable History. they can shift between genres and hit the mark every time.

Matilda is on her way to Hidden Beach after a email from her estranged father pops into her inbox asking her to visit. When she gets there, her father is supposedly in Italy for his work as an artist. She keeps asking, and he doesn't keep coming back. Everything she knows is likely a lie, and things keep falling apart.

In true E. Lockhart fashion, I did not see the twist coming. I didn't call the ending by the 50% mark. I felt like the middle dragged a bit, and then it mostly paid off in the end.

I am not sure how to feel about this book. I have really enjoyed this series of writing that this author has done and was intrigued to read this book as well. The book was interesting and kept me hooked but felt a little repetitive at times. I enjoy books like this for a quick and fun read after a more serious read so it definitely did just that. I enjoyed this book, and do think this author has amazing writing and knows how to keep an audience hooked.

E. Lockhart's "We Fell Apart" is a compelling and atmospheric addition to the world of "We Were Liars," offering a new mystery that explores the complexities of family, secrets, and identity. For readers who enjoy a character-driven story with a touch of gothic suspense, this book is a solid 4-star read that will keep you guessing until the very end.

The novel follows Matilda Klein, an 18-year-old recent high school graduate who feels adrift after her mother's latest abandonment. When she receives a surprise invitation from the father she's never known, the reclusive and famous artist Kingsley Cello, she travels to his seaside home, Hidden Beach, hoping to find a sense of belonging. Instead of her father, she finds a strange and captivating household: her long-lost half-brother, Meer; a former child star, Brock, who is battling his own demons; and the brooding Tatum, who makes it clear she's not welcome. As Matilda gets drawn deeper into the secrets of Hidden Beach and the lives of its inhabitants, she realizes that everyone has something to hide, and the truth may be more dangerous than she ever imagined.

"We Fell Apart" delves into themes of family, both biological and found, and what it means to be responsible for one another. Lockhart masterfully creates a moody and suspenseful atmosphere, filled with lyrical prose and a sense of unease that permeates every page. The characters are complex and flawed, each with their own motivations and secrets, making it difficult to know who to trust. While some readers may find the pacing a bit slow at times, the intricate plot and the desire to uncover the truth will keep you turning the pages.

For fans of "We Were Liars," this book offers a new perspective on the Sinclair family and their world, with subtle connections and references that are sure to please. However, it also stands on its own as a compelling mystery. Overall, "We Fell Apart" is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that will stay with you long after you've finished reading. It is a must-read for fans of E. Lockhart and anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller with a strong emotional core.

We Fell Apart is a moody and atmospheric return to E. Lockhart’s world of family secrets, summer drama, and gothic suspense. The Martha’s Vineyard setting is vivid and immersive, and the mix of mystery and romance kept me turning the pages. While a few plot points felt predictable and some characters were hard to connect with, the writing style and emotional undercurrent made this a compelling read. Fans of We Were Liars will enjoy slipping back into this tangled web of lies, love, and betrayal.

I really enjoyed this book. After the first book this has to be my second favorite. I liked being in the world of we were liars and having it be an entirely different group of characters and personalities. Did not expect the twist that was coming but that’s the best way to do it.

I really enjoyed stepping back into the world of We Were Liars, with We Fell Apart unfolding through a new set of characters. The opening is just as compelling, and the author’s whimsical, lyrical style once again gives the story an eerie, haunting quality. I kept wondering if there was a villain, who it might be, and what was truly happening on their stretch of Martha’s Vineyard. Without spoiling anything, I don’t think We Were Liars will ever be topped. That said, We Fell Apart stood strong on its own, and even if the twists didn’t land quite as hard, I still found myself fully caught up in the story.

The book brought back all the feels of reading the first two books! I do believe she has another blockbuster on her hands! I went through a range of emotions while reading this book, but mostly it left me feeling a sense of sadness. I can only imagine the pain of growing up without either parent being present in my everyday life. Matilda is one of those characters who makes you cheer for them to overcome whatever is flung at them. She is a character who has no idea how strong she truly is until she's forced to see it. I think Meer reaching out to her was the best thing that ever happened to her, along with meeting Tatum, that is. It does break my heart that she never got to know her father, but she gets to be in her brother's life. I absolutely love the connections to the characters in the first book, and I did a complete mouth drop when it was announced that Kingsley was actually Kincaid Sinclair! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of the book, and I will be putting it on my classroom library shelf along with the two companion books.

I had read awhile ago the author was done with the Sinclair family story and there would be no more installments, so I was surprised and thrilled to see this was coming.

I loved it almost as much as We Were Liars and Family of Liars. It was cool to have a book set in the Sinclair universe immediately following the tragedy without actually being a sequel and continuation of their story.

Side note: Matilda and company finding a random (to them!) lemon on Beechwood gutted me!

The quiet mystery and haunting, poetic writing style of this whole series is part of what attracts me to it. I did guess one of the twists pretty easily, but that didn’t prevent me from enjoying how it played out.

Thanks Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.