Matilda Klein feels lost. Her mom has abandoned her to live in a different country with her new boyfriend, Matilda is living with her mom's most recent ex boyfriend, Matilda's boyfriend has just broken up her, and all of her friends have picked her ex-boyfriend's side. When a mysterious email comes from Matilda's biological father, a world renowned artist Kingsley Cleo, inviting her to meet him at his home in Martha's Vineyard, Matilda is more than ready to drop everything to meet the man she never knew existed. After arriving at Hidden Beach, Kingsley's estate, Matilda is surprised to learn not only that Kingsley isn't even there, but that she also has a half brother that is waiting to greet her when she arrives. Matilda is quick to discover that everything isn't quite what it seems at Hidden Beach, and that the secrets being kept may just tear the castle down.

We Fell Apart is a new novel that takes place in the We Were Liars universe. Taking place just 5 days after the events of We Were Liars, I was curious to find out just how interconnected the three books in the series really were. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that they were much more connected than I had initially believed they were going to be from the description. While this book is being advertised as being able to be read as a stand alone, I think reading We Were Liars and Family of Liars is imperative to fully understand some of the dynamics mentioned throughout the novel.

I really enjoyed We Fell Apart and feel like it was a good addition to the We Were Liars universe. Lockhart's unique writing styles shines throughout the book, weaving the story within a story element together as seamlessly as she did with the previous two novels in this series. I wish some of the characters were a bit more fleshed out, like Brock and Tatum. I know that we did get some of their backstory throughout the novel, but I just wish we could've gotten more. While We Fell apart didn't have the same magic that We Were Liars had, it continues to explore the themes of familial obligations, the destructive nature of wealth, and the impact of the past that are present throughout the first two novels. We Fell Apart is perfect for fans of We Were Liars and of E. Lockhart's atmospheric storytelling. I really enjoyed this novel, and can't wait to read more from E. Lockhart in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and RandomHouse for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

2.75 /3⭐️
(ARC review) — Thank you to author E Lockhart and her publisher Delacorte Press. I received an Advanced Reader Copy for the November 2025 release of WE FELL APART in exchange for my honest review.

I’m a huge fan of the Sinclair family and I’m an even bigger fan of We Were Liars and Family of Liars. I enjoyed getting to revisit the island again and hear more about the family’s history.

It’s a slow burn YA summer vibe that has mystery and romance. I love the idea of this but I didn’t enjoy this one nearly as much as I did the others and ultimately would have been fine just letting it end with the first two books.

Now we do have a conclusion to the story.

3.5 stars⭐️

This was a solid read, but probably my least favorite of the We Were Liars books. The plot twist was decent, but I definitely saw it coming—it didn’t hit nearly as hard as the twist in book one. Still, it kept me interested and had some emotional moments.

You don’t have to read the first two books before this one, but I think it helps a lot. There are a few small tie-ins to the Sinclair family that I really appreciated as someone who’s read the others.

Overall, not a standout, but I still enjoyed it!

Omgsh okay, if you watched WWL this summer (or have read the first two in the series), you do NOT want to miss this!!

Talk about delivering another masterclass in psychological suspense and intricate family secrets!!

This novel delves deep into the aftermath of past events, exploring the lingering echoes of truth and deception with a hauntingly beautiful prose.

It's a compelling companion that stands strong on its own, leaving you utterly captivated by its emotional depth and clever reveals. In Lockhart style, it’s a truly unforgettable experience.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children’s Books, and Delacorte Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you loved We Were Liars and Family of Liars this book is a perfect addition to the journey. While it doesn't follow the Sinclair family it follows Matilda a young woman who is confident in the person she is but feels there is something missing. She finds out that she is the daughter of a famous author by an email sent from him. She gets invited to his house and once there Matilda is woven into a web of mystery that surrounds her father and uncovers a truth that will leave you shocked.

3.75 ⭐️

🎥 I really enjoyed this book! It had a good romance, great characters, and an interesting premise. The way that E. Lockhart writes is just so entertaining, and this book was definitely a good beach read.

📖 I thought the plot of this book was actually very entertaining. It was immersive, fun, and exciting. It did feel a bit slow at times, but it was still really good. Unfortunately, looking back, I can’t really remember anything that happened in this book, even though I just finished it. I feel like that has sorta happened with this entire series, and in the end, the only thing I remember about the book is the ending. But from what I can remember, it was entertaining even if it was a bit boring, if that even makes sense…?

👫 Sooooo… I didn’t really like the main charcter that much. She was very… not like the other girls. I’m pretty sure that at one point she literally said she didn’t want to do something because that was too much like what any other girl might do. But other than that, she was mostly tolerable. I really liked most of the other characters though. My favorite was probably Brock because he was funny. :)

💕 Ok, at first I wasn’t sure whether I was gonna like the romance in this book. The love interest started out (in my opinion) as not being the most likable person. HOWEVER, he definitely grew on me and I ended up loving him. I was expecting more of an enemies to lovers plot though, but he sorta gave up on “hating” her after like one chapter.

🎬 This book was definitely good and I would absolutely recommend you read it if you like the other to books in the series.

Btw, it can be read as a standalone, but it does contain spoilers for We Were Liars, just so y’all know <3

E. Lockhart once again had me in tears! Life is hard and messy but imagine a legacy that has ruined so many families and left kids confused and devastated trying to find a place of their own! I'm definitely reading family of liars next I can't get enough of this world

I absolutely loved this book. The twist and turns were it for me. I've read all the books now to go and watch the series... Thank you for allowing me to read.

We Fell Apart takes you on another journey to a whimsical, mysterious summer on Martha's Vineyard. The book is advertised as a standalone, yet the world is accompanied by the Sinclair family duo and does contain huge spoilers to We Were Liars.

I enjoyed the threaded themes of fairy tales, artwork and video games throughout the story and felt that the writing had a different tone that I digested better than in the original duo. However, the last 15% felt very different from the first 85%, almost as if E. Lockhart just lost motivation? I do think that the ending was a bit underwhelming, but every character does get their own ending.

Thank you to NetGalley, E. Lockhart, Random House Children’s Books | Delacorte Press for providing a Digital Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.

E. Lockhart revisits the enigmatic world of the Sinclair family in We Fell Apart, a compelling standalone companion to her acclaimed duology, We Were Liars and Family of Liars. This new addition offers a fresh perspective on the fateful summer that captivated readers, immersing them once again in the hauntingly beautiful, yet equally unsettling, landscape of Martha's Vineyard.

Lockhart, a master of young adult romantic thrillers, delivers a narrative that moves with a swift, almost breathless, pace. The story is rife with intriguing mysteries and tantalizing gaps, designed to keep readers on the edge of their seats as they eagerly anticipate revelations. The author excels at crafting complex characters, and the new cast in We Fell Apart proves to be every bit as captivating as the iconic Sinclairs. The novel invites speculation and deep engagement, prompting readers to form their own theories about the unfolding events.

One of the standout elements of We Fell Apart is its ability to seamlessly weave new threads into the established narrative tapestry of the previous books, particularly through the introduction of Holland and her connection to the Sinclairs. This linkage provides a clever and satisfying way to revisit the lingering aftermath of "that summer." The narrative also introduces a fascinating, albeit perplexing, connection between Kingsley and the Sinclair sisters, raising questions that seasoned fans will undoubtedly relish exploring. The characters' often flighty responses to seemingly normal questions add to the pervasive atmosphere of mystery and unease, leaving readers to decipher their true intentions.

We Fell Apart provides another opportunity to spend a whimsical, mysterious summer in Martha's Vineyard, a setting that has become synonymous with Lockhart's distinctive storytelling. The novel continues to explore themes of obligation, commitment, and the profound impact of past events, encapsulated beautifully in the poignant quote: "I think you can decide to be obligated to someone. You can decide they are worth the commitment and the devotion. And when that’s what you’ve decided, you step up for them. You offer back up. The commitment doesn’t have to last forever, but if you act like it matters enough to last, it has a chance of lasting.” This sentiment resonates throughout the narrative, encouraging readers to ponder the nature of relationships and the choices that shape them.

Fans of E. Lockhart's previous works, and newcomers alike, will find We Fell Apart to be a captivating and thought-provoking read that expertly blends romance, suspense, and the enduring allure of a summer shrouded in secrets.

Thank you to NetGalley, E. Lockhart & Random House Children’s Books / Delacorte Press for providing a Digital Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.

2.5⭐️

The beginning drew me in. It made me think this would be a deeply character-driven story, one where we’d really explore their broken souls. There wasn’t a big cast of characters and Matilda was basically waiting around for her father to show up. Towards the middle, it became clear that I was only going to get a surface level understanding of the cast, and the story started to drag.

More on the waiting around: i love suspense and a slow burn, don’t get me wrong, but if it’s done right! I know it’s sometimes about the journey, not the destination, but in this case, there wasn’t much of a journey. everyone was just lounging around. I kept waiting for something to happen.

Matilda was okay. There was a lot of telling us she was bold and courageous, but not much showing. In the first couple scenes she’s on the island she throws up, faints, and scrapes her hands and cries. Although, it didn’t bother me too much. Brock, I wanted more from. He was just taking up space. I really didn’t like June and I wish we’d gotten more insight into why she was the way she was. She had such extreme boundaries, but came off as carefree. Meer was so childish… he sat on Matilda’s lap at one point although they are the same age. Also, there was never any consequences for his actions (if you know, you know).

The romance seemed like a force. I didn’t think it was anything deep, but a cute addition. it reminded me that the book overall didn’t go very deep, and it highlighted the youthfulness of characters. Tatum gave similar vibes to Conner in the summer I turned pretty and I didn’t resonate with that romance either. It was hot that he was responsible (I feel so old for saying that 😂).

The ending: the mystery didn’t shock me, and I didn’t really care about it. It wasn’t anything like We Were Liars, so maybe my expectations were too high. Also, every characters ending was tied in a neat little bow, which felt unnecessary and in some cases, out of left field.

So thankful to have gotten We Fell Apart as an advanced reader copy from Net Galley!

We Fell Apart is moody, mysterious, and full of gothic summer vibe, BUT the plot was slow and kinda confusing. Matilda didn’t feel fully fleshed out, and most of the characters stayed surface-level.

There are some solid themes around grief and identity, but they get lost in all the artsy symbolism. Cool concept, just didn’t totally land for me.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this ARC

3 stars!

i didn't love or hate this tbh. i was very excited for this as i had previously read we were liars and family of liars and enjoyed those! e lockhart's fast paced writing was definitely apparent however at times i felt like the story was dragging and i wasn't fully invested. what makes or breaks this book i think is the characters and if you don't absolutely love them, you might find yourself not caring about what happens. i really liked matilda, meer and saar (also glum hehe) but i really disliked june and tatum (at times) and just did not like reading about them.

i was hoping the book would take a different direction than it did and so i felt unsatisfied with the "twist" however, i liked the connection to the sinclairs and the ending was tied up in a nice, satisfying bow :)

thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for this arc!

Once again E. Lockhart knows exactly how to rip my heart out of my chest. I read the first we were liars after the show came out (I literally binge read it in 2 days) & of course binge read the 2nd book. This 3rd addition takes place during the same time as the first book - we were liars just spot lighting new different characters. I really enjoyed this new take as much as I have enjoyed the previous 2. I will literally read whatever Lockhart comes out with at this point !!

This was an okay read. The mystery wasn’t as big as I thought and I had guessed it pretty early on.
The found family was well done. I liked the relationship between Matilda and the boys. It took a bit for Tatum to warm up to her. The relationships were the best part of the story. The one person I truly hated was June. I will say no more about her.
Overall this book was okay. I felt it had the potential to be better but it wasn’t.

13+
LGBTQ themes ( Meer and holland )
3 stars ⭐️
Mild language
Only kissing

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book!!!

This book is the third installment of We were Liars . It begins with a a young woman who just turned 18 receiving an email from her father an artist whom she's never met. He invited her to visit him on Hidden Beach and wants to give her a painting. Her mother has recently moved to Mexico City to live with her new boyfriend.
Once Matilda is on the island she meets her half brother Meer and a cast of lost boys who live in a castle with Kingsley and June, Meer's mother. Her father was called away on business to Italy. Matilda must try to find the answers to her family and find herself in the process.
Thank you, Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Press, for providing the advanced readers copy of We Fell Apart by E. Lockhart.

This was an Emotional and raw novel that explores grief, identity, and the complexity of human connection. Lockhart’s writing is poetic and powerful, pulling you into the heart of a broken relationship. A thought-provoking and beautifully crafted read. 5 whole stars!

I’m the hugest fan of the we were liars book. 5 stars across the board. E Lockhart can do no wrong in my eyes. This book didn’t hit the same for me. It was good, but it didn’t blow me away like her others usually do. It’s probably just a me problem. Still, this was a solid addition to the world and I would recommend it for fans of the books. It just lacked the oomph that I usually find when I’m reading her works. But I still will always read her books and love them.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy

3⭐️

Preface by saying I have not read the other books in the series and thought this was a loosely connected standalone. I do wish I had read the others before this one just for the extra depth and background because something was certainly off for me. I am sure if I had more of a connection the the Sinclair family and understood the dynamics more I would’ve loved this. But overall the pacing felt a bit off, just incredibly slow at some parts and lost my attention. I also found somethings to be a bit too unrealistic. I did like the atmosphere and the setting though! Overall not a bad read and I do think I will jump in to We Were Liars after reading this!

We Fell Apart was a release I was very intrigued in. Ever since the announcement I kept thinking to myself: "A new We Were Liars book? For what?"

For me, the heart of We Were Liars falls on the Sinclairs. This is a story about a broken family, since generations past, entangled with tragedy no matter how much they try to escape it. At the first I side-eyed the synopsis a little bit. I didn't understand the need to have a story set in the same world if we weren't following at least a known character. But you know what? I like being proved wrong. And, at the end, this book ended up having something special.

One of my biggest fears was that this book was going to feel unnecessary to the We Were Liars universe. Even though I still wish that the story would've stayed as a standalone, after reading Family of Liars as well, We Fell Apart fits pretty nicely with the rest of the series. It did what it was supposed to do and gave us the last piece in the extension of the whole Sinclair saga. There was a line in the prequel that kept bothering me because I felt that something was missing, and here it finally is.

Matilda and the rest of the characters aren't as captivating, mysterious or even messy as the core Sinclairs, but they have this harmony that work really well for them. I liked the change of setting, bringing more of an eerie vibe with the whole castle and isolated beach. And the mystery was really well executed for me, keeping me interested until the end.

It didn't overstay its welcome, which I appreciate, and also didn't try to do something completely different. From the writing style to having its little quirks like the fiction-in-fiction aspect that all the books have had (Cady's fairytales, Carrie's retellings and now Kingsley's paintings), We Fell Apart feels like the true conclusion to the story. So long, the Sinclairs.