I love the universe in which this book is set. For whatever reason, I find it intoxicating. I guessed (part of) the twist about halfway through but it didn’t take away from anything. We Were Liars will always be my favorite book of the series, but I was so excited to learn this new story was coming and I am thankful to have received an ARC.

This story takes place 5 days after the fire in we were liars, which I read many years ago.

The story follows Matilda and her trip to Hidden Beach. Family secrets are revealed and a connection to we were liars provides a twist that you might see coming.

Overall, I wasn’t absolutely captivated by the book but it was still decently entertaining. It felt like a quick read so I didn’t feel too connected to any of the characters which took away from me being too invested or rating it higher.

If you enjoyed we were liars, I would definitely recommend checking this one out!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review!

The only way I can react to this book is to say Lockhart did it again. This book left me speechless and heartbroken. Matilda was a captivating character and made a good narrator for this book. My only thing was the animal neglect. That was a big blow for me. Overall, this was an amazing book and I thoroughly loved it.

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a copy of WE FELL APART by E Lockhart in exchange for my honest review.***

Initially when I first got this book, I went in blind and I struggled though the first few chapters. The poetic writing style with its short and choppy sentences took me a little bit of time to get used to, but once I did I actually oddly enjoyed this book.

It was like nothing I anticipated and I truly didn’t see the twist coming even though I feel like our FMC kept hinting that something was not quite right about the run down castle she’s staying in, awaiting her father’s return.

My only only complaint is that the characters felt young, younger than 18 year olds and reckless with their choices in a way that made them feel more 14-15 years old but other than that I did enjoy reading this book and found it to touch on so many topics that I didn’t even consider when I started.

I really loved We Were Liars and Family of Liars so was excited to read this novel. While this was a decent book with a unique story line, the connections to the other two novels felt kind of forced. I think I would have enjoyed it more either as a stand alone novel with no connections to the other two books, or with connections that had interactions with the characters from the other books.

I enjoyed the character of Matilda and her story. The 3 boys were also interesting characters. I wasn’t a fan of June and wished she would have had some redeeming qualities. The descriptions of Kingsley’s paintings were well done and I liked how they tied in so much to the overlying theme.

Overall, this was a good story. However, if you are reading it because it’s got connections to the Liars books and you loved those, you may be a little disappointed.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. -3 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

(Apparently) unpopular opinion: I LOVED We Were Liars. The summer-beachy-island vibes were amazing, mixed with complicated family dynamics made for a very interesting read. I have been searching for books with the same atmosphere ever since, and We Fell Apart has filled that void. The characters are lovable and layered, and I got sucked into the story so easily. Additionally, the callbacks to the original We Were Liars novel were fun and nostalgic. Despite this, I found the actual plot a bit lacking, and the plot twists to be predictable; however, @E.Lockhart I will read whatever you feel necessary to release set in the We Were Liars world.

3/5 stars

With only days left until the We Were Liars series hits Prime Video, I couldn’t resist diving back into the Sinclair universe by picking up the third installment—and what a gripping return it was. While the first book sparked fierce debate among readers, with both passionate fans and vocal critics weighing in on its shocking twist, this newest entry carves out its own compelling mystery with a more subtle but still powerful punch. I do recommend reading the earlier books first to fully appreciate the rich web of Sinclair family references, especially the tragic fire that casts a long shadow over this story—but if you choose to jump in here, you’ll still find plenty to hook you, even if a few puzzle pieces feel missing.

Set just five days after the infamous Sinclair house fire, this novel follows 18-year-old Matilda Avalon Klein, a quietly resilient teen preparing to start college and design 3D games. She lives with her mom’s ex-boyfriend, Saar—the only stable adult in her life after her mother abandons her (yet again), this time fleeing to Mexico City and washing her hands of parenting altogether. When Matilda receives an unexpected email from legendary artist Kingsley Cello claiming to be her father—and inviting her to his coastal home on Hidden Beach—she’s skeptical, but curiosity and longing win out.

Upon arriving, she’s driven by a moody, unwelcoming young man named Tatum and quickly learns Kingsley is conveniently away in Italy, with no clear return date. The only person who seems to be expecting her is Meer, Kingsley’s son and Matilda’s half-brother, who is overjoyed by her arrival. In sharp contrast, Meer’s mother June is frosty, strict, and clearly unaware of any invitation.

Joining the household are Brock, a former child star in recovery from addiction, and—surprise—Tatum, who turns out to be a permanent fixture in the house, bearing more responsibility than any teen should. Matilda is soon swept into the group's strange but captivating world—trespassing in empty homes, picnicking, and playing experimental games on the eerie island—all while June enforces strange rules, confiscates their phones, and feeds them a strict, herbal-laced diet. Mysterious locked rooms in the house and unsettling truths about her father’s past only heighten Matilda’s curiosity.

To complicate things further, Matilda is being watched—by Holland, a queer member of the Sinclair family with a hidden agenda and secrets of their own. As Matilda begins to uncover pieces of her father's past, she starts to realize that this house, and the people in it, are far more dangerous and fragile than she imagined. The truth she’s chasing could destroy everything.

Overall: I think this might be my favorite book in the series so far! The atmosphere is rich with tension, the mystery unfolds at a satisfying pace, and the romance—especially the slow-burn enemies-to-lovers arc—adds emotional weight. I genuinely considered giving it five stars. However, there’s one distressing scene involving animal harm that deeply affected me and pulled my rating down a notch—I truly wish that chapter hadn’t been included. Still, this is a raw, emotionally charged, beautifully written story that captures the essence of a deeply dysfunctional family on the edge of unraveling. If you're a fan of intense, slow-burn YA dramas with a haunting edge, this one is well worth your time—whether you’ve followed the Sinclairs from the start or you’re stepping into their world for the first time.

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books / Delacorte Press for providing me with a digital review copy of this unforgettable YA mystery in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The premise of this book? Absolutely fascinating. The execution? Little more complicated. I really liked some of the characters, but many parts felt incongruent and there were so many loose ends left. Good story and intriguing secrets to find out as you read. Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the e-ARC!!

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a copy of WE FELL APART by E Lockhart in exchange for my honest review.***

Being approved to preview WE FELL APART felt like winning the ARC lottery. This story takes place days after the fire that killed Johnny, Merrin and Gat, Harris Sinclair’s grandchildren and a family friend.

Set in Martha’s Vineyard, in a run down castle where the Sinclairs’ homes on Birchwood Island can be seen from the towers, is the home of Kingsley Cello, the famous painter and father Matilda never knew. When she receives an email from him, inviting her to visit for the summer, she agrees. When Matilda arrives, Kingsley is gone. Her brother Meer (short for Vermeer) begs her to stay, to the chagrin of his earthy mother June who resents Matilda at first sight. Also living in the castle towers is recovering former child actor Brock and Tatum, whom Kingsley and June took in after his parents died.

All is not right in the run down castle. Matilda senses this immediately. Kingsley’s return date is uncertain and June’s rules/suggestions seem harsh. The more Matilda learns, the more questions she has.

WE FELL APART started off slowly and I kept waiting to figure out what the book was truly about. Then I became mesmerized with E Lockard’s gorgeous prose and stopped caring about the plot.

I liked the tie in to Birchwood Island and glimpses into Tipper Sinclair, Harris’s recently deceased wife. I wish more of the Sinclairs from the two previous books were in the story. Lockhart’s books grow on me the more times I read them. I wouldn’t be surprised if I up the review to five stars after rereading or listening to the audiobook and see all the connections and Easter Eggs that I miss.

The only aspect of the book I didn’t like (hated) was pet neglect and a lengthy description of animals that had been killed. I had to skim over these paragraphs because I’m too sensitive to read or hear about animal suffering. Kill humans, even with detailed description, and I don’t blink an eye. One word of animal suffering and I cry.

A perfect summer read. Not only a hit was young adults, but with adults as well a quick read for me and I would definitely recommend. Can’t wait to see this author’s other works on screen.

I love the We Were Liars series and was ecstatic to receive an ARC of We Fell Apart. I didn't want to compare this story with We Were Liars, except it's hard not to with the way the stories are interwoven. The plot line itself was interesting and the writing style was beautiful as always. My main complaint is that I didn't care about any of the characters (except Glum). All of the characters felt disconnected and that may be due to the narration style. I just wish we would have spent more time on the characters' motivations rather than their actions.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it felt like it missed the mark a little. I think this story could be amazing if parts of it were expanded. 4.25/5⭐.

I let "We Were Liars" destroy me and "We Fell Apart" didn't disappoint. E. Lockhart has a way of weaving words to create a haunting, mysterious vibe where wealth and family secrets merge into a twisty plot. I will be purchasing a copy for my library.

This book had a lot to live up to, as we were liars is in my top 5 favorite books ever and was the source of my yearbook quote. I think that although this book was a good standalone novel, the tie ins to the series as a whole felt forced at times and were confusing without referring back to we were liars and family of liars respectively. 3.5/5

It was an odd book, but I enjoyed it. The tie-in to the other books was well done. She writes sad people really well.

A satisfying mystery set in the same universe, and concurrent with the events of, Lockhart's 2014 smash hit We Were Liars.

Disclaimer: We Were Liars is a semi-problematic fave of mine. I love the tragedy, the old-money New England-ness of it all, the way it plays with your head. I say semi-problematic because I know, okay, I KNOW that the format is weird and self-indulgent at times. I know those kids don't talk like you've ever heard any teenager in your life talk, at times. I know the famous twist at the end doesn't work for everybody. But for me, I can't resist it anyway, and we're all going to have to deal with that (like how I'm dealing with the psychic damage that came from discovering this WEEK that a TV adaptation of the book is premiering on Amazon Prime next MONTH). My fierce loyalty to this book has no bearing, however, on my opinions of We Fell Apart.

With that out of the way: in a departure from Lockhart's previous additions to this universe (2022's Family of Liars), Lockhart takes us back to Martha's Vineyard through the eyes of a brand-new protagonist, Matilda. Matilda has grown up with a flighty mother who is uninterested in being a parent, and has never known who her biological father is—until a famous, reclusive artist named Kingsley Cello reaches out to her out of the blue with the stunning confession that she is his daughter, and an invitation to Hidden Beach, his palatial estate on Martha's Vineyard. There, she meets an eccentric cast of characters, including a half-brother she never knew she had, as well as several other young people who, for one reason or another, have been drawn to the dreamy, isolated paradise of art and creativity that is Hidden Beach. But, of course, not everything is as it seems...

I'm purposely going to be vague about the plot beyond that, since this is a series that famously deals in secrets and twists, which are best experienced organically. I will say that I greatly enjoyed the ways in which Lockhart explored a favorite theme of this series—wealth and privilege and the ways in which these things often lead to destruction—through the lens of a family less pedigreed and and showy with their wealth than the Sinclair family. Cello and his family are hippie peacenik artists who lock away their electronics, use tinctures of herbs for medicine, and spend their days following every creative impulse that comes into their heads...which, of course, is only possible in the first place because of Cello's immense fame and wealth. As with previous books, this money also ends up being the thing that exposes the rot within the family—for all that their lives seem idyllic, it's clear from the beginning that something isn't right. The mystery of what exactly is wrong with this picture unfolds in a way that had me constantly second-guessing, and concluded in a very satisfying way as well.

There is some romance, for those who partake, but I honestly felt, as an adult reader, that much of the romance and angst and drama was overblown. This is probably less an indictment of the book and more an indication that I'm no longer the target audience for it, which is of course okay. I also was left overall wondering if this might have been a stronger book if it stood on its own, unconnected to Lockhart's successful series. The callbacks to We Were Liars were numerous and, frequently, to me at least, felt forced. I will also caution readers that, while this book technically can be read without having read We Were Liars first, readers are likely to be lost at times in a sea of what to them will be references to unfamiliar names and events, all of which will probably seem to have little to do with the story we're actually being told. It also heftily spoils We Were Liars and its notorious plot twist, as the book takes place during the summer that Cady, the protagonist of We Were Liars, cannot remember and is trying to re-access her memories of. (An author's note from E. Lockhart also makes this clear, and likely will be included in the published title.) Nevertheless, for best reading experience, I'd recommend reading We Were Liars before this.

I finished We Fell Apart in just two days—it’s definitely an intriguing mystery that kept me turning the pages. While it wasn’t my favorite in the series, I appreciated the way it tied into We Were Liars. That connection added depth and nostalgia that I really enjoyed. E. Lockhart’s writing style remains a strong point—lyrical, sharp, and unique.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was another win for Lockhart. While I was able to predict part of the twist (as I felt it was pretty obvious from the start), the rest of the story weaved itself together in mysterious and family-secret ways, as Lockhart has done in the past. We follow Matilda as she tries to learn about her elusive father's past to feel more stable in her understanding of herself. However, upon arriving to Hidden Beach, we learn that there may be more secrets than answers. Taking place almost simultaneously with We Were Liars, We Fell Apart shows what else is happening on the island of rich misfits.

I really liked the collection of characters for this book. Matilda is a great leading lady; she's fierce, asks questions, and is honest about the ways in which she feels lost at 18. She comes from a muse of a mother, whose heart and soul is always floating from one lover to the next. She is ready to step out into the real world and is looking to see who she comes from before she does. Meer is a fascinating character. While being 18 years old, he comes off as if he is only about 10. Due to his upbringing, he is naive and longing for connection. He is both endearing and frustrating, as a little brother would appear to be, even if he's not technically a younger brother. Brock is the character that feels most like a filler, but he helps cut through the tension which is necessary. Tatum was one of my favorites. I like that he was both well-rounded and reserved; he understood a lot about the world, but was still very much in a Hidden Beach mindset. I think the minimal love storyline was also cute and helped lighten things when they got heavy. The adults in the book were interesting because you're forced to see what happens when people look at life as their own, not as obligation or bonds. It made the dynamics of the teens figuring themselves out much more prominent when there are no adults interfering in some ways.

The plot was straightforward and easy to follow. There are a few red herrings and this would definitely be classified as a mystery in ways as well. I found myself drawn to reading this book, finishing it in under two days. I know my students will be excited about this book as many of them really enjoyed We Were Liars and Family of Liars. I'll be purchasing for the library and getting a copy of my own once it's released. Highly recommend for those who enjoyed her prior novels and for those who like mystery novels. Thank you to NetGalley, Lockhart, and Penguin Random House for the advanced copy in exchange for this review.

E. Lockhart delivers another haunting, emotionally layered masterpiece in We Fell Apart, a riveting companion to We Were Liars that explores the fragile bonds of family, identity, and truth.

When Matilda receives a sudden invitation to Hidden Beach from the father she’s never met, what begins as a hopeful summer of self-discovery quickly spirals into a labyrinth of secrets and lies. Lockhart crafts a setting that’s both dreamy and decaying—where the ocean seems to whisper the past, and every person carries a shadow. The slow unraveling of the truth is hypnotic, laced with heartbreak and moments of piercing clarity.

The characters are deeply human and unforgettable. Meer radiates warmth but is weighed down by longing. Brock is a tragic echo of lost fame, fighting battles no one sees. And Tatum simmers with quiet rage, daring Matilda—and the reader—to look closer. Even Kingsley, absent but omnipresent, leaves an indelible mark through the art and pain he left behind.

Lockhart’s prose is once again poetic and precise, each sentence carefully tuned to the emotional undercurrent of the story. She masterfully balances suspense with tenderness, revealing truths just when they’re most devastating—or most needed.

We Fell Apart is a beautifully written tale of what we inherit and what we choose to become. A must-read for fans of We Were Liars, and a stunning standalone for those discovering this world for the first time.

Lush, lyrical, and quietly shattering. E. Lockhart proves, once again, that no one writes emotional suspense like she does.

This book was about family secrets coming to light.
It was bad decisions wrapped in hopefulness.
It was intrigue, mystery, regret, sorrow and, ultimately, acceptance.

What it wasn’t was We Were Liars. Or even Family of Liars.
I wanted to love this next chapter in the We Were Liars universe. From the moment I heard about it I wanted to love it. Sadly, that was not the case.

I loved Matilda, Meer, Tatum and Brock. I tolerated June. I wasn’t given enough on Kingsley to form an informed opinion, but what little I did know left me unmoved. Maybe he never had a chance. Maybe he was already doomed, simply by being a Sinclair.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

I understand this was a standalone novel relating only slightly to though we were liars. Books but it was nice to read about the family through someone else's eyes. I wish that she had added more about the family throughout this.Novel.