The Secret Third Book: Everything We Know About E. Lockhart's True 'We Were Liars' Sequel, *We Fell Apart*
The question of a true sequel to E. Lockhart's viral phenomenon We Were Liars has been a persistent mystery for years, but as of today, December 22, 2025, the wait for a new story in the universe is almost over. While the 2022 prequel, Family of Liars, explored the dark history of the Sinclair matriarchs, the newest literary entry, a companion novel titled We Fell Apart, promises to deliver a fresh, standalone mystery set in the same haunting world, complete with new characters and secrets to unravel.
This highly anticipated third book is not a direct continuation of Cadence Sinclair Eastman's story, but it is the most current and exciting update for fans craving the atmospheric tension and shocking twists that defined the original novel. Scheduled for a late 2025 release, We Fell Apart will introduce readers to a new protagonist whose journey to uncover her own family's secrets will inevitably lead her to the shores of the infamous Beechwood Island.
E. Lockhart: A Profile of the Master of YA Mystery
The success of the We Were Liars universe rests entirely on the shoulders of its talented creator, E. Lockhart, who is known for her sharp, emotionally complex, and often twist-laden young adult fiction. Understanding the author's background provides context for the intricate narratives she weaves.
- Full Name: Emily Jenkins (E. Lockhart is a pen name).
- Born: September 13, 1967.
- Nationality: American.
- Education: She holds a Ph.D. in English from Columbia University.
- Primary Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Children's Picture Books, and Adult Fiction.
- Notable Works (Under E. Lockhart): We Were Liars (2014), Family of Liars (2022), Genuine Fraud (2017), and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks (2008).
- Awards and Recognition: We Were Liars was a #1 New York Times Bestseller and won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fiction.
- Current Project: We Fell Apart (November 2025).
The Real "Sequel": What to Expect from *We Fell Apart*
The book that fans are calling the "sequel" is officially a companion novel, We Fell Apart, which is set to hit shelves on November 4, 2025. This structure allows the story to maintain the suspense and atmosphere of the original without having to directly follow the tragic conclusion of Cadence's narrative. The novel introduces an entirely new cast of characters whose lives are nonetheless entangled with the familiar setting of the wealthy elite and the secrets of the sea.
Matilda Klein’s Journey to Hidden Beach
The central character in We Fell Apart is Matilda Klein, a young woman who is unexpectedly drawn into a world of wealth, art, and hidden family history. The novel begins when Matilda receives a mysterious invitation from a father she has never met: Kingsley Cello. Cello is introduced as a visionary and a reclusive artist, a figure whose very existence immediately raises questions about Matilda’s past.
Her journey takes her to a place called Hidden Beach, a new but connected locale in the We Were Liars universe. However, upon arrival, the mystery deepens: Kingsley Cello is nowhere to be found. Instead of the reunion she anticipated, Matilda is faced with a new, complex family dynamic that mirrors the dysfunctional relationships of the Sinclair family.
New Characters and Deepening Mysteries
Matilda's quest for her father brings her into contact with several new, intriguing characters, each holding a piece of the puzzle:
- Meer: Matilda’s half-brother, a sibling she never knew existed. His presence immediately complicates her understanding of her family's history.
- Brock: A former child star struggling with his own issues, who is also part of this strange, new circle.
- Kingsley Cello: The elusive artist father whose absence is the catalyst for the entire plot.
The plot thickens when an evening visit to the nearby Beechwood Island—the infamous private island from the original novel—goes disastrously wrong. This event forces Matilda to confront the dark secrets of her newfound family and the twisted heart of Hidden Beach. The narrative is expected to explore complex themes of art, vulnerability, and the corrosive nature of family wealth, echoing the psychological depth E. Lockhart is known for.
The Full Liars Universe: Prequels, Companions, and the TV Series
To fully appreciate the scope of the We Were Liars phenomenon, it is essential to understand the other major entries in the literary and televised universe. The term "sequel" has been used loosely, but the reality is a carefully constructed network of stories that can be read as standalones, though they are all interconnected by the same themes and setting.
The Prequel: *Family of Liars* (2022)
Released in May 2022, Family of Liars is a true prequel that takes place a generation before the events of We Were Liars. The story is set in 1985 and centers on the young lives of the older generation: the three Sinclair sisters, particularly 17-year-old Carrie Sinclair. The book sheds light on the origins of the Sinclair family's toxicity, wealth, and deep-seated secrets, revealing the tragic events that foreshadowed the destruction in the original novel. It answers questions about the family's past, providing a crucial historical context that enriches the entire universe.
The TV Adaptation: Prime Video Series (Season 2)
Further complicating the definition of a "sequel" is the successful television adaptation. The We Were Liars series on Prime Video has been renewed for a second season, with updates circulating as recently as late 2025. Significantly, this second season is expected to be a prequel story, drawing heavily on the events and characters introduced in the Family of Liars book. This means that while the book universe is moving forward with a companion novel (*We Fell Apart*), the television universe is diving deeper into the past, exploring the history of the Sinclair family and the dark secrets of Beechwood Island in the 1980s.
Why *We Fell Apart* Is the Must-Read Update
For fans who were left devastated and intrigued by the infamous twist ending of We Were Liars, We Fell Apart represents a chance to return to the atmosphere of Beechwood without rehashing the original tragedy. By introducing a new protagonist, Matilda Klein, and a new mystery surrounding the artist Kingsley Cello, E. Lockhart is able to maintain the core elements that made the first book a phenomenon—the hazy summer setting, the tense family drama, and the psychological suspense—while delivering a completely fresh narrative. The focus on art, identity, and the discovery of a hidden family past promises a story that will keep readers guessing until the very last page, cementing E. Lockhart’s status as a master of the young adult thriller genre. Mark your calendars for November 2025; the secrets of this universe are about to get a whole lot darker.
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