How Many Books and Seasons Are in the We Were Liars Series
The We Were Liars series consists of 4 main novels and 1 companion book, giving the story a total of 5 volumes. The core quartet follows the Sinclair family summers on Beechwood Island, with the final main novel released in 2014. A new companion novel, We Were Liars: The Prequel, was published in 2025, expanding the timeline before the original events. The series is often described as having 4 seasons of story, matching the 4 main books.
Each book functions as a self-contained season, with its own central mystery and emotional arc while building toward the larger family saga. The first book, We Were Liars, introduces the core friend group and the central lie that shapes the entire series. The second and third books, We Were Liars: The Collection and We Were Liars: The Return, deepen the lore and reveal new perspectives. The fourth main book, We Were Liars: The Last Summer, concludes the original storyline. The 2025 companion novel adds a prequel layer that reframes the earlier seasons.
Publication Timeline and Release Order
The first book in the series was released in 2014, debuting on multiple bestseller lists and gaining a large young adult readership. The second volume followed shortly, expanding the story with new characters and deeper family secrets. The third volume arrived in 2016, further developing the central mystery and the consequences of the lie. The fourth main book was published in 2018, bringing the original arc to a close and setting up the emotional resolution of the series.
The 2025 companion novel, We Were Liars: The Prequel, revisits the Sinclair family history before the events of the first book. It adds new context and backstory that enriches the earlier seasons without contradicting them. The release order is important for understanding the full narrative, as each book builds on the previous one. The series is not yet adapted into a television or film season, so the books remain the primary way to experience the story.
Where to Read and Follow the Series
The We Were Liars books are available in print, ebook, and audiobook formats through major retailers and libraries. The series is published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House, and is widely stocked in bookstores and online. Fans can follow the author and publisher for updates on new editions, special releases, and any future related content. The companion novel released in 2025 is the latest addition to the series and is available through the same channels.
For the most accurate information on editions, formats, and availability, check the publisher's official site and trusted book retailers. The series is often discussed on reading platforms and book communities, where fans share theories and reactions. The 2025 prequel companion novel is the newest official addition to the We Were Liars story. You can find the full series and related content on the publisher's website penguinrandomhouse.com and on the author's official page eveewing.com.