★★★★☆
We Were Liars is a quick read about a wealthy, Kennedy-esque family that spends summers on Beechwood Island, a private island near Martha’s Vineyard. I enjoyed this one while on vacation on an East Coach coastal island, which added a unique element to my reading experience.
Told from the perspective of Cadence “Cady” Sinclair Eastman, the oldest granddaughter of Harrison Sinclair, the story seems to be about three wealthy cousins and a family friend idling their summers away.
However, everything changes the summer they turn 15. Cady has a debilitating accident that wipes away some of her memories and leaves her with terrible migraines. As she pieces together what happened, the story of a New England family with secrets and jealousies unfolds.
The pacing is perfect in this haunting novel, which embeds several short, smartly written fairy tales that foreshadow and give context to what’s happening in the main story. I loved the double meanings Lockhart sprinkles into some of the phrases throughout the book. Her sparse writing style is also appealing.
The unexpected twist made me want to reread the book to see where I missed the clues. I also loved the map of Beechwood Island and the family tree that was included at the beginning of the book to help me envision the people and the setting. The book club menu and readers’ group guide were also nice touches. My book club loves it when our menu is inspired by the setting of the book we read.
This is a great summer beach read for those who enjoy family-based dramas. Remember, “If anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.”