What Is The Recommended Reading Order For The Liars Series?

Spent way too long figuring this out myself when I jumped into 'The Lying Game' series. The core sequence is pretty straightforward: start with 'The Lying Game', then 'Never Have I Ever', 'Two Truths and a Lie', and finish with 'Hide and Seek'. That's the main story arc following Sutton Mercer and Emma. But then there's a prequel novella, 'The First Lie', which actually slots in before the first book chronologically. I read it after finishing the series and kinda wish I'd done it first—it adds a lot of texture to Sutton's character, but honestly, you won't be lost if you skip it. After 'Hide and Seek', Sara Shepard wrote 'Cross Our Hearts', which is a sequel set a year later. Some fans argue the series ended perfectly at four books and that the fifth feels like a bonus epilogue, but I was just happy to spend more time in that world. So, publication order works perfectly, but if you're a completionist who loves chronological depth, kick off with 'The First Lie' novella.

Oh man, I get why this question pops up — book titles like "Liar" are annoyingly common, and I once spent a whole weekend trying to untangle which book belonged where before I could relax and read. To keep things useful even if we don’t have the exact author yet, here’s a practical, fan-tested approach I use for any ambiguous series title and how I’d order the reading for the typical cases you’ll encounter. First, check whether "Liar" is actually a standalone or part of a named series. Many books called "Liar" (or "The Liar") are single novels — for example, I’ve read "Liar" as a standalone YA psychological novel, and that one you can just jump into. If it’s part of a true series, the safest baseline is publication order: start with Book 1 (the originally published novel), then follow Book 2, Book 3, etc. Publication order preserves how the author released reveals, worldbuilding, and character growth — and it avoids accidental spoilers from reading prequels or companion novellas out of turn. Second, hunt for companion pieces. Authors sometimes publish novellas, short stories, or bonus chapters that expand the world. I always check the author’s website, the publisher’s page, and Goodreads series pages. If there’s a prequel novella released after the trilogy, I usually read the main trilogy first and then the novella (unless the author explicitly says it’s meant as a true prologue). That saved me from spoiling a major twist in one series I loved; I learned the hard way that a “prequel” released later can reveal things you’ll want to discover organically. Finally, if you tell me the author or paste the cover line, I’ll give a precise list. If you want a quick cheat-sheet now: look up the book on Goodreads, click the series tab to see publication order, and check the author’s page for reading guides. I’m sitting here picturing a cozy afternoon with the first book and a hot drink — tell me which "Liar" you mean and I’ll map the exact order for you so you can dive in without second-guessing.

For maximum emotional damage (the good kind), go Vol 1 -> Vol 2 -> Lost One. The main story's ending provides a certain closure, but it's a closure that made me desperately want more time with the side couple. Jumping right into their dedicated story after that craving was formed... it was perfect. It felt like the author knew exactly what I needed next.