If you’re a fan of drama, mystery, and secrets that keep you guessing, the Pretty Little Liars book series by Sara Shepard is a must-read. Known as one of the most popular Sara Shepard Books, this addictive young adult series follows four friends—Spencer, Hanna, Aria, and Emily—whose lives unravel after their leader, Alison, disappears. Packed with suspense, romance, and jaw-dropping twists, the books inspired the hit TV show but offer a unique experience for readers. Whether you’re new to the series or revisiting it, this guide lists all the Pretty Little Liars books in order, including main series, novellas, and companion novels, to help you dive into the world of Rosewood.
Why Read the Pretty Little Liars Books?
Before we get to the reading order, let’s talk about why this series is so captivating. Sara Shepard’s storytelling blends teen drama with psychological thrills, making it perfect for readers who love a mix of gossip, betrayal, and mystery. The books explore themes of friendship, secrets, and the consequences of lies, all while keeping you on edge with anonymous threats from “A.” Unlike the TV show, the books delve deeper into the characters’ inner lives, offering richer backstories and more nuanced plot twists. With 16 main books, several novellas, and companion stories, there’s plenty to binge-read!
Complete List of Pretty Little Liars Books In Order with Release Dates
Below is a comprehensive table listing all the Pretty Little Liars books by Sara Shepard, including the main series, novellas, and companion novels, in publication order with their respective release dates. This guide is ideal for fans who want to read the series in chronological order or collectors seeking to track down every title.
| Title | Series Type | Release Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pretty Little Liars | Main Series (Book 1) | October 3, 2006 | Introduces the four friends and the mysterious disappearance of Alison, with “A”’s threats beginning. |
| Flawless | Main Series (Book 2) | March 27, 2007 | The girls face escalating threats from “A” while uncovering secrets about Alison’s life. |
| Perfect | Main Series (Book 3) | August 21, 2007 | Personal crises and “A”’s manipulations push the girls to their limits. |
| Unbelievable | Main Series (Book 4) | May 27, 2008 | Major revelations about Alison’s fate and a turning point in the series. |
| Wicked | Main Series (Book 5) | November 25, 2008 | A new “A” emerges, kicking off the second arc with fresh mysteries. |
| Killer | Main Series (Book 6) | June 30, 2009 | Disturbing discoveries about Alison deepen the mystery. |
| Heartless | Main Series (Book 7) | January 19, 2010 | The girls face emotional challenges and new betrayals orchestrated by “A.” |
| Wanted | Main Series (Book 8) | June 8, 2010 | A climactic showdown reveals major secrets, wrapping up the first major storyline. |
| Twisted | Main Series (Book 9) | July 5, 2011 | A new mystery pulls the girls back into “A”’s dangerous game. |
| Ruthless | Main Series (Book 10) | December 6, 2011 | “A” manipulates the girls’ choices, leading to devastating consequences. |
| Pretty Little Secrets | Novella/Companion | January 3, 2012 | Short stories set between Unbelievable and Wicked, focusing on each girl’s life. |
| The First Lie | E-Novella | December 18, 2012 | A prequel short story exploring the girls’ friendship with Alison before the main series. |
| Stunning | Main Series (Book 11) | June 5, 2012 | Shocking past revelations threaten the girls’ futures. |
| Burned | Main Series (Book 12) | December 4, 2012 | A cruise vacation turns deadly as “A” follows the girls. |
| Ali’s Pretty Little Lies | Novella/Prequel | January 2, 2013 | A prequel focusing on Alison’s life and secrets before her disappearance. |
| Crushed | Main Series (Book 13) | June 4, 2013 | The girls work to uncover “A”’s identity, complicated by trust issues. |
| Deadly | Main Series (Book 14) | December 3, 2013 | The truth about “A” nears as the girls face their most dangerous challenge. |
| Toxic | Main Series (Book 15) | June 3, 2014 | The girls fight to protect themselves as “A”’s threats intensify. |
| Vicious | Main Series (Book 16) | December 2, 2014 | The series finale with a showdown and answers to lingering mysteries. |
| The Perfectionists | Companion Novel | October 7, 2014 | A spin-off with new characters in a similar world of secrets and lies. |
| The Good Girls | Companion Novel | June 2, 2015 | The sequel to The Perfectionists continues the spin-off story. |
Pretty Little Liars Books in Order (Main Series)
The core Pretty Little Liars series consists of 16 books, published between 2006 and 2014. Below is the complete list in publication order, which is the recommended reading sequence to follow the story’s chronological progression.
- Pretty Little Liars (2006)
The series begins with Alison DiLaurentis’s disappearance, leaving her friends Spencer, Hanna, Aria, and Emily haunted by her absence. Three years later, they start receiving cryptic messages from “A,” who seems to know their darkest secrets.
Why read it? This book sets the stage for the addictive drama and introduces the core mystery. - Flawless (2007)
The girls dig deeper into Alison’s disappearance while “A” continues to torment them, exposing secrets that threaten their perfect lives.
Why read it? The stakes rise with new clues and shocking revelations. - Perfect (2007)
As “A”’s threats escalate, the girls face personal crises that test their friendships and unravel their carefully curated images.
Why read it? Expect intense drama and more insight into each character’s flaws. - Unbelievable (2008)
The truth about Alison’s fate starts to surface, but “A”’s games take a dangerous turn, pushing the girls to their limits.
Why read it? A major turning point with jaw-dropping twists. - Wicked (2008)
A new “A” emerges, and the girls must navigate fresh threats while dealing with the fallout of past events.
Why read it? This book kicks off the second arc of the series with renewed suspense. - Killer (2009)
The girls uncover disturbing secrets about Alison’s life, but “A” is always one step ahead, putting them in danger.
Why read it? The mystery deepens with chilling discoveries. - Heartless (2010)
The girls face their own demons while trying to outsmart “A,” leading to unexpected alliances and betrayals.
Why read it? Emotional stakes and shocking plot twists keep you hooked. - Wanted (2010)
Major secrets about Alison’s past come to light, leading to a climactic showdown with “A.”
Why read it? This book wraps up the first major storyline with a thrilling conclusion. - Twisted (2011)
Just when the girls think they’re safe, a new mystery emerges, pulling them back into “A”’s web.
Why read it? A fresh start with new secrets and drama. - Ruthless (2011)
The girls’ lives spiral as “A” manipulates their choices, leading to devastating consequences.
Why read it? Intense pacing and moral dilemmas make this a page-turner. - Stunning (2012)
Shocking revelations about the past threaten to destroy the girls’ futures.
Why read it? Expect unexpected twists and deeper character development. - Burned (2012)
A cruise vacation turns deadly as “A” follows the girls, exposing more secrets.
Why read it? A change of setting adds fresh tension to the series. - Crushed (2013)
The girls band together to uncover “A”’s identity, but trust issues complicate their mission.
Why read it? The stakes are higher than ever as the end nears. - Deadly (2013)
The truth about “A” is closer than ever, but the girls face their most dangerous challenge yet.
Why read it? A gripping lead-up to the series finale. - Toxic (2014)
With “A” still at large, the girls’ lives unravel as they fight to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Why read it? Heart-pounding suspense and emotional depth. - Vicious (2014)
The epic conclusion to the main series reveals all, with a showdown that ties up loose ends.
Why read it? A satisfying finale that answers lingering questions.
Pretty Little Liars Novellas and Companion Books
In addition to the main series, Sara Shepard wrote several novellas and companion books that add depth to the Pretty Little Liars universe. These can be read alongside the main series or after completing it for extra context.
- Ali’s Pretty Little Lies (2013)
A prequel focusing on Alison DiLaurentis before her disappearance, offering insight into her secrets and relationships.
Recommended reading: After Unbelievable (Book 4) or at the end of the series for maximum impact. - Pretty Little Secrets (2012)
A collection of short stories set during the winter break between Unbelievable and Wicked, exploring each girl’s life in more detail.
Recommended reading: After Unbelievable (Book 4). - The First Lie (2012, e-novella)
A short story set before the main series, focusing on the girls’ friendship with Alison.
Recommended reading: Before starting the series or after Pretty Little Liars (Book 1). - A Pretty Little Liars Companion Novel: The Perfectionists (2014)
A spin-off featuring new characters but set in a similar world of secrets and lies.
Recommended reading: After finishing the main series. - The Good Girls (2015)
The sequel to The Perfectionists continues the spin-off story.
Recommended reading: After The Perfectionists.
Tips for Reading the Pretty Little Liars Series
- Follow publication order for the main series: The books build on each other, so reading them in order (1–16) ensures you don’t miss key plot points.
- Save novellas for context: Reading Ali’s Pretty Little Lies and Pretty Little Secrets after Unbelievable (Book 4) enhances the experience without spoiling major twists.
- Don’t skip the spin-offs: The Perfectionists and The Good Girls are great for fans craving more of Shepard’s signature style.
- Compare with the TV show: If you’ve watched the Pretty Little Liars TV series, you’ll notice differences in the books’ plot and character arcs, making them a fresh experience.
Where to Find the Pretty Little Liars Books
You can find the Pretty Little Liars books at major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local bookstore. Many libraries offer physical or e-book versions. For digital readers, Kindle, Audible, and Apple Books have the series available. Used bookstores or thrift shops are also great for snagging affordable copies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many books are in the Pretty Little Liars series?
The main series includes 16 books, with additional novellas and companion novels like The Perfectionists and The Good Girls.
Do I need to read the books in order?
Yes, reading in publication order is highly recommended to follow the story’s progression and avoid spoilers.
Are the books different from the TV show?
While the TV show is based on the books, it diverges significantly in plot, character development, and outcomes. The books offerေ
