If you’re a fan of gripping young adult thrillers packed with secrets, drama, and jaw-dropping twists, Sara Shepard’s books are likely on your radar. Best known for her Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game series, Shepard has captivated readers with her knack for crafting suspenseful stories that keep you guessing. Whether you’re new to her work or a seasoned fan looking to dive into her full catalog, this guide provides a complete, SEO-friendly list of Sara Shepard books in order, along with insights to enhance your reading experience. Let’s unravel the mysteries and dive into her thrilling world
Who Is Sara Shepard?
Sara Shepard is a bestselling American author born on April 8, 1977, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A graduate of New York University with an MFA from Brooklyn College, she draws inspiration from her upbringing on Philadelphia’s Main Line, which heavily influences the glamorous yet scandal-filled settings of her novels. With a career spanning both young adult and adult fiction, Shepard has penned over 40 books, including series and standalone novels, earning accolades such as nominations for the Goodreads Awards and the Iowa High School Book Award. Her Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game series have been adapted into popular TV shows, cementing her status as a powerhouse in the thriller genre.
Why Read Sara Shepard’s Books in Order?
Reading Sara Shepard’s books in order ensures you follow the intricate plotlines and character arcs as intended. Her series, especially Pretty Little Liars, builds on secrets and revelations that unfold across multiple books. Chronological reading enhances the suspense and helps you connect with characters like Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily as their stories intertwine. Plus, Shepard’s series often includes companion novels (like Ali’s Pretty Little Lies or The First Lie) that add depth but can confuse if read out of sequence. This guide organizes her books by series and publication order for a seamless reading journey.
Sara Shepard Books In Order by Series
Below is a complete list of Sara Shepard’s books, organized by series and listed in publication order within each series. The table format includes the book title, publication year, and series name for easy reference.
| Series | Book Title | Publication Year |
|---|---|---|
| Pretty Little Liars | Pretty Little Liars | 2006 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Flawless | 2007 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Perfect | 2007 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Unbelievable | 2008 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Wicked | 2008 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Killer | 2009 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Heartless | 2010 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Wanted | 2010 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Twisted | 2011 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Ruthless | 2011 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Pretty Little Secrets | 2012 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Stunning | 2012 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Burned | 2012 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Ali’s Pretty Little Lies | 2013 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Crushed | 2013 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Deadly | 2013 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Toxic | 2014 |
| Pretty Little Liars | Vicious | 2014 |
| The Lying Game | The Lying Game | 2010 |
| The Lying Game | Never Have I Ever | 2011 |
| The Lying Game | Two Truths and a Lie | 2012 |
| The Lying Game | Hide and Seek | 2012 |
| The Lying Game | The First Lie | 2012 |
| The Lying Game | Cross My Heart, Hope to Die | 2013 |
| The Lying Game | True Lies | 2013 |
| The Lying Game | Seven Minutes in Heaven | 2013 |
| The Heiresses | The Heiresses | 2014 |
| The Perfectionists | The Perfectionists | 2014 |
| The Perfectionists | The Good Girls | 2015 |
| The Amateurs | The Amateurs | 2016 |
| The Amateurs | Follow Me | 2017 |
| The Amateurs | Last Seen | 2018 |
| Penny Draws | Penny Draws a Best Friend | 2023 |
| Penny Draws | Penny Draws a School Play | 2023 |
| Penny Draws | Penny Draws a Secret Adventure | 2024 |
| Penny Draws | Penny Draws a Class Trip | 2024 |
| Penny Draws | Penny Draws a Team Sport | 2025 |
| Penny Draws | Penny Draws a First Crush | 2025 |
| Standalone Novels | The Visibles / All The Things We Didn’t Say | 2009 |
| Standalone Novels | Everything We Ever Wanted | 2010 |
| Standalone Novels | The Elizas | 2018 |
| Standalone Novels | Reputation | 2019 |
| Standalone Novels | Influence | 2020 |
| Standalone Novels | Safe In My Arms | 2021 |
| Standalone Novels | Memory Lane | 2021 |
| Standalone Novels | Wait for Me | 2022 |
| Standalone Novels | Nowhere Like Home | 2024 |
| Standalone Novels | Gaslight | 2024 |
| Anthologies | Who Done It? | 2013 |
| Anthologies | Meet Cute | 2018 |
| Anthologies | Moms Don’t Have Time To | 2021 |
Sara Shepard Books in Publication Order

Below is a comprehensive list of Sara Shepard’s books, organized by series and standalone novels, in publication order. This reflects the release sequence, ideal for experiencing her work as it unfolded for fans.
Pretty Little Liars Series (2006–2014)
The Pretty Little Liars series is Shepard’s most iconic work, following four high school girls—Aria, Hanna, Emily, and Spencer—whose lives unravel after their friend Alison disappears. Mysterious texts from “A” expose their darkest secrets, leading to a thrilling blend of drama, romance, and suspense. The series spans 18 books, including companion novels.
- Pretty Little Liars (2006)
- Flawless (2007)
- Perfect (2007)
- Unbelievable (2008)
- Wicked (2008)
- Killer (2009)
- Wanted (2010)
- Heartless (2010)
- Twisted (2011)
- Ruthless (2011)
- Pretty Little Secrets (2012) – Companion novel
- Stunning (2012)
- Burned (2012)
- Ali’s Pretty Little Lies (2013) – Prequel
- Crushed (2013)
- Deadly (2013)
- Toxic (2014)
- Vicious (2014)
Why Start Here? Pretty Little Liars is perfect for readers who love scandalous drama and complex characters. The series’s mix of friendship, betrayal, and mystery makes it a binge-worthy read. Start with the first book to meet the liars and follow their journey through Rosewood’s secrets.
The Lying Game Series (2010–2013)
This series follows Emma, a foster kid who discovers she has a twin sister, Sutton, only to get entangled in a dangerous web of lies after Sutton’s mysterious death. Narrated partly from Sutton’s afterlife perspective, it’s a rollercoaster of suspense and teen drama.
- The Lying Game (2010)
- Never Have I Ever (2011)
- Two Truths and a Lie (2012)
- Hide and Seek (2012)
- The First Lie (2012) – Prequel novella
- Cross My Heart, Hope to Die (2013)
- True Lies (2013) – Novella
- Seven Minutes in Heaven (2013)
Why Read This Series? Fans of twisty plots and dual perspectives will love The Lying Game. The unique narrative style, with Sutton’s ghostly commentary, adds an eerie layer to Emma’s quest for truth.
The Heiresses Series (2014)
A standalone series with one book, The Heiresse, dives into the glamorous yet deadly world of a wealthy family cursed by tragedy. Think high-stakes drama with a touch of glamour.
- The Heiresses (2014)
The Perfectionists Series (2014–2015)
This duology follows five girls in Beacon Heights whose perfect lives hide dark secrets. When a murder plot spirals out of control, they’re caught in a web of suspicion.
- The Perfectionists (2014)
- The Good Girls (2015)
Why Try This? If you enjoyed Pretty Little Liars, this series offers a similar vibe with a tighter, two-book arc, perfect for a quick but intense read.
The Amateurs Series (2016–2018)
A trilogy about a group of amateur sleuths solving a cold case, this series blends mystery with teamwork and unexpected twists.
- The Amateurs (2016)
- Follow Me (2017)
- Last Seen (2018)
Penny Draws Series (2023–2025)
A departure from her thrillers, this middle-grade series follows Penny, a young artist navigating friendship and school through her drawings. It’s lighthearted and ideal for younger readers.
- Penny Draws a Best Friend (2023)
- Penny Draws a School Play (2023)
- Penny Draws a Secret Adventure (2024)
- Penny Draws a Class Trip (2024)
- Penny Draws a Team Sport (2025)
- Penny Draws a First Crush (2025) – Upcoming
Standalone Novels
Shepard’s standalone novels range from young adult to adult fiction, showcasing her versatility with themes of mystery, family, and identity.
- The Visibles / All The Things We Didn’t Say (2009)
- Everything We Ever Wanted (2010)
- The Elizas (2018)
- Reputation (2019)
- Influence (2020) – Co-authored with Lilia Buckingham
- Safe In My Arms (2021)
- Memory Lane (2021)
- Wait for Me (2022)
- Nowhere Like Home (2024)
- Gaslight (2024) – Co-authored with Miles Joris-Peyrafitte
Anthologies
Shepard has contributed to several anthologies, perfect for fans wanting shorter stories with her signature suspense.
- Who Done It? (2013)
- Meet Cute (2018)
- Moms Don’t Have Time To (2021)
Chronological Reading Order for Pretty Little Liars
For Pretty Little Liars fans, the chronological order differs slightly due to prequel and companion novels. Here’s the suggested reading order to follow the story’s timeline:
- Ali’s Pretty Little Lies (2013) – Prequel
- Pretty Little Liars (2006)
- Flawless (2007)
- Perfect (2007)
- Unbelievable (2008)
- Wicked (2008)
- Killer (2009)
- Wanted (2010)
- Heartless (2010)
- Twisted (2011)
- Ruthless (2011)
- Pretty Little Secrets (2012) – Companion
- Stunning (2012)
- Burned (2012)
- Crushed (2013)
- Deadly (2013)
- Toxic (2014)
- Vicious (2014)
Chronological Reading Order for The Lying Game
For The Lying Game, the prequel novella fits before the main series:
- The First Lie (2012) – Prequel
- The Lying Game (2010)
- Never Have I Ever (2011)
- Two Truths and a Lie (2012)
- Hide and Seek (2012)
- Cross My Heart, Hope to Die (2013)
- True Lies (2013)
- Seven Minutes in Heaven (2013)
Tips for an Engaging Reading Experience
- Start with Pretty Little Liars: It’s Shepard’s flagship series and a great introduction to her style. The TV show fans will love diving into the original books for deeper character insights.
- Mix Series with Standalones: If you need a break from long series, try standalones like The Elizas or Reputation for a fresh mystery.
- Skim Companion Novels if Short on Time: Books like Pretty Little Secrets add flavor but aren’t essential to the main plot.
- Explore Adaptations: After reading, check out the Pretty Little Liars or The Lying Game TV series to compare Shepard’s vision with the screen versions.
Why Sara Shepard’s Books Are a Must-Read
Shepard’s stories blend suspense, drama, and relatable characters, making them perfect for readers who love mysteries with emotional stakes. Her ability to weave scandal and secrets into glamorous settings keeps readers hooked, while her shorter series, like The Perfectionists, offer quick, satisfying reads. With upcoming releases like Penny Draws a First Crush (2025), Shepard continues to captivate across age groups.
Where to Find Sara Shepard’s Books
You can purchase Sara Shepard’s books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or through Kindle Unlimited for select titles. Check your local library for physical or e-book copies, or explore audiobook options on Audible for an immersive experience.
Final Thoughts
Sara Shepard’s books offer a thrilling escape into worlds of secrets, betrayal, and mystery. Whether you’re unraveling the lies in Pretty Little Liars or following Emma’s quest in The Lying Game, reading her books in order ensures you catch every twist. Start your journey today and let us know in the comments which series or standalone is your favorite! For more book recommendations, stay tuned for our next reading guide. Happy reading!

