The Best Reese's Book Club Picks To Check Out If You're Already Missing The White Lotus
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Are you a huge fan of the hit series "The White Lotus," but you've watched it too many times to justify a fifth rewatch? Then it might be time to find another way to fill that void. And, Reese's Book Club has you covered. The book club has an array of picks that will take you on that wildly suspenseful adrenaline journey "The White Lotus" took us on.
The beautiful views, suspenseful turns in a luxury setting, and the wildly flawed characters are just some of the elements that make "The White Lotus" so addictive. But now that the third season has come to an end, it's the perfect time to dive into a good book that captures that perfect blend of opulence, chaos, and dark secrets like the show did.
There are so many of Reese's Book Club picks that are set in a glitzy high-stakes setting with morally complex and even messy characters, and stories that keep you guessing on every page. These novels mirror the unpredictability and intensity that the show served up, and might deliver the same emotional rollercoaster and clever plot twists that made "The White Lotus" so jaw-droppingly good.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
By now, we know Reese's Book Club has a gift for choosing some thriller and mystery books. And, "First Lie Wins" by Ashley Elston is one of them. A nominee for Goodreads Choice Awards Readers' Favorite Mystery and Thriller and Readers' Favorite Audiobook in 2024, this novel gives major "The White Lotus" vibes, but takes the suspense to a whole other level. Set against a backdrop of some super luxurious destinations, this story is filled with deception and high-stakes drama. If you love "The White Lotus" for its tension and unexpected twists, you'll love the characters full of secrets and the intense storyline of this pick.
Whenever Evie's boss, Mr. Smith, reaches out, it's time for Evie to head a new life and a new identity in pursuit of a target. This time, her target is Ryan Sumner, except this target doesn't feel like the others. Ryan begins to matter more than he should, and Evie's lines are blurred as she begins picturing a life that she might be able to call her own. But her past is always right behind her, on her tail, and one bad move could ruin everything for her. Will Evie be able to stay sharp enough to survive?
All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett
If you love watching "The White Lotus" characters go out of their way to try and play their cards in the world of money and social games, you're going to love "All That Life Can Afford" by Emily Everett. Selected as a Reese's Book Club April '25 pick, Reese described it as a story "about love, ambition, and the cost of belonging, and I cannot stop thinking about it." As a "White Lotus" fan, you'll also love the lush international settings like bustling London and the ultra-glamorous coastal French town of Saint Tropez.
Anna's life has been held up by food stamps and hand-me-downs, but she has always been determined to change that. To fulfill her lifelong dream of a lavish life in London, she heads to the bustling city with hopes of pursuing the life she's long dreamed of. But, London wasn't all that the books Anna read made it out to be. It turns out to be not so different from her life back home. That is, until she meets the Wilders and becomes a tutor for their daughter in Saint Tropez. Now, life is finally starting to feel like a fairy tale full of gorgeous men, parties, and private drivers. But behind all of the glitz and glam is a darker game. Will Anna be able to play the game successfully to live the life she's always wanted?
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
"The Guest List" was the winner of the 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards Readers' Favorite Thriller and Mystery, and it's easy to see why. Set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland, this story unravels layer by layer with every chapter. Foley does an excellent job of building tension and always revealing just enough about each character to keep you guessing. A lavish destination wedding goes awry in this mystery thriller, and there are so many aspects of this book that will remind you of "The White Lotus."
Jules Keegan, an established magazine publisher, and Will Slater, a charismatic television star, are to say, "I do," on a secluded island off the coast of Ireland with hardly any cell service. But old grudges and resentment from the past begin to surface, and this wedding weekend is about to take a dark turn. Hannah, a plus one at the wedding, can't seem to shake off the bad vibes she gets about the weekend ahead. Hannah may have been right after all, as a body is discovered during the weekend festivities. What will happen in this lavish wedding-turned-murder mystery? The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, revealing everyone's deepest, darkest secrets. Foley will have you guessing until the very end, and it'll surely give you the adrenaline rush "The White Lotus" did.
We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz
A New York Times bestselling novel, "We Were Never Here" by Andrea Bartz is a riveting psychological thriller about two best friends, dark secrets, and a trip they should have never taken. A favorite among the #BookTok community, the story will have readers hooked for its chilling premise and have them guessing until the very last page. Bartz blends suspense and emotional depth to craft a tale about a friendship that goes too far.
Emily and Kristen are best friends who take a yearly reunion trip, and this time, they're in the mountains of Chile. Emily is having the time of her life until the last night of the trip, when she walks into the hotel room and it's a blood-soaked scene. Kristen claims she killed a man in the name of self-defense, but all of this is too similar to the deadly incident that happened on their last vacation. Traumatized, Emily returns home to Wisconsin, tries to forget what happened, and works to get back to her everyday routine, but the weight of everything that has happened won't let her. To make matters worse, Kristen shows up at her door, and now Emily must confront the horrid past she tried to leave behind.
The Club by Ellery Lloyd
Was your favorite part about "The White Lotus" the luxurious getaway that delved into absolute chaos? Then go ahead and add "The Club" by Ellery Lloyd to your must-read list. This story takes place at an exclusive club for A-listers only, on an island off the English coast. This is a club everyone wants in on, but not everyone gets to join. It's also where egos are on full display and secrets don't stay secret. With its luxurious club setting and rising tensions, this book is perfect for fans who love glitzy, glamorous chaos.
The Home Group is known for its clubs that offer both privacy and opulence to A-listers, but none of their clubs are as opulent, lavish, or darker than Island Home, their newest club. At the launch party of the club, staff and guests alike harbor some dark secrets that can destroy not only this party but perhaps people's lives. With all the staff on edge and entitled guests not behaving themselves, chaos and murder quickly ensue. Will anyone make it off the island?
How we came up with this list
As die-hard fans of "The White Lotus", we were beyond excited to put this list together. Hours were spent diving into discussions on the show's subreddit, with nearly a million Redditors, where fans shared what they loved so much about the show, character breakdowns, and moments that made their jaw drop. These discussions helped Women gain a better understanding of what viewers loved most. The breathtaking luxury resort setting, the morally messy interpersonal drama, the tangled social class dynamics, and the complexly layered characters were just some of the elements that made the show go viral. We know exactly what you're looking for.
With all of this in mind, we went in search of books from Reese's Book Club that channeled the same energy and tension. We sought out synopses that were a bit chaotic and gave high-stakes thrill. And if the story brought a little jet-set chaos to the table? Even better. Whether it's through the setting of an ultra-exclusive island full of dark secrets or a lavish wedding on a remote island gone wrong, we know these books will give off the same energy as "The White Lotus."