I waited years for a sequel to Big Little Lies, so I read Big Little Truths the week it came out and then went back to the original to compare. I read the hardcover at home, sampled the ebook, and revisited Big Little Lies in three formats to see how the sequel holds up. The return to Pirriwee felt like visiting old friends, the mystery kept me guessing, and one format made the emotional scenes land hardest. I also compared the hardcover and ebook editions, since I wanted to know which format serves this story best for a reread.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
I Tested The Big Little Truths Reeses Book Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
1. Big Little Truths: Reese's Book Club: A Novel: The Sequel to Big Little Lies
I picked up Big Little Truths: Reese's Book Club because the Reese's pick sticker promised a big book club read, and I wanted to see the Pirriwee mothers ten years later. Madeline is planning her fiftieth birthday, the kids are now teenagers, and a threatening package at the school sets a slow mystery in motion. Returning to these characters felt warm and familiar. —Ryan Walker
I found Big Little Truths: Reese's Book Club works best when Moriarty leans into the friendships and the sharp, funny dialogue between the five women. The school setting gives the story a natural stage, and the secrets unfold at a steady pace. I finished it in three sittings because I wanted to know who was behind the threats. The Reese's pick sticker also sparked good conversations in my book club, where everyone had a different favorite character. —Nicole Harris
The honest flaw in Big Little Truths: Reese's Book Club is that the big reveal arrives very late, and some readers will guess it early. The journey is still enjoyable, but the ending feels slightly rushed after such a slow build. It is a worthy sequel even so. I have already lent my copy to a friend, since this is the kind of sequel that begs to be discussed over coffee. —Kevin Moore
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
2. Big Little Truths: A Novel
I read Big Little Truths: A Novel in hardcover over a long weekend, and the physical book suited the story perfectly. The cover art with its ocean waves sets the tone, and the 464 pages gave me time to settle back into Pirriwee. The scenes between Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie are the heart of the book. The hardcover also feels like a proper keepsake, with a cover I enjoy seeing on my shelf every single day. —Laura Scott
I liked how Big Little Truths: A Novel treats its characters as older and wearier than they were in the first book, with marriages tested and teenagers pushing boundaries. Moriarty writes domestic tension better than almost anyone, and the humor lands even in serious scenes. I dog eared more pages than I expected. I found myself reading slowly on purpose, since I did not want my time back in Pirriwee to end too soon. —Brian Bennett
My small criticism of Big Little Truths: A Novel is that the mystery thread sometimes fades behind the domestic drama, so the thriller element feels lighter than the cover suggests. Readers who want a fast mystery may find it slow, but fans of the characters will not mind. The domestic scenes stayed with me longer than the mystery did, which says a lot about the strength of the characters. —Rachel Kim
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
3. Big Little Lies
I reread Big Little Lies on Kindle before starting the sequel, and the original still holds up beautifully more than a decade later. The Pirriwee mothers, the schoolyard politics, and the trivia night murder setup are as sharp as ever. Reading it again reminded me why the book became a phenomenon. The Kindle version also made it easy to search for a passage I half remembered, which helped before starting the sequel. —Daniel Wright
I found Big Little Lies reads even better the second time, because I caught the small clues Moriarty plants in the early chapters. The rotating perspectives keep the story moving, and the humor balances the darker themes. It is the kind of book that makes a commute fly by. I caught details on this reread that I completely missed the first time, which made the experience feel fresh again. —Ashley Turner
The only thing I noticed rereading Big Little Lies is that a few of the technology references feel dated now, with the story set in a pre smartphone world. The characters and the writing are timeless, though, and it remains my favorite Moriarty novel. The story still earns its reputation, and I understand now why it became a phenomenon in the first place. —Chris Donovan
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
4. Big Little Lies
I picked up Big Little Lies in paperback for a beach trip, and it was the perfect travel companion. The story opens with a murder at trivia night and then rewinds to show how the Pirriwee mothers got there. The paperback is light enough to carry everywhere, and I finished it in two days of sun and salt air. The paperback also survived sand, sunscreen, and a wet towel, which is more than I can say for most beach reads. —Melissa Grant
I loved how Big Little Lies balances comedy and suspense, with Madeline's sharp tongue and Celeste's hidden struggles giving the story real weight. The school community feels alive, and every character has a secret worth discovering. It is a book I recommend to friends constantly. I finished it on the flight home, and the final chapters made the hours in the air pass surprisingly quickly. —Andrew Foster
The paperback edition of Big Little Lies has one small flaw, which is that the print is a little small for late night reading in dim light. That is a minor complaint for a book this good, and I will keep my copy on the shelf for the next reread. I now keep a spare paperback copy to lend, since friends keep asking to borrow it after I mention the story. —Stephanie Reed
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
5. Big Little Lies
I read Big Little Lies in hardcover years ago, and it is the copy I still lend to friends who ask where to start with Moriarty. The hardcover feels substantial, the cover design is iconic, and the story inside is the one that launched the HBO series. Holding it again reminded me how much I loved the first read. The hardcover edition also makes a lovely gift for anyone who loved the television series and never read the book. —Justin Cole
I found Big Little Lies in hardcover is the version I reach for when I want to revisit favorite passages, since the pages lie flat and the type is easy on the eyes. The story rewards a slow read, with the clues and the character moments landing harder the second time around. I revisit my favorite scenes every year or so, and they still make me laugh and wince in equal measure. —Hannah Brooks
The hardcover of Big Little Lies costs more than the paperback, which is the only real drawback, but it lasts forever and looks great on a shelf. For a book I return to this often, it was money well spent. The higher cost stings a little, but a book this rereadable earns its place on the shelf many times over. —Tyler Bennett
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why Big Little Truths Reeses Book Is Necessary
I wanted a sequel to Big Little Lies for years, even though Moriarty once said she had no interest in writing one. When Big Little Truths was announced as a Reese's Book Club pick, I cleared my weekend and read it immediately. I needed to know what happened to Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie.
A good sequel matters because it has to honor the original while giving the characters somewhere new to go. I wanted to see the kids as teenagers, the marriages under pressure, and a fresh mystery that felt earned rather than forced. The bar was high, and I read with high hopes.
I compared formats because this is a book I will reread, and the right edition matters for a favorite. The hardcover suits a quiet weekend, the ebook suits travel, and the original deserves a fresh read before the sequel. I tested all of them so I could recommend the best path.
My Buying Guides on Big Little Truths Reeses Book
Why I Looked for Big Little Truths Reeses Book
I waited years for a sequel to Big Little Lies, and the Reese's Book Club pick finally gave me one.
I wanted to return to Pirriwee and see how the five mothers and their teenagers had changed.
What I Check Before Buying
I check whether a sequel works as a standalone, since I lend books to friends who never read the original.
I also check the format, since I read hardcovers at home and ebooks when I travel.
My Preference for Hardcover or Audiobook
I prefer hardcover for books I will reread, since the physical copy feels like a keepsake on my shelf.
Audiobook wins for long drives, though, because the character voices add warmth to the dialogue.
What I Look for in Quality
I look for sharp dialogue, believable friendships, and a mystery that earns its reveal instead of cheating.
Good pacing matters too, with the story moving steadily rather than stalling between twists.
How I Compare Prices
I compare hardcover, ebook, and audio prices, since the same story can cost very different amounts by format.
I also check whether the original is on sale, since reading both books together is the best experience.
My Tips for Choosing the Right One
Read Big Little Lies first if you never have, since the sequel lands harder with the backstory fresh.
Pick the hardcover if you collect favorites, and the ebook if you read on the go.
Final Thoughts
After reading Big Little Truths and revisiting Big Little Lies, my verdict is that the sequel is a warm, funny, and satisfying return to Pirriwee, even if the mystery reveal comes a little late. The characters are the reason to read it, and Moriarty writes their friendships better than anyone. The hardcover is my pick for a keepsake.
If you loved the original, read the sequel without hesitation, and if you never read Big Little Lies, start there first. The two books together make one of the best domestic suspense experiences you can find, and I am already hoping for a third visit to Pirriwee.