Books That Feel Like The White Lotus
If you, like me, live for the messy, sun-soaked chaos of The White Lotus—the wealthy people behaving badly, the biting social satire, the slow-burn unraveling of secrets—then you probably need a book (or five) to fill the void now that you’ve binged the recent series.
Lucky for you, I’ve got a list of novels that serve up White Lotus vibes in the best way possible—whether it’s the glamorous setting, the toxic rich, the delicious tension, or the downright deranged behaviour. Grab a cocktail (preferably with an umbrella) and let’s dive in.
A White Lotus protagonist who won’t leave the resort.
Emma Cline is back with a novel that practically is an episode of The White Lotus. A young woman—aimless, broke, and morally flexible—gets herself invited into the lavish world of the Hamptons’ elite. When her summer fling gives her the boot, she refuses to leave, drifting from mansion to mansion like a human red flag. It’s eerie, tense, and dripping with that slow-burn unease that White Lotus does so well.
White Lotus but make it a literary thriller.
If White Lotus had a bookish cousin, it would be this sharp, jet-setting thriller. A struggling writer lands a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to assist a mysterious, wildly successful author. They head to Morocco, where things take a very Patricia Highsmith meets Euphoria turn. Twisty, glamorous, and darkly funny, this one’s perfect if you loved the rich-people-gone-wrong chaos of White Lotus.
White Lotus but dystopian.
Want something that takes White Lotus’s themes of privilege and power to a nightmarish extreme? The Divers’ Game imagines a world where the wealthy literally have the right to kill the poor, and society is built on a system of violent, unchecked privilege. It’s chilling, cerebral, and the kind of book that will haunt you long after you turn the last page.
If Tanya from White Lotus was a scammer.
This book gives White Lotus Season 2 energy—sun-drenched wealth, lavish lifestyles, and a protagonist who probably shouldn’t be trusted. A naïve NYU student gets swept up into the world of an impossibly glamorous, possibly criminal heiress. Think Inventing Anna meets The Talented Mr. Ripley, with a twisty, compulsively readable plot.
White Lotus with a body count.
A celebrity-exclusive island retreat, VIPs behaving badly, and murder. Need I say more? This one is part Knives Out, part White Lotus, and fully unputdownable. If you love stories where the ultra-rich think they’re untouchable until things go very wrong, you’ll devour this.
White Lotus but unhinged.
A beautiful, wealthy food writer who also happens to be a literal cannibal? Say no more. This book is White Lotus levels of satire turned up to 100—decadent, darkly hilarious, and dripping with social critique. If you like your rich people really unhinged, this is the one for you.
Influencer culture meets White Lotus mayhem.
The toxicity of social media, performative wealth, and a deeply unsettling look at what happens when curated online lives meet real-life consequences. A famous "momfluencer" and her family get tangled in a dangerously obsessive fan’s web, and things spiral from there. Perfect for anyone who loves White Lotus's sharp take on modern privilege.
