First Lie Wins

Fantastic! I enjoyed every minute of this audiobook. I had my suspicions of the mysterious boss, Mr. Smith, and his real identity from the beginning. They were all proven wrong, and I loved it. This was a fast paced story that kept me guessing the whole time.

When I go into thrillers I'm hoping for a fun ride. Give me all the twists and turns. Following Evie as she outwits, outsmarts and attempts to stay two steps ahead of the mysterious Mr. Smith was everything I hoped it would be. Mr. Smith has enough on Evie to keep her under his complete control, while using her to complete his nefarious jobs. But when the new mark, Ryan, seems off to her, she knows something is up.

I loved Evie's ability to play each role to perfection, think on her show more feet, and show how incredibly intelligent and resourceful she can be. This was a fun, satisfying read, and I think it's going to be in my top favorites of 2024. show less

OK, so… this was fun and not a typical genre for me!

Rating- 4.5 Stars

I needed a little brain break from the Throne of Glass series and so I decided to listen to the audio version of First Lie Wins. First Lie Wins is a thriller that follows FMC, Luca, as she navigates a web of lies and deceit. The story is filled with twists and turns, keeping you guessing until the very end. The author doles out information in a unique way through flashbacks and current day that I actually really quite enjoyed. Nothing felt spoon fed rather my wheels were constantly spinning trying to predict the final outcome.

I especially enjoyed how the story not only delved into the suspenseful plot but also explored the main character's journey on a more personal show more level. There’s a hint of romance woven into the narrative, but it’s not your typical love story. Even so, I found myself rooting for Luca to find her version of a happily ever after. 😊

This was a fun change of pace and a perfect reprieve from the Throne of Glass series I’ve been immersed in. I would suggest the audiobook as I did notice that some readers felt confused by all of the flashbacks however, I did not feel that way listening to the audio. show less

First Lie Wins Ashley Elston is a 2024 Pamela Dorman Books publication.

I love a good con, and this book is one of the best I’ve read in a long time.

This story is centered around Evie Porter, a woman of many identities, living in a shadowy world, constantly on her guard, afraid of blowing her cover- or worse- displeasing her boss…

Her current job seems to put her in danger of doing both…

One really can’t go into many details without giving something away, and besides it’s a little complicated. But all you really need to know is this book is one big, fast paced, thrill -ride!

From start to finish it kept me on my toes, constantly guessing and completely pleased with the way the story ended. Very, very clever, smart, and wildly show more entertaining!!

Overall, one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read in ages!

4.5 stars show less

Honestly, it was such a fun and clever twist on the classic murder mystery. From the start, it hooked me with this mix of humor, suspense, and drama that never let up. The story feels like a wild game where everyone has secrets, and you’re constantly guessing who’s telling the truth or who’s lying to save themselves.
The characters are super entertaining, each with their own quirks and hidden sides that make the mystery feel layered and unpredictable. I loved how the story keeps you on your toes with twists that are smart but never feel forced. Plus, the writing is easy to follow and just really fun to read.
If you want a YA thriller that’s not too dark but packed with tension, humor, and mystery, First Lie Wins is a perfect pick. show more It’s one of those books you won’t want to put down until you know what really happened, and even then, you might still be guessing! show less

This book was exactly what I needed: a fast-paced thrill-ride I could not put down! With its brisk pace and breezy but clever writing style, the novel never lost momentum. Ashley Elston did a brilliant job with the story's structure, smartly hiding secrets in plain sight until just the right moment, ensuring the tension and conflict kept ratcheting up.

I found myself not only rooting for the main character, who is genuinely smart and likeable, but also trying to guess how things would pan out. (I thought I had it, but I was wrong.) Evie is a true gem of a heroine: intelligent and compelling. I was cheering for her right from the outset. Her smart decisions and the complex layers of her personality kept me glued to the pages.

The narrative show more is as original and engaging as any top-tier thriller I've ever read. I'd compare it to "Gone Girl," another favorite of mine, as both books share sharp twists and clever writing. (However, Evie is much more likeable than either of the protagonists in "Gone Girl.")

While some moments required me to heavily suspend my disbelief—particularly the almost magical timing of some genius IT solutions—those didn’t detract from the story. Instead, they added an element of fun to the unfolding drama, reminding me to just enjoy the ride.

I was thoroughly impressed with my first book by Ashley Elston, and I can't wait to see what she does next in this genre. show less

It took a few chapters for me to engage in this book. I needed to understand what Evie was about before getting hooked. The story took off around the third chapter. Evie steals high end items such as jewelry and paintings for her boss Mr. Smith. Another character, Devon, assists Evie in planning and executing her jobs. The story has the feel of a spy thriller. No one knows the identity of Mr. Smith or why he is interested in obtaining these goods. Sometimes he just wants information to be stolen.

Evie uses a different name for each job. These jobs are sometimes quick but can last for months and be in different locales. While she is with Ryan, Evie is introduced to a woman who is using her real name and life history which throws her off show more her game. Evie cannot imagine why this woman, claiming to be Lucca Marino, was in her path.

The novel is more of a whydunit than a whodunit. I was surprised by the big reveal (how all of the characters were related) and then by the ending. None of it was anticipated. show less

I've seen a lot of buzz about FIRST LIE WINS, and I'm happy to say that it lived up to the hype. It's a cleverly plotted and fast-paced cat-and-mouse thriller that was impossible to put down. In fact, I read the whole thing during a snow day home from work.

Evie Porter (or whoever she really is) was a fantastic unreliable narrator who was fun to try and figure out. She was flawed yet quite likable, and it was interesting to see how she handled each of her sticky situations. If you're looking for a unique and exciting thriller, I highly recommend this smart and twisty read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book. Opinions are my own.