I've been looking for a great thriller to sink my teeth into for a while and I really enjoyed First Lie Wins. There are so many threads and I loved how they all come together at the end. It reminded me somewhat of Killing Eve (for anyone who has seen it), and the author is brilliant at keeping the reader on their toes throughout by never giving away how much Evie does or doesn't know. Loved it!

A debut adult thriller and what a debut it was. Welcome to a world of lies where nothing and nobody is what it seems at first glance! Written in multiple timelines and told from Evie’s POV this was a compelling read. Evie is a ‘grifter’ who works for the mysterious Mr Smith hoping she will find a way to better her life.

Briefly, Evie Porter meets Ryan Sumner when her car develops a flat tyre and he offers to change it for her. In no time he has asked her to move in with him and life seems good. Then they are invited to a Derby party where they meet an old friend of Ryan called James. He is with his girlfriend Lucca Marino. Only problem is that Evie’s real name is Lucca Marino too and Evie doesn’t exist!

So who is Lucca and why are there two of them? It would be so easy to give the game away but no pointers here. I kept thinking I had sussed it only to be hit with another brilliant twist. A real edge of the seat read, one I couldn’t put down until I’d finished it. An enthralling read, complex but still easy to follow, it’s just a shockingly good story. Excellent.

Thank you so much to Headline and Ashley Elston for the ARC of this book.

The vague description of this book had me hooked and I'm so thankful I read it.

Evie Porter is one of my new favourite female lead characters. She is smart and I was rooting for her throughout the entire story. The characters were so likeable (or not, depending on who they were) and I really hope this book gets a sequel. I felt like I was part of the team thoughout.

I would recommend this book to anyone. I had no spoilers at all so I would encourage anyone who likes thrillers and spy novels to read this without looking too much into it. It was a fantastic story and I hope to see it on TV soon!

I was expecting a psychological thriller but found this to be more of a spy thriller! I’m not a fan of this type of book so unfortunately half way through I gave up.. I have read loads of reviews for this book which are full of praise for the plot, characters, and writing. So on this occasion I would say it’s me rather than the book.

This is such a clever thriller that hooked me in immediately . It has so many twists and turns and I had not anticipated the ending at all. I must read more from this compelling author.

I found this to be something really different. It's very cleverly crafted. In my opinion what starts out as a compulsive and intriguing psychological thriller morphs into a modern day spy story. I thought it intensely gripping because I could not work out who are the good/bad guys. There are so many surprises and twists with a completely unexpected conclusion. I can't wait to read more from this author.

An interesting read and a concept I haven't read about before. Evie Porter is just one of a number of characters that she has used in her working life after being head hunted by the mysterious "Mr Smith" to work as a hustler. He decides on the "victims" and sends Evie to do his dirty work. However this time Evie finds it more difficult as she experiences the life she always dreamt of.
Although I fairly enjoyed the book I did find it dragged in places, I thought at the beginning there were scenarios that didn't necessarily need to be written but found by the end I was wrong as everything began to fall into place

Evie Porter has just been asked to move into Ryan's house as she is spending all of her time there anyway. What Ryan doesn't know is that Evie Porter is not her real name and he is a job to her. But when James, a friend of Ryan's, shows up with his new girlfriend things change. The girlfriend resembles Evie so much that she could be her twin. When she asks her name and it's Evie's real name, she knows that her boss is playing games and his games are dangerous. After dinner with Evie and Ryan, James and his girlfriends car crashes and they die, the ante is upped and a game of cat and mouse begins.
A really, really readable book. I was drawn in completely.

You meet a stranger at a party.
 
She looks like you.
She has your name.
She's here to take something you have.
 So how far will you go to protect it?
 
Evie Porter has everything a girl could want: a doting boyfriend, a house with a picket fence, a fun group of friends.
 
The only catch: Evie Porter doesn't exist.
 
Something thrilling this way comes…

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I read this book quite fast, before I could forget who each character was. It's hard to review as it's the type where anything I say could lead to spoilers! I will say that Evie 's past actions in her life will come in useful. The life she leads and the type of person she appears to be don't seem compatible, but she finds a way to complete each job while helping too. I enjoyed this book and I hope I haven't given too much away!

This book was so good! It was intriguing and really drawed me in. I'll be reading more of this authors work.

I absolutely LOVED this book.

It is incredibly gripping and had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put it down. Packed full of twists. It is definitely a must read.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Headines Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
This is an addictive twisty, fun and very entertaining read.
Evie has moved in with her boyfriend Ryan, his friends, especially the female ones are rather dubious of her, she needs to work on fitting in to his circle. Everything is perfect, what could possibly go wrong!
The question is, does Evie Porter exist, she has had so many identities for her job with the mysterious Mr Smith, and who actually is Mr Smith? Ryan doesn’t feel like a job though, she likes him but he also seems to be keeping secrets from her.
Lies lies and more lies, the plot thickens but slowly the pieces start to join together, as Evie tries to stay one step ahead of the game.
An entertaining read.

Tightly plotted thriller with a drip feed that keeps you guessing. Entertaining from the get go, but really ramps up as the story progresses. This is a complete book, but I hope the author finds time to have more fun with these entertaining characters. (There are suggestions of a film, read the book and you will see why, and you may find yourself along side me waiting at the cinema door. Bags first seat!) Thank you to Headline and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

I quite enjoyed this, it was different from simialr style books and the plot reflected the author's unique ideas. The characterisation was also reslly good- excellent writing and a compelling storyline :)
thank you to netgalley for the e-arc!

First Lie Wins held me in its grip almost from the first page. It is a quick read with an original plot and plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. I will be on the look out for more books by Ashley Elston.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Gripping and kept me on the edge of my nerves. Really great read. The consequences of living on the run and being drawn into an intriguing life where it turns out you really don’t know who to trust. The ending and finding out who Mr Smith was had me completely speechless, most unexpected.

The descriptions were clear and really felt you were there with the characters.

A real page turner, I read it in two days and was totally engrossed each time I thought I had worked it out there was another surprise.

Ooh!! Loved this!!! Was better than I expected and I did expect it would be good.
Don't want to give anything away, it was so good and had plenty of twists and turns keeping me guessing. Who is Mr Smith? Who is Evie Porter? We find out about Evie as the story progresses, Mr Smith though....he was a surprise.
Thanks to netgally for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was far more complex than I expected it to be from the description. It was very clever and was more than just a thriller, there were spy elements in it, and a lot going on. I enjoyed reading it, I had to keep my wits about me to keep up with the story, but it was worth it. Great read refreshing and a bit different.

I enjoyed this - I thought it was different from the usual and the plot reflected the author's unique ideas. The characterisation was also great - skilled writing and a great storyline. Thank you for the opportunity.