I’m not really sure if I enjoyed this or not . I loved the first quarter of the book then I got a bit bored with the story . I got half way through and nearly didn’t finish it but I carried on and the last quarter I really enjoyed. I would recommend this book as I think it may appeal to most people. It just had the tension missing for me I’m afraid

Evie Porter isn’t; nor is she any of the other names used over the last eight years. But ‘con artist’ is too weak; she is a professional avatar, she is real. Certainly, Ryan Sumner believes she is real, real enough to fall for her, and let her move in to his house. Ryan is a rich financial consultant but money is not the reason that Evie has ensnared him. Her boss, Mr Smith, usually seeks useful information or the retrieval of stolen items for clients, although grounds for blackmail are also in the mix. Evie, and other unidentified operatives, are the tools for obtaining this material. Usually she will be given the name of the mark, her new identity (including documents and background) and a location, but will not get details of the material sought until she has established her position. So, although she is gathering information on Ryan’s activities she doesn’t know why, or on whose behalf she is doing this. She is also becoming emotionally attached to him, which makes things more complicated. A further complication is her increasing suspicion that this mission is a test, following her failure on the previous one. Resolving that issue will come to dominate her future.
The story runs in two strands, Evie’s present situation trying to outsmart or out manoeuvre Mr Smith, and flashbacks to some of her previous missions. In the latter, information on her background and personality is supplied, as well as to our understanding of Mr Smith’s operation. Inserted in these are the crucial plot requirements which will facilitate the resolution of her present dilemma. The way in which that resolution is engineered is a delight to read, as is the book as a whole. In fact, the smoothness of the writing carries you along just as much as the desire to see how it all fits together.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

I really enjoyed this book - it's the perfect thriller and I'm so glad to have read it before it is a TV series.

It kept me gripped and guessing throughout. It is well written and a good read if you want to get excited.

I'll definitely more from this author.

This book grabbed me straight away and didn’t let me go till the last page. I was intrigued to know more about the main character who is really Lucca but takes on various names and identities depending on the job she is doing for her boss, the elusive ‘Mr Smith’.
It’s a plot unlike any I’ve ever red before and for that I commend the author, Ashley Elston, there are twists and turns and nothing is ever quite what it seems!
Normally, I’d give a bit about the storyline but honestly it’s a much better read if you just go into it like I did without reading much about it.
Be prepared though, you’re not going to want to put it down! An easy five stars from me!
My thanks go to the author, the publishers and to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book.

This book was a stunningly well written piece of Machiavellian intrigue, with plot twists that just kept me gasping and furiously reading on into the small hours of the morning to discover what was actually the truth!
The characters are well imagined and "feel real". I love the fact that it is unlike most other books out there, in the respect that the plot is not routine and you really can't guess where this rollercoaster narrative will end.
The fact that you start with a main character, that you think you know and what motivates her, but ultimately come to the conclusion that any preconceived notions about the direction of the book or what drives the main character is peeled away later by layer until you realise that you really had no idea at all and you're just along for the wild ride and conniving things that happen throughout is mind blowing.
I highly recommend this book if you are looking for an intense, puzzling page turner that has you guessing until the very end I also felt very invested in the main character and her story.
Very well done to this author and I'd like to see more from her.

Brilliant read.

A totally unique psychological thriller with many twists and turns and the use of present day and past ‘jobs’ adds to the suspense. Complex and well constructed we follow’Evie’ as she carries out her work for ‘Mr Smith’ who seems to know everything happening to Evie.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Headline and Ashley Elston for the ARV in return for an honest review.

What a fabulous read !,fast paced ,gripping ,with plenty of twists. Full of suspenseful moments, a very clever story of Evie Porter but who is she really and does she even exist ? Prepare to enjoy ..Thank you to Net Galley for my ARC.

Evie Porter seems like a nice, homely gal but soon we learn that her name and location changes frequently. Evie works for a shady employer targeting individuals where the aim is to blackmail them or steal something from them. The novel flits between her current target and events that have taken place in the past with previous targets. At first, it is not clear why these previous events are been described but as the book progresses, their significance becomes apparent and everything falls into place (no spoilers here!). A gripping and suspenseful thriller. This is a clever and original novel – everyone will be talking about it. You will be enthralled.

Evie Porter lives under a fake identity carrying out work for her boss Mr Smith. However whilst on one of these jobs, she comes face to face with someone claiming to be the person she is in ‘real life’ Evie is shaken and vows to find out what is going on.

This book is an absolute roller-coaster of a read. It hooked me in from the very first page and kept me that way right until the very last word. There are plenty of twists and turns and surprises along the way.

I’m sure there may be some who consider parts to be far fetched, and perhaps yes some of it may be, but I’m reading fiction not fact so I’m ok with that. I could switch off from the outside world whilst reading it and I adore that kind of escapism. It was also one that I was keen to get back to each time I had to put it down.

I’ve not read anything by this author before but based on this, I absolutely will.

Thank you to Headline Books and Netgalley for my early advanced copy. This review is my own honest opinion

I absolutely loved this book. Well written, fast paced, interesting characters in the enigmatic Evie and the not so bland Ryan, some double crossing, mysteries to figure out and a double agent in it all.
Highly recommended.

I'd seen some early buzz and rave reviews for this book so had to see for myself.

The main character, Evie Porter is on a mission, she works for a mysterious boss who sends her undercover to gather information from the unsuspecting victims whose lives she gets involves in.

It's told in past and present, the present sees her settling in her latest role, the past cover various aliases and undercover jobs at various times. There's lots going on and lots of variety. I love how the past timeframes almost seem like separate short stories, until they all start to piece together on a collision course with the present.

It's very original. It's intricately plotted, there's a lot of plot and twist after twist after twist, though you never get lost as a reader, and everything gets explained. One to read as fast as you can to try and keep up and not miss anything.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley and Headline

I don't usually read these kind of books (I read more Fantasy) but thought I'd give it a go as I thought it sounded interesting. I was totally gripped by it and loved all the twists. Such a good book!

Not the story I was expecting. Evie has an enviable life but as the truth comes out you are confused by her back story. She seems to lie about everything! All the strands of her life come together in a exceptional way. Gripping and very well plotted. Excellent read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the advance copy of this book.

Lucca has an unusual job. Not only does she not know who her employer is, but every job she takes to gather information is different than the next. To do it she has to change identity and pretend to be someone else. Her new job is to find out information about a guy called Ryan summer. This job has been more difficult than they rest, and she had to be a step ahead and on guard to make sure her real identity is revealed.
Thank you Headline for a copy of First lie wins by Ashley Elston. This is the first book from the author I have read and to be honest not heard of her popularity before. I liked the premise of the story and at first, I found it intriguing and slightly different from other thrillers I have read. But as I got deeper in the story, with all the different identities and timelines in this story and I got confused if what is happening and struggled with it, even though I managed to finish it. 3 stars from me.

Evie Porter has everything anyone could want, however Evie Porter does not exist. She is given new aliases by her shady boss and she is thrown into the new role of targeting Ryan. She needs to make sure she’s once step ahead so she isn’t caught out and her real identity isn’t revealed.

This was a very solid thriller with plenty of action and twists. The story goes off in a clever, unexpected direction and constantly left me wanting to find out more. You slowly learn about the main characters background which helps the story flow well and helps to keep the story focused. The characters were all well written and I enjoyed the mysterious vibe. Overall a very good read even though there were moments where it was slightly unbelievable. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this copy in return for an honest review.

Wow !! This book totally consumed me, I was locked in and engaged from the very first page this was an epic page turned that I just could not put down, I had to keep reading this incredible suspenseful game of deception between the main character Evie and her elusive employer. Can she remain on task? is she safe? can she reclaim her identity or will she forever be another alias moving from town to town? Can she ever get out of this entrapment and settle for a normal life with a normal relationship? Read this book !!!! Thank you to NetGalley Uk, Ashley Elston and Headline Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

I was drawn into this from the start and loved the whole premise. However, I did find it very confusing towards the end and I was left feeling deflated. I think the plot was just a bit too convoluted and the way the story went backwards and forwards, with lots of different names and scenarios to remember, it took the pace out of the story.

#FirstLieWins #NetGalley This was different from my usual police procedural/crime thriller and is more of a psychological thriller - I loved it!! Fast paced and very twisty with turns I wasn't expecting. |I could not put this book down. The first book I have read by this author but I will certainly watch out for more in the future. A well deserved 5 stars!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston goes straight to my 6 ⭐ - I absolutely loved it - list!
This book was incredible!
This book was clever!
This book was full of twists!
Situations were planned up to the smallest details!
This is absolutely - definitely - for sure - MUST READ book!

Evie Porter is smart! She is so smart! Every single thing she does means something. She is like a talented spider that twists things and wraps in her web. She knows that there are limited people to trust so she must watch every step, and control every word! Her life is a suspenseful game and she is good at this game! She is a hunter! She will work out situations in the way you expect the least!

I can't express how grateful I am to get this ARC (planned publication 01/2024), thank you Headline, and NetGalley!

Brilliantly different. I was totally caught up in the story. Fresh with a beautiful twist. Highly recommend this for anyone who loves a thriller and is looking for something different.
Will definitely be looking for more from this author.