This is a real page turner of a book.

We know from the off that Evie Porter is hiding something. She is about to meet the best friends of her boyfriend and she's fully expecting all of the usual questions and she knows exactly how to shut down the ones that she is not happy to answer.

Especially since Evie Porter doesn't actually exist. This character is given a new identity - and full background history - every now and then by Mr Smith, her mysterious boss who then sends her off on various missions.

Every chapter kept me wanting more. We're given insights in to previous identities and missions as well as the real background of this woman who just wants to finally earn enough money that she is able to walk away and go back to her real name.

Except a woman who bears a startling resemblance to her and even has her real name has just turned up.

What is going on?

This is a fast paced book with lots of twists and turns. Fantastic characters who I wanted to know more about.
I will be highly recommending this book to everyone that will listen.

Brilliant novel. Unusual, psychological thriller but brilliantly written by an author I´ve not read before but will certainly be looking out for in future. Extremely clever storyline. Don´t want to give anything away, but I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.

Masterful!

My thanks to NetGalley and Headline for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

If you found this book in the hotel library to take to the pool you wouldn't be disappointed. Not an in depth read but but not a bad read. Somewhat predictable, reminded me of the BBC series Hustle which did things somewhat better.
Clearly others loved it so all good. The writing needs to mature a bit I feel, possibly because it's a US book this is a cultural thing.
I would give the author another go as I understand this is a debut novel so could well get better

Evie Porter is not all she seems to be in her relationship with new partner Ryan and his friends have their suspicions but things take the first of many twists at a party when she apparently meets herself. Who is pulling who’s strings. As chapters move back and forth in time we begin to piece together his Evie has become who she currently claims to be.

Set in the southern USA this is an intriguing story of manipulation where the reader is constantly kept guessing as to whether Evie is in control or being controlled. Would make a good Netflix mini series!

When I started this book, I didn't think I would enjoy it, that it wasn't my usual genre. However, I found it really enjoyable and it kept me interested right to the end, and even surprised me with the ending - I wasn't expecting that. Overall a really good read.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Not sure what to say about this book, I enjoyed it and skipped bits so not quite sure. I will let others make their own decisions

4.5 Stars from me

Great book, the perfect read for my Covid addled brain as I spend a lazy Sunday on the sofa getting over my latest bout!

I found it interesting to learn that this is the author's first foray into adult fiction, having previously written for the YA market. I say that because I can easily see this story sitting in that genre too if the ages of the key characters was rolled back a little ;)

I can also see this easily becoming televised it would make for a great 3 parter.

Overall I found this to be a great read, there is a lead character you can root for, there is lots going on and lots to try and work out. There is intrigue, exciting, tension, suspense,  sophisticated cons, beautifully tied up loose ends and a satisfying ending.

this book is so addictive. Evie Porter has fallen in love with Ryan Summer they move in together. his friends think it is too fast. but Evie has secrets and so does Ryan. I can't say much otherwise spoilers. Evie is a very clever lady. who will do anything to better herself?the plot has so many twists and turns once you start you won't want to stop an amazing addictive read.

What a corker of a book. Absolutely spellbinding! It took me a while to really get in to it but once I did I couldn’t stop reading. Such a very, very clever and complicated plot, and it makes you wonder how on earth did the author think all this lot up?! As the story progresses, more and more twists are thrown in and unravelled so that you have to forget what you already thought you knew. Such a complex web – it almost gave me headache! Fantastic, and I loved Evie and Devon – and the ending. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read one of this year’s best thrillers. Here’s hoping there’s a sequel.

What a fabulous read. Really different storyline and lots of twists and turns. Couldn’t put it down. Just sad that, when they make into a film, I’ll know how the plot unfolds. Likeable characters and an engaging storyline. Can’t wait to read more by this author !

I found it a bit of a slow starter. You knew something was not right but as the story unravels it becomes harder to put the book down because more and more details are revealed. I don't know if I agreed with the ending but that is personal. Definitely an enjoyable read.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC.

Really, really clever! I was completely gripped by this story which was pacey and had so many twists and turns, I had no idea who was telling the truth! Cleverly plotted so not unbelievable when all is revealed and a main character I grew to live and root for so loved the ending - which I won’t spoil!

This was a fab read that I raced through. We’ll paced and easy to read I was completely transported for a few hours

This was my first novel by this author and the premise immediately drew me in.

Evie Porter has everything....however she doesn't exist. What we learn quickly is that Evie is a woman with many faces and identities, covertly moving from job to job in service to an unknown employer. Throughout the novel we are drip fed the backstory to Evie's life as well as moving forward in the present day. The book does get slightly over-complicated in my opinion however it doesn't take away from what I think is a well-written book, clever plot and pacing and a satisfying conclusion.

Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Probably the most enjoyable book I have read so far this year.

The author has conjured up a remarkable story of false identities and throws the reader on and off course in so many ways. Breathtakingly audacious but also perfectly constructed with no redundant plot lines or characters.

My grateful thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to receive an ARC of this exceptional book.

First Lie Wins is a cracker of a novel, and will keep you at the edge of your seat with every page. I finished this book in one go, I could not put it down!

I really enjoyed this book. Evie Porter lives with Ryan Sumner. They only met a few months ago but have really fallen for each other. Or have they? You see, Evie is not her real name. It is a completely assumed identity given to her by her mysterious boss, Mr Smith, and Ryan is the 'mark'. When she has the information her boss needs she will move on to another identity. Except Evie and Ryan have just been to party where a woman looking very like Evie introduces herself as Evie's real identity!! This is a twisty turny thriller that will keep you guessing to the end. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

Wow wow wow!!!! Now that’s what you called a fast paced book! I genuinely could not put this one down! Filled with plot twists and so many times I was wrong about the outcome - I love when books manage to successfully trick me - I couldn’t have guessed where this one would go! The last few chapters truly consumed my life and I’m so glad every single question I had was answered! I was hooked from cover to cover and can’t wait for everyone to read this one! “Evie” was such a fantastic main character and I really found myself rooting for her!

I loved this book! I read it fast and late into the nights over a couple of days, and found myself telling my 21-year-old daughter about parts of it as I went along. The first part builds the suspense and the 'what's going on beautifully, with Evie obviously lying and plotting but revealing no real clue as to why. In the second part, ALL the 'what ifs' I'd come up with were blown to smithereens and Evie's secret identity begins to become clearer, layered up by more intrigue as to what new boyfriend Ryan might be keeping secret. Although both seem to be lying about something, their relationship feels truer than Evie had intended it to be, but we still don't find out WHY Evie is pretending to be something she's not. This is a book so full of twists and layers you'd almost get whiplash, and even near the end, when I suspected who the mysterious Mr Smith, Evie's boss, might really be, and the book seemed as if it was about to prove me right, another twist comes up and I was wrong again. Every single twist took me by surprise while still seeming perfectly plausible and fully explained. I will highly recommend this book to everyone I know and seek out more from this author. This felt like something new and different, told skillfully by an accomplished writer and storyteller.

This was such an amazing book, l cannot praise it highly enough. I really struggled to put it down.The storyline was mind blowing, so complex and exceptionally well constructed, that you never knew who the good and the bad guys were, or how it all fitted together. I loved the way it seamlessly covered all the back story’s. Evie was such a clever and complex character, I just loved following her through all her ‘jobs’, but right until the end I had no idea what the end would be. So rewarding, this book has everything. I would love to see it as a film eventually. If this is the debut adult fiction novel I cannot wait for the next one.