I was so excited to read this book after hearing lots about it on social media and in various online book groups I’m in. Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me. I struggled the whole way through it and really felt like giving up at times. I found it to be a very long and drawn out read with too much hopping about between past and present, I know I’m in the minority here but this is one that just didn’t do it for me.

Really good audio listen with lots of twists and turns just what I like in a book . Loved the characters and the intrigue

Evie has moved in with Ryan and it seems quite the idyllic little love nest. He soon introduces her to his friends and a lunch with the women in his circle proves quite testing for her. But she is used to being thrown in the deep end and flies through the inquisition, her backstory definitely holds up.

Evie is not in fact Evie but was born Lucca Marino and since she has been working for Mr Smith, she has used innumerable aliases to hone in on a ‘mark’ of his choosing. At a social event she attends with Ryan, she is introduced to one of his old acquaintances who has come with his current girlfriend, a woman named – wait for it – Lucca Marino. Evie is momentarily taken aback and you can hear her brain fizzing through the permutations of what this means. She soon alights upon the answer. Mr Smith is testing her. And it seems that he is prepared to go the whole hog when, after the couple has spent an evening with Ryan and Evie, their car is involved in a fatal accident. The stakes are clearly very high.

There are flashbacks to her previous incarnations, which help to set the scene for where she is now and how she has to carefully manoeuvre going forward.

The storyline has a cracking pace – I can’t help but think of the film Mr and Mrs Smith (given her handler’s name) which is suffused with a deftly handled scenario of smoke and mirrors. Who can anyone trust and is anyone what they seem? The story moves back and forth in time at a brisk pace, so the reader has to pay attention to which character happens to be in the frame.

The UK book cover is a real eye catcher and certainly enticed me to pick up this thriller.

Setting is recognisable but not altogether strong.

Fantastic read
Loved all the twists and turns of this one. And the audio narrator was excellent. 5 stars from me!

I found this story very different and was hooked from the start, the narrator was great and I felt completely engrossed in the story and loved how the puzzles and parts of the story were slowly put together

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston is a literary triumph that seamlessly blends suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. From the outset, Elston crafts a narrative that ensnares readers in a web of intrigue, centering around the clandestine world of corporate espionage and the consequences of betrayal. This riveting tale unfolds with an intricate dance of secrets, betrayals, and unexpected twists, leaving readers eagerly turning each page to unravel the mysteries concealed within.

Elston’s characters are not mere players in the plot; they are intricately woven personas with layers of complexity. Each character contributes uniquely to the overall tapestry of the narrative, making them relatable and memorable. The author’s keen understanding of human nature shines through, adding a profound dimension to the storytelling.

What sets First Lie Wins apart is its ability to transcend the boundaries of a traditional thriller. Beyond the pulse-pounding suspense, Elston explores profound themes of trust, the consequences of deception, and the fragile nature of human connections. This elevates the narrative to a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant level. The book becomes more than a mystery; it becomes a journey into the intricacies of the human experience.

The pacing of the novel is a testament to Elston’s storytelling prowess. It strikes a perfect balance, maintaining a constant undercurrent of tension while allowing moments of reflection and emotional impact to breathe. The result is a story that not only captivates with its plot but also leaves a lasting impression with its characters and themes.

In conclusion, First Lie Wins stands as an achievement in the realm of suspenseful fiction. Ashley Elston has crafted a novel that transcends the conventions of the genre, offering readers a rich tapestry of storytelling that lingers in the mind long after the final chapter. If you seek a gripping mystery with depth and resonance, First Lie Wins is a must-read.

Actual rating 4.5.

OH MY DAYS this one is so good!!! Set aside enough time to read it in a single sitting because you will be hooked 👏

Husband and I listened to the audiobook of this whilst doing lots of road trips over Christmas, and it was honestly the one and only time there was complete silence in the car - we were both totally captivated from the very first chapter, and I even stayed awake on a three hour drive which is nothing short of miraculous and speaks volumes about how good this is! I love a bit of a false identity thriller, and this had all the spy vibes without actual spies. I’m wary of giving anything away because there were so many twists and turns and unexpected moments that just blew me away and you should all experience that too - but I was very proud of myself for guessing Mr Smith though 💁‍♀️

If you want a seriously smart, impossible-to-put-down, crazy ride of a book with a brilliant female lead, then you need to pick this up asap - I loved it!

Unfortunately for me I just did not take to this audiobook the main reason being the narrator so I cannot give an honest review as the book might be great but I could not listen all the way through despite trying.

This is an exciting tale full of lies and secrecy. You are left initially unsure about what you are dealing with; spy, delusional woman or something far more sinister.
Evie is not Evie. Is Ryan really Ryan? Who is that delivery man? And who is the voice at the end of the telephone. Nice and twisty. Plenty to try and get your head around. I loved this book

Really loved this audio book. Unique & fast paced. Loved the characters & narration really look forward to more by this author I’d highly recommend this.

An excellent story! It’s been a LONG time since I’ve read a unique thriller! This kept me guessing throughout! Fantastic

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston and Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld was a brilliant and intense psychological thriller from start to finish and I found it hard to put down once I started to listen to it. especially as it was dark, with lots of twists and turns throughout.

I loved the character Evie Porter but she has everything you could ever dream of! a perfect, doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence and a garden, a fancy group of friends.
WoW Evie is just Perfect in every way! But, the only catch is: That Evie Porter doesn’t exist.

So who is she?

The identity comes to Evie Porter. Once she’s given a name and location by her mysterious boss Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then, the target who is: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle becomes a the job.

Evie, isn’t privy to Mr. Smith’s real identity, but she knows this job will be different and maybe fun to do. Ryan has gotten under her skin, and she’s starting to envision a different sort of life for herself.
However, Evie can’t make any mistakes, especially after what happened last time, everything has to be perfect to get this right!

Wow This book is so good and Evie has always liked a challenge........What could ever go wrong?

I wonder?

The Narrator by Saskia Maarleveld was excellent and perfect for this book.

I highly recommend this book and the cover was eye catching!

Big Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for my advanced listening copy and book.

This book was so disappointing!! The premise sounded super exciting, and it was getting so much hype! The synopsis was great, but the execution just fell flat for me.
For a thriller, the pacing was just so slow. it didn't make me want to read.
There was something about the structure and the writing style that didn't work for me. It just felt jarring. I couldn't get to grips with it.
Not for me, didn't enjoy it at all.

**Update - Jan 2024**
I tried listening to the audiobook to see if this would suit me better, and make me enjoy the book more - unfortunately this wasn't the case. I found the narrator to be very annoying and 'whingey' voice. This certainly didn't help me enjoy the book.

Thank you Netgalley , Ashley Elston and Headline for this audio Arc of First Lie wins.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. Saskia Maarleveld who narrated First Lie wins has a great paced voice and seemed to suit the feeling od this book.

I really enjoyed the timelines that kept the same POV, this worked really well with this psychological thriller. The narrative had some great twists and kept you guessing right to the end.

Great Debut Book and will be looking out for more by Ashley

4 stars

This book is so hyped and I'm struggling to understand why!

I made a short video about it:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bxUK4m1tJCI

1. Intriguing premise and that's why I picked it up.

2. It's slow, boring, far-fetched and nothing really happens till the last chapters.

3. I like it more when clues are peppered throughout the book and I get to work out the mystery myself, instead of having the reveal at the end.

4. This is the second book I read this year in this "tell me, don't show me" vibe and I hope this is not a new trend :/

5. Might be your next cup of tea, it just wasn't mine.

I listened to this story on audio and i think my opinion will be unpopular as so many people love this book. I have to say it is such a well written and well plotted book - I can see that - but for me I just didn’t feel gripped by the story. It’s is a sharp read, there’s no doubt about it I think it could be a case of right book and just wrong time and I may have to go back and appreciate it another time. I do love a good pacey thriller but this one just didn’t hit the mark and I think maybe it was just a little too far fetched and unrealistic. At times. However I can see that this book is getting so much love and appreciation and I would still recommend it to people. I thought the narration was amazing and really enjoyable Thanks to Saskia Maarleveld My thanks to Headline Publishing and Netgalley for my copy.

OOOOOOHHHHH SCANDALOOOOUUUSSS!!!

Ok so I have seen this book all over my feed for over a month with nothing but rave reviews! So of course I wanted to get into the action, so when Netgalley approved the audiobook arc. I pressed play so freaking fast!
OH EM GEE! This con artist story had me on a rollercoaster. Everything I suspected was going to happen I was flat out WRONG, and I love that!
I enjoyed the past and present day POV's and that reveal at the end!.... *clutching my invisible pearls* 🤯
When I saw that Reece book club stamp on the book I was a little skeptical, cause girly doesn't always get it right with her recs, but she hit the nail on the head with this book. It was soooo good!
The ending had me cheesing soooo hard! 😁
I really want to say so much more but its hard to without spoiling. So all I want you guys to take away from this review is.... READ THIS BOOK!

P.S. I have new thriller book boyfriend and his name is Devon! 🥰

4.5 ⭐

Thank you to Netgalley and Headline Audio for approving the audiobook arc of this book. All views and opinions are entirely of my own.

If all thrillers I read this year are like First Lie Wins then 2024 is going to be thrilling!

A wild, duel-timelined ride that was devoured in one afternoon. 4 stars.

Audiobook narration. 5 stars with a special mention of the pronunciation of rifled, it made me LOL!

‘She’s stolen your identity. Now you have to steal it back.’ - cover tag line.

My thanks to Headline Audio for a review copy via NetGalley of the unabridged audiobook edition of ‘First Lie Wins’ by Ashley Elston. The audiobook is narrated by Saskia Maarleveld.

What a debut thriller! I read this novel ‘cold’ and I would suggest that this is the best way to approach it. So just a few details for context.

We are introduced to Evie Porter, who has recently moved in with her boyfriend, Ryan Sumner. His friends are curious about her though she appears to be quite careful about her answers to their many questions. What is she hiding?

When one of Ryan’s friends brings his new girlfriend to their house, her presence clearly rattles Evie, including the fact that they look very similar. Afterwards Evie locks herself in the bathroom, thinking: “This is not good. This is not good. This is not good. She is not from Eden, North Carolina—I am. Her mother didn’t die from breast cancer—Mine did. Her name is not Lucca Marino—Mine is.”

Even with the cover teaser and the hints already provided, this was quite a revelation and they kept on coming throughout this twisty, turvy thriller.

With respect to the audiobook, Saskia Maarleveld has narrated about 400 titles over a wide variety of genres. She is one of my favourite narrators and I always have confidence in her ability to bring the novels she reads and their characters vividly to life.

Overall, I found ‘First Lie Wins’ an engaging thriller that was full of surprises. As a result I look forward to Ashley Elston’s future projects.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

There has been a lot of prepublication hype for this thriller and I was delighted to get the opportunity to read this one, the hype is deserved!

This is a propulsive page turner, It pulled me in early and kept me hooked the whole way through. Evie is living a picture perfect life. She has just moved in with her handsome partner, they have a beautiful home and life is good, except Evie isn't who she says she is. Evie is just the latest role for her. Her boss, Mr Smith, who she has never met, provides her with an identity, location and a target and this time the target is her partner.

This was a clever story and a decent read. I did thing the book got unnecessarily convoluted around the midway point after a very strong first half of the book but it was blip and the book returned to its twisty breath taking pace. My only other criticism is I thought it could have been 30-40 pages shorter, a tighter ending and this would have been a 4 star read for me but overall I really enjoyed it. I really liked the protagonist and nice to see a woman in such in a role.
Recommend

3.5- 4 star.

I listened to this on audio and really enjoyed the narration, 5 stars for that.