Once you’ve been a #NETGALLEY reviewer for multiple years, it’s difficult to generate a headline that expresses a novel’s worth. I’ve done “WOW, STFD, etc” but this one only asks that you read the blurb. But that doesn’t come close to doing this book justice!! Truly don’t think I’ve read this author b4 but bet she’ll be all that in 2yrs max. First Lie…..was deliciously twisty, absorbing & plenty fun with a tiny bit of fulfilled romance. If any word in my rector a couple from the back page blurb catch your attention then definitely pick this read up, clear your weekend & thank me later. Perhaps Ms Elston too. 5 solid, deserved stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First Lie Wins pulled me on from the start. Evie seems to be a young woman in love with Ryan. While that is true, neither Evie nor Ryan are what they seem to be.little by little, we learn the secrets they are each keeping and how they live with them daily. Interesting and fast paced, I highly recommend FirstLie Wins!

If you have not already, add this to your TBR list. The book is centered around Evie Porter, or at least “Evie” is the identity she has been given as we begin reading. Throughout the book, there some chapters set in the past where we get to learn about Evie and her other assignments. If you have ever see the show “Imposters” it definitely has similar vibes and I was loving it! The twists and turns kept me on my toes.

With most mystery/thrillers that I read I get so disappointed with the ending. Either it is anticlimactic or extremely far fetched. But not this book! It made sense and was believable. I absolutely loved it up until the very last page.

If Ashley Elston writes a follow up, or any other book in this genre, I will definitely be reading!

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC, this is the first one I have downloaded and I am so happy that I did.

This was so good!! I was completely blown away by the writing and the plot. All of the characters were phenomenal and full of depth, even the minor characters only present for a page or two. Every story, every flashback had meaning and connected back to the overall story. Every page uncovered another twist in the story and I could not get enough. This is so much more than a cat and mouse game between employer and employee - it’s got strong, powerful women, found family, morally grey but honorable characters, romance, mystery, and suspense. This is the book to read this winter - highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking/Pamela Dorman Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

What a fun read. Not in the haha way but in a I can’t put it down way. Kept me in the edge and guessing ! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher

FIRST LIE WINS: Ashley Elston
Release Date: January 9, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STARS

Stop what you are doing and read this book, add this to your TBR, Pre-Order it, whatever you need to do. You will not be sorry.

First Lie Wins follows Evie Porter, who has the perfect boyfriend, the perfect house, and basically the perfect life… from the outside looking it. But the problem is, Evie Porter doesn’t exist. Evie Porter is just one pawn in a bigger scheme, Mr. Smith’s scheme, who we don’t know much, if anything about. The story follows them as secrets, twists and turns unfold into an even bigger scheme that you will never see coming.

When I tell you that I audibly gasped more than once while reading this book, I mean it. The twists in this story are just so good, and ones that I really didn’t even see coming. There was one point that I thought I had it figured out.. but I was so wrong. It truly kept me on my toes the entire time.

Ashley Elston’s writing is so addicting. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. Every single scene in this book is there for a reason, nothing is throw away filler meant to throw you off a scent. She has expertly woven this plot together so in the end, every single thing makes sense and was actually explained rather than just being a twist for the sake of it.

Another thing that I was shocked by, is that I actually liked the characters and that doesn’t happen that often in thrillers. Most of the time, thrillers are very plot driven, and sometimes the character development isn’t made a priority. That isn’t the case here. I was invested in so many of these characters lives and stories.

If Ashley Elston writes any more Adult Fiction in the future I will definitely be first in line to read it. I will be thinking about this story for a long time.

Thank you so much
@netgalley @penguinrandomhouse @pameladormanbooks @ashleyelston for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Brilliant plot, excellent writing, strong female character, twists and turns on every page….Ashley Elston delivers an explosive suspense novel the likes I’ve not read in many years. Put her on the top of your TBR list and settle in because once you start First Lie Wins you can’t put it down. A tour de force.

The First Lie Wins is a thrilling cat and mouse mystery with many twists and turns. Evie works for an unknown entity to retrieve items. She receives information in pieces and never knows exactly what she is after until her boss reveals it. Evie believes that the first lie you tell should be your biggest lie. You may tell smaller lies later but people will tend to believe the first lie is the truth. I don't know if this is actually true in real life but the book will definitely make you think about this.
As you read this book you will be guessing what is going on, I was. However, I was surprised but what developed in the end. I definitely was guessing wrong along the way. This book is terrific. I would highly recommend reading this book.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #AshleyElston, and #PamelaDormanBooks for a copy of this book.
#FirstLieWins

4.5 stars.

This exhausted teacher rarely has the energy to “read” a book vs listen on my morning dog walks - but First Lie Wins hooked me in from the get go & I read it in chunks over the past week.

Great plot, badass heroine, nice little plot twists that make sense (vs books that are impossible to predict because the author wholly invents things), and….a sexy romance! Loved this - a lot.

Looking forward to more from this author and maybe Miss Smith?!?!?

Recommended!

First Lie Wins is a great debut into the adult fiction world for Ashley Elston! I have been a fan of her YA books for a while now and when I heard she had an adult book releasing I had to get my hands on it!! This book was full of twist after twist that you never saw coming. Elston left zero plot holes in this story and the whole thing is so well thought out. The pace was perfection and characters were well developed. Loved it!!

I was delighted to get the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. I found the premise original, and I liked the twists and turns in the story. It was a lot of fun to read, and it had a satisfying ending that tied up all the loose ends. I look forward to reading more from this author and highly recommend this book.

First lie wins was absolutely AMAZING. I’m really fortunate that I was allowed early access to this title as it will not be released until January 9th. I’m typically drawn to books based on the cover, at first glance both the title and cover are intriguing. I knew I had to get my hands on it. The title kept me in suspense from the beginning to the end with its twist and turns, at one point I thought Ryan Sumner was the mastermind behind it all! The main character Lucca Marino was the perfect fit for the role in the book. Lucca is quick on her feet when it comes to completing “jobs” and formulating an alabi when her boss tries to incriminate and take her down. Overall, 5/5! Trust me, once you start you won’t put it down!

What a great "cat & mouse story" about Evie Porter and her other identities. Past and present, stories from her other jobs and working for Mr. Smith. Evie meets and starts a relationship with Ryan Sumner. Evie is smart, powerful, and one step ahead of Mr. Smith. The first lie wins. It's not referring to the little white kind that tumble out with little to no thought; it refers to the big one. The one that changes the game. The one that is deliberate. The lie that sets the stage for everything that comes after it. And once the lie is told, it's what most people believe to be true. Evie's mother always said to be successful in life you need to do three things: learn everything you can, try your hardest, and be the best at what you do. Evie listened and learned from this advice!

Twisted, Mysterious, and Intensely Fun! 4 Stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

If readers enjoyed “The imposters” on Netflix then they will love this book.

With so many layers and story lines this was a well rounded book. I enjoyed the characters and the double cross at the end.

Twisty in all the best ways! Highly recommend for fans of the genre- I couldn't put this one down and loved the "con artist" aspect of the plot line.

First Lie Wins is a tightly woven who done it, that feels like a heist story, where nothing is what it seems. All of the time that I was reading Ashley Elston’s novel, I was visualizing it as a movie or a short mini-series.

The characters in First Lie Wins are cleverly woven to deceive. Everything, including names, can not be trusted. No one can be trusted. In many places this novel feels are a heist, where all the lies and deceptions will lead to an exciting conclusion. First Lie Wins creates so much tension that an inability by readers to put down this novel is the result. Readers will eagerly turn pages as the story unfolds

Elston weaves together a tight plot, where every event, every character has meaning beyond the immediate. The reader cannot totally believe what he/she is told. I simply refuse to give away any part of the plot. Read Fist Lie Wins and you will not be sorry.

A huge thank you to Penguin Group Viking for sending this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Obviously I loved this novel. Thank you also to NetGalley for intermediate to such incredibly talented writers.

This book was a thinker. While the story goes back to different times in the characters' life to retrace her history and can be tricky to keep track of.... stick with it. It all comes together in the end and makes sense. Creative and worth the read.

I was hooked from the first chapter! This is my first book by this author and I really enjoy the writing style. I found myself needing to know what was going to happen and each chapter kept me guessing. Such a fun read!

First Lie Wins is an exciting and thrilling novel that will keep you engaged from start to finish. The plot is cleverly crafted with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. Overall, it's an excellent read that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a good suspenseful story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

First Lie Wins was a deeply exciting novel. For fans of dueling timelines and psychological (slash... diabolical!) characters, this was a doozy. Highly recommend to any thriller fan!