Whew! This one was a doozy!
Evie Porter works undercover for a private employer and goes on special "missions." She's worked her way up the chain of command and reports directly to the boss. When she goes on her latest mission, she is shocked when somebody shows up that has her original name....and looks like her....and has the background story that aligns with Evie's history....
First Lie Wins is a cross between a cat and mouse tale along with a spy/secret agent theme. Evie is desperately trying to unravel the mystery of if or why her boss sent "her" to meet up with herself, while staying undercover and trying to work on her current job.
This book grabbed me from the beginning and wouldn't let go!

This was a very intriguing book. It took a little while to build but once it did, I was hooked.

A lot of thriller type books have characters you don’t like (as expected given that someone is usually the bad guy). While I wouldn’t necessarily say the characters were likable, I would say you were vested in their stories and even though you know it’s wrong, you want them to win!

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Good beach read!

I loved how this was constructed! Very unique & pulled me in right away. Ashley Elston will forever be one of my favorite mystery writers, and her first adult novel has been very well! Too mature for B of B, but I will add it to our collection.

FLEW through this one! I was so intrigued by Evie Porter as a character that I couldn't figure her out, which means she was doing her job as a con-artist very well. It's been a while since a thriller took me by surprise, but that definitely happened in FIRST LIE WINS!

Definitely will be recommending this to those that enjoy con-artist thrillers, slow-burn mysteries, secrets, untrustworthy characters, COVER STORY, THE LIES I TELL -- a great option for those that enjoy thrillers but don't enjoy scary

Perfectly crafted thriller!

Evie Porter is living the suburban life with her boyfriend, Ryan Sumner. She wishes for a garden and to have a place to call home. She can envision this future with Ryan.

The only problem is that she is not Evie Porter.

Ryan is the next mark on Mr Smith's list. "Evie" has worked for Mr. Smith for the last few years and her identity is created and changed depending on what he wants from his targets. Evie is the best at what she does but Ryan has made her question her future.

A truly enjoyable thriller from the very first chapter. Ashley Elston has written a fast-paced, twisty-galore, and addictive story that kept me glued to the pages.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Pamela Dorman Books | PENGUIN GROUP Viking via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this thriller about a con woman who begins to realize her mysterious boss may be trying to sabotage her on her latest job. Evie Porter was a great character: morally gray but with a massive amount of rooting value--as the reader, I wanted her to succeed! The plot unfolded impeccably; small bits of the the truth were revealed while the reader learned more about who "Evie" really was and how she ended up attempting to con her "boyfriend" Ryan when her boss seemingly pulled the rug out from under her. I never knew what was going to happen next, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride--the pacing was spot-on and all of the plot points felt believable while still surprising. I did not want the book to end, even though I could not wait to see if Evie would be able to pull off her scheme and outwit Mr. Smith. I could totally see this as a movie! I would highly recommend this book, and will read more by this author.

Having seen the glowing reviews from fellow NetGalley members prior to its release, I felt a pang of regret for not requesting this book sooner. However, upon reading it, I found myself wanting more.

Evie Porter finds herself embroiled in a mysterious mission, her task shrouded in ambiguity. Entering into a whirlwind romance with a wealthy man named Ryan, she soon discovers that her true objective revolves around him, though the specifics remain elusive.

As the narrative unfolds, glimpses into Evie's past assignments are interspersed throughout, delving into her experiences as a professional thief. While these accounts are meticulously detailed, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the surplus of information. At times, I found myself skimming, longing for more concise storytelling.

Behind the scenes, Mr. Smith orchestrates Evie's actions, his motives veiled in uncertainty. Yet, beneath his seemingly innocuous directives, a darker agenda may lurk. Unraveling the truth behind Mr. Smith's intentions becomes a central mystery of the narrative.

While the premise holds promise, I anticipated a more impactful climax. Despite the allure of Evie's clandestine world, I yearned for a more substantial payoff.

For those intrigued by tales of intrigue and deception, this book may still hold appeal. However, be prepared for a narrative that unfolds at a leisurely pace, with revelations that may leave you wanting more insight into the characters' motivations.

initial thoughts: a fast paced, page turning thriller. however, I’m not sure I buy into all the five star rage this book is getting. while there were twists that surprised me, and the flashbacks and different aliases were great, the last 20% of the book was a bit clunky.

author’s debut in the adult genre so will definitely pick up whatever she puts out next.

A book that had me hooked from the first page to the last page. It is told in multiple timeline so you get a peak at the past at just the right time. I love how the book came together in the end!

This addictively entertaining book was the perfect beach read. The characters were well-established and I enjoyed the twists and turns this book took. I cannot wait to read what Ashley Elston writes next!
Thank you NetGalley Books for my ARC!

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston is a twisty suspense thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The main character, Evie Porter, seems to have everything going for her – a perfect life and a seemingly ideal boyfriend. But there's a catch: Evie's entire life is a lie, meticulously crafted by a mysterious employer.

The fast-paced plot unfolds as Evie gets tangled in a complex web of deceit. As Evie grapples with her true identity and the purpose of her mission, the lines between reality and illusion begin to blur. This novel is packed with suspense and surprising revelations, but some readers might find the main character's choices morally ambiguous.

Overall, First Lie Wins is a thrilling and addictive read for fans of suspenseful mysteries with a touch of psychological drama.

First Lie Wins was a really fun read. The story was unique and captivating. I finished reading this in a single day, that is how entertaining and propulsive the story is. I did find it to start dragging a tiny bit towards the end, and it ended in a rush. But all in all, this novel was a solid read that I would recommend to anyone in need of busting a reading slump!

I loved this read! It was a fun twist on a psych thriller from the inside out. It kept me reading and kept me guessing until *almost* the end, but even then, it was well worth the time spent!

This was fast-paced and had lots of twists and turns, which kept me reading. However, the writing itself was pretty lackluster, and I found the actions of many of the characters unrealistic. Of course, you have to suspend disbelief at least a little in these types of novels, but I didn't think the choices made by her lawyer, as well as both the main characters in the end, made much sense. Not bad by any means, but there are so many better, more believable thrillers out there.

Ashley Elsonton's novel First Lie Wins is a mystery suspense novel that offers a thrilling ride into intrigue and deception. The book weaves a tangled web of secrets and suspicions following the life of Evie Porter. However, while the premise holds great potential, the execution of the story fell a little flat. The storyline was a little hard to follow as author Elsonton went back and forth on different timelines and aliases for Evie.
Overall, First Lie Wins was a decent and quick read.

First Lie Wins is a gripping thriller with twists and turns that never disappoint. I enjoyed the stron g famale protagonist point of view.

I have not read any books by this author but I will search for her books now after reading this story! This is an excellent thriller that has many twists and turns that keep you guessing throughout the book. The writing was crisp and exact in telling the story and describing the protagonist’s feelings and reasoning. 5 stars for sure! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"First Lie Wins" by Ashley Elston delivers an electrifying read that grabs hold of readers from the very first page. With a plot brimming with unexpected twists and surprises, this psychological thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat, making it nearly impossible to set the book down. What sets this novel apart is its deviation from the typical thriller formula, offering a fresh and captivating storyline that keeps readers guessing until the very end. Elston's masterful storytelling is evident in the seamless switches between the main character's past and present, providing glimpses into their psyche while maintaining an aura of mystery. This gradual revelation of the protagonist's history adds layers to the narrative, fueling the reader's desire to uncover the truth. Overall, "First Lie Wins" is a compelling and thoroughly satisfying read that will leave you craving more from this talented author.

Dynamic and suspenseful mystery about power, money and greed that Elston weaves through the plot of this page-turning novel. I love a good mystery and this story keeps you guessing on who the villain is and what they are trying to do with the end game. With so many names and alias false identities, Evie Porter is ready to quit the company and her boss Mr. Smith. She has one last job to do and needs to uncover information about Ryan’s finances and business. However, when a woman shows up pretending to be someone with Evie’s old name, there is trouble coming for her. Elston has a gift for the unreliable narrator and used flash forwards and flash backs to tell the story of this grifter and her backstory. One part Oceans Eleven because you are cheering for Evie to be victor and get away and one part cross-double cross of a heist movie plot, this novel will keep you reading hours and hours. I think they did a good job editing the time jumps and putting labels on the chapters so they were easier to follow. I can see this being a series on a streaming service and I would watch it.

I speed through this book. Somehow felt remotely like reading a script for a miniseries. Who do you trust is telling the truth? Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.