This book totally surprised me in a good way. I really didn't expect it to be for me, but the audio following Evie Porter just really drew me in, and I found myself flying through it.
Evie Porter has everything, the only catch: Evie Porter doesn't exist - I mean, what a catch line. It's really hard to describe what this book is about, part thriller / part spy novel, maybe?
Evie was a great character, I loved how the author drip fed details at just the right intervals to keep me hooked, and there were plenty of twists and turns along the way. What a brilliant debut!

This was a great book that kept me hooked throughout. Really enjoyed following Lucca’s journey through the novel as she tries to uncover the mystery of mr smith. Narrator had a soothing voice

"Tell me lies, tell me sweet, little lies" and keep me enthralled! This audiobook had me captivated from the opening when I realised that the central protagonist Evie Porter wasn't who she claimed to be. Instead of doubting her, we are swept into the story and cannot help but root for her all the way. This is a well paced audiobook with a twist at every other paragraph to keep you guessing and invested. It is best to go.into this story without reading too much about it beforehand. Just enjoy the audiobook thrills as they are revealed. A binge-worthy thriller experience. #Firstliewins #ashleyelston #netgalley #headlineaudio

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

First Lie Wins
Ashley Elston

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This was such a complex and twisty psychological thriller that just kept us guessing right to the end!

I fell for the dream right from the start - Evie and Ryan, a new couple with obvious background differences.
Together they made a beautiful couple and I was sucked right in to their new life that was building - but we soon discover that all is not what it seems and Evie could be on a job to con the lovely Ryan.

The story is told from Evie's point of view and as we flip from the present day to the past, we are gradually made aware of her previous jobs and how each panned out - but also see how Evie is softening to living a new life with Ryan, if only she could get out of this job.

I don't want to give any spoilers so won't say more about the plot - but I abaolutely loved how convoluted this was and how almost everything twisted and turned until we weren't entirely sure who to trust and what was real or set up.
As the threads all pull together towards the end - everything starts to make sense, but we are still treated to some shocking moments right up to the final few pages.

A little bit of a slow burn as it does take a fair bit of concentration to keep up, but I loved this about it and felt it really worked well with the storylines.
There's always something going on, so never feels like a slow read.

This is my first read by this author and I hope it won't be the last!
A really great read and I'm looking forward to what's coming next!


💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

Go in blind and enjoy the ride !

I had a great time reading this a brilliant fast paced Thriller with so many twists and turns so cleverly written, and I was hooked from the start. Easy 5 Stars.

I listened to this via audio and found it to be a very engaging experience and was very well read. Had a great afternoon listening.

Thank you to Netgalley, Headline, and Ashley Elston for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

A job that gives you the ability to become a persona ever changing yo create the perfect world for that illustion. Except the boss control the illusion behind the scenes. This highly addictive short listen grabbs in and gripps you. Told from the pov of the various characters creations over multiple tinelines. The narrator brings to life real complex characters. Its full of twists and turns and i really enjoyed the way it all came together in yhe final act. I felt the emotion of all characters throught the narration and so wanted evie yo become tral rather ghan a skillful character created tofullfil a job. It reminded me of an elaborate spy film. I loved every second. Im kinda hoping the suthor might revisit the characters in a nother story.
Thank yoy so much to netgallery and publisher and author and narrators gor a highly recommended higjky quality 5 star listen. It kept me hooked throughout so be warned you might be unable to oause

I enjoyed the beginning of this book, but it was far too long. By the half way point, I just wanted it to finish. There were some interesting elements and the narration was good, but way longer than it needed to be. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers.

OH MY GOOD GOD!! This was absolutely freakin awesome. So I know I wrote only yesterday that I’d written my last review of the year. But you know, books I’m addicted and this was like a crystal meth of genuine story that I could put down!

I was completely hooked almost immediately. It’s smart, it’s sassy, it’s funny, it’s fast paced and the story is chefs kiss excellent. 👌

I really want you all to go in blind like I did, you’ll enjoy it all the more I think. Buckle up buttercups!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

I was intrigued by the synopsis of this book and initially it lived up to my expectations, sadly the further i went, the less compelled I was to carry on.

Great narration though!

I really enjoyed this book. A great read with an unusual storyline that keeps you guessing and lots of twists and turns!! Will definitely read more from this author!

A great narrator who brought the characters to life and very easy to listen too

I received this audiobook from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.

Overall rating : 3*
Writing skill : 4*
Plot: 3*
Pace: 2*
Characters: 4*
Twists: 4*
Audio Narration: 4*

This was a super intriguing story and I devoured the first few chapters, wondering where on earth this story was going to go. But unfortunately it was a little bit too slow burn for me. There were multi timelines, multi personas, and lots of twists, and at times I was left a little lost. I don’t think slow burn, spy mysteries are for me. But I can absolutely see why this is getting the rave reviews Ive seen. The narration is fantastic and it’s a well thought out story, that just didn’t work for me as a reader. I am really glad of that ending though.

A lot of books usually either have a super good beginning or an amazing end. It's pretty rare for me to find one that has both but this defiantly had such a great beginning and all the way through pace that kept me wanting to keep reading like crazy and it also had an unforgettable ending.

Really enjoyed this book and happy to recommend. The story shifts between timelines but keeps the same pov and it works exceptionally well. It’s not a constant swap about so you get enough of each timeline to keep you hooked. The lead character Evie is flawed but I still was rooting for her throughout.
Narrator does an excellent job too which can make or break an audio book.

I am always going to be interested in any book that Saskia Maarleveld narrates. She is one of the best and did a marvellous job with First Lie Wins.

A dark and twisty thriller that will keep you on your toes. A big twist at 10% that was a game changer for me. Very cleverly played by the author. This is a case of not knowing who to believe, what stories are true and who can you trust. There were certainly plenty of twists that ai did not see coming. I can see why there is lots of hype around this book. Well worth a read or listen

Thanks to Headline and NetGalley for my advanced listening copy. Published on January 2nd, start your new year off with a bang

I was intrigued by the synopsis for the author’s first novel for adults and it started off well. The narration is excellent and Saskia Maarleveld, the narrator, provides the perfect voice for the novel.
First Lie Wins is a well written novel and I immediately became absorbed in Evie’s life with Ryan and was not expecting the initial breathtaking twist. I enjoyed how the novel moved between past and present to build up our understanding of Evie’s history.
However as the novel progressed I felt it became less compelling and more unbelievable. Lots of promise but ultimately a disappointing read for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
3.5 stars

The first lie might win, but by the last lie I was lost 🤣
Well not quite.
There were so many lies, it was a struggle to keep up with them all at times.
However, it was fast paced and twisty and just my type of entertainment.
Fun times

Woot, what a ride! First Lie Wins is not just a rollercoaster of a read, it's a rollercoaster in the dark because you never see the twists coming. Buckle Up for this one.

A refreshingly original concept and lots of social media hype gave me high expectations for this book, which started out strong and grabbed my attention.

The first time I read it, dragged a bit; the writing felt a bit flat and lacked emotion and richness. I didn't find the characters to be likeable, with the exception of Devon, who was awesome!

But reading it - or actually listening to the audio book - for a second time, I enjoyed it more. Possibly because I had a better understanding of the past events that the book switched back and forth between.

I'm still reluctant to suspend disbelief to an extent that a young woman from a poor trailer park would be able to turn herself into a criminal mastermind, just like that, outwitting even her "boss", Mr Smith, but I connected to Evie's character a little more.

At around 75%, the pace picked right up and there were some great twists!

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Ashley Elston and Headline for an ARC in return for an honest review.