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!

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

Lucca Marino works for the elusive ‘Mr Smith’. Each job requires a new name and identity and takes her to different locations. The jobs vary, as does the time it takes to complete them, but usually her task is to extract information or items from individuals or ‘marks’ for one of Mr Smith’s clients. After a job goes badly wrong, Lucca senses Mr Smith is not only displeased, he’s decided to test her. However, she is quite unprepared for the tactics he intends to use, or the danger it will place her in.
It’s a gripping fast paced read. Moving between past and present it teases the reader with twists and turns as the story progresses, with Lucca having to use all her wits to try and outwit her boss . You are left wondering how Lucca (whose current under cover name is Evie Porter) is going to survive, especially when things take a sinister turn.
First Lie Wins is a definite must read for anyone who enjoys an excellent thriller. Highly recommended.

First Lie Wins is an excellent read. There's no messing about at the start when you find out that Evie is running a long con on unsuspecting boyfriend Ryan. She's working for a mysterious boss (Mr Smith) who doesn't give much away and sends Evie on assignments all across the country.

However, things take a turn for Evie when she meets an old friend of Ryan's at a party and his new girlfriend Lucca. But Lucca is Evie's real name, and she also has the same back story. What is Mr Smith up to? The story really escalated from there, with suspicious deaths, arrests and a race across the states to clear Evie's name.

First Lie Wins is a great thriller with some unique elements that make it very addictive!

I was intrigued by the cover tag line and then intrigued by Evie and where she came from. And what she was up to. I enjoyed this story and will certainly see what else the author has released.

4.5⭐

Ashley Elston crafts a story that is completely enticing, compelling, twisty, and entertaining.

And one that draws you in from the very first page. As you are introduced to the main protagonist, Evie Porter.

However, Evie Porter is not her real name.

That's just the name she's been given by her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith.

Who has sent her to Lake Forbing, Louisiana with one objective: to get close to Ryan Sumner and learn everything she can about him.

But the truth is, it's not as easy as it seems. As Evie starts to develop feelings for Ryan, and being around Ryan has made her imagine a whole different life for herself.

Only the reality is that Evie can't afford to go there. Or make any mistakes, especially after what happened last time...

And with a delicious cast of characters. This really is a thrilling read. That will leave you desperate to turn the pages, puzzle out the lies and see who comes out on top.

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This cunning and mysterious crime thriller follows a woman whose current name is Evie Porter. In her line of work, she is given an identity, a target and must wait for further instructions whilst weaving her way into the target’s life.

After a setback in her previous job Evie is keen to ensure this job is completed perfectly so as not to upset her mysterious boss.

Soon it becomes clear that this may not be an easy task and is unsure if she can even trust her boss.

Is she being set up? What job has she been given this time?

This crime thriller has plenty of mystery, secrets and lies entwined throughout the storyline, as you learn more about the real identity of the woman currently known as Evie Porter.

It is always good to see a strong female lead, and Evie certainly is and even in the line of work she is in still has her morals.

Overall, a cunning and mysterious crime thriller where everything is based on lies and secrets.

Evie and Ryan have just set up home together in picturesque Lake Forbing, Louisiana. They met when she was a damsel in distress with a flat tyre. He was driving past, stopped to help and they’ve been together ever since. Now they’re at the stage where they’re hosting a dinner where she will meet his friends. All is going well. Evie has successfully answered all their questions and feels that she has crossed another milestone. Already she can see the white picket fence lifestyle becoming a reality.
But Evie, short for Evelyn, Porter doesn’t actually exist and the flat tyre was no accident. In fact, it was carefully planned and Ryan fell for it. Evie is the latest identity and she has been sent on her latest mission by her mysterious manager, Mr Smith. But he doesn’t know that Ryan is becoming more than just another mark on her very long list of previous assignments. The suburban dream is calling loud and clear but Mr Smith always seems to be one jump ahead.
Then at a local country club dinner, she and Ryan meet one of his old friends, James, and his girlfriend. And Evie does a double take. She is called Lucca Marino which is Evie’s real name and there is a strong resemblance between them. And so begins the game of cat and mouse between her and Mr Smith. Evie knows that she is one of the elite on the team even though her previous job didn’t go so well as Mr Smith keeps reminding her. But she is now being wrong footed. She puts her suburban ambitions to one side as she begins to find out more about Ryan and gets more than she bargained for…..
This was a twisty plot par excellence as the reader follows Evie’s career in flashback with all her different aliases and how events and jobs led up to the present day. She is trying to stay one step ahead of Mr Smith and he is equally determined to stay one step ahead of her. It was this element that really appealed to me as they sidestepped, double crossed and then double crossed again. ‘Who would concede first?’ I wondered as they danced around each other in really terrific plotting. At several points I thought ‘How will she get out of this one?’ and then suddenly she did! Then we were onto the next one although there were several places in which I felt confused with all the plot twists but then the author would carry me along with her again.
This is the author’s first adult novel after a career as a successful YA author. I enjoyed it immensely as it was an entertaining, suspenseful read and I look forward to the author’s next one.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.

3.5 - a dangerous game of cat and mouse and you regularly change your opinions on the characters and who can be trusted. Did slow down a little in the middle but was overall well written and kept me interested

Thank you to netgalley for providing an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review..

DO NOT READ THE BLURB ON THIS BOOK! So much more interesting and surprising if you don't!
This tale is original, twisty, moves at a good pace and will keep you guessing for most of the tale.
Evie Porter, as we first meet her, is intelligent, quick-thinking and personable. She is quickly into an intense relationship with Ryan Sumner, who has his own shadowy life.
A solid 4 STAR read.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Ashley Elston/Headline for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own,

First adult genre novel by this author and we find our protagonist is a woman of many disguises working for a Mr Smith, sent out to find whatever is required for the job in hand.

This is a good read and an interesting concept which I started reading in Pigeonhole and finished in Netgalley as I wanted to find out what was going to happen!

She’s stolen your identity, now you have to steal it back.

Evie spends her life working for the mysterious Mr Smith, taking on various aliases until one day she literally meets herself. This person looks like her, has her real name and is send to warn her. Evie must stick to her mission but this is easier said than done.

What a fab book, it felt fresh and interesting. Some great twists along the way. Some of the flashbacks went on a little too long for me at times but it all made sense at the end. Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Publication Date - 02/01/2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#FirstLieWins
#AshleyElston

Loved this book. Very intense read. Loved the description of all the characters and the way the story line went and unfolded. This book kept me reading from start to finish i couldnt put it down. Loved the ending.

Wow this book was a fabulous read, fast paced and kept me guessing about what was going to happen right until the end, I don’t doubt I will be reading more from Ashley Elston as this is one very talented author. An easily deserved five stars.

Thanks to netgalley and publishers for arc
This is a new writer to the adult market as she was previously a teen/ young adult writer
I did really enjoy this book although I did find it a bit drawn out in the middle part to be honest and then the last few chapters are back to the fast paced read you want
So if you can persevere it does work out to be a really interesting book and there are some interesting twists at the end too

This book is brilliant. It is so cleverly written. One minute you’re reading it thinking it is one thing and you know what is happening and then there’s a perfect twist and you’re off again until the next twist. This is an addictive read that will have you on the edge of your seat right until the end, There really are no dull moments in this well paced book. A great way to start 2024.

Oh man, this was absolutely thrilling! I loved the way it was written and I had no idea how it was going to pan out, which kept me hooked! And I LOVED that ending! Great characters, great plot line. I'll keep my eyes peeled for more from this author.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this, fast paced with lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

This is a great psychological thriller.
Evie is a woman for hire and her instructions come from someone she knows only as ‘Mr Smith.’
He approached her when she was in trouble and the arrangement has worked well, until recently.
She is given tasks to find out information on people and then she moves on to the next job.
Her latest job which is Ryan, seems different and Evie is becoming more and more suspicious of her employer’s aim on this job.
I won’t say much more as I don’t want to spoil it but this is a great thriller with a few surprises in store.
A great read.
Thanks to Headline and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

First read from this author and I wasn't disappointed! Amazing read, had me guessing throughout and kept changing my thoughts