What a corker of a book. Absolutely spellbinding! It took me a while to really get in to it but once I did I couldn’t stop reading. Such a very, very clever and complicated plot, and it makes you wonder how on earth did the author think all this lot up?! As the story progresses, more and more twists are thrown in and unravelled so that you have to forget what you already thought you knew. Such a complex web – it almost gave me headache! Fantastic, and I loved Evie and Devon – and the ending. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read one of this year’s best thrillers. Here’s hoping there’s a sequel.

What a fabulous read. Really different storyline and lots of twists and turns. Couldn’t put it down. Just sad that, when they make into a film, I’ll know how the plot unfolds. Likeable characters and an engaging storyline. Can’t wait to read more by this author !

I found it a bit of a slow starter. You knew something was not right but as the story unravels it becomes harder to put the book down because more and more details are revealed. I don't know if I agreed with the ending but that is personal. Definitely an enjoyable read.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC.

Really, really clever! I was completely gripped by this story which was pacey and had so many twists and turns, I had no idea who was telling the truth! Cleverly plotted so not unbelievable when all is revealed and a main character I grew to live and root for so loved the ending - which I won’t spoil!

This was a fab read that I raced through. We’ll paced and easy to read I was completely transported for a few hours

This was my first novel by this author and the premise immediately drew me in.

Evie Porter has everything....however she doesn't exist. What we learn quickly is that Evie is a woman with many faces and identities, covertly moving from job to job in service to an unknown employer. Throughout the novel we are drip fed the backstory to Evie's life as well as moving forward in the present day. The book does get slightly over-complicated in my opinion however it doesn't take away from what I think is a well-written book, clever plot and pacing and a satisfying conclusion.

Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Probably the most enjoyable book I have read so far this year.

The author has conjured up a remarkable story of false identities and throws the reader on and off course in so many ways. Breathtakingly audacious but also perfectly constructed with no redundant plot lines or characters.

My grateful thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to receive an ARC of this exceptional book.

First Lie Wins is a cracker of a novel, and will keep you at the edge of your seat with every page. I finished this book in one go, I could not put it down!

I really enjoyed this book. Evie Porter lives with Ryan Sumner. They only met a few months ago but have really fallen for each other. Or have they? You see, Evie is not her real name. It is a completely assumed identity given to her by her mysterious boss, Mr Smith, and Ryan is the 'mark'. When she has the information her boss needs she will move on to another identity. Except Evie and Ryan have just been to party where a woman looking very like Evie introduces herself as Evie's real identity!! This is a twisty turny thriller that will keep you guessing to the end. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

Wow wow wow!!!! Now that’s what you called a fast paced book! I genuinely could not put this one down! Filled with plot twists and so many times I was wrong about the outcome - I love when books manage to successfully trick me - I couldn’t have guessed where this one would go! The last few chapters truly consumed my life and I’m so glad every single question I had was answered! I was hooked from cover to cover and can’t wait for everyone to read this one! “Evie” was such a fantastic main character and I really found myself rooting for her!

I loved this book! I read it fast and late into the nights over a couple of days, and found myself telling my 21-year-old daughter about parts of it as I went along. The first part builds the suspense and the 'what's going on beautifully, with Evie obviously lying and plotting but revealing no real clue as to why. In the second part, ALL the 'what ifs' I'd come up with were blown to smithereens and Evie's secret identity begins to become clearer, layered up by more intrigue as to what new boyfriend Ryan might be keeping secret. Although both seem to be lying about something, their relationship feels truer than Evie had intended it to be, but we still don't find out WHY Evie is pretending to be something she's not. This is a book so full of twists and layers you'd almost get whiplash, and even near the end, when I suspected who the mysterious Mr Smith, Evie's boss, might really be, and the book seemed as if it was about to prove me right, another twist comes up and I was wrong again. Every single twist took me by surprise while still seeming perfectly plausible and fully explained. I will highly recommend this book to everyone I know and seek out more from this author. This felt like something new and different, told skillfully by an accomplished writer and storyteller.

This was such an amazing book, l cannot praise it highly enough. I really struggled to put it down.The storyline was mind blowing, so complex and exceptionally well constructed, that you never knew who the good and the bad guys were, or how it all fitted together. I loved the way it seamlessly covered all the back story’s. Evie was such a clever and complex character, I just loved following her through all her ‘jobs’, but right until the end I had no idea what the end would be. So rewarding, this book has everything. I would love to see it as a film eventually. If this is the debut adult fiction novel I cannot wait for the next one.

I loved this book. Evie is in a new relationship with Ryan but all is not as it seems. The story is told in present day and flashbacks to Evie's background. It would be difficult to describe the story without spoilers, The book is well-written, fast-paced, with great characters, and with occasional hints and clues which take a while to be make sense. Highly recommended.

What happens when you have everything except your identity, a game played, who will be the winner when you've nothing to lose except everything.
A tight rope thriller entwines your senses up to the very last breathtaking moment.

The quintessential beach read, a smart, well-thought thriller that is always intriguing and keeps you turning the pages non-stop. This was honestly much better than I was expecting. And yes, maybe it got a bit too coincidental at the end but it was so much fun that I didn't care. The ending was just perfect.

Absolutely brilliant! Full review to come closer to publication, as I was lucky enough to be sent an ARC of this wild ride of a book. The characters kept me on my toes throughout, and the way the plot unfolded was masterfully done. Needless to say AE shall be added to my auto buy list

My new favourite author! I really enjoyed this book. So cleverly written with detailed plot twists and most I could never have guessed! Characters were well written and the storyline was intelligent. I can definitely see this one on the big screen and would be a big hit! Incredible!

An excellent read with an intelligent plot full of twists and turns.
Believable characters that felt authentic and sharp astute writing.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and it kept me guessing throughout.

Loved it ! Took me a little while to get used to the back and forths in history but a very gripping story and great characters. A couple of nice twists at the end keep you guessing and I’d love to see a sequel.

Evie Porter has just moved in with her handsome boyfriend, Ryan. They are happy, in love, but his friends are wary of her.
Evie has so many alias’ it feels hard to keep up, but the flash backs give the detail about her previous identities set under the stern direction of the mysterious and surely Mr Smith. An unpleasant man that enjoys controlling her.
Ryan, she finds has skeletons in his own cupboard, which Evie also manages to eventually uncover but their relationship is complex and curious to observe. There is an enjoyable friendship between Devon. I particularly liked Rachel, Ryan’s very sharp and direct friend, who is also a lawyer that helps to represent Evie, despite her reservations.
This is an enjoyable and quite light-hearted approach to a form of espionage. The characters are quite interesting. Evie is likeable, warm and fallible despite her measured and calculating approaching to fulfilling her jobs. It keeps you guessing, but with so many twists, turns and red herrings it is hard to fathom the correct denouement.