Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

12 reviews

bringmybooks's review against another edition

mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Bring | Borrow | ✨Bypass✨

Review: Most important thing to say here is please READ OTHER REVIEWS and don't rely on just mine because I seem to be so far in the minority on this one ... but this felt very meh :(

I liked the idea of all the flashbacks leading us to present day Evie, but eventually I kinda forgot where we were and why we were there (and why I cared). The slog during the middle was real, y'all. 

The writing wasn't bad and I definitely would pick up another thriller by this author, but with all the thrillers you can pick up in bookstores these days, this one would not be my recommendation.

Overall Rating: ★★★★ / 3.25
 
Rating each element of the book out of 5★ 
Characters ★★★
Atmosphere ★★★ 
Writing ★★★ 
Plot ★★★
Intrigue ★★★★ 
Logic ★★★ 
Enjoyment ★★ 
Pacing ★★ 
Dialogue ★★★ 

★ did not like / ★★ it was okay / ★★★ liked it / ★★★★ really liked it / ★★★★★ loved it

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Stalking, Drug use, and Emotional abuse

fkshg8465's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Very fun book. Needed that after the heaviness of ur last one I’d read. Clever, but I have to say I had most of it figured out early on - that was a first for me, and yet, it was still an engaging read. Could be a fun TV show someday.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Stalking, Cancer, and Death

kshertz's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was a great mystery book! I love an unreliable narrator and everyone is very unreliable. I’m not really sure who to root for. I don’t know who will come out on top. There are twists! It was really enjoyable to follow along with them. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Violence, Addiction, Death, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Murder, and Alcohol

shesflippinpages's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Terminal illness, Stalking, Cancer, Addiction, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gaslighting, and Murder

itsheyfay's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Death, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Infidelity and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Cancer and Death of parent

jamie_rich's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Alcohol, Murder, Gaslighting, and Car accident

Minor: Death of parent

disguisedposer's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting and Death of parent

Minor: Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Drug abuse, Addiction, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Cancer, and Car accident

juanat77's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Car accident, Gaslighting, Cancer, Cursing, Death, and Murder

beckyremillard's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I went into this one pretty blind but enjoyed it quite a bit more than I expected to. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Murder, Violence, Gaslighting, and Grief

kimveach's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I'd wanted to read an excellent thriller, and this is the one.  This book had an interesting protagonist, excellent pacing, helpful flashbacks, and a terrific ending.  I thoroughly enjoyed this, even if it kept me up late.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Car accident, Outing, Terminal illness, Violence, Murder, Alcohol, Grief, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, and Bullying