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dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
4.5
Didn't know what to expect going into this book, but it definitely lived up to the hype. Every time I picked up this book, I was given curveball after curveball as you untangle the complicated webs that surround Evie and her line of work. This type of intricacy could throw off some readers, but I felt that Elston did a great job with executing the unraveling of Evie's career with Mr. Smith and what she ultimately wants from her life. Wanting to know what happens next, this is the kind of book you can get lost in.
Evie was an interesting main character and I think she's the perfect narrator for readers who want morally grey woman MCs and don't mind the idea of FMCs getting their hands dirty. I also felt that Elston was thorough with the overall development of Evie's character, especially when you get flashbacks into why Evie got into her line of work and her experiences working for Mr. Smith before the events of First Lie Wins. Though there were few side characters, I thought that the side characters that were there truly made an impact with examining these different sides of Evie as well as stand out on their own.
For readers looking for intricately-webbed thrillers with a morally grey FMC that will leave you guessing until the very end, this is a book you should keep your eye on.
Evie was an interesting main character and I think she's the perfect narrator for readers who want morally grey woman MCs and don't mind the idea of FMCs getting their hands dirty. I also felt that Elston was thorough with the overall development of Evie's character, especially when you get flashbacks into why Evie got into her line of work and her experiences working for Mr. Smith before the events of First Lie Wins. Though there were few side characters, I thought that the side characters that were there truly made an impact with examining these different sides of Evie as well as stand out on their own.
For readers looking for intricately-webbed thrillers with a morally grey FMC that will leave you guessing until the very end, this is a book you should keep your eye on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Stalking, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Car accident, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Cancer
kelisabeth's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
brooklynelle's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I really loved this book and was hooked by chapter two. While I ended up calling the ending, there were still several twists and turns I wasn’t expecting. I loved the main character and would like a sequel pls!!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Murder
misstaylor7's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
dc273's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
mamallama95's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Cancer
jhbandcats'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? Yes
4.5
Utterly preposterous but so entertaining I had to keep reading and reading till I finished, this counts as a guilty pleasure. It was all show and no substance but I didn’t care because I was enjoying it so much.
I loved the main character and wanted the best for her. She’d had some lousy things happen in the past and just wanted to be admired for being the very best. She really thrived on praise (which meant the absence of complaints) and was crushed when her boss reprimanded her. I loved that she was so resourceful. And I’m glad she had outside help because then it would have gone above and beyond the suspension of belief into fantasy.
The book was really clever and complex - I loved all the twists and turns. It was definitely a great book to keep my mind off anything else going on.
I loved the main character and wanted the best for her. She’d had some lousy things happen in the past and just wanted to be admired for being the very best. She really thrived on praise (which meant the absence of complaints) and was crushed when her boss reprimanded her. I loved that she was so resourceful. And I’m glad she had outside help because then it would have gone above and beyond the suspension of belief into fantasy.
The book was really clever and complex - I loved all the twists and turns. It was definitely a great book to keep my mind off anything else going on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Classism
sberry225's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.75
This was such a smart, twisty thriller! I loved the dual timelines and the intelligence and clever thinking by the female main character was very refreshing. The plot was winding and the twists were unexpected. This was a highly entertaining read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Car accident, and Murder
Minor: Addiction and Fire/Fire injury
aruthj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Quite literally obsessed with this book. I loved it from start to finish. The ending makes me want to read it again and try to pick out little details that may have hinted at the twist. I cannot recommend this book enough
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Violence, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism and Drug abuse
audreylj's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury