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3.93 AVERAGE

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
mysterious medium-paced
mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston is a thrilling departure from the typical thrillers I usually read. While I don't often reach for books about cons, this one truly changed my mind. Going into it without knowing much about the plot made the experience even more exciting and full of twists.

The story revolves around Evie Porter, who has everything a girl could want: a perfect boyfriend, a charming house, and a fancy group of friends. But Evie Porter doesn’t really exist. Her identity is crafted by her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith, and her latest mark is Ryan Sumner. However, this job is different because Ryan gets under her skin, and Evie starts envisioning a different kind of life for herself. But she can't afford any mistakes after her last job.

The relationship between Evie and Ryan was one of my favorite aspects of the book. I found myself rooting for them immediately. The pacing was excellent, with never a dull moment or a time when I felt bored. I never wanted to put it down. The reveals and plot twists were extremely well-written and perfectly placed throughout the story, keeping me constantly engaged.

The setting in a small Southern town added a lot of intrigue to the story. It provided a perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama. I also enjoyed the relationships between Evie and Ryan's friends, which added complexity to the narrative.

Interestingly, the flashbacks worked well in this book. Normally, I'm not a fan of flashback chapters, but here they were integrated seamlessly, enhancing the story rather than distracting from it.

Overall, First Lie Wins is a unique and captivating thriller that stands out from the rest. If you're looking for a well-paced, twisty, and engaging read with compelling characters and a charming Southern setting, I highly recommend this book. Ashley Elston has crafted a story that keeps you guessing and invested until the very last page.
mysterious tense medium-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: Complicated

this was just well written and lots of fun, no craziness needed when everything flowed so well
adventurous tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes