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A review by dcnireads
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
ok, so to be honest, my time reading this book was heavily clouded by my anticipation for another book that i've been DYING to read for a while, so i will admit that maybe there were times that i didnt quite digest or properly appreciate what i was reading. and while i did overall vibe with the story's twists and reveals, i felt like the writing felt..detached?? at some points? i don't know if that's the right word to use but that's what i felt during certain parts that i read, and not just cause i was so excited for that other book i mentioned.
i think there were some scenes where the tone felt flat or too straighforward, which made me gloss over some shocking details because the whole vibe and interpretation didnt really give me the "gasp" factor that i was supposed to feel as a reader. i wouldn't consider it too off putting since this small bit of criticism can be brushed off by pointing out that the nonchalance in the writing is simply evie/lucca's personality showing itself because the whole novel is told in her pov, which i can appreciate. she's incredibly intelligent, confident, resourceful and shrewd, and watching her outsmart mr. smith was very fun. taking him down by planning in advance and forming her own circle of trusted people among the clients and victims he himself put in her path was quite satisfying to read. i also have to compliment the unique and refreshing spin on mystery thriller type stories by adding a little bit of the heist genre and going with a spy/con-artist style plot instead of the usual whodunnit. first time i've ever read anything like this and now ill be spending a lot of time trying to look for more. and last but not least, as a bonafide lover of romance and guaranteed happy endings, im really, really glad things worked out for her and ryan, and that evie still kept in touch with amy and devon. i like a good love story on the side with an equally morally gray leading man and a small touch of some found family.
in conclusion, a very firm 4 stars for this cool thriller. the whole concept was pretty damn cool, and im glad i picked this as my final book for this month's wrap up.
i think there were some scenes where the tone felt flat or too straighforward, which made me gloss over some shocking details because the whole vibe and interpretation didnt really give me the "gasp" factor that i was supposed to feel as a reader. i wouldn't consider it too off putting since this small bit of criticism can be brushed off by pointing out that the nonchalance in the writing is simply evie/lucca's personality showing itself because the whole novel is told in her pov, which i can appreciate. she's incredibly intelligent, confident, resourceful and shrewd, and watching her outsmart mr. smith was very fun. taking him down by planning in advance and forming her own circle of trusted people among the clients and victims he himself put in her path was quite satisfying to read. i also have to compliment the unique and refreshing spin on mystery thriller type stories by adding a little bit of the heist genre and going with a spy/con-artist style plot instead of the usual whodunnit. first time i've ever read anything like this and now ill be spending a lot of time trying to look for more. and last but not least, as a bonafide lover of romance and guaranteed happy endings, im really, really glad things worked out for her and ryan, and that evie still kept in touch with amy and devon. i like a good love story on the side with an equally morally gray leading man and a small touch of some found family.
in conclusion, a very firm 4 stars for this cool thriller. the whole concept was pretty damn cool, and im glad i picked this as my final book for this month's wrap up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Cancer and Car accident