A review by _onemorechapter_
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.25

๐Ÿ’ญGo In Blind!
It is the usual fare โ€“ Evie Porter seems to have it all โ€“ the perfect boyfriend, the perfect life, a house in a classy neighbourhood, and a group of friends. Of course, thereโ€™s a catch โ€“ Evie Porter doesnโ€™t exist. She isnโ€™t who she claims to be, and now another woman has come to town claiming to be her โ€“ from another life, and she must do what it takes to protect herself and her real identity.
Evie Porter emerges as a cunning, intricately crafted protagonist, whose unpredictable and erratic ways enthrall the reader from the very start. In the realm of thrillers, it is customary to delineate clear lines of trust and suspicion among characters. However, this narrative subverts that tradition, compelling us to continually reassess our perceptions of Evie and Ryan. Evie, as the central figure, is both enigmatic and captivating, her presence pulsating with a dynamic energy that keeps us perpetually on edge.
As the story unfolds, I found myself oscillating between trust and doubt regarding Evie and Ryan, an uncertainty that only deepened my engagement. Evie's character evolves with a compelling blend of creativity and resilience. Her ability to think on her feet and her unwavering tenacity evoke a growing admiration. She is a master of adaptability, and her determination shines through in every twist and turn, solidifying her as a truly memorable and formidable protagonist.

Right from the outset, this narrative exudes a distinctive charm. The plot is refreshingly innovative, treading the fine line between originality and excess. The allure of an unreliable narrator is masterfully executed here, not by bombarding us with falsehoods but by artfully withholding truths. It is a cerebral delight to unravel whether the con artist is outwitting another, being duped, or, most intriguingly, deceiving us, the readers.
The prose is intelligent and sophisticated, particularly at the beginning, offering subtle insights into Evieโ€™s psyche without a single overtly devious line. It is an understated brilliance that keeps us perpetually alert. The dual timeline structure is deftly handled, gradually unveiling crucial clues that piece together the "current" enigma. Scattered throughout are tantalizing revelationsโ€”those delicious baby bombshellsโ€”that maintain a gripping pace, even as the narrative becomes intricately layered towards the climax.
The story is replete with deceit and secrets, each twist and turn delivered with impeccable timing. While some twists are predictable, others strike with unexpected force, all maintaining a keen interest. Characters morph and adapt, embodying the chameleon-like nature of the plot. The title's integration into the storyline is executed with such finesse that it stands as a veritable masterclass in the art of deception.

In essence, this tale is a sophisticated tapestry of lies, secrets, and ever-shifting realities, woven together with an intelligence that demands both attention and admiration. 

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this psychological drama as it kept me hooked throughout. Itโ€™s a cracking, fun, entertaining cat, mouse thriller of a read which I enjoy very much.

๐.๐’ It is absolutely the best feeling when a thriller delivers because you never know with books in that genre. I think there are about hundreds of thousands of them, and well, while most start very promisingly, they also often lose steam in the middle, hurtling towards the end with great speed, and often gaping holes in the plot. This wasnโ€™t the case with, โ€œFirst Lie Winsโ€. It has heady, super-fast, and well-etched characters that make you want to know them more as the pages turn.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐‘ด๐’š ๐‘น๐’‚๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ: โญโญโญโญ.25
๐Ÿ”ธ๐‘ฎ๐’๐’๐’…๐’“๐’†๐’‚๐’…๐’” ๐‘น๐’‚๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ: 4.06 (337458)
๐Ÿ”ธ๐‘ฎ๐’†๐’๐’“๐’†: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Crime Fiction 
๐Ÿ”ธ๐‘น๐’†๐’„๐’๐’Ž๐’Ž๐’†๐’๐’…๐’‚๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’: Yes!!!
Pick this up for some top-notch writing with investigative elements and intriguing characters. 
Steady-paced, twisty enough, gripping throughout!

๐Ÿ”ธ ๐‘ญ๐’‚๐’—๐’๐’“๐’Š๐’•๐’† ๐‘ธ๐’–๐’๐’•๐’†๐’”:
โ€œThereโ€™s an old saying: The first lie wins. Itโ€™s not referring to the little white kind that tumbles out with no thought; it refers to the big one. The one that changes the game. The one that is deliberate. The lie that sets the stage for everything that comes after it. And once the lie is told, itโ€™s what most people believe to be true. The first lie has to be the strongest. The most important. The one that has to be told.โ€

โ€œBlunt honesty has more value than blind worshipโ€

โ€œYou can tell a lot about a person by the way they act when they are left waiting too long.โ€

โ€œThe way you walk, the way you talk, the way you move your body screams more about you than anything else ever could.โ€

โ€œMama always said to be successful in life you need to do three things: learn everything you can, try your hardest, and be the best at what you do.โ€

โ€œShe learned that no matter how hard you try, sometimes itโ€™s not enough. She learned the only person you could trust, the only person you could truly rely on, was yourself.โ€