First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

A Five-Star Book Review

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston was a Book of the Month pick that I originally dismissed but, after seeing it all over Bookstagram, FOMO kicked in and I had to read it. I was not disappointed.

Summary of First Lie Wins

I hate summarizing thrillers because I’m conscious of giving away spoilers. I’ll do my best here, but consider yourself warned.

Evie Porter is not who she says she is. She’s working a mark, Ryan, assigned by Mr. Smith, her mysterious, lethal boss. Unfortunately, she’s starting see a future with Ryan. But Mr. Smith is determined not to lose hold of his best asset, and he’ll do anything he can to keep Evie under control.

What I Enjoyed About First Lie Wins

This thriller is a cat-and-mouse chase that keeps you turning the page. Here’s what I enjoyed the most:

• Evie: She is smart and has a little bit of sass. When things go south, she takes control.
• The flashbacks: These really help readers understand Evie’s origin story and her ties to Mr. Smith.
• The climax: I can’t give away the ending here, but it was definitely a satisfying result.

My Final Thoughts About First Lie Wins

First Lie Wins, Elston’s first adult novel, is a fast-paced thriller with a strong female lead at the helm. I am excited to see what the Hulu adaptation with Octavia Spencer brings.