First Lie Wins

By Ashley Elston

Let me just say—I had a blast reading First Lie Wins!

It’s fast, twisty, and packed with edge-of-your-seat moments. Ashley Elston masterfully weaves deception and danger into a story featuring one of the most intriguing protagonists I’ve encountered in a while. Evie Porter is sharp, cunning, and keeps you constantly second-guessing her true motives. I couldn’t help but root for her, even when her choices left me wondering, what is she up to now?

The dual timeline structure? Brilliant. It added depth and tension, creating a layered narrative that felt like a mental game of chess. Sure, there were times I had to pause to connect the dots, but that’s part of the fun with a thriller like this—it pulls you in and makes you work for the payoff.

First Lie Wins

As for the twists—they come fast and hit hard. Just when I thought I had things figured out, Elston threw another curveball my way. The story keeps you on your toes, and that’s exactly what I love about a good thriller.

And the ending? Satisfying, for sure, but maybe a little too neat for my taste. Not every thriller needs a perfect bow on top; sometimes, leaving a few threads hanging makes the story linger in your mind. But that’s just me—I’m curious what other readers think.

Bottom line: First Lie Wins is a wild ride from start to finish. If you love clever, high-stakes thrillers with a healthy dose of mind games, you’ll want to grab this one. Just be prepared to lose track of time—because once you start, you won’t want to put it down! It’s the kind of book you devour in a couple of sittings and then want to talk about with someone immediately after.