Description:
Review
“This fast-paced read has everything you could want in a thriller: secret identities, a mysterious boss and a cat & mouse game that kept me guessing the whole way through.”
—Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club January ’24 Pick)
“A relentless cat-and-mouse thriller. . . This is a classic twist-stuffed suspense for fans who plan to read late into the night.”
—Elle
“The cleverly crafted plot and whip-smart protagonist mean you won’t know who to trust in this edge-of-your-seat thriller.”
—Reader's Digest
“Elston raises the stakes.”
—The New York Times
“You’re in for a thrill ride of twists in this fast-paced novel that kept me on my toes from start to finish.”
—New York Post
“First Lie Wins delivers a fun and unpredictable suspense ride that keeps the guessing going until the end.”
—Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Ingeniously plotted. . . Elston whips up plenty of suspense and delivers a satisfyingly serpentine finale. This promises more good things from Elston to come.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A savvy thriller with intrigue and momentum. . . from the first twist of Lucca’s arrival right up until the final showdowns. Evie is a smart and engaging protagonist, and her time on the run is anything but predictable.”
—Kirkus
“A huge success . . . First Lie Wins is extremely clever and throws one twist after another at you in a narrative that will consume you straight through to the dynamic finale.”
—Bookreporter
“Tremendously satisfying.”
—Criminal Element
“Fantastic. . . an edge-of-your-seat read.”
—Fresh Fiction
“Smart and fast-paced.”
—First for Women
“Ashley Elston handles a highly complicated plot with the assurance of someone who has been writing psychological suspense all her life. . . No wonder Reese Witherspoon has made First Lie Wins her book club choice.”
—Sunday Times (London)
“One of the best thrillers I’ve ever read. . . Amazing.”
—Jesse Watters
“Riveting!”
—Lucy Foley, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Apartment
"Buckle up. First Lie Wins features some of the best cat and mouse suspense I've read in years, while serving up plenty of heart along this wild ride. I'm still breathless.”
—Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One Step Too Far
“What a box of tricks! First Lie Wins flickers past like a shadow-play: just when you think you've worked out what you're seeing, the shapes shift, the scene transforms, and -- hold on -- maybe you had it wrong a moment ago? Cool and clever and full-on fun, the sort of slippery high-stakes now-you-see-me-now-you-don't thriller that few novelists are bold enough to attempt these days. Pick it up, please. This is a good one.”
—A.J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window and End of Story
“First Lie Wins is a high-stakes thriller that brilliantly explores identity and love, truth and deception. Smart and sharp, fast-paced and twisty, this book kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the very last. Ashley Elston has crafted a truly unpredictable, unforgettable story. I loved it!”
—Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author of The Only Survivors
“Wildly inventive, diabolically clever....Filled with meticulously plotted details and stakes that will wholly consume you, Ashley Elston also delivers one of the most likeable, morally gray characters I've ever encountered. I devoured First Lie Wins and am now an Ashley Elston fan for life.”
—Julie Clark, New York Times bestselling author of The Lies I Tell
“First Lie Wins is the most suspenseful game of deception I've ever read…. Ashley Elston peeled back layer upon layer of a carefully crafted plot, revealing a series of twists and reveals I never saw coming. Brilliant!”
—Elle Cosimano, New York Times bestselling author of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It
“You don't know who to trust in this taut and expertly plotted thriller from Ashley Elston. First Lie Wins is an edge-of-your-seat read that's as emotionally moving as it is gripping. I loved every minute of it!”
—Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of Local Woman Missing
“A suspenseful and taut page-turner that is impossible to put down! First Lie Wins captivated me with its twisty premise and left me spellbound by the memory of its richly-drawn characters.”
—Megan Shepherd, New York Times bestselling author of Malice House
“Who is the cat and who is the mouse? It’s hard to tell when even the bad guys are so likable that you can’t help but root for them. Clever, twisty, and suspenseful, First Lie Wins kept me on my toes right up to the satisfying conclusion.”
—Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author of The Last House on the Street
“Sharp, engaging, and unputdownable. Elston executes hair-pin turns masterfully, leaving readers gasping in surprise but firmly in their seats and ready for more. A smart suspense with romantic elements that keeps the thrills coming and the reader thinking of the story long after the book is done.”
—Alyssa Cole, New York Times bestselling author of When No One is Watching
“Outstanding! The deeply woven characters in First Lie Wins pulled me in from the first page, then took me on a spellbinding ride. Ashley Elston has crafted an ingenious, unforgettable cat and mouse thriller!”
—Wendy Walker, bestselling author of What Remains
“A propulsive, note-perfect thriller.”
—Cesca Major, author of Maybe Next Time
“A whip-smart, twisty thriller with a surprisingly big heart. First Lie Wins is the type of book that begs to be read in one sitting.”
—Kara Thomas, author of Out of the Ashes
“Prepare to trust no one on this high-speed thrill ride through timelines, identities, and motives as you work to piece together Elston's expertly crafted puzzle. First Lie Wins is a fun, clever spin on the con artist novel, perfect for fans of The Lies I Tell and The Lady Upstairs.”
—Ashley Winstead, author of Midnight is the Darkest Hour
"I really enjoyed this – very unexpected and pacy with a brilliant central character."
—Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of Blood Orange and The Lies You Told
“Absolutely brilliant. I devoured it."
—Heidi Perks, bestselling author of The Whispers
"An absolute CRACKER of a book—clever, original and compelling."
—Rachel Abbott, bestselling author of Don't Look Away
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
It starts with the little things: an extra toothbrush in the glass holder next to the sink, a few articles of clothing in the smallest drawer, phone chargers on both sides of the bed. Then the little things turn to slightly bigger things: razors and mouthwash and birth control pills all fighting for space in the medicine cabinet, the question changing from "Are you coming over?" to "What should we cook for dinner?"
And as much as I've been dreading it, this next step was inevitable.
It may be the first time I'm meeting the people gathered around the table, people who Ryan has known since childhood, but it hasn't escaped anyone's attention that I'm already fully embedded in his life. It's the small touches a woman brings to a man's home, like the matching throw pillows on the couch or the faint whiff of jasmine from the diffuser on the bookshelf, that every other woman notices the second she walks through the front door.
A voice floats across the candlelit table, dodges the centerpiece that I was assured was "delicate yet confident," and hovers in the air in front of me. "Evie, that's an unusual name."
I turn to Beth, debating whether to answer her question that's not really a question.
"It's short for Evelyn. I was named after my grandmother."
The women sneak glances at one another, silently communicating across the table. Every answer I give is weighed and cataloged for a later discussion.
"Oh, I love that!" Allison squeals. "I was named after my grandmother too. Where did you say you were from again?"
I didn't say, and they know this. Like birds of prey, they will pick, pick, pick all night until they get the answers they want.
"A small town in Alabama," I answer.
Before they can ask which small town in Alabama, Ryan changes the subject. "Allison, I saw your grandmother last week at the grocery store. How's she holding up?"
He's bought me a few precious moments of relief while Allison relays how her grandmother is faring following the death of her grandfather. But it won't be long until I'm the focus once again.
I don't have to know these people to know everything about them. They are the ones who started kindergarten together, their circle remaining small until high school graduation. They fled town in groups of twos and threes to attend a handful of colleges all within driving distance of here. They all joined sororities and fraternities with other groups of twos and threes with similar backgrounds, only to gravitate back to this small Louisiana town, the circle closing once again. Greek letters have been traded out for Junior League memberships and dinner parties and golf on Saturday afternoon, as long as it doesn't interfere with SEC football.
I don't fault them for the way they are; I envy them. I envy the ease they feel in these situations, for knowing exactly what to expect and what is expected of them. I envy the gracefulness that comes with knowing that everyone in this town has seen them at their worst and still accepts them.
"How did you two meet?" Sara asks, the attention once again back on me.
It's an innocent enough question, but one that unnerves me all the same.
The smile on Ryan's face tells me he knows how I feel about being asked this and he'll step in again to answer for me, but I shake him off.
Wiping my mouth gently with one of the white cloth napkins I bought specifically for this occasion, I say, "He helped change my flat tire."
Ryan would have given them more than they deserve, and that's why I stopped him. I don't mention it was at the truck stop on the outskirts of town where I worked in the small restaurant bar making sure no drink went empty. And I don't mention that while they are familiar with lots of acronyms from MBA to MRS, the only one I'm acquainted with is GED.
These people, his friends, wouldn't mean to, but they would hold such basic things against me. They might not even be aware they were doing it.
I told Ryan I was afraid of how they would judge me once they found out my background was so different from theirs. He assured me he didn't care what they thought, but he does. The fact that he caved and invited them all here and spent the week helping me get the menu just right tells me more than the whispers in the dark that he likes how different I am, different from the girls he grew up with.
Allison turns to Ryan, and says, "Well, aren't you handy to have around."
I watch Ryan. I've whittled down our entire meeting to one sentence, and so far, he's let me get away with it.
As he watches me, a small smile plays on his face that lets me know this is my show-for now-and he's happy to go along.
Allison's husband, Cole, adds, "I wouldn't be surprised if he flattened your tire just so he could be there to help you fix it."
Laughs around the table and probably an elbow to the ribs from his wife given how Cole is holding his side. Ryan shakes his head, still watching me.
I smile and laugh, not too loud and not too long, to show that I, too, am amused at the thought that Ryan would go to such extremes to meet me.
Amused that any person would have watched another long enough to know that he always filled up at that truck stop for gas on Thursday evenings after spending the day in his East Texas office. That someone knew he favored the pumps on the west side of the building, and that his eyes almost always lingered a little too long on any female who crossed his path, especially those dressed in short skirts. And that same someone would pick up on little things, like the LSU baseball cap in the back seat or the frat tee showing through his white dress shirt or the country club sticker in the bottom left corner of his windshield, to ensure when they did meet there would be things to talk about. That someone would hold a nail just so in a valve while the air whistled away.
I mean, it's amusing to believe one person would go to those lengths just to meet another.
.
“I totally nailed it,” I say, as I dip the last dinner plate into the sink full of soapy water. Ryan moves in behind me, his arms skimming my hips until they are wrapped around my waist. His chin settles on my shoulder, and his lips press against that spot on my neck in a way he knows I adore.
"They loved you," he whispers.
They don't love me. At most, I satisfied the first wave of curiosity. And I imagine before the first car left the driveway, every woman was in the passenger seat swiping between the group text message picking apart every aspect of the night and the search bar on every social media site trying to track down exactly who I am and what small town in Alabama I came from.
"Ray just sent me a text. Sara wants your number so she can invite you to lunch next week."
That was faster than I anticipated. I guess the second wave of curiosity is barreling toward me, fueled by the discovery that all searches turned up just the bare minimum of information, and they are hungry for more.
"I sent it to him. Hope that's okay," he says.
I twist around until I'm facing him, my hands crawling up his chest until they're framing his face. "Of course. They're your friends. And I hope they'll be my friends too."
So now there will be a lunch where the questions will be more direct, because Ryan won't be there to make sure they aren't.
Standing on my tiptoes, I pull him closer, until my mouth is mere inches from his. We both love this part, the anticipation, when breaths mingle and my brown eyes stare into his blue ones. We're close but not close enough. His hands slip under the hem on my shirt, his fingers digging into the soft skin at my waist while mine slide up the back of his neck, my fingers curling into his dark hair. Ryan's hair is longer than it was when we first met, when I first started watching him. I told him I liked it like this. That I liked having something to hold on to, so he stopped cutting it. I could tell his friends were surprised when they saw him, because from my own social media research, his hair has never touched his collar. And then they looked to me, and I could see their questions. Why has Ryan changed? And is it because of this girl?
He drags his hands lower, gripping my thighs under my short skirt and pulling me up so my legs can wrap around him.
"Will you stay?" he whispers, even though we're the only two people in the house. He asks me this question every night.
"Yes," I whisper back. My answer is always the same.
Ryan's mouth hovers over mine but still maintains a sliver of space between us. I lose focus on his face. Even though he's killing me, I wait for him to close the distance between us.
"I don't want to ask anymore. I want to know you'll be here every night because it's your home too. Will you do that? Make this your home?"
I dig my fingers deeper into his hair and lock my legs tighter around him. "I thought you'd never ask."
I feel his smile against my lips, and he's kissing me then carrying me through the kitchen, down the hall to the bedroom.
Our bedroom.
Chapter 2
Ever since Ryan asked me to move in with him five days ago and I said yes, he's been impatient for it to happen. I woke up the morning after the dinner party to him on the phone with a moving company, scheduling their services for later that day, thanks to a last-minute cancellation.
I convinced him to wait, even if it was just for a week, to make sure this was really what he wanted and not just something he said after an evening of expensive wine and perfectly cooked beef tenderloin. Plus, I mentioned he was getting a little ahead of himself by calling the movers when I haven't packed anything yet.
"If you didn't really want to move in with me, you'd tell me, right?" Ryan is standing in front of the bathroom mirror, knotting a dark blue and gray striped tie, and trying to act like he's asked me some insignificant thing. He's pouting. Something I've seen before when he doesn't get his way.
I hop up on the counter and scoot down the white marble surface until I'm sitting right in front of him. He looks over my shoulder as if he can still watch his progress in the mirror behind me. He's being a little bit of a baby this morning.
I've memorized his face, but I still study it every chance I get, looking for any small piece I may have missed. He's attractive in a classic way. His dark hair is thick and tends to curl at the edges when it gets too long, as it is now. His blue eyes are striking, and even though he just shaved I know by the time I see him tonight his jaw will be shadowed and I'll get goose bumps when it grazes my neck.
Brushing his hands away, I finish tying the tie for him. "Of course I want to move in here. Where's this coming from?"
Ryan looks down at the tie, straightening it even though it's already straight but needing something to do. He hasn't touched me this morning and barely looked at me. Yep, total baby.
Since he hasn't answered me, I add, "Have you changed your mind about me being here? I know you think I've been avoiding packing, but I've set aside the entire day today to get it done, and Goodwill is coming by to pick up everything I don't need anymore. But I can call them and cancel . . ."
His eyes and hands are finally on me. "Yes, I still want you here. I didn't know that's what you were planning to do today. But you've picked the one day I can't help you. I'm swamped today."
Today is Thursday, and he'll be fifty miles away from here at his East Texas office for the day. Just like he is every Thursday.
"I know, the timing sucks. But today was the only day I could get off work and the only afternoon Goodwill could send a truck over. I don't have much, so even by myself, it shouldn't take long."
His hands squeeze my sides while he leans forward to kiss me on the lips. His pout long gone, I hook my feet around the back of his legs and pull him close.
"Maybe I can call in sick. I am the boss, after all, and it's high time I abuse my position of power," he says with a laugh.
I giggle between kisses. "Save your sick day for something better than packing. And really, there won't be that much to pack since I'm giving almost everything away." I glance through the door to the bedroom. "My stuff isn't as nice as yours, so there's no reason to keep it."
His hands go to my face. "I told you, anything you want to bring here, we'll make room for it. You don't have to get rid of your stuff."
Biting my bottom lip, I say, "I promise you, you don't want my ugly secondhand couch in your living room."
"How would I know if I didn't want your ugly secondhand couch in my living room? You've never let me see it." I try to sidestep this landmine of a conversation by looking away, but his finger pulls my chin back so we're eye to eye. "You don't have to be embarrassed."
"Yes, I do," I say, matching his stare. Then I lean in and kiss him quickly to avoid another pout. "You'll see it on Saturday when we meet the movers there. I scheduled them yesterday. And Sunday will be spent finding space for my stuff here. Save your sick day for Monday. By Monday, we'll both be exhausted and I'm sure we'll need a pajama day. Pajamas optional."
He leans his forehead against mine, his smile infectious. "It's a date." With a last quick kiss, he pushes away from me and strolls out of the bathroom.
Twenty minutes after Ryan's Tahoe pulls out of the driveway, I'm doing the same in my ten-year-old 4Runner. Lake Forbing is a medium-size town in north Louisiana that is known for its fertile farmlands and deep pockets of natural gas. There is a lot of money in this area, but it's the quiet kind. It takes fifteen minutes to get to Lake View Apartments from Ryan's house, and from what I can tell it's nowhere near the lake this town was named after.
Reviews:
Couldn’t put this book down!
Excellent - reviews are spot on!! I picked this up before a tropical vacation hoping to have a compelling page-turner I could get lost in. It did not disappoint!! I couldn’t put the book down. It kept me guessing up until the end and I’m back on Bolo to buy the next book by this author!
Surprised Me
Read this with my book club. There were a lot of twists and turns and the ending surprised me. It was a page turner and I enjoyed it. Only giving four stars because the quality of writing was not quite what it could have been. It makes sense to me that this author usually writes young adult novels. I hope she uses less curse words in those lol. If you're on the fence do it! Definitely worth the read.
Amazing!!!!!
This was such a great ride! This book is clever, unique and very fun. It’s an excellent read. I loved the mystery and thrill of each chapter. I had no idea where it was going and it just kept getting better. I have not read anything by this author before but I am putting her on my reading list. This is a story about people and cons and a mystery person who controls everything. It has wonderfully written characters that have depth and interesting lives. I don’t want to give anything away because it’s just too good. I highly recommend you read it.
Fun read
I'd give 4 stars to the book iteslf. Is it a book spending money on? I'd give that a 1/2. So 3 it is.I wanted to check this out from the library, but my situation was time sensitive and there was a very long wait. It was a fun book. Worth the read, but definitely not worth buying and owning a copy. I'm picky about books that are worth spending actual money on though. If buying books is your thing.....This is a rather entertaining book. You do need a suspension of disbelief, but if you can get to that it's a really fun read. There are so many improbable/questionable things, but somehow the aurhor made me not care about them and want to take the ride.Characters are developed nicely enough. There are lots of twists, some cleverly moving the story in an interesting direction. Beyond plot, there is just something about the way this book is layed out that makes it fun. I love the timing of this book. The author managed to give me exactly the right information at exactly the right time. I figured things out just before I read it. So it was fun figuring it out but not so early that it became tiring and dull. This happened at several points throughout the book. It was actually pretty impressive how the author was able to work everything through the plot in the way she did.
Great Writing; Weird Characters and Plot
Evie Porter is a woman of many personas who completes covert tasks for her mysterious employer, Mr. Smith. . Her latest assignment targets Ryan Sumner, a man who is keeping his own secrets. But this job is different for Evie, and her most dangerous one to date because she is being closely watched by her employer and is developing feelings for Ryan. Despite her growing attachment, Evie knows that to stay alive and ultimately have the "normal" life she's been craving, she must stay one step ahead of the devious game that unfolds while keeping her feeling for Ryan at bay. Balancing the demands of her current task with the shadows of her past, Evie must outsmart everyone to stay alive and secure a promising future.I would have given this a 3 but added a star because the writing is really really good. The author does a great job of brining the action to life and creating a 3-D story for us. This was a fast read; great writing with good characters. I wasn't bored and kept wanting to go back to the book after taking a break (more out of morbid curiosity about what happens than attachment to the characters and plot) , but the plot was a little strange and it took a lot for me to wrap my brain around it. Also the flashbacks were utterly confusing - too many characters and subplots for me to keep track of. Also, there was a lot of explaining that needed to be done at the end to wrap it up neatly.
Great read
Great read! Very engaging and lots of twists. I don't want to give too much away but it definitely didn't end the way I thought it would. It will keep you guessing.
One of my favorite reads
If you want a page turner First Lie Wins is a smart, fast-paced thriller that hooked me from the first chapter. The story follows Evie Porter, a professional con artist whose life is built on secrets and ever-shifting identities. When her latest assignment puts her deep undercover with a seemingly perfect boyfriend, everything starts to unravel and the twists keep coming. The plot moves briskly, with enough suspense and unexpected turns to make it hard to put down, and Evie’s clever, morally gray character adds an extra layer of intrigue that keeps you guessing about what she’ll do next.What I appreciated most was the way the story balances tension and emotion. Even as the mystery and deceptions pile up, there are moments that feel genuinely grounded, especially in how Evie wrestles with her choices and relationships. The novel isn’t overly long, and it delivers its reveals in a satisfying way without feeling rushed or sloppy.If you enjoy thrillers with identity games, sharp plotting, and surprises that actually feel earned, First Lie Wins is a highly entertaining read that lives up to its Reese’s Book Club buzz.
Keeps you on you toes!
This is a very good read. The reason for 4 stars is because there are many past and present scenarios that can get a little confusing at times. This is a page turner that keeps your interest and well written.
Great read
Even though I do not like thrillers this is a unique crime story. I could not lay it down... .Wonderful
took way too long to read this
You need to use your brain while reading this, or it’s just me. I took serveren months to finish this book so I forgot a lot. But it’s a very very good story.
A treat of a thriller
Suspense, mystery, plot twists, intelligence, engaging characters— that’s what a mystery novel should be!
Queria poder ler esse livro de novo pela primeira vez!
Eu tinha lido um outro livro da autora, um romance YA, há alguns anos e estava curiosa para saber como ela se ia trabalhar um novo gênero e faixa etária. E foi maravilhoso. O livro não perdeu meu interesse em nenhum momento e a história é muito envolvente.Já entrou para a lista dos melhores do ano.
superb story
It was so clever. I really enjoyed it.I am eager to talk about this one in my book clubDefinitely 5 stars!
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First Lie Wins: Reese's Book Club: A Novel
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Visit the Penguin Books Store
First Lie Wins: Reese's Book Club: A Novel
AED7166
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Review
“This fast-paced read has everything you could want in a thriller: secret identities, a mysterious boss and a cat & mouse game that kept me guessing the whole way through.”
—Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club January ’24 Pick)
“A relentless cat-and-mouse thriller. . . This is a classic twist-stuffed suspense for fans who plan to read late into the night.”
—Elle
“The cleverly crafted plot and whip-smart protagonist mean you won’t know who to trust in this edge-of-your-seat thriller.”
—Reader's Digest
“Elston raises the stakes.”
—The New York Times
“You’re in for a thrill ride of twists in this fast-paced novel that kept me on my toes from start to finish.”
—New York Post
“First Lie Wins delivers a fun and unpredictable suspense ride that keeps the guessing going until the end.”
—Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Ingeniously plotted. . . Elston whips up plenty of suspense and delivers a satisfyingly serpentine finale. This promises more good things from Elston to come.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A savvy thriller with intrigue and momentum. . . from the first twist of Lucca’s arrival right up until the final showdowns. Evie is a smart and engaging protagonist, and her time on the run is anything but predictable.”
—Kirkus
“A huge success . . . First Lie Wins is extremely clever and throws one twist after another at you in a narrative that will consume you straight through to the dynamic finale.”
—Bookreporter
“Tremendously satisfying.”
—Criminal Element
“Fantastic. . . an edge-of-your-seat read.”
—Fresh Fiction
“Smart and fast-paced.”
—First for Women
“Ashley Elston handles a highly complicated plot with the assurance of someone who has been writing psychological suspense all her life. . . No wonder Reese Witherspoon has made First Lie Wins her book club choice.”
—Sunday Times (London)
“One of the best thrillers I’ve ever read. . . Amazing.”
—Jesse Watters
“Riveting!”
—Lucy Foley, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Apartment
"Buckle up. First Lie Wins features some of the best cat and mouse suspense I've read in years, while serving up plenty of heart along this wild ride. I'm still breathless.”
—Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One Step Too Far
“What a box of tricks! First Lie Wins flickers past like a shadow-play: just when you think you've worked out what you're seeing, the shapes shift, the scene transforms, and -- hold on -- maybe you had it wrong a moment ago? Cool and clever and full-on fun, the sort of slippery high-stakes now-you-see-me-now-you-don't thriller that few novelists are bold enough to attempt these days. Pick it up, please. This is a good one.”
—A.J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window and End of Story
“First Lie Wins is a high-stakes thriller that brilliantly explores identity and love, truth and deception. Smart and sharp, fast-paced and twisty, this book kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the very last. Ashley Elston has crafted a truly unpredictable, unforgettable story. I loved it!”
—Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author of The Only Survivors
“Wildly inventive, diabolically clever....Filled with meticulously plotted details and stakes that will wholly consume you, Ashley Elston also delivers one of the most likeable, morally gray characters I've ever encountered. I devoured First Lie Wins and am now an Ashley Elston fan for life.”
—Julie Clark, New York Times bestselling author of The Lies I Tell
“First Lie Wins is the most suspenseful game of deception I've ever read…. Ashley Elston peeled back layer upon layer of a carefully crafted plot, revealing a series of twists and reveals I never saw coming. Brilliant!”
—Elle Cosimano, New York Times bestselling author of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It
“You don't know who to trust in this taut and expertly plotted thriller from Ashley Elston. First Lie Wins is an edge-of-your-seat read that's as emotionally moving as it is gripping. I loved every minute of it!”
—Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of Local Woman Missing
“A suspenseful and taut page-turner that is impossible to put down! First Lie Wins captivated me with its twisty premise and left me spellbound by the memory of its richly-drawn characters.”
—Megan Shepherd, New York Times bestselling author of Malice House
“Who is the cat and who is the mouse? It’s hard to tell when even the bad guys are so likable that you can’t help but root for them. Clever, twisty, and suspenseful, First Lie Wins kept me on my toes right up to the satisfying conclusion.”
—Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author of The Last House on the Street
“Sharp, engaging, and unputdownable. Elston executes hair-pin turns masterfully, leaving readers gasping in surprise but firmly in their seats and ready for more. A smart suspense with romantic elements that keeps the thrills coming and the reader thinking of the story long after the book is done.”
—Alyssa Cole, New York Times bestselling author of When No One is Watching
“Outstanding! The deeply woven characters in First Lie Wins pulled me in from the first page, then took me on a spellbinding ride. Ashley Elston has crafted an ingenious, unforgettable cat and mouse thriller!”
—Wendy Walker, bestselling author of What Remains
“A propulsive, note-perfect thriller.”
—Cesca Major, author of Maybe Next Time
“A whip-smart, twisty thriller with a surprisingly big heart. First Lie Wins is the type of book that begs to be read in one sitting.”
—Kara Thomas, author of Out of the Ashes
“Prepare to trust no one on this high-speed thrill ride through timelines, identities, and motives as you work to piece together Elston's expertly crafted puzzle. First Lie Wins is a fun, clever spin on the con artist novel, perfect for fans of The Lies I Tell and The Lady Upstairs.”
—Ashley Winstead, author of Midnight is the Darkest Hour
"I really enjoyed this – very unexpected and pacy with a brilliant central character."
—Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of Blood Orange and The Lies You Told
“Absolutely brilliant. I devoured it."
—Heidi Perks, bestselling author of The Whispers
"An absolute CRACKER of a book—clever, original and compelling."
—Rachel Abbott, bestselling author of Don't Look Away
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
It starts with the little things: an extra toothbrush in the glass holder next to the sink, a few articles of clothing in the smallest drawer, phone chargers on both sides of the bed. Then the little things turn to slightly bigger things: razors and mouthwash and birth control pills all fighting for space in the medicine cabinet, the question changing from "Are you coming over?" to "What should we cook for dinner?"
And as much as I've been dreading it, this next step was inevitable.
It may be the first time I'm meeting the people gathered around the table, people who Ryan has known since childhood, but it hasn't escaped anyone's attention that I'm already fully embedded in his life. It's the small touches a woman brings to a man's home, like the matching throw pillows on the couch or the faint whiff of jasmine from the diffuser on the bookshelf, that every other woman notices the second she walks through the front door.
A voice floats across the candlelit table, dodges the centerpiece that I was assured was "delicate yet confident," and hovers in the air in front of me. "Evie, that's an unusual name."
I turn to Beth, debating whether to answer her question that's not really a question.
"It's short for Evelyn. I was named after my grandmother."
The women sneak glances at one another, silently communicating across the table. Every answer I give is weighed and cataloged for a later discussion.
"Oh, I love that!" Allison squeals. "I was named after my grandmother too. Where did you say you were from again?"
I didn't say, and they know this. Like birds of prey, they will pick, pick, pick all night until they get the answers they want.
"A small town in Alabama," I answer.
Before they can ask which small town in Alabama, Ryan changes the subject. "Allison, I saw your grandmother last week at the grocery store. How's she holding up?"
He's bought me a few precious moments of relief while Allison relays how her grandmother is faring following the death of her grandfather. But it won't be long until I'm the focus once again.
I don't have to know these people to know everything about them. They are the ones who started kindergarten together, their circle remaining small until high school graduation. They fled town in groups of twos and threes to attend a handful of colleges all within driving distance of here. They all joined sororities and fraternities with other groups of twos and threes with similar backgrounds, only to gravitate back to this small Louisiana town, the circle closing once again. Greek letters have been traded out for Junior League memberships and dinner parties and golf on Saturday afternoon, as long as it doesn't interfere with SEC football.
I don't fault them for the way they are; I envy them. I envy the ease they feel in these situations, for knowing exactly what to expect and what is expected of them. I envy the gracefulness that comes with knowing that everyone in this town has seen them at their worst and still accepts them.
"How did you two meet?" Sara asks, the attention once again back on me.
It's an innocent enough question, but one that unnerves me all the same.
The smile on Ryan's face tells me he knows how I feel about being asked this and he'll step in again to answer for me, but I shake him off.
Wiping my mouth gently with one of the white cloth napkins I bought specifically for this occasion, I say, "He helped change my flat tire."
Ryan would have given them more than they deserve, and that's why I stopped him. I don't mention it was at the truck stop on the outskirts of town where I worked in the small restaurant bar making sure no drink went empty. And I don't mention that while they are familiar with lots of acronyms from MBA to MRS, the only one I'm acquainted with is GED.
These people, his friends, wouldn't mean to, but they would hold such basic things against me. They might not even be aware they were doing it.
I told Ryan I was afraid of how they would judge me once they found out my background was so different from theirs. He assured me he didn't care what they thought, but he does. The fact that he caved and invited them all here and spent the week helping me get the menu just right tells me more than the whispers in the dark that he likes how different I am, different from the girls he grew up with.
Allison turns to Ryan, and says, "Well, aren't you handy to have around."
I watch Ryan. I've whittled down our entire meeting to one sentence, and so far, he's let me get away with it.
As he watches me, a small smile plays on his face that lets me know this is my show-for now-and he's happy to go along.
Allison's husband, Cole, adds, "I wouldn't be surprised if he flattened your tire just so he could be there to help you fix it."
Laughs around the table and probably an elbow to the ribs from his wife given how Cole is holding his side. Ryan shakes his head, still watching me.
I smile and laugh, not too loud and not too long, to show that I, too, am amused at the thought that Ryan would go to such extremes to meet me.
Amused that any person would have watched another long enough to know that he always filled up at that truck stop for gas on Thursday evenings after spending the day in his East Texas office. That someone knew he favored the pumps on the west side of the building, and that his eyes almost always lingered a little too long on any female who crossed his path, especially those dressed in short skirts. And that same someone would pick up on little things, like the LSU baseball cap in the back seat or the frat tee showing through his white dress shirt or the country club sticker in the bottom left corner of his windshield, to ensure when they did meet there would be things to talk about. That someone would hold a nail just so in a valve while the air whistled away.
I mean, it's amusing to believe one person would go to those lengths just to meet another.
.
“I totally nailed it,” I say, as I dip the last dinner plate into the sink full of soapy water. Ryan moves in behind me, his arms skimming my hips until they are wrapped around my waist. His chin settles on my shoulder, and his lips press against that spot on my neck in a way he knows I adore.
"They loved you," he whispers.
They don't love me. At most, I satisfied the first wave of curiosity. And I imagine before the first car left the driveway, every woman was in the passenger seat swiping between the group text message picking apart every aspect of the night and the search bar on every social media site trying to track down exactly who I am and what small town in Alabama I came from.
"Ray just sent me a text. Sara wants your number so she can invite you to lunch next week."
That was faster than I anticipated. I guess the second wave of curiosity is barreling toward me, fueled by the discovery that all searches turned up just the bare minimum of information, and they are hungry for more.
"I sent it to him. Hope that's okay," he says.
I twist around until I'm facing him, my hands crawling up his chest until they're framing his face. "Of course. They're your friends. And I hope they'll be my friends too."
So now there will be a lunch where the questions will be more direct, because Ryan won't be there to make sure they aren't.
Standing on my tiptoes, I pull him closer, until my mouth is mere inches from his. We both love this part, the anticipation, when breaths mingle and my brown eyes stare into his blue ones. We're close but not close enough. His hands slip under the hem on my shirt, his fingers digging into the soft skin at my waist while mine slide up the back of his neck, my fingers curling into his dark hair. Ryan's hair is longer than it was when we first met, when I first started watching him. I told him I liked it like this. That I liked having something to hold on to, so he stopped cutting it. I could tell his friends were surprised when they saw him, because from my own social media research, his hair has never touched his collar. And then they looked to me, and I could see their questions. Why has Ryan changed? And is it because of this girl?
He drags his hands lower, gripping my thighs under my short skirt and pulling me up so my legs can wrap around him.
"Will you stay?" he whispers, even though we're the only two people in the house. He asks me this question every night.
"Yes," I whisper back. My answer is always the same.
Ryan's mouth hovers over mine but still maintains a sliver of space between us. I lose focus on his face. Even though he's killing me, I wait for him to close the distance between us.
"I don't want to ask anymore. I want to know you'll be here every night because it's your home too. Will you do that? Make this your home?"
I dig my fingers deeper into his hair and lock my legs tighter around him. "I thought you'd never ask."
I feel his smile against my lips, and he's kissing me then carrying me through the kitchen, down the hall to the bedroom.
Our bedroom.
Chapter 2
Ever since Ryan asked me to move in with him five days ago and I said yes, he's been impatient for it to happen. I woke up the morning after the dinner party to him on the phone with a moving company, scheduling their services for later that day, thanks to a last-minute cancellation.
I convinced him to wait, even if it was just for a week, to make sure this was really what he wanted and not just something he said after an evening of expensive wine and perfectly cooked beef tenderloin. Plus, I mentioned he was getting a little ahead of himself by calling the movers when I haven't packed anything yet.
"If you didn't really want to move in with me, you'd tell me, right?" Ryan is standing in front of the bathroom mirror, knotting a dark blue and gray striped tie, and trying to act like he's asked me some insignificant thing. He's pouting. Something I've seen before when he doesn't get his way.
I hop up on the counter and scoot down the white marble surface until I'm sitting right in front of him. He looks over my shoulder as if he can still watch his progress in the mirror behind me. He's being a little bit of a baby this morning.
I've memorized his face, but I still study it every chance I get, looking for any small piece I may have missed. He's attractive in a classic way. His dark hair is thick and tends to curl at the edges when it gets too long, as it is now. His blue eyes are striking, and even though he just shaved I know by the time I see him tonight his jaw will be shadowed and I'll get goose bumps when it grazes my neck.
Brushing his hands away, I finish tying the tie for him. "Of course I want to move in here. Where's this coming from?"
Ryan looks down at the tie, straightening it even though it's already straight but needing something to do. He hasn't touched me this morning and barely looked at me. Yep, total baby.
Since he hasn't answered me, I add, "Have you changed your mind about me being here? I know you think I've been avoiding packing, but I've set aside the entire day today to get it done, and Goodwill is coming by to pick up everything I don't need anymore. But I can call them and cancel . . ."
His eyes and hands are finally on me. "Yes, I still want you here. I didn't know that's what you were planning to do today. But you've picked the one day I can't help you. I'm swamped today."
Today is Thursday, and he'll be fifty miles away from here at his East Texas office for the day. Just like he is every Thursday.
"I know, the timing sucks. But today was the only day I could get off work and the only afternoon Goodwill could send a truck over. I don't have much, so even by myself, it shouldn't take long."
His hands squeeze my sides while he leans forward to kiss me on the lips. His pout long gone, I hook my feet around the back of his legs and pull him close.
"Maybe I can call in sick. I am the boss, after all, and it's high time I abuse my position of power," he says with a laugh.
I giggle between kisses. "Save your sick day for something better than packing. And really, there won't be that much to pack since I'm giving almost everything away." I glance through the door to the bedroom. "My stuff isn't as nice as yours, so there's no reason to keep it."
His hands go to my face. "I told you, anything you want to bring here, we'll make room for it. You don't have to get rid of your stuff."
Biting my bottom lip, I say, "I promise you, you don't want my ugly secondhand couch in your living room."
"How would I know if I didn't want your ugly secondhand couch in my living room? You've never let me see it." I try to sidestep this landmine of a conversation by looking away, but his finger pulls my chin back so we're eye to eye. "You don't have to be embarrassed."
"Yes, I do," I say, matching his stare. Then I lean in and kiss him quickly to avoid another pout. "You'll see it on Saturday when we meet the movers there. I scheduled them yesterday. And Sunday will be spent finding space for my stuff here. Save your sick day for Monday. By Monday, we'll both be exhausted and I'm sure we'll need a pajama day. Pajamas optional."
He leans his forehead against mine, his smile infectious. "It's a date." With a last quick kiss, he pushes away from me and strolls out of the bathroom.
Twenty minutes after Ryan's Tahoe pulls out of the driveway, I'm doing the same in my ten-year-old 4Runner. Lake Forbing is a medium-size town in north Louisiana that is known for its fertile farmlands and deep pockets of natural gas. There is a lot of money in this area, but it's the quiet kind. It takes fifteen minutes to get to Lake View Apartments from Ryan's house, and from what I can tell it's nowhere near the lake this town was named after.
Reviews:
Couldn’t put this book down!
Excellent - reviews are spot on!! I picked this up before a tropical vacation hoping to have a compelling page-turner I could get lost in. It did not disappoint!! I couldn’t put the book down. It kept me guessing up until the end and I’m back on Bolo to buy the next book by this author!
Surprised Me
Read this with my book club. There were a lot of twists and turns and the ending surprised me. It was a page turner and I enjoyed it. Only giving four stars because the quality of writing was not quite what it could have been. It makes sense to me that this author usually writes young adult novels. I hope she uses less curse words in those lol. If you're on the fence do it! Definitely worth the read.
Amazing!!!!!
This was such a great ride! This book is clever, unique and very fun. It’s an excellent read. I loved the mystery and thrill of each chapter. I had no idea where it was going and it just kept getting better. I have not read anything by this author before but I am putting her on my reading list. This is a story about people and cons and a mystery person who controls everything. It has wonderfully written characters that have depth and interesting lives. I don’t want to give anything away because it’s just too good. I highly recommend you read it.
Fun read
I'd give 4 stars to the book iteslf. Is it a book spending money on? I'd give that a 1/2. So 3 it is.I wanted to check this out from the library, but my situation was time sensitive and there was a very long wait. It was a fun book. Worth the read, but definitely not worth buying and owning a copy. I'm picky about books that are worth spending actual money on though. If buying books is your thing.....This is a rather entertaining book. You do need a suspension of disbelief, but if you can get to that it's a really fun read. There are so many improbable/questionable things, but somehow the aurhor made me not care about them and want to take the ride.Characters are developed nicely enough. There are lots of twists, some cleverly moving the story in an interesting direction. Beyond plot, there is just something about the way this book is layed out that makes it fun. I love the timing of this book. The author managed to give me exactly the right information at exactly the right time. I figured things out just before I read it. So it was fun figuring it out but not so early that it became tiring and dull. This happened at several points throughout the book. It was actually pretty impressive how the author was able to work everything through the plot in the way she did.
Great Writing; Weird Characters and Plot
Evie Porter is a woman of many personas who completes covert tasks for her mysterious employer, Mr. Smith. . Her latest assignment targets Ryan Sumner, a man who is keeping his own secrets. But this job is different for Evie, and her most dangerous one to date because she is being closely watched by her employer and is developing feelings for Ryan. Despite her growing attachment, Evie knows that to stay alive and ultimately have the "normal" life she's been craving, she must stay one step ahead of the devious game that unfolds while keeping her feeling for Ryan at bay. Balancing the demands of her current task with the shadows of her past, Evie must outsmart everyone to stay alive and secure a promising future.I would have given this a 3 but added a star because the writing is really really good. The author does a great job of brining the action to life and creating a 3-D story for us. This was a fast read; great writing with good characters. I wasn't bored and kept wanting to go back to the book after taking a break (more out of morbid curiosity about what happens than attachment to the characters and plot) , but the plot was a little strange and it took a lot for me to wrap my brain around it. Also the flashbacks were utterly confusing - too many characters and subplots for me to keep track of. Also, there was a lot of explaining that needed to be done at the end to wrap it up neatly.
Great read
Great read! Very engaging and lots of twists. I don't want to give too much away but it definitely didn't end the way I thought it would. It will keep you guessing.
One of my favorite reads
If you want a page turner First Lie Wins is a smart, fast-paced thriller that hooked me from the first chapter. The story follows Evie Porter, a professional con artist whose life is built on secrets and ever-shifting identities. When her latest assignment puts her deep undercover with a seemingly perfect boyfriend, everything starts to unravel and the twists keep coming. The plot moves briskly, with enough suspense and unexpected turns to make it hard to put down, and Evie’s clever, morally gray character adds an extra layer of intrigue that keeps you guessing about what she’ll do next.What I appreciated most was the way the story balances tension and emotion. Even as the mystery and deceptions pile up, there are moments that feel genuinely grounded, especially in how Evie wrestles with her choices and relationships. The novel isn’t overly long, and it delivers its reveals in a satisfying way without feeling rushed or sloppy.If you enjoy thrillers with identity games, sharp plotting, and surprises that actually feel earned, First Lie Wins is a highly entertaining read that lives up to its Reese’s Book Club buzz.
Keeps you on you toes!
This is a very good read. The reason for 4 stars is because there are many past and present scenarios that can get a little confusing at times. This is a page turner that keeps your interest and well written.
Great read
Even though I do not like thrillers this is a unique crime story. I could not lay it down... .Wonderful
took way too long to read this
You need to use your brain while reading this, or it’s just me. I took serveren months to finish this book so I forgot a lot. But it’s a very very good story.
A treat of a thriller
Suspense, mystery, plot twists, intelligence, engaging characters— that’s what a mystery novel should be!
Queria poder ler esse livro de novo pela primeira vez!
Eu tinha lido um outro livro da autora, um romance YA, há alguns anos e estava curiosa para saber como ela se ia trabalhar um novo gênero e faixa etária. E foi maravilhoso. O livro não perdeu meu interesse em nenhum momento e a história é muito envolvente.Já entrou para a lista dos melhores do ano.
superb story
It was so clever. I really enjoyed it.I am eager to talk about this one in my book clubDefinitely 5 stars!
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