First Lie Wins

Table of Contents

Certainly! Here’s a summary of “First Lie Wins” by Ashley Elston:

The novel follows Evie Porter, a con artist whose real name is Lucca Marino. Evie has been hired by a mysterious employer known only as Mr. Smith to infiltrate the life of a young, handsome businessman named Ryan Sumner. Her mission is to make herself indispensable to Ryan and await further instructions. As Evie sinks deeper into this false life, the job starts to spiral out of her control. The tension builds as she fights to complete the assignment without revealing her true identity or jeopardizing her alias.

The story oscillates between the present-day plotline and “interludes” that detail Evie’s previous aliases and jobs. At the novel’s start, Evie has created an intense romantic relationship with Ryan, moving in with him after only two months. However, her confidence wavers when she and Ryan encounter a woman who looks exactly like Evie and claims to be Lucca Marino from Evie’s hometown. As Evie waits for information from Mr. Smith about this Lucca-imposter, she decides to pry into Ryan’s life for answers ¹.

“First Lie Wins” is a tense psychological thriller that delves into themes of identity, community, and the possibility of redemption. Ashley Elston, known for her young adult thrillers, makes her debut in adult fiction with this gripping novel. Currently in

Main Characters

Certainly! In “First Lie Wins” by Ashley Elston, the main characters are:

Evie Porter (Lucca Marino): The protagonist and a skilled con artist. She takes on various aliases and jobs, but her current mission involves infiltrating the life of Ryan Sumner.
Ryan Sumner: A young, handsome businessman who becomes Evie’s target. He is unaware of her true identity and believes she is his girlfriend.
Mr. Smith: The mysterious employer who hires Evie for her mission. His true intentions remain shrouded in secrecy.

Plot

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Certainly! “First Lie Wins” by Ashley Elston is a twist-filled psychological thriller about a con artist/thief fighting to keep her identity a secret. Here’s a concise plot summary:

Evie Porter, our protagonist, seemingly has it all: a perfect boyfriend, a charming house, and a white picket fence. However, there’s a catch—Evie Porter doesn’t actually exist. She operates under various aliases, and her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith, assigns her a new name and location for each mission. Her latest target is Ryan Sumner.

As Evie immerses herself in Ryan’s life, she starts envisioning a different future for herself. But she must be cautious—especially after a past mistake. The stakes escalate when her real identity unexpectedly resurfaces in the same town. Evie must stay ahead of her past while ensuring a future for herself. T

Setting

Certainly! “First Lie Wins” by Ashley Elston primarily unfolds in the small town of Lake Forbing, Louisiana. The story revolves around the life and experiences of the main character, Evie Porter. Written from Evie’s first-person perspective, the novel alternates between scenes from her past and present, revealing her complex understanding of herself¹. The house where Ryan Sumner lives is a nice, large house that his grandfather left him in the Lake Forbing area².

Theme

Certainly! “First Lie Wins” by Ashley Elston explores several key themes that resonate with readers:

The Malleability of Identity: The novel plays with the assumption of a fixed protagonist identity by giving Evie multiple identities and revealing these in non-chronological order. Evie’s various identities become the means through which the narrative withholds and reveals the essential mysteries of the thriller plot. From her childhood, Evie is primed to see identity as something malleable—an artifice that can be constructed and deconstructed to benefit the user. Her ability to mold other people’s perceptions of her provides both pleasure and power ¹.
Consequences of Deception: Evie Porter, a master of deception, uses her aliases and secret identities to manipulate those around her. However, as the story progresses, Evie’s web of lies becomes increasingly complex, and she struggles to keep her true identity hidden. The novel highlights the far-reaching impact of even the smallest lie and the immense pressure to maintain appearances ².
Trust and Betrayal: As Evie infiltrates Ryan Sumner’s life, trust becomes a central theme. Who can she trust, and who might betray her? The tension builds as secrets unravel, and Evie grapples with the delicate balance between loyalty and betrayal³.