Evie Porter has escaped a bad situation and started over in Lake Forbing, Louisiana. It’s a small town where kids grow up together, go off to college, and then move back home to start families. There are barbecues, fishing holes, Derby parties with giant hats, and lots and lots of SEC football. But there is also Ryan Sumner, who saved her from a flat tire in a dangerous part of town. That moment lead to a conversation that led to a date that led to the relationship that changed Evie’s life. Now she has a good job, and she’s getting ready to get grilled by Ryan’s lifelong friends at dinner.

Evie is prepped for the evening. She’s ready for the questions of Ryan’s old friends, willing to give up tidbits of knowledge about her to gain their acceptance. There is only one problem with this Southern Tableau.

Evie Porter doesn’t exist.

Evie works for a mysterious mentor who pulled her from a situation where she’d been in over her head and set her up in a job that takes her from city to city, identity to identity. And she’s good at it. Her latest mark is Ryan Sumner. She’s there to find his secrets and turn them over to her boss. So she has to become part of his life until she can find all the information she needs.

But then Lucca Marino walks in with one of Ryan’s old friends. Evie takes one look at her and knows that she’s not who she says she is. Evie isn’t fooled for one minute. She just doesn’t know what it means that this woman has shown up now. Evie just knows that it means danger. Her boss, Mr. Smith, is trying to send her a message.

Because Lucca Marino is her, back when Mr. Smith first found her and saved her from prison. But who is this woman? How much does she know? And why is she here, jeopardizing the task “Evie” is trying to complete? Just how complicated a game is Mr. Smith playing with her? And maybe most important of all, what can she do to make sure that she’s the one who wins it?

First Lie Wins is a cat-and-mouse thriller, layered with twists and surprises, right until the end. Author Ashley Elston has crafted this story of secrets and lies, mazes and bread crumbs, that will keep you guessing until the end. It’s a Reece’s Book Club pick, and it seems like all my favorite thriller authors have great things to say about it.

I struggled to read this one because of things going on in my personal life. My mother was in the hospital for a week (she’s okay now, thanks for asking), so I could only find moments to read bits and pieces. And that was rough. I wanted a big block of time to sit with this and get immersed. It’s a beautiful book, and the plotting is tight. It’s hard to put down, but it’s amazingly entertaining and a great escape. Grab this one when you can and carve out some time for First Lie Wins. It’s worth it!

Egalleys for First Lie Wins were provided by Pamela Dorman Books through NetGalley, with many thanks.