#Ashley Elston

[rachel-sylvan-author]

Dear fellow reader,

The last book I read was so good, I’m still basking in its warmth. In the meantime, here are my six favorite books this year so far!

Love, your friend,

Rachel Sylvan

“Free: A Child and a Country at the End of History” by Lea Ypi (Memoir) “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi (Memoir) “The End of Loneliness" by Benedict Wells (Literary Fiction) “First Lie Wins” by Ashley Elston (Thriller) “The Goblin Emperor” by Katherine Addison (Fantasy) “The Nature of Fragile Things” by Susan Meissner (Historical Fiction)

QOTD: What is one/are some of your favorite books so far this year? ❤️

[i-am-the-page-turner]

"First Lie Wins: Reese's Book Club Pick" by Ashley Elston.

"First Lie Wins: Reese's Book Club Pick" by Ashley Elston is a thrilling novel that follows the story of Genevieve and her twin brother, Jack, who are forced into a dangerous game of deception. The siblings find themselves entangled in a web of lies when they witness a murder while on vacation in France. Desperate to protect themselves and their family, Genevieve and Jack must navigate a maze of secrets and betrayal as they race against time to uncover the truth. With their lives on the line, they are forced to confront their own past and the lies they've told themselves and each other. As the stakes escalate, Genevieve realizes that the first lie might just be the one that wins. Ashley Elston crafts a suspenseful narrative filled with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Through Genevieve's voice, the novel explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the consequences of deception. With its fast-paced plot and well-developed characters, "First Lie Wins" is a gripping read that will leave readers eagerly turning pages. Reese's Book Club Pick status adds to its allure, ensuring it's a must-read for fans of thrilling mysteries and suspenseful tales.

[bookcoversonly]

Title: 10 Blind Dates | Author: Ashley Elston | Publisher: Disney Hyperion (2021)

[chrissmou]

Romance Books I love the most

I love romance novels and particular series with individual books in them because I can finish one and then read the next one in a month or even in the next few days. I love a good romance novel, with much banter, characters who don’t know what they will do next, and many more, but have a happy ending in the end. Here is a list of my favorite ones (if the book is part of a series, I will write the name of that too). Also in the next two weeks, I am going to rank two of them, the Bridgerton Series and Brother’s Best Friend, both of which I love.

The eight I recommend for now are the following (not in any particular order). I will link their Goodreads pages too.:

1.      The viscount who loved me by Julia Quin (Bridgerton series, book 2): I love Anthony and Kate’s story. It has everything in it. Two stubborn but strong characters, an amazing plot with the flashback, and the second epilogue is absolutely funny and worth reading.

2.      Twins for Brother’s Best Friend by Sofia T. Summers (Brother’s best friend, book 3): I love the careers of Greta and Isaac, she is a CEO of a Tech company and he has a consulting company that he inherited from his uncle. They have good chemistry and it is very sexy and steamy too.

3.      Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen: I love all Austen books but especially this one because I love Eleanor and she reminds me of one of my friends who is very sensible. Also, it has two love stories. Fun Fact: I love the movie adaptation with Hugh Grant.

4.      Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell: I know many of you love her comic series Carry on, Simon, which I recommend and love. But there is a reason that this one is in this. It was the first novel of this kind I read in just two nights two, I couldn’t stop reading it and the novel I bought from London a few years back. I often say that Cath is the protagonist, is my spirit animal, an awkward, avid fanfiction reader with a love story I aspire to have.

5.      A Taste of Love by Jeniffer Yen: The first of her Jane Austen retelling and one of the best too. Liza and James are a good couple with all the best qualities of the original with differences that make it a very interesting book. Also, every time I read it I salivate at Liza’s baking abilities.

6.      A Pho Love Story by Loan Le: This book changed my perception of many things from Asian history and mythology to the Vietnam war and the damage it caused to many families and people in general.

7.      10 Blind dates by Ashley Elston (Messina Family, book 1): As Christmas is approaching I am going to say that this is the book for you to be in the holiday spirit with this fun and entertaining book. The dates vary from bad ones to good ones; and of course, the Italian American family is hilarious. I highly recommend the second one also.

8.      A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (All Souls Trilogy, book 1): I have read the book “The world of all souls” which is complementary to the series by the author, Deborah Harkness. In this one, she said that she wanted each book to have a different vibe, the first romance, the next a history book, and the last a thriller. I have read all her books and, in another ramble, I am going to talk about both and the series because I love them. I have read this one, three times already because Matthew and Diana have a very romantic and understanding relationship where they meet and they learn about the meaning of being a witch and a vampire, or a historian and a scientist. I love it.

[libertyreads]

Book Review #140 of 2022--

10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston. Rating: 3.75 stars.

Read from December 22nd to 28th.

Another book that took me so much longer to read than it should have. I was slammed at work and so busy at home that I would be lucky to read a chapter in any given day. So, not the book’s fault at all for that. I’ve had this one since my birthday in 2020 I think so it was about time I read it. This one is about a girl whose recent heartbreak gives her family a wonderfully awful idea. They’ll set her up on 10 blind dates over her Christmas break to help her get over her ex. Each one is set up by a member of the family and kept a surprise until she goes on the date.

This one was much more about the massive Italian family than about the dates or the girl healing her heart. But we do have a budding romance throughout that eventually develops. So that was fun to root for. I do wish the ending was longer or had more to round out the book as a whole. The ending was just a little unsatisfying. I think it would be cute if someone read the book a chapter per day throughout the Christmas holiday since each chapter is set on a specific date.

Overall, it was a cute and easy read. You know, whenever I actually got a chance to read over the past week. I think this is great for middle to younger YA readers. Or just anyone who really loves family and Christmas.

[funsimplethings]

[airplanes924]

Books I've Read in 2024

Number 18

First Lie WIns by Ashley Elston

[thrillerthoughtsbookblog]

My first book review is the latest one I ticked off of my TBR—First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston. Released in January 2024, this was January’s selection in Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club. Impressive, right? Then I heard that it was being made into a feature film! It HAS to be pretty good, I thought.

I’m going to be completely honest: it took me a while to get hooked on this one. It wasn't until around chapter 8 that I started thinking, “Okay, now this is getting interesting.” I’m surprised I didn’t completely give up before then, but damn am I ever glad I didn’t! As soon as it started to pick up, there were so many things happening it was hard to keep track (in the best way)! Each new twist was as exciting as the one preceding it, some even shocking enough to make me audibly gasp.

The author presents us with 6 different timelines: present day, 4 months ago, 6 months ago, 4 years ago, 6 years ago, and 8 years ago. When we first meet Evie Porter in the present day, we find out that she’s the epitome of a Southern belle. She has the perfect white picket-fenced home, a loving and doting boyfriend, a great job, and the seemingly ideal lifestyle. But what truly lies beneath the surface?

Evie isn’t real.

Yes, you read that correctly!

Click below to keep reading:

[alexsfictionaddiction]

Review: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

I feel like it has been a hot minute since I read a truly gripping psychological thriller but I used to read a lot of them. I'd already heard amazing things about this one including the fact that it's a new addition to Reese's Book Club picks, which I usually love. So, I was excited!

Evie Porter has the perfect life -a beautiful house in the suburbs, a loving boyfriend and a group of wealthy friends. But Evie Porter doesn't exist. She's actually an identity that has been given to Lucca Marino by her enigmatic boss Mr Smith on her latest assignment and her boyfriend Ryan is the target. She actually quite likes Ryan but she can't make any mistakes on this job -not after what happened last time. But a woman has arrived in town claiming to be Lucca Marino, her real self. So, what's actually going on?

Evie was a really interesting character to be in the head of. From the very first chapter, I was fully invested in discovering why she'd been watching and following Ryan before they got together. This was revealed really quickly but it didn't matter because the whole situation was so unique. I wanted to know more and more about Evie as the book progressed.

It was fascinating to watch Evie realise that Ryan was just a job to her. I had no idea how she'd deal with this dilemma but without it, I think I'd have struggled to see her as human. She is quite a methodical and cold character, so to see her show some tenderness towards her target was much needed.

We do get some glimpses of Evie's true past, when she was Lucca. She lost her beloved mother to cancer but she has used some of the lessons that her mother taught her. Evie's life has been pretty tragic and I understand that constantly changing her appearance and identity must give her so much freedom, even in the dangerous job that she's in.

First Lie Wins is an original, high-concept thriller that still manages to have a very human, emotional core. It wasn't exactly full of twists, which I think would have made me enjoy it more but I still read it very quickly. I can see it being adapted for screen very easily, as it is a classic cat and mouse situation that will have many readers captivated.

[sheilajsn]

Series, series, series - update

Si ustedes llevan algún tiempo en Nuestro Rincón de Lectura, ya deben saber que yo tengo un problema empezando a leer series que luego se quedan sin terminar. Hace algunos año, después de darme cuenta de que tenía una cantidad absurda de series empezadas, yo empecé un proyecto de terminar series que había tenido olvidadas, algunas por años. Hice un inventario con spread dedicado en mi bullet…

[rachel-sylvan-author]

"First Lie Wins" by Ashley Elston

Thank you @thefictionphysician for the fun read! ❤️ This was fantastic - worth the hype! 🔥

[aretherebooksahead]

It feels great to get back home to find I got included in another tag game! Thank you @tinynavajoreads Here are my answers to the Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag for 2024

** Number of books you’ve read so far this year: 19! In recent years I have averaged just under 1 per week about 50 a year so I’m a little behind but that’s okay. Who knows what the rest of year has in store!

** Best book you’ve read so far this year: 11/22/63 by Stephen King. I didn’t want to like it but dammit he got me

** Best sequel you've read so far this year: I don’t think I’ve read any sequels this year yet

** New release you haven't read yet, but want to?: I’m doing a buddy read of First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston in August. I have heard a lot about it so I can’t wait

** Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?: I tend to only find out about books after they are published

** Newest Favorite Character?: The yellow card man in 11/22/63. Favorite isn’t the word I would use but I have not been able to get him out of my head and the attempt on the Orange Man at his rally has only made my obsession with him (the YCM) and the book worse.

** Book that made you cry?: 11/22/63 but you probably already guessed that. I swear I’ve read other books this year lol

** Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)?: If Christmas counts toward this year I got The Priory of the Orange Tree and A Day of Fallen Night. I haven’t read them yet but when I opened the box I stared at them for a while!

** What books do you need to read by the end of the year?: I am making the commitment now to read at least 5 from my tbr pile. I will randomly pick one for each remaining month

No pressure tagging to @battyaboutbooksreviews @coffee-is-my-lifeblood @therefugeofbooks and anyone else is welcome to join too!

[bookcoversonly]

Title: 10 Truths and a Dare | Author: Ashley Elston | Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (2021)

[bigdreamsandwildthings]

March Wrap-Up

Bride (Ali Hazelwood) ★★★1/2

Local Woman Missing (Mary Kubica) (audio) ★★★★

A Fate Inked in Blood (Danielle L. Jensen) ★★★★★

That's Not My Name (Megan Lally) (audio) ★★★★1/2

A Fragile Enchantment (Allison Saft) ★★★

The Woman in Me (Britney Spears) ★★★

Ready or Not (Cara Bastone) ★★★1/2

First Lie Wins (Ashley Elston) (audio) ★★★

Murder Road (Simone St. James) (audio) ★★★★

When the Moon Hatched (Sarah A. Parker) ★★★1/2

All Systems Red (Martha Wells) (audio) ★★★★1/2

Lots of audiobooks for me this month! Find me over on Goodreads (linked) if you want to be friends.

[ferulacommunis]

My goal for January was to read 31 books, so here is a star-based tier ranking for what I read! Goodreads link here, welcome to friend me on there, lmk your username if you do! I mostly read thrillers and romance, this is a fairly representative sample. I didn't/don't add books I DNF

five stars/faves First Lie Wins, Ashley Elston The Bad Beginning, Lemony Snicket The Austere Academy, Lemony Snicket How I'll Kill You, Ren DeStefano The Ersatz Elevator, Lemony Snicket

four stars/very good or very enjoyable, but missing some jnsq for me The Twelve Days of Murder, Andreina Cordani (4.5--very fun) Thin Air, Kellie M. Parker That's Not My Name, Megan Lally The Reptile Room, Lemony Snicket The Swell, Allie Reynolds The Wide Window, Lemony Snicket My Husband, Maud Ventura (4.5--mostly bc it made me Sad) The Hike, Lucy Clarke (this was like half 5 stars and half 3 stars in elements) Finding My Elf, David Valdes Midnight, Amy McCulloch (good but Breathless is God Tier) People to Follow, Olivia Worley (4.5--very fun)

three stars Lost on Oblivion, Evangeline Anderson The Christmas Appeal, Janice Hallett (not as good as The Appeal itself but enjoyable) Finders Keepers, Natalie Barelli The Favorites, Rosemary Hennigan (sad tax, 4 in quality) Liar's Beach, Katie Cotugno Choosing Theo, Victoria Aveline The Weekend Retreat, Tara Laskowski The Mother Next Door, Tara Laskowski No Accident, Laura Bates Wishful Thinking, Evangeline Anderson The Christmas Guest, Peter Swanson Leave the Lights On, Liv Andersson The Miserable Mill, Lemony Snicket

two stars You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight, Kaylnn Bayron (I had a trope shaped bone to pick with this one!!!!!) Her New Best Friend, Penny Batchelor

[te-intheworld]

@apileofgoodthings11 sent me a message with book asks in it and I'm gonna answer it here.

I've already answered 1 so check that out here.

6. what books have you read in the last month?

So many, Pile, you know this! Why do this to me?! The Doctors Blackwell by Janice P Nimura; This is Our Story by Ashley Elston; Dustborn by Erin Bowman; The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by Laura Lee Gulledge; We Were Restless Things by Cole Nagamatsu; I Think Our Son Is Gay vol 2-4 by Okura; The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu; Medusa by Jessie Burton; Playing the Palace by Paul Rudnick; Chef's Kiss by Jarrett Melendez; Solo by Kwame Alexander; This Golden State by Marit Weisenberg; Norroway vol 1 and 2 by Cat and Kit Seaton; Hide by Kiersten White; Deadly Class vol 12 by Rick Remender; Vow of Thieves by Mary E Pearson; The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen; A Little Bit Country by Brian D Kennedy; Less by Andrew Sean Greer; Even Though I Knew the End by Cl Polk; Onion Skin by Edgar Camacho; Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse by Susan Vaught (autistic MC!); A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson; The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

15. recommend and review a book.

From the above list because they are the freshest in my mind, I'd highly recommend Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse and The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys. Despite the title, Me and Sam isn't about the apocalypse but an event that feels like this, hyperbolically, to the main character. But we see an autistic girl make a friend, stand up to her bullies, save a bunch of people, show empathy for others, and be happily autistic. Truly amazing! It is a middle reader, so not for everyone, but I greatly enjoyed it. The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys is about Spain under Franco's regime. It starts in the 1950s where we meet all of our characters in their late teens, early twenties and we see their lives unfold and twine together. Then in 1975 after Franco dies, they come back together in a surprising way. I cried so hard through the last part of the book, but it was well written, the characters are so strong and I rooted for all of them.

19. most disliked popular books?

Hmm, well I usually avoid reading popular books to avoid this. For example, I'm currently not reading Where the Crawdads Sings or any Colleen Hoover because everyone is blowing up about them and I can't trust the opinions of such a large swath of the population.