Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

24 reviews

kshertz's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was a great mystery book! I love an unreliable narrator and everyone is very unreliable. I’m not really sure who to root for. I don’t know who will come out on top. There are twists! It was really enjoyable to follow along with them. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Violence, Addiction, Death, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Murder, and Alcohol

heresyourletter's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I would describe this as a "cozy thriller", much like the style of Hallmark movies. It was an easy read and enjoyable for the most part, with lots of plot twists. However, I found it hard to sympathize with some of the characters' decisions.

Devon was the only character I liked and I kept wanting the main character to end up with him instead.

I also find it hard to believe that someone who spent the entire book wanting to "get out" of her line of work and have a nice quiet life in a home of her own would then become a spy boss at the end.

. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Death, Cancer, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Murder, Sexual content, Blood, Classism, and Infidelity

Despite being a thriller, the descriptions of violence are very toned down. It's more about the threat of violence than actual violence. One character is briefly incarcerated and questioned about a crime by police. One character drinks heavily over the course of several days (and drives home after). One very brief "closed door" sex scene. Very brief mention of a character's interest in BDSM.

The main character's mother dies of cancer before the book begins. There are a couple of flashbacks to show her suffering with her terminal illness. Two characters die in a car accident after the car is tampered with. Several prominent politicians/judges are filmed in a hotel room with a group of women who are implied to be either exotic dancers or sex workers. One character threatens to cut off the fingers of another character. Brief description of a character setting fire to a hotel bed. One character falls and hits their head on the floor. Brief mention of blood. It is mentioned that all spies (except 2) were killed by their boss after a mission. One character is implied to have been killed by an organized crime boss.

nikkib4e's review

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Misogyny

machenn's review

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Murder

kyrstin_p1989's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

While I think this book was a little overhyped on TikTok, I still found the premise and the story arc interesting. It was a little different than most thriller/murder mysteries I’ve read in the past. The narrator is unreliable yet likeable. There were a lot of twists and turns, some expected and others unexpected. The ending is a little bit of a cliffhanger which is fun and leaves the reader wanting more. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Car accident, Death, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Murder, Stalking, Sexism, Violence, Death of parent, Alcohol, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

shesflippinpages's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Terminal illness, Stalking, Cancer, Addiction, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gaslighting, and Murder

mj_86's review

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Alcohol, Car accident, and Murder

Minor: Car accident and Addiction

ofarkas's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death, Alcohol, and Car accident

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Addiction

soobooksalot's review

adventurous mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

First Lie Wins has been EVERYWHERE on here.
 And I'm now in the appreciation club.
 This is a fun, smart, and exciting story. I read it well into the wee hours, and very reluctantly put it down to get some actual sleep. 
 To sum up - believe the hype on this one! Go in blind and enjoy the journey. 
 This is author Ashley Elston's first adult book, and would be fantastic on screen.
 Highly recommended!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Cancer, and Car accident

lindaahogannxo's review

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Really enjoyed this book, was fast paced was a quick read and it kept me guessing until the end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Alcohol and Car accident