A review by frances_frances
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

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

2.0

MINOR SPOILER AHEAD: Very underwhelming and just fell totally flat for me. There's a lot I didn't like about this book--the underdeveloped characters, the lack of tension, explaining everything in the final pages (way too much telling rather than showing in general)--but what bothers me most is the relationship between Evie and Ryan. It felt so forced and cringe. So many authors rely on the expectations of heteronormativity to do all the work rather than writing compelling characters with actual chemistry and believable reasons to like each other. Ryan and Evie are both attractive straight people and that's supposed to be enough to justify their relationship. Bleh.