First Lie Wins (January 2025) Group Read Discussion

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

This is the group thread for First Lie Wins!

This thread is open for discussion beginning January 1st! Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed (mark as a spoiler) in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days of the month can be used to catch up if needed! Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads.



Week of 01/01
January 01: Chapters 1-2 or 26 pages
January 02: Chapters 3-4 or 26 pages
January 03: Chapters 5-6 or 26 pages
January 04: Chapters 7-8 or 26 pages
January 05: Chapters 9-10 or 26 pages

Week of 01/06
January 06: Chapters 11-12 or 26 pages
January 07: Chapters 13-14 or 26 pages
January 08: Chapters 15-16 or 26 pages
January 09: Chapters 17-18 or 26 pages
January 10: Chapters 19-20 or 26 pages
January 11: Chapters 21-22 or 26 pages
January 12: Chapters 23-24 or 26 pages

Week of 01/13
January 13: Chapters 25-26 or 26 pages



You can read the group book at any time during the month and at your own pace. This is the pace the group will be using, but if you read ahead or will be giving spoilers, please mark them (click the "some html is ok button"). If you have any questions a mod or another member can help you.

[Sarah-Vanessa]

I started this read Friday and I definitely got drawn into this story from the first chapter. I need to know who of these two is the crazy one. As they both seem to be hiding things and definitely are lying to each other. I‘m up to chapter 7 and definitely looking forward to continuing this book.

[Brianna]

I am excited to pick this up but have a couple books to wrap up first so may be a little until I get started. Should be a good one!

[Brianna]

Time to pick this one up! I am excited. I know the audiobook gets rave reviews but I really struggle with audiobooks so I hope physically reading is just as enjoyable!

[Brianna]

through the end of chapter 10: This is super fascinating already and honestly a little unsettling. Can you imagine pretending to be someone (for reasons) and then having someone show up who is obviously ALSO pretending to be someone because they are using your real identity and you just have to go with it?

I am super curious about Mr. Smith and what information/item/whatever he is wanting Evie to get from Ryan. I am also super curious about Rachel - she knows more than she's letting on. Honestly I think Ryan also knows more than he's letting on. Essentially I am suspicious of everyone and cannot wait to see how this all plays out!

[Brianna]

through the end of chapter 16: Well things are taking a turn I didn't quite expect! I have absolutely no idea where things are going to go from here. I did not expect the double crossing vibe Evie has been planning for awhile. I am honestly surprised she revealed as much as she did to Rachel as well.

[Sarah-Vanessa]

@Brianna I‘m also through chapter 10, somewhere around chapter 13. Switched to the audio book in order to tackle that read by the end of this month….
That situation was really unsettling, I wonder what’s going on and who send her to basically take the MC‘s identity.

Absolutely agree that Rachel and Ryan know more that they’re letting on. And I wonder what secrets Ryan is hiding that Mr. Smith wants Evie to find out.

[Brianna]

through the end of chapter 21: (view spoiler)[So like... 40 pages prior I started wondering if Ryan was Mr. Smith and based on his interaction w/ George - maybe?! Like what?! How deep is this conspiracy going? Is Devon good or bad? Is Rachel good or bad? Who should I be rooting for? lol (hide spoiler)]

@Sarah-Vanessa: It is *so* unsettling! I'm excited to see your thoughts as things get going because trust me - the get going lol

[Sarah-Vanessa]

I tried to catch up during this and last week. Approximately 3 hours to go for the audiobook and around chapter 16 to 18.

@Brianna I agree there are so many plot twist and unexpected things.

(view spoiler)[The sudden death of the girl impersonating Luca. And then Mr. Smith setting Evie up all of a sudden, after all these years she worked fir him. Now I even feel like Evie and Ryan are going to team up. He will help her, as he just confessed his illegal side hustle to her. On the other side I agree with you @Brianna that from time to time I also had the thought that Ryan is Mr. Smith. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah-Vanessa]

OK….! I finally finished this one and well I‘m speechless. So many plot twist and the end…… Didn’t expect this.

(view spoiler)[ Amy is still alive, George is Mr. Smith and not Ryan.. Luca plotted all of this all along.Crazy, so many unexpected turns. (hide spoiler)]

Overall I really enjoyed this story. It’s really thought through and well plotted. So I would definitely recommend it. I was struggling a little bit with all the jumps back and forth in time. And found myself just wanting to know how things are progressing in the now rather in the past. But of course the details in the past are important to the story. The story started really strong and I was immediately hooked. Still I felt like somehow around the middle it got a little bit longwinded and streched out. That’s why it’s just a 4 star and not a 5. Besides that definitely a good read.