Hooked on Books discussion

Members Starting the BR: Amanda, Kirsten Lisa / Quill Questers
Challenge: Book Quest Adventures
Book: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston


Anyone is free to join in this Buddy Read! Happy Reading!

Mom is planning on joining us for this. She has the book and is ready to start when we are. Should we plan on Monday the 10th to start?

That works for me!

I'll prolly start tonight or tomorrow.

I'm probably on this tomorrow evening.

I’ve just started. Promising, but pretty traditional.

About 25% in. I’m definitely interested in the mystery and the MC. The romance is (view spoiler)[super weak. She’s falling for her mark, blah blah, blah. There’s no reason why, just developing feelings but nothing is shown between them. (hide spoiler)]

I'm only on chapter 4. Initial impression is ok. I mean I know she was hired for something, but not sure what. I'm sure that post office box has something to do with it.

But he is being a bit suspicious too.

Kirsten wrote: "About 25% in. I’m definitely interested in the mystery and the MC. The romance is [spoilers removed]"

But they are having sex!!!! Just no long drawn out erotica!!!

I'm about 3/4 of the way. Still lots of questions, no answers, or I'm missing it. Not quite sure what Mr. White is up to. Confusing. I think they are both "bad guys", but will Love Conquers All. lol. We'll see.

Leanne, I'm not as far along as you, but I'm betting love will conquer all!

You know me. I need a HEA. Though that can take many forms.

Ok. Through Ch 6....Ryan is a smuggler or thief or something like that. Evie works for someone who wants something that Ryan (or is supposed to get) has. Ryan knows someone is coming for the item and is trying to get ahead of the game cause he thinks its Evie....that is my current suspicion.

I’m about 50% through and very blah about it. It’s very traditional psych thriller to me and I also am not feeling anything for the romance (show us they care for each other instead of just telling us already!)

Leanne saying there’s still more questions than answers at 75% is not promising to me lol

I pushed through to page 175. I'm all for intrugue, but I'm hoping we get to some resolution or something really good. I have not not really enjoyed this one so far. Not bad, but when I compare to something like Tal Bauer...its just not as good.

Well, let's just keep reading. Might be one of those surprise endings. I'm off to dig in before you all finish and leave me behind.

I finished, and just meh to me. I think I prefer my psychological thrillers with no romance, because I always end up rolling my eyes at the romance.

Most things were guessable, but there was one "reveal" that did surprise me! So look forward to hearing what everyone else thinks.

Leanne and Jackie, you read more traditional thriller than most of us, so maybe you'll have more thoughts!

Amanda wrote: "I’m about 50% through and very blah about it. It’s very traditional psych thriller to me and I also am not feeling anything for the romance (show us they care for each other instead of just telling..."

YES!!!

Evie is all "I am feeling things for a mark and I don't want to betray him" but we have literally no idea why or how. I am super frustrated by the romance. Lisa, you'll get your HEA, but just because. There's no build up to it. And the huge character flip that Ryan goes through--from sweet and loving small town guy with dedicated friend group to "Imma cut off your fingers?" again, nothing that sets this up.

I am not impressed.

I hope I wasn't the one who suggested this!

It was me 🙃 I had it in a partner pick. I think "Reece Book Club" books don't usually work for me and I need to watch that.

Honestly Kirsten, and this one I will put behind spoilers but it's related to your point just with something revealed(view spoiler)[even when I was done the Ryan being a "bad guy" seemed so poorly explained. It was the bare minimum of shady and not this big badass that scene portrays him . (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "It was me 🙃 I had it in a partner pick. I think "Reece Book Club" books don't usually work for me and I need to watch that.

Honestly Kirsten, and this one I will put behind spoilers but it's relat..."

Completely agree. Also behind spoilers, because...

(view spoiler)[ Why should we believe that Ryan is going to be a decent human being and partner with Evie? Why should we believe that Evie is going to be honest with Ryan? There was just so much glossed over in this book, and so much left for the reader to take on faith. And (annoying feminist alert) I thought it very much reinforced traditional gender roles).

Basically, I was not impressed and won't read more of this author... unless we need it for a buddy read, lol. (hide spoiler)]

I did like Devon and Amy and the very very end (view spoiler)[ Miss Smith. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ I had a whole angry feminist rant about this book being why I didn't read much het romance and deleted it. The like one woman that Evie doesn't immediately write off for being dumb is super annoying because...she asks questions to make sure her friend isn't being taken advantage of? And I listened to the audio, but I think that Ryan used much stronger language than annoying, I just can't remember (hide spoiler)]

They are heading off to Atlanta, so hopefully this will start getting better.

OK done. Odd book like all of you have said. This is this author's first adult novel. So I give her a pass for the most part. I am glad I didn't give up on the book, but not sure I will try her again. Still confused when I think about this book. Wonder of there are really people who do this kind of think. So much Manipulation. Ryan was very forgiving. Devon and Amy, are they a couple now?

Page 267: Is Ryan Mr Smith?

MN Lisa wrote: "Page 267: Is Ryan Mr Smith?"

Nope.

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