This is Audiobook Fanatic’s first listen from successful YA author Ashley Elston and her first adult thriller.
Evie Porter is moving in with her adoring boyfriend into the life of her dreams, but Evie Porter doesn’t really exist. She’s been given this identity and instructed to move to her current location by her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith. In all her conwoman jobs, she first learns about the town she’s assigned to and the people in it, and then about the “mark” she will manipulate. On this job, the mark is Ryan Sumner. Once she establishes herself as his girlfriend, Mr. Smith sends her sequential pieces of information to understand and complete the job. But this time something feels very off, and Evie feels like she must take matters into her own hands. The other problem is that Evie has begun to develop real feelings for Ryan and is starting to envision a different sort of life for herself. In order to survive, Evie must stay one step ahead of her past and Mr. Smith as a whirlwind of twists and deceptions is thrown her way.
It’s no coincidence that this book has achieved immense and rapid success and is already slated for a film adaptation. The storyline is extremely unique, captivating, and has a spectacular conclusion. What’s especially satisfying is that listeners really have no idea where the story is headed for most of the book but are constantly learning more information about the characters, their past lives, and their secrets. The chapters toggle between Evie’s current job and predicaments and her past assignments and identities. As we learn about each of her former jobs, additional clues are presented to listeners as to what is really going on. Few will be able to figure it all out before a series of brilliant twists coincide at the end to make for a very entertaining finale!
Narrator Saskia Maarleveld delivers a brilliantly authentic and suspenseful performance, masterfully portraying Evie’s very twisted and vivid world and its characters. If you’re looking for your first unputdownable listen of the year, this is the one!
