What did I just read? That was exactly what I thought when I finished this book! The Last One is a gripping, shocking, jaw dropping page turner!

Caz has boarded the RMS Atlantica with her boyfriend, Pete. She is in love and looking forward to their time together. They have a lovely first day but when Caz wakes up the next morning Pete is nowhere to be found but he's not the only one. It appears that she is completely alone on a ship on the open sea.

Enter The Twilight Zone vibes stage left.

Where has everyone gone? How will she get off the ship?

I had no idea what I was getting into with this book, and it was quite a wild ride! The Last One did not make me want to set sail any time soon! Just when Caz thought she was in the worst possible situation, she learns that she is not even close to being in the worst possible situation - let's just say it will not be smooth sailing for her. The worst is yet to come!

I had no idea about what was going to happen and was left blind sighted with my jaw hanging open with each shocking twist and reveal. Will Dean you clever, clever, man. I enjoyed the sense of unease, tension and danger that flowed throughout the book. Wowza! I could not put this gripping and shocking book down! It became a jaw dropping page turner for me!

A gripping, shocking, well written, and twist filled page turner!

The Last One By Will Dean was an exciting read. The storyline was uniquely different but very captivating and almost impossible to put the book down. This book will stay with me for a long time and I highly recommend it.

Wow! Fantastic thriller with twists and turns around every corner! Best thriller I have read in 2023 by far. The story starts with Caz and Pete on their first cruise together. Everything is starting off smoothly until Caz wakes up seemingly alone on the cruise. Pete is missing, the crew is missing, and she is alone. This story felt extremely unique to me and kept me flying through the short chapters. At times I felt like the author went on and on a bit about subjects, but overall it was a quick read for me. 4.25/5 stars!

short chapters; OBSESSED w/the concept; survival-of-the-fittest vibes; gripping & terrifying; so much tension & constant action; a true page-turner & I was sad when it was over; the twist is a little predictable but I still fully enjoyed it; not sure how I feel about the ending but if there's a sequel, I'll be snatching it up in a heartbeat

Special thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books & NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Caz is excited to be going on a cruise with her boyfriend Pete. However, after the first night, she wakes up alone. Upon investigation, she realizes she is alone. Well at least according to the synopsis. In reality, she does find three other people and pretty quickly. There are lots of other twists and turns, including that this is a reality TV show/competition none of them signed up for?? Were there good twists and turns in this book? Yes. Were there perhaps too many? Yes. I also was not a huge fan of the writing style. I don’t know why but I just felt like I wasn’t at the edge of my seat. Whenever a twist happened, instead of being shocked, I was like ok then, that’s new.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

This is unlike any book that I have read before. I think people are either going to love it or hate it. The ending was something else, lemme tell you.

Thank you to Atria and Emily Bestler Books for this Netgalley arc in exchange for an honest review.

Caz is on the cruise of a life time with her new beau Pete. She wakes up after her first night on the ship and it's a ghost town, no guests, no crew, no anyone. And honestly? Before long this is the least of her issues.

I feel like most people I know who were lucky enough to read the book before the pub date really enjoyed it but alas there always needs to be an outlier.

The first 35% or so of the book was very slow burn, before a twist that changes up how you look at things. Was that 35% too long? I think so. How many times can they look for useful things to help them before it becomes boring to read about? The turning point made me like the book a bit more up until the last fifth of the book which I absolutely hated. This is spoiler free and I know some people loved the ending but it really just frustrated me.

I also didn't develop a liking for any of the characters except maybe the dogs. Caz's internal monologue left a lot to be desired and it just all felt a little off to me. The characters felt off, the dialog felt off, the pacing felt off. I absolutely loved The Last Thing To Burn so I wouldn't write off a Will Dean book but this one just wasn't it for me. His writing was however, compelling enough to keep me reading even though I should've stopped and DNF'd, so for that I'll give an additional star.

The Last One is an adrenaline-pumping, nail-biting thriller that masterfully combines an intricate plot with captivating characters, leaving readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Will Dean has truly outdone himself with this gripping novel, earning it a well-deserved 5-star rating.

From the very first chapter, this book grabs hold of your attention and refuses to let go. The author's storytelling and pacing create a sense of urgency that is present throughout the entire narrative. Each twist and turn is perfectly timed, keeping readers guessing and engaged, desperate to uncover the secrets lurking around every corner.

One of the greatest strengths of The Unseen Conspiracy lies in its well-developed and three-dimensional characters. The protagonist, Caz, is a flawed but relatable protagonist who is driven by a genuine desire for justice. Her determination to solve the mysteries at the heart of the story is palpable, and readers will easily find themselves emotionally invested in her journey.

The supporting cast is equally captivating, with each character adding depth and complexity to the plot. From the enigmatic surf instructor to the seemingly innocent young adult, no one can be taken at face value. Each interaction and conversation is carefully constructed, leading readers on a whirlwind of suspicion and doubt.

Stevens' ability to create and maintain a palpable atmosphere of tension is commendable. The intricately woven web of secrets, lies, and hidden motives is guaranteed to keep readers guessing until the final pages. The suspense is relentless, as the author maintains a delicate balance between revealing enough to satisfy curiosity and withholding enough to maintain a sense of intrigue.

The Last One is an absolute page-turner, one that grips you from the start and refuses to let go until the very last sentence. Fans of thrilling mysteries will undoubtedly be in awe of this incredible piece of suspenseful fiction.

In conclusion, The Last One earns its well-deserved 5-star rating. proves himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the thriller genre. Highly recommended for fans of fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat storytelling.

This was a nail biter and had me interested and invested until the last page. I did not expect most of the twists and love it when a novel keeps me guessing.

Caz and Pete are embarking on a vacation together; a cruise on the Atlantica-a new, state of the art ship.
They enjoy their first night on the boat, but when Caz wakes up the next morning, she discovers she is alone. Pete is not in their room. After searching the entire ship, Caz realizes she is the only person left on the boat. No one to be seen. No one is steering the boat and after her own attempts, Caz can not slow the boat.
While searching, Caz discovers Daniel. He is also confused and alone. Together they locate a young woman, Frannie and an older man, Smith.
The group tries to figure out what has happened and what to do next. Can they be rescued? As they search the boat they uncover new mysteries.
The boat is nothing they expected. There is a major twist that will impact all four of the travellers greatly. Nothing is as it seems.
Fast paced and nail biting, “The Last One,” kept me guessing and shocked me more than once. To the last sentence.

So this book was a wild ride. First off it’s very readable. The writing is good and I felt for Caz.

Second off, take the synopsis provided and just kind of ignore it. It’s maybe the first 30-40 pages, give or take ten pages. After that, the story takes a very different turn than the synopsis implies. I would say you should be ready to suspend your disbelief for this book, but otherwise it was a fun read.

WOW. This book left me speechless. What a mind-bending wild ride!

Caz is excited for a much needed vacation with her boyfriend, Pete. They board the RMS Atlantica, a luxury cruise liner. The first night on the ship lives up to Cat's expectations. A perfect start to the vacation. But, the next morning, Caz wakes up and Pete is missing. She leaves her cabin to search for him on the ship. Much to her surprise, the ship is completely empty. No other passengers and no crew members. It's like nobody was ever there. And now, Caz is alone in the middle of the Atlantic.

I don't want to say more about the plot as it is best going into this book blind. I was not prepared for the crazy ride this book to me on! I honestly could not put this one down. Twist after twist left me craving me and wonder what the heck was happening on the RMS Atlantica. There were some truly shocking moments that left me gasping. I felt anxious and scared for Caz, like I had literally been thrown onto the boat with her.

Although this book is filled with thrills and intrigue, the author also did a great job with character development and back stories. There was not one point in this book that I felt bored. The plot is a bit out there, but it truly creates a crazy and unique mystery. I did not see the ending coming at all! I loved everything about this book - seriously, not a single criticism from me.

I cannot recommend this book enough! Well done Will Dean - looking forward to more great reads in the future.

Thanks you Atria Books, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow… This kept me hooked! This was a wild ride if story about 4 contestants on a new reality TV show.

The 4 contestants, Caz, Smith, Daniel and Franny are pushed to their limits to each complete a dangerous task. They soon find out they have limited access to food and water and basic survival needs and everything they do is being broadcast to an audience.

This had me nervous for the characters, in the edge of my seat with a lot of twists and turns!

If you love intense thrillers, this is a great one!

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Big thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest, un-biased review!

Part of me feels like I should not be rating this one as high as I am, but this is just so damn bingeable and entertaining!

It’s nearly impossible to talk about this plot since so much of it careens wildly from the synopsis included on the proverbial dust jacket. While we expand from that synopsis within the first 10% of the story, I’ll try to keep it secret so that any reader can enjoy the full experience of this truly WILD ride.

It feels like the chapters are 5 pages maximum in length, which makes flying through them a breeze, and it does that end-you-on-a-cliffhanger thing that some thriller authors are so good at. We get some answers around the halfway point as to why Caz wakes up all alone on a cruise ship, and I think that twist might be corny for some people, but I ate it up with a spoon!

There are some just plain stupid character decisions, which is perhaps my biggest gripe. In a survival situation, there are some obvious implications to what Caz is seeing and experiencing and the book doesn’t even present some of them as options. This is definitely a story where you need to suspend some of your disbelief, as there are some scenarios that are just plain ridiculous. While the subjects aren’t nearly the same, I feel like if you were okay with the mad-cap ending of The Writing Retreat (a release from earlier this year), you’ll enjoy The Last One.

I think this is a PERFECT, quick vacation read…just perhaps don’t bring it if you’re going on a cruise.

Wow. Where do I even begin?? I could not put this down. Caz is a new passenger on the RMS Atlantica with her boyfriend, Pete. She wakes up and everyone is gone. She’s alone cruising in the middle of the ocean. I started panicking then and didn’t stop until I put my kindle down. Some of the dialogue was a little strange, and the character building was lacking. I really didn’t connect with Caz that much, but the mystery kept me going. Overall, it was a thrilling voyage and I’m only a little peeved at the ending!! I may have yelled. Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for my eARC in exchange for a review.

Wow! This book is so much more than the brief summary suggests. Exciting, but also really disturbing. This was a true can’t-put-it-down page-turner for me. And my stomach dropped at the last page! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a tricky one to review for me as I did not know the plot beforehand. The true plot of the book is not spoiled in the description, which is a good thing and a bad thing. I don't like being spoiled in book descriptions but there could have been a vague description of what the main plot of the book is about in the description as if I knew what the plot was about, I wouldn't have read this book as I don't like the trope that occurs in this book. However, the book is well written and paced in a way that keeps you wanting to read to find out what happens next. A little bit of the chapters became redundant and could have been shortened a bit more.

I'm still reeling a bit from reading this book. The writing is intense, and I was so caught up in the story that I felt like shouting advice to the main character, Caz. And you know that feels I'm sure--because the characters often don't behave the way we think they should.

The author . Will Dean, describes everything so well, that I could picture the surroundings and what it would be like to end up as a passenger who was left behind on a moving cruise liner after all the other passengers vanish. The story escalates quickly into scenes that were thoroughly unexpected, and scary.. After sending my emotions this way and that, Will Dean isn't happy until he finishes with an astonishing final development. Bravo!

Well done. The writing is worth every bit of five stars.

I recently got approved for a net galley that I requested for two reasons its a publishing company that has approved me before and because this book sounded so good!

One thing you may have noticed about me I ending really makes it or breaks it for me and this one had me so mad! I literally said oh for crying out loud, went back a page and reread it just to make sure that really happened.

“I WISH YOU FAIR WINDS AND CALM SEAS…”

What I liked:
- That phrase and circumstances reminded me of hunger games.
- Not what I was expecting at all

Meh:
- Didn’t connect to many characters, disappointed not to feel like I was rooting for a specific person.

Right now I'm seeing stars ⭐️ of fireworks! Seriously, y'all! (Yes, I'm a Texan) I feel like a nuclear bomb exploded from the beginning and somehow I survived the carnage! This book is that powerful! Will Dean held me captive for two whole days... as nothing else mattered except for work and food. It's that powerful. **Takes deep breaths**

Caz and Pete take a holiday on an exclusive cruise liner, the RMS Atlantica. The trip of a lifetime. The next morning Caz awakes where Pete is nowhere to be found. As she investigates the rest of the ship, all passengers and crew have disappeared. That's it. That's all I can tell you. I do apologize in advance but if I tell you anymore it would be considered "spoilers". You will either love it or hate it. There is no in-between. Not even a gray area. Period.

I felt so many emotions while reading this. Exited, hopeful, fury, rage, disbelief, empathy, relief, and many more. At first, I didn't know how to feel about it with first major reveal. Confused for sure. As I trudged on, I knew I just had to finish it. This was my first Will Dean novel and it will not be my last. Bravo, Dean! Well done! 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I would like to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for my ARC copy in an exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book had me hooked from the beginning. I had to know what was going to happen. We start off right away boarding the cruise ship and once we find out what is happening, I had to stick with it even more to find out what she was going to do. Some parts were unrealistic but very entertaining. I felt it fast paced at times with the short chapters but some parts did also drag. I could have done without all the background into Caz’s dad and gambling. It seemed to become repetitive. This made the book seem drawn out at times. It’s hard to say anymore without giving away any spoilers, but this book will keep you guessing.

Loved the ending, showing the distrust and yes it did seem a little rushed but I feel that is how she would have found out what happened. I do feel the cliffhanger at the end was unnecessary and expected.

Thank you NetGalley, Will Dean, and Atria for the eARC.