What on earth did I just read????

The premise of this book pulled me in. It follows Caz, a woman in her late 40s, who is taking a cruise with her boyfriend Pete. However, after the first night, she wakes up the next morning to find that she is the only person left on the cruise ship.

I was intrigued by the synopsis in general and I’m also a sucker for books that take place on cruise ships.

However, this book had some major pacing issues. One of the reasons I enjoy reading thrillers is because I know I can finish them pretty quickly. Not the case with this book. It plodded along and was very repetitive (I don’t know how many times Caz’s gambling addict father was mentioned).

Also, I didn’t like the direction the story went in. The more of the plot I uncovered, the less I liked it. It seemed so ridiculous. And I absolutely hated the ending.

I wish I had enjoyed this book more than I did.

This book was amazing. I was riveted by the premise itself and couldn’t put the book down once I started. This is my first book by the author but I will be looking at his previous books based on this.

Thank you to Atria for providing me with a NetGalley ARC. In return, here is my honest review;

First of all, I immediately stopped in my tracks when I heard about the premise for this book and I had to pick it up for myself. It starts out with our main character, Catherine (aka Caz) waking up completely alone while aboard a giant cruise ship. A recipe for an intense, pulse-pounding mystery/thriller - or so I thought. So I went in with excitement and high expectations only to realize just a few measly chapters in that the story is taking a huge turn and will not be what I was expecting AT ALL!

I'm all for a vague synopsis and leaving more to the imagination, but I do not like the feeling of being led astray so I did not enjoy the direction it ended up going in. I also found the writing to be a bit haphazardly written and long-winded. This book is too long for what it is!! It was losing me and going downhill quick once I reached about the 40% mark. The middle was such a draggg.

The writing was not as atmospheric as I would have liked considering it takes place on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic, it definitely did not feel like it at times. I would have appreciated more ominous tones and moodiness to the idea of physically being stranded at sea and less on pointless character backstory.

There is a lot to unpack in regards to the ending as well. I did like some aspects of it (I think??) Maybe not for this particular storyline, but just in general I guess. Either way it was somehow able to salvage itself from being a 1 star, but still I just couldn't wait to get it over with. I really was not a fan of this and it upsets me and I have nothing else to say about this one.

So the problem with hyping up a book with things like “a shocking ending” or “nothing is what it seems” is that some readers (like me) will be waiting for something they’ve never seen before. And while this was compelling, part of it was wanting to get to this “heart-stopping” ending. But I’ve seen all this before. This is basically the plot of the movie “Escape Room.”

It wasn’t bad but it was hyped up to be something new. And I ended up disappointed that nothing was really shocking.

"The Last One" by Will Dean takes readers on what should be a thrilling and suspenseful journey as Caz, the protagonist, steps onboard the exclusive cruise liner RMS Atlantica with her new love, Pete. Little does she know that this vacation of a lifetime will quickly turn into a nightmare. The anticipatory atmosphere of the novel quickly shifts when Caz awakens after her first night on board to discover Pete's absence. Panic sets in as she realizes that something is terribly wrong. The tension builds as she ventures out into the corridor, only to find all the cabin doors mysteriously open.
The premise of this story was really promising, but I felt that the story fell flat quickly, and continued to lose credibility as it went along. I have no problem with stories that require readers to suspend their disbelief, up to a point, but thought that “The Last One” went far beyond a reasonable narrative that readers would find at all believable.
I did not find the characters to be well-rounded or relatable, which made it hard to care what might happen to any of them by the story’s conclusion.The supporting characters come to play significant roles in the story, but I found that as the plot twists became more and more unbelievable, they too were not worth caring about.
I really enjoyed some of Will Dean’s earlier work, so I will definitely give him a try in the future, but “The Last One” was not for me.

The Last One by Will Dean
Publisher Atria Books
Release Date August 08, 2023


Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Suspense: 5/5
Overall Enjoyment: 5/5


WOWZER! What a freaking nail biting thriller. Dean is definitely an amazing storyteller. The ebbs and flows between chapters are the icing on the cake because they change pretty frequently and the pace is perfect. I was hooked from page one. I honestly was so engrossed in this well written thriller, that time actually got away from me. The authors description’s allow for the readers mind to envision you actually there….on the boat.

The premise of this book may be one that has been done before but not like Dean. In this book we meet a well developed, flawed, likable, and very determined character named Caz. She and her new lover Pete are going on a very much needed vacation on the RMS Atlantica for some fun in the sun. After a night of partying, Caz wakes to find that Pete is nowhere to be found. But the horror continues when she goes outside of their room and finds that no one is there. No crew, no guests……no one but her. Now her adrenaline kicks in and she must find out what happened. There is no predictably here but the author does leave tiny bits of bread crumbs for the reader. This is one thrilling ride that has more twists and turns than a roller coaster. If you enjoy edge of your seat heart pounding suspenseful thrillers, this one needs to bo number 1 on your list of books to read.

Get your copy as soon as it is released


Thank you to NetGalley as well as the the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

I really enjoyed this one! I’ve always have been fascinated by ships in history where the crew went missing, such as the case with the Mary Celeste, and knew this book would be of huge interest to me. I really enjoyed the different twists and turns and loved where the plot went about a third of the way through. I enjoyed the interactions of Caz with each other the other characters and their drive to survive. This one was five out of five stars for me!

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.