The killings of Bailey and Celeste covered sunny Mount Orange in a lasting darkness. Tru can't help but become engrossed in the excitement of cracking the decades-old mystery when a mysterious girl named Rio shows up in town. She can't help but feel an intense attraction to Rio as well as the pleasure of solving Bailey and Celeste's deaths. I got shivers from this book because it was so wonderful. With all of the nuanced characters in this novel, I was astounded by Ginny Myers-Sain's writing and how she created such an extraordinary "what's going to happen next" book.

Thank you netgalley and penguin group penguin young readers group

I love thrillers and this one drew me in right from the start. The synopsis and the cover had me really intrigued and I really enjoyed Ginny’s previous book Dark and Shallow Lies. This story follows Tru and Rio as they attempt to uncover the truth behind the unsolved brutal murders of two local girls. They both seem strangely connected to each other and to Bailey and Celeste the girls who were killed years ago.

This was definitely more of a slow burn type thriller. There were also some creepy paranormal aspects that added to the eerie feelings while reading this book. The pacing was a little slower than I expected and it was around the halfway point that the plot finally starting building the suspense. Tru and Rio were both interesting characters and this story wasn’t just about solving the murders but was about self discovery and figuring out what we want in life and that it’s okay to break away from our expectations. There is also exploring grief and learning how to overcome guilt and death. The romance plot was cute and felt like a star crossed lovers romance. It helped lighten the story and make you want to root for the characters. The last part of the story really flew by. Every time I thought I knew what was happening we would get another twist. I would have loved to see an epilogue but that is just a personal preference.

Overall this was a good creepy sapphic YA thriller. I think if you’re fans of Ginny’s previous books or just a thriller fan in general I’d recommend One Last Breath.

I really enjoyed Ginny Myers Sain's last book, Secrets So Deep, so I was excited to read this book. One Last Breath has the same weird, ominous, spooky vibe that I loved about Secrets So Deep! In this book, we follow Tru and Rio, two teenage girls who become obsessed with solving a murder that happened 20 years ago.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow… I read this book in two sittings today because I could not put it down!!! This story was part murder mystery, part thriller, and part romance. And also has a twinge of spirituality/reincarnation. The way the author vividly describes the Florida town of Mount Orange and the Springs of Hidden Glenn had me missing my home state so much. So much detail and attention went into her descriptions of the setting, and I could see it all perfectly in my mind while reading. And the setting really played an important part of the story. I loved how the book centered around a 20 year old murder mystery, but had the element of romance for the main character, and also all parts of a pulse pounding thriller when danger begins chasing Tru as she looks for answers to solve the old murder. I do wish the last chapter and epilogue had been a little bit longer because it felt like everything happened so fast. I would have liked to see the fallout of the ending in a bit more detail, but that is my only critique.

Simply put if you are a fan of True Crime and Thriller books you 1000% have to add this to your TBR because you will be obsessed.

Tru lives in central FL where her small town has been plagued with the tragic murder of two teenagers 20 years ago. Celeste and Bailey were brutally murdered in the woods outside of the springs in Hidden Glenn’s. The town has been fascinated with their gruesome murder, and at one point it was thought that it could possibly be the work of FL most notorious serial killer the Glades Reaper.

Tru has always felt a weird pull to the murdered girls and their story, but never understood why. Out of nowhere another girl named Rio shows up in town and starts asking a lot of questions. Eventually her and Tru strike up a friendship and begin to discover so many dark memories and connections to their past. But as they work together to try and solve the murder, someone is hot on their heels trying to get them to stop. Full of nail biting chases, lots of detective sleuthing, and tons of stakeouts Tru and Bailey finally arrive at the truth. And let me tell you, it is totally shocking.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc. I really enjoyed the supernatural elements of the story. It took me a bit to get into the story but once I did, it flowed better than expected. I will sure be checking out more by this author.
3 stars

I loved this book, definitely a page turner and had me wondering how everything would play out in the end. I loved the paranormal aspect also. Thank you to penguin teen for the arc!

You know the summer after high school graduation when you’re trying to cram in as much fun as possible while also contemplating huge life decisions? This book centers around that pivotal time period, but with a heaping serving of murder & a side dish of sapphic romance.

Trulee’s sweltering Florida hometown is packed with true-crime junkies on the twentieth anniversary of the Hidden Glen murders, so it’s a small wonder that all she wants to do is find peace in the refreshing spring she lives to freedive in. But when she’s topside, life is much more complicated: her longtime boyfriend has big plans for them at university this Fall, & her mother expects her to follow the roadmap that’s been laid out for her future. Trulee’s had second thoughts about all this for awhile (she never did complete that application…), but the real driving force behind changing the status quo comes in the form of a new girl in town named Rio. There’s something special about Rio, & something that causes both teenagers to start digging into the unsolved murders from two decades before…

GMS makes you feel the heavy humid air in your lungs while reading this story - I love the setting, with the jungle-like area around Trulee’s favorite freediving spot & all the Florida wildlife, & the cover of this book is gorgeous! The story captures the essence of being a teenager, with all the searching for who you want to be & what you want to do with your life, & the added hormones & emotions that go with young love. Expertly woven into all of this is a really cool water sport, a large paranormal element, lots of complex family drama & small-town politics, & oh yeah: a serial killer. I loved this author’s previous work (Dark & Shallow Lies) & definitely need to read Secrets So Deep as soon as possible - I’ll also be eagerly awaiting the next book from this author, because I’m officially a fan.

Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I now have a new instant buy author. That’s it. That’s the review. I can’t say anymore because then I’ll give stuff away and we can’t have that!

Mount Orange, Florida is a small town with big secrets. 20 years ago, Celeste and Bailey, teenagers and best friends, were brutally murdered while camping. Their murders have never been solved. But it’s not for lack of trying from the true crime community and its obsessed fans.

Trulee is a recent high school graduate who’s always been fascinated with the case, and spends most of her time free-diving. Her favorite place to dive is the Well, near where the girls were murdered. And one of her favorite dive partners is East, her boyfriend of several years, best friend for her whole life, and my favorite character. Protect East at all costs, he deserves the world. Unfortunately, he’s only Tru’s dive partner until mysterious new girl, Rio, rolls into town.

Rio and Tru have an instant connection and bond over their interest in the murder case. But when suspicious things start happening in the town again, they wonder if they can find the killer before he or she finds them.

The town in this story is almost its own character, which I really loved. The descriptions are so vivid throughout the story, I felt fully immersed. And also like I needed bug spray. The air is humid and sticky, there’s suspicious small-town politics, embarrassing family members, and viscerally realistic swamps and forests. I don’t know how any of these characters were outside for more than 5 minutes at a time, I read this in January in Montana but wanted to turn on my AC for them vicariously.

I enjoyed the supernatural twist in this being something that was up front and not The Twist of the book. It added an interesting angle but didn’t overpower the mystery for me, and I’ve never read a story that did that. I guessed part of the big reveal but there was enough I didn’t see coming for me to be both surprised and vindicated by my half-right guesses.

I really enjoyed the plot and atmosphere of this, but wanted to connected more with Tru and Rio as characters than I did. Tru’s journey of self-discovery is clearly part of her arc on several levels, but I never really got to the point where I felt like I knew her enough to be fully comfortable in her POV. Also maybe part of the problem was how much I loved East. Maybe if he sucked I’d have shipped the girls more!

Thanks to Penguin Teen for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC of this novel. This was a lot of fun. The sweaty Florida atmosphere (complete with gators), the descriptions of the deep springs, the sketchy characters, the string of tragedies, the queer first love story. All of this worked together well. Even the supernatural element felt real and organic. The ending had a twist that I didn't guess but that made the whole story make more sense. I will read more from this author.

Mount Orange, Florida is famous for the murder of two best friends, Bailey and Celeste. The murder took place twenty years ago.
Tru has always been fascinated by the murders, even though they happened before she was born. She's been obsessed with trying to help find the killer. Tru is supposed to go to college with her boyfriend in the fall. However, the unsolved murders and the death of her own sister invade her every thought.
One day, a stranger shows up that goes by the name of Rio. Tru and Rio hit it off and start hanging out together. Rio is interested in the murders too. The two of them start looking into it more. Then strange things start happening and they worry that the killer could be back.
I found this book really interesting. The characters were well written. I was kept on my toes until the end of the book.
I highly recommend this book if you like mystery books. I'd rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

as a Florida native and also as one who grew up 5 minutes away from the springs i enjoyed this so very much Tru and Rio deserve the most and so do Dill and Derry. getting to read a book that mentions my tiny little college town is the best feeling ever since i constantly think people forget about it. I truly couldn’t predict what would happen this was the most unpredictable book ever and i absolutely loved it and couldn’t put it down, I fell in love with every character in this charming small town and I'm already planning a reread.

thank you so much to penguin teen for sending me a copy of this amazing book, all opinions are my own

Such a fun, wild ride! The ending was cray.

Celeste and Bailey were murdered 20 years ago in the small Florida town of Mount Orange. Tru has spent her whole life hearing about it and seeing their faces, feeling like she knew them. She, like the entire town, has always wanted to know who was behind the tragedy, however no answers were ever found. Then, Rio, a stunning girl who Tru instantly clicks with, enters her life from seemingly nowhere. They’re so in tune in almost every aspect-diving in particular-like they’ve known each other their whole lives. Rio says she knows who murdered the girls, but it’s too outlandish to even consider. Can Tru even trust Rio? Is she who she says she is? As the two begin working together to find clues, they start to get threatening messages. Someone is after them, stalking them. Is it a message to stay away or are Tru and Rio the next victims?


I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of reincarnation so I loved that added element. Such a fun spin on the ya thriller genre! This story completely pulled me in and I couldn’t put it down for the life of me. Bailey and Rio were such interesting characters in their own right, but together, they were dynamic. Literally soulmates.

While this was a bit predictable in some areas, it was also fun and well thought out. It also had parts of complete shock, that I didn’t see coming. Thrillers, especially YA thrillers, all become predictable to a point after you read so many, so it’s nice to be surprised from time to time. For me, it’s about the journey to get there. Did it keep me entertained? Did I like the characters? Did anything at all make me go “wtf”? Did it bring out any emotion at all? Yes, yes, yes and yes. That’s a winner in my book!

Overall, this was fast paced and a super enjoyable read! I will definitely be recommending this book and will ready more from this author!

🚨KIND OF A SPOILER🚨

Also, justice for East. That boy deserved so much better. Heart of pure gold, that one.

4.5 ⭐️

I have been provided with a review copy of The Empire’s Ghost from NetGalley for an impartial review. I was just drawn into this wonderful story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. It was just so easy to get lost in this great story. I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

A really great read. I loved the supernatural aspects of the story. I would definitely recommend this author to any fan of young adult suspense.

One Last Breath by Ginny Myers Sain
Pub Date: March 5, 2024

Eighteen-year-old Trulee lives in Mount Orange, Florida, a sleepy small-town famous for a twenty-year-old unsolved murder of two young women, Bailey and Celeste. Trulee has always been fascinated with the case and feels a pull towards the young women, but especially to Bailey.

It’s the start of summer vacation before she’s supposed to head off to FSU with her long-time boyfriend, Trulee is planning on spending it free-diving and working at the small local paper but she’s really scouring the archives looking for any clues or details that might have been missed during the investigation of the murder.

When mysterious Rio comes to town, Trulee finds that her interest in the murders is just as intense but it goes much deeper and before too long, they’re in the crosshairs of someone who doesn’t want them digging into the past.

This story has everything to keep me turning pages; murder, mayhem, a mystery that needs solving – all while outsmarting a killer! So good! The atmosphere is creepy and foreboding, the plot intense and twisty with a hint of the supernatural.

Loved this one front to back!

Thank you Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the ARC!

"One Last Breath" dives into the murky waters of a decades-old murder mystery, combining elements of thriller, supernatural intrigue, and a dash of sapphic romance. Set in the small town of Mount Orange, Florida, the narrative follows Trulee's relentless quest to unravel the truth behind the unsolved murders of two best friends, Bailey and Celeste.

The novel masterfully weaves mystery, thriller, and supernatural elements into a gripping narrative. Trulee's connection to the case takes a fascinating turn when Rio, a mysterious newcomer, arrives in town, sparking a profound and unexpected connection. "One Last Breath" is a slow burn mystery that keeps readers on their toes until the very end. The plot unfolds gradually, allowing for detailed exploration of characters and their relationships. While the plot itself is a bit slow, especially at the beginning, the slow burn adds layers to the narrative, keep you guessing and invested.

GMS excels in character development, creating a cast that resonates with depth and authenticity. Trulee, Rio, and supporting characters like East, Dill, and Derry each contribute uniquely to the story, making them memorable and engaging. I also like how GMS focused on free diving, which is something that I haven’t read a lot of in YA books, and the process of free diving and Trulee’s thought process was unique and well-written. The setting was also very sensory and descriptive throughout. I felt like I was in Florida when I was reading this book, especially the descriptions of the Florida humidity. I definitely appreciated this when it’s currently freezing outside when I read the book.

Beyond the mystery, the novel delves into themes of obsession, grief, and the impact of a heinous crime on a tight-knit community. Trulee's personal struggles, particularly her haunted past and complex family dynamics, add depth to the storyline. The inclusion of sapphic romance and paranormal elements adds a unique flavor to the murder mystery genre. The evolving connection between Trulee and Rio, intertwined with supernatural elements, creates a rich and immersive reading experience. While at times predictable (and making me feel for East who Trulee is dating at the beginning of the book), I enjoyed the romance part of the book as it felt very realistic for a just-graduated teenager in a small town discovering the world is much bigger than what she’s used to. It also didn’t take up too much focus in the book, leaving a lot of room for the mystery to develop.

"One Last Breath" stands out as a genre-blending thriller, offering a fresh take on cold-case mysteries with its well-drawn characters, atmospheric setting, and a narrative that skillfully balances suspense, romance, and the supernatural. I especially found the unique background of the murders to stand out (Trulee seemingly has no connection to the murders that were committed 20 years ago). I definitely enjoyed this book, and I look forward to exploring GMS’s other YA books.

I was really interested in this book and the cover drew me in. However, I found the book to be not very thrilling and quite slow. YA Thrillers are some of my favorite books to read but for whatever reason I couldn’t get into this one. I even put it down and tried picking it back up, but it just wasn’t clicking. I think that I found the slow burn aspect of it to be too long and drawn out to hold my interest.

I’ve enjoyed books with slow burn plots before because they’ve had other aspects that have held my interest. I found the characters to be a bit one dimensional and lacking depth.

The premise of this book reminded me of other YA Thrillers I’ve read. Where teenage girls end up solving cold case crimes. While I don’t usually have a problem with this, I did find it to be a bit played out at this point and I was looking for more of a unique twist. To me adding queer rep and a paranormal element just wasn’t what I was looking for and it felt too familiar to me.

This isn’t a horrible book, but it wasn’t a great read. I would recommend it to certain people, but not everyone. I just wish that this book would have been a little more unique and deeper overall.

Thank you so much to the publisher G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, Penguin Group, and Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

First off, awesome cover! Was I drawn to this book because of the Florida setting? Yes. Born and raised so I had to pick up with paranormal mystery thriller since I enjoyed Ginny Myer Sain’s first two books.

This was slow to start and o did struggle to get into the story initially. While I never really connected with any of the characters, the plot is what carried this book for me. It was slow for the most part but the ending goes out with a bang and a twist of who did it.

Worth the read if you enjoy paranormal mysteries.

What a ride! This was my first Ginny Myers Sain read and I loved every bit of it. I was intrigued by the synopsis of the book, so I was so excited when I was able to get an ARC for it. I am a Florida girlie and FSU isn't too far from my town, so it was an additional bonus to read about the mysterious town of Mount Orange.

Overall the storyline was fun and thrilling, and the characters were top tier! It's always a personal goal of mine to collect all the clues and guess the big mystery by the end of the book...I was kind of right with this one. So, I take it as a partial win. If you are a misery/supernatural reader, give this book a try!

Thank you to Ginny Myers Sain, Penguin Teen, and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book for an honest review.