In Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon readers go through a wild ride. For a few chapters I forgot I was reading a murder mystery because I was so focused on the success of this girl group. Then a car crash brings tragedy and everything unravels. I didn’t know who to trust or who to believe. I enjoyed the book and couldn’t wait to see how the villain would get away with it. However I think it would have been even better if the big reveal hadn’t been made until the very end. Thank you NetGalley, Hannah McKinnon and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.

This was a fun ride and a fast read. It begins with a car crash of female bandmates and ends with a whole lotta death. What happened? Who's responsible? What's the price of fame?

The book primarily focuses on the two leaders of the band, Vienna and Madison, who met in high school.

I didn't love the compressed timeline for the band's rush to fame --the flashback scenes of them forming the band happen so quickly we're not really invested in the other women, so they seem kind of interchangeable when the car crash happens (in that respect it's NOT like Daisy Jones and the Six). However, Vienna and Madison are fascinating characters and I enjoyed their story.

My main beef with this book is something I can't really discuss much due to spoilers. I'll try to describe it in terms of the writing...

There's a set up happening in the book, but it's easy to see coming because the author leaned into it a little too heavily from a character development standpoint, painting in broad strokes rather than nuance. For me, this telegraphed her intentions a bit too much. But I watch closely for these kind of clues when reading a book, others readers online didn't seem bothered by it.

Overall, though this was a great, twisty read. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for allowing me to read this ARC.

During a winter storm, up-and-coming pop rock band The Bittersweet spin off the road in tragic accident that leaves one dead and one injured. However, by the night’s end, only one band member has survived. Only One Survives follows that band member, Vienna Taylor, in her life before and after the accident.

This is a tricky book to write about without giving away any spoilers, but I’ll do my best! I went through a bit of a journey with this book – for about the first half I was hooked! There’s a hard shift toward the middle, and the second half began to drag quite a bit for me personally. However, the author brought it around at the end with a twisty, satisfying resolution. I am glad that I stuck with it through that second half and enjoyed it overall!

Thank you to Netgallery and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an early release copy of Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon, this book will be available for purchase on July sixteenth of 2024.

What a read! Only One Survives had me hooked from the start! I really liked our characters and their little quirks, there are toxic friendships/relationships in here but they were written in a way that made them interesting to read about. The writing was detailed, and everything felt well fleshed out story wise. I enjoyed the addition of the blog/podcast elements and loved the before and after the accident chapters, These chapters really allowed us to get to know each of characters.

I throughly enjoyed Only One Survives my only complaints would be that towards the middle of the story our main character Vienna was difficult to read and during the second part it seemed like the story was dragging on.

Overall I would really like to see some more from Hannah Mary McKinnon!

WOW what a read! I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately but this one ripped me right out of it! Told between alternating timelines, we see the journey of Vienna and Madison's friendship evolve between high school and their early 20s. At first, the timelines felt a little confusing and disjointed, but we quickly learn of their importance and how they play into the later story. With so many twists and turns, as soon as I felt that things were going to wrap up, there was still so much to be revealed!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book - the characters were well-written and it had plenty of shock without feeling too forced. While at some points I felt there was too much going on, I truly felt like it was necessary for everything to come together in the end - lots of clever planning on McKinnon's part! I feel like I can't say too much more without giving things away, but the long read is well worth it. Thanks for the ARC!

Wow... Just... WOW!

Let me tell you, dear readers, this book is an absolute game-changer in the realm of mystery and suspense novels! From the very first page, I was utterly captivated by the gripping tale of The Bittersweet, an all-female pop rock band on the brink of stardom, whose dreams turn into a chilling nightmare.

As the story unfolds, we're thrust into the heart-pounding chaos of a tragic accident that leaves the band stranded in the treacherous wilderness of The Catskills. The vivid descriptions and expertly crafted tension had me on the edge of my seat as Vienna, our determined drummer, and her best friend Madison, the lead guitarist, grapple with the aftermath of the crash.

But what sets this novel apart is its masterful blend of mystery and psychological suspense. As Vienna and Madison struggle to survive the night, surrounded by darkness and uncertainty, the true nature of their harrowing ordeal begins to unravel. With each twist and turn, the author keeps readers guessing, skillfully weaving a web of deception and betrayal that left me gasping for breath.

And oh, the characters! From the fiercely loyal Vienna to the enigmatic Madison, each member of The Bittersweet is brought to life with depth and nuance. Their complex relationships and hidden agendas add layers of intrigue to an already mesmerizing narrative, keeping me guessing until the very last page.

I must commend the author for her impeccable pacing and spine-tingling suspense. As the tension reached its peak, I found myself holding my breath, desperate to uncover the truth behind the band's tragic fate. And the ending? Jaw-dropping doesn't even begin to cover it.

Many thanks to the publisher, NetGalley, and the author for this pulse-pounding read! I simply cannot wait to dive into more of this author's gripping tales.

Trigger Warnings: violence, death, betrayal, deception, survival

This was a great book that I had trouble putting down! My feelings towards the characters changed throughout the book, and I loved the time hops as events were revealed. Will definitely be looking for more books by this author!

Think Daisy Jones & the Six but with murder and mystery. Vienna and Madison meet, instantly connect, and start a band. One snowy night, the band members are involved in a devastating crash. Throughout the book we are trying to piece together what exactly happened that night. So many twists and turns, it kept me on the edge of my seat!

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing & NetGalley for the ARC!

In Hannah Mary McKinnon's gripping novel, "Only One Survives," echoes of "Daisy Jones and the Six" resonate, but with a darker, more sinister twist. Think, "Yellowjackets." The narrative unfolds in reverse, starting from the day of the crash and unraveling the events leading up to it, unveiling a tapestry of secrets and deception.
Vienna Taylor's passion for drumming and music reaches new heights when she teams up with her closest friend, Madison, to form the punk rock band "The Bittersweet." Their debut single ignites a promising journey until tragedy strikes on a trip to the Catskills, leaving Vienna as the lone survivor after their car veers off the road.
As Vienna grapples with the aftermath, accusations emerge from a faction of Bittersweet's fanbase, suggesting she may be responsible for the deaths of her friends. But could she truly be capable of such horrid act merely for fame? Vienna emerges as a complex protagonist, entangled in a toxic, codependent dynamic with Madison.
McKinnon expertly crafts a story brimming with suspense, each page laden with unforeseen twists and revelations. The tension escalates with each chapter, culminating in an unexpected finale. The dynamics of an all-female band provide a fertile ground for drama, but McKinnon elevates it to dizzying heights, delivering a riveting tale that refuses to be set aside. "Survives" is a compelling narrative that grips you from start to finish, a testament to McKinnon's skill in weaving intricate plots and multifaceted characters.

Only One Survives, Hannah Mary McKinnon
Pub Date: July 16, 2024

Hannah. Thriller. Pop Rock Band. 80’s to the 00’s nostalgia.
As Pat would say: Hit me with your best shot!

Only One Survives centres around 2 young women, Vienna and Madison, and their shared dream of forming a band. Starting as EmVee and then expanding to include 3 additional members to become The Bittersweet, an all-female rock pop band with an edge.

Hannah infuses her latest thriller with tonnes of nostalgia including pop and rock references along with a taste for the music industry, and visions of striking it rich and hitting musical fame. The cost of celebrity becomes clear when differences in opinion and direction come up, causing strife and tension. All the while, secrets from both Em & Vee’s past come to a head when their car careens off the road in a winter storm. Leaving the members stranded and for some, dead. And that’s only the beginning of the end for The Bittersweet.

This thriller rocked! (pun intended). There were twists and turns, multiple time-lines, interesting perspectives including narration from band interviews and podcasts with comments from those online. This served readers by adding depth, intrigue, cloud the obvious, and added doubt to what was presented.

Unreliable and unlikeable narrators and characters are fun, and Hannah did a great job of making Vienna both and keeping me interested to see what would become of her and The Bittersweet. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a true Hannah thriller without one last detail right at the end which I loved.

Why tie things up with a bow when you can go out with a bang?!

Thank you so much to Hannah Mary McKinnon and Mira Books for my gifted copy.

Vienna, a gifted drummer and her best friend from high school., Madison, who happens to be a talented vocalist and guitarist have their differences, in views and in upbringing, but together they form a girl bad that starts to get a taste of the fame they both crave. Their dreams are brought to a halt when the band is involved in a tragic car accident up in the Catskills during a blizzard. We see the drama and suspense unfold in Hannah Mary McKinnon's, Only One Survives.

I think that this was a phenomenal book. It had me hooked from the different POVs, the different timelines and even the aspect of news reports and radio transcripts. I think that Hannah Mary McKinnon did a wonderful job on the story and the character development. There were little eggs that were dropped throughout the chapters that made you back and up double check what you just read. There were so many twists and unpredictable turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved it. I do think that the ending was just a little too long, it dragged a bit for me. Once we got to what happened, I think it could have been about 50 pages shorter. Other than that, I really enjoyed this twisty, thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA, and Hannah Mary McKinnon for the eARC of Only One Survives. Publication Date for Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon is 16 July 2024.

My goodness. First time reading this Author and will not be the last. Run....don't walk....to get this amazing book!!!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing this digital copy in exchange for a review.

Hannah Mary McKinnon quickly became one of my go to authors this years, I’ve read most of her books in a short time. So I had to read this. Needlesd to say, I was not disappointed

I might even say that I am finishing off 2023 with one of the best reads this year. Yep.
That was an excellent read, even though one of my least favourite tropes is it to read about bands/music. I am one of these rare people that don’t care about music, I enjoy silence the most. 🤣 So colour me surprised, but this was soooo good.

Even though they were an unlikely pairing, Madison and Vienna united in Highschool through music. Madison attends college in NYC and Madison follows her.
When their band, the Bittersweet’s, takes off, tragedy strikes and the girls have a nearly fatal crash in the Catskills. They find shelter at an abandoned cabin, but will all of them survive the night? At the end of the night, Vienna is the only survivor, Madison having disappeared…

I was so not prepared for this book! I binged it!

Read this if
🤩 you like fame
🤩 love an unreliable narrator
🤩 love yourself some girl power
🤩 you want to grip your seat and be blown away.

The atmosphere was eerie and creepy and unpredictable, especially when reading this in December with snow pulling up. The characters were fabulous, love them or hate them. So buckle up for a wild ride and watch out for Hannah Mary McKinnon!

"Only One Survives" proved to be an enthralling and suspenseful journey. Vienna, a gifted drummer hailing from a troubled upbringing, joins forces with Madison, a talented vocalist and electric guitarist who enjoys a life of abundance. Together, they form a girl band that experiences a fleeting taste of fame. However, their dreams are shattered by a devastating car accident on a wintry night in the Catskills. Throughout the book, the unpredictable twists and turns kept me captivated and deeply engaged. Undoubtedly, it stands as one of the finest reads I have come across in recent times, earning a solid four-star rating. I highly recommend adding it to your to-be-read list!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC to read and review.

Hannah is brilliant at making the reader have sympathy for the killer…. Pieces of the story that get dripped with each chapter that has you both loathing and loving them. But it’s never particularly clear from the start … and then boom, the story unravels as the killers motives unravel.

Do I make sense? Nope. Good. Because I wouldn’t want to ruin it for you.

It’s a bat shit crazy kind of thriller. Leaning into the daisy Jones darkness and the darling girls of pain.

That’s all I’m saying.
Ps. It did take me like 15% to get my head around every character because there is a lot to start.

4.5 ⭐️

(NetGalley ARC- Release date July 16.2024)
What an incredible tale and fascinating journey of an up and coming all-girl rock band!!!
The main characters meet in high school...you know the story...rich girl meets poor girl, and an unlikely friendship ensues when they discover a common love for music. From their high school days and the early path they paved for themselves to become rock stars...the need, the obsession, and the fight for fame and fortune just gets stronger. Against their parent's wishes, they do have some early success as a duo, but then quickly become an overnight sensation with the formation of a 5-member all-girl rock band! It looked like they were on their way and their future was set!
.....and then that horrific tragedy....dreams are shattered... and lives are changed forever!
This is their story of what happened. A must read!!
What an incredible book!

I loved reading this one. It had me biting my nails, sitting on the edge of my seat. So So good!! Can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy

This book had many twists and turns in it that kept the story interesting. It wasn't quite as fast paced as a I initially thought it would be, but overall I'm glad I read it through to the end. The story truly brings to life what the opportunity for fame and fortune can do to a person. Overall a great read that I had a hard time putting down.

I really enjoyed Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon. The relationship between the two main characters plays such a huge part in the story and the events that take place. A couple major twists makes it hard to write a review, but I can say that it was a really fun read!

Vienna and Madison met Senior year and instantly become best friends. They both love music and start playing gigs as a duo. Vienna decides they need more members and soon they have a full band. And with their new all-female pop rock band gaining traction, soon everyone would hear their songs.
Except, on the way to an event, the Bittersweet’s van careened off an icy mountain road during a blizzard—leaving one member dead and another severely injured.
In order to survive the snowy night they take shelter in a nearby abandoned cabin. But Vienna’s dreams devolved into a terrifying nightmare as, one by one, her fellow band members met a gruesome end…and Madison simply vanished in the night.
What really happened to the Bittersweet? Did Vienna’s closest friend finally decide to take center stage on her own terms? What really happened that night that only two people came home.
I loved this book!!!!!! I loved the style that this book was written in. It was a mix of what had happened over the years and what was happening now. I really liked the main character Vienna #TeamVienna. I could not put it down, I was sneaking chapters at work. I did not see the twists coming and there was a few.
The only negative I have is I feel like it could of been a few chapters shorter. Toward the end I did lose some interest but not enough to change the fact that I loved this book.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Hannah Mary McKinnon for this digital ARC.