I need to divide this book in two halves to review it. Before the twist and after the twist. Before the twist this book is a solid 4 stars and has done the high school friendship where one is rich with controlling parents and the other is poor with an alcoholic mom and abusive step father trope done perfectly!

I really enjoyed the dynamics of the two friends but then the twist happened and I just couldn’t buy in to any of it. It felt forced to right till the end. The idea that fame corrupts just wasn’t fleshed out and believable. I can’t say more without giving spoilers so I’ll stop here.

I think if you’re looking for a palette cleanser or a book you can get through quickly, then give this a read.

I also think that because I read an arc book that I received from NetGalley and Harlequin (BIG THANKYOU!) that was not formatted correctly for the kindle that spoilt my reading experience somewhat.

This book was aslow burn and the middle was a little wordy and slow. There are some great twists and we're the reason I gave a 4 star review instead of three

This book was full of twists and was a very easy read. The middle was a bit slow-paced that is why it’s only 4/5 stars but I binged the last quarter of the book in one sitting. Hannah Mary McKinnon did a great job bringing the past and present together each chapter. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves authors like Freida McFadden and Jeneva Rose.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing

An addictive read! Impossible to put down!

Comprised of five women, The Bittersweet is a band on the rise, co-founded by friends Vienna and Madison.

As their fame expands they set off for a event in The Catskills. The band will be accompanied by Libby, a woman assigned to film a documentary of this hot band on the brink of stardom.

But after a devastating crash and its aftermath, not everyone will make it down off the mountain.

I was expecting more of a traditional closed-room thriller but this storyline played out deliciously different. (I just love surprises!) I won’t say more than that as to risk spoilers.🤫

The cast of characters is large. And I was a bit concerned in the beginning, assuming there was no way I’d keep all the names /characters straight. But Hannah Mary McKinnon has such a splendid talent of developing each character and fleshing out enough detail to bring each to life.

Clear your calendar because once you settle in everything around you will fade into the distance until the final chapter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing

3.75 🌟

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

This is a thriller about two best friends in a pop rock band. Their names are Vienna and Madison. These two characters are multilayered and their relationship dynamic was interesting to follow.

The author’s writing is accessible making this book really easy to binge. I read the last bit in one sitting. The short chapters also contribute to keeping my attention and engaged. There is mixed media sprinkled throughout the book from new articles to emails.


The middle of the book was a bit draggy which is why this book ends up getting a 3.75 star instead of a 4. I would still encourage people to check it out.

This book had me addicted from the start! It was so intense that I could not wait to see the twist. Authot knows how to deliver the breath taking, draw dropping twist that we all know and love and never expect the ending. I believe this book is her best one yet but I say that everytime I read one of her books. Thank you for allowing me to read your book in advance.

I adore this book and immediately had the library purchase their pre-order. The structure of the book by past and present showed a lot of character development. I could tell that Vienna was younger during the past by the writing style and inner monologues. I really enjoyed being given that insight and it made a lot of sense when she made the decisions during the accident. She seemed grounded more due to her struggles and class differences from Madison. The other characters did seem to be less developed, but I think if they had been it could have been too lengthy. I really loved it and the ending was not one I predicted. I hope the book club gets to read this, but I will be suggesting it for the vote.

Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon had me guessing till the end. Half way through I thought I had it figured out. Then 3/4 of the way through it went a different directions. The author had me second guessing myself all the time. Really well written, fast chapters, and a great ending.

I came into this book off of another that took me a long time to get through and devoured this in a couple days. Just when you think you have everything kind of figured out Part 2 arrives and BOOOOOM. That's all I can say without being too spoilery.

Read this if you liked Gone Girl but wanted a MC a bit less bonkers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Mira for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Only One Survives" by Hannah Mary McKinnon is a gripping thriller that takes readers on a tumultuous journey through the highs and lows of fame, friendship, and the dark side of ambition. McKinnon's narrative prowess is on full display as she weaves a tale of Vienna Taylor, a drummer whose only desire is to make music alongside her best friend and lead guitarist, Madison Pierce. As their all-female pop rock band, The Bittersweet, begins to gain traction, tragedy strikes when their van crashes during a blizzard, leading to a series of harrowing events that culminate in a fight for survival.

McKinnon masterfully crafts a story that is as much about the music industry's glittering facade as it is about the twisted paths people take to achieve their dreams. The novel's structure, alternating between the past and the present, builds suspense and keeps the reader guessing. The characters are well-developed, with Vienna's perspective offering a raw and honest look into the complexities of human nature when faced with life-and-death decisions.

The setting of the abandoned cabin adds an eerie layer to the narrative, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that mirrors the characters' escalating paranoia and fear. McKinnon's use of the harsh, unforgiving landscape as a backdrop for the psychological thriller elements is both effective and chilling.

"Only One Survives" is a testament to McKinnon's ability to blend genres, incorporating the excitement of a musical journey with the intrigue of a mystery. It's a novel that entertains while it provokes thought about the price of success and the secrets that can tear apart even the closest of bonds.

Hannah Mary McKinnon's "Only One Survives" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and those fascinated by the complexities of human relationships under extreme pressure.

Vienna Taylor’s sole aspiration is to make music with her best friend Madison. Together, they embark on their journey to form an all-female pop rock band, the Bittersweet. Tragedy strikes when the band is in a car accident during a blizzard, claiming the life of one member and leaving another severely injured. After seeking refuge in an abandoned cabin, the survivors are met with a grisly fate. Only two people make it out of the cabin alive and Madison has fully disappeared. As the story unfolds, we put the pieces together of what the hell happened in this cabin.

I requested this ARC because I loved You Will Remember Me by the same author. It’s no secret that 75% of the books I read are thrillers, but this was a unique reading experience for the genre! The rock and roll aspects and themes of female friendship cause an emotional reaction and connection to the characters and storylines which is difficult to achieve in the midst of suspense. The scenes at the cabin are incredibly atmospheric. I loved the dual timelines and the interspersed news articles and interviews. I’m pretty vanilla in terms of my day to day life so getting me to root for the baddie is also a feat, but this book did it. Only One Survives is expected to release on July 16!

I received this ARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own. Thank you Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Hannah Mary McKinnon!

A good book. My first one reading on Kindle. It had me interested from the start but I got bored quickly and it took me longer to finish. I did enjoy it though, just seemed to drag on a bit too long for me.

This is the story of an all girl band who has a car accident before their big break in the music industry. They end up stranded in the woods in a blizzard and have to spend the night in an abandoned cabin, but only one member of the band is alive when they’re rescued. The idea had promise but really didn’t come through for me. Vienna and Madison both are very unlikeable characters and honestly I would have been fine if everyone died. I guess the pull of fame and dangers of social media are supposed to be the causes of the drama and the girls’ choices, but it was just predictable. The plot just kept jumping back and forth and was a little exhausting.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for allowing me to read this and provide my honest review.

Only One Survives is an interesting and well crafted book. This is my second book by Hannah Mary Mckinnon. Vienna is the narrator, a talented drummer who only wants to play music and leave her troubled family. Madison, a guitarist from a wealthy family, is her best friend who also dreams of being famous. They pair up to make a rock duo with Madison as lead singer. The book opens with the girls now part of an up-and-coming all girl rock group called The Bittersweet. They are on their way to a party in the Catskills in a snowstorm when the van careens off a cliff. All we know is two girls survive, one is missing and the rest are dead. The first part of the book focuses primarily on how Vienna and Madison meet in high school, the shenanigans they get involved with, and the growth of their very close yet highly toxic relationship. The scenes alternate between past and present, and each character has a distinct personality. The theme is primarily about fame, and how far someone will go to be worshiped and famous. If you like 80s music you will love this book. There is a surprising twist fairly early on and another more shocking one at the end. Only One Survives will certainly keep you reading! With thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

God i love HMM! She is the queen of thrillers, and always manages to knock me off my feet in this tragic time when no other thrillers can even get me through the first half of the book. I am obsessed with her twists and her dark turns and this is definitely one of my favorites of hers!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

All Vienna Taylor wanted in life was to play drums and get out of her hometown. When the band she forms with her best friend Madison Pierce has a catastrophic accident on the way to a party in the Catskills mountains, things quickly go south. Madison disappears, leaving only Vienna and another girl alive. As police try to put together what happened in the cabin, the truth will be revealed.

If unreliable narrators are your jam, this is a great book for you. Nothing is quite as it appears in this book. I found it to be a little jarring in some parts. Roughly half the book is about what happened with Madison and Vienna in high school and then there's an abrupt shift to be about the present. That threw me a little. Overall though I found the book to be an entertaining ride where you're never quite sure who to trust and who is telling the truth.

Vienna is an aspiring drummer who befriends wealthy Madison, a talented guitarist and singer, in high school. Despite Madison’s parents disliking Vienna because of her background, the two become the best of friends. They form an up and coming band, the Bittersweet, with three other talented women. Just as their fame is expected to take off, they are involved in an accident on snowy mountain roads. In the midst of a snowstorm, the rest of the band must fight to survive as they mysteriously begin to die, one by one.

This thriller is a page turner! Once I got into it, I didn’t want to put it down. It highlights the ugly side of fame and toxic female friendships, while alternating from past to present. I love a locked room mystery, and this one is filled with red herrings, twists, turns, and unreliable characters. I loved how I didn’t see the first big twist coming at all. There are so many elements working together here to make this book an addictive, wild ride from start to finish.

Thank you to Hannah Mary McKinnon, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Hannah Mary McKinnon's "Only One Survives" is a pulse-pounding rollercoaster of suspense and intrigue that grabs you from the very first page and doesn't let go until the final, shocking twist. With its razor-sharp prose, relentless pacing, and twisty plot, this novel is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.

What sets "Only One Survives" apart is McKinnon's masterful storytelling and her ability to keep readers guessing until the very end. With its cleverly crafted plot twists and red herrings, this novel keeps you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning the pages to uncover the next shocking revelation. McKinnon skillfully ratchets up the suspense with each new development, building to a heart-stopping climax that will leave you breathless.

But perhaps the greatest strength of "Only One Survives" lies in its complex and compelling characters. From Vienna and Madison's determined pursuit of the truth to the enigmatic motives, each character is given depth and nuance, making them feel like real people with their own fears, flaws, and desires. McKinnon deftly explores themes of betrayal, revenge, and redemption, keeping readers emotionally invested in the outcome until the very end.

In conclusion, "Only One Survives" is a five-star masterpiece that will keep you up late into the night, eagerly devouring every twist and turn. With its gripping plot, unforgettable characters, and jaw-dropping surprises, this novel is a must-read for anyone who loves a good psychological thriller. Hannah Mary McKinnon has firmly established herself as a master of the genre, and "Only One Survives" is further proof of her talent and skill as a storyteller.

A highly entertaining mystery! The first half of the book starts off incredibly strong, but the largest twist is revealed fairly abruptly removing a lot of suspense from the book. I read it in one sitting and was very eager to see if there would be more twists later in the book. If you start the book expecting a mystery more than a true thriller, you'll be very entertained!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC! Vienna, Madison, and their band, The Bittersweet get into a fatal car accident during a snow storm. After a terrible night, only one band member survives.

I couldn’t put this book down. I kept second guessing my own theories with every chapter. A must read when it’s released on July 16, 2024!!