(Rounded up to a 3.5) This was my first time reading from this author, and I would pick up more work from her! This was a thriller I didn’t expect. The whole first half was excellent, working its way to a 5 star rating. I was surprised at the character development and loved reading about Vienna and Madison’s friendship and upbringing and how they formed their band. I also loved the mixed media blog posts and newspaper articles sprinkled in. It’s funny, because I enjoyed the past chapters more than the flash-forward chapters the day of the incident at the cabin. Part 2 fizzled out for me, and I feel like the story went on too long. The crime was tied up too quickly for me, and I didn’t enjoy reading about the aftermath as much. What happens in part 2 was very predictable to me, and I wish the entire book could have been as perfect as the first half.

The concept of this book drew me in immediately, described as "Daisy Jones & The Six" meets "Yellowjackets." I wouldn't quite go that far, but this is an enjoyable, twisty murder mystery with a dual timeline. I had mixed feelings about the dual timeline, but overall I think it works well for the story. I do think the book could have been maybe 20-40 pages shorter without sacrificing plot or suspense. The writing style is enjoyable and fast- paced. (Shockingly, for me, who never gets plot twists correct - I predicted the final twist!!) I would recommend this book for fans of thrillers by authors like Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, and Mary Kubica. This book was hard to put down and I definitely was thinking about the plot and what might happen next when I wasn't reading it.

Also bonus points for a reference to a Bon Jovi B-side from 1995 that was only released on their 2004 box set! (I'm impressed.)

4 stars.

What a fun thriller! This was a murderous, scandalous girl group thriller that didn’t stop with the punches till the very end. Fame comes at a price, but can you handle it? This was a definite 5 stars from me!

Huge thanks to @thrillerbookloversthepulse & @netgalley & @hannahmarymckinnon for this ARC!! I am so incredibly grateful.

When the sign ups for this came out-I read the description & was very interested. Then I saw that this author is friends with Jennifer Hillier (an autobuy author for me. Jar of Hearts lives rent free in my brain) & Samantha Bailey (A Friend in the Dark…left me 😳😳), I knew I for sure needed to get on board with this one!

DID NOT DISAPPOINT! I have already added all of Hannah’s other books to my kindle wishlist.

This BOOK! I feel like even though I know what happened-I’d reread this just because I enjoyed the story so much.

I was very impressed with the depth of the characters in this book. The story. The Bittersweet. This book gave me Yellowjackets vibes more than once.

Overall, I’m gonna highly recommend this one because this is the kind of book that will get you out of a reading slump. Read it. Devoured it. Loved it.

💭 For some reason, it took me a couple chapters to really get into this, but once I did, I was HOOKED!! Enough so to make it a 5 star read!! The writing, the characters, dual timelines, the huge freaking twist! 🤯🤯🤯 Then the epilogue had me 🤯🤯 again! It was such a propulsive read, filled with toxic relationships, jealousy, backstabbing and mind blowing twists! I couldn’t read it fast enough to figure out how it was going to end! I loved the ending and how everything was revealed to the reader, I love a good tied up bow at the end of a book! I especially enjoyed the 80s and 90s songs and bands references! Highly recommend this one for all thriller lovers!!

The story seamlessly passes between the past and present, chronicling the rise and fall of the Bittersweet Band, founded by best friends Madison and Vienna. Tragedy strikes when their Tahoe SUV crashes in a middle of a snow storm, marking the beginning of a harrowing ordeal. The immediate aftermath is devastating, and the band becomes wrapped in a desperate bid for survival.
Who will make it out alive?
The band members responses to their dire circumstances give the narrative a raw, emotional depth. Each character's arc is meticulously crafted, allowing one to delve deep into their psyche, understanding their motivations, fears, and unyielding hope even in the face of impossible odds.

Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon

Pub: July 16, 2024


Original, unexpected and oh so addictive, Only One Survives is a must read!

I absolutely loved the book. @hannahmarymckinnon tricked me and kept me on my toes and I loved every minute of it.

A few spoiler free highlights:
🎵 Dual timelines - yes, please!
🎸 Canadian references 🇨🇦
🎵Fierce female characters - the ladies of the Bittersweet are smart and talented and BRING it whether they’re playing music or planning murders
🎸The ending 😮 That is all I will say. DM to discuss

✨QOTD: Do you have a favourite girl group? Read 👇 to learn about my personal connection to the story and kick a$$ girl groups.

Some of you know that my mum @onlyloveisreal.love was in one of the first all girls punk rock bands, The ‘B’ Girls, in the ‘70s and ‘80s in Toronto. They moved to NYC and were part of the whole 1980s punk rock scene at CBGBs, toured with The Clash, opened for Blondie…. and so much more. I grew up listening to their music, the music of that era and spending time several of the band members. Swipe ➡️ to see them in action!

The Bittersweet reminded me so much of the ‘B’ Girls, minus the murder, though it was a pretty wild time back then… This connection made the book come to life for me in a way I haven’t experienced before. Thank you Hannah for inspiring this trip down memory lane.

And Mums, I will not tell you who I pictured as each character… and hopefully I didn’t mess up any of the details 💕💕

Thank you @hannahmarymckinnon @_mira_books_ @htpbooks for the gifted arc and @thrillerbookloversthepulse for including me on the tour🖤

I could not read this book fast enough! It was so intense and kept me on the edge of my couch the entire time! I loved the authors writing style and how it kept me engaged the entirety of the story! I have not a read a plot like this before and would recommend to all my friends!

Only One Survives is a gripping, addictive thriller . I didn’t really care for the pop-rock group intro. The story is about a girl band, Bittersweet. On the way to an event, the Bittersweet's van careens off an icy mountain road during a blizzard—leaving one member dead and another severely injured. They seek shelter in a cabin to get to safety and seek out help. Honestly, the story line brought me back to Pretty Little Liars as this has a similar vibe to it, minus the pop-rock band. If you’re into twisty thrillers then give this one a shot!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher MIRA for an ARC in exchange for my thoughts.

This was my first read by this author. I’ve tend to find along new authors on NetGalley.
This book had lots of toxicity, with many twist and turns. The story is based on how far you would go to get what you want. There is also a friend/enemy relationship involved . Good read for those who like thrillers.

How far will you go for the price of fame? Are you willing to kill or die for it!
6 women set out on an adventure but a wintery crash ends in tragedy.
A story of friendship that goes thru so much but the music keeps them going. Until fame rears its ugly head.
A story full of twist and turns love and hate.
A good paced book that takes you from the past to the present but in an easy to follow manner.
A thriller that keeps you wanting to read more.
I can’t say too much without giving any spoilers.
If you like to read about friendships and music this book is definitely for you.
It started out a bit slow. But definitely speeds up to a good pace.
This is my first book from this author and I will definitely be looking for more of her books.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC

""𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒊𝒍 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆."
-𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒃"

Special thanks to @hannahmarymckinnon @thrillerbookloverspromotions @htpbooks @harlequinbooks @htp_hive & @netgalley for this #gifted eARC.

👉🏼 swipe for synopsis ➡️

MY REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is my 1st Hannah Mary McKinnon book, and it CERTAINLY won't be my last.

👏🏼I👏🏼LOVED👏🏼THIS👏🏼BOOK!👏🏼

The story was very real life, and the TWISTS. My god, it's like it slapped me in the face and shook me awake cause I swore I had to reread it to believe it.

I mean, first off, who doesn't love music?! Then add some jealousy, plenty of lies, and an itch for fame & snow storm in a deserted mountain - you've got yourself a deadly equation.

Friends will do anything for each other, but when fame is involved - all gloves are off. Make sure you keep your eyes open, and your secrets to yourself.🤫

This is a must-read for 2024! Add this to your TBR NOW!!!!

PUB DATE:
Jul 16, 2024

QOTD ❓️⁉️❓️ Who is your favorite band/singer?

.
.
.

#mysteryandthrills #thrillerbooklover #thrillerlover #booklover #bookcommunity #booklove #thrilleraddict #bookaddict #onlyonesurvives #hannahmarymckinnon #htpbooks #harlequinbooks #netgalley #musicsensation #leaddrummer
.

Review of Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon

I have yet to be let down by any book by this author. She hits every single one out of the ballpark for me, and is absolutely an auto buy author. This one comes out in July and I was fortunate enough to get an advanced copy via NetGalley. I couldn’t wait to read it because as I said, she’s one of my favorite authors. I loved this one. The setting was creepy and the writing sensational. I loved that the main characters were in a band and love that aspect of rock ‘n’ roll. But I’m a true thriller lover, and this book spoke to me in that regard as well. The twist and turns never stopped coming with this one.

Synopsis:

Becoming the star is easier when the rest of your band is dead…

All drummer Vienna Taylor ever wanted was to make music. If that came with fame, she’d take it—as long as her best friend, guitarist Madison Pierce, was sharing the spotlight and singing lead. 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 frigid night, the rest took 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?

She doesn’t want to believe it.

But guilty people run.

Book Review
Only One Survives
Hannah Mary McKinnon

Tropes
All girls Band
Past and present tense
Fame , dreams and drama
Toxic female friendships
Is it nature or nurture that breeds murderers?

Main Characters
Madison- spoiled rich kid who has an aptitude for music and a love to party, she loves attention
Vienna- wrong side of the tracks, escapes in her music, found her love of music from her grandmother


Thoughts
✅Like Daisy Jones and the Six but add the element of people dying/missing
✅Needs a spotify playlist
✅Love the refernce to hometown band “the Beaches”, Canadian locations
✅ Twist at the end
✅ An ending that makes you wonder “what if”

Overall
No spoilers so I am going to be vague… this book may be my favourite yet from this author. The dynamics of the friendship between Madison and Vienna easily captured my attention. I was so caught up in these complex characters and their shared experiences that I didnt see the obvious…. And that ending! Whoa.

Thanks to @mira @harlequintradepublishing and @netgalley for my digital ARC in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to my partners, Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse, Mira Books, and NetGalley, and the author. I appreciate the gifted eARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!

1. 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 - From the start, we see the differences between Vienna and Madison and the lives they lead. While they do become best friends, it is evident that neither one ever truly sees how the other lives.

2. 𝐉𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐲 - It was interesting to see how Vienna and Madison were jealous of each other in different ways. It was a great example of the minutiae of relationships and how no one is ever truly 100% in tune with someone else.

3. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐯𝐞 - I mean, I don’t know how many times this question came to mind…up until the end. Does anyone ever truly know what they are capable of until the opportunity presents itself.

4. 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐞 - We really get to see two sides to this with Vienna and Madison. Vienna just came from a place where she was pretty told she was never even wanted, and Madison comes from a place where she can have anything she truly wants - and yet, her parents are horrendous to her, too.

5. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐨𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 - Two points in this story surprised me. I didn’t see either of them coming, although I did know that something was afoot. It just never quite came to fruition in my mind until it was actually revealed - both times!

This book was disturbing and toxic. I loved it! The plot twists kept coming. You didn’t know which character to root for. Are  Vienna and Madison friends or frenemies? This book kept me guessing until the very end. This is the 3rd book I’ve read by this author and I have yet to be disappointed. My rating on StoryGraph 4.5 stars.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the complementary ebook in exchange for my honest review

I went into this with a little bit of trepidation, not another locked room mystery, a plot that has been very overdone. I was very pleasantly surprised by the turns this book takes. A look at toxic friendships and obsessive ambition. 4.5 Think this is her best book to date

this was so fun! Daisy Jones meets Final Girls, I did not see the twist in the middle coming. I liked the ending enough, was expecting a little more, but overall very entertaining.

Only One Survives is a thriller about a young all-female rock band that has suffered a devastating crash during a blizzard. From the title, we assume that only one person in the band will survive in the book. But who will it be? The book largely follows Vienna and Madison, best friends since high school, who come from very different backgrounds. It flashes back to the beginning of their friendship and leads up to their current predicament, crashed in the Catskills on the side of a mountain.

I definitely understand the comparisons to the show Yellowjackets. They are all ambitious young women struggling to survive in the wilderness after an accident. This story also focuses on complex friendships, where jealousy is ever-present even if it isn't spoken about. Though it starts out with the crash, this book is a bit of a slow burn. We see how the band comes together and gains quite a bit of success seemingly overnight. I really liked the foreshadowing in the dialogue early on in the book. The action really picks up and I had a lot of fun going on this ride!

Thank you Thriller Book Lovers, NetGalley, and the publisher for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

〰️Loved how the story was told through 2 parts
〰️action packed!
〰️FULL of vindictive women!
〰️Loved the girl band storyline!
〰️Twisty ride!
〰️Justified ending!💪🏼