Sharing the spotlight can be murder …

Hannah Mary McKinnon has crafted a spectacular thriller about a rock group, The Bittersweet, that will evoke memories of your teenage years and early twenties. I was transported back in time by reading the girls’ school experience and the bands/songs referenced.

McKinnon’s story not only showcases the author’s immense talent at crafting a spectacular, twisty, and creepy story but also at penning the beautiful lyrics featured in Bittersweet’s songs. I went back and re-read some of the lyrics and was amazed at how they gave insight into Vienna’s thoughts. McKinnon’s ability to intertwine the main and subplots with blog posts, news articles, radio transcripts, and social media comments is astounding.

I enjoyed the spotlight on friendship, peer pressure, and dysfunctional relationships, as much as I liked McKinnon’s characters (yes, even the fantastic villains and no, not their actions), the wonderful character development, and her twisty plot. I had to reign in my indignation, ease my discomfort through the creepy parts, and read slowly and reread to make sense of the ‘nothing is as it seems’ plot. It was interesting to see the parallels between the transition of EmVee to Bittersweet and the growth of the girls and stardom.

As someone who has worked with teens for years, I could almost imagine the body language and facial expressions of Vienna and Madison ‘that day’ in the school office. I smiled, re-read it, and nodded as my smirk grew. I’d seen it many times before. McKinnon aced it.

I’m really looking forward to Fall 2024 when the next Holly Cassidy romcom, ‘The Christmas Countdown’, is published.

I was gifted this copy by Harlequin Tade Publishing, MIRA and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I was really excited to get a copy of this ARC as I enjoyed isolated setting. This was a solid read that I enjoyed. I enjoyed the main characters being in a pop rock group as I feel that’s not a common thing seen in books. Overall it was a quick and fun read. I do feel like the ending could’ve used a bit more work as it all seemed very rushed or just not well written maybe. The story wrapped up fine but I wish it was just explained a little more. Overall I would recommend this book to others especially those who enjoy an isolated thriller plot line.

Only One Survives is a gripping thriller told in alternating timelines, weaving together elements of a coming of age story along with a locked room mystery. It’s packed with twists and turns and unbelievable jaw dropping moments!

Vienna and Madison couldn’t be more different but their love of music is what connects them. Their friendship is toxic on a good day and it’s this relationship that makes this book super twisted and suspenseful!

Vienna’s upbringing was a struggle living with her self-centered, single mother who lived paycheck to paycheck. Fortunately, she had a close relationship with her music-loving grandmother to support her. Madison, raised by wealthy parents, was expected to follow in their successful footsteps. They did not approve of her friendship with Vienna fearing she was a bad influence.

There’s so much to unpack in this book but hard to wrap up in a spoiler-free format! I love when storylines surprise me and this one did just that! Just when I thought I had an idea of where the book was going, the author dropped another shocker! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

If you enjoy toxic friendships and a whiplash whodunnit, this one is for you. I found it to read very quickly, I liked that the characters were flawed and that without giving it away, it wasn’t some big, teary-eyed happy ending. It really had me fooled for a while! Thank you to Thriller Book Lover Promotions and Harper Collins and Mira Books for my eARC. 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 will be published July 16th.

Thank you to Hannah Mary McKinnon, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

A great fast paced thriller about two best friends in a girls rock band. After an accident on an icy road leaving one of the members dead and another injured, the girls hide out in a remote cabin. All but one ends up dead or missing. The storyline goes back and forth between time to tell a story with a twist at the end. This book is suspenseful and exciting. Definitely excited to check out more from the author.

Vienna is the drummer for the all girl band Bittersweet. As her band is driving through the Catskills, their vehicle skids off the road and down the mountainside. The accident leaves one band member dead and one severely injured. Having no cell signal, the girls find shelter in an abandoned cabin for the night. Only one band member survives that night, and another one remains missing. What happened that night in the cabin that left Vienna the only surviving member? Where is Madison? Is she to blame for what happened to the band members who were in the cabin?

Only One Survives is a thriller told in two parts. Part one the story toggles between the past and how Vienna and Madison became friends and formed their band and the night of the car accident. Truth be told, I didn't understand why we kept flashing back so much until we got to part two of the story. Part two of the story focuses on Vienna and her life after the car accident. This is where the story ramps up to a whole new level of crazy. I thought the events at the cabin were twisted, but this part of the story was absolutely shocking! You're not getting spoilers from me, though! This story explores toxic relationships, the overwhelming need for popularity, and has my favorite, an unreliable narrator. Your head will be spinning because you will not know who or what to trust or believe. If you're looking for a crazy twisted thriller with great story building, this is definitely the book for you.

I loved the concept of the all-girl rock band getting in a bad accident, trapping them in a creepy, run-down cabin in the middle of a snowstorm. I also enjoyed the dual timelines before and after the accident where we get deeper inside the head of Vienna and a better understanding of her bandmates, especially her friendship with Madison who is her opposite in many ways. I don't want to say too much more for fear of spoiling the wonderful twists and the carefully built layer of suspense.

So this book right here....is one of the best thriller novels I’ve read it quite some time. Crazy twist after crazy twist...

If you’re looking for a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole ride, this is it.highly recommend!

Thank you netgalley and publisher
All thoughts and opinions are my own and isn't influence by anyone else

I love Hannah’s writing style and the characters she creates that you love or are not sure if you can trust them depending on who they are. I’ve been a fan of her books for awhile and know I’m in for a good read when I pick up her books. This is the story of a band that met a tragic end under somewhat of a mystery. Vienna and Madison meet in high school and could not have more different backgrounds. Vienna had a hard life and Madison came from money. Neither were happy in their situation and became friends. Told in dual timeline from the day of the accident to the years leading up to the accident we read about Vienna and Madison’s relationship and personalities. I loved how the past timeline crept closer and closer to the accident timeline - like a countdown. If you love psychological thrillers you won’t want to miss this one! This is a standalone novel.

"𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘪𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦"

You are supposed to be able to trust your best friend….right? When Vienna and Madison met in detention no one had any idea what danger loomed ahead. This cabin and band filled mystery had me on the edge of my seat. I developed a strong bond towards the characters and was completely shocked by the ending! Everything I thought I knew went out the window and fast! Told in the past/present format. Creating a band is supposed to be fun until jealously comes into play.

Thank you @thrillerbookloverspromotions @hannahmarymckinnon @_mira_books_ #partner for the free ebook!

The talented Hannah Mary McKinnon does it again! This is my second by this author (the first a romcom) and I am telling you I will continue to grab her books!

In this thrilling story we follow inseparable best friends, Vienna and Madison. From the time they met they were a bit of “opposites attract” friends with Vienna being more of an outsider in high school. All she has dreamed about is being a drummer in a band and when their paths cross in detention one day the stars seem to align. As they get older, their lives take different paths for a bit but when they cross again it seems fate has other plans! The band is back together AND they grow to a group of 5. It is as if it was meant to be and their plans all are working out! One night after a gig their van careens off the road and it leaves one band mate dead. They seek shelter in a cabin and soon others die, one goes missing which leaves Vienna the last standing band member. What really happened that night on that cold icy road?

It is no surprise “Only One Survives” in this book but the way in which it happens is just astonishing! This shocking tale of betrayal had me completely thinking one train of thought through the entire book and I was wholeheartedly blown away realizing I was wrong! (I love it when that happens!) This is most certainly a case of “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” and “just how well do you know someone?!” 👀 I don’t want to give any spoilers but I will say it’s been a while since I’ve read a book that I had such strong feelings one way for a character and then like whiplash felt the exact opposite by the end! This is one you definitely want to add to your summer TBR as it is not to be missed!

I honestly do not how to begin talking about this book without major spoilers! I was sitting on the train earlier this week, reading away quite innocently when a massive twist happened and I swear the entire train turned and looked my way!! it completely blindsided me and I loved it!!

Hannah Mary McKinnon is a must read author for me. Without fail, she manages to make you believe one thing and then suddenly you doubt everything. That is how a thriller should be. I was thrilled, I was surprised, I was shocked and I was mortified. There are some pretty nasty characters in this book and they will make some awful decisions throughout.

I loved the fact that we had a music theme in this story. The next big thing, The Bittersweet. A girls group that are going far, until they crash their van iin a snow storm and have to fight to survive.

This is a story of friendship, family, fame, pressure and music. It was so freaking good!!

Thank you so much o Hannah, Thriller Book Promotions, HTP and Mira for my very early copy of this book to read. I will absolutely be getting a physical copy for my shelf on release, July 16th.

Fantastic! I had a very hard time putting Only One Survives down and now I want to read anything and everything that Hannah Mary McKinnon has written and will write in the future!

I loved Daisy Jones and the Six and I love psychological thrillers so this book seemed like a perfect fit. I will say the first part of the book was very intriguing. I liked to see how the relationship between Vienna and Madison grew. Vienna also has such a rags to riches story you can't help but root for her. The second half of the book and the ending fell flat for me. I felt the ending was somewhat predictable. I give it 3 stars because I do like the idea of the book. I just wasn't a fan of how it ended. Thank you to Hannah Mary McKinnon, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

Hannah Mary McKinnon is quickly became one of my go to authors this year. This story will get in your bones and never let go. This is one spectacular written thriller filled with pop rock culture and references, suspense, friendship, hate, lies, and revenge. Highly recommend this to any suspense lover.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HTP books for providing me with this digital reviewer copy.

Madison and Vienna start playing music in high school together. Dreaming of the day that they would make a record and be famous together kept moving them forward. Now they have formed an all female band The Bittersweets and they have a number one song. It seems that their dreams may just come true.

Then a car crash changes everything.

How far are you willing to go to get fame? Some will be willing to kill for it? This is a great fast paced twisty thriller of chasing your dreams and fighting for what you want at all cost. She truly captures your attention in this one as I didn't want to put the book down. She is master of suspense. You can almost hear the epic music playlist as you read this book

This was by far one of the best thriller novels I’ve read it quite some time. It ropes you in from the very beginning. I loved All of the crazy twists . Each turn was so perfectly thought out by the author. I was Left speechless at times unable to even wrap my brain around what happened. If you’re looking for a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole ride, this is it. Masterfully written and highly recommend!

There is a reason this author is one of my favourites and this book is a great example . She writes the best “ evil” characters and I’m always finding myself thinking “ what just happened !?!!”

HMM has done it again ! She has stomped me with a twist that I just didn’t see coming . It’s hard to write about this without any spoilers so I Weiner say much …
It is more suspense though so dont go in expecting a domestic thriller type of story

4.5 ⭐️

Madison & Vienna, after an altercation in their high school canteen, spent time cleaning up the canteen, they found out that they love the same music. Friendship was made and not long they also made a duo band called EmVee.
Madison comes from a wealthy family while Vienna comes from a broken family, spiteful stepfather, but a lovely grandma.
I love the past and present timelines, both are full of suspense. The past present the story leading up to their car accident in an icy mountain road during the blizard storm , and how the EmVee turned into Bittersweet, a group band of five.
The present and future told the story when and after the accident happened, as the band members died one by one, and only one survives!

I highly recommend this book, it totally blew my mind. It's dark, disturbing, and showing how far someone can go for a fame?

"But be warned, even a small taste of fame will do stuff to you that you won't like. It'll change you, make you ruthless."