Tessa’s life has been paralyzed by fear since the summer five years ago when she survived “the Cassadaga Island Ripper,” who killed three of her friends before attacking her and leaving her for dead. Even though he was killed shortly after by police, Tessa has remained a hermit, unable to move past that night. In a desperate effort to move on, she decides to go back to Cassadaga, a tiny island off the coast of Maine, to stay in the exact house she and her friends did to confront her fears. But then, strange things begin to happen. And she wonders if she will wind up becoming a victim of the island after all.

This was a quick, atmospheric read that has the atmosphere of a ghost story, but is based in “the real world.” It has a really great premise, with the final girl voluntarily going back to the scene of the crime and things immediately going south….and things slowly ramping up until the final climax. There’s also some “is it all in her head?” elements to it, and with her most likely having PTSD from the attack 5 years ago, there’s a question of whether or not IT IS in her head or not. (She is very, very sensitive, I mean who wouldn’t be?!) It adds a layer to the plot.

And there’s some nice twists in there that keep things interesting along the way. There’s some red herrings, and plenty of scenarios that could play out, so I was interested the whole way to the end to see how things turned out. And I quite enjoyed the ending.

Like I said this was a quick read, and I really liked it. It had good mystery and thriller elements. I’d recommend picking this one up.

Thank ypu Netgalley & Thomas &Mercer Publishing for an eARC ♥️

Guys,get ready for a serious case of the heebie-jeebies with this haunting page-turner! Tessa's decision to revisit the scene of the horrific mass murder that changed her life forever sets the stage for a chilling descent into madness. As she settles into the same beach house where her friends met their gruesome ends, the isolation and creepy vibes start to mess with your head. Every step creaking on the porch, every whisper in the wind, and every flicker of the lights will have you wondering if Tessa's being stalked by a flesh-and-blood monster or something more sinister. The author masterfully cranks up the tension, blurring the lines between reality and Tessa's fevered imagination. I devoured this book in one sitting, my heart racing like a jackrabbit the whole time. Just be prepared to sleep with one eye open – and don't say I didn't warn you!

The Last Girl Left was a solid thriller/suspense about Tessa returning back to the house where her friends were murdered 5 years before. I also love a final girls story so I immediately wanted to read this one when I saw it. While I liked the main character I did find myself questioning a good amount of her decisions and there was some suspension of belief at the end. Giving this one 3 stars I enjoyed and would recommend it but not sure it's one that will stay with me for very long. I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

Five years after surviving the horrific crime in which all her friends were killed, Tessa returns to the lonely beach house where it occurred in the hopes of overcoming her trauma and writing a book. But as things become increasing sinister, she fears that the danger may not be fully past.

I've been in the mood for a thriller recently, and thought this book should scratch that itch. The summary promised plenty of suspense and chills, and I am a sucker for the 'last girl' horror trope. Unfortunately, the read failed to deliver for me.

In an effort to jolt herself out of her trauma-induced stupor and earn some money, Tessa forces herself to stay for a month in the same house where she was assaulted and her friends murdered and write a book about it. It's an audacious premise but I thought the author did a decent job of setting it up logically. The writing was facile and breezy, the setting well-sketched out and menacing.

However, the novel never really got off the ground for me, let alone conducted itself well. The plot was thin, with no action really occurring until about the 80% mark - until then, we must rely on eerie noises and flickering lights for the fright factor. None of the characters were fleshed out, and I found myself feeling indifferent to the fate of Tessa, her friends, and everyone else in the book. And when the villains of the piece were finally revealed, they too felt cliched, leaving me unable to take them seriously.

I was really disappointed. The premise had seemed promising, but in the end the execution just was not there. Do not recommend.

This was the first book our book club read ever! How neat is that! We all read it pretty quickly so I can say it is a fast read.

This book kept me on my toes the entire time. I had butterflies in my stomach and I was anxious for Tessa throughout the entire book!! Tessa was a strong and determined woman. She decided the best way for her to conquer her fears was not only to go back to the island where the nightmare began but to stay IN the house for a MONTH! Not me, no way. I'd have been too scared. I would have gone back to the island but not in the same house. But, Tessa decided she would stay and show herself that nothing bad would happen. However, that isn't quite what happened.
I don't want to spill too many details. It could ruin the book. Just know this: I really liked this book and if you're a thriller lover I think you will as well! If you're not a thriller lover keep this one in mind as a gift for a friend/family member. This one will be on KU when it is published on April 23, 2024

This book read like watching a scary movie! Those are the types of books I love!
The story centers around one woman, Tessa, who is the sole survivor of a massacre of her friends that happened at a beach house. Tessa has tried counselor after counselor with no luck. She has been living with her sister since then. One night, she thinks she sees someone in her room and grabs her baseball bat. When she is close, she swings. She almost killed her sister's cat. When Tessa tells her this, her sister tells her she has to find another place to live.
She knows she needs money to find another place and remembers years ago that someone from a publisher contacted her wanting her to write a book about what happened. She contacts them and they tell her that years ago they were interested and now it's old news. Tessa gets the idea of going back to the beach house and writing about her trying to work through all that happened. She pitches this idea to the publisher and they are very interested. She books the beach house for a month and is certain she can write the book in that time.
However, when she starts to hear footsteps and things happening in the house she can't explain, she wonders if it is a good idea to be truly alone.
I would recommend to anyone who likes a slow burn with a wallop of a finale!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Okay so this kept me awake. Totally had me engaged. The premise alone is anxiety provoking, and the writing just adds to it. Oh my word

Content Warnings: rape, murder, stalking, torture, gaslighting, gun violence

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC!

I am a huge fan of slashers and the horror genre, and I’ve always thought that an underutilized concept is what happens to the final girl after the cameras stop rolling and the bloodbath ends. So when I read the synopsis of The Last Girl Left, I was excited.

The Last Girl Left is about Tessa Montgomery, a young woman who has survived the beach house massacre that left her three best friends dead. Five years after the murders, Tessa is still living in the shadow of what happened on Cassadaga Island. She has spent the last several years hiding from the world in her sister’s house, afraid even to turn off the lights.

But when her sister gives her an ultimatum — get her life together or get out — Tessa makes the spur-of-the-moment decision to return to the house of her nightmares and finally face her demons. She even signs a contract with a publisher that will force her to stay in the house for a month while she writes a book about her experiences. Although anxious, Tessa is sure that this will be a good thing for her. It will finally allow her to move on with her life.

Except she isn’t even in the house for a full night before strange things start happening. Floorboards creak in the next room with phantom footsteps. Shadows appear and disappear on the other side of windows. Voices whisper her name just over her shoulder. Files that she knows she saved disappear from her laptop. Screams wake her up in the middle of the night and the neighbor she’s been so friendly with disappears as if she never existed.

Terrified and trapped, if Tessa can’t sort her friends from her foes, she may never leave Cassadaga Island again.

I really loved the premise of this book. It was incredibly readable, and the short chapters really kept me hooked. I also enjoyed the vivid descriptions of Cassadaga Island. And without giving too much away, I liked several of the side characters.

Something that bothered me, though, was the way that the story kept invoking Tessa’s dead friends without actually giving them any substance. The flashbacks and descriptions kept coming back to the same thing: one of them wanted to be a journalist, one was artistic, and one was outgoing. There was no other information offered about them, even though they were supposed to be haunting the narrative. It was hard to feel anything for them, since they were given such little depth.

All in all, this was a decent thriller.

This book had a promising premise, but unfortunately fell short in its execution. While the plot was intriguing, there were several flaws that detracted from my enjoyment of the story. I wasn't particularly surprised by anything, and the book lacked sufficient emphasis on her journey towards inner healing, closure, or the writing process.

One of the main issues I had was with the protagonist, Tessa. Despite her traumatic experience, I found her character to be frustratingly ignorant and unrelatable. Her disregard for therapy and refusal to acknowledge the eerie occurrences in the house made it difficult for me to empathize with her struggles.

One major issue I had was the absence of a therapy segment. Tessa's attitude towards overcoming trauma without therapy felt unrealistic (especially at the end) and could have been addressed more effectively, maybe even with actual therapy sessions. Perhaps having a therapist accompany her to the island, or zoom sessions, could have added depth to the story and made for a more engaging read.

There was also a lack of depth in the supporting character. I felt that they were too one-dimensional, which made the eventual reveal of the killer less impactful.

The pacing of the book was sluggish, with the plot only picking up momentum towards the final pages. This made it challenging to stay engaged with the story, despite the short chapters. While the plot finally picked up in the last 20%, it didn't leave a lasting impression.

Tessa survived a brutal attack that left her friends dead. So much for a fun getaway. Now she is afraid of everyone and everything. Five years of therapy has been useless, and she sleeps with a baseball bat at her side. But one mistake makes her face facts and causes her to go back to the place it all happened. Will this really help her move on or cause more damage? What she finds-- she wasn't expecting! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

I loved this psychological thriller! It had enough twists and turns to keep me turning the pages, and it wasn’t predictable, which is a big plus for me! It gave just enough character and background info to help me feel attached to what was happening without being overdone. All in all a great read that I’ll happily recommend closer to publication day. Thanks for the opportunity to read!

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

I am a big fan of the isolated-locale thriller trope. The Last Girl Left was set on an island off of Maine in November. The island is mostly empty, as all of the tourists have left, and only the locals remain.

Our main character, Tessa Chamberlain, has taken a cottage on the island for the month of November. The cottage is one she is horrifyingly familiar with. It's the place where she was the lone survivor of a triple homicide five years previously.

Tessa has returned to the island to finally try and confront her past and what happened that night in hopes that she'll finally be able to move on with her life. But, almost immediately, she starts to be terrorized and ends up fighting for her life once again.

I found The Last Girl Left to be well written. It definitely kept me reading because I needed to know what happened in the end. There were moments that were pretty suspenseful. But, overall, I did not find it terribly suspenseful. I had a few theories running through my mind as I was reading, and I was correct with one of them.

I could absolutely be wrong because I've never suffered a trauma of that magnitude. But, I struggled with the main characters choice to go back to the place she almost died, by herself in the down season when she'd be totally isolated for an entire month. There was also a character introduced to the story that just kind of disappeared from the story, I thought more could definitely be done with this character.

I'd give this a 3.5 stars, but I will bump up to four since we can't give half stars. If you want a thriller that isn't too intense, something where you get to play detective, this one could be for you.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for the advanced digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

(3.5 stars rounded up)
Spooky! "The Last Girl Left" kept me on my toes the entire read and was definitely hard to read before bed.
-- Tessa is the sole-survivor of a horrible mass murder after her and her three other friends rented a beach house. Five years later, Tessa came across another opportunity to return to the same house to work through her terrors..
Overall, I enjoyed this book as it kept me guessing the entire time. I do think it dragged on at certain parts causing it to be longer than needed.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy. Pub Date - April 23, 2024

All in all, I really enjoyed this read. While the events leading up to Tessa returning to the scene of her almost-murder were pretty inconceivable, once she was there the suspense really ramped and the story kept me guessing throughout. Definitely a thriller I could only read during the day! As an anxiety-ridden person myself, I could definitely resonate with Tessa’s inner monologue back and forth deciding whether she was right to be afraid or overly paranoid. Frankly, my only gripe was with the idea of her going back to the house to begin with or her own volition - it just didn’t seem like a believable step that someone so traumatized would willingly take. In any event, this novel kept me on my toes and I didn’t guess the twist at all.

No words can truly describe how good this book was! Tessa went back to face her fears from the horrific mass murder she experienced. All alone on Cassadaga Island Tessa keeps hearing things and keeps thinking is it real, is it in my head, is it the house that's making me jumpy. Ah it was just amazing!! The main character, Tessa, was perfect and had great character development, there were so many nail-biting moments, and so many twists. It was just perfect and by far one of the best books I have ever read!

Five years ago, Tessa Chamberlain was the lone survivor of a beach house massacre that left three of her friends dead—and Tessa with an inescapable, unending dread. Now she’s going back to face her fears.
Renting the same beach house where she almost died, Tessa returns to lonely Cassadaga Island off the coast of Maine long after the tourists and summer residents have departed for the winter. But as the fog rolls in and the nights grow longer, she wonders if she made a terrible mistake. There are footsteps on the porch, creaks from the second floor, and an unsettling feeling of being watched. If only someone believed her. Because the terrors Tessa thought were long behind her are starting again. And this time, trapped and alone, she might not be lucky enough to survive them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for giving me an advance copy.

Ooo we loveeeee a psychological thriller around here!
This one had plenty of good characters & a setting that got spookier when dark that really kept me on edge the whole read.

I know this genre is known for their slow burn/slow build plot with a big final showdown & truth reveal at the end but unfortunately that's not always for me. I can appreciate the build because it creates more intensity and paranoia -- but the unfolding of the mystery was part of where this story that was a struggle for me.

Overall. 3.5/5 - will be recommending to my friends who are looking for a new thriller - thanks NetGalley!

4 🌟

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book very interesting with twists I couldn't quite pin down. I was close with my guess of the ending, but not quite right which I always enjoy. I read a lot of thrillers so it's nice when I can't guess the ending.

It was a haunting story, one where I couldn't tell if it was going to turn into horror, paranormal or otherwise. I loved reading something that felt different from other thrillers I've read. It was a fun, fast paced read. I wish I connected more with the characters, but this is definitely one I would recommend.

Really enjoyed this one. It starts out crazy and makes you want to keep going. Lots of who done it and I was constantly trying to figure it out. This one will definitely keep you guessing til the end.