Brooke was kidnapped ten years ago. She's been held hostage in an isolated cabin. The main reason that she has remained alive all these years is that she follows her kidnappers weird and twisty instructions perfectly. Other victims have come and gone throughout the years. When a new victim shows up to the cabin, it is finally time for Brooke to break the rules in order to survive.

I don't want to give away much more about this book, because it is best to go in blind. In the thriller genre, it is often difficult to come up with fresh and novel (no pun intended) ideas. Steph Nelson DELIVERED! What a unique storyline. I have never read anything remotely similar and I read A LOT of thrillers.

The story was super intense from start to finish. I could not put it down! It is a fun and quick read. The plot is SO twisted and the character development is excellent. Each character brings a different dynamic to the table. Definitely recommend for any thriller fans. Cannot wait to read more by Steph Nelson!

Thank you to Ticking Clock Press, LLC and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ticking Clock Press for this ARC of ‘The Final Scene’ by Steph Nelson.

Such a unique and exciting story! Had me hooked from the very beginning. Definitely Recommend if you want to be kept up reading all night!

Freaking amazing. Such a unique story and the twists and turns were wild. Kept me up reading. Highly recommend this one

Steph Nelson's The Final Scene is a taut and entertaining thriller that's easy to read in one sitting. After being kidnapped and trapped for over ten years, Brooke has little hope of escape and lives to survive. The somewhat easy flow and predictability of her routine is interrupted by a new arrival to their isolated cabin and "cast", and the rules she's lived by begin to change. Of the three POVs, Brooke was my favorite. I found her inner strength and self-preservation refreshing in contrast to Derek's macho displays and aggression. Grace Wakefield was a fun villain, and I liked that readers knew who she was and her motivations from the beginning. That lack of mystery increases the tension anytime she's in the scene. At first, I thought Mina's plot was going to be a meta-commentary on writing or trauma, like that she was writing "The Final Scene" during her chapters, but I wasn't let down when her plotline connected with our main one. Nelson's portrayal of anxiety, especially how women are trained to be hypervigilant and, yet, not overthink danger, was fantastic. Overall, this was a fun read and I recommend it for fans of Criminal Minds, readers who prefer their crimes to be a different version of 'especially heinous', and anyone looking for something quick and easy (but still creepy).

You can find an in-depth review on my blog.

-extremely unique premise
-had me thinking, "could i live this way if i was kidnapped?" and idk i think i might unalive myself
-author really nails how it is to be hyper aware and vigilant as a woman when out on your own esp at night
-wish the villains were a lil more sinister, but then again i guess a crazy rich old lady with a hunting knife who has people kidnapped so they can relive out parts of her life for years and years is pretty bad
-the chemistry between brooke and derek seemed a little forced but hullo when you're kidnapped i'm sure you can get pretty desperate
-did NOT expect a spicy scene but there was one and it was satisfying
-the ending was intense and chaotic but that's what i like in my thrillers

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

From the thriller perspective, this was a wild ride from start to finish. I really enjoyed the story, and I found that this was really something interesting. The plot was great, although I did feel like more of the motive on Grace's side of things could have been explained a lot better. The concept was really strong, and just the right level of demented.

The romance aspect of this, however, felt really forced. There wasn't much that I liked about the main characters having their relationship going, and it wasn't well done. I do feel a bit like there was a shaky premise there, and it felt a little bit like the whole crux of the book was the romance facet of it, which was not what I was hoping for at all.

If this book had dedicated a little more to development and a little more focus on the thriller aspect, I would have been all over it like a rash. Unfortunately, I do wish there was just a little more substance.

This chilling debut kidnapping thriller was twisty and had just enough moving parts to keep me interested! As a true crime fan, I was super excited to see how this played out.

I also enjoyed how the author wove in tidbits of the character’s pasts throughout the story - something to keep me reading and wanting more. I wasn’t jazzed about the ending, since it felt kind of jumbled and like it was trying *too* hard to be dramatic.

All in all, a pretty good read! Thank you to #NetGalley for this #arc in exchange for my honest review. The Final Scene releases 2/27!

"The Final Scene" by Steph Nelson is a riveting and suspenseful thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. Nelson, with her skillful plotting and expert pacing, delivers a gripping narrative that combines heart-pounding action with unexpected twists and turns.

At the heart of "The Final Scene" is protagonist Sarah Reynolds, a determined investigative journalist whose relentless pursuit of the truth leads her into a web of danger and deception. As Sarah delves deeper into the mysterious disappearance of a beloved actress, she uncovers dark secrets and hidden agendas that threaten to unravel the fabric of Hollywood itself. Nelson expertly crafts a complex and multi-layered plot, keeping readers guessing as Sarah races against the clock to uncover the truth and save the day.

Nelson's writing style is fast-paced and immersive, with crisp prose and vivid descriptions that bring the glamorous world of Hollywood to life. From the glitzy red carpet events to the gritty back alleys of Los Angeles, Nelson captures the essence of Tinseltown with authenticity and flair. Her attention to detail and atmospheric storytelling create a sense of urgency and tension that propels the story forward, keeping readers eagerly turning the pages.

Moreover, "The Final Scene" is not just a thrilling mystery—it's also a thought-provoking exploration of fame, ambition, and the price of success. Nelson deftly navigates the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry, shining a light on the pressures and pitfalls faced by those who dare to chase their dreams in the spotlight. Through Sarah's eyes, readers are given a glimpse behind the curtain, where glamour and glitz often mask a world of greed, corruption, and betrayal.

The novel is also notable for its well-developed cast of characters and intricate plot twists. Nelson populates her story with a colorful array of suspects and potential allies, each one with their own motives and secrets to uncover. As Sarah races to untangle the web of lies surrounding the actress's disappearance, she must navigate a treacherous landscape of deceit and danger, where nothing is as it seems and everyone has something to hide.

In conclusion, "The Final Scene" by Steph Nelson is a must-read for fans of suspenseful thrillers and Hollywood intrigue. With its engaging characters, twisty plot, and atmospheric setting, it's a book that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Nelson has crafted a gripping and unforgettable novel that is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers long after they've turned the final page.

3/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

This book was AMAZING. A unique storyline, an interesting cast of characters, and enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat.

There were a couple things I felt could've been tied up a bit but honestly, still 5 stars. I read it in one sitting and couldn't put it down!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. While The Final Scene kept my interest when I picked it up, it wasn't as gripping as I normally like my books to be. Not saying that the story is bad or boring, but it was definitely a slow burn for me. I could see people devouring it in one sitting though.

The Final Scene is a story of a woman, Grace, and her accomplice, Mitch, who set up a living reenactment of Grace's life as a child. Brooke plays her mother and has been held captive for 10 years. The other "members" of Grace's family have been switched out (killed) over the years to get more willing participants or older participants. One day they are told that this is going to be the final scene before they all die. Brooke decides it is now or never to get out.

It is told mainly from the captives POV and what are they going to do next. I did not guess the ending, which was a huge plus. The characters are mostly likeable and I was sympathetic towards them. It was a decent book.

I have attempted to start this one a few times, but I just cannot get into it unfortunately. It is just a weird concept and something it missing to keep me engaged. I had to DNF.

4.25/4.5, rounded to a 5 ⭐️

PHEW. this one was so intense, had me locked in and on the edge of my seat. i did NOT want to put it down. The twists NEVER stopped twisting. I was like WHAT, OMG, STOP IT throughout every chapter practically.

I really really really did not see the overall, underlying connection between every single character until it was revealed and was mind blown.

I really liked the premise of this book. The WHY behind why these people were being kidnapped. It was creepy and scary but i feel like a lot of kidnapping thriller books are all kind of the same basis - this book went outside the box and because of that i was hooked.

Definitely do not skip on the bonus epilogue! It added a bow to a really well done story.

I really liked the concept of the story and many parts in the book was so insane and twisted that you're wondering wtf is wrong with people.


But i had a little trouble following who was who in the cabin. Because they had to take on the same name as the twisted kidnapper. So i have to admit i got lost when there was more than one Grace in the story.

This was such a good plot. I really loved it. And as time went on, you learned more about the characters and really felt for them at times.

Our main girl Brooke was such a good leader. I really loved how she was like the 'mom' of the group and just wanted everyone safe no matter how messed up her past had been.

The only issue is, I wish I saw more of the ending. I felt like it just wrapped up super quick. I wanted a prolog or something. Maybe a novella so we can see the other characters stories wrap up?

You cannot put this one down.
You get pulled into the book right from the beginning. It reminds me of the saw movie with less gore.
Being trapped in a house with cameras and a metal collar and being forced to act out an old ladies life. And if you don’t do what is asked of you, you’re taken out and replaced with a new character. You have to learn how to succeed to survive and overcome. So if you like a good thriller. This is definitely a book for you.
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy

This book was a wild ride! I've never read any previous material by Steph Nelson, but I'll be looking into her other novels. The Final Scene was many things wrapped into one. It touched on thriller, drama, romance, horror, and mystery. One thing I enjoyed about the structure of this novel is the short length chapters. It really allows the reader to speed through and stay heavily involved in the high intense environment. I also enjoyed that the amount of chapters allowed for easy stopping spots.

My favorite aspect about the story was getting to see the cabin and everything that happened there from the victim's point of view. The story itself was an interesting take on a kidnapping situation, and being there to experience it with the victim allowed the reader to become emotionally attached to the victims from the get go. I was confused at first about the changing point of views, but then easily got into everyone's individual background and current situation. I'd rate this story a 4.8, but for NetGalley and Goodreads I'll round up to a 5. It's fast, heart pounding, unique, and never eases up. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves thrillers and horror. Thank you so much NetGalley for allowing me to read this in advance to the publish date!

Steph Nelson... what can I say... you absolutely sold me on any future books you decide to come out with because this right here was an absolute treat to read and left me wanting so much more. This wasn't just a normal story... this was a heart-breaking, mind-destroying thriller that brought the story to life and created a movie inside my mind. I want to give this a second read sometime this month just to be sure my feelings are true. The fact that this is something that has been seen in real life news stories and could happen to anyone around me is what truly brings the terror from the book to life and has your heart beat ramping up. The only part of this book that I didn't enjoy was the romantic views presented, but it was something I could get past. The tension in this book was great and I can only hope that whatever I read next from Steph Nelson will be even better.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ticking Clock Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest rate and review.

Boy! This started out so good and I was engaged. There was creepy and insane moments and Injust knew this was going to be a 4⭐️ for me. The characters did not seem paired well and the chemistry lacked. That made the storyline completely unbelievable to me. The romance was….odd especially for this type of book. It was a pass for me.

Love a kidnapping trying to find her/him story but i wish there was some more chemistry between Brooke and Derek but its ok it wasnt really a plot ruiner. I really liked it i would definitely buy this book

This book had such an original take on a kidnapping plot!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It kept me wanting to read just one more chapter, very fast paced and a very quick read for me. I look forward to reading more from this author!!