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!!

3.5 Stars

I received an advanced copy of this book from Xpresso Book Tours via NetGalley.

The story centers around Brooke, a woman who has spent the last decade of her life held captive by the enigmatic Grace, whose obsession with her past takes on a chilling form. Forced to reenact scenes from Grace's own history, Brooke finds herself entangled in a twisted game with other captives who come and go with alarming frequency.

Meanwhile, Mina, a woman renting an Airbnb, stumbles upon a distressing sight: a young girl in a neighboring house, desperately signaling for help. Determined to uncover the truth and save the girl, Mina's quest leads her on a collision course with Brooke, setting the stage for a gripping showdown.

From the outset, I was hooked. The first chapter plunged me headfirst into Brooke's harrowing ordeal, capturing the fear and intensity of her captivity with visceral clarity. It was an emotional experience that resonated deeply, setting the tone for what promised to be a dark and twisted tale.

The introduction of a romantic subplot felt somewhat detracting from the raw intensity of Brooke's struggle. While I understood the desire to explore her longing for connection after years of isolation, it felt like a hindrance from the heart of the story. That being said, it's a testament to the author's skill that even in these moments, the narrative remained compelling.

Where the story faltered for me was in its execution of the twist. While the premise held immense promise, the revelation fell flat, lacking the impact and depth I had hoped for. It felt like a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the motivations of the kidnappers and explore the true extent of their depravity. There were elements of the story that felt unnecessary and out of place. Some character interactions felt forced, and I couldn't shake the feeling that certain plot points could have been omitted without sacrificing the overall narrative.

In the end, while I zoomed through the book with eager anticipation, I couldn't shake the feeling that it could have been more. With a little more depth and polish, this debut could have been a standout in the thriller genre. Nevertheless, it's a promising start, and I'll be eager to see what the author has in store next.

I rate this a 4.
It was a very twisted book indeed! It really blended the characters so well , the backstory of other characters on why they were doing what they were doing. I missed a star because of certain parts with derek , I feel it was just placed in really randomly

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of “The Final Scene” in exchange for an honest review. Brooke was kidnapped ten years ago and has remained in captivity, trapped in an isolated house under the cruel oversight of a deranged older woman (Grace) and her henchman (Mitch). Forced to act out bizarre scenes with Grace at her whim, Brooke has seen others arrive and tragically depart from the house over the years, and she fears ultimately meeting the same fate. As the potential end grows near, she prepares for a final stand with other recently arrived prisoners.

“The Final Scene” is deliciously twisted, with an interesting spin on the familiar kidnapping tale. A secondary storyline eventually weaves in nicely to the primary narrative, and leads to a satisfying conclusion. Overall, a quick and entertaining read. Four stars.

This book starts off by hitting the ground running- no really long world building, which I like. It was fast paced, well written, and overall very enticing on every page. I thoroughly enjoyed this!

This one was a WILD ride!!!

I loved the characters and the way their stories came together. This book has action, thrills, even a little *spice*. 'The Final Scene' was a fun read that kept my interest through to the very last page!

The Final Scene was really entertaining. It was tense and really made me not want to put it down. I liked the characters and I enjoyed the way the author wove Mina’s storyline into the main plot. I do wish the book was longer so that we could have gotten to know the main characters a bit more and to really understand Grace’s motivations. It was explained a little, but I could have used more. I would have also liked a little more out of the ending, even if it was a short epilogue to see Brooke and Derek back in their actual lives.

This was a good thriller! I wouldn't say it was great or that it stuck out to me as one of the best I've ever read. But it did keep me interested and entertained. It kept me guessing and it kept me reading. Sometimes that's all I'm looking for in a book!

I liked how the story was straightforward and immediately set us to the situation of Brooke & the others. I just found it too dragging in the part where Mina was introduced, I wished some parts were used for Grace as she is also an intriguing character. Overall, I had fun and enjoyed the suspense in reading it.

Absolutely loved this psychological thriller. If you are tired of the same old thriller story then this one is for you. A unique and haunting story that will keep you turning the pages long past when you should stop reading for the night. Wonderful character development that leaves you feeling for the protagonists even when they aren't perfect heroes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the copy of The Final Scene. This is the first book that I have read by Steph Nelson and it will not be my last. The Final Scene follows Brooke, who has been held captive for 10 years. She is forced to reenact scenes from her captors childhood. Some other characters are Derek, Kinsley, and Mina. It was a fast paced story, and I could not put it down.

This book is about a woman who was kidnapped ten years ago by a crazed woman who kidnaps people and forces them to act out scenes from her childhood. Brooke has lasted the longest but when the rules suddenly change her survival is more at risk than ever. This thriller really takes you on a ride but it is the kind where you need to leave reality at the door. As the book goes on it becomes more and more outlandish which only added to the fun for me. Sometimes when a thriller is so out there it helps me distance from the harsh subject matter and lets me just enjoy the story. This is a fun popcorn thriller that is the perfect one or two sitting read.