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Only One Survives
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.
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.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2024
172 people are currently reading
35058 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Mary McKinnon
9 books2,028 followersAlso known as Holly Cassidy (romantic comedies)
I was born in the UK grew up in Switzerland, and moved to Canada in 2010. Unsurprisingly I love chocolate, mountains and cheese, and books, of course.
My first novel, TIME AFTER TIME, a light-hearted romantic read, published in 2016, after which I moved to the dark side.
My internationally bestselling thrillers include: THE NEIGHBORS (2018), HER SECRET SON (2019), SISTER DEAR (2020), YOU WILL REMEMBER ME (2021), NEVER COMING HOME (2022), THE REVENGE LIST (2023), ONLY ONE SURVIVES (2024), and A KILLER MOTIVE (2025).
I also returned to my romantic comedy roots with THE CHRISTMAS WAGER, written under the pseudonym Holly Cassidy (2023) and THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN (2024).
I'm now working on a new novel.
For more please visit:
Website - www.HannahMaryMcKinnon.com
Instagram - www.instagram.com/HannahMaryMcKinnon
Facebook - ww.facebook.com/hannahmarymckinnon
Bookbub - www.bookbub.com/authors/hannah-mary-m...
I love talking with readers - for 1:1s and book club visits you can also find me on Skolay: www.skolay.com/writers/hannahmary-mck...
You can ask me questions on Goodreads, too.
Happy reading!
Hannah Mary / Holly
I was born in the UK grew up in Switzerland, and moved to Canada in 2010. Unsurprisingly I love chocolate, mountains and cheese, and books, of course.
My first novel, TIME AFTER TIME, a light-hearted romantic read, published in 2016, after which I moved to the dark side.
My internationally bestselling thrillers include: THE NEIGHBORS (2018), HER SECRET SON (2019), SISTER DEAR (2020), YOU WILL REMEMBER ME (2021), NEVER COMING HOME (2022), THE REVENGE LIST (2023), ONLY ONE SURVIVES (2024), and A KILLER MOTIVE (2025).
I also returned to my romantic comedy roots with THE CHRISTMAS WAGER, written under the pseudonym Holly Cassidy (2023) and THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN (2024).
I'm now working on a new novel.
For more please visit:
Website - www.HannahMaryMcKinnon.com
Instagram - www.instagram.com/HannahMaryMcKinnon
Facebook - ww.facebook.com/hannahmarymckinnon
Bookbub - www.bookbub.com/authors/hannah-mary-m...
I love talking with readers - for 1:1s and book club visits you can also find me on Skolay: www.skolay.com/writers/hannahmary-mck...
You can ask me questions on Goodreads, too.
Happy reading!
Hannah Mary / Holly
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 890 reviews
January 17, 2025
Oh boy, I couldn’t read any book so far that tells the ugly face of fame so realistically like a sucker punch to your face or dropping ice bucket water down on your head!
This is frightening, intense, heart throbbing, perfectly executed, riveting mystery keeps astonishing you with well thrown, calculated twists on your way at the moments you never expected! Unreliable villanelles, toxic, dysfunctional relationships, surprising revelations keep you at the edge of your seats! This is addictive ride you don’t want to put it down till you reach the perfect ending! It’s so freaking good!
Enter: Vienna Taylor in early twenties, born to be drummer, one of the founders of EmVee with Madison Pierce: her best friend from high school, coming from poor family, never knew her father, living with her verbal abuser mother and her low life boy friend, assigning to take care of her grandmother who suffers from dementia till a sudden tragedy strikes and changes the trajectory of her life, giving her a chance to move to NYC to start their rock band with her best friend Madison with the involvement of three new members called “Bittersweet”
We move back and forth at the first half of the book that telling how Madison and Vienna’s complex, toxic relationship evolved and a tragic accident that results with deaths of their rock band; only survivors are Vienna and a young documentary maker Libby as Madison is suspiciously missing.
Could the tragic incidents the girls faced be an accident or could one of them be an evil incarnated cold blooded killer? As we turn the pages, the fingers already point at one of the members who has been acting selfishly and who can do anything to attract the entire spotlight on herself?
But what if nothing as it seems? What if we’ve been fooled from the beginning. The gripping narration, witted twists, balanced paced attract your attention till the end! This book deserves even more than five stars and earns your entire focus to be chosen by your book clubs.
I highly extremely and absolutely recommend it as a devoted fan of Hannah Mary McKinnon who gives life very complex, flawed, deeply layered female characters as like she did in this book that I congratulate her brilliant writing style.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/ MIRA for sharing this captivating book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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This is frightening, intense, heart throbbing, perfectly executed, riveting mystery keeps astonishing you with well thrown, calculated twists on your way at the moments you never expected! Unreliable villanelles, toxic, dysfunctional relationships, surprising revelations keep you at the edge of your seats! This is addictive ride you don’t want to put it down till you reach the perfect ending! It’s so freaking good!
Enter: Vienna Taylor in early twenties, born to be drummer, one of the founders of EmVee with Madison Pierce: her best friend from high school, coming from poor family, never knew her father, living with her verbal abuser mother and her low life boy friend, assigning to take care of her grandmother who suffers from dementia till a sudden tragedy strikes and changes the trajectory of her life, giving her a chance to move to NYC to start their rock band with her best friend Madison with the involvement of three new members called “Bittersweet”
We move back and forth at the first half of the book that telling how Madison and Vienna’s complex, toxic relationship evolved and a tragic accident that results with deaths of their rock band; only survivors are Vienna and a young documentary maker Libby as Madison is suspiciously missing.
Could the tragic incidents the girls faced be an accident or could one of them be an evil incarnated cold blooded killer? As we turn the pages, the fingers already point at one of the members who has been acting selfishly and who can do anything to attract the entire spotlight on herself?
But what if nothing as it seems? What if we’ve been fooled from the beginning. The gripping narration, witted twists, balanced paced attract your attention till the end! This book deserves even more than five stars and earns your entire focus to be chosen by your book clubs.
I highly extremely and absolutely recommend it as a devoted fan of Hannah Mary McKinnon who gives life very complex, flawed, deeply layered female characters as like she did in this book that I congratulate her brilliant writing style.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/ MIRA for sharing this captivating book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
April 19, 2024
An addictive read! Impossible to put down!
Comprised of five women, The Bittersweet is a band on the rise, co-founded by friends Vienna and Madison.
As their fame expands they set off for a event in The Catskills. The band will be accompanied by Libby, a woman assigned to film a documentary of this hot band on the brink of stardom.
But after a devastating crash and its aftermath, not everyone will make it down off the mountain.
I was expecting more of a traditional closed-room thriller but this storyline played out deliciously different. (I just love surprises!) I won’t say more than that as to risk spoilers.🤫
The cast of characters is large. And I was a bit concerned in the beginning, assuming there was no way I’d keep all the names /characters straight. But Hannah Mary McKinnon has such a splendid talent of developing each character and fleshing out enough detail to bring each to life.
Clear your calendar because once you settle in everything around you will fade into the distance until the final chapter.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing
Comprised of five women, The Bittersweet is a band on the rise, co-founded by friends Vienna and Madison.
As their fame expands they set off for a event in The Catskills. The band will be accompanied by Libby, a woman assigned to film a documentary of this hot band on the brink of stardom.
But after a devastating crash and its aftermath, not everyone will make it down off the mountain.
I was expecting more of a traditional closed-room thriller but this storyline played out deliciously different. (I just love surprises!) I won’t say more than that as to risk spoilers.🤫
The cast of characters is large. And I was a bit concerned in the beginning, assuming there was no way I’d keep all the names /characters straight. But Hannah Mary McKinnon has such a splendid talent of developing each character and fleshing out enough detail to bring each to life.
Clear your calendar because once you settle in everything around you will fade into the distance until the final chapter.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing
June 23, 2024
Get ready for a wild ride with "Only one Survives"! This book follows two high school best friends from totally different worlds who come together to form a dynamic two-man band. Fast forward to after high school, and they reunite to create an even bigger, full-cast band.
The story bounces between past and present, keeping you on the edge of your seat. In the present, we witness a deadly car crash and its shocking consequences. Meanwhile, the past unfolds, revealing how every event led up to this intense moment.
What makes this book so captivating is the seamless flick between timelines, making you eager to dive back into the present scenes. The build-up is tense, and just when you think you've got it all figured out, an astonishing twist hits you right at the end.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for flicking this ARC my way.
This is a thrilling and emotional journey that keeps you hooked from start to finish. It's a definite must-read for anyone who loves a good story with a powerful twist!
The story bounces between past and present, keeping you on the edge of your seat. In the present, we witness a deadly car crash and its shocking consequences. Meanwhile, the past unfolds, revealing how every event led up to this intense moment.
What makes this book so captivating is the seamless flick between timelines, making you eager to dive back into the present scenes. The build-up is tense, and just when you think you've got it all figured out, an astonishing twist hits you right at the end.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for flicking this ARC my way.
This is a thrilling and emotional journey that keeps you hooked from start to finish. It's a definite must-read for anyone who loves a good story with a powerful twist!
April 21, 2024
Drummer Vienna Taylor and her best friend, guitarist Madison Pierce are about to take the world by storm. After all, Vienna, Madison, and their their band, The Bittersweet, have just signed a prized recording deal. Now on their way to a party up in the Catskills, it seems that that future is set. Surely, they’ll be playing for huge audiences and hearing their names chanted from the stands in no time at all.
As the group drives through the night, however, the light snow turns into a blizzard and they find themselves lost on remote country roads. Things only go from bad to worse when their SUV’s tires slip on the ice. When Vienna wakes up, she sees that they’re deep in a ravine with no help in sight. But that’s not the end of the bad news. Vienna is horrified to realize that one of her friends is dead and another is badly injured.
Stuck in the middle of nowhere, Vienna and Madison go searching for rescue. All they find, however, is an abandoned cabin deep in the woods. Taking refuge within its dilapidated walls, their nightmare only worsens when—one by one—Vienna watches her bandmates die horrible deaths. By the time the sun rises, there will only be two of them left—Vienna and Madison—but when help finally arrives, Madison has vanished into thin air.
What happened after their car crashed? Is Madison to blame for her friends’ deaths? Fame can be a soul-sucking beast, but Vienna can’t believe that her best friend could have it in her. But then, where is Madison? And why else would she run?
Binge-worthy and addictive in the extreme, Only One Survives had me hooked from the very first word. Perfect for fans of Daisy Jones & The Six but with a heaping dose of murder as well, the perfectly crafted plot reeled me in and didn’t let go. I mean, the characters were divine and the twists were superb. And with non-stop suspense and sharp writing that allowed me to visualize every scene, I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
From the top, the dual timelines meant I became deeply invested in Vienna and Madison’s toxic dynamic as I was granted a front seat to the makings of their friendship and their potential meteoric rise to fame. Add in the supporting cast, and the full picture was simply sublime. From a few thoroughly unlikeable characters to a sweet, little granny, they rounded out Vienna and Madison to perfection.
The plot, however, was what had me riveted to the pages. Part one presented the building blocks. Part two provided the jaw-dropping, gasp-inducing twist. So big, in fact, that my family looked at me like I was losing my mind when I quite literally shrieked “No, she didn’t!” out loud. Dark, intense, perfectly plotted, and with an eerie setting, this entire book won me over hook, line, and sinker as it hit just the right chord. Yes, yes, I know. That pun was completely intended.
Let me tell you, writing this review wasn’t easy. With a twist that rivaled The Silent Patient or The Last Mrs. Parrish, not spoiling the plot was a chore. But fear not, I’ve done my best. Just know that if you love the idea of crazy talented girl bands and fame-hungry characters, this is most definitely the book for you. And let’s not forget, it included my all-time favorite trope—that of a locked room murder mystery. All in all, it definitely hit my Sweet Spot by the time all was said and done. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Hannah Mary McKinnon, HTP Books (MIRA), NetGalley, and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 16, 2024
Trigger warning: dementia, severe car accident, doxxing, mention of: alcoholism, carbon monoxide poisoning
As the group drives through the night, however, the light snow turns into a blizzard and they find themselves lost on remote country roads. Things only go from bad to worse when their SUV’s tires slip on the ice. When Vienna wakes up, she sees that they’re deep in a ravine with no help in sight. But that’s not the end of the bad news. Vienna is horrified to realize that one of her friends is dead and another is badly injured.
Stuck in the middle of nowhere, Vienna and Madison go searching for rescue. All they find, however, is an abandoned cabin deep in the woods. Taking refuge within its dilapidated walls, their nightmare only worsens when—one by one—Vienna watches her bandmates die horrible deaths. By the time the sun rises, there will only be two of them left—Vienna and Madison—but when help finally arrives, Madison has vanished into thin air.
What happened after their car crashed? Is Madison to blame for her friends’ deaths? Fame can be a soul-sucking beast, but Vienna can’t believe that her best friend could have it in her. But then, where is Madison? And why else would she run?
Binge-worthy and addictive in the extreme, Only One Survives had me hooked from the very first word. Perfect for fans of Daisy Jones & The Six but with a heaping dose of murder as well, the perfectly crafted plot reeled me in and didn’t let go. I mean, the characters were divine and the twists were superb. And with non-stop suspense and sharp writing that allowed me to visualize every scene, I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
From the top, the dual timelines meant I became deeply invested in Vienna and Madison’s toxic dynamic as I was granted a front seat to the makings of their friendship and their potential meteoric rise to fame. Add in the supporting cast, and the full picture was simply sublime. From a few thoroughly unlikeable characters to a sweet, little granny, they rounded out Vienna and Madison to perfection.
The plot, however, was what had me riveted to the pages. Part one presented the building blocks. Part two provided the jaw-dropping, gasp-inducing twist. So big, in fact, that my family looked at me like I was losing my mind when I quite literally shrieked “No, she didn’t!” out loud. Dark, intense, perfectly plotted, and with an eerie setting, this entire book won me over hook, line, and sinker as it hit just the right chord. Yes, yes, I know. That pun was completely intended.
Let me tell you, writing this review wasn’t easy. With a twist that rivaled The Silent Patient or The Last Mrs. Parrish, not spoiling the plot was a chore. But fear not, I’ve done my best. Just know that if you love the idea of crazy talented girl bands and fame-hungry characters, this is most definitely the book for you. And let’s not forget, it included my all-time favorite trope—that of a locked room murder mystery. All in all, it definitely hit my Sweet Spot by the time all was said and done. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Hannah Mary McKinnon, HTP Books (MIRA), NetGalley, and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 16, 2024
Trigger warning: dementia, severe car accident, doxxing, mention of: alcoholism, carbon monoxide poisoning
September 8, 2025
Easily, McKinnon's most twisty work yet. I'm absolutely delighted with this one and would even read it again. That's says a lot for a Psychological Thriller.
There was something so Crime & Punishment in this character work. It was very well executed, IMO.
In Only One Survives, we follow Vienna and Madison, long-time friends who end up following their childhood dreams and successfully create their own all-female rock band.
Unfortunately, just as the band, The Bittersweet, is gaining traction in the music scene, the van they're traveling in on their way to an event, loses its traction and careens off a mountain road during a blizzard.
After the vehicle settles, they discover one bandmate dead and another severely injured. Luckily, the girls are able to locate an abandoned cabin nearby and take shelter there from the storm.
What should have been a safe haven though, ultimately results in even more death. The final shock is Madison actually disappearing into the night, her outcome unknown.
The trauma of that horrific night has messed with Vienna's memories. She can hardly decipher the reality from her nightmares. Unsurprisingly, the tragedy of The Bittersweet becomes a bit of a legend in pop culture.
The Reader alternates back and forth through time and characters. There's some interesting mixed media elements, with online platforms discussing the mystery behind what actually happened to The Bittersweet.
There are a lot of theories, of course, as there often are after a tragedy such as this, but no one really knows. Only the survivors would know, or would they?
I absolutely loved my time reading this book. It felt like an experience. I did end up listening to the audiobook and felt the narration was perfect for the story.
These characters were super engaging. I was hooked into Vienna and Madison's friendship. We got a lot of details from their earlier lives and really got to see their relationship blossom and their reasons behind their sort of codependency. It was fascinating.
Additionally, I do tend to love stories featuring music, or musicians, so this definitely played right into those tastes.
I know there are a ton of wonderfully-talented individuals writing in the Adult Thriller space, but IMHO, Hannah Mary McKinnon is thus far underrated.
One of the things I love most about her work is that she's constantly improving. Each book, she's just crushing it, taking risks and doing different things. This one is a journey, and she def got me with some of the reveals.
I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
Thank you to the publisher, MIRA, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I would recommend this one to all the Thriller Readers out there who love the use of mixed media elements, strong character development and jaw-dropping twists!
There was something so Crime & Punishment in this character work. It was very well executed, IMO.
In Only One Survives, we follow Vienna and Madison, long-time friends who end up following their childhood dreams and successfully create their own all-female rock band.
Unfortunately, just as the band, The Bittersweet, is gaining traction in the music scene, the van they're traveling in on their way to an event, loses its traction and careens off a mountain road during a blizzard.
After the vehicle settles, they discover one bandmate dead and another severely injured. Luckily, the girls are able to locate an abandoned cabin nearby and take shelter there from the storm.
What should have been a safe haven though, ultimately results in even more death. The final shock is Madison actually disappearing into the night, her outcome unknown.
The trauma of that horrific night has messed with Vienna's memories. She can hardly decipher the reality from her nightmares. Unsurprisingly, the tragedy of The Bittersweet becomes a bit of a legend in pop culture.
The Reader alternates back and forth through time and characters. There's some interesting mixed media elements, with online platforms discussing the mystery behind what actually happened to The Bittersweet.
There are a lot of theories, of course, as there often are after a tragedy such as this, but no one really knows. Only the survivors would know, or would they?
I absolutely loved my time reading this book. It felt like an experience. I did end up listening to the audiobook and felt the narration was perfect for the story.
These characters were super engaging. I was hooked into Vienna and Madison's friendship. We got a lot of details from their earlier lives and really got to see their relationship blossom and their reasons behind their sort of codependency. It was fascinating.
Additionally, I do tend to love stories featuring music, or musicians, so this definitely played right into those tastes.
I know there are a ton of wonderfully-talented individuals writing in the Adult Thriller space, but IMHO, Hannah Mary McKinnon is thus far underrated.
One of the things I love most about her work is that she's constantly improving. Each book, she's just crushing it, taking risks and doing different things. This one is a journey, and she def got me with some of the reveals.
I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
Thank you to the publisher, MIRA, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I would recommend this one to all the Thriller Readers out there who love the use of mixed media elements, strong character development and jaw-dropping twists!
January 2, 2026
"Becoming the star is easier when the rest of your band is dead..."
Starting a band has challenges, but Vienna and Madison think as long as they have each other their band Bittersweet will be successful until one fateful day on a snowy mountain everything changes. Their van slides off the side killing one member and critically wounding another. An abandoned cabin sits idly in the snowy woods beckoning them in for shelter. What they don't know is that not everyone will survive. Each member will meet a gruesome fate. Madison disappears completely while Vienna is the only survivor...she thinks...
This is jaw dropping and twisted. The eeriness is amplified with the chilling atmosphere. You will not be able to predict this one because not everything is as it seems. A lot of characters to keep up with, but it helps that it is laid out with blogs, social media and news reports. It is really that good that I highly recommend you add this one to your TBR. It is so hot outside that I was relieved by the snowy scenes. It took me awhile to get to the end because it wasn't something I could enjoy while on the beach.
Thank you NetGalley andHarlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Starting a band has challenges, but Vienna and Madison think as long as they have each other their band Bittersweet will be successful until one fateful day on a snowy mountain everything changes. Their van slides off the side killing one member and critically wounding another. An abandoned cabin sits idly in the snowy woods beckoning them in for shelter. What they don't know is that not everyone will survive. Each member will meet a gruesome fate. Madison disappears completely while Vienna is the only survivor...she thinks...
This is jaw dropping and twisted. The eeriness is amplified with the chilling atmosphere. You will not be able to predict this one because not everything is as it seems. A lot of characters to keep up with, but it helps that it is laid out with blogs, social media and news reports. It is really that good that I highly recommend you add this one to your TBR. It is so hot outside that I was relieved by the snowy scenes. It took me awhile to get to the end because it wasn't something I could enjoy while on the beach.
Thank you NetGalley andHarlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Read
March 16, 2024**AUTHOR'S NOTE about ONLY ONE SURVIVES**
If you’d told me a couple of years ago that I’d write a thriller about a pop-rock group, I’m not sure I’d have believed you. At that point I hadn’t touched an instrument in decades. I still can’t read music, and my vocals are so horrendous, my eldest son asked me to stop singing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” when he was three. I’ve honoured our agreement ever since.
The very first whisper of an idea for ONLY ONE SURVIVES came from an abandoned house a few miles from my home. I drove past it one frigid afternoon, and saw the words "Come Play" written in red paint on the front door, which I found deliciously creepy. The image stuck with me, and I attempted to build a story featuring an abandoned lodge and work colleagues, but it didn’t sit right.
While chatting with my friends, authors Jennifer Hillier and Samantha M. Bailey, about the plot, Sam floated the idea of making the group of people a band. It gave me an immediate "oooh" moment followed by "one of them thinks the band’s worth more dead than alive."
Writing a thriller featuring a female band I named The Bittersweet felt fresh and cool, and while the story shifted quite significantly compared to my initial work colleagues idea, the abandoned house remained a constant.
Although I love music, I don’t typically listen to any when I’m writing as I get distracted, but in between working on the novel I played a lot of tunes, and it was fabulous. Just like books, songs whisk me away in an instant. Nothing lifts my mood faster than one of my favourite songs. This is why I included many different artists in the story, and perhaps while reading the novel they evoke your own memories or help you make new ones.
I always say I write to entertain, and I hope I achieved that again with this book. I'm excited for you to get to know The Bittersweet.
Don't forget to grab your free bonus material (reader letter, playlist, lyrics, book club questions, interview) from https://hannahmarymckinnon.com/book-s...
Happy reading!
Hannah Mary McKinnon
www.hannahmarymckinnon.com
If you’d told me a couple of years ago that I’d write a thriller about a pop-rock group, I’m not sure I’d have believed you. At that point I hadn’t touched an instrument in decades. I still can’t read music, and my vocals are so horrendous, my eldest son asked me to stop singing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” when he was three. I’ve honoured our agreement ever since.
The very first whisper of an idea for ONLY ONE SURVIVES came from an abandoned house a few miles from my home. I drove past it one frigid afternoon, and saw the words "Come Play" written in red paint on the front door, which I found deliciously creepy. The image stuck with me, and I attempted to build a story featuring an abandoned lodge and work colleagues, but it didn’t sit right.
While chatting with my friends, authors Jennifer Hillier and Samantha M. Bailey, about the plot, Sam floated the idea of making the group of people a band. It gave me an immediate "oooh" moment followed by "one of them thinks the band’s worth more dead than alive."
Writing a thriller featuring a female band I named The Bittersweet felt fresh and cool, and while the story shifted quite significantly compared to my initial work colleagues idea, the abandoned house remained a constant.
Although I love music, I don’t typically listen to any when I’m writing as I get distracted, but in between working on the novel I played a lot of tunes, and it was fabulous. Just like books, songs whisk me away in an instant. Nothing lifts my mood faster than one of my favourite songs. This is why I included many different artists in the story, and perhaps while reading the novel they evoke your own memories or help you make new ones.
I always say I write to entertain, and I hope I achieved that again with this book. I'm excited for you to get to know The Bittersweet.
Don't forget to grab your free bonus material (reader letter, playlist, lyrics, book club questions, interview) from https://hannahmarymckinnon.com/book-s...
Happy reading!
Hannah Mary McKinnon
www.hannahmarymckinnon.com
July 15, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up
This was a wild one! Let me first say that one of the quotes in the blurb says this is for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six. The only reason it's even remotely similar is that both involve musicians and bands, but in this book's case, it's peripheral to the mystery/thriller aspect of the book. Daisy Jones is all about the musicians and their lives. I find no comparison between the two at all, so if you're looking for a Daisy Jones-esque book you won't find it here.
That said, this book alternates between two timelines--the past when Vienna and Madison meet during their senior year of high school and moving forward, and then the accident that is the catalyst for the rest of the story, and moving forward from that.
In high school, Vienna and Madison form a music duo with Vienna playing drums and Madison playing guitar, both of them singing. They get some recognition, but obstacles stand in their way. Moving forward they eventually move to New York and put together an all-girl band they name the Bittersweet. In a snowstorm on their way to a party, their van goes off the road and what happens next is unimaginable. Who survives?
This isn't a perfect book, there are some awkward parts with the pacing and character development, but for a thriller book this one is unique and surprising. There are a couple of very shocking turns in the story that definitely elevated the book for me. However towards the end it became incredibly over the top and a bit too predictable, but I forgive that because the twists are worth it all.
I hesitate to say too much or I'll devolve into spoiler territory, but I'll just say that this novel is overall surprising and worth reading if you like thrillers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This was a wild one! Let me first say that one of the quotes in the blurb says this is for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six. The only reason it's even remotely similar is that both involve musicians and bands, but in this book's case, it's peripheral to the mystery/thriller aspect of the book. Daisy Jones is all about the musicians and their lives. I find no comparison between the two at all, so if you're looking for a Daisy Jones-esque book you won't find it here.
That said, this book alternates between two timelines--the past when Vienna and Madison meet during their senior year of high school and moving forward, and then the accident that is the catalyst for the rest of the story, and moving forward from that.
In high school, Vienna and Madison form a music duo with Vienna playing drums and Madison playing guitar, both of them singing. They get some recognition, but obstacles stand in their way. Moving forward they eventually move to New York and put together an all-girl band they name the Bittersweet. In a snowstorm on their way to a party, their van goes off the road and what happens next is unimaginable. Who survives?
This isn't a perfect book, there are some awkward parts with the pacing and character development, but for a thriller book this one is unique and surprising. There are a couple of very shocking turns in the story that definitely elevated the book for me. However towards the end it became incredibly over the top and a bit too predictable, but I forgive that because the twists are worth it all.
I hesitate to say too much or I'll devolve into spoiler territory, but I'll just say that this novel is overall surprising and worth reading if you like thrillers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
October 4, 2023
It's rock n’ roll with a dash or two of murder in this juicy thriller that delves into the ugly side of fame. Only One Survives is devilishly fun, utterly addictive, and shockingly twisty—further cementing McKinnon as a force to be reckoned with!
September 11, 2024
A FANTASTIC, 5-Star reading experience, from one of the best!!
Vienna Taylor and Madison Pierce have been friends throughout high school, and they’ve always had each other’s backs. When Madison leaves their small town life to go to college in the city Vienna quickly follows her and they become roommates and begin pursuing their dream to become famous musicians – with Vienna at drums and Madison at guitar and vocals they quickly form a band named BITTERSWEET, eventually gaining traction on socials, and accumulating a respectable following, which they’re sure will lead to fame...
When the band is involved in an accident on an icy mountain road during a blizzard on the way to a gig one band member is left dead, two others are severely injured, and all find themselves in a fight for survival. When they come upon an abandoned cabin they begin to hope they might just make it, however one by one the remaining members meet a tragic end. Will Vienna survive? Or will it be Madison? Who is out there hunting them, and why? Told in alternating chapters – beginning four years prior to the events, and then back to present day, post-accident, facts about that night gradually come to light, and we begin to see the extent to which fame can affect people and the extremes they are willing to go to in order to preserve it!
This might be my FAVORITE novel from McKinnon so far! I found Only One Survives to be much darker, and more unpredictable than her previous reads, and I loved it!! One of the protagonists was impressively and unforgettably evil, and I couldn’t wait to read what she did next, finding myself biting my nails, reading feverishly late into the night, up until the last chapter, which had my head spinning! Not only were the events within the pages compelling enough to keep me on the edge of my seat throughout, but this also featured an incredible soundtrack, from the era I grew up in, making this a phenomenal reading experience!
If you are looking for a creepy, twisty, thrilling tale about toxic friendships and the price of fame, this is THE book for you!!
Vienna Taylor and Madison Pierce have been friends throughout high school, and they’ve always had each other’s backs. When Madison leaves their small town life to go to college in the city Vienna quickly follows her and they become roommates and begin pursuing their dream to become famous musicians – with Vienna at drums and Madison at guitar and vocals they quickly form a band named BITTERSWEET, eventually gaining traction on socials, and accumulating a respectable following, which they’re sure will lead to fame...
When the band is involved in an accident on an icy mountain road during a blizzard on the way to a gig one band member is left dead, two others are severely injured, and all find themselves in a fight for survival. When they come upon an abandoned cabin they begin to hope they might just make it, however one by one the remaining members meet a tragic end. Will Vienna survive? Or will it be Madison? Who is out there hunting them, and why? Told in alternating chapters – beginning four years prior to the events, and then back to present day, post-accident, facts about that night gradually come to light, and we begin to see the extent to which fame can affect people and the extremes they are willing to go to in order to preserve it!
This might be my FAVORITE novel from McKinnon so far! I found Only One Survives to be much darker, and more unpredictable than her previous reads, and I loved it!! One of the protagonists was impressively and unforgettably evil, and I couldn’t wait to read what she did next, finding myself biting my nails, reading feverishly late into the night, up until the last chapter, which had my head spinning! Not only were the events within the pages compelling enough to keep me on the edge of my seat throughout, but this also featured an incredible soundtrack, from the era I grew up in, making this a phenomenal reading experience!
If you are looking for a creepy, twisty, thrilling tale about toxic friendships and the price of fame, this is THE book for you!!
March 15, 2024
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.
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.
September 26, 2024
This was a real nifty read with an good storyline with the rock band. I liked the lesser characters more than the main ones and was surprised by some of the twists. Overall a wild ride that I enjoyed. Rock on!!
July 19, 2024
Rock ‘n’ Roll with a dash of murder. This is a locked room thriller that meets Daisy Jones & The Six.
A band is form when 5 girls are in high school. The two main characters, Madison and Vienna. One a lead guitarist and the other the drummer. They are well on their way to becoming a successful band and striving towards fame.
One day they have a horrific car accident that leaves the stranded during a snowstorm. One instantly dies and another severely injured. With just three band members left, they take refuge at an abandoned cabin.
How far are you willing to go for the price of fame? Twists and turns with lies and murder. This is perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid. This was my first book by Hannah Mary McKinnon and it won’t be my last.
Thank you to Hannah, HTP and NetGalley for the opportunity.
Out now
A band is form when 5 girls are in high school. The two main characters, Madison and Vienna. One a lead guitarist and the other the drummer. They are well on their way to becoming a successful band and striving towards fame.
One day they have a horrific car accident that leaves the stranded during a snowstorm. One instantly dies and another severely injured. With just three band members left, they take refuge at an abandoned cabin.
How far are you willing to go for the price of fame? Twists and turns with lies and murder. This is perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid. This was my first book by Hannah Mary McKinnon and it won’t be my last.
Thank you to Hannah, HTP and NetGalley for the opportunity.
Out now
July 16, 2024
Today is the day! If you haven't already, run and grab a copy, you won't regret it.
Only One Survives is true to it's name and will have you on the edge of your seat as they fall one by one.
Vienna Taylor didn't have it easy growing up, but behind her drums it all disappeared. Her best friend Madison sang and played the guitar, and together they formed an all girl band named Bittersweet. Things were looking up and they were finally getting noticed. But things took a turn when on the way to a gig they got caught in a blizzard and their car went off the road. With one member dead and another injured they find a place out of the storm but instead of finding safety one by one her bandmates begin to die, and Madison disappears. Vienna is forced to face the truth, was her friend capable of killing their bandmates? She can't believe it, but do the innocent run?
This was such a fun book, I couldn't put it down, and it had me guessing long past what made sense. This twisty thriller will keep you guessing and leave you awestruck. A must read!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Only One Survives is true to it's name and will have you on the edge of your seat as they fall one by one.
Vienna Taylor didn't have it easy growing up, but behind her drums it all disappeared. Her best friend Madison sang and played the guitar, and together they formed an all girl band named Bittersweet. Things were looking up and they were finally getting noticed. But things took a turn when on the way to a gig they got caught in a blizzard and their car went off the road. With one member dead and another injured they find a place out of the storm but instead of finding safety one by one her bandmates begin to die, and Madison disappears. Vienna is forced to face the truth, was her friend capable of killing their bandmates? She can't believe it, but do the innocent run?
This was such a fun book, I couldn't put it down, and it had me guessing long past what made sense. This twisty thriller will keep you guessing and leave you awestruck. A must read!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 11, 2024
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’ high 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 with the growth of the girls and stardom.
For 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 was gifted this copy by Harlequin Tade Publishing, MIRA and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
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’ high 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 with the growth of the girls and stardom.
For 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 was gifted this copy by Harlequin Tade Publishing, MIRA and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
August 18, 2024
A 2.5-star first half led to a 5-star second half. It's worth pushing through!
Two friends meet in high school--one from the wrong side of the tracks and one wealthy. They bond over their love of music and their difficulties with their parents. Eventually, they move to NYC and form a band called Emvee. When the two start to gain traction and add more members to their band, things spiral. One night the band crashes. Most of the band dies, one survives, and one is missing. Was she the one responsible for the other deaths?
I struggled in the first half because I didn't feel super invested. I liked the past storyline more, telling the story of Madison and Vienna's friendship. The present storyline had too much going on about the band and I personally didn't care about that. But the second half of the book was stellar once the story moves forward from the crash!
I recommend sticking with it--it gets better!
Two friends meet in high school--one from the wrong side of the tracks and one wealthy. They bond over their love of music and their difficulties with their parents. Eventually, they move to NYC and form a band called Emvee. When the two start to gain traction and add more members to their band, things spiral. One night the band crashes. Most of the band dies, one survives, and one is missing. Was she the one responsible for the other deaths?
I struggled in the first half because I didn't feel super invested. I liked the past storyline more, telling the story of Madison and Vienna's friendship. The present storyline had too much going on about the band and I personally didn't care about that. But the second half of the book was stellar once the story moves forward from the crash!
I recommend sticking with it--it gets better!
January 4, 2026
4.5 Stars — ONLY ONE SURVIVES is an addictive thriller about a new all-girl rock band, the Bittersweet, who gets stranded in a remote cabin after their SUV crashes during a blizzard. As the title suggests, things are fixin' to get ugly as their hope for a quick rescue dwindles. But what really happened to them?
This was a juicy tale of toxic friendships, the evil of social media, and the darker side of fame. I enjoyed how the story was constructed, flipping between the accident/cabin and their life building up to the night in question and beyond. The character development was so good. If you're a seasonal reader like me and are looking for a tense wintery thriller you may have missed, I'd definitely recommend this tragic story of the Bittersweet.
This was a juicy tale of toxic friendships, the evil of social media, and the darker side of fame. I enjoyed how the story was constructed, flipping between the accident/cabin and their life building up to the night in question and beyond. The character development was so good. If you're a seasonal reader like me and are looking for a tense wintery thriller you may have missed, I'd definitely recommend this tragic story of the Bittersweet.
February 6, 2024
Only one survives starts out with a strong atmospheric scene in which 6 females who have braved a snow storm for a work road trip (working being the life of a rock band), and as a result find themselves careening off a cliff and crashing in the snow.
What you need to know about this book: The majority follows the relationship between two best friends “em and vee”, who meet in high school, start and band, and the events leading up to expanding the band and the present day car crash of a situation (metaphorically and literally).
Secondly, there are multiple formats to this book, scenes set in the past, scenes in the present where the group is attempting to brave the elements of the snow storm and find help and shelter. The third and fourth formats are newspaper articles and radio interviews where the band is being discussed pre and post car accident.
In the post we know these things, one of the girls is missing, two are alive, and the rest are dead. But we don’t know who, how or why until the end.
What I liked about this book: I love snowstorm thrillers which this book features, at some points we also have a locked door element where there is no help around, no cell service and a potential killer on the loose.
I liked the different formats and change between timelines. I liked the dynamics between two friends coming together from different backgrounds (rich and poor), the different pros and cons to their upbringing, the obstacles this caused and the result of those obstacles.
The way the twist dropped towards the end, there wasn’t any warning or gradual build it, it was literally dropped into the readers lap by one single sentence that I had to go back and read 3-4 times to make sure my eyes weren’t deceiving me. The twist really caught me off guard so props to the author for that.
What I wasn’t a fan of: the overall ending I felt was too unbelievable, the author spent so much time on building character profiles that felt very solid, so when everything got jumbled around at the end I struggled to adjust mentally or believe what I was seeing,
This started out as a snow storm thriller and although that aspect was present, the majority of the book was spent in the past and beyond that moment in time. As snowstorm thriller tropes are one of my fave I just wish there was more scenes within that category for me to enjoy the elements of.
Overall this was a good read, my first of this author and likely not my last.
Thank you to Hannah Mary McKinnon, Harlequin trade publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
What you need to know about this book: The majority follows the relationship between two best friends “em and vee”, who meet in high school, start and band, and the events leading up to expanding the band and the present day car crash of a situation (metaphorically and literally).
Secondly, there are multiple formats to this book, scenes set in the past, scenes in the present where the group is attempting to brave the elements of the snow storm and find help and shelter. The third and fourth formats are newspaper articles and radio interviews where the band is being discussed pre and post car accident.
In the post we know these things, one of the girls is missing, two are alive, and the rest are dead. But we don’t know who, how or why until the end.
What I liked about this book: I love snowstorm thrillers which this book features, at some points we also have a locked door element where there is no help around, no cell service and a potential killer on the loose.
I liked the different formats and change between timelines. I liked the dynamics between two friends coming together from different backgrounds (rich and poor), the different pros and cons to their upbringing, the obstacles this caused and the result of those obstacles.
The way the twist dropped towards the end, there wasn’t any warning or gradual build it, it was literally dropped into the readers lap by one single sentence that I had to go back and read 3-4 times to make sure my eyes weren’t deceiving me. The twist really caught me off guard so props to the author for that.
What I wasn’t a fan of: the overall ending I felt was too unbelievable, the author spent so much time on building character profiles that felt very solid, so when everything got jumbled around at the end I struggled to adjust mentally or believe what I was seeing,
This started out as a snow storm thriller and although that aspect was present, the majority of the book was spent in the past and beyond that moment in time. As snowstorm thriller tropes are one of my fave I just wish there was more scenes within that category for me to enjoy the elements of.
Overall this was a good read, my first of this author and likely not my last.
Thank you to Hannah Mary McKinnon, Harlequin trade publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
April 25, 2024
At first, I was completely hooked. Drummer Vienna and her bestie Madison, rocking out in their pop rock band? Sign me up! But then, tragedy strikes when their van crashes during a blizzard. It's like my heart plummeted along with them.
McKinnon's knack for suspense had me on the edge of my seat, especially with that unique twist of blending thriller elements with the music scene. It was like nothing I've read before, and I was totally here for it.
But then, things hit a bit of a snag. The pacing started to drag, and I found myself craving more backstory on the band and its members. Like, who are these people and how did they come together? I needed to know!
And don't even get me started on the ending. It felt like the buildup led to this big moment, but then it just kinda... fizzled out. Some of the twists were predictable, and I was left feeling a bit disappointed.
"Only One Survives" had its ups and downs. It's definitely worth a read if you're into thrillers with a unique premise, but just be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride along the way.
McKinnon's knack for suspense had me on the edge of my seat, especially with that unique twist of blending thriller elements with the music scene. It was like nothing I've read before, and I was totally here for it.
But then, things hit a bit of a snag. The pacing started to drag, and I found myself craving more backstory on the band and its members. Like, who are these people and how did they come together? I needed to know!
And don't even get me started on the ending. It felt like the buildup led to this big moment, but then it just kinda... fizzled out. Some of the twists were predictable, and I was left feeling a bit disappointed.
"Only One Survives" had its ups and downs. It's definitely worth a read if you're into thrillers with a unique premise, but just be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride along the way.
January 2, 2024
Vienna Taylor and her band, The Bittersweet have a tragic wreck in the Catskills. They all wanted fame and fortune but some worse than others. Not all survive and fingers are pointed.
This was a great story that was very gripping. It had plenty of twists and turns. Thanks NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC that will be released July 16, 2024!
This was a great story that was very gripping. It had plenty of twists and turns. Thanks NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC that will be released July 16, 2024!
July 29, 2024
Holy WTF! Talk about a disturbing and unsettling train wreck that you just cannot look away from, and I was invested in all of it.
This is going to be a super short review, because any little thing I say can lead to a spoiler. Also, I went into the story blind and think that made it even better.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
From the very beginning we are thrown into the action and trying to piece together everything that has already happened along with what we know about the characters and their relationships with each other. Then, watching everything unfold was just jaw dropping.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
Dual timelines
Tension
Suspense
WTF Moments
Mystery
Toxic Friendships
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
Fast! Kaley and I read this one together and we could not put it down, and I’m pretty sure we could not pick our jaws up off the ground after one of the twists.
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
Yes!! I highly recommend you grab a copy now! This is a clever and highly addictive story that will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can.
Thank you Hive and Mira for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is going to be a super short review, because any little thing I say can lead to a spoiler. Also, I went into the story blind and think that made it even better.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
From the very beginning we are thrown into the action and trying to piece together everything that has already happened along with what we know about the characters and their relationships with each other. Then, watching everything unfold was just jaw dropping.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
Dual timelines
Tension
Suspense
WTF Moments
Mystery
Toxic Friendships
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
Fast! Kaley and I read this one together and we could not put it down, and I’m pretty sure we could not pick our jaws up off the ground after one of the twists.
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
Yes!! I highly recommend you grab a copy now! This is a clever and highly addictive story that will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can.
Thank you Hive and Mira for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 27, 2024
3.5 stars - rounded down! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
All female rock band gets into serious car wreck in the snowy mountains - the only retreat is an abandoned snowy cabin. Sounds like a book that I NEEDED to read!
The first half of this book really dragged on for me. I liked the chapters set in the present (car wreck/snowy cabin) as opposed to the backstory high school setting chapters. It read sort of like a YA novel and that’s not my thing.
The second half picked up a bit with the first reveal - which was surprising. However, there were not enough abandoned snowy cabin scenes and I predicted the ending. The whole thing just seemed far-fetched and unbelievable.
All in all, it was ok. This was my first McKinnon book, but I’m interested in going back and reading some of her past work.
All female rock band gets into serious car wreck in the snowy mountains - the only retreat is an abandoned snowy cabin. Sounds like a book that I NEEDED to read!
The first half of this book really dragged on for me. I liked the chapters set in the present (car wreck/snowy cabin) as opposed to the backstory high school setting chapters. It read sort of like a YA novel and that’s not my thing.
The second half picked up a bit with the first reveal - which was surprising. However, there were not enough abandoned snowy cabin scenes and I predicted the ending. The whole thing just seemed far-fetched and unbelievable.
All in all, it was ok. This was my first McKinnon book, but I’m interested in going back and reading some of her past work.
April 24, 2024
Music runs a very close second to me, only to books. So any book that encompasses anything about music has definitely got me interested. Only One Survives is many of the things I love in a book- music (obviously), dual timeline, interview type/mixed media format, and suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed Hannah Mary McKinnon’s writing style & felt that this was a very good story. I will add I’m usually good at predicting the twists and I did not see this one coming. If you liked Daisy Jones & The Six (forever a favorite for me), you would enjoy this book!
Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for an ARC copy of this book.
Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for an ARC copy of this book.
January 17, 2024
Well, that was confusing.
Only One survives is a lot of plots and subplots in one book and it confused me more than really excite me or engage me.
What is this story about?
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.
But can the girls really trust each other? Especially when one by one the band loses members and one of the girls is the suspect.
This sounds amazing, right? I thought the whole book will be about these events. I thought it will be atmospheric and scary and I will feel that blizzard, even in the coziness of my home.
I felt the cabin-part of the story was a means to an end and it was written to the point without building a climax or even suspense. A larger part of the story was about the past of drummer Vienna and her best friend and bandmate Madison. You follows these girls in the past and later on you follow Vienna after the cabin incidents.
The story starts to drag at that point and for the purposes of shock there are some twists.
I wished the story stayed at that cabin.
2 stars.
ARC kindly received from Netgalley
July 18, 2024
What a wild ride this latest from Canadian thriller writer, Hannah Mary McKinnon was!! A perfect mix of Daisy Jones and the Six for the modern age combined seamlessly with an unexpected serial killer, an unreliable narrator and a gruesome survival story all rolled into one.
Full of twists and turns and jaw-dropping reveals I never saw coming (a few I did), this book takes on the high cost of fame and ambition and just what toll it can take on those who sacrifice everything in its pursuit.
HIGHLY recommended, this is a compelling, unputdownable must-read summer thriller you don't want to miss! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! Only one survives is by far my new favorite from McKinnon!
Full of twists and turns and jaw-dropping reveals I never saw coming (a few I did), this book takes on the high cost of fame and ambition and just what toll it can take on those who sacrifice everything in its pursuit.
HIGHLY recommended, this is a compelling, unputdownable must-read summer thriller you don't want to miss! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! Only one survives is by far my new favorite from McKinnon!
July 15, 2024
Only One Survives is addictive, fun, and twisty! Every single thing I look for in a thriller book is packed within these pages. I love how the characters are a part of a girl band, I love how they are stranded after an accident during a blizzard (it makes the tension SO much better), and I love how it’s told. I’m not going to go into details about the plot because you can read the blurb for that, but I will say that if you’re a thriller fan you don’t want to miss this one. I need a copy for my shelves!
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 16, 2024
I couldn’t get enough of this delicious thriller. A bit of a locked room (but not too much which was fine by me), dual timelines, unreliable narrator, mixed media, and centered around a band rising in fame this book had it all.
One thing I loved most about this book is that it didn’t end where I would’ve expected it to. So often books give a big reveal in the final pages and were left jaw dropped and asking but what happens next? Only One Survives answered that exact question and I freaking loved it.
The music aspect of this book was a bonus for me. I haven’t read a ton of books centered around a band and I liked the dynamics, details on the rise to fame, and the struggles.
Both Madison and Vienna were incredibly interesting, dynamic, and complex characters. I loved their depth, back stories, and family dynamics. I had no idea what I could believe and what I couldn’t and I was happy to enjoy the ride!
I couldn’t put this book down. I loved that it kept surprising me and that I didn’t really know where it was going. It was unique, fun, and superbly entertaining. I absolutely recommend!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lover Promotions and MIRA for the copy.
One thing I loved most about this book is that it didn’t end where I would’ve expected it to. So often books give a big reveal in the final pages and were left jaw dropped and asking but what happens next? Only One Survives answered that exact question and I freaking loved it.
The music aspect of this book was a bonus for me. I haven’t read a ton of books centered around a band and I liked the dynamics, details on the rise to fame, and the struggles.
Both Madison and Vienna were incredibly interesting, dynamic, and complex characters. I loved their depth, back stories, and family dynamics. I had no idea what I could believe and what I couldn’t and I was happy to enjoy the ride!
I couldn’t put this book down. I loved that it kept surprising me and that I didn’t really know where it was going. It was unique, fun, and superbly entertaining. I absolutely recommend!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lover Promotions and MIRA for the copy.
November 25, 2024
4 stars
I will admit when I'm wrong, and I was wrong about "Only One Survives". I thought I knew where it was going part way through, I thought I knew where every part of the mystery was going to go, I thought it was going to be predicable and cliche, I thought I was going to be let down. But I wasn't. And you wont be either.
I will admit when I'm wrong, and I was wrong about "Only One Survives". I thought I knew where it was going part way through, I thought I knew where every part of the mystery was going to go, I thought it was going to be predicable and cliche, I thought I was going to be let down. But I wasn't. And you wont be either.
July 3, 2024
Hannah Mary McKinnon (favorite author) returns following The Revenge List with her knock-out thriller and ninth novel, ONLY ONE SURVIVES. From murder, rock n roll, mystery, toxic female relationships, and mayhem, prepare for a highly entertaining rockin' adventure!
Wildly delicious! In this intense, addictive, and flawlessly executed tale, the author cleverly explores the fame (the rise and fall) of an all-female pop rock group, Bittersweet. After a fatal car crash on icy roads, one of the members decides the band is now worth more dead than alive in this atmospheric, thrills-by-the-minute suspense.
About...
Set in Portland, Maine, New York City, and a remote cabin in the Catskill mountains, we meet Vienna Taylor, the drummer. She has always wanted to make music with her best friend, guitarist, Madison Pierce.
With their female additions to the band, Isabel Riotto, and sisters Gabi and Evelina Sevillano, they were the perfect blend of powerful women who sang, played, and wrote their own tracks. They were a killer rock group known as Bittersweet and soon became a whirlwind sensation among music fans.
However, on the way to an event, the Bittersweet van careened off an icy mountain road in the Catskills during a blizzard—leaving one member dead and another severely injured.
They took shelter in a nearby abandoned remote cabin to survive the frigid night. But soon, their dreams of stardom turn into a terrifying nightmare as, one by one, her fellow band members meet a gruesome end…and Madison simply vanishes in the night.
Alternating from how Madison and Vienna's early complex relationship evolved to the tragic accident, leading up to (before and after), and the team member's deaths. The only survivors seem to be Vienna and the young documentary maker Libby since Madison seems missing.
Who is most desperate for fame, recognition, and checking social media constantly? What really happened to the Bittersweet? Did Vienna’s closest friend finally decide to take center stage on her own terms? Who among them is a cold-blooded killer? Their motive? Who will be the only one to survive?
My thoughts...
ONLY ONE SURVIVES is electrifying! Binge-worthy with a jaw-dropping shocking twist. A deep dive into female friendships, envy, and the price of fame.
McKinnon is at the top of her game with a creative killer murder mystery suspense thriller, twisty plot, well-developed characters, the writing of the impressive lyrics of Bittersweet for all the songs, a playlist, plus two alternating parts, commentary, blog posts, news articles, radio transcripts, and social media which enhances your reading experience.
Atmospheric, the cabin scene is bone-chilling. I adore the Catskills and could envision this vivid setting and the snow and ice. From unreliable narrators, toxic relationships, greed, betrayal, and jaw-dropping twists! You must read to find out who escaped the Bittersweet tragedy and how. What price will they pay for fame?
Topics: Jealousy, revenge, greed, envy, fame, betrayal, family, love, and friendship.
The author takes us back to Vienna's complex early days in her twenties, coming from a poor family with an abusive mother and her boyfriend, an absent father while trying to take care of her grandmother with dementia. Her best friend, Madison (rich), and her chance to move to NYC and their rock band.
Wildly entertaining! Nothing is as it seems in this riveting, creative, twisty thriller! An ideal choice for book clubs, music lovers, and further discussions. Be sure and check out her awesome book club kit!
I am a huge fan of the author and have read all her books. I highly recommend this book! It is one of the summer's hottest titles, and you do not want to miss it.
Recs...
For fans of the author as well as Jenova Rose, Taylor Jenkins Reid's Daisy Jones & The Six and Emma Cline's The Girls!
Interview...
Stay tuned for my upcoming #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A Chat with Hannah and ONLY ONE SURVIVES! Behind the book and the author (July 25th).
Thanks to MIRA and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early review copy!
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 16, 2024
July 2024 Must-Read Books
July Newsletter
Wildly delicious! In this intense, addictive, and flawlessly executed tale, the author cleverly explores the fame (the rise and fall) of an all-female pop rock group, Bittersweet. After a fatal car crash on icy roads, one of the members decides the band is now worth more dead than alive in this atmospheric, thrills-by-the-minute suspense.
About...
Set in Portland, Maine, New York City, and a remote cabin in the Catskill mountains, we meet Vienna Taylor, the drummer. She has always wanted to make music with her best friend, guitarist, Madison Pierce.
With their female additions to the band, Isabel Riotto, and sisters Gabi and Evelina Sevillano, they were the perfect blend of powerful women who sang, played, and wrote their own tracks. They were a killer rock group known as Bittersweet and soon became a whirlwind sensation among music fans.
However, on the way to an event, the Bittersweet van careened off an icy mountain road in the Catskills during a blizzard—leaving one member dead and another severely injured.
They took shelter in a nearby abandoned remote cabin to survive the frigid night. But soon, their dreams of stardom turn into a terrifying nightmare as, one by one, her fellow band members meet a gruesome end…and Madison simply vanishes in the night.
Alternating from how Madison and Vienna's early complex relationship evolved to the tragic accident, leading up to (before and after), and the team member's deaths. The only survivors seem to be Vienna and the young documentary maker Libby since Madison seems missing.
"Be warned, even a small taste of fame will do stuff to you that you won't lie. It'll change you, make you ruthless. It already has."
Who is most desperate for fame, recognition, and checking social media constantly? What really happened to the Bittersweet? Did Vienna’s closest friend finally decide to take center stage on her own terms? Who among them is a cold-blooded killer? Their motive? Who will be the only one to survive?
My thoughts...
ONLY ONE SURVIVES is electrifying! Binge-worthy with a jaw-dropping shocking twist. A deep dive into female friendships, envy, and the price of fame.
McKinnon is at the top of her game with a creative killer murder mystery suspense thriller, twisty plot, well-developed characters, the writing of the impressive lyrics of Bittersweet for all the songs, a playlist, plus two alternating parts, commentary, blog posts, news articles, radio transcripts, and social media which enhances your reading experience.
Atmospheric, the cabin scene is bone-chilling. I adore the Catskills and could envision this vivid setting and the snow and ice. From unreliable narrators, toxic relationships, greed, betrayal, and jaw-dropping twists! You must read to find out who escaped the Bittersweet tragedy and how. What price will they pay for fame?
Topics: Jealousy, revenge, greed, envy, fame, betrayal, family, love, and friendship.
The author takes us back to Vienna's complex early days in her twenties, coming from a poor family with an abusive mother and her boyfriend, an absent father while trying to take care of her grandmother with dementia. Her best friend, Madison (rich), and her chance to move to NYC and their rock band.
Wildly entertaining! Nothing is as it seems in this riveting, creative, twisty thriller! An ideal choice for book clubs, music lovers, and further discussions. Be sure and check out her awesome book club kit!
I am a huge fan of the author and have read all her books. I highly recommend this book! It is one of the summer's hottest titles, and you do not want to miss it.
Recs...
For fans of the author as well as Jenova Rose, Taylor Jenkins Reid's Daisy Jones & The Six and Emma Cline's The Girls!
Interview...
Stay tuned for my upcoming #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A Chat with Hannah and ONLY ONE SURVIVES! Behind the book and the author (July 25th).
Thanks to MIRA and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early review copy!
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 16, 2024
July 2024 Must-Read Books
July Newsletter
October 29, 2024
4.5 stars.
An all female pop group called the Bittersweet is driving in their van to a holiday party when they have a bad accident in the snow. The group was started by best friends Vienna and Madison who added Isabel, Gabi, and Evalina. Libby is traveling with them as the documentary assistant who is shadowing the group. Who the crash doesn't kill may soon be killed by a person.
The first part of the book covers the crash and immediate aftermath as well as the 4 year backstory between Vienna and Madison. I love a story with twists and this one is full of disclosures. Most of the book, I was blaming someone wrongly. I love the way the author so casually changed the direction of my thoughts with one sentence here, one sentence there at first. The second half is a real doozy.
Definitely a 5 star second half.
An all female pop group called the Bittersweet is driving in their van to a holiday party when they have a bad accident in the snow. The group was started by best friends Vienna and Madison who added Isabel, Gabi, and Evalina. Libby is traveling with them as the documentary assistant who is shadowing the group. Who the crash doesn't kill may soon be killed by a person.
The first part of the book covers the crash and immediate aftermath as well as the 4 year backstory between Vienna and Madison. I love a story with twists and this one is full of disclosures. Most of the book, I was blaming someone wrongly. I love the way the author so casually changed the direction of my thoughts with one sentence here, one sentence there at first. The second half is a real doozy.
Definitely a 5 star second half.
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