Nostalgia : A Fight Like Final Girls Short Story

by Kay Elem

Welcome to Fight Like Final Girls, a multi-author collection of standalone Thriller and Horror short stories and novellas. In this series, you'll find badass characters fighting until they're the last one standing, doing anything necessary, in order to live until tomorrow. Could you do what they had to? Read and find out!

In Nostalgia-
She survived high school. Now she has to survive the night.

It’s Sawyer’s ten-year high school reunion. The past lured her in, and now she’s stuck in the middle of nowhere with friends she hasn’t spoken to in years.
Nostalgic—or just stupid?

Then someone screams.
And everything unravels.

As tensions rise and bodies fall, she’ll have to decide who to trust—and how far she’s willing to go to make it home to her daughter.

Some friendships never heal.
Some memories never fade.
And some nights never end.


Make sure you check out all of the Fight Like Final Girls Collection!

Genres: Thriller

70 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2025

About the author

Hi! I’m Kay — debut author, full-time chaos coordinator, and frequent re-heater of coffee. I love writing stories that make you feel something. My characters are real to me, and when you’re inside one of my books, I hope they feel real to you too.

When I’m not writing or rewriting, I’m chasing after my (occasionally feral) family, teaching exercise classes, or pretending I folded the laundry.

If you love twisty stories with heart, you’re in the right place. 💀📚❤️

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBNS12RF

Reviews

[Calum Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this! It was an incredibly fast-paced short story that I could just imagine being the basis of a horror/thriller type film!

With each chapter being told from various characters' perspectives, it leaves the reader guessing who is up to what, and the varying contrasting opinions each character has of each other; something that I imagine happens quite a lot with these kinds of reunions! I can't say too much about the plot, as it's only a short story, but let's just say unfriendly pasts may have to be put aside with a killer on the loose!

This definitely had all the twists to hook you right in, so definitely expect the unexpected! It was also the perfect read to get that quick 'Scream' film-like fix, all of which could be read as you sit down to have a coffee!

I thought it was brilliant, and I'll definitely be checking out more of Kay's work!

Rating: 8.5/10 (rounded down)

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC Review*
I really enjoyed this short story from start to finish. I loved the multi POV and the fact that it was a reunion that brought them all together. It was a quick fast paced read. I recommend it!

[Casey Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great short story in the A Fight Like Final Girls. Great for spooky season and overall well done.

[Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story perfectly illustrates why you should never attend a school reunion. They were never your friends anyway. This story kept me on the edge of my seat, making it ideal for classic boogeyman horror lovers.

[Harley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story just in time for the spooky szn. I’ve never heard of this author prior to signing up but it was fun read of a quickie!

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nostalgia: A Fight Like Final Girls Short Story
by Kay Elem
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a super fun and exciting thriller/horror short story!
When high school classmates get together for their 10 year reunion, personalities clash and memories of long ago are brought forth.
Sawyer is excited when her old high school boyfriend Jake, invites her to his house for an after party. What starts out as some awkwardness amongst old acquaintances, very quickly turns into deadly encounters!
Will there be any survivors as the “friends” try to figure out what is going on and who the killer is?

This is a fast read and I was sucked in right away. I really enjoyed the originality and intensity of this story.

This book, along with several other authors, will have short stories coming out on October 3rd in the Fight Like Final Girls Series.
I’m excited to read more books from the series!!

[KwentongKuneho · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC Review**
One thing I love about this book is that it was fast paced. You can finish it in one sitting as the plot is really engulfing. If I wasn’t reading this in between my review classes and work, I would have finished it in an hour.

Sawyer, Claire, and Jake. You can’t really say who’s the victim here or who deserves their ending. They all have a story to tell. Although I just felt like there was much more that could’ve been added to the details.

I was satisfied with how the story ended, but I’m left craving for more.

[Yvette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, fast paced, thrilling read! The different point of view chapters kept you wondering what each character thought was happening, how they were all connected from high school, what happened back then, and who was the culprit of the events at the after party.
Hmmm…. May need a spin off about Callie and Dylan?? We all know that “monsters hide in plain sight.”
Thank you to the author for my ARC copy for my honest review.

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final Girl Greatness!

Nostalgia gives readers a chance to attend the reunion from hell! A group of former friends reunite and things take a turn for the deadly. This story is one that is quick to grab your attention. The pacing sets like a wildfire and once that fatal scream is heard, you won’t be able to put this story down.

Told as a part of the Fight Like Final Girls collection, this is not a story to miss!

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a part of Fight Like Girls short story collection. Kay Elem is a new to me author that has written Nostalgia. Read in one sitting I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A ten year high school reunion turns into an after party with a difference. I really liked that we got two main points of view.. both females are strong and I wondered who would be the final one standing.

I’ll be looking to read more from this author in the future.

[Terri Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! The story had a quick pace and kept my attention from start to finish (read in one sitting.) Who knew reunions could be killer? We all want to go back to the past or just be nostalgic- but at what cost, is it worth it? If you want to know the answers - read this and it will help you decide if you want to go to your next reunion.

[Annette Cates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book and the twists. I was able to put myself in the characters' shoes. I can't wait to read other books by this author. I was able to be an ARC reader for this Fight Like Final Girls Short Story and it was a pleasure to be chosen.

[Crystal Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC reader** I like the book and the twists were great! Nostalgia is a great title as it reminded me of the past. Very quick reader but also entertaining. I’m glad I was able to be an advance reader! Thanks!

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first time I’ve read something by Kay Elem but I know it won’t be my last! I thought high school reunions were stressful, this book makes mine look super boring! From the first page, it hooks you in. I think you will really enjoy this short story!

[Jessica Huntley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fast paced and enjoyable. Proper blood bath! 👌

[Mimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm honored to be selected as an ARC reader for this book!! if your looking for something that will keep you on your toes, this is it!!

[Kristy May · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story but I did predict the outcome very early on.

[Crystal O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but so full emotion and gripping moments. Reunions are always hot or miss but rarely ever about murder until you read this!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Loved every minute of this! If you think you dread a high school reunion, you’ll love this!

[Suzan Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this short story! Grabbed me from the beginning. Sawyer attends her reunion and then goes to a small get together after with a few friends and it’s not quite the romantic evening she was looking forward too! She finds a body and things just get worse from there! I got to know these characters and their individual personalities. The author stuffed everything necessary into this short story and it is so worth the read!

[Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the authors of these stories for the eARCs, these opinions are my own. Fight Like Final Girls is an anthology about final girls made up of seven stories. I was able to get advanced copies of three of the stories. The first is Shattered Girls Anonymous by M. A. Green. Cordelia attends a support group for final girls. She’s been attending ever since that night eight years ago when she first became a final girl. They all come for support and because they are the only ones that know what they are going through. It’s been months since Cordelia has told the story of how her and her friends rented a cabin and she was the only one to leave it. But Cordelia’s learn to change and adjust her story. So what really happened all those years ago? The second story was Nostalgia by Kay Elem. Sawyer and Claire are attending their ten year high school reunion and end up at an after party. The two don’t get along but they have seen each other in years. Then someone ends up dead. Soon they realize someone is hunting them. Can they survive? The third is The Final Chapter by TM Lunn. Liv is a writer of horror stories, specifically stories in which there is a final girl. Things are good that is until Graham wants to go public with things. It would ruin everything she has going for her. To make it worse, at a book signing, she’s accosted by a female reader who is not happy with her work. And when Liv finds herself a target she’ll soon learn there may be more behind the books she’s famous for. Are the final girls real? I can’t wait to check out the other four books! Each story is quick, entertaining, and thrilling! Highly recommend the Fight Like Final Girls anthology for those who like there slashers quick but full of tension!

[Mary Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever dreaded going to your high school reunion? Well this reunion is so much worse than yours could ever be!! A reunion turns murderous as old flames and old friends turn up and turn on each other in this twisted short story that is will grip you from the first page and keep you guessing until the very end. This was a new author for me and I was enthralled with the plot and couldn’t read it fast enough! A 5 star read. I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Erica Damon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What better place for a slasher tale than at a high school reunion after party? Old grudges, old friends, old flames...

My favorite thing about this one was the dual POV, two strong women, but who will survive? Who will be our final girl?

It did not go the way I expected it to, and I really loved the way it wrapped up! A great cast of characters that you could feel for, laugh with, and root for.

[Carey Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review:

A fast, thrilling read that hooked me right away! The multiple POVs kept me guessing who to trust and what really happened at the reunion, with twists that gave it a true Scream-like vibe. As a psychological thriller lover, this was right up my alley—perfect for a one-sitting read.

[Karrie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review:
Absolutely loved this short story! Thought I had it figured out. Turned out I was wrong. Kept my interest and was a quick read. Would 100% read this author again!