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The Last Time We Drowned
From Cosmopolitan's Cosmo Reads imprint comes The Last Time We Drowned, a razor-sharp, atmospheric, and impossible to put down locked-room psychological thriller where luxury curdles into terror and survival comes at the highest price.
Six influencers. One luxury yacht. Nowhere to hide.
Charlie Engels is broke and desperate when her bookstagram account lands her the offer of a join Empress, a state-of-the-art yacht houseboat off the Florida Keys turned influencer paradise. Lucrative brand deals and a ready-made "sisterhood" of internet stars—it may not be Charlie's dream job, but she knows she'd be a fool to turn it down.
It's also the perfect distraction; Charlie's eager to outrun her past and a staggering betrayal by her former best friend. Now, aboard Empress, Charlie is surrounded by dazzling women with their own the magnetic but ruthless leader, the spiraling fashion queen, the inseparable twins, the peacemaker with cracks in her confidence, and the memory of the influencer who Charlie is replacing. The same influencer who Charlie keeps seeing on board, even though the others insist she quit.
But when a hurricane traps the group at sea with their billionaire boss, the dream turns claustrophobic. Communications cut. Supplies dwindling. Old betrayals bubbling to the surface. Then the first body drops.
As paranoia mounts and alliances splinter, Charlie realizes the real danger isn't the storm outside—it's the deadly games being played below deck. And if she can't outwit a killer, her past won't be the only ghost that comes back to drown her.
Six influencers. One luxury yacht. Nowhere to hide.
Charlie Engels is broke and desperate when her bookstagram account lands her the offer of a join Empress, a state-of-the-art yacht houseboat off the Florida Keys turned influencer paradise. Lucrative brand deals and a ready-made "sisterhood" of internet stars—it may not be Charlie's dream job, but she knows she'd be a fool to turn it down.
It's also the perfect distraction; Charlie's eager to outrun her past and a staggering betrayal by her former best friend. Now, aboard Empress, Charlie is surrounded by dazzling women with their own the magnetic but ruthless leader, the spiraling fashion queen, the inseparable twins, the peacemaker with cracks in her confidence, and the memory of the influencer who Charlie is replacing. The same influencer who Charlie keeps seeing on board, even though the others insist she quit.
But when a hurricane traps the group at sea with their billionaire boss, the dream turns claustrophobic. Communications cut. Supplies dwindling. Old betrayals bubbling to the surface. Then the first body drops.
As paranoia mounts and alliances splinter, Charlie realizes the real danger isn't the storm outside—it's the deadly games being played below deck. And if she can't outwit a killer, her past won't be the only ghost that comes back to drown her.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Saratoga Schaefer
6 books577 followersSaratoga Schaefer (they/them) is the USA Today Bestselling and Indie Press Bestselling author of vicious horrors and twisted thrillers. Their books have been featured in Variety, People Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, and Glamour, and their writing has appeared in Writer’s Digest, CrimeReads, and more. Originally from Brooklyn, Saratoga now lives upstate with several needy animals and a haunted clown table.
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June 17, 2026
On today's episode of "This Is Why You Couldn't Pay Me to Get on a Yacht with a group of shady influencers." 🚩
I swear I’m optimistic, but I'm also far too pessimistic for this whole concept, and If only Charlie knew better, she never would have stepped foot on that boat too. Then again, desperation will take you places you never dreamed of going.
The Last Time We Drowned is about six influencers who are invited to take part in a program aboard a luxury yacht. Charlie is one of them. She's a book influencer whose career is hanging by thread, so when Tyler offers her a paycheck to spend time on his boat with a bunch of strangers, she does what I never would and says yes. Because if there's one thing I've learned from books, movies, and the occasional true crime documentary, it's that nothing good has ever come from voluntarily getting on a boat in the middle of nowhere.
Sure enough, a violent storm cuts the yacht off from the outside world. Communication goes down. Nobody can leave. Then there’s a cryptic message on a foggy mirror, the ghost of the girl Charlie replaced popping up in unexpected places, and the strange dynamic between the people on the boat that’s feeling a bit too cult-ish for comfort.
At this point, I'd love to say "just leave," but the nearest exit is the ocean, so sorrows, sorrows, prayers.
You’re Charlie! Friendly, approachable, always-giving-books-a-good-review-even-when-you-hated-them Charlie. Be nice.
Charlie is such a relatable character. Despite being a book influencer, she’s introverted and ironically really bad at influencing. She’s dishonest about her book ratings (never rated a book less than 4 stars) and has to channel her friend Sage's confidence and charisma whenever she films videos to seem more lively and entertaining. When she joins Empress, she feels completely out of place and out of her depth. Her character is interesting to me because she’s very hypocritical and perceptive, but also a little too trusting and pitiful.
Although the mystery behind the strange happenings on the boat takes up a significant part of the plot, the book also opens up discussions about plagiarism, boundaries, and friendship. People dress up theft in prettier words all the time. Inspiration, influence, homage. But where do we draw the line? Just because you didn't slap your name on someone else's manuscript and publish it as your own, does that make it better? At what point does borrowing ideas become stealing? And how do you justify sacrificing a friendship on the altar of literary fame and success?
I was furious. Really sick to my stomach at times. It goes without saying that plagiarism is wrong, but I've never really taken the time to think about the damage it can do to a writer. This book forced me to. It also does an interesting job of exploring the overlap between social media, influencer culture, the publishing industry, and the ways those worlds feed into and influence one another.
Although I liked the story well enough, it wasn't particularly gripping to me. I didn't care much about anyone besides Charlie. It’s not because they weren’t well written, quite the opposite. I just didn’t care if they sank with the boat because they were real scumbags. Another thing I didn’t care for was the ending. Frankly, it made me uncomfortable. Every single person on that boat is guilty of a terrible deed. Why is it that some had to pay for their sins while others get away with theirs and get to play righteous dealers of justice. It was a little underwhelming for me because it seemed like an easy ending.
P.S every time I read a scene where two people plan to meet beforehand and when they do, the guilty party starts confessing to a crime they can't be convicted of because there's no evidence, I keep thinking: why doesn’t anyone ever think of recording? Whether it can or can’t be admitted as evidence in court is between God and the judge. Use ya damn phones.
P.S to my P.S the book title ASOSAS - A Song of Scales and Salt keeps sending me because it reminds me of ACOTAR 😂
I swear I’m optimistic, but I'm also far too pessimistic for this whole concept, and If only Charlie knew better, she never would have stepped foot on that boat too. Then again, desperation will take you places you never dreamed of going.
The Last Time We Drowned is about six influencers who are invited to take part in a program aboard a luxury yacht. Charlie is one of them. She's a book influencer whose career is hanging by thread, so when Tyler offers her a paycheck to spend time on his boat with a bunch of strangers, she does what I never would and says yes. Because if there's one thing I've learned from books, movies, and the occasional true crime documentary, it's that nothing good has ever come from voluntarily getting on a boat in the middle of nowhere.
Sure enough, a violent storm cuts the yacht off from the outside world. Communication goes down. Nobody can leave. Then there’s a cryptic message on a foggy mirror, the ghost of the girl Charlie replaced popping up in unexpected places, and the strange dynamic between the people on the boat that’s feeling a bit too cult-ish for comfort.
At this point, I'd love to say "just leave," but the nearest exit is the ocean, so sorrows, sorrows, prayers.
You’re Charlie! Friendly, approachable, always-giving-books-a-good-review-even-when-you-hated-them Charlie. Be nice.
Charlie is such a relatable character. Despite being a book influencer, she’s introverted and ironically really bad at influencing. She’s dishonest about her book ratings (never rated a book less than 4 stars) and has to channel her friend Sage's confidence and charisma whenever she films videos to seem more lively and entertaining. When she joins Empress, she feels completely out of place and out of her depth. Her character is interesting to me because she’s very hypocritical and perceptive, but also a little too trusting and pitiful.
Although the mystery behind the strange happenings on the boat takes up a significant part of the plot, the book also opens up discussions about plagiarism, boundaries, and friendship. People dress up theft in prettier words all the time. Inspiration, influence, homage. But where do we draw the line? Just because you didn't slap your name on someone else's manuscript and publish it as your own, does that make it better? At what point does borrowing ideas become stealing? And how do you justify sacrificing a friendship on the altar of literary fame and success?
I was furious. Really sick to my stomach at times. It goes without saying that plagiarism is wrong, but I've never really taken the time to think about the damage it can do to a writer. This book forced me to. It also does an interesting job of exploring the overlap between social media, influencer culture, the publishing industry, and the ways those worlds feed into and influence one another.
Although I liked the story well enough, it wasn't particularly gripping to me. I didn't care much about anyone besides Charlie. It’s not because they weren’t well written, quite the opposite. I just didn’t care if they sank with the boat because they were real scumbags. Another thing I didn’t care for was the ending. Frankly, it made me uncomfortable. Every single person on that boat is guilty of a terrible deed. Why is it that some had to pay for their sins while others get away with theirs and get to play righteous dealers of justice. It was a little underwhelming for me because it seemed like an easy ending.
P.S every time I read a scene where two people plan to meet beforehand and when they do, the guilty party starts confessing to a crime they can't be convicted of because there's no evidence, I keep thinking: why doesn’t anyone ever think of recording? Whether it can or can’t be admitted as evidence in court is between God and the judge. Use ya damn phones.
P.S to my P.S the book title ASOSAS - A Song of Scales and Salt keeps sending me because it reminds me of ACOTAR 😂
June 5, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up
Super creepy thriller with horror elements following a group of influencers living on a boat at the end of hurricane season. The newest member slowly discovers darkness under the peppy surface, and brings some demons of her own...
This was great. Truly creepy scenes, lots of drama, a queer protagonist, and a twisty ending. What more could you ask for? A perfect book to pick up for pride month if you want something a little dark with something to say about influencer culture, art, and toxic friendships. Also the audiobook is fantastic and atmospheric. I received a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.
Super creepy thriller with horror elements following a group of influencers living on a boat at the end of hurricane season. The newest member slowly discovers darkness under the peppy surface, and brings some demons of her own...
This was great. Truly creepy scenes, lots of drama, a queer protagonist, and a twisty ending. What more could you ask for? A perfect book to pick up for pride month if you want something a little dark with something to say about influencer culture, art, and toxic friendships. Also the audiobook is fantastic and atmospheric. I received a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.
Want to Read
May 21, 2026ARC received! Thank you, Cosmos Books!
June 24, 2026
The last time we trusted influencers.
"There's no such thing as starting over. Just new water to drown in.
Charlie Engels is broke and desperate for a fresh start when her bookstagram account lands her an unexpected opportunity: a spot aboard the Empress, a luxury yacht turned influencer paradise floating off the Florida Keys. Surrounded by glamorous internet celebrities, lucrative sponsorships, and the promise of reinvention, Charlie hopes to leave behind the betrayal that shattered her old life. But life aboard the Empress quickly turns claustrophobic, and when a hurricane traps everyone at sea, the dream trip becomes something far more sinister. As communications fail and paranoia takes hold, Charlie realizes the real danger isn't the storm outside.
What I loved most about The Last Time We Drowned was Charlie herself. Bookish, introverted, and surprisingly terrible at influencing, she felt refreshingly relatable amid a cast of people who are largely the exact sort of influencers you'd expect: self-absorbed, image-obsessed, and often downright horrible human beings. My investment in the story came almost entirely from wanting Charlie to survive both the storm and the company she found herself (reluctantly) keeping.
I also appreciated the deeper themes woven throughout the novel. The exploration of influencer culture, online identities, plagiarism, and the pressure to constantly perform for an audience adds substance to what might otherwise have been a straightforward locked-room thriller. The isolated setting works particularly well, too. A luxury yacht stranded at sea during an approaching hurricane, with failing communications and nowhere to escape, creates an eerie, tension-filled atmosphere that keeps the pages turning.
That said, the mystery itself took a long time to fully emerge, and when it finally did, I found it more predictable than surprising. While the suspense is effective, the eventual reveals lacked some of the punch I was hoping for.
Overall, The Last Time We Drowned a fun popcorn thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously and that makes for an entertaining beach read - just maybe don't read it while you're actually on a yacht. Atmospheric, timely, and packed with social-media drama, it's a quick read that still offers plenty of tension and works as a perfect palette cleanser.
Many thanks to Cosmo Reads for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"The Last Time We Drowned" was published on June 2, 2026, and is available now.
"There's no such thing as starting over. Just new water to drown in.
Charlie Engels is broke and desperate for a fresh start when her bookstagram account lands her an unexpected opportunity: a spot aboard the Empress, a luxury yacht turned influencer paradise floating off the Florida Keys. Surrounded by glamorous internet celebrities, lucrative sponsorships, and the promise of reinvention, Charlie hopes to leave behind the betrayal that shattered her old life. But life aboard the Empress quickly turns claustrophobic, and when a hurricane traps everyone at sea, the dream trip becomes something far more sinister. As communications fail and paranoia takes hold, Charlie realizes the real danger isn't the storm outside.
What I loved most about The Last Time We Drowned was Charlie herself. Bookish, introverted, and surprisingly terrible at influencing, she felt refreshingly relatable amid a cast of people who are largely the exact sort of influencers you'd expect: self-absorbed, image-obsessed, and often downright horrible human beings. My investment in the story came almost entirely from wanting Charlie to survive both the storm and the company she found herself (reluctantly) keeping.
I also appreciated the deeper themes woven throughout the novel. The exploration of influencer culture, online identities, plagiarism, and the pressure to constantly perform for an audience adds substance to what might otherwise have been a straightforward locked-room thriller. The isolated setting works particularly well, too. A luxury yacht stranded at sea during an approaching hurricane, with failing communications and nowhere to escape, creates an eerie, tension-filled atmosphere that keeps the pages turning.
That said, the mystery itself took a long time to fully emerge, and when it finally did, I found it more predictable than surprising. While the suspense is effective, the eventual reveals lacked some of the punch I was hoping for.
Overall, The Last Time We Drowned a fun popcorn thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously and that makes for an entertaining beach read - just maybe don't read it while you're actually on a yacht. Atmospheric, timely, and packed with social-media drama, it's a quick read that still offers plenty of tension and works as a perfect palette cleanser.
Many thanks to Cosmo Reads for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"The Last Time We Drowned" was published on June 2, 2026, and is available now.
May 24, 2026
The Last Time We Drowned is a gripping and fast-paced read that pulls you in from the very beginning. The story follows Charlie as she navigates the devastating loss of her best friend while trying to rebuild her life. When she lands a job working as a social media influencer aboard the luxurious ship The Empress, it seems like the perfect escape—but things quickly take a dark and unsettling turn.
The setting on the ship adds a unique and eerie atmosphere, and the tension builds steadily as the story unfolds. The plot moves quickly, keeping you hooked, and there are plenty of chilling moments that linger even after you’ve finished reading.
While I really enjoyed the overall story and pacing, I struggled to connect with Charlie. There was something about her personality that didn’t quite click for me, which made it harder to fully invest in her journey.
Overall, this is an engaging and suspenseful novel with a haunting vibe and a compelling premise. Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy fast-moving thrillers with a darker edge.
The setting on the ship adds a unique and eerie atmosphere, and the tension builds steadily as the story unfolds. The plot moves quickly, keeping you hooked, and there are plenty of chilling moments that linger even after you’ve finished reading.
While I really enjoyed the overall story and pacing, I struggled to connect with Charlie. There was something about her personality that didn’t quite click for me, which made it harder to fully invest in her journey.
Overall, this is an engaging and suspenseful novel with a haunting vibe and a compelling premise. Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy fast-moving thrillers with a darker edge.
June 9, 2026
Influencer thriller set on a luxury yacht. Basically ticks all my “gimme now” boxes. This one has a fun little horror element that I won’t spoil, but Schaefer sort of leaves it up to the reader how much they want to read into it so that it makes this pretty easy to recommend whether you appreciate that sort of thing or not.
The horror elements were what I liked best about the book. The atmosphere and creepy tone were done really well, while the influencer aspect maybe wasn’t used to its full advantage. I think what appeals to me about that trope, if I can call it that, is the opportunity for either social commentary or social satire. The opportunity to say look at how ridiculous we’ve all become with our noses buried in our phones all the time, obsessed with our follower counts, talking into our screens to no one at all, repeating ad nauseam “smash that like button and subscribe!” It’s weird right, when you really think about it? (To me it is, but I’m a really private and introverted person.) I am sort of waiting to see it done well and I haven’t quite found it yet.
Our main character Charlie didn’t particularly want to be an influencer in the first place so I think that’s where the disconnect regarding the influencer aspect came from. She’s more focused on the immediate issues, which is a fair take. And plenty of readers would probably prefer it that way- why worry about social media when there is really important real world stuff going on?
The characters were well developed. I liked Charlie and I loved Piper. Despite my desire to see more commentary on an influencer lifestyle, this book had plenty to say about contemporary life/culture.
For the mystery/plot itself. There was one thing I had pegged pretty early on. I felt like the trope was one I’d seen done before so I sort of knew right away at least one of the things that was going on. There’s another thing that happens that I saw coming as well, so I don’t know if this is the most surprising thriller ever but I think someone less experienced with thrillers could probably be caught off guard by one or both things.
That being said, seeing how it all resolved was what kept me reading. I cared about and wanted to know what happened to everyone. The ending is one explosive thrill ride. I thought the pacing overall was pretty well done. No real filler content to be found. Chapters were quick, just like a thriller should read.
I have Schaefer’s other book Tradwife sitting on my shelf and I’m excited to check that out too. I think I even saw they have a third one coming out later this year?! I’ll be on the lookout!
The Last Time We Drowned is out now in paperback!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
The horror elements were what I liked best about the book. The atmosphere and creepy tone were done really well, while the influencer aspect maybe wasn’t used to its full advantage. I think what appeals to me about that trope, if I can call it that, is the opportunity for either social commentary or social satire. The opportunity to say look at how ridiculous we’ve all become with our noses buried in our phones all the time, obsessed with our follower counts, talking into our screens to no one at all, repeating ad nauseam “smash that like button and subscribe!” It’s weird right, when you really think about it? (To me it is, but I’m a really private and introverted person.) I am sort of waiting to see it done well and I haven’t quite found it yet.
Our main character Charlie didn’t particularly want to be an influencer in the first place so I think that’s where the disconnect regarding the influencer aspect came from. She’s more focused on the immediate issues, which is a fair take. And plenty of readers would probably prefer it that way- why worry about social media when there is really important real world stuff going on?
The characters were well developed. I liked Charlie and I loved Piper. Despite my desire to see more commentary on an influencer lifestyle, this book had plenty to say about contemporary life/culture.
For the mystery/plot itself. There was one thing I had pegged pretty early on. I felt like the trope was one I’d seen done before so I sort of knew right away at least one of the things that was going on. There’s another thing that happens that I saw coming as well, so I don’t know if this is the most surprising thriller ever but I think someone less experienced with thrillers could probably be caught off guard by one or both things.
That being said, seeing how it all resolved was what kept me reading. I cared about and wanted to know what happened to everyone. The ending is one explosive thrill ride. I thought the pacing overall was pretty well done. No real filler content to be found. Chapters were quick, just like a thriller should read.
I have Schaefer’s other book Tradwife sitting on my shelf and I’m excited to check that out too. I think I even saw they have a third one coming out later this year?! I’ll be on the lookout!
The Last Time We Drowned is out now in paperback!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
June 11, 2026
Many thanks to Cosmo Reads and Sourcebooks Audio for my advanced reader copy of The Last Time We Drowned by Saratoga Schaefer.. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this one! It was definitely more mystery than thriller which was a pleasant surprise because I absolutely devoured this author's debut thriller. I really loved being able to see another side of their writing.
Down bad Charlie needs money and to escape her past fast. What better time is there to accept an invitation of a luxurious yacht trip with influencers. A paid getaway is just what Charlie needs to regroup her life after the sudden death of her roommate and best friend. Charlie will soon realize that the past always catches up to you no matter how hard you try to run.
I enjoyed the atmospheric setting and was hooked immediately from the jump. I liked the main character and the story made me feel immersed and interested where their story was going. I definitely recommend this one and I am so excited to see what else this author writes!
I really enjoyed this one! It was definitely more mystery than thriller which was a pleasant surprise because I absolutely devoured this author's debut thriller. I really loved being able to see another side of their writing.
Down bad Charlie needs money and to escape her past fast. What better time is there to accept an invitation of a luxurious yacht trip with influencers. A paid getaway is just what Charlie needs to regroup her life after the sudden death of her roommate and best friend. Charlie will soon realize that the past always catches up to you no matter how hard you try to run.
I enjoyed the atmospheric setting and was hooked immediately from the jump. I liked the main character and the story made me feel immersed and interested where their story was going. I definitely recommend this one and I am so excited to see what else this author writes!
June 12, 2026
When Charlie boards the luxury yacht Empress to join a group of influencers, she senses something is off with the others. She's plagued with visions and the recent death of a friend who had betrayed her. With her own past haunting her, she's unsure if she can even trust herself. An unexpected hurricane rolls in, leaving the group stranded at sea... and someone has sabotaged all lines of communication. As the storm rages on, the body count and questions grow, and secrets begin to rise to the surface.
This was enjoyable though it did have some snags. The characters, including Charlie, aren't necessarily unlikable, but I also didn't feel like I cared what happened to any of them. Much of the plot was easily predictable as well. But here's the thing - these are never full dealbreakers for me in this genre because sometimes a popcorn thriller like this is just the kind of quick palette cleanser that's needed. It's a fun, summer-tinged escape that doesn't need to take itself too seriously, and you can't go wrong choosing audio because... 👇🏻
🎙 The premise sounded good, but it was seeing Stephanie Németh-Parker listed as the narrator that sold me on grabbing this one. Even if the book wasn't a 5☆ read for me, her narration is absolutely 5☆. She slips effortlessly through the different characters during dialogues, giving each a distinctive voice that never feels confusing, and proving once again why she's one of my favorite narrators in the game.
✨️ Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC!
This was enjoyable though it did have some snags. The characters, including Charlie, aren't necessarily unlikable, but I also didn't feel like I cared what happened to any of them. Much of the plot was easily predictable as well. But here's the thing - these are never full dealbreakers for me in this genre because sometimes a popcorn thriller like this is just the kind of quick palette cleanser that's needed. It's a fun, summer-tinged escape that doesn't need to take itself too seriously, and you can't go wrong choosing audio because... 👇🏻
🎙 The premise sounded good, but it was seeing Stephanie Németh-Parker listed as the narrator that sold me on grabbing this one. Even if the book wasn't a 5☆ read for me, her narration is absolutely 5☆. She slips effortlessly through the different characters during dialogues, giving each a distinctive voice that never feels confusing, and proving once again why she's one of my favorite narrators in the game.
✨️ Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC!
May 29, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Cosmo Reads for the gifted ARC!
Influencers trapped on a luxury yacht during a hurricane while people start dying?? Such a fun setup, especially with one of the influencers being a bookstagrammer 🤣 It got very chaotic toward the end and there were definitely moments where I was like wait… what is happening right now?
I will say, I didn’t really connect with most of the characters. They were all kind of messy and unlikeable in their own ways, which I think was intentional, but it did make it harder for me to really care about what happened to some of them. Charlie frustrated me quite a bit too.
Overall, not the most mind blowing thriller ever, but still an entertaining summer read.
Influencers trapped on a luxury yacht during a hurricane while people start dying?? Such a fun setup, especially with one of the influencers being a bookstagrammer 🤣 It got very chaotic toward the end and there were definitely moments where I was like wait… what is happening right now?
I will say, I didn’t really connect with most of the characters. They were all kind of messy and unlikeable in their own ways, which I think was intentional, but it did make it harder for me to really care about what happened to some of them. Charlie frustrated me quite a bit too.
Overall, not the most mind blowing thriller ever, but still an entertaining summer read.
April 6, 2026
I had so much fun reading this! It's the perfect locked-room (boat) mystery/thriller for going into the warmer weather. There's something about influencer culture and the whole rich lifestyle angle that I just find so entertaining to read about, even if it is ridiculous. Charlie is a bookstagrammer who gets hired to live on a luxury yacht with other content creators to promote the yacht line. When she starts to hear about the girl she is replacing, Charlie's suspicions of the other girls develop. Obviously, I enjoyed the bookstagrammer angle. Content creator culture is something I am both fascinated by, and find ridiculous. I am on the fringe of that with my small potatoes bookstagram account that sometimes gets freebies and cool opportunities, but nothing like the crew in this book! Like I do not, at all, make a living from it. The book definitely serves lifestyles of the young and rich, as well as mean girl culture. Every character is hiding secrets, including our girl Charlie. When a body drops dead and a hurricane has them trapped on board, things really spiral. We definitely get some glimpses of Saratoga's horror writing. I was just thoroughly entertained by it, and found myself wanting to pick it up constantly any time I had to put it down. While it is over-the-top and chaotic, there are snippets of real commentary in there on influencer culture, rich men's attitudes (especially towards women), female competition but also solidarity, and burying guilt and trauma. While I read it early at the onset of Spring, this is going to be a killer summertime thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley and Cosmo Reads for the ARC. Book releases 6/2/26.
Thank you to NetGalley and Cosmo Reads for the ARC. Book releases 6/2/26.
February 15, 2026
WOW WOW WOW
OH MY GOD SARATOGA THIS IS AMAZING
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me have an early copy to read!
Okay, so for the last six months, I have stayed away from thrillers bc they’ve been bothering me. This is the EXACT thriller I needed. WOW THIS IS GOOD
I’ve read all of Saratoga’s books, and the level this one is on is a completely different level. The writing is so good I can’t get over it. The twists and turns really kept me going, and at one point I gasped out loud.
As someone with a book account and the fear of big bodies of water, I got goosebumps 10/10
OH MY GOD SARATOGA THIS IS AMAZING
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me have an early copy to read!
Okay, so for the last six months, I have stayed away from thrillers bc they’ve been bothering me. This is the EXACT thriller I needed. WOW THIS IS GOOD
I’ve read all of Saratoga’s books, and the level this one is on is a completely different level. The writing is so good I can’t get over it. The twists and turns really kept me going, and at one point I gasped out loud.
As someone with a book account and the fear of big bodies of water, I got goosebumps 10/10
June 16, 2026
If you love Below Deck, reality tv drama, or you loved CW shows, The Last Time We Drowned is going to be a hit for you! This had a little bit of everything I didn’t know I was craving! Messy influencers in a locked door mystery on a yacht with paranormal elements?! The perfect summer thriller!
This is actually the second influencer-centred thriller I’ve read recently, and I loved this one so much more than the last! The slang was minimal, making it more accessible to readers over 20, and the characters didn’t feel like caricatures of their intended archetype. They all carried mystery of their own, because knowing someone’s influencer persona doesn’t necessarily mean you truly know them👀
Narration specific🎤: Thoroughly entertaining, and made even better thanks to the impressive range of narrator Stephanie Németh-Parker! From feisty girl drama moments to eerie fearful ones she had me on the edge of my seat!
Add this to your summer audiobook playlist!
**Thank you to @sourcebooks.audio for providing me an ALC! All opinions are my own.**
This is actually the second influencer-centred thriller I’ve read recently, and I loved this one so much more than the last! The slang was minimal, making it more accessible to readers over 20, and the characters didn’t feel like caricatures of their intended archetype. They all carried mystery of their own, because knowing someone’s influencer persona doesn’t necessarily mean you truly know them👀
Narration specific🎤: Thoroughly entertaining, and made even better thanks to the impressive range of narrator Stephanie Németh-Parker! From feisty girl drama moments to eerie fearful ones she had me on the edge of my seat!
Add this to your summer audiobook playlist!
**Thank you to @sourcebooks.audio for providing me an ALC! All opinions are my own.**
June 15, 2026
the ending omgggg
June 22, 2026
BLURB:
Charlie Angers, a queer bookstagrammer, is invited onto a luxury influencer yacht run by billionaire Trey Barty and influencer Vivian, but the trip turns dangerous when a storm traps them at sea & a dead body forces Charlie to question everything.
REVIEW:
This book is a fresh take on the locked-room thriller trope—a billionaire’s influencer yacht turns into a nightmare once a hurricane traps everyone at sea and someone ends up dead. This was my first time reading this author, and I was impressed with the pacing and the immersive writing. Even though the characters are in their 20s, the story has a slightly YA feel in the way the characters speak to each other and act—but it doesn’t take away from how entertaining the story is!
The entire story is told from Charlie’s POV, and right away you can sense she’s an unreliable narrator. She’s grieving the death of her best friend Sage, who mysteriously drowned. We soon learn that Charlie and Sage shared ideas for a book, and Sage allegedly stole Charlie’s ideas and wrote a bestselling romantasy novel, which destroyed their friendship. Charlie’s is haunted by Sage’s death, but her anger and resentment are still very much alive, and they cloud her judgment throughout the story. On the yacht, she sees a scary, swollen, bluish woman several times—is it a hallucination, or is the boat haunted?
Add in a mystery involving the influencer that Charlie replaced (Elena), who disappeared and hasn’t posted since, along with a suspicious group of young influencers on board—twins Ashley and Rachel, makeup artist Fiona, unhinged Piper, and queen bee Vivian—and you’ll be questioning everyone’s motives. Once the storm hits and they’re stuck at sea and someone’s found dead, the story really takes off—and Charlie starts poking around and discovers shocking truths that put her in danger. It’s a great setup that only gets more intricate and interesting!
The short chapters, many ending on mini cliffhangers, make this a straightforward and binge-worthy read. I didn’t find the story overly thrilling until the very end, but the dramatic and sometimes toxic interactions between Charlie and the other female influencers on board were enough to keep me fully engaged. And I liked Charlie more and more as she stood her ground, demanded answers, and even pushed back against billionaire Trey himself—even when she knew she was putting herself at risk. And despite almost all of the characters being unlikable and morally grey, I recommend you reserve judgment of them until the end, as there are some last-minute surprises that may change your mind.
The ending has a clever last-minute twist but I found it to be bittersweet—there’s a selective sense of justice that isn’t entirely satisfying, but it’s still original! If this sounds like your vibe and you enjoy locked-room thrillers and race-against-time narratives, definitely give this one a try!
Charlie Angers, a queer bookstagrammer, is invited onto a luxury influencer yacht run by billionaire Trey Barty and influencer Vivian, but the trip turns dangerous when a storm traps them at sea & a dead body forces Charlie to question everything.
REVIEW:
This book is a fresh take on the locked-room thriller trope—a billionaire’s influencer yacht turns into a nightmare once a hurricane traps everyone at sea and someone ends up dead. This was my first time reading this author, and I was impressed with the pacing and the immersive writing. Even though the characters are in their 20s, the story has a slightly YA feel in the way the characters speak to each other and act—but it doesn’t take away from how entertaining the story is!
The entire story is told from Charlie’s POV, and right away you can sense she’s an unreliable narrator. She’s grieving the death of her best friend Sage, who mysteriously drowned. We soon learn that Charlie and Sage shared ideas for a book, and Sage allegedly stole Charlie’s ideas and wrote a bestselling romantasy novel, which destroyed their friendship. Charlie’s is haunted by Sage’s death, but her anger and resentment are still very much alive, and they cloud her judgment throughout the story. On the yacht, she sees a scary, swollen, bluish woman several times—is it a hallucination, or is the boat haunted?
Add in a mystery involving the influencer that Charlie replaced (Elena), who disappeared and hasn’t posted since, along with a suspicious group of young influencers on board—twins Ashley and Rachel, makeup artist Fiona, unhinged Piper, and queen bee Vivian—and you’ll be questioning everyone’s motives. Once the storm hits and they’re stuck at sea and someone’s found dead, the story really takes off—and Charlie starts poking around and discovers shocking truths that put her in danger. It’s a great setup that only gets more intricate and interesting!
The short chapters, many ending on mini cliffhangers, make this a straightforward and binge-worthy read. I didn’t find the story overly thrilling until the very end, but the dramatic and sometimes toxic interactions between Charlie and the other female influencers on board were enough to keep me fully engaged. And I liked Charlie more and more as she stood her ground, demanded answers, and even pushed back against billionaire Trey himself—even when she knew she was putting herself at risk. And despite almost all of the characters being unlikable and morally grey, I recommend you reserve judgment of them until the end, as there are some last-minute surprises that may change your mind.
The ending has a clever last-minute twist but I found it to be bittersweet—there’s a selective sense of justice that isn’t entirely satisfying, but it’s still original! If this sounds like your vibe and you enjoy locked-room thrillers and race-against-time narratives, definitely give this one a try!
June 16, 2026
4⭐️ - What a fun, twisty thriller! After absolutely loving Trad Wife, I was excited to pick up another book by this author and now they're firmly on my auto-buy list.
The story follows Charlie, a book influencer whose online career is hanging by a thread. Desperate to escape both her past and a devastating betrayal by her former best friend, she jumps at the chance to join a small group of content creators aboard a luxury yacht in the Florida Keys. Personally, I've consumed enough books, horror movies and true crime documentaries to know that voluntarily getting on a boat in the middle of nowhere is never the correct choice, but thankfully Charlie did because this story was wildly entertaining! 😆
Once a hurricane rolls in, the yacht is stranded, communication is cut off and things on board start getting stranger by the minute. There's a missing influencer nobody seems willing to talk about, cryptic messages appearing on foggy mirrors, a billionaire host who sets off every alarm bell imaginable and a growing sense that everyone is hiding something. The influencer dynamics were an absolute trainwreck in the most entertaining way possible. Every conversation felt loaded, every friendship felt fragile, and I was completely invested in watching the secrets, betrayals and paranoia spiral further out of control.
I love what this book had to say about influencer culture, online performance and the personas people create for public consumption. Charlie's emotional baggage gives the story some real weight, and her vulnerability made her easy to root for even when she was making questionable decisions. Between the storm, the isolation, the toxic friendships, genuinely creepy moments, a queer protagonist and a twisty ending, I was hooked from start to finish. The audiobook was fantastic too and really elevated the reading experience.
Thank you so much to @sourcebooks.audio, @sourcebooks and @librofm for the ALC.
The story follows Charlie, a book influencer whose online career is hanging by a thread. Desperate to escape both her past and a devastating betrayal by her former best friend, she jumps at the chance to join a small group of content creators aboard a luxury yacht in the Florida Keys. Personally, I've consumed enough books, horror movies and true crime documentaries to know that voluntarily getting on a boat in the middle of nowhere is never the correct choice, but thankfully Charlie did because this story was wildly entertaining! 😆
Once a hurricane rolls in, the yacht is stranded, communication is cut off and things on board start getting stranger by the minute. There's a missing influencer nobody seems willing to talk about, cryptic messages appearing on foggy mirrors, a billionaire host who sets off every alarm bell imaginable and a growing sense that everyone is hiding something. The influencer dynamics were an absolute trainwreck in the most entertaining way possible. Every conversation felt loaded, every friendship felt fragile, and I was completely invested in watching the secrets, betrayals and paranoia spiral further out of control.
I love what this book had to say about influencer culture, online performance and the personas people create for public consumption. Charlie's emotional baggage gives the story some real weight, and her vulnerability made her easy to root for even when she was making questionable decisions. Between the storm, the isolation, the toxic friendships, genuinely creepy moments, a queer protagonist and a twisty ending, I was hooked from start to finish. The audiobook was fantastic too and really elevated the reading experience.
Thank you so much to @sourcebooks.audio, @sourcebooks and @librofm for the ALC.
May 26, 2026
I was really looking forward to reading a thriller from Saratoga Schaefer after enjoying their horror offering Trad Wife, and I was curious to see how they would fare outside of the twisted horror space. Ultimately, I ended up having a fairly good time with this one.
I’m endlessly fascinated by influencer culture — not in an aspirational way, but from a sociological perspective. Schaefer seems to have a knack for pulling from hot-button social media trends and exploring them in an entertaining, almost satirical way. I especially loved that a BookTok/Bookstagram influencer was at the center of the story because it gave the whole thing a very meta quality.
Overall, I really enjoyed the romp through the luxury yacht world and all the chaos involving both influencers and the ultra-wealthy yacht crowd. That said, the first third felt a bit repetitive and could have benefited from a tighter edit. Since I initially read this as an ARC, I assumed some of that might change before publication. However, after finishing, I got access to the audiobook (which is a final copy), which appears to match the ARC copy.
It is narrated by the incredibly talented Stephanie Németh-Parker. I literally read the book twice, back to back, and her narration makes it come alive in a way that I missed with my eyeballs. It allowed me to look past the repetition at the beginning of the book and coast along on the vibes and rich prose that Schaefer delivers.
The characters are incredibly vapid and unlikable — which, personally, I absolutely eat up — but I know that won’t work for every reader. As a thriller, it’s also fairly predictable. I think even readers who don’t usually guess twists early may see this one coming, but honestly, I still really enjoyed the journey and highly recommend it.
If you’re looking for a fun, messy romp through influencer culture with plenty of luxury yacht drama, this makes for a perfect beach read for thriller fans.
I am thankful to have received a complimentary eARC and ALC from Sourcebooks via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
May 7, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Saratoga Schaefer for a digital ARC of The Last Time We Drowned in exchange for an honest review. All of these thoughts are my own.
—
“Julie Chan is Dead” meets “The Woman in Cabin 10” in this new Saratoga Schaefer’s novel!
In The Last Time We Drowned, we’re introduced to Charlie, a rising bookstagrammer who is struggling to make ends meet and living paycheck by paycheck. When the opportunity to live in a luxury yacht with other six influencers arrives, Charlie doesn’t hesitate to accept it. She will have to be part of this cult-like “sisterhood” and share all of her secrets with them and her followers, but how many secrets is too many secrets? And much is she willing to share? Especially when one night, they get trapped in a big storm in the middle of the ocean and are forced to stick to each other👀
—
I really enjoyed this one! Though I’ll be honest, the first half was a bit of a slow burn for me. I wasn’t fully hooked until I got to the halfway mark. But once the plot picked up, I couldn’t put it down (I ended up reading the last 45% of the book in one sitting!) The second half was a whirlwind, full of twists, betrayals, and this almost claustrophobic, locked-room vibe that kept me on edge. I also really admired how the author crafted the characters, each one of the girls felt distinct and had a very unique personality.
I would say, in some parts of the book -especially at the beginning-, the writing felt a teeny tiny too YA (Young Adult). But regardless of this, I had a fun time with this book and I can’t wait to read Saratoga Schaefer’s next book!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Saratoga Schaefer for a digital ARC of The Last Time We Drowned in exchange for an honest review. All of these thoughts are my own.
—
“Julie Chan is Dead” meets “The Woman in Cabin 10” in this new Saratoga Schaefer’s novel!
In The Last Time We Drowned, we’re introduced to Charlie, a rising bookstagrammer who is struggling to make ends meet and living paycheck by paycheck. When the opportunity to live in a luxury yacht with other six influencers arrives, Charlie doesn’t hesitate to accept it. She will have to be part of this cult-like “sisterhood” and share all of her secrets with them and her followers, but how many secrets is too many secrets? And much is she willing to share? Especially when one night, they get trapped in a big storm in the middle of the ocean and are forced to stick to each other👀
—
I really enjoyed this one! Though I’ll be honest, the first half was a bit of a slow burn for me. I wasn’t fully hooked until I got to the halfway mark. But once the plot picked up, I couldn’t put it down (I ended up reading the last 45% of the book in one sitting!) The second half was a whirlwind, full of twists, betrayals, and this almost claustrophobic, locked-room vibe that kept me on edge. I also really admired how the author crafted the characters, each one of the girls felt distinct and had a very unique personality.
I would say, in some parts of the book -especially at the beginning-, the writing felt a teeny tiny too YA (Young Adult). But regardless of this, I had a fun time with this book and I can’t wait to read Saratoga Schaefer’s next book!
June 8, 2026
https://pinkstinx.blogspot.com
This one ended up being a really fun read for me. The first half is definitely slow, and I honestly was not sure it was going to win me over. There is a lot of setup, influencer drama, and lots of repetition, and I really do think tighter editing would have made this an even higher rating for me.
But once it picks up, it really picks up.
The trapped on a yacht during a hurricane setting was such a strong backdrop. It brought all the tension, secrets, and messy friendships right to the surface. I loved the eerie atmosphere, that closed in claustrophobic feeling, and how the second half leans fully into a darker, more intense thriller. That shift is what made this book for me.
Charlie is not always the easiest to connect with, and honestly most of the characters are a mess, but it works here. Everyone feels a little suspicious, everything feels slightly off, and it keeps you guessing. It is very much one of those stories where the tension builds between the characters just as much as the situation itself.
If you like locked room thrillers, rich people drama, toxic friendships, and a slightly creepy edge, this is one to throw in your beach bag. I am really glad I stuck with it, because the second half turns it into a total binge.
★★★★
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This one ended up being a really fun read for me. The first half is definitely slow, and I honestly was not sure it was going to win me over. There is a lot of setup, influencer drama, and lots of repetition, and I really do think tighter editing would have made this an even higher rating for me.
But once it picks up, it really picks up.
The trapped on a yacht during a hurricane setting was such a strong backdrop. It brought all the tension, secrets, and messy friendships right to the surface. I loved the eerie atmosphere, that closed in claustrophobic feeling, and how the second half leans fully into a darker, more intense thriller. That shift is what made this book for me.
Charlie is not always the easiest to connect with, and honestly most of the characters are a mess, but it works here. Everyone feels a little suspicious, everything feels slightly off, and it keeps you guessing. It is very much one of those stories where the tension builds between the characters just as much as the situation itself.
If you like locked room thrillers, rich people drama, toxic friendships, and a slightly creepy edge, this is one to throw in your beach bag. I am really glad I stuck with it, because the second half turns it into a total binge.
★★★★
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 20, 2026
Charlie is struggling financially when her bookstagram account earns her a coveted spot aboard Empress, a luxury yacht turned influencer haven. Surrounded by a glamorous group of Internet celebrities, Charlie hopes the opportunity will help her escape the fallout of a painful betrayal back home. Life aboard Empress initially seems like a dream filled with brand deals and instant fame. But soon cracks begin to show. Charlie is haunted by sightings of the influencer she replaced, a woman everyone insists left voluntarily. As tensions simmer, a hurricane traps them at sea with no way to escape. When a death shatters the illusion of paradise, paranoia spreads through the group. With communication cut off, alliances shifting, and secrets surfacing, Charlie must determine who she can trust and uncover the secrets of the Empress before it's too late.
This one hooked me immediately with its glamorous setting, messy influencer dynamics and growing sense of unease. What starts as a social media paradise spiraled out into a nightmare filled with secrets and betrayal. I loved how isolated the setting felt once the storm rolled in. The tension built steadily as paranoia ran rampant and I found myself questioning everyone. All of the strong personalities made the drama even more entertaining! Fast paced, atmospheric and binge-worthy, this thriller is for lovers of locked room mysteries with a modern influencer twist!
Thank you to NetGalley, Saratoga Schaefer, and Cosmo Reads for this eARC!
This one hooked me immediately with its glamorous setting, messy influencer dynamics and growing sense of unease. What starts as a social media paradise spiraled out into a nightmare filled with secrets and betrayal. I loved how isolated the setting felt once the storm rolled in. The tension built steadily as paranoia ran rampant and I found myself questioning everyone. All of the strong personalities made the drama even more entertaining! Fast paced, atmospheric and binge-worthy, this thriller is for lovers of locked room mysteries with a modern influencer twist!
Thank you to NetGalley, Saratoga Schaefer, and Cosmo Reads for this eARC!
June 8, 2026
I’ve been reading a lot of Psychological Thrillers lately. Strangely enough, I tend to want to read more of these as the weather warms up. Nothing screams more than hot Summer nights and a suspenseful thriller to me!
The Last Time We Drowned would make the perfect vacation read this Summer. Saratoga Schaefer sets the scene quite well for readers with its beach setting and the “nowhere to run” on a luxury yacht scenario. The characters are a group of influencers—a mix of Book, Fashion, Make-up, etc. —and, in our current culture, they will be relatable to most readers.
I liked how the author incorporated how challenging it was for Charlie to fit in with the other influencers. The internal dialogue in her head was quite real—book influencer, financial, and performance comparison to beauty influencer.
I liked how they were trying to solve the mystery. It was like I was solving it with them.
The Last Time We Drowned was very entertaining, and I recommend it for a fun Summer Thriller read.
Thank you to Cosmo Reads and Author Saratoga Schaefer for the #gifted e-copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Last Time We Drowned would make the perfect vacation read this Summer. Saratoga Schaefer sets the scene quite well for readers with its beach setting and the “nowhere to run” on a luxury yacht scenario. The characters are a group of influencers—a mix of Book, Fashion, Make-up, etc. —and, in our current culture, they will be relatable to most readers.
I liked how the author incorporated how challenging it was for Charlie to fit in with the other influencers. The internal dialogue in her head was quite real—book influencer, financial, and performance comparison to beauty influencer.
I liked how they were trying to solve the mystery. It was like I was solving it with them.
The Last Time We Drowned was very entertaining, and I recommend it for a fun Summer Thriller read.
Thank you to Cosmo Reads and Author Saratoga Schaefer for the #gifted e-copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 4, 2026
Happy Pub Day to The Last Time We Drowned! I absolutely devoured this book! This is a psychological suspense thriller with a broke and mourning book influencer FMC named Charlie that joins a group of influencers on a luxury yacht to create social media content in paradise. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well things aren’t as perfect as they appear to be on social media, and when a hurricane traps them on the boat, everything starts to crumble as dark secrets are revealed.
From the beginning, I was hooked! Schaefer does an incredible job creating an authentic story with a relatable MC, as well as clever parody elements of social and pop culture commentary. I loved the setting, the drama, and the messaging around influencers and social media.
There were so many unpredictable twists and I didn’t know what the heck was actually happening. I knew there had to be something crazy coming, and I was right - the ending was insanely wild and unpredictable but also VERY satisfying, which is THE BEST!
Thank you so much to Cosmo Reads for the incredible book box I received in the mail! This was at the top of my list of ARCs I wanted and I couldn’t be more thrilled for this opportunity!
I also was incredibly lucky to receive an ALC from Sourcebooks Audio, which truly elevated my experience for this read! The narrator is amazing and the audio is so engaging, and I flew through this one in no time!
Thank you so much Saratoga Schaefer, Cosmo Reads, Sourcebooks Audio, and NetGalley for the gifted copies! This is a voluntary and honest review.
From the beginning, I was hooked! Schaefer does an incredible job creating an authentic story with a relatable MC, as well as clever parody elements of social and pop culture commentary. I loved the setting, the drama, and the messaging around influencers and social media.
There were so many unpredictable twists and I didn’t know what the heck was actually happening. I knew there had to be something crazy coming, and I was right - the ending was insanely wild and unpredictable but also VERY satisfying, which is THE BEST!
Thank you so much to Cosmo Reads for the incredible book box I received in the mail! This was at the top of my list of ARCs I wanted and I couldn’t be more thrilled for this opportunity!
I also was incredibly lucky to receive an ALC from Sourcebooks Audio, which truly elevated my experience for this read! The narrator is amazing and the audio is so engaging, and I flew through this one in no time!
Thank you so much Saratoga Schaefer, Cosmo Reads, Sourcebooks Audio, and NetGalley for the gifted copies! This is a voluntary and honest review.
June 1, 2026
4.5 stars, rounded down. This one was so good! Yeah, I saw the big plot twist coming, but the story itself was so good and original, it kept me engaged the whole time. I completely devoured the audiobook in like 6 hours. Absolutely great job by the author, they are definitely in my “if they write it, I read it” list.
As to the audiobook specifically, Stephanie Németh-Parker delivers, as usual. 5/5 on her narration, she’s one of my favorites.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for my gifted ALC of this book!
As to the audiobook specifically, Stephanie Németh-Parker delivers, as usual. 5/5 on her narration, she’s one of my favorites.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for my gifted ALC of this book!
June 2, 2026
Influencers stuck on a yacht in a hurricane and people start dying. Pretty much obsessed with this and I love this author! I also really recommend Trad Wife by this author.
June 3, 2026
If I was Charlie... I would never have another friend again. Stealing her boyfriend in college? Stealing HER BOOK?! People will do some crazy shit to be famous... even if its just influencer famous.
June 19, 2026
This was super bingeable and a fun take on influencer culture—on a boat! Especially loved that the FMC was a bookstagrammer. Full review to come
May 11, 2026
A fun setting and a tense story. I wasn’t quite sold on the single POV aspect and I think I would’ve enjoyed it a bit more if we perhaps had other perspectives on the story. Being involved in social media I do enjoy a good influencer centered thriller, but this one didn’t quite thrill me like I’d hoped. Overall, I found it more of a fun drama read rather than a thriller with twists and turns.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc
March 1, 2026
Saratoga Schaefer has quickly become a must-read author for me. Every book quickly hooks me, and I can never put them down.
The Last Time We Drowned is a thriller that follows Charlie, a bookstagrammer, who accepts a job that throws her into a world of luxury influencers. What sounds like a life changing opportunity quickly turns darker when Charlie grows suspicious about the past history on the yacht where they are living. Is there more to the story than her fellow influencers are letting on, or is Charlie the one harbouring secrets of her own?
If you were a fan of “The Compound” by Aisling Rawle, this is a similar vibe.
Thanks to Cosmo Reads for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Last Time We Drowned is a thriller that follows Charlie, a bookstagrammer, who accepts a job that throws her into a world of luxury influencers. What sounds like a life changing opportunity quickly turns darker when Charlie grows suspicious about the past history on the yacht where they are living. Is there more to the story than her fellow influencers are letting on, or is Charlie the one harbouring secrets of her own?
If you were a fan of “The Compound” by Aisling Rawle, this is a similar vibe.
Thanks to Cosmo Reads for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2026
WHAT A RIDE! I have been on a thriller kick lately and this one just upped the ante for me. The setting? Eerie yet beautiful (how I honestly feel about big bodies of water). The story? Haunting and captivating. The characters? Questionable in the best way. The twists? I still have goosebumps.
This was the first novel by Saratoga Schaefer and now I have to find everything they have written to buy it. Their writing is top tier.
This was the first novel by Saratoga Schaefer and now I have to find everything they have written to buy it. Their writing is top tier.
June 2, 2026
Thank you to Cosmo Reads, NetGalley, and Saratoga Schaefer for the advanced digital copy!
Six influencers. One luxury yacht. Nowhere to hide. The set up: chef’s kiss 👩🍳💋
I liked the FMC right away. Charlie’s internal thoughts felt so relatable. The whole whirlwind of it all and how she landed the job so fast was a great setup. The back and forth of the influencer that left the ship and the friend that passed away was messing with my psyche. Not to mention that the dread of the hurricane was eating me up. The claustrophobic atmosphere was soo good and the tension too! The influencer culture of this one was presented in an almost soap opera type of way - the drama and toxic friendships were great. Charlie got her fame, but it came with a cost!
Six influencers. One luxury yacht. Nowhere to hide. The set up: chef’s kiss 👩🍳💋
I liked the FMC right away. Charlie’s internal thoughts felt so relatable. The whole whirlwind of it all and how she landed the job so fast was a great setup. The back and forth of the influencer that left the ship and the friend that passed away was messing with my psyche. Not to mention that the dread of the hurricane was eating me up. The claustrophobic atmosphere was soo good and the tension too! The influencer culture of this one was presented in an almost soap opera type of way - the drama and toxic friendships were great. Charlie got her fame, but it came with a cost!
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