LAST ONE STANDING

by Macayla Dawn

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2026

About the author

Macayla Dawn is a reader first and a writer second.

Growing up, she found herself drawn to worlds filled with demigods, fae, mystery and magic. The characters on those pages became more than just words in a book—they became friends. She is passionate about Jesus, grammar, fantasy, creativity, and ice cream.

In her free time, she loves to read (duh!), write, and explore different ways to express her creativity in all she does. She stays active through tennis, pickleball, working out, and walking with her husband and their dogs. She loves to soak up the sun and host gatherings of all sorts.

Originally from Southeast Kansas, she now lives her dream life in Indiana.

Be sure to follow her Instagram and TikTok:
@authormacayladawn.

Reviews

[Reagan Koury · Rating 5 out of 5]

this completely pulled me in from the very first page and never let up. The pacing was so fast without feeling rushed, and those short chapters?? actually dangerous because I could NOT stop saying “just one more” 😭

Every time I thought I had a handle on what was happening, something shifted and pulled me deeper into the story. It’s one of those books that makes you forget everything around you—you’re just in it.

this has thriller, drama, and a lil romance👀

the beginning of the book was very much giving saw vibes!!! but less...gory

i didn't really know who to trust throughout the whole
book...i thought drew was suspicious and i was SO happy to find out he was genuine.
the ending was fudged!!!! wdym they were being watched by EVERYONE EVER the whole time??? A TV SHOW? THATS NUTS. THATS SICK AND TWISTED! and good for them for getting the second season canceled. amen.

I finished it in one day (which I literally never do), and I’m already wishing I could read it again for the first time.

If you’re into addictive, fast-paced reads that keep you hooked the entire time… you need this one!!!

and you BEST! bet as soon as i finished i ordered a signed copy!

my notes from reading:
- oh so this book really sucks you in right away
- why didn't stacey say where she's from?...suspicious...oh jk the like last half of them didn't
- oh so since winter and drew are getting close it's gonna be drew who knows everything
- the voice keeps saying people are "banished" from the house....i don't think they're killing these people

[Jadyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second ARC read for Macayla and oh my gosh, she does not disappoint. She continues to grow as a writer and amazes me with her work! This is a quick and easy read that kept me hooked since page number one. You just go straight into the story and do not look back! At the end of each chapter I was dying to read the next. You are constantly questioning each and every character, and cannot trust ANYONE! The little touch of romance even had me on the edge of my seat. The twist will have you gasping out loud, and once everything is revealed, just wow. I never saw any of that coming. In the very end though, this story brings out such a great message that can apply to anyone.

Macayla, it is safe to say, given the opportunity I will always be up for being a part of your ARC team.

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

*this is a review of an ARC received from the author*
omg i LOVED this book. I’ve really liked all of Macayla’s books so far, but this one blew me away. This book is PERFECT for fans of Clue & Traitors. I was so hooked, I read this in one sitting. I’m usually really good at guessing plot twists in thrillers, which takes away from the shock factor for me. Not once did I guess any twist in this, especially the major one at the end. I LOVED being so surprised, and never knowing what would happen next. This is such a unique thriller, and it has a map!!! I love a book that has me audibly reacting to myself, ugh I loved this so much!!!! I got so connected to these characters, which I find rare in thrillers. This story had me emotional, angry (you’ll get this once you read), happy, SHOCKED, so many emotions I went through in one sitting. Highly recommend this to people who love thrillers, or have any interest in high stakes books, this literally had my heart RACING. Macayla eats every time! Thank you for the ARC!!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READ: This book had me on the edge of my seat! I read pretty fast normally but I finished this one in 3 hours. Macayla out did herself. I fell in love with her writing back with Mountain’s Crown and she has only gotten better. This is big brother or traitors if it was mixed with Clue the game and Saw. The twist was wow…it caught me. I was not expecting it at all and was mad at first but I kept reading and it made sense in the end so I can forgive Macayla for ripping my heart out yet again. I loved loved loved this book as a die hard traitors and big brother fan. I will say it again, nothing Macayla writes could be bad, she’s incredibly talented and has some insane book ideas. I can’t recommend her enough. This is a ya thriller but it feels much more than that. It’s a 5/5 for me everytime with Macayla !!! I was an emotional mess with this read but everyone needs this story in their life. I love an indie author and can’t more happy for Macayla and wish her all the success!!!!!

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 round up) First off, want to say thank you to Macayla for having me on her ARC team! I’ve loved getting to read multiple of her books :) Last One Standing is a YA thriller about 14 college students trapped in a house, where one must die a night in a evil game put on by a mysterious host. When I was younger, I absolutely LOVED books like these!!! I still love a good thriller, but this book specifically I know would’ve sent middle school me into a frenzy. Like a good romance subplot!? Have always loved and will always love. I would totally recommend this to younger readers I know (there are some serious themes though so I would check that out before recommending). I thought this book was really fun and I’m excited to see how Macaylas work continues to evolve!

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to received an ARC of this book.

I loved this book so much!! It truly kept me on the edge of my seat. Inspired off of Traitors, it had elements of Big Brother too with the vibes of Clue, Agatha Christie mysteries, and The Inheritance Games which is basically a recipe for the perfect book for me. I thought Winter was a great main character and the twists were crazy. I finished the book and had to stare at a wall to process what I just read. A lovely young adult mystery/thriller book!

[Shelby Bischoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first ARC read from Macayla, and wow, what a thriller! The short chapters made me breeze through it and I didn’t want to put it down. 10/10 recommend giving this one a try.

[Jenna Pickford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again I was given the opportunity to be apart of Macayla’s Arc team and let me tell you 1000% worth the read!! I absolutely loved the plot, finished the whole thing in a few hours😳 The characters were well thought out and the back stories just flowed together really well, I had to keep reading, I needed to know what was going to happen and who was going to be next😫 The twist I was no expecting and I was genuinely shocked at how well put in it was! I felt so many feelings throughout the book, and I really wanted karma to come in and bite some of them, and some made me so sad because they didn’t deserve that😭 I enjoyed the hell out of this!!

Girl be so so SO beyond proud of yourself for this one! Not only did you switch genres so beautifully from Mountains crown & Daggers tide, but you wrote one hell of an engaging YA book! I devoured this book! You did a wonderful job and I am so beyond lucky to be apart of your arc team again thank you so so much for the opportunity to read something of yours early🥺❤️

MAY 12, 2026! KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR THIS ONE!

#mystery #thriller #onebyone #whodoneit

[lysa ₍^. .^₎Ⳋ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READ

A huge thank you to the team for letting me be part of this ARC. Truly, I am so grateful. And yes… I fully apologize for the late review. Finals grabbed me by the throat, but I just submitted my last one, so prepare to be sick of me reading everything again.

I had the honor of reading one of Macayla’s previous releases, so I came into this one already excited and ready for something intense. From the very first chapter, I was pulled straight in. There is something about Macayla’s writing that feels so easy to fall into. It is fast, clean, and addictive in a way that makes me want to finish the entire book in one sitting!!

I honestly enjoyed this more than Five Survive (different author, but same kind of thriller vibe!) I felt more connected to the characters, more invested in what happened to them, and more curious about who would make it out. I kept wanting to know more, kept hoping certain people would survive, and that emotional pull made the story even stronger for me.

If you enjoy thrillers that keep you turning pages and make you care just enough to stress, this is absolutely one to try. I fully recommend it!

[Kassidy Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as an ARC read for Macayla :) 🤭

I was very lucky to be considered an advanced copy read for Macayla Dawn again, and I’m so grateful! I love her work, and when she announced a thriller I was SO excited! This is my favorite genre to read, watch, listen to, etc. I knew I would read this fast, and I did!! 😬👀

Overall I loved the story, characters, and pacing. Short chapters with high pace storylines always make for the easiest and most enjoyable read for me. I felt pulled into the story from the very beginning. I can picture the story while I’m reading, and I felt like Macayla did a great job of putting me as the reader right into the drama. This book had all of my favorite elements, but I did drop 1 star because the twist wasn’t my favorite. I’d still recommend everyone read this book, and if you enjoy it check out her other work! 📚✨

I haven’t read a Macayla Dawn book I dislike, and I always recommend her work to my bookclub!!

Thank you for letting me be an ARC reader, Macayla! ☺️

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about a plot twist in a book that leaves you bamboozled for the moment. Now this is the type of suspense/thriller book I enjoy reading!! I love trying to be Sherlock Holmes when reading a thriller novel. Through all the little hints, twists, and turns; it’s like riding a roller coaster in the dark and you can barely see the turn coming and then suddenly it’s the drop. I absolutely loved this read! On top of getting to beta read it, it has been amazing being able to read the final manuscript!

Winter (FMC) and Drew (MMC) are the leads and between both of them, they make a solid team! In a house where 14 students now reside, unbeknownst to how they got there. It is up to them to determine why they are there. Through trials, deception, lies, secrets, backstabbing; only one can remain. The question is who?

If you enjoy thrillers, unreliable characters, multiple layers of secrets, fast-paced, books with unforgettable post-twists, then you are going to want to read The Last One Standing!!!

[Téa Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

**This is a review of an ARC received from the author** I’ve waited a few days to write this review because I wanted to give the book some time to settle into my mind, and seriously, WOW. I loved this book. I can’t stop thinking about it. It made me laugh, held me in suspense, and even made me smile ear to ear with a wholesome romance. At first, I was a little worried I wouldn’t be able to keep track of so many characters, but before I knew it, I could picture them all so clearly! The characters have depth and drive far beyond what is convenient.
This book reminded me a lot of many things that I love— the Ready or Not movies, the Survivor television show, and the Inheritance Games and Caraval Books.
I highly suggest setting aside time to read this book in one go, because you won’t want to put it down!
Macayla, thank you for sharing allowing me the honor to be on your ARC team! I am SO grateful to have read Last One Standing.

[Leila Heikkinen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t typically read thrillers, like at all. But this book just looked too good to pass up—and I’m so glad I didn’t pass it up! I became immediately obsessed and enthralled with this novel. I’ve never watched Traitors but now I might have to, because the big cast in this book felt like what I imagine that feels like, and it’s so incredible. I had my favorite characters (looking at you, Drew), and my least favorite characters (screw you, Voice), and SO many characters who I loved and hated and just couldn’t stop “watching.” I had no idea what was going to happen next throughout this whole book. I cried, quite a bit. I gasped, quite a bit more. I was riding this rollercoaster for everything it was worth and I could not be more obsessed with this read. For anyone looking for their next adventure, look no further than LAST ONE STANDING… you won’t stop thinking about it and you won’t regret it!

[Lyss Linds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has everything! The characters are funny, questionable, easy to like AND dislike, and constantly keep you guessing! Winter is just as questionable as she is likeable, and I appreciate her background in journalism and reporting as it adds an extra layer of detail and complexity to the narration. Her diverse relationships with ALL of the characters has it ALL, from connection to tension and everything in-between. I think all of the sensitive topics are touched upon well, and the feelings attached to them are not too heavy for YA readers. The plot twists and pacing?!?! 10/10. I knew the ending would be a grand reveal, but what the reveal would be remained a mystery which was perfect, and without spoilers- is INSANE! Overall I think this book would be a great pick up for those who enjoy the genre!

[Harley Annen · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC READ: this book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time! i devoured it! from the moment i started to the second i finished, it was all i thought about. the characters are easily relatable and diverse! i love the main character and the relationships she builds throughout this book. the ending was sooo unexpected, but i enjoyed every second of it!

i felt like i was experiencing everything right alongside the characters which is my favorite part of reading a good book! i was definitely swapping back and forth on who i trusted and who i didn’t. Macayla did a phenomenal job of really playing into each character and giving the reader just enough information to doubt almost everyone! i read “Mountains Crown” and loved it, but this one is my favorite Macayla book so far! highly recommend this book if you love a gripping, fast-paced thriller/mystery!

[KayLove · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Winter's wakes up, she is not in her dorm room. In fact, she has absolutely NO idea where she is or why there is a portrait of herself in the hallway. The only thing she truly knows is The Voice says one of fourteen trapped in this mansion knows why they're stuck there.. and with him in here with her, she just might have that information. But can Winter last long enough to figure that out, or will she be voted out and killed before she has that chance?

I attempted The Mountain's Crown last year and was not a fan of the writing style, so I was hesitant to accept an ARC of this book..
However, I am SO happy I did! I was immediately hooked, constantly suspicious of everyone, and could not put the book down!

Thanks to Macayla for the eARC, I can't wait to see what she puts out next!

[Rin! · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review!

I must say this was such a pleasure to read. I’ve been in a huge readi bc slump all semester and this was the first book I read that wasn’t a re-read of something else—and I sped through it (as fast as i could during finals ofc😆).

I was happy to be selected as an ARC reader for Macayla again—and right from the beginning I liked it because chapters 1-3 reminded me of The Westing Game, or even action-packed mysteries I’ve enjoyed previously (Squid Game, One of Us is Lying, etc).

The plot sucks you in and keeps you engaged with short chapters and stays consistently moving which I personally love in a thriller.

I’d also love to note if you like a plot twist—Macayla does them extremely well! Not the first time you’ve caught me off guard but I love the element of surprise—very well done and can’t wait to see what comes next😄

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

[Kanati Adebayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. I read it in 2 days. Right from the beginning, I was thrust into action and mystery.

The main character wakes up somewhere she doesn’t recognize. Confused and scared she starts looking around, only to realize she isn’t alone. Her and 13 other people are trapped in a mansion with a hidden voice directing them of what they must do to survive.

The twists this story takes are INSANE. I honestly had no clue what would happen every time I turned the page. AND THE ENDING HOLY COW.

With this being her debut to YA Thriller, I was taken aback with how well it was written. The pacing was done well, the suspense was on point, and the personalities of all the characters really made for a phenomenal story.

I hope she continues writing thrillers so I can continue reading them!

[MJ Strayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book, it was a 4 star read. I absolutely loved everything. I couldn’t put it down. I was collecting all the information so I could see who was the one who knew about the whole thing. Towards the last couple people left standing, I was glad that the one who knew wasn’t the love interest (Drew) because that’s been done before and I could have guessed that from the beginning. The ending was different, but I have to say that it wasn’t my favorite. In my opinion, the ending alone made the book 3 stars read for me. I will bump it up to a 3.25 star read because of the epilogue. Although I gave this book a lower rating, please read this for yourself because you might just enjoy the ending!

[Izzy Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Macayla did it again! I loved her fantasy duology and now I loved her debut thriller!! (ps keep writing thrillers!)

Winter and 13 others were kidnapped and forced to play a life-or-death game to figure out who put them there. Everyone is hiding a secret and slowly but surely they begin to see who everyone really is. This book had me thinking so many different theories and not a single one of them was how the book turned out! You didn't know who to trust or not trust and there was quite a big twist at the end.

I love reading Macayla's books. She always has such a fast-paced story and shorter chapters that it makes it easy to fly through the book before you even realize you have. 4 stars for sure! Another great read and I can't wait to read the next one 🫶

[Rachel Hammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second arc read for Macayla, and honestly think this is my new favorite Macayla Dawn book!! It’s undoubtedly YA for a mystery genre. While there is a plot line that entertains a romance the spice is maybe 1/10. This is the perfect read for anyone who wants a mystery book that keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting for that plot twist without any “fear” or “gore” tropes. With that, I do appreciate that Macaylas books are always easy reads with lots of personality and twists attached. I will say, the twist at this one was fun, but maybe not the direction I was hoping for ?? If that makes sense? Nonetheless, I would recommend this book, and congrats to Macayla on another great release!

[Luna Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall I would say 4.5/5. Fast paced which I love, believable characters and a unique plot. Loved the characters we were supposed to and absolutely HATED the ones we were supposed to. I read it in less than a day, I didn't want to stop

I loved Winter. You could really feel her emotions through the pages and the way she was working through the situation was super believable.
This was my first ARC read and I can confidently say that it exceeded my expectations going in. Highly recommend this book when it comes out, and I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy when it releases!

Get a copy for yourself when it releases on May 12th 2026!

[Scott Gilles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I am an author and this review is for an ARC I was privileged to receive.

If Stephen King and Agatha Christie teamed up for a YA thriller about college-aged kids in a forced high stakes game of Survivor, it would be this book. Macayla handles the tension well, keeping each page tense while pulling you through the game to its conclusion with hints, swerves, and reveals along the way. I found myself remarking that it would have been easy to fall into redundancy in the narrative, but it never did. Needless to say, I’m walking away with new level of respect for Macayla as an author and the YA thriller genre as a whole.

[Jorden Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on my toes the whole time I was reading it. I genuinely couldn’t put it down. Every chapter seemed to raise the stakes just enough to keep me hooked without ever feeling rushed or overwhelmed. The pacing was incredibly well done, allowing both the plot and the characters to develop in a way that felt natural and immersive. As the story unfolded, I found myself growing more and more invested, not just in what would happen next, but in who these characters were becoming. Their growth felt layered and believable, which made each twist hit even harder. By the end, I was completely drawn in, turning pages faster and faster, needing to see how everything would come together.

[Bhoomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first arc book from the author and i’m really grateful i got the chance to be an arc reader for this one.
This book was such a thriller ride for me. honestly, i never expected that ending at all. the whole time i was constantly questioning every single character. it was such a rollercoaster ride — i was doubtful, angry, emotional, everything. i got attached to all the characters in some way. The little touch of romance was just perfect and didn’t overpower the story. honestly this was my first book from Macayla, and i went into it with zero expectations, but it ended up being such a good read for me.

[Haley’s haven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Macayla dawn for an ARC of this book!!

Oh my gosh!! This book was a wild ride. I read this in under 24 hours and I just couldn’t believe half of what I was reading. The story hooked me from page one. I was so freaked out half the time and it kept me guessing until the very end. And I was fully suspecting it to be run by a serial killer or something, so I was really shocked at that ending. I have been need ink a good suspenseful book to read for so long and this one really hit.
So far each of Macayla’s books that I’ve read have been amazing so I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!!
5 stars ⭐️
No spice
No language

[Bonnie Cabral · Rating 4 out of 5]

Macayla Dawn has did it again ! This is a solid 3.75 star read for me, it was suspenseful but very lighthearted in a sense quick and easy read I finished in about four hours. I don’t wanna give too much away because honestly going in blind might be the best way to read it to really put you on the edge of your seat ! just know by the end you have no idea what’s happening even if you think you do in the best possible way and the characters are to die for ! I’m super excited to add a physical trophy to my shelf and Macayla let’s just say you might be one of my favorite indie authors ❤️

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book releases may 12th but I was lucky enough to be able to read its arc. I throughly enjoyed this read! I was suspicious of everyone and even when I was fairly confident - I was wrong lol. But if you like psychological thrillers I highly recommend this read! The characters are lovable but also extremely irritating, which I love when a book makes me feel so strongly about a character! I don’t want to spoil anything but if you want a mix of a game to the death and maybe even some lite romance I think you should def add this to your TBR!

[Aliyah Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last One Standing pulls you in from the start and is very fast-paced with short chapters and many twists and turns! It was so easy to connect with Winter. The characters are unique and all have secrets they’d prefer to keep hidden. The more secrets that get uncovered, the more I couldn’t stop reading. It has everything you need from mystery, thrills, friendship and some romance. The main plot twist was never something that crossed my mind and was super intriguing.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to be an ARC reader and loved reading this book!

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW🤭

This book was a timeeee…omg. I was hooked from the first chapter. I finished this book in 2 hours. The characters dynamic were so layered and I truly had no idea who to trust and I just genuinely had no clue what was going to play out from this deadly game.

Makayla did a fantastic job setting up this story and I don’t want to give much away since it’s a mystery thriller but ….listen if you love the show traitors, big brother please read this book🙏 It truly a quick entertaining read!

Thank you Makayla for giving me the opportunity to read this!