If you like a good thriller, then you need to read "The Only Surviors" by Megan Miranda.

Lots of twists and turns. Keep me reading until the very end.

Will be recommending this one to friends.

Megan Miranda books are always must reads for me and I was beyond thrilled to receive an ARC of this title, I couldn’t put it down!

Most of this book is written from the first-person perspective of Cassidy; a survivor who wanted to skip this morbid reunion but wasn’t able to get away from the group. She finds herself with inklings that something isn’t right, and tries to piece things together. However, there are flashbacks to back then, which are told in third-person and aren’t just centred on Cassidy.

To be honest, it took a long while for me to get into this story, and I don’t think I ever identified with, or cared about, the characters all that much. Unlike Megan Miranda’s last book — which was one of, if not, her best — I struggled to get into this one, and found myself reading it to get it finished as opposed to needing to find out more. At least that was the case for a while, as I became more interested near the mid to later stages of this novel. Still, I’d be lying if I said I ever fully got into it or really liked it. It’s just ok at best, and probably the weakest of her thrillers. It’s definitely a big step down from The Last to Vanish.
Perhaps it’s a lack of depth, or maybe mediocre characters? Either way, I won’t really remember these ones. The book is also quite wordy and kind of repetitive, and it seemed like the layout of the house and the originally small island it resided on changed over time, to fit the story’s needs. The big twist also wasn’t too surprising.

The next paragraph, and it alone, contains light spoilers.

Most of all, it just didn’t seem like they had that much to feel bad about. They did what they needed to survive, except in one case.

The Only Survivors was a pretty well written story, though, even if it is my least favorite Megan Miranda book. That said, not all books can be winners, and it’s surely difficult to write a great new novel every year or so. Ms. Miranda has done a good job overall, and is allowed to stumble a bit, so to speak. Plus, it’s not like this is a bad book or something awful. It’s just very ‘meh.’

This book took me way too long to finish because I felt like it started out a bit slow. It took me about halfway through to really be hooked, but then I could not put it down. The whole time, I questioned who was responsible for what, and I did not expect the twists that happened. Of the four Megan Miranda books I have read, it is one of my favorites because when it did pick up, it was great.

There were a few questions I still had in the end that I felt weren’t tied up. I liked that it alternated between the past and the present, and when it went to the past, it was a different point of view each time, which was neat because you got to see the story from each character’s point of view.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

"I believed fate was an accumulation of decisions, not all of them yours."

Just when I think that Megan Miranda just can't eek out something better than her last book- she surprises me yet again. I don't know how she does it honestly. The Only Survivors is such a harrowing tale that leaves your head absolutely spinning trying to figure out who to trust. Turns out- you shouldn't trust anyone. Everyone has something to hide in this amazing thriller. Don't miss this one!

I have loved every book Megan Miranda has written and The Only Survivors is no exception. This book took off at break-neck speed and kept me fully intrigued until the very last page! A group of friends get together to commemorate a tragedy they suffered, which they have been doing for years. This year, something is not right. One of them has gone missing. The others are all behaving strangely. And there is a major storm coming that will keep them trapped in the beach house they rented. This was a great, creepy story that had a nice, surprising twist at the end that I did not see coming, which I absolutely love! I cannot wait to see what Megan writes next!!

My first Megan Miranda book did not disappoint. I found myself easily engaged in the storyline. I really enjoyed the “Then” chapters coinciding with the present as the story unfolded. I typically am not a big fan of books with this many characters, as sometimes it gets confusing and hard to follow. However, I felt this was executed in a way that was easy to follow along and get to know all the characters.

Some parts of the book did feel a little bit slow for me but everything came together beautifully. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. Especially, the ending!

The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC. Publication day is April 11, 2023. This novel didn’t do it for me. It was formulaic, predictable and just annoying. A group of high school seniors are in a horrible accident. Many die and the main characters survive. However, two more have died over the ten years since the accident. The remaining group gather every year in the Outer Banks. Is someone trying to torture them? Is someone writing a tell-all? Or are they just paranoid? Did I care? Nope. It was a struggle to finish. Try The Last House Guest by this author instead. It was very good!

The Only Survivors was a fun thriller told in two different timelines. The story centers a group of friends who reunite annually at the Outer Banks to memorialize a tragedy they experienced together and to take stock of the group, ensure that everyone is coping, but also to keep sure that everyone is in line. Some members of the group have passed away or gone missing, and this is troubling to Cassidy, the protagonist. Perhaps the best feature of this novel is that it is told in two timelines and perspectives: Cassidy’s present day, and each of the survivors during the seven hours of the tragedy, beginning at hour seven and working backwards. Nature seems to be the initial antagonist, from the river in Tennessee to the storm secluding them at The Shallows, know to the locals as The Ghost House. Some twists are predictable, thus the four stars, but the final one got me! Thank you to Megan Miranda, Scribner, and Netgalley for the ARC. This will be posted to Goodreads on March 31, 2023.

Thank you to Netgalley, Megan Miranda, and publisher for an early copy for review! I enjoyed the plot and thought it was suspenseful and intriguing throughout the storyline. It kept me guessing throughout the novel, which is what anyone hopes for with this genre! 4 stars. :) Thank you again!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
This took me a while to get into, but I once I did, it was riveting. The story alternates between the time of the accident that the then-teens survived, and the present time, 10 years after. After one of the group dies on the one year anniversary, the remaining survivors plan to meet each year at a beach house. This year, Cassidy wasn’t going to attend, but then she gets a text that another member of their group passed away. Once she arrives, tensions flare in the house, and Cassidy isn’t sure who she can trust as one member disappears and a big storm is approaching.

Despite the fact that I figured out the first twist, I would give this a solid 4 overall, and 4.5 for the final twist I did NOT see coming.

I love anything that Megan Miranda writes so I am biased but I loved the atmosphere in this book and I can’t wait for the next one

I devoured this in one sitting

I have a good time with Megan Miranda books.
Are they the best mystery thrilllers? No.
Are they a hecking good time? ABSOLUTELY.
That is all I want when I read her books. A freaking good time. And this was no different.
Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. She has such a way with keeping your attention.
Thank you Netgalley and Publishers (Scribner?) for the e-ARC.
4.5/5 Stars. Since there are no half-stars :(

A reunion of survivors goes horribly awry when one of them disappears during the reunion, which happens to be at a beach house on the Outer Banks during a storm. Ten years ago a group of high school students left for a service trip. Also during a storm. The two vans both crashed and only nine of the students survived after the vans went into a ravine filled with raging storm water.

One survivor committed suicide on the first anniversary, and so the remaining survivors agree to meet each year on that date. There are things they never shared with anyone else. One of the group, Cassidy Bent, has a new boyfriend and keeps trying to pull away from the rest but can't bring herself to skip the reunion. The 10th reunion brings back haunting memories. Another of the original group that came out of the river has died and strange things seem to be happening. at the beach house where they are meeting. Can they trust one another? Amaya is out of touch. Is she all right? The roads on the island are closed and the water is rising. The group don't know if they can trust one another and if the remaining members will make it through this storm. A surprising twist takes their story in a new direction.

If you like psychological thrillers, you will enjoy this book.

Slow and confusing

The plot was good - a group comes together on the anniversary of an accident that killed twelve of their classmates. They were the sole survivors. Nobody seems to like each other, but they are connected by the fear that someone will tell the truth of what really happened.

It was just too slow for me. I found myself reading a chapter or two every night, in contrast to my usual hour or more reads. Later as plot twists or the truth emerged (the book alternates between the time of the accident and the reunion), I started to forget what was real and what was just the thoughts of the main character. Perhaps if it hadn't taken me two weeks to read I would have not had this problem.

I wanted to like it, but it just too easy to put down.

The Only Survivors is a stunner of a thriller by Megan Miranda. Talk about a twisty-upon-twisty plot, with intricate, compelling characters that the reader can’t stop thinking about. Completely addictive. Will keep you up all night reading. Beyond amazing. Love. Love. Love. Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for letting me have an early read.

I am always up to reading the work of the queen of suspense and this title did not disappoint! I always think I have things figured out then BAM! out of nowhere I get thrown for a loop! This slow burn reveals itself bit by bit in alternating timelines and that is what makes the reveal so awesome! I totally recommend this book as I do all of her work! Thanks so much to Netgalley for the ARC of this new work! Iḿ looking forward to seeing it on the top of the adult fiction bestseller list!

Thank you Scribner for the early review copy of The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda. I am a fan of this author and this book is a standout for me as the author continues to expand her ability to generate a story that weaves the past to the present in nuanced ways and to make strong use of setting to add to the suspense and storytelling.
The Only Survivors asks questions of the characters and readers that bring to light the tenuous nature of bonds that force people together when perhaps it is best they let go of each other and let secrets come out.

Another work of art by Megan Miranda! This title was filled with a breadcrumb trail of clues and twists that kept me furiously flipping pages. It’s beachside setting and connection to a group of characters who are my age added something special to this title as well. The promise of long-kept secrets and alternating “then and now” timelines made it so special. I can’t wait to share this book. It’s one of my new favorites, both by this author and in general!

*I was graciously gifted an ARC of this title from Scribner through NetGalley.

Oh boy! The Only Survivors ended up being a nail biter. It's the story of nine people who survived an accident. Two vans full of 21 students ended up in a rushing river. The nine who survived were Cassidy, Grace, Ian, Brody, Oliver, Josh, Clara, Amaya and Hollis. Ben had survived too, but someone killed him.

Oliver's parents owned a beach house that Oliver eventually purchased from them. It was called The Shallows. The nine made a pact to meet there annually. The book is set in year 10. Cassidy had isolated herself, changing her cell number, and had decided not to attend. She just wanted to forget. But a text message arrived in her phone that said DID YOU HEAR? And then there was an obituary of Ian Tayler, the one she was close to. The text had come from Ian's phone. At any rate, she knew she had to go.

Clara had committed suicide and Ian had died of an overdose. Anyway, their time in the house was uneventful. But Amaya had vanished. She'd been in touch with Grace telling her she needed space. One night Cassidy and Oliver were out back when they thought they saw a light. They tried to track it but were unsuccessful. There was a feeling that they were being watched. And then Cassidy found a note under the bed that said GET OUT! Up until then, Cassidy had told her boyfriend, Russ, that she was at a work thing. After finding the note she phoned him and left him a cryptic message about where she was and told him she'd explain upon her return. She and Grace left that night.

Cassidy's therapist had suggested she write everything out that had happened that fateful night. She'd filled a few journals. When she got home, Josh was in her apartment, uninvited. He'd been searching for something and had left a mess. Cassidy pretty much kicked him out. She went to where she kept her journals and they were gone. She knew that Josh didn't have them or she would have seen him with them. It was clear to her that someone else had been in her apartment. Only Russ had a key. Then she put two and two together. She pulled up Clara's obituary and saw that she had a brother named Russ, only he'd changed his last name. She sent a picture of him to Grace and she IDed him.

Cassidy had asked Josh and Grace to let her know if they heard from Amaya; at that point she was still MIA. While searching for the journals, she received a text from Amaya that said "I'm going back." Cassidy knew she meant she was going back to the scene of the crime. Amaya lived not far from the scene, so Cassidy went to her house, and everyone else showed up.

I can't go any farther lest I give the ending away. You'll have to read it to find out why Cassidy blamed herself for the accident. I will just say that there was suspense and tons of drama, all of which are the makings of a good book. It was easy to follow,even with the flashbacks. My only drawback was that there was lots of writing but not enough dialogue for my taste. Nevertheless, I couldn't put it down. It's a perfect book club book. I gave it five stars.