I've had this book for awhile, I'm only sad it took me so long to actually listen to it/read it! It was full of shocking twists that you could never see coming and left me guessing clear up to the very end, and even then I was like, WHAT????? That's the kind of book that I love...the ones that leave me reeling long after the last page. That's what Last Girl Standing was for me!

The story has several characters, five friends from high school (The First Fives) and another girl that always felt like an outsider (but secretly wanted to be part of the group) plus the guys/boyfriends to go along with each. Each character is well developed and needed to fulfill the story! This story tells that some things from high school can follow you forever, whether you want them to or not! All of the different characters is what makes this book worth reading!

The book takes place in three parts: during high school, 5 years later at their high school reunion, and 10 years later. One by one, members are dying. Are they accidents, coincidences, or murder! That is the question. And who is responsible?

I do usually enjoy Angela Dawe narrating, and I did in this book, for the most part, but I found the voice she used for Ellie about made my skin crawl. Even when Ellie is a grown-up, she sounds like a young child. That's the only thing that I disliked about this book!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and wish I wouldn't have taken to long to read it!

I would like to thank the authors, Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush, the Publisher, Brilliance Audio, and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book, Last Girl Standing in return for an honest and unbiased review.

This is like a superhero team up, suspense author edition. Twisted and engrossing novel about how high school can follow you around for decades. Edge of your seat kind of tale.

A group of high school besties remain haunted by one fateful night when the first of their social group perished, unknowingly putting a target on their backs. Now, 15 years later, another friend has been stabbed and everyone is afraid that things are going to come to a head as the events of that night are called into question. 

This book really reminded me of an “I Know What You Did Last Summer”-type slasher film, where we watch as events unfold and the victim list unfolds. I was definitely on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what was coming next.

I was immediately drawn to this book, not just because I’m a big fan of Jackson and Bush, but because the main characters are from the ol’ Class of 2005 - my high school class! Lol. So this was a bit of a class reunion for me as well. :) It added a little fun for me.

But getting serious, this was definitely a return to some creepy romantic suspense for these authors, and I was really into it, with the solution coming out of left field for me, though I enjoyed it. The characters seemed realistic, people who peaked in high school, focused on what happened in the glory days, and ow questioning their mistakes and fearful that they were coming back to haunt them. I really enjoyed seeing it all play out.

I can’t really say too much because of the nature of the book, but trust me, fans of romantic suspense and thrillers will really enjoy this one, it’s quite good.

I am a pretty big fan of Lisa Jackson but this book just didn't do it for me.

The setting is a high school reunion, popular girls, the elite and the not so elite. Do we really ever change from high school? Or do we follow the same patterns?

It starts with an accidental death of a young teenage girl at a party before graduation. There are questions and there is an investigation but it is ruled a tragic accident.

Fast forward to a class reunion and a murder. That is about the highlight for this book. I was bored through much of it and finished it because I agreed to write a review. It took me several tries to finish the book and I wish I could give it a better review.

My two favorite authors really blew me away with this twisted plot and characters! I read in a day and loved it so much! Thank you NetGalley and Kensington publishing for my ARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

An original twist on the strength in numbers premise, only this time, these five friends seem to bring out the worst in each other.
High school with all the feelings brought back by memories, good and bad.  But if high school was your best life, what does that say about now?  Five girls form their own clique.  They act and think as one, except when it comes to Tanner, high school's most infamous grad.  When one of the young women is killed trying to save Tanner, the clique closes ranks and the story dies with her.  Or so it would seem.
Life has a funny way of catching up with all of those secrets you thought were buried.  The story grows from graduation on and the chapters alternate with memories of the past and current events.  If you've read Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush books before, you know this is a story revealing method that they use very effectively.  Pay close attention or you will miss the clues.  A very good read, as always from these two sisters.

Last Girl Standing is a thrill ride and a half, with action packed chapters and characters who just grabbed me from the beginning.  The Five Firsts is a group of girls who are mean girls times ten.  They include only their five and exclude everyone else, even those who once were part of their exclusive cliques. This set up the plot for the perfect storm, with murders and deception rampant throughout.  Of course, the Five Firsts only date and marry the very best the town has to offer which means that Delta marries her high school sweetheart Tanner.  Tanner who looks good on the outside but who is so flawed and just not the man she planned on spending her life with.  I enjoyed the complicated relationships between the main characters, but there were so many that they were hard to keep track of.  Then, the authors introduced minor characters and I felt like I needed to take notes.  I enjoyed the mystery and mayhem and all of the machinations of the mean girls, but I didn’t really identify with any of them.  Fans of mystery and suspense will enjoy this engrossing book.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley and I also won a copy from the publisher for my Kindle via a Goodreads giveaway.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

this was a great collaboration with these two authors. I loved this book. the characters you could really relate too.  And you never know what was around the next turn.  this book is very much  recommended to anyone who loves to read a good suspense story.  If you like James patterson you will definetly enjoy this book.

Lisa Jackson is a great author. I read few books of hers to change my genre a little. I could not relate to this book. The plot was off for me, and that is a surprise because she is a great and worthy author here. Because of the plot, not writing I am giving it only 3 solid stars here. For me the plot is everything for the soul , and this time my soul did not feel the vibe of this book.

I typically love Lisa Jackson's books but this one wasn't for me. I felt it was a little juvenile for my taste but was still an enjoyable read if you don't expect it to be like her typical style.

Thanks to NetGalley for sending me an eARC of this book for my honest review.

This is a mostly dreary story about mostly unlikable characters. 

The story focuses on a clique of high school girls, their male "friends", a few teachers and some ordinary and one tragic event from their high school years. The high school part of the story was tedious and went on way too long. Sadly, although the events in the book cover about 15 years, many of the characters show almost no maturation, and remain as superficial and backstabbing as adults as they were in their teen years.

The authors do tack on a hint of a "happily ever after" for a pair of the characters, but it struck an odd note, following on so many horrible events.

Pros: well written, well edited.

Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush's latest book, Last Girl Standing, took some time to get into.  The story revolves around a high school clique of girls and the boys they hang out with.  There are five girls in the First Fives group and at the end of their senior year, a horrible tragedy occurs that continues to haunt them decades later.  Lance Ventura, the most popular guy in school, falls down an embankment  and is rescued. But one of the Five Firsts, Carman, rushes to save him, but dies in the process. The other girls and the community mourn her death and rumors of foul are everywhere but the tragedy is ruled an accident. Ten years later, the classmates all meet again at the high school reunion. Another unspeakable tragedy occurs and another member of the First Fives is killed.  The group is being eliminated one by one.  The storyline is good but confusing and the conclusion is abrupt and a little bizarre.  I like Lisa Jackson books but this was definitely not my favorite.

Full of suspense, this book takes you down the path of classmates tinged with tragedy. A well thought out story line that keeps you riveted until the end.

This was a quick, easy, entertaining read. I always enjoy both authors and this was no different.  Tanner lies in a hospital bed and we have to learn why and who put him there. The story is told both in present day and flashbacks to high school. There is a lot of high school, teenage drama and the characters are fairly unlikable, but the story has enough twists and turns to keep you reading. I kept switching back between who I thought was the culprit so was surprised. Good read!

‘Last Girl Standing’ takes the reader on quite the rollercoaster ride with twists, turns, and surprises around every corner. While there were things that kept this from being a story that I would reread again, still it is a good story that kept me engaged and guessing until the very end.

I wish I could say that there was a character that I was rooting for throughout… but there wasn’t. I don’t know if the format of moving sections of the book to different time frames and back was the cause of that for me or if I simply didn’t like anyone enough to actually want them to turn out to not be the killer. I wanted to know who was the actual culprit and in the end, that need to know ‘who’ was what kept me reading. So ‘Last Girl Standing’ turned out to be a good book for me but not one that I’ll keep on the shelf to pick up again. This was a 3.5 star read that I’ll round-up for the vendor postings. In reality, the final decision whether you think a book is good or great lies with each individual reader, so if you enjoy Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush then you should read this one and make up your own mind.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from Kensington Books via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

There are 5 girls who rule the school. There are several young, hot guys.  One is particular is Tanner.  Gorgeous he is ... and he knows it.  Delta is supposedly his girlfriend, but Tanner does like the ladies .. and doesn't understand why Delta would be upset.  Among the girls there is a rule .. no stealing each other's boyfriends.  Unfortunately not all the girls follow the rules.

And then one of  the girls is eliminated.  Accident ... murder... suicide?  

And then there were four.

Five year high school reunion .... everyone is a bit older, but are they any wiser?  One of the girls who has now become a cop lets one of the 'hot' boys take her for a ride in the woods.  The next morning they are found ... victims of a murder/suicide?

And then there were three.

Ten  years later, Tanner is  stabbed multiple times.  His wife, Delta, is the prime suspect.  There are three girls still standing who still have feelings for Tanner .... did one of them try to kill the man of their dreams?  Do mean girls remain mean through adulthood?

The story is told from the viewpoint of multiple people.  Back and forth from high school to the present, from one person to another.   There are lies and secrets that have been held for years ... there's also resentments and jealousies that persist.  Who lies and who doesn't?  

Many thanks to the authors / Kensington Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction of suspense.  Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

I am a big fan of Lisa Jackson - her writing is always suspenseful and entertaining and this is no different.  The beginning of this book focuses on the adults as friends in a clique called the Five Firsts in high school.  I found this part very entertaining and interesting and it brought me right back to my high school years.  The Five Firsts are kind of the Heathers of their high school, but all are competing for the same heartthrob guy, Tanner.  Flash forward to many years later, and the heartthrob guy (who married one of the girls), who is actually kind of a jerk, is murdered.  All the suspects are still living in town....so whodunit?

I was really entertained for about the first two-thirds of the book, even though there were quite a few unrealistic things (very minor spoiler: my lawyer eyes rolled at one of the girls who was also a suspect representing another suspect as her criminal lawyer).  Despite a few things like that, I remained fully entertained and engaged as I always do with Lisa Jackson's books.  This is less of a domestic thriller and more of a traditional mystery in the style of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None," which I always enjoy. (And, side note, I'm tired of reading domestic "thrillers" where no one actually gets killed.  If you are like me and maybe a little sick and looking for a fun mystery with a body count, this fits the bill.  I will say that I found the ending to be a bit of a letdown - about two-thirds of the way through it lost me a little, but I enjoyed the action, the pace and fun up to that point.  I would give this a solid three and a half stars, rounded up, and I will continue to read every Lisa Jackson book I can get my hands on.

Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books and the authors for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

Both of these authors are on my must read list and usually I devour their books. I must admit I struggled to finish this one. It did keep me guessing and had the thrill factor but just too many characters to follow that really didn’t add to the story. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.

Five friends attend a senior barbecue at one classmates houses. There is drinking and drugs. When things happen, and a classmate dies, the friends graduate and go their separate ways. They all think about what happen at the barbecue, but don’t think of it as anything else other than a terrible tragedy. But years later, when one of them is found murdered and his wife, another of the group is blamed everyone begins to question what happened that night. 

I have been a fan of Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush for years. And I live the books they write together. This is no exception. This was a great book. It kept me guessing and drew me in from page one. I found myself not able to put it down. It is wonderfully written, and the characters are all so amazing, and come to life off the page. You feel like you know them, and feel for their troubles and fears. I definitely recommend this book. Another great story from these two authors.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

WOW!!

This story had me on edge from beginning to the very end of the story. Just when you think you know "whodunnit", a new twist is revealed and it keeps you hanging on to the storyline.

The First Five is the name of the most popular girl clique from high school, i.e., Amanda, Bailey, Carmen, Delta and Zora. They are thick as thieves and rule the school. Fast forward 15 years and there is a series of deaths with suspicious circumstances. These characters were hatable in the beginning, but as their own truths are exposed, you realize how vulnerable and sad they really are. Who is trustworthy and who is still scheming?

This book had an undercurrent of suspense throughout that kept you engaged and wanting more. I look forward to more from these authors.