It’s tough to come up with something new in the overdone locked room mystery thriller genre, but waking up on an Antarctica-bound ship to find that you’re all alone does it! Such a great premise and really well executed - the mystery was truly a mystery, the setting was very atmospheric, and it was a great read to the end.

When Caz steps onboard the RMS Atlantica, it's the start of a vacation of a lifetime with her new love. On their first night, they explore the ship and all it has to offer. When she wakes the next morning, Pete is missing. When she goes to look for him she realizes that the ship is completely empty. No passengers, no crew, no one but her.

It's a cross between Survivor and Big Brother. A brilliantly written twisted thriller. Total page turner, I never guessed what was coming next. It also begs the question, what would you be willing to compromise for money and fame?

Thank You Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for this free e-galley.

Disliked this very much but also couldn’t put it down. I'm giving it four stars for the writing and the suspense and keeping me reading, even though it was NOT my sort of book.

Plot twist. Plot twist. PLOT twist. PLOT TWIST.

What in the actual ever living alphabet did I just read? I feel like someone needs to check on this author, make sure he's okay?

4.25 stars! This book was so intriguing!!!!! I loved it. It had a unique premise and it was pretty fast paced. I couldn't stop reading because I was so excited to find out what was going to happen next and to get more answers! You don't know much while reading. Information is dropped in bits and pieces and even that information can't be 100% trusted! I have never read from this author before but I will be checking out his blacklist. Highly recommend this fun, dark, and twisted thriller!

When taking a trans-Atlantic trip, Caz wakes up to find the entire ship empty, still traveling on auto-pilot at full speed. This starts a terrifying, mysterious voyage.

I binged this book from first word to last (what?!?) and found myself thinking deeply about what I would do in these same situations. The wild experiences that these characters go through are shocking and say a lot about our entertainment- driven lives. I was not crazy about the ending, but I did not completely hate it. I think it would make for a great discussion.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria/Emily Bestler Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by an absolute favorite, Will Dean - 5 stars!

When Caz steps onboard the exclusive cruise liner RMS Atlantica, it’s the start of a vacation of a lifetime with her new love, Pete. On their first night they explore the ship, eat, dance, make friends, but when Caz wakes the next morning, Pete is missing. Then she realizes the ship is completely empty. And that's just the beginning.

This is a book that you just have to read - a thorough review and even a synopsis is tough without spoilers. Spoilers are no fun, so none here! I love Will Dean's books and will read anything he writes. This one was unlike anything I have read before and I couldn't put it down. It's tense, atmospheric, scary, and just a very wild ride. The ending was just PERFECTION!

Every time I read a Will Dean novel, it's impossible to think that the next can be better, more original and twisty, but somehow he does it. I have loved not only Will's Tuva series, but his stand-alone, but I think The Last One might just be my favorite yet. The idea of a luxury cruise liner adrift on the Atlantic with only four passengers onboard is so delightfully fun and creepy (as long as I'm not one of the passengers). Add in the fact that the power goes out, the access to food and water is limited, and The Last One is so addictive that it's impossible not to binge once you start. For any of you animal lovers out there like me, the dogs are fine.

The Last One had me hooked from the very beginning! It kept me on my toes the entire time-I really had no idea what was going to happen. There was so much suspense and craziness! I thought the plot took an interesting and surprising twist. I am a big fan of game shows so I liked that part of it and the fact that there were paid actors involved. My only real complaint is that the book was a bit long and I was ready for it to get to the point. But other than that, like I said, I was engaged pretty much the entire time. I would definitely read more from this author!

This book was phenomenal. I was gripped from the very early parts of the book. I finished this book in less than a day because that’s how much I needed to know what was going to happen next. This book takes you on such an emotional journey. I absolutely felt so much for the main character Caroline, Caz, who is the narrator of this story. The writing is so well done that you feel what Caroline feels, you feel the anxiety on what lies ahead. This is my first book by this author and now I am a loyal fan. This writing was so well done, with so many great twists, that I was honestly so unable to predict because it was just such a unique story. I give this book all of the stars because that’s how much I adored it. This is one of those books that you wish you could experience again for the first time because it left such a profound impact on you. Everyone immediately needs to go read this book!

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Caroline (Caz) and Pete go on a romantic cruise getaway together. The first night is great, they have dinner, drinks, and she shares a arory of her past with him. The next morning she wakes and Pete is missing.

As she walks around the room, she starts to realize Pete isn't in the room at all and when she leaves she notices all the other cabins are empty as well. The ship is unattended, going full speed, ships controls can't be altered with.

Very interesting concept. I would hate if I got added to a reality show against my wishes and not knowing where the rest of the passengers are.

What did I just read. I never want to get on a cruise or plane again in my life. The ending... I'm so confused. Is it PTSD, is it Peter, is she just delusional? I can't say more without spoilers but woah.

3.5 watery stars

Caz is ready for the vacation of a lifetime with her partner Pete. Together they board a luxury cruise liner and have a nice meal. They go back to their cabin to rest, the next morning Caz wakes up alone. She frantically search’s other cabins and the rest of the ship to find out she’s alone. She is on a massive cruise liner in the middle of the Atlantic alone.

I enjoy this book, but there was a few parts that left me confused I feel should’ve been wrapped up in a more clear, concise way. But the last paragraph of this book left me screaming and staring at my kindle. It was 100% the way to end a book like this.

The Last One by Willl Dean: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(💫)
Format: ARC courtesy of Atria Books (S&S) via NetGalley
Pub Date: 8/8/23

At first glance, the blurb for The Last One reads like it's the actualization of a common nightmare, where you realize that you’re stranded and completely alone. But I am telling you that the blurb doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the WILD ride this book goes on. I was surprised when the catalyzing event- Caz discovering that she is alone on the cruise liner- took place within the first few chapters, wondering what else could be in store for the remaining 400+ pages. The answer is- PLENTY more is in store!

Not only is this book full of the suspense that the title suggests, but also full of puzzling challenges, heartache, and high-stakes action. The Last One is one of my favorite types of books to read, where reality is constantly under question and not all is as it seems. The final sequences and resolution might be polarizing for some, but I personally loved it!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. The Last One publishes this Tuesday August 8th.

The fine print- what kept this book from a 5-star read:
I tried and failed to get into this book a few times. Even though the plot takes off right away, I didn’t feel very connected to the characters and backstories.
I think it would have benefited the book overall to be a bit shorter. Some of the “down”periods of time between the big events of this book seemed to drag. It would be a true white-knuckler if it moved a bit faster.

“Stepping aboard a ship is an act of faith…you decide, actively or passively, to offer up your autonomy.”
Suppose you are on a luxury liner, crossing the Atlantic, no land in sight. You awake to find your lover gone, all the other cabins empty of guests and luggage, your fellow passengers gone.
The crew is missing, there is no one on the bridge, but the ship is still moving. You can’t call for help, there is no cell service, and the WiFi and internet are not working. Welcome to the RMS Atlantica!! This is the stuff of nightmares in our modern world, and the riveting beginning of Will Dean’s latest thriller, The Last One!
Cameron ‘Caz’ Ripley awakens to this daytime nightmare and must spend the next five days navigating the startling, life-threatening events that unfold around her.
No spoilers here—I was invested in this story from the first chapter and found it one of the most intense thrillers I have ever read. Much of the intensity comes from the surprises, mostly unpleasant, that are revealed in the short, staccato chapters, punctuated by little cliffhangers at the end of each one. The tension ramps up inexorably to an astounding conclusion, and a final, gut-wrenching twist!
The characters are richly drawn, especially Caz, the protagonist who narrates the whole tale from her first-person POV. As a middle-aged café owner, caring daughter, protective sister of Gemma, and lover of Pete, Caz has plenty of past history and baggage to grapple with as she faces the challenges of this voyage. The vignettes about her past, especially regarding her father, make her character particularly sympathetic, and invite the reader to understand what informs her decisions in the present.
This is a complex tale, an ominously tense thriller. It tackles issues of trust, loyalty, family dynamics, betrayal, gas-lighting, and psychological abuse, in a very contemporary setting.
I highly recommend this locked-room thriller that keeps the edge-of-your-seat drama high, while looking at some more serious aspects of the human condition in our fast-moving modern society.

Thank you to Emily Bestler Books/Atria for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book was FANTASTIC! I had zero idea what was happening, and that is my favorite feeling when reading a new book. I loved the twists and turns, and trying to figure out along with the main character what the heck was going on. This story would make an EXCELLENT movie too. 5 very well deserved stars!

This was a page turner! My emotions were all over the place! This thriller novel had me guessing until the very last page.
This book follows a woman names Caz (Caroline) who is going on a cruise with her partner. Upon waking the next morning on the cruise ship, Caz realizes that there is no one left on the ship...or so she thinks. This was a roller coaster of a ride that had me concerned for the main character's safety and survival throughout! The ordeals that the main character has to overcome, both physically and mentally, is insane!
I absolutely loved this book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel provided courtesy of NetGalley. It was an original premise, to me, and while the outcome was sort of predictable, it didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the book. The main protagonist, was likable and complicated enough of a character.

The setting was a spooky abandoned cruise liner which was unique enough. I was a little annoyed that every time the main character said something couldn’t happen, it essentially did. The thing I liked most about the novel was the statement made about a certain industry which I will abstain from mentioning to keep from spoiling the outcome. I was disappointed that this seems like the first of a series. I think the author should have spent more effort with the detail of this book, which would have made it more epic. It goes by so quick that I’m left thinking it was more a premise for a film rather than a novel. Ultimately, that is a characteristic of good writing. Wanting to spend more time in a created world, rather than rushing to the ending.

I did not just read all of this for THAT to be the ending. 🙄

I swear there were like 7,000 twists in this book. Every time you think you might slightly know what is going on, something else happens and the book changes. It definitely keeps you hooked but not always in the best way.

This book just kept pissing me off. I’m not sure if the author intentionally wrote the characters to be somewhat dumb or if the author the self didn’t know that you can boil seawater and make it drinkable… So many times the characters were worried about not having enough water to drink. While in the middle of the ocean. And access to fire. And pots. But nooooo! They would, however, boil the rainwater they collected. Clearly I have thoughts and feelings about this 😂

This book was a lot. I’m going to go read something light and fluffy now.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Need something you can’t put down? Something that grabs you right off and you just have to get to the next chapter. Ok just one more! And another! This is it! This was a fantastic book and well written! This definitely is my favorite Will Dean book that I’ve read. Imagine you get to take a long overdue holiday on a pristine cruise liner with your wonderful boyfriend. What could be better right?? You go to bed and wake up to find every single person on the ship is gone!!!! The ending …….. well you’ll need to read it to find out!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Last One
By Will Dean
Pub Date: 8/8/23
Publisher: Atria

Caz and her boyfriend Pete are headed out on a luxury cruise. The first night is absolutely perfect.
But Caz wakes up on the second day she finds herself completely alone. No Pete, no crew…nobody. As she begins to search for Pete she realizes it looks like no one has ever been there. She’s completely alone on the RMS Atlantic in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
This was such an intense read. You never knew what was coming next! It was very easy to put yourself in Caz’s shoes and experience the book from her vantage point. Fingers crossed there will be a second book.

When Caz steps onboard the cruise liner RMS Atlantica, it’s for the vacation of a lifetime. In her fifties, she thinks she has finally met her life partner in Pete and is looking forward to spending this trip with him. However, when Caz wakes up on their second day out at sea, she comes to the realization that she’s the only one on the ship.

THE LAST ONE by Will Dean is my first read by him and was such a crazy ride!

This one is best to go in blind with (and the synopsis does a great job of revealing the bare minimum!) and is such a wild, claustrophobic story that was very difficult to put down.

The short chapters made it easy to binge (even at a whopping 448 pages) and the characters were interesting enough to keep me caring and wanting to engage with them.

Definitely excited to read Dean’s backlog after enjoying this one!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: August 8