What an original idea! I loved this fast-paced thriller. The characters were compelling; fleshed out just well enough to be invested in their lives but with enough vague details to keep you guessing. I could not figure out what was happening the entire time, which is not a feeling I’m that familiar with anymore! I absolutely loved this book and hope Dean will write a sequel! 4.5 stars.

The Last One by Will Dean was my first book by him and most definitely not my last! This book was action packed from the first very few pages and it has more twists and turns than I can count!

Chaz and her boyfriend Pete set foot on the stunning RMS Atlantica in hopes of enjoying a relaxing luxurious vacation for two. When Chaz wakes up after the first night she finds herself alone on the ship and Pete is missing. Once Chaz explores the ship in hopes of finding the answers to all of her questions she comes across three others who also find themselves in the same situation. They have no food, no water and no power. The four remaining passengers find themselves on a dark web gameshow filled with heart pounding challenges, dangerous survival situations and some big decisions to make. What happened to all the other passengers, will they ever make it off the ship and will all four of them survive?

This book is super thrilling and mysterious. I did find that by the end I had some unanswered questions and felt as though I missed something at some point near the end. There is definitely room for a sequel and I can see it happening for sure. I loved the short chapters and found my self saying “one more chapter” over and over again. This was a great novel that was not only captivating but also thrilling, mysterious and heart pounding. Overall this gets a 4.5 from me as a locked room mystery is so my jam.

Thank you to Netgalley, Atria Books and Will Dean for this advanced copy. It is expected to hit shelves on August 8th and if you’re planning on traveling on a cruise this summer… maybe save this one for after your voyage.

Wow! This one was definitely a page turner. The whole premise of this book is utterly terrifying. Can you imagine waking up on a luxury cruise and finding out you’re the only person there?! Caz is stranded in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean with no crew steering the boat, no food, and no idea what is happening. Honestly, one of my worst nightmares. I was just as confused as Caz about what was happening on this boat. Where is her boyfriend? How did everyone leave without her noticing??
This book got dark FAST! I wouldn’t say this story is for the faint of heart. About halfway through, everything does start making more sense, but it is not comforting whatsoever.
While I totally loved this book, I did have two complaints. First, I thought the backstory about Caz’s family was repetitive. The author went into more detail than necessary and brought it up constantly. I personally didn’t think it added much to the story.
My second complaint was the ending. WHAT IN THE WORLD!? that’s all I’m going to say about that.
Without these two things, this easily would have been a five star read, but I had to dock it a half star.
Still an absolutely thrilling read that I recommend to almost everyone. If you’re easily triggered, please read the trigger warnings, as they are extensive.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria for the eARC in exchange for a review.

While I loved the premise of this book, when I figured out what was going on and why they were alone, I completely lost interest. It was hokey and unbelieveable.Then that ending?!? I appreciate the opportunity to read and review but this was just not the story for me.

Wowza! This was epic, enthralling, tense, mind-bendy! Our main character is going on a cruise with her boyfriend. She goes to bed that first night and when she wakes up, reality has changed. Everyone is gone from the ship. We're talking a thousand people. Passengers and crew - simply vanished. What the heck could have happened? Aliens? The Rapture? Alternate reality? Psychosis? Yeah - it's none of those things! And it turns out she isn't alone, there are three other people on board. But no electricity, no phone service, no water, no food. No one is running the ship...but it is still moving along. To where, they don't know. How long will they be at sea? How will they survive? What the heck is going on? I was captured and mesmerized trying to solve this puzzle...and you will be too!

I woke up in the middle of the night to keep reading. What a page turner! Well done, Will Dean! I enjoyed the suspense and the characters aboard the ship. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars!

It has been a long time since I've read a book that was COMPLETELY unpredictable. I went in cold, only knowing "she wakes up alone on a ship". Nothing else. And this book was an absolute wild ride that I finished in 24 hours. It's not great literature, but it sure is FUN. This book is the perfect beach/pool/airplane ride read, where you just get lost and cannot stop turning the pages.

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

This book was so good! What a wild ride.

We follow Our main character Caz as she goes on a cruise ship with her boyfriend. The first day/night go well, and when she wakes up the next morning, she is alone. She is terrified, and has no idea what is happening. She finds 3 other people on the boat with her, and the story goes from there.

I loved the way this story was told. Nearly every chapter had some sort of cliffhanger that made you want to keep turning the pages. The twists were so good! And that ending!! I loved this book. Definitely pick it up when it comes out.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This locked room thriller is about Caz, who steps on to a cruise liner called the RMS Atlantica heading from England to New York with her fairly new boyfriend, Pete. She's nervous, but tries to make the most of it. After their first night aboard, exploring the ship, eating, drinking and meeting new people, she wakes up to find that the ship is completely empty. No one is on the ship, except her.

I can't believe how unputdownable this book was. I literally finished 'The Last One' by Will Dean in less than 24 hours. From the very beginning so much was happening, the book is full of twists and turns and more turns. Do not go into reading 'The Last One' thinking you'll be able to guess what the twists are, because you'll be shocked over and over again. And the ending...whew! It's a good one. I've already been really skeptical about going on a cruise, and though this is fictional, I for certain don't want to go on one now. I have not enjoyed a book this much in a very long time.

Thank you Atria Books, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review.
Publication Date: August 8, 2023

This is the first book I've read by Will Dean and I'm sure it won't be the last!
I absolutely loved The Last One and I couldn't put it down until I finished it.

Caz and her Pete are taking their first trip together, an ocean crossing to New York. The morning after the ship leaves port, Caz awakens to find that she's the only one on board!

I envy those readers who still get to experience it for the first time, highly recommended!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this digital ARC.

While I did ultimately enjoy this thriller, I had real problems overcoming my suspension of disbelief required to fully buy into the plot. It was definitely an entertaining and unique story, and I did enjoy it as long as I ignored all the questions that kept popping into my head.

It’s been a long time since a book had me turning pages as deliciously as this one!

As a locked-room thriller about a woman who wakes up as the only person left on a luxury cruise ship in the middle of the desolate Atlantic Ocean, this book has a fascinating and fresh premise that hooked me from the start and kept me going all the way through to the jaw-dropping final two pages. The author provides a wonderful and unsettling sense of place and I was completely immersed. I couldn't put it down!

I do feel that the story wrapped up too quickly and with some frustrating loose ends regarding her partner and the other characters. I understand this leaves room for a sequel (which I would definitely read,) but I would’ve preferred a little more information. And while her father’s history gives Caz a bit of emotional depth, I found her inner monologues about his gambling to be somewhat grating and repetitive, pulling me out of the story with no real purpose.

Having said that, this is a book that takes a look at modern day society’s very real underbelly with a deft hand, and the twists and turns had me guessing the whole way through. Such a fun ride! I’m already telling people I know to add it to their lists!

This is the first book I’ve read by Will Dean and I’m looking forward to picking up another. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance read. Happily enjoyed!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Last One.

I'm always up for a locked room thriller, especially since I have yet to find a good one.

The Last One wasn't for me, mainly because I despise reality shows.

Second, the entire setup strains believability and I just couldn't suspend disbelief.

Third, the characters were okay, but I didn't find anyone interesting or compelling enough to care what happens to them.

I get that Caz has deep rooted issues relating to her dad's suicide and gambling addiction, but her character and personality seemed only to be related to this simmering resentment and anger over what her dad did to her and their family.

The narrative dragged on far too long, and my interest flagged and I found myself turning to read other books.

The ending is flat out ridiculous and got an eye roll from me.

I have heard a lot of people love this story. I sadly did not. I was bored and felt like I was waiting forever for something to happen so I DNF'ed this book. I may pick it up again one day and buy the book if I get curious. But 20 chapters and it was dilly dallying. no thank you.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚, 𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬, 𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬; 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚, 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝.

It was just a book, right? Then why did I have a deep and impending sense of dread almost from the very beginning? The premise of this book is the stuff from my nightmares.

Caz and Pete are still in the early stages of their relationship when they board the cruise ship 𝑨𝒕𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂. Despite Caz's fear and reluctance, she and Pete have a great first night. Thinking she was being irrational, Caz wakes up the next morning to find Pete gone, but she's not alarmed. She sets off to find him but instead finds all the cabin doors open and every last passenger gone. To her shock and horror, after exploring the ship, she finds the crew has vanished as well. No one is steering the ship, and she's in the middle of the ocean, alone...or so she thinks.

This was a tense locked room thriller that had me more anxious and curious with each page. At first I was a little disappointed by the reveal, but then it got twistier and made sense for the story. My only real complaint was the very abrupt ending as I did want more closure.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for this early read. THE LAST ONE will publish August 8, 2023.

THIS BOOK!! The theme, characters, setting, the ship, the ending! The questions it makes you ask throughout the whole book. It was pretty much “hold on for the ride” and what a ride it was. I think this will be an either you love this book or you hate it, it’s not for everyone but for me it was everything i needed. It’s such an epic story!

I had to think long and hard about what would be a spoiler and what wouldn’t when I was writing this review. We know from the synopsis that Caroline (Caz) is about to go on her first cruise with her newish boyfriend, Peter. She doesn’t really want to cross the Atlantic, but she’s excited for a trip with the new man in her life.

As we know, she goes to bed and wakes up the next morning to find Peter gone. In fact, everyone was gone. The guest cabins are empty, the dining areas are deserted, and there isn’t even a captain in the bridge piloting the boat. It’s on autopilot, and she’s racing through the middle of the ocean on an abandoned cruise ship.

The part that I don’t want to spoil is WHY this is all happening, but I will tell you this much: she’s not totally alone. After going through the entire vessel, Caz meets her new friends - she doesn’t know them, but they are in this together and they need to get along to find out what’s going on. On the ship, we also have:

-Daniel, a #vanlife Korean-American who is good looking and handy with tools. He has young daughter he rarely sees because of his nomadic lifestyle.

-Frannie, a 21-year-old anxious Welsh girl who was with her parents on their anniversary trip, and

-Smith, your typical cranky older American man with Diamond-level status and a lot of words for his lawyer.

While trying to make a life for themselves until the boat finds land, the group realizes they don’t have it as easy as they originally thought. A power outage locks their access to food and water. Lifeboats, when tried to use, sink. Fire extinguishers are filled with gasoline. The boat must be heading north towards Greenland, because the group is in danger of freezing to death. Eventually we find out the reasons for all of these things, and it’s absolutely shocking! Will all four of them make it off the ship alive?

This was utterly fantastic and a fresh story filled with thrills, horrors, and suspense. The ending was a shock, and left this open to a sequel. I wish I could go into why this all happens, but you’ll just have to read it to find out! Five stars.

(Thank you to Atria, Will Dean, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on August 8, 2023.)

Thank you to Will Dean, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of a digital advanced reviewer copy in exchange for an honest review!

The book follows Caz who is vacationing to New York with her new partner, Pete aboard the RMS Atlantica. Caz and Pete are settling in to the cruise on the first night and are living it up by drinking, eating, dancing, making friends, and enjoying their vacation. Caz goes to bed that night ready to continue the festivities the next day. When she wakes up, her absolute worst fears are a reality. Pete is gone... The passengers are gone... The crew is gone... Caz is on the ship alone sailing out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Where did everyone go?

Wow. Wow. Wow. I fell in love with First Born and I didn't think there was a way to top that. Sure enough, Will Dean did just that. This book is pretty thick, but not once did the story drag. I'm pretty sure my blood pressure spiked the ENTIRE time I was reading this book. This book had me sobbing, terrified, and then a minute later, I'm furious! (Frannie's challenge... IYKYK). I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The ending - PERFECTION. If there is a book that everyone needs to read in 2023, this book is it.

The Last One - Will Dean

An unexpected cliffhanger of a thrill- ride!

Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for the eARC of this crazy and amazingly creative novel.

This is my first, but definitely NOT my last Will Dean offering; I was glued to my chair until the book's conclusion.

I would almost classify as light horror, similar to some of Bentley Little or Stephen King's novels rather than classifying this book as a mystery but fans of either should find something to enjoy in this novel.

Without spoilers- this book was one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I loved the locked-in trope and found the story fast-paced, imaginative, and unputdownable. I read over 400 pages in a day and a half! I was hoping the ending would maintain the 5 star feel of the book. The last chapter (2 pages) was not necessary in my opinion and knocked a star. Delete that and it’d be near perfect. Overall, it was quite enjoyable and I do recommend!