I love this one. This author is really good at writing a mystery.
This is dark, however. The relationship between the siblings (step) is odd but it makes sense in the context of the book.
I really felt for our protagonist and I loved unraveling the mystery with her.

This was initially really good but the pacing of part 2 and the inappropriate step-sibling relationship really threw me off and took me out of the book. I was really into it but once I finished the first part, I was just no longer into it. The constant cultural references also were little bit corny to me. (2.75 stars). Longer review can be found linked below.

This is my first novel by Court Stevens and I enjoyed it immensely. With amso many novels in the thriller genre it is difficult to rise above the others, but this story delivered. I especially enjoyed how the author dealt out little tidbits at a time about the back story. This isn’t for the faint of heart though as there is trauma throughout in many forms. A really solid story that I completely enjoyed reading. Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me with an ARC.

Lucy Michaels has spent far too many of her eighteen years attempting to allay her worrywart mother’s fears. Since her younger brother Clay died and her father left their family, Lucy has been responsible for keeping Joanny’s anxieties from becoming too overwhelming – a very heavy burden to ask of any child, never mind one looking to escape her small town via her Olympics-level marksmanship prowess. Her stepfather Robert tries to help, but he wasn’t there in the dark years when it was just Lucy and Joanny. And, in fairness, most of the time Lucy doesn’t mind emotionally supporting the woman who looks like just like an older version of herself:

QUOTE
Our differences start under the skin. I am the taskmaster of hard things. That’s because if you make the mistake of keeping your cool during personal tragedies, people expect you to continue the trend forever. They use big words and phrases to describe you like “strong” and “older than your years,” and then they lean on you until you’re sure you’ll fall over or die trying to stay up.

This is how I know I cannot let my brain run away on a fear marathon.
END QUOTE

When her beloved stepbrother Martin goes missing, Lucy’s immediate reaction is to soothe her mom with plausible reasons as to why he might not have shown up for football practice. Secretly, however, she worries that something terrible might have happened, coming on the heels of a conversation she and Martin had just had earlier that day. Kind-hearted Martin had discovered something that might link his rich and powerful father to the dam break that flooded the area and took the lives of not only Clay but members of a boy scout troop who’d been camping in the area. Lucy refused to believe him, but Martin promised he would show her the evidence later that day.

Now he’s missing. Even worse, his truck has been found on the edge of the eighty-mile LaRue recreational area, with blood all over and around it. When the police launch a search, the townsfolk immediately come out in force to help. They are, unfortunately, used to dealing with disaster:

QUOTE
The post-dam break era of Grand Junction forged a new town. The physical property damage gutted the visual of LaRue, but it was nothing compared to the emotional damage of fifteen missing kids. That’s an asteroid strike of trauma. Weeks stretched into months. Searchers came, after work and before, walking riverbanks, picking through moss and briars, dredging the water until there was everything left to find and absolutely no hope of finding it. Most of the bodies were recovered. Some weren’t.

Clay wasn’t.

We had a funeral. We even had a graveside service. Mom buried Ribbit, Clay’s beloved stuffed frog, all while swearing to Ribbit she’d dig him up the minute Clay came home. You can know someone’s dead without seeing them dead, but it’s harder.
END QUOTE

The last thing that the people of Grand Junction, and specifically Lucy and her mom, need is another tragedy. Alas then that not one but two bodies are uncovered, plunging the whole town into a living nightmare once more. Worse for Lucy, the person considered prime suspect in both murders is her ex-boyfriend Neil. He wasn’t super thrilled about her close relationship with Martin, but saved most of his ire for Robert, who heads the company that replaced the failed LaRue dam. Torn between her family and her friends who are close enough to be family, who can Lucy trust as she struggles to protect her mother, all while searching for the truth and justice for the dead?

This thoughtful novel of suspense is wonderfully plotted, as Lucy uncovers the secrets, some terrible and some just heart wrenching, of her small town and the people she loves the most. I greatly appreciated the complexity of her relationships, and the sensitive way with which Court Stevens allowed Lucy to feel all of the many conflicting emotions that naturally arose from her complicated situations. While this book is considered Young Adult, I feel that it’s also an excellent entry into the mainstream thriller market, and would be appreciated by anyone who enjoys a good tragic mystery.

Court Stevens creates a thriller with twists and turns, and, though I figured out who the killer was, gets the reader invested in finishing the story.
Eight years ago, Lucy lost her little brother in a flood after the local damn broke. Lucy carries guilt for not being able to save him. She throws herself into the Olympic air rifle competition. She has a purpose; she has a plan. But then go awry when her stepbrother (whose father put in the fancy new damn) goes missing in the same area the flood happened. Everyone in the area has secrets but whose secrets lead to murder? Lucy begins to worry she may not be able to keep herself alive.

Before even the book's halfway mark, I had already deduced who the killer would be. But Stevens creates an intricate mystery, and I couldn’t figure out all the parts. One is why the killer would commit these crimes. They aren’t who most likely suspect. There are other facets to the story and wanting to know how they all tied together kept me reading. I was anxious to find out how the final showdown would go.
The characters Steven creates are multifaceted. Each character has drives that are very personal making their missteps and morally grey lives saddening. You feel a variety of emotions towards each character. I liked that lack of flat stereotypes. I truly cared about these people and wanted them to be safe.

I really enjoyed Last Girl Breathing and plan on hitting Stevens’ back catalog.

Last Girl Breathing is such a harrowing gut punch, but with some truly lovely moments scattered throughout. I adore Court Steven's books, and this one is no exception. It is, however, pretty dark, so do go in prepared. I could not find any official content warnings, but there is murder, and death of a child, so it does deal with some heavy topics. Lucy's story is sad from the first page, knowing she lost her beloved younger brother. And it only gets more harrowing from there, when her loved ones start to go missing, or worse, end up dead.

The author does an amazing job at allowing the readers to truly feel Lucy's emotions throughout the story. Add to it, everyone in the town seems both too kind to be the killer, but also just a bit suspicious enough to plausibly be the baddie. You don't want to think that any of these people Lucy loves could be capable of murder, but you also can't be sure. So much like real life experiences, really- you think you know people, and they cannot be capable of horrific things, but then they often are. Anyway, obviously someone is responsible for what is happening here- the victims did not hurt themselves, that much is clear.

This story is told over many years and many heartbreaks, and I loved that it seemed so realistic. There is nothing neat and tidy about this, and the author made some very daring, but very realistic choices. While my emotions didn't always love them, my head knew that they were right narratively. While the book itself is definitely darker in style, there is absolutely some heartwarming hopefulness to be found.

Bottom Line: Another stunning and heartwrenching novel from Court Stevens, complete with relatable characters and just enough glimmers of hope.

Ugh this book was just so ughhhhhh. Like in the best possible way. I have the biggest book hangover now. I don’t even know how to write a good enough review for this one. I suspected everyone throughout the whole book. Well except the dog.

One thing made me laugh and it’s a just me thing. I’ve had my name misspelled a lot but Joanny is a new one even for me. I wouldn’t have even assumed it was Joni if I hadn’t listened to the audiobook in tandem with reading the book.

Last Girl Breathing is a thrilling YA mystery that truly lives up to expectations. From the first page, it captivates with a suspenseful narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The storyline is intricately woven, filled with unexpected twists and turns that continuously defy expectations. The author skillfully balances tension and intrigue, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. As the protagonist unravels the layers of the mystery, the sense of urgency and anticipation builds, creating a gripping reading experience. Last Girl Breathing not only meets the high standards set for YA mysteries but surpasses them, delivering a compelling and satisfying story that will leave readers eager for more.

#LastGirlBreathing #NetGalley

Eight years ago Lucy's life changed, she feels like she lives her life in patches. Before she lost her brother and after she lost her brother. A camping trip turned tragic, when so much rainfall in a short amount of time causes a dam to bust and the tragedy is Lucy lost her little brother Clay that same day. Then another tragedy, three people missing that Lucy knows and loves. Lucy must decide who she will trust. This story was so spellbinding and I couldn't put it down. This is my first book by Court Stevens it won't be my last.

Eight years have passed since the dam broke and caused a flood that swept away Lucy's younger brother. The dam breaking was just an act of nature, or was it? Now tragedy strikes again when Lucy’s stepbrother disappears and ends up dead a few days later. This sets Lucy on a path to find out if the events are related and to find out the truth of who is behind it all.

I really enjoyed this book, with all of the twist and turns. Last Girl Breathing is truly a who-done-it in the best way. I can’t wait to read more by Court Stevens.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to enjoy this ARC.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for an early e-arc of this book. All thoughts in this review are my own.

What a rollercoaster ride Court Stevens takes us on. The book does not start slow. You have a moment of false peace at the beginning, and then it's ripped from you and never given back throughout the entire time. Court Stevens builds a world that is full of heartbreak, a found family feeling, and touches on the small towns that get rocked by tragedy. Her characters, while not entirely complex, are thought out well enough to the point where you feel each sting of betrayal and hurt.

Lucy was a good FMC in the sense she was logical, and felt all of her emotions in ways that are completely human. I liked how she approached things and didn't know more than was realistically possible in the moment.

This was an easy read and entertaining! I'm definitely interested in what else Court Stevens comes up with.

Lucy still hasn't gotten over the tragic death of her brother when tragedy hits her hometown again. Two of her best friends are hunted down and murdered, and the main suspect is her ex-boyfriend.

I really struggled to get into this book. I think it was the writing style for me, which is a personal choice. Others might enjoy it more!

WOW! I did not see those last couple of twists coming! I was SURE it was her stepdad! This was a great read and had me glued to my phone while listening! This was my 1st book by Court Stevens but will not be my last, as I am adding all their books to my TBR!

#LastGirlBreathing
#NetGalley

Lucy is a high schooler who has suffered so much tragedy. She lost her brother Clay in a flood and now her step-brother is missing. Did he stumble onto something worth killing over, and is she in danger now? As more information comes to light, Lucy doesn’t know who of her most trusted friends and family she can trust.

I really enjoyed this book! I got pretty invested in it at the very beginning and read it in a day! This is a great read if you love a good mystery with unexpected twists set in a small town where everyone knows each other.

This was a slow burn thriller for me with a lot of backstory before I could really understand the current events. Every character had some kind of secret in their past and every character had a heartbreak that they needed to overcome in order to face the future. I did not relate to any of the characters but I did empathize with many of them, especially Lucy who had lost her little brother to a drowning when he was a child and now her stepbrother has been murdered. I was not trying so hard to figure out who was the murderer as I was trying to tie all of the plot threads together. The plot is complicated with a lot of things that happened in the past that influence the present. The characters are well-developed but their personalities and true selves are revealed slowly and methodically as the dual mysteries unravel. This is a sad mystery, sad in that it is a mystery within a mystery and the murder would not have happened if the drowning did not happen first, but the connection is not totally clear until the end. The mystery was satisfying but I cannot say that it was well-written as I felt as though I was pushing my way through deep, muddy waters in order to get to the truth of what was really happening. I think what I enjoyed best about the story was how much the characters pulled on my heartstrings and made me really want them to see some kind of resolution to their hard luck lives.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This book had such an interesting premise. The setup of the story in the beginning had me intrigued with no guesses as to what could be going on. I did feel like there were a lot of characters to keep up with and sometimes felt confused with who was who. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick mystery/thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley and Court Stevens for an ARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

BOOK: THE LAST GIRL BREATHING
AUTHOR: COURT STEVENS
PUB DATE: NOVEMBER 2023
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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This is a YA thriller like never before, I've never read a YA thriller as good and chilling as this. I finished reading it and I was wrecked, I wished all those deaths hadn't happened, I almost cried. The victims were so young and so brave that their loss broke my heart.
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Our FMC, Lucy Micheals, was a girl with a lot of trauma in the beginning of the book and more to come by. She was so strong, and she held it in. I liked that she had help investigating from an expert in the field, unlike most YA thrillers where the amateur solves the crime. I'm happy that she found people to let loose with. I did not like her mom, though. I also liked the rest of the characters(except the perp), they were so amazing, and they were there for each other. I loved the small town of Cleary County
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The book started with Lucy's stepbrother investigating the LA Rue Dam break, and it went on gradually from there. I never thought this book would be as deep as this. I don't want to say much because I might spoil the book, but it's a thriller worth reading. But, be wary, it's very, very strong
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Finally, the author was amazing. The writing, the storyline, was topnotch, I'd definitely read another of her book. Yeah, she's that good! You should definitely read this
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Fast paced, suspenseful, and intriguing. Heart wrenching at times it is masterfully written with a well crafted plot.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Court Stevens for Last Girl Breathing coming out November 7, 2023. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I’ve read another book by this author and I really loved it. So I was excited to check this one out. I thought this book was really well written. I loved the small town feel of it and the characters. I thought the mystery was really interesting. There was enough mystery to keep me on the edge of my seat. I thought Lucy was a really strong character. It would’ve been nice to get a little background on her stepbrother Martin and a little more about their relationship before everything happened. There was a lot about her brother Clay, but sometimes it didn’t feel like I knew much about Martin and his motives. But overall, I loved this book and it felt very familiar and cozy. There was definitely a lot of trauma, but I loved how the characters responded in different ways.

I would recommend recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA Murder mysteries!

I haven’t the slightest idea what I expected when picking up a copy of Last Girl Breathing by Court Stevens. However, I wasn’t anticipating Stevens’ writing style, and that alone was a refreshing change— or can I even call raw, gritty, and in-your-face refreshing? She excelled at writing voice (I have probably mentioned this twice while reviewing for Netgalley) and got into Lucy’s shoes. In this whodunnit, all the “good guys” are such amazing family friends, and you can feel their connection and bond, but unfortunately for Lucy, one of them is also secretly the most horrible being ever.
Secondary characters who I would love to see more from Dana and her dog. She and her companion became a pillar for Lucy to lean on. I’ll toss in Neil…. and a “but” where he is concerned, for obvious reasons. So this is where I say this story is excellent for those who love twists, turns, and being blindsided because to share anything more would spoil the fun.

Thank you to the author, Net Galley, and publisher for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.