"One Last Breath" by Ginny Myers Sain is a gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Set against the backdrop of a small town with dark secrets, the novel unravels a web of suspense and intrigue. Sain's writing hooks you right from the opening pages with its atmospheric storytelling and well-crafted suspense. The characters are compelling and multifaceted, each with their own hidden depths and motives that add layers to the mystery.

What sets "One Last Breath" apart is its ability to blend intense drama with a deep exploration of family dynamics and psychological suspense. The plot twists are expertly executed, keeping you guessing until the very end. While some aspects of the story may tread familiar ground in the thriller genre, Sain's nuanced portrayal of relationships and the haunting atmosphere she creates make this novel stand out.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review!!

what’s it about? ⬇️

The murders of best friends Bailey and Celeste have haunted the Florida town of Orange Springs for the last twenty years, attracting attention all the whole from podcasters and other true crime fans, and with the twentieth anniversary coming up, this summer is no different. Tru and her friends have all grown up hearing stories about what happened to Celeste and Bailey that awful night, and the fact that the murders went unsolved has remained a dark mark on the town ever since. But now, when Tru is already buried under the pressure she feels to graduate and go away to school with her boyfriend, her lackluster at best home life, and the trauma she still carries from the loss of her sister years earlier, she's started having nightmares about that night in alarming detail, especially considering she wasn't even alive at the time. The only time she gets to escape the insanity of her every day life is when she's freediving in Hidden Glen Springs, letting all of her troubles melt away into the cool, clear blue water.

But when a new girl named Rio breezes into town planning to solve the murders once and for all and reaches out to Tru specifically for help, Tru feels like this is what she's meant to be doing for some reason. Like she and Rio are the ones who are supposed to learn the truth of what happened to those girls they're both having strange dreams and visions about. They dive deep into their investigation, discovering all sorts of dark and dangerous secrets about the town, Bailey and Celeste, the people Tru grew up with, and even themselves along the way. By the end, Tru will be questioning who is left that she can really trust, if anyone, and if the answers to this mystery will turn her or the people she loves into the next Mount Orange cold case.

my thoughts? ⬇️

I'll admit that One Last Breath took a little while to warm up and get into the real meat of the story, but even still, the characters were all fun to read about and the scenery of Mount Orange the way Ginny Myers Sain writes it was so beautiful to imagine. Tru's relationships with the people around her were so relatable and varied that I was never disappointed to see her interact with the different characters who populated the idyllic, haunted town of Mount Orange, and when she and Rio dove into the deep end of the mystery and started figuring things out, it was so fun to watch them put together the pieces and to figure things out along side them. The twists were twisting, the red herrings were intense and threw me off more than once, and despite my surprise when things got a little more mystical than I'd expected going in, One Last Breath was such a fun read from start to finish. Plus, the way Tru's relationship with the water is described was so stunning and I loved getting inside her head in those moments, and I am a sucker for a sapphic thriller (or any sapphic story at all, tbh.)

based on your other likes? ⬇️

If you like any of these listed below, I think you might enjoy this and vice versa!

🤿 Saint Juniper's Folly by Alex Crespo. (if you like your small town murder mysteries with a touch of the mystical and a massive helping of heartwarming queer stories, give this one a go!)
🤿To Break a Covenant by Allison Ames (haunted small towns and families just trying to get by, a new arrival to town stirring up the town's old wounds, the importance of female friendships, and a touch of sapphic love. <3)
🤿 The Last Girls Standing by Jennifer Dugan (a summer camp murder, case closed--or is it? two girls clinging to their love for one another to get through their traumas, a culty sub plot that turns into so much more than that, darkdark secrets looming in the background)
🤿 Six of Sorrow by Amanda Linsmeier (a small town that has turned it's dark past into a celebration, the importance of female friendship, SAPPHIC, mysteries unraveling, mystical and witchy)
🤿 Florida!!! by Taylor Swift ft. Florence + The Machine. (kind of for the meme of it, kind of because I think of this book most of the time when I hear this song.)

trigger warnings ⬇️

death, child death, death of a sibling, death of a loved one, murder, blood, violence, gun violence, grief, stalking, alcohol, alcoholism, smoking, addiction, drug use, homelessness, abandonment, injury detail, car accident, sexual content.

Ginny Myers Sain Can. Not. Miss!

One Last Breath blew me away. The vibes? Immaculate. The characters? Flawed, believable, complex, and immediately relatable. The plot? So edge of your seat, toe-curlingly beautifully executed. I’m incredibly jealous of the way Myers Sain bends the English language to her will to envelop the reader in the story so deeply that it’s near impossible to put down. 100000/10, will recommend to everyone who breathes near me.

3.5⭐️

I found this one to be okay. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it.
I’ve read every book by this author, nothing has topped her debut for me. That book was absolutely amazing. Something is missing from this one for me to feel that way.

I did enjoy the setting and the characters. The reincarnation plot was so interesting to me but I felt like we didn’t get enough info on that.

I kinda wish the MCs had done more research on that.

I guessed the mystery immediately but that doesn’t affect my rating. I know some people hate figuring out the mysteries right away. Keep that in mind if you read this.

Overall I liked it. I’m very much looking forward to the next one.

One Last Breath by Ginny Myers Sain is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Sain's skillful storytelling weaves together a suspenseful narrative that unravels family secrets and hidden betrayals. The characters are complex and compelling, adding depth to a plot filled with twists and revelations. As the tension builds, Sain expertly explores themes of trust, guilt, and the lengths we go to protect loved ones. This novel is a must-read for fans of intense psychological dramas that leave a lasting impression. My only general complaint is the twist was a little bit predictable but overall very enjoyable!

This story follows a young girl who is haunted by a decades-old mystery in her small town. I have read Sain’s book in the past and really enjoyed it but this one was also just as good. I loved the mystery of this book and how it grasped my attention from the beginning. The book was well written with great storylines and plot twists. The story deals with family issues, the town’s past, relationships, and betrayal. The small town setting was perfect and I loved the Florida setting for this book. This book is told from Tru’s pov.

Tru is the FMC of this book and is haunted by the murders of Bailey and Celeste but she doesn’t know why. I liked her character but she’s considered unreliable for what is happening to her. There are many side characters in this book as they will play significant roles in this mystery book. There is sapphic romance which is friends to lovers and kind of fated mates.

The ending was well done and I like the twist to the last half of the book. I won’t spoil it but if you read the summary, you might know. I do have to say that the ending was rushed and I had to reread it to process what happened. I recommend checking out this book especially if you love mystery/thriller books.

*this e-arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

I loved this book. I'm not usually into horror/mystery books, but this book had me hooked from the first page.

One Last Breath was a great read! I'm not usually one to read horror/mystery but the premise lured me in and I'm glad it did! It's a perfect blend of natural/supernatural with just the right amount of modern horror tied into it.

This was my first time reading this author, but it certainly won’t be my last. I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough.

The unsolved murders of Celeste and Bailey happened twenty years ago, but Tru has a near obsession with the case. When she comes across Rio, a new girl in town, they immediately bond over their love of free diving and their shared fascination with the cold case murders. But that doesn’t explain the unusual connection Tru feels toward Rio – almost as if they’ve known each other for years.

I guessed an early twist almost immediately, and it’s one that some readers didn’t care for. I loved it. With a large cast of characters, there are plenty of people to suspect and then change your mind about – I did a few times. Strangely enough I didn’t really care for Tru or Rio, but in this case that didn’t keep me from being completely caught up in the story. Their free diving scenes are interesting, educational, and claustrophobic – no way would I be able to do that. As the two girls delve deeper into the case it becomes clear someone isn’t happy with their investigation. Now their lives are threatened.

Death runs rampant in this novel. Besides the cold case murders, many characters have lost loved ones in their backstories. Another murder happens during the course of the story that broke my heart. I was ready to hunt down the author and demand an explanation because that character deserved all the good things in life.

The ending comes with waves of surprises – one I’d guessed, others I didn’t have a clue. Recommended for readers who enjoy compelling mysteries sprinkled with paranormal elements and true crime stories set in small towns.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

To me, this was a 4.5 star, rounded down.

I have been a fan of this author since her debut (which was a 5 star read). I really loved the premise of this book and that it couldn’t be tied down to one genre. I loved the main characters, the mystery, the spooky thrills, and the paranormal angle. That was super fresh and unique and not something I had really read before.

The ended just didn’t do it for me though. It was a bit predictable, but I’ve read so many thrillers that it’s hard to surprise me. I didnt love that it wrapped up so quickly or how some things were explained. I don’t wanna give too much away but yeah, didn’t love it.

what I did love though was the love story! Who knew you could make it sweet and cute and romantic within a spooky mystery?

Overall, this was a great read and would def be recommending it,

Meh, it was okay. Like a cold breakfast sammie. You eat it because you are hungry but you don't really enjoy it. Maybe a bit or two but def not the whole thing,.. If that makes sense.

Overall this was a light mystery read for me. I don’t read a whole lot of YA mysteries because I like mine a little more gorier but I did enjoy this book. It took me a bit to get into it but once I did it took off. I would definitely be open to reading more from this author.

This book was honestly insane. Such a great summer mystery, you could feel the heat of summer within the pages. It was not at all what I was expecting, and I really enjoyed that. The mystery put me on the edge of my seat and some scenes were so creepy that it felt like I was in them. There were a lot of times when I did want to keep reading to find out what happens next. There is also this other mystery within it going along supernatural lines. It leaves you wondering what is real, what is in their heads, and if this is really happening. I will say, a lot of these supernatural things in the book go completely unexplained and you are just left to accept it. While this is kind of frustrating, I think it worked for the story. It shows that sometimes things aren't always explained. As intriguing as the story was, I didn't feel a connection to the characters which really held me back from loving it. I was so invested in the story and needed to know what happens next, but sometimes the characters annoyed me, or I just didn't feel invested in them. This definitely took some stakes away from the book for me, but I still found it really enjoyable and would recommend for a spooky summer mystery.

"One Last Breath" by Ginny Myers Sain is a gripping dive into the murky waters of a small town's haunting past. Set against the backdrop of Mount Orange, Florida, where freshwater springs conceal more than just serene depths, Sain weaves a tale that intertwines love, loss, and a chilling mystery that refuses to stay buried.

At the heart of the story is Tru, a young woman tethered to the shadows cast by the unsolved murders of her sister and her sister's best friend, Bailey and Celeste. Tru's life is overshadowed by these tragedies, her every breath haunted by unanswered questions. Yet amidst the darkness, she finds solace in the depths of Hidden Glen Springs, where the secrets of the past seem to whisper in the currents.

Enter Rio, a mysterious stranger with a determination to unravel the decades-old mystery shrouding Mount Orange. Drawn together by fate, Tru and Rio embark on a journey that ignites not only the spark of romance but also a connection to Bailey and Celeste that transcends the boundaries of the living.

Sain masterfully builds tension as the summer heat rises, mirroring the simmering passion between Tru and Rio. But as they delve deeper into the past, they awaken a dormant danger that threatens to consume them both. With each revelation, the stakes escalate, and the line between past and present blurs until they find themselves in the crosshairs of a vengeful force determined to keep the truth submerged.

"One Last Breath" is a mesmerizing blend of mystery, romance, and supernatural intrigue that will leave readers breathless until the final page. Sain's evocative prose and deft storytelling transport us to the heart of Mount Orange, where the waters run deep with secrets and the past refuses to stay buried. With its compelling characters and pulse-pounding plot, this novel is sure to leave an indelible mark on fans of suspense and supernatural fiction alike.

4/5 Stars. A big thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review.

ONE LAST BREATH was a surprisingly refreshing and inventive story, with a supernatural thriller plot and twists and turns along the way. Really enjoyed this one and will keep an eye out for future reads from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the opportunity to read and review ONE LAST BREATH.

this low key came out of nowhere as an absolutely mach speed fast paced and fun paranormal ya thriller! I could not put it down, and I must say it’s rare for me to finish 2 books within 24 hours but I did it with this one as my 2nd. The characters were interesting and the twists just kept coming, I was literally guessing and on the edge of my seat until the very last pages which I feel so rarely happens. Also what a perfect time to read it on the heels of Taylor swifts TTPD Florida!!! Because this is the most Florida!!! Vibes of anything ever - like running away from something Florida crime vibes, murder, ok hello here it is ‼️ so overall, a great read and I thank #OneLastBreath #NetGalley out now!!

There is a small town in Florida called Mount Orange that is making money off the murders of Bailey and Celeste with their morbid and grim town shops. It seems to have become a tourist attraction.

The main character Tru, is the sister of Bailey. She has nonstop dreams of her and how she may have died. Rio is a podcaster who comes into town to try and solve this long-unsolved mystery.

Tru feels this pull toward Rio so she joins her on this search to get to the bottom of the murder. They believe it is The Reaper who did the killings but Tru's boss John Boy says it had to be an amateur. However, you can tell that he knows more about the situation since he keeps trying to veer Rio and Tru off the right path.

East is Tru's boyfriend whom she has known since they were in the third grade. They should be going off to college but Tru never filled out the FSU application. I did like East, I thought he was always looking out for her but you can tell that Tru wasn't happy with her life, she wanted more and wanted to try and figure it out.

Could Rio and Tru really be Bailey and Celeste reincarnated? Rio has had a very vivid memory since she was born.

This is a good mystery with many twists and some paranormal elements to it.

Thank you to NetGalley Penguin Group Young Readers for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this story of reborn girls and a town haunted but never willing to deal with it. Great characters. Great ending.

I am a huge fan of Ginny Myers Sain now. This was just as good as her last book. I preferred the main character in her other book more, but this was just as deliciously atmospheric.

One Last Breath

3/5 ⭐️

You will like this book if you enjoy;
•frenemies to lovers
•slow burn
•closed door spice

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the eARC opportunity to read this book!

This FMC was hard to connect with, she was dense, felt a little self absorbed, and unrelatable. Horrible communication until the end —- but I’m glad I pushed through to see MMC get the HEA he deserves, I did not leave this story feeling satisfied with how it went down. It fell flat, and felt like it was glorifying poor communication and treating your partner badly.

This is a quick, shorter read that has no explicit or raunchy scenes. But please check your triggers - CW include; death, grief, drug use, gun violence, child death, alcoholism, etc.