Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have tried to get into this one several times. Sadly the writing just doesn't work for me. I can't get invested in the story or the characters. I think fans of more popcorn thrillers may enjoy this. It's not a bad book, it just wasn't for me.

The story was okay. The twist fell flat and just didn’t make sense. Why did the characters go the path they did. V wanted to be famous, but why go off your band mates when they could make it last longer? It all felt forced.

I was so drawn to the premise! I love stories about musicians/entertainment industry so a thriller about a band sounded right up my alley. I was hooked at first but it fizzled out quickly. Mckinnon puts some good twists and turns here but overall the pacing was all over the place and there were definitely parts where I got bored and felt like it dragged.

This was a wild one! While I didn't find the comparison between Daisy Jones, I did have fun with the rock band. For a thriller book, this is unique and surprising!

This book was kind of bonkers.

Vienna is the lone survivor of The Bittersweet, an all female band, when their van crashes in the Catskills. Conspiracies abound on the internet about what could have happened and who is to blame. Told in shifting timelines of the last, the night of the accident, and the aftermath, this one left me surprised by the actions of the characters throughout the whole thing.

If you like thrillers and deep diving into the psyche of trauma survivors, this one would be a good one for you.

Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon
.
Vienna and Madison are best friends who start a band together. As they are on the verge of hitting it big, they are in a fatal accident leaving one dead and several injuries. What will the price of fame cost them?
.
What I liked:
-I really liked the alternating past/present timeline. It kept me interested because I had so many questions about how we got from here to there.
-The vibes in this book were great, dark and edgy, it was easy to get sucked in!
-There last 25-30% was fast paced and wild!
.
3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Very binge-able and I enjoyed it a lot! There was one aspect to the end that I had hoped would go the other way, but I still liked it a lot.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me.
Thus may be one of those times where it’s “it’s not you, it’s me.”
I just didn’t like one of the characters and I just wasn’t in the mood to keep going and see if my hunch was right.
Thank you for the opportunity though!

Hannah Mary McKinnon has done it again! She has written another amazing and engaging twisty thriller. The atmospheric writing had me transported to the different settings. This is the story of an up and coming all girl band that is on the cusp of hitting it big when their van skids on ice and crashes. One of the girls dies instantly. The other four girls and a photographer find shelter on the cold winter night. What transpires after that to make only one band member and the photographer survive and one band member go missing is the big question. This book was so well written and I was totally invested in the plot. I liked how there were so many twists and surprises along the way! I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough on this one as I was engrossed in finding out the whole story. I highly recommend you read this one!

I loved this book, it was my first time reading anything from this author, and it will not be the last.
This was such a fun book, I highly enjoyed it

This mystery kept me intrigued until the end. Twisted views from an unreliable narrator lead to much guessing on what are truths and what are lies. Told in flashbacks identified as time before the accident as well as present tense, Vienna’s story unfolds from the night she was in an accident with her band mates. Secrets are revealed from sordid pasts and true friendship is questioned, making for a twisty drama filled mystery.

When high school best friends Vienna and Madison start a band, they have no idea that one day they’ll be signing a record deal instead of playing at their school talent show. That is until a snowy crash on the drive to the Hamptons leaves three girls dead, one girl missing, and one girl and their videographer alive trying to pick up the pieces.

A quick paced whodunnit that will leave you wondering if anyone can be trusted. Recommend for anyone who loves rock and roll and the precarious dynamics of girlhood.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Only One Survives in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Gist
Only One Survives is a chilling, fast-paced psychological thriller that tears the mask off fame and exposes the rot festering underneath. From the very first chapter, Hannah Mary McKinnon pulls readers into a twisted world fueled by ambition, secrets, and the relentless pursuit of celebrity. She reveals just how far people will go—lie, betray, even kill—for their moment in the spotlight.
The Details
At the heart of the story is a group of individuals brought together for a true crime documentary. Initially, the project appears glossy and well-intentioned. However, it quickly descends into something much darker. McKinnon crafts each character with precision, giving them distinct motives and carefully constructed facades. As the documentary unfolds, old secrets begin to surface, and long-buried rivalries reignite. Consequently, the tension escalates with each passing scene. For these characters, fame is no longer just a dream—it becomes a weapon.



Furthermore, McKinnon wastes no time in establishing momentum. She drives the plot forward with brisk pacing and sharp, unexpected turns. Each chapter introduces new questions, and every interaction hums with a quiet menace. In this world, everyone wants to be noticed, yet no one wants their true self revealed. As the story progresses, the sense of desperation becomes almost unbearable.



What sets this novel apart is its emotional realism. While the characters may not be likable, they are disturbingly authentic. They lie, manipulate, and perform with unsettling ease—echoing the performative culture that dominates modern life. Through them, McKinnon shows that behind every curated image lies a darker, messier reality struggling to stay hidden. As a result, the psychological undercurrent of the novel feels deeply resonant.



In addition to strong character work, the writing itself is punchy and cinematic. McKinnon’s dialogue cuts deep, her scenes burst with clarity, and she maintains high tension throughout. Just when you think you know what’s coming, the narrative veers in an unexpected direction. Moreover, the ending doesn’t simply shock—it delivers a brutal, gut-punch twist that is both bold and satisfying.



Only One Survives offers more than a gripping thriller; it serves as a scathing critique of performative fame and the cost of being seen. If you're drawn to stories that blend psychological insight with breakneck suspense, this one will leave you breathless by the final page.


The Verdict
Final verdict: A dark, brilliantly written psychological thriller that combines emotional intensity with biting social commentary. With Only One Survives, Hannah Mary McKinnon delivers one of her strongest novels to date.

A well thought out mystery- Kept me on my toes until the last page. Looking forward to reading more from this author!

Hannah Mary McKinnon's Only One Survives is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the dark side of ambition, fame, and friendship.

A big thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I was not super impressed with the first half of this book, but wow did it pick up in the second half! I did predict the ending, but I still enjoyed reading it all play out. Probably would recommend to others.

Wow, *Only One Survives* is the kind of thriller that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go until the very last page. Hannah Mary McKinnon pulls readers into the glamorous yet turbulent world of the Bittersweet band, only to thrust them into an icy nightmare that’s equal parts chilling and gripping. The story is intense, keeping you on edge as secrets unravel and paranoia creeps in.

Vienna is an intriguing protagonist. Her passion for music makes her relatable, but it’s her journey through trauma, betrayal, and survival that really draws you in. As the story progresses, her unraveling psyche—and her desperate search for answers—adds an emotional depth that keeps the stakes high. Madison’s disappearance and the horrifying deaths of the other band members leave a trail of mystery that’s impossible to ignore.

The cabin setting enhances the claustrophobic tension and heightens the suspense, making the reader question everyone’s motives, especially Madison’s. Did she truly betray Vienna, or is the truth darker than anyone could imagine? McKinnon masterfully blurs the lines between loyalty and ambition, creating a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing.

If you’re a fan of survival stories intertwined with dark secrets and human complexities, *Only One Survives* delivers in spades. It’s packed with twists, heartbreak, and plenty of “did not see that coming” moments. Definitely a must-read for thriller enthusiasts!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨ (4.5/5)

Short Synopsis: Daisy Jones and The Six but make it a thriller.

I did this one as an audiobook and the narrator was a perfect fit. Many have compared this one to Daisy Jones and The Six by TJR, and IMO that’s totally fair.

The story jumped back and forth and flowed well. It was a little slow in the beginning while we got acquainted with everyone and their unsavory antics. The pacing picked up and the similarities with the style of DJATS really came into play about midway through the story at which point it was totally invested.

There was codependency, backstabby stuff and mommy issues galore on this one. Talk about conniving!

I loved that Vienna & Madison were such a force. Their characters were both so well defined and I loved how they played off each other.

I def recommend this one.

I really liked the audiobook was done. The interview style is always so much more fun on audio in my opinion. I’m also a sucker for the one by one trope. I enjoyed the twists and turns it took. Overall, a solid 3 star read. Nothing spectacular but a fun ride!

Multiple timelines and POV’s keep you hooked on reading this one. It was hard for me to put down. Great job by the author to keep me wondering what had really happened.

The first half was slow, I really had to force my myself ti pick it up and keep reading. But the second half was much better . Although dual timeline is not my favorite, and the book had an interesting twist at the end. It surprised me!