Maddison and Vienna have been friends since high school. Maddisons' parents always felt like Vienna was a bad influence, but Vienna didn't have money and opportunities like Maddison
In fact, her mom never cared about her, and her stepfather cared even less
Vienna and Maddison end up creating a band together
Some fans team Maddison
Some fans team Vienna
Maddison really doesn't care about the band, so Vienna searches for other members
They start making hits
They even now have a manager, fans, and are recording their songs
But with fame must come greed
With greed must come elimination
And at the end of the day, only one can remain standing

An addictive read! Get ready for a wild ride with "Only one Survives"! Easily, McKinnon's most twisty work yet. . Hold on for this Psychological Thriller.

Wow. Talk about a twisted friendship!
The story starts with an article that was written about the band Bittersweet and how Vienna was arrested at a memorial for a band member. Then, how is the whole internet responding to her being detained at the memorial service. Vienna and Madison have been friends since High School, when they ended up in the principal's office because of a scuffle between the two in line and when Madison's father was there Vienna took the blame for the whole incident. They had their up and downs in their friendship, but Madison is the rich girl who rebels against her parents, and Vienna is the poor girl with an alcoholic mother and creepy stepfather. The only reason that Vienna doesn't leave is because her Grandmother lives in the house with them. Then, once her grandmother passes away Vienna moves to New York with Madison. Then, cues the accident that many members of Bittersweet passed away in. While only one passed away at the wreck what happened that night after the wreck is what has everyone speculating because everything is suspicious because they have not found Madison and there are unexplained deaths. That's when everything changes. Vienna is suspected of being the murderer and Madison is still missing the internet is full of public opinion and Vienna is not a favored person in most of the eyes of the public! This is one of the most twisted books that I've read in a while it's on the scale of Freida McFadden with the shock of whodunit. Very good! I loved that the story includes the building of the band and all that but then adds a splash of murder with a good conspiracy! sooo good! Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this one! It was definitely a twisty treat!

This book kept me up until 2 a.m. — and the ending had me so spooked I needed another hour just to calm down. I loved every twist in this woman’s descent into madness and her fierce grip on her truth. And that’s the thing — the truth here is so bendy. Who’s a good person? Who isn’t? You won’t know until the very end. And even then, you might still have doubts.

This book earned the whole 5 stars. She is an amazing writer! It was the perfect amount of suspense witout being creepy! You will not be disappointed!

Only One Survives was a fantastic thriller and my first book by this author. This book immediately granted McKinnon a spot on my "must read every book she has written" list! This book had ALL of my favorite things: set during a blizzard, people dying one at a time, the main character questioning her friends, I could go on and on. This was such an intensely riveting page-turner! 5 out of 5 stars hands down.

I am THRILLED to say that this book absolutely blew me away. It was so enjoyable, shocking and easy to read (in a good way). Coming off a book I didn't love from McKinnon, this one reminded me why I love her writing so much.

I loved the layers all of the characters had and how it all unfolded as you kept reading. I really enjoyed the dual timelines, it kept me totally immersed in the book while also giving insight to the history of the girls and the band, and what comes of them. Whose side are you going to take?

This story was awesome! It really shows the ugly sides to fame.

The book was a fast paced mystery full of very well done twists and turns. It was so hard to put down!

The story goes back and forth between past and present, and I thought it was done very well! I felt suspense for both sides of the story and wanted to know more. It was seamless, and is definitely a big reason why the story is so captivating.

Overall, this one was a thrilling and emotional journey. It is my first time reading anything by Hannah Mary McKinnon, and certainly won't be my last! I highly recommend this one.

4⭐️
Took me a little while to get into, but was hooked around 30%!! Think Daisy jones + locked door thriller… quite literally because the beginning felt like 2 different books until it meshed together and made sense 😂😂

🔍 whodunnit
🎸 girl band rock & roll
🌀 big twists in story
🔐 locked door mystery
❄️ snowed in spookiness
📖 book in a book
📝 various text features (interviews, social media comments, etc.)
😈 becomes quite dark when you least expect it

Felt like it was a tad longer than needed and then the end was a bit abrupt. Also the author must have a thing for Imagine Dragons lol.

Overall, I loved it! Definitely unique for a thriller. I enjoy this author’s books and look forward to reading more!

Such a great book! I loved the girl band vibes combined with a murder mystery. There were so many twists that I didn't see coming, but I had mostly figured out the ending. I still really enjoyed the book though, and found it to be creatively written and wonderfully twisted!

Holy MOLY. Only One Survives took me on an absolute rollercoaster and at no point was I ready for what came next!

The character arcs, the writing style, the twists and turns…I was absolutely hooked.

We follow along two best friends, Vienna and Madison as they journey to find fame with their band. A tragic accident derails everything…or does it? This book will keep you on your toes and have you gasping with every mystery that is unveiled!

Highly recommend!

This book was so good’ the title grabbed me right away! The characters were both lovable and hateable at the same time. I thought I knew what was going on, but I was wrong! That definitely is a good thing!!

𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙎𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 by Hannah Mary McKinnon is a suspense story that kept me on my toes!

A fascinating and slightly unbalanced friendship forms between Vienna and Madison. This duo is the basis for a new band with a few more members, and just when the stars seem to finally align, tragedy strikes. What happens in the following hours is catastrophic for some, opportunity for one...

I thought this suspense was a fun psychological read that I wish I could add more to, but don't want to spoil. I really thought I had it pegged pretty early and when it was clear that was the author's intent, I quit trying to figure it out and let it take me along for the wild ride. I saw a bit of what was coming, but could not look away to see the how and why.

A big Thank You to @htpbooks @htp_hive & @netgalley for this great read that I finally got to. Why did I wait so long? It was out July 17th, so you don't have to wait for this either!

All drummer Vienna ever wanted was to make music. If that came with fame, she’d take it—as long as her best friend, guitarist Madison, was sharing the spotlight. And with their new all-female pop rock band gaining traction, soon everyone would hear their songs. Except, on the way to an event, the Bittersweet’s van careened off an icy mountain road—leaving one member dead and another severely injured. In order to survive the frigid night, the rest took shelter in a nearby abandoned cabin where a terrifying nightmare ensued. What really happened to the Bittersweet?

ONLY ONE SURVIVES is a lively thriller that offers a front-row seat to the tumultuous world of female friendships, jealousy, and the price of fame. The story introduces us to Vienna, a character with a complicated background and undeniable charm. Her friendship with Madison is endearing, yet there is an underlying sense of unease that lingers. Madison had this suspicious energy around her, that warrants the reader to watch her cautiously.

As the story progressed, alternating between the past and present, I found myself eagerly turning the pages in anticipation of what would happen next. While I thoroughly enjoyed the thrilling chapters set in the woods and cabin, the second part of the book introduced a shocking twist that I did not foresee. However, I must admit that the plot's pace slowed down somewhat after this revelation, causing me to lose a bit of focus. Despite this minor setback, ONLY ONE SURVIVES overall delivers a compelling performance, effectively capturing the essence of a cinematic experience and immersing the reader in the blizzard-like atmosphere alongside the characters.

As always Hannah smashes every expectation I have for a book, somehow everything she writes gets better and better. I absolutely devoured Only One Survives. The twists & turns had me flipping through pages so quick lol! An absolute must read.

Only One Survives delivers a tense, survival-driven thriller, but it doesn't fully live up to its potential. The premise—strangers trapped in a dire situation where only one can make it out alive—promises high stakes and gripping drama, and while the story has its moments of intensity, it often falls into familiar tropes.

The characters are distinct but feel somewhat underdeveloped, making it harder to become fully invested in their fates. While the plot builds suspense effectively in parts, the twists and turns are fairly predictable, and the emotional stakes don’t hit as hard as they could. The pacing is quick, which keeps the story moving, but it sometimes feels rushed, particularly in the final act where the resolution feels a bit too convenient.

For readers looking for a fast-paced, survival-themed thriller, Only One Survives offers an entertaining escape. However, those seeking a more original or deeper exploration of its themes may find it lacking. It’s a decent read, but not particularly memorable.

Madison and Vienna meet in high school and become fast friends. They are from totally different backgrounds, and Madison's parents do not want them to be friends, but they continue secretly. They form a musical duo, MV with both on vocals and Vienna playing drums and Madison playing guitar. Eventually they both end up in New York and are part of an all-girl band, named the Bittersweet. In a snowstorm on their way to a party, their van goes off the road and what happens next is unimaginable. Who survives?

Only One Survives is told in dual timelines, before the accident and after the accident. It is Vienna's POV and we learn about her and Madison's past through her eyes. It does jump back and forth, but I didn't have any problems keeping up. At times this did slow the story down somewhat for me, and the first half of the story was a slow build up. We learn who survives the crash within the first half of the book, but the rest is how the others die and eventually, who was responsible. The twists in this one came as a surprise to me and kept me reading to find out what exactly happened. My jaw dropped more than once. Social Media plays a big part in the story with Team Madison and Team Vienna going back and forth. There is another storyline dealing with Vienna's family, her upbringing and the relationship between her and her mother that adds another layer to this story. As this book wrapped up, there was one more twist that had my jaw dropping, although it might have been a bit over the top. I can't say anymore about this book without spoiling it, but if you enjoy a twisty mystery/thriller, than I recommend you pick this one up. Hannah Mary McKinnon continues to entertain me with her stories, and I will pick up whatever she writes.

The young all-female rock band called Bittersweet were headed to their next event, but they were driving in a terrible blizzard. Weather conditions were horrid and they became involved in a devastating car accident that left one of the girls dead, another severely injured, and one missing.

Due to an eerie series of events, the remaining survivors of the accident seemed to find safety in a dilapidated cabin near where the accident took place. However, the horrors they already experienced were only the beginning. Whether it is the frigid weather conditions, or the fact that there is not much in the way of warmth and supplies in the cabin, the survivors of the car accident are in for the ride of their lives.

Meanwhile, there is history that defines some of the relationships among the girls. With Vienna from a troubled household and Madison from a privileged one, their lives couldn’t have been more different. Sadly, I could relate to Vienna in more ways than one. Madison was quite relatable in her ways as well. With tension from the very start, and never once letting up, Only One Survives is an impeccable thriller.

Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I loved the all girl band as the main characters in this book. Who was messing with them and what was going on. Kept me reading to find out the answers. I will read more books by this author.

The premise of the all girl band and the accident was intriguing. However I lost interest with most of the characters. The twists were rather unbelievable and I figured out who was messing with Vienna early on. The ending was jarring and not at all satisfying.