Loved all the mystery and twists this book packed! It took a different path from other stories of missing persons, as this one shows up 25 years later with no recollection of life before or during her kidnapping - only after. The way the layers unfold through this story, I couldn’t stop reading it! It was a heartbreaking yet hopeful read and I really enjoyed the ride!

Last One Out by Steph Nelson is a pulse pounding, twisted thriller full of secrets and suspense. There are some heavy topics that are discussed including: violence, course language, off page child trafficking, and non- explicit pedophilia.

When Chloe disappeared twenty five years ago after two of her friends were murdered, there were no witnesses and no clues as to what happened. Chloe's cousin Frankie has always held out hope that Chloe was alive. So when Chloe unexpectedly shows up at her own memorial service, Frankie is understandably overjoyed. But when Frankie tries to figure out where Chloe has been she is shocked to find Chloe has amnesia and can't remember what happened. But soon Frankie starts to suspect that Chloe might know more than she is letting everyone believe. Will the truth about that night come to light? And where has Chloe been this whole time?

I have never read anything else by this author so I had no idea what to expect. From the very first page I was hooked!! The suspense and tension is a given with this type of thriller but what I didn't expect was the emotional depth that was packed in to this book. Some topics are very dark , but the way Nelson delicately writes this narrative is superb. This is told in a dual POV (Frankie and Chloe) and a dual timeline so you are able to piece together the whole truth about what happened. I will definitely be looking out for more from this author!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Steph Nelson, and Ticking Clock Press for this ARC!! Publication date is May 1st 2025.

Absolutely loved this thriller! This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed the writing style! I was able to pick the book up and could not put it down! I haven’t read a trope where the missing person ends up coming back so this was the first but really enjoyed how everything came together!

Oh my god! This could be among my top unputdownable thrillers for the year thus far. From the first page, I was captivated and really didn't want this book to finish; I consumed it in what seemed like one breath. I was completely engaged in the mystery and the people; the pacing was quick, the tension rising all the time.Some of the key characters were so profoundly rich that I yearned for even more of them. I do wish we had gotten a little more backstory on Clinton Mask; with that extra emotional weight, the conclusion might have hit even harder. That said, even if I predicted some of the turns, it did not diminish at all my enjoyment of the journey. This is a thriller about people haunted by the past, hiding behind both literal and emotional masks... and yes, a Jensen on the side (which I adored 😅).

Many thanks to Ticking Clock Press and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my sincere assessment. This one was a crazy trip!

Such a well paced and suspenseful book! The twists were believable and not predictable.
It had excellent writing and a fascinating plot.
Last One Out: A Thriller by Steph Nelson is a book which kept me thoroughly engaged from beginning to end.

This story had my blood pumping THE ENTIRE TIME! I loved how you got to go back and forth in time between what is happening and what had happened. The author gave it her all and it shows in this book. Well written, the storyline flowed and most of all the twists were amazing. I had to pick my jaw off of the floor multiple times. Bravo!

This book was a horrible one. Ok, the book was brilliant. It was the story, the events of it, that were horrible, beyond horrible. Yet this is exactly the kind of book you would recommend to everyone else, and you would be doing it in this very specific and weird manner. This is exactly the kind of book that you would push into your bestie’s face, all while wiping your own tears and dramatically blowing your nose and saying how the book broke you and how you are broken beyond repair now, and now, here, you must read it too, this is the best book ever, it will break your heart, and the book will do it several times while you read it, and it will also make you seek therapy for the characters of the book and for your own self, here, make sure you read it asap.
And yes, that is me saying here that the book deserves more than five stars if I am required to rate it. it most definitely got the rare label of WOW BOOKS OF 2025 in my head.

If you read (and loved) another book by Steph – The Final Scene – you will love this one also.
And, a warning – if you are a person who needs trigger warnings, then please do make sure you check them out for this one. Seriously. They are there for a reason.

Chloe Webster vanished 25 years ago after a double murder at a creepy hot springs. Everyone thought she was dead—until she crashes her own memorial like it’s no big deal. Cue Frankie, her ride-or-die cousin who never gave up hope but is now side-eyeing this amnesia act like, “Girl, what do you remember?”

This book had me hooked faster than Frankie could say “I smell a lie.” The atmosphere? Chilling. The tension? Chef’s kiss. I could feel the damp forest air and hear every twig snap as secrets clawed their way to the surface.

Nelson nails the slow-burn suspense with sharp writing and characters that feel real (and a little untrustworthy—in the best way).

Short version: read it. Just maybe keep the lights on.

Thank you to Ticking Clock Press and NetGalley for this review copy. I am voluntarily leaving this honest review. #LastOneOut #NetGalley

This thriller had me captivated right from the start. I might have anticipated some aspects of the conclusion, but that did not diminish my enjoyment.

The narrative unfolds across dual timelines and perspectives. 'Then' presents the chilling account of Chloe, who went missing 25 years ago after a harrowing incident that left her two best friends dead. Her haunting story details her experiences while held captive. In contrast, 'Now' is told from the viewpoint of Frankie, her cousin who feels more like a sister. Frankie has clung to Chloe’s memory over the years and is overjoyed when Chloe finally returns home. However, it becomes evident that Chloe harbors dark secrets that threaten to unravel everything for both of them.

Overall, this was a fast-paced, twisty thriller that made for an engaging read. While I did find some elements predictable, the swift narrative kept me invested. I would rate it around mid-tier in my personal rankings. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you Steph Nelson ( @stephnelsonauthor ), Ticking Clock Press, and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read Last One Out: A Thriller early (out May 1, 2025).

This thriller had me hooked from the first page. I did guess part of the ending, but wasn’t at all disappointed. l, in fact, I was glad that I had prepared myself and found the end to be fitting.

This book was written in dual timelines and points of view. “Then” is narrated by Chloe, the girl who went missing 25 years ago after being ambushed with her two best friends (they were killed). She explains what happened to her while being held captive. “Now” is narrated by her cousin (more like a sister) Frankie. Frankie has held on to Chloe’s memory and is elated when Chloe returns home. Only in the end does Frankie realize that Chloe is holding onto secrets that could destroy them both.

From the author’s notes—TW: violence, coarse language, off page child trafficking, and non-explicit references to pedophilia.

#LastOneOutAThriller #NetGalley #StephNelson #TickingClockPress

Last One Out by Steph Nelson is a twisted and heart-braking thriller full of secrets, suspense and dark events with an end that will skyrocket your blood pressure! This was just something!
The book starts strong and sparks interest in the first chapter. I was so invested in finding out what was happening and what would happen.
The story is told in the present with chapters from the past that will slowly build the picture with devastating events 25 years ago. The end twist came out of nowhere and took me absolutely by surprise. Oh my, oh my!

25 years ago, Chloe disappeared, and her two friends were found dead. There is no witness, and no one knows what happened in that dark August night.
Chloe's cousin, Frankie, never gave up looking for Chloe. She believes Chloe is somewhere out there.
When Chloe unexpectedly appears in her own annual memorial event, Frankie hopes she will finally get answers about what happened 25 years ago, but unfortunately, Chloe suffers from amnesia and has more questions than answers.
Someone out there has answers, but who? Someone is responsible for the horrific events, but who? Can Frankie get answers before it's too late?

This is a heavy read, but so good!
Many dark events could trigger some readers, so I would advise checking them out.

Steph Nelson's latest thriller reads like a stereotypical disappearance thriller, following many of the same twists and turns that we've seen in other novels. It's still a unique setting and setup, but unfortunately falls into many of the same tropes that other thrillers fall into. It's an engaging read, but one that I found myself guessing exactly what was going to happen as I read. I still found it to be a fine read, just one that wasn't as satisfying as I was hoping it would be.

This book grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go. Last One Out is a thriller that’s sharp, gritty, and emotionally tense in all the right ways. It’s one of those stories where you know something terrible is coming, but you can’t stop turning the pages.

Steph Nelson does a great job balancing suspense with character depth. The protagonist is flawed and complex, which makes the stakes feel that much higher. You’re not just watching the plot unfold—you’re feeling it with them. And while the twists are solid (and yes, I gasped out loud at one point), what really stuck with me was the atmosphere: dark, tense, and just a little bit haunting.

If you’re into thrillers with emotional weight, layered characters, and a plot that keeps you guessing right up to the end, this one should definitely be on your radar.

Okay, I absolutely loved this book: I loved the writing, the POV, the plot, the story. This was so hard to put down I couldn’t stop turning pages. I had never heard of the author but the beautiful cover drew me in. This book is amazing. Thank you for the opportunity to read an early copy.

4.5 Stars This thriller grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go until the very end. Nelson crafts a chilling, claustrophobic atmosphere as a devastating fire traps a group of strangers inside an upscale high-rise.
Nelson does a fantastic job of balancing suspense with emotional depth, making you care who survives and why. The chapters are brisk, often ending with cliffhangers that make it impossible not to read "just one more."
The plot twists come fast and hard. The pacing is relentless — perfect for readers who love breathless, edge-of-your-seat action.

When I first received this ARC, I was so excited! I’ve heard so many amazing things about this author, and the premise of this book intrigued me instantly, and the story most definitely lived up to my expectations! This story was phenomenal, and so wonderfully written. I really love when books go back and forth between the present and the past, so that was an element of this book that I really enjoyed.

There are a few trigger warnings that I would suggest looking into before reading this book, and parts of this story were definitely hard to read. I found myself getting emotional particularly at the scenes in the past with Chloe, who was such an inspiring character who went through so much. I also loved hearing Frankie’s perspective, who was also an incredible character!

I have so much to say about this book, but I don’t want to go into too much detail to avoid spoilers. What I will say is that this is the kind of book that sucks you in from the very first page, and I literally could not put it down when I started reading. I wouldn’t recommend reading this before bed, because I guarantee you won’t be able to put it down!

There was also a surprise at the end with a bonus chapter, which was a lovely surprise, although it was definitely an emotional read. It was a great way to end an incredible story.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 stars.

This is my second book by this author and it definitely did not disappoint. The novel flips between two POV: One Then- set in 1999 when a girl is abducted, and one Now- set in current times.

This explored some hard topics but not in a way that made you want to turn away in disgust. It was delicately written and very easy to read. I flew through this book. I rated it 4.25 mainly because I was able to figure out the big twist very early on but it was still a fun read. Can not wait to read more by this author.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

I was gifted an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a gripping read! From the very first chapter, I was hooked on the mystery of Chloe Webster’s disappearance—and her shocking return. Twenty-five years after vanishing without a trace on the night two of her friends were murdered, Chloe’s sudden reappearance at her own memorial event is chilling, emotional, and instantly raises a thousand questions.

The author did an incredible job building tension and layering the story with twists that kept me guessing. I especially loved Frankie’s character—her loyalty, heartbreak, and growing doubt felt so real and relatable. Watching her struggle between wanting to believe in her cousin and needing to uncover the truth made for a really compelling emotional core.

Chloe’s memory loss (or is it something more?) added a great psychological edge, and the cryptic messages sprinkled throughout had me flipping pages late into the night. The pacing was mostly excellent, although I found a few parts in the middle slowed down a bit with repetitive reflections. However, the payoff at the end made it worth it.

If you love twisty family dramas with dark secrets and a strong emotional pull, this book is definitely one to add to your TBR. I’ll absolutely be watching for more from this author!

Thank you, Steph Nelson, and Netgalley for this great opportunity.

First of all, this is a dual timeline narrative so paying attention to little details is key in my opinion.

The story follows Chloe Webster and her cousin Frankie.
Chloe mysteriously vanishes on the night of her two friends were brutally murdered at some isolated hot spring back in 1999, where they had wondered off into the woods.
Honestly everyone believed she was dead except for her cousin Frankie who deeply believed that, that wasn't true.
Chloe suddenly appears at her very own memorial event with absolutely no recollection of the night she disappeared or her life beforehand.
Frankie on the other hand is completely determined to seek the truth about what had happened to Chloe, as she glad to have Chloe back but things change when Frankie starts receiving messages hinting that Chloe may know a lot more than she's letting on.
Frankie ends up concerned that the truth may be more terrifying than she would care to imagine.
Their relationship is one based off love and the shared trauma that changed them that fateful night.

The novel truly has a good balance of suspense and emotional depth.
It's genuinely a compelling read as it questions the reliability of memory and just how far someone is willing to go to get closure.