The Last One Out was a riveting thriller that had me questioning everything. The intensity of this novel was unlike anything I’ve ever read and It equal parts mystery & psychological.

I guessed the way some things what would happen but that doesn’t mean the work up wasn’t absolutely brilliant. The way the characters were written was detailed & It sucked you in emotionally. I didn’t just feel like I was reading but I felt like this book completely brought me in.

The plot was definitely the strong point here, the enticing setting had me not wanting to put my kindle down even for a second. This novel is highly recommended & I will definitely be reading anything this author releases.

Last One Out is a chilling, binge-worthy thriller that had me completely hooked. The tension builds steadily, with just the right mix of friendship drama, secrets, and suspense. Every time I thought I had it figured out, a new twist pulled me deeper into the mystery.

Steph Nelson’s writing is sharp and addictive—I flew through this book in just a couple of sittings. If you’re into thrillers that keep you guessing and deliver a punch, this one’s a must-read.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this gripping ebook!

Thank you Netgalley and Ticking Clock Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Steph Nelson’s “Last One Out” delivers a chilling, emotional thriller that grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go — even when the plot sometimes asks for a bit more suspension of disbelief. Told through dual perspectives and a split timeline, the story explores the long shadows of trauma, the complexity of memory, and the unbreakable bonds between women—especially those forged through survival.

Twenty-five years ago, Chloe Webster vanished the same night her two best friends were brutally murdered at a remote hot spring. Presumed dead, she became the haunting centerpiece of a cold case that rocked her small town. But her cousin Frankie never believed Chloe was gone for good. Now, on the day of Chloe’s annual memorial, she walks into the room—alive but with no memory of the night she disappeared, or the years that followed. As Frankie reconnects with the cousin she’s spent decades mourning, she begins receiving cryptic messages that suggest Chloe’s amnesia might not be the whole truth. What really happened that night in 1999? And why has Chloe returned now?

Chloe’s flashbacks to her time post-abduction are the beating heart of this story. Her resilience, especially as a mother fighting for her child, is incredibly powerful. These sections feel emotionally raw and authentic, elevating the story beyond a typical thriller. Her arc — from victim to survivor to protector — is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

Nelson keeps the momentum going with short chapters, multiple timelines, and shifting POVs. The tension escalates quickly and rarely lets up, making this a truly bingeable read. Even when some twists are predictable, the emotional weight behind them keeps you turning pages. The book does a solid job handling difficult themes like abuse, loss, and PTSD. It doesn’t glamorize trauma but instead focuses on the messy aftermath and how it shapes both Chloe and Frankie’s lives. While a few late reveals might be easy to spot for seasoned thriller readers (I was able to guess one of the perpetrators pretty early on), the ending brings satisfying closure for both characters. There’s a true emotional payoff in watching these women reclaim their voices and begin to heal.

While Chloe is vividly rendered, Frankie occasionally reads inconsistently. Her fixation on Chloe’s past and her strange decision to live in Chloe’s old house — untouched for years — raises more questions than it answers. At times, her voice feels more teenage than adult, and it’s hard to fully invest in her until late in the story. One of the book’s biggest sticking points though is the implausibility surrounding the investigation. Chloe reappears after twenty-five years, tied to an infamous murder case, and yet the police barely factor in? You will need to suspend disbelief when it comes to law enforcement’s role (or total absence) in the plot.

Overall, “Last One Out” is a compelling, emotionally driven thriller that shines in its portrayal of survival and sisterhood, even when its procedural logic falters. It’s less about the mystery and more about the trauma beneath it—the years lost, the relationships fractured, and the hard road toward healing. Those who love psychological thrillers with strong female leads and layered emotional arcs will find a lot to appreciate here.

wow this is one emotional hit in gut kind of thriller. but brilliant because of that. i enjoyed this book so much. im a sucker for emotional and psychological angle books. one that probably most wouldnt seek out without a trigger warning. Karin slaughter is one of my ultimate faves and that tells you all you need to know!
this book is just excellent. the dual pov. the emotional toil such events have on all those surrounding the area of impact.
from the very beginning i was thinking thinking thinking over this book. and the more pages i turned the more my breathe was stalled and my angst ramped up.
i had so many questions. i had to stop myself from trying to figure it out and just read the dam book. the id have to pause. possibly read a few pages again so i could soak it in properly. and i was looking for clues the whole way through. did i miss something? nope. the unveiling is staggeringly good. the dual pov gives such a great depth to this because your learning both sides and how it impacts.
i was perplexed at first. how can they say Chloe is back. she herself didnt just appear from thin air. how can she not know how she got there?
and Frankie, did the loss and not being able to know where her cousin was make her become this obsessed. because she truly was and i felt so sorry for her. it must shift everything in your life this kind of thing. you hear about disappearance of relatives and how you are just never quite ok. your never able to do certain things or move on because of the not knowing. its a whole mind fuddle.
this book is a must read. i truly cant recommend it enough. its soooooo much better than even i thought it would be going in. and even from the blurb i was excited.
the premise of people turning up after disappearing i think is become quite popular so there is always a risk in it. but Steph gets it absolutely perfect.

Last One Out by Steph Nelson - let’s call it early shall we and say that this will be my favourite read of 2025?

I’m a huge fan of Steph’s work, with The Final Scene being in my top reads of 2024, and recommending her books to anyone who will listen!

Last One Out is no exception. An amazingly written story with such lovable and relatable main characters. I truly felt like I was getting to know them and was cheering for them every step of the way. This is a heart wrenching book filled with love, loss and hope that will stay with you long after the last chapter.

Another 5 star read for me.

Be sure to scan the QR code at the end of the book to access a bonus scene!

This was an utterly gripping story that kept me on the edge of my seat for the last few days.
A story about two women whose lives are not what they thought it was. About relationships not being what they seem.
My goodness, nothing in this book is what it seems. The author has the capability to keep you gasping for air when every twist and turns comes to light. You're thinking throughout the book, where is this heading...
This was a hell of a ride and i couldn't get enough! This is the first book by this author and there was another book high on my TBR and bumped this one up immediately!

Read this one if you like a gripping thriller with, did not see it coming, twist and turns...
Pub Date 1 May 2025

If I could give 3.5 stars I would. It was almost a 4 star read for me. I just felt there was almost too many twists and turns in the book. I loved the suspense though, and overall was happy I was able to read this book.

This is one of the most twisted and amazing thrillers I have read. Different timelines, suspicious characters, creepy settings, and so many events linked at one. All the clues and the climax were on point, and the voices of the characters were well done. Big congratulations to the author, and a Big Thank You to Ticking Clock Press and NetGalley.

When I got the ARC for this book I was super excited! Last year I was lucky enough to get an ARC for “The Threshing Floor” and that is a book I still think about to this day. Ever since reading “The Final Scene” Steph has been on my radar and as soon she announces a new novel I am here for it. This on was no different.

Damn. This novel had me hooked from page one and I could hardly put it down.
It was a heartbreaking, disturbing and tragic story that left me lingering with sadness (that bonus story did not help to ease any of the emotional damage). It’s so well written and worded in a way that makes it hard not to feel all the feels while reading. My instincts were not wrong when it came to predicting some of the outcomes but that did not take away from the story! I recommend getting your hands on this one as soon as it’s out!

I absolutely read through this book! This is such a great twisted thriller. Definitely advise to check your trigger warnings! This was such an intense book. I’m a big fan of “missing person returns home” trope and this book definitely gave the extra twist to this trope. Thank Netgally & Ticking Clock Pressfor this ARC!’

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is thriller left me absolutely speechless. Last One Out is a fascinating and deeply moving story with incredibly well-developed characters. From the very first page, I was hooked. Steph Nelson has crafted a true masterpiece.

The central question—Where was Chloe for 25 years?—kept me on edge the entire time. The mystery unfolds in such a gripping and emotional way that I couldn’t put the book down. Every twist hit hard, and the emotional depth surprised me just as much as the suspense.

An outstanding job by the author. Five stars, no hesitation. If you're looking for a thriller that pulls you in from the start and doesn’t let go, this is it.

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I will definitely be reading more. Last One Out was a great book! It was filled with suspense and twists that kept me flipping the pages to find out what was going to happen next. I liked the different POV's, quick chapters, and trying to put the pieces together. Highly recommend this book!

I was so excited to read this one after seeing a TikTok about it but I gave up at 30%. It was just too unbelievable for me!

Thank you for early access to this. I really enjoyed this book, it was a page turner, predictable in parts but it certainly didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the story.

Right from the get go, this book sucked me in! It jumped right into the action and kept up the high intensity the whole ride.

Three friends go to a remote hot spring in the middle of the night for a soak. Only one of the girls makes it through the night alive, but she is taken.

After 25 years, and a cousin has never given up hope that she will find answers, Chloe reappears. But is it really her? Where has she been for 25 years? There is so much more than meets the eye and members of the family have a lot of secrets.

If you want a read that will keep you up late to finish, this book is for you! It was so good and kept me on the edge throughout the entire book!

I was very grateful to receive the arc for this book. I finished it pretty much within one day. The writing was great & the plot was captivating. I did find the twists in this book quite predictable but that didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed reading it!

This was a fast paced thriller that kept me hooked. Last One Out follows three girls who went into the woods with two being unalived one going missing. Now decades later, the missing girl shows up with no memory.

Flew through this book that was set in multiple POV and I had a good time!

Thank you Netgalley and Publishers for this eARC!

This book kept me on my toes the entire time. It feels like a different vibe from most thrillers! I finished it in two settings. Tugged on my heartstrings at the end but the author did a great job of wrapping up the end nicely!

this book was crazy. From the start, it had me questioning everybody and everything. the pace was good, and the twist at the end was good.
recommend everyone check it out when it hits the shelves. thanks net galley for the early copy

This story hits the ground running and doesn’t stop til the last page! It instantly pulled me in and held my attention the whole time.
Thanks to NetGalley and Steph Nelson for the ARC!