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One Was Lost by Natalie D. Richards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was just the mystery/thriller that I needed, an easy read that was also a survivor story. But what jumped out for me the most was that this was a coming-of-age story for the MC, Sera. And really this is a journey of her trying to escape the place that's she in, both physically and in her mental image/space. The writer really did her job by opening a teenager's mind so that the reader could relate. The ending especially was so sentimental and I just loved how it wrapped up.

This book follows a group of seniors who are venturing into the isolated woods for their required field trip. Everything starts to go downhill after that point, the relationships and accusations are a complicated spider web; and I can't say much more without spoiling it. I would say that reading this book without looking through the synopsis is a good thing, because it gives too much of it away.

Was the writing excellent? Nah, I've seen much better; this here was not what shone through the book. I was kept on the edge of my seat with my knuckles gripping my Kindle the whole time and my breath hitched. I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting and couldn't put it down once the "train" (aka plot line) started moving along.

Did I really even care who the "person" was? Not really, I kind of already have an idea based on the clues, but that ok. We gradually find out who it was, even though the group may have their suspicions. It was supposed to be a who-dunnit, but to me I was more consumed with the character's interactions and relationships and actual journey, and that's just what I needed.

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review**

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