I thought I was ready for One of Us Is Back—but I wasn’t. This final book doesn’t just stir up old drama; it explodes everything. It’s darker, riskier, and way more emotional than the first two, and I seriously couldn’t stop reading. Bayview High has always been full of secrets, but now those secrets feel dangerous. Like, really dangerous. The gang’s back together, but something’s different this time—and someone new is playing a sick game that could ruin them all.
Book Title: One of Us Is Back
Author: Karen M. McManus
Genre: Young Adult – Mystery / Thriller
Date Read: September 2025
*Book Review by my 14-Year-Old Daughter, September 2025.
1. Introduction
I had to know how everything ended for Bronwyn, Nate, Addy, Cooper, and the whole Bayview crew. I love stories that go full circle, and this being the last in the series made me want to savour every chapter.
2. One of us is Back plot summary – What’s the book about? (No spoilers!)
Bayview’s OG crew is back home for summer, hoping for peace—but nope. A mysterious person arrives, and then one of them disappears. Like, vanishes. Suddenly, everyone’s on edge, and the past comes crashing back. This isn’t just about lies anymore; it’s about survival. The pressure builds fast, and McManus throws in twists I seriously did not see coming. The stakes? Way higher than before.
You’ll get POVs from Bronwyn, Nate, Addy, and Cooper again, which honestly felt like reuniting with old friends. But what happens to them this time?
Almost two years after Simon’s death, everyone in Bayview is supposed to be moving on, but honestly, that feels impossible. The original Bayview Four and the newer group are all just trying to survive high school without another disaster, which I totally get because even normal school drama is exhausting. Just when things finally seem calm, someone from the past comes back and there’s this giant billboard that says “Time for a new game, Bayview.” I remember reading that part and actually putting the book down for a second because I knew things were about to go bad.
What makes this game even scarier is that there are no rules at all. Stuff starts happening right away, and it feels way more intense than before. At one point I felt so stressed for the characters that I was reading faster just to see if everyone was okay. On top of that, there’s news about Jake Riordan possibly being released from prison, which made everything feel ten times more uncomfortable. Even though he’s not always there, his presence kind of hangs over the whole story, and it honestly gave me chills.
As more creepy messages appear, the group realizes they’re being punished for secrets connected to Bayview’s past. I liked how this book made me question everyone, because just when I thought I knew what was going on, something else would happen. Overall, this book felt darker and more emotional than the others, and it definitely kept me hooked—even when I was supposed to be doing homework.
3. What did you like about the book?
- The original characters get to shine again, and their emotional growth totally hit me in the feels.
- The suspense was intense—like, “how is this happening?!” level intense.
- Every twist felt earned and kept me flipping pages like a maniac.
4. What could have been better?
- A couple of plot points felt rushed near the end.
- I wanted more closure for some side characters—just a few more answers!
5. Favourite Quote from “One of us is Back”
“We can’t outrun the past. But we can face it together.”
6. Who would you recommend this book to?
If you read the first two books (One of us is lying and One of us is next), this one is a must. Fans of heart-racing thrillers with deep friendships, betrayal, and second chances will love how it all wraps up.
7. Overall opinion & rating
This book gave me everything I wanted: closure, intensity, and characters I still care about. The ending hit hard in the best way. I’d absolutely recommend the whole trilogy to anyone who’s obsessed with mystery and layered storytelling.
8. Star Rating:
I’d give “One Of Us Is Back” an amazing 5/5 star rating.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars
Final Thoughts
It’s official—I’m not over Bayview High and I don’t think I ever will be. One of Us Is Back tied the whole series together with emotion, danger, and a lot of heart. I’m already missing these characters, but I’m also pumped to explore more of Karen M. McManus’s books. If she ever returns to Bayview? You already know I’ll be first in line.
Let me know if you want reviews of her other standalones next—because my bookshelf is ready. 📚😎
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