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The Last Session
From the instant New York Times bestselling author of The Writing Retreat, a white-knuckled locked-room thriller about a social worker who, after coming face-to-face with her dark past, must infiltrate a mysterious wellness center in the deserts of New Mexico.
When a catatonic woman shows up at the psychiatric unit, social worker Thea swears she knows her from somewhere. She’s shocked to discover the patient holds a link to a traumatic time in her past. Upon regaining lucidity, the patient claims she can’t remember the horrific recent events that caused her brain to shut down. Thea’s at a loss—especially when the patient is ripped away from her as suddenly as she appeared.
Determined to find her, Thea follows a trail of clues to a remote center in Southwestern New Mexico, where a charismatic couple holds a controversial monthly retreat to uncover attendees’ romantic and sexual issues. Forced to participate in increasingly intimate exercises, Thea finds herself inching closer not only to her missing patient, but also to tantalizing answers about her harrowing past. However, time is running out, and if she stays for the last session, she too might lose her mind…or worse.
When a catatonic woman shows up at the psychiatric unit, social worker Thea swears she knows her from somewhere. She’s shocked to discover the patient holds a link to a traumatic time in her past. Upon regaining lucidity, the patient claims she can’t remember the horrific recent events that caused her brain to shut down. Thea’s at a loss—especially when the patient is ripped away from her as suddenly as she appeared.
Determined to find her, Thea follows a trail of clues to a remote center in Southwestern New Mexico, where a charismatic couple holds a controversial monthly retreat to uncover attendees’ romantic and sexual issues. Forced to participate in increasingly intimate exercises, Thea finds herself inching closer not only to her missing patient, but also to tantalizing answers about her harrowing past. However, time is running out, and if she stays for the last session, she too might lose her mind…or worse.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2025
359 people are currently reading
20933 people want to read
About the author
Julia Bartz
2 books1,262 followersJulia Bartz is a Brooklyn-based writer and practicing therapist. Her fiction writing has appeared in The South Dakota Review, InDigest Magazine, and more. The Writing Retreat is her first novel. Follow her on Twitter @JuliaBartz and Instagram at @JuliaBartz.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,396 reviews
April 1, 2025
If I die tomorrow and this is the last book I read my ass WILL be coming back to fucking haunt Julia Bartz
April 7, 2025
Julia Bartz delivers a compelling and atmospheric tale in The Last Session, a locked-room thriller that masterfully intertwines psychological suspense with deeper themes of trauma, healing, and human connection. Thea, a social worker haunted by her past, is thrust into a disturbing web of secrets when a catatonic patient unexpectedly connects her to long-buried memories. What begins as a professional pursuit quickly transforms into a personal journey as Thea infiltrates a mysterious retreat in the deserts of New Mexico, uncovering truths that challenge both her beliefs and her sanity.
The novel is a vivid exploration of the interplay between trauma and self-discovery, with Bartz crafting an unsettling yet immersive atmosphere that keeps readers on edge. The remote retreat setting is both alluring and menacing, with its charismatic leaders and unconventional methods pushing Thea—and the reader—toward uncomfortable revelations. As the exercises grow more intense, the tension rises, and Bartz deftly balances the suspense with introspective moments that delve into Thea’s psyche.
While the pacing is brisk and the twists are plentiful, the story occasionally veers into implausible territory, requiring a suspension of disbelief, particularly regarding Thea's decisions as a professional. However, this is offset by the novel’s ability to hold the reader’s attention with its unpredictable turns and rich, layered characters. Thea’s vulnerability and determination make her a relatable protagonist, even when her actions border on questionable.
Themes of cult-like dynamics, the ethics of mental health care, and the lingering effects of childhood trauma add depth to the narrative. Bartz’s nuanced portrayal of these issues elevates the book beyond a simple thriller, offering thought-provoking commentary on the lengths people will go to confront their past and protect those they care about.
Despite some uneven pacing and a slightly rushed conclusion, The Last Session is a dark and compelling read that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense and locked-room mysteries. With its eerie setting, complex themes, and gripping plot, it’s a book that lingers long after the final page.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for sharing this wild ride's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
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The novel is a vivid exploration of the interplay between trauma and self-discovery, with Bartz crafting an unsettling yet immersive atmosphere that keeps readers on edge. The remote retreat setting is both alluring and menacing, with its charismatic leaders and unconventional methods pushing Thea—and the reader—toward uncomfortable revelations. As the exercises grow more intense, the tension rises, and Bartz deftly balances the suspense with introspective moments that delve into Thea’s psyche.
While the pacing is brisk and the twists are plentiful, the story occasionally veers into implausible territory, requiring a suspension of disbelief, particularly regarding Thea's decisions as a professional. However, this is offset by the novel’s ability to hold the reader’s attention with its unpredictable turns and rich, layered characters. Thea’s vulnerability and determination make her a relatable protagonist, even when her actions border on questionable.
Themes of cult-like dynamics, the ethics of mental health care, and the lingering effects of childhood trauma add depth to the narrative. Bartz’s nuanced portrayal of these issues elevates the book beyond a simple thriller, offering thought-provoking commentary on the lengths people will go to confront their past and protect those they care about.
Despite some uneven pacing and a slightly rushed conclusion, The Last Session is a dark and compelling read that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense and locked-room mysteries. With its eerie setting, complex themes, and gripping plot, it’s a book that lingers long after the final page.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for sharing this wild ride's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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January 4, 2025
My thanks to Atria Books, Julia Bartz and Netgalley.
So, I just reviewed this 2 minutes ago, and it got deleted. By Netgalley. Fine. This had better not be some new shit. Does Amazon now own Netgalley?
Not going through the review again.
I enjoyed this book. Damned ole' messed up cults! Honestly, my main thought was about the sad sacks that fall for this type of shit.
Hell, I rejected my Christian upbringing when I was in the sixth grade! There's conspiracy theories and then there's me.
I'll admit that I expected to love this, mostly because I loved Julia's last book. This was good, but not what I was looking for.
Doesn't matter. Bartz already won me over with her first book. She's got a fan in me!
3 1/2 stars rounded down.
So, I just reviewed this 2 minutes ago, and it got deleted. By Netgalley. Fine. This had better not be some new shit. Does Amazon now own Netgalley?
Not going through the review again.
I enjoyed this book. Damned ole' messed up cults! Honestly, my main thought was about the sad sacks that fall for this type of shit.
Hell, I rejected my Christian upbringing when I was in the sixth grade! There's conspiracy theories and then there's me.
I'll admit that I expected to love this, mostly because I loved Julia's last book. This was good, but not what I was looking for.
Doesn't matter. Bartz already won me over with her first book. She's got a fan in me!
3 1/2 stars rounded down.
July 19, 2025
A dark and twisted tale that explored some serious themes, The Last Session took me on a twisty ride of unexplored trauma, disturbing cult behaviors, and life-altering secrets. Starting off with an empathetic view of the mental health system, I was pulled in by the social worker protagonist and her genuine nature. Thea’s flawed persona quickly pulled me in deep along with her mysterious past and many dark secrets. But it was the rest of the cast of characters that really did me in. Running the gamut from merely suspect to a few I loved to hate, my eyes got their workout in as I looked upon them all with full-blown suspicion.
As for the plot, I was head over heels for the first half of the novel. An original premise with an even pace and ratcheting foreboding, I was somewhat disappointing when Thea went to the retreat. At that point all bets were off as this locked room thriller became more and more unhinged. Part of me loved it immensely although I could have done without the sexually explicit scenes. Spicy for this non-romance reader, it wasn’t really my thing. That being said, I relished the increasingly claustrophobic feel as the plot circled closer and closer to the deliciously over-the-top climax where everything seemed to go off the rails.
All in all, Julia Bartz still managed to pull me in yet again. Compelling, suspenseful, and filled with edge-of-your-seat tension, there was no guessing what was coming in that twisted, twisted conclusion. So despite the clear need to suspend all disbelief, I would say that I was mostly won over even with the paranormal thread running throughout the novel. After all, the well-developed characters and perfectly plotted storyline showed off this author’s masterful skill. So if you’re looking for a delightfully deranged premise filled with an amateur sleuth caught in a cult’s antics, this book is most definitely for you. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When a catatonic woman shows up at the psychiatric unit, social worker Thea swears she knows her from somewhere. She’s shocked to discover the patient holds a link to a traumatic time in her past. Upon regaining lucidity, the patient claims she can’t remember the horrific recent events that caused her brain to shut down. Thea’s at a loss—especially when the patient is ripped away from her as suddenly as she appeared.
Determined to find her, Thea follows a trail of clues to a remote center in Southwestern New Mexico, where a charismatic couple holds a controversial monthly retreat to uncover attendees’ romantic and sexual issues. Forced to participate in increasingly intimate exercises, Thea finds herself inching closer not only to her missing patient, but also to tantalizing answers about her harrowing past. However, time is running out, and if she stays for the last session, she too might lose her mind…or worse.
Thank you to Andrea Bartz and Emily Bestler Books/Atria for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 1, 2025
Content warning: alcohol abuse, religious abuse, child abuse, sexual harassment and assault, violence, murder, cults, psychosis, sex, gaslighting
As for the plot, I was head over heels for the first half of the novel. An original premise with an even pace and ratcheting foreboding, I was somewhat disappointing when Thea went to the retreat. At that point all bets were off as this locked room thriller became more and more unhinged. Part of me loved it immensely although I could have done without the sexually explicit scenes. Spicy for this non-romance reader, it wasn’t really my thing. That being said, I relished the increasingly claustrophobic feel as the plot circled closer and closer to the deliciously over-the-top climax where everything seemed to go off the rails.
All in all, Julia Bartz still managed to pull me in yet again. Compelling, suspenseful, and filled with edge-of-your-seat tension, there was no guessing what was coming in that twisted, twisted conclusion. So despite the clear need to suspend all disbelief, I would say that I was mostly won over even with the paranormal thread running throughout the novel. After all, the well-developed characters and perfectly plotted storyline showed off this author’s masterful skill. So if you’re looking for a delightfully deranged premise filled with an amateur sleuth caught in a cult’s antics, this book is most definitely for you. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When a catatonic woman shows up at the psychiatric unit, social worker Thea swears she knows her from somewhere. She’s shocked to discover the patient holds a link to a traumatic time in her past. Upon regaining lucidity, the patient claims she can’t remember the horrific recent events that caused her brain to shut down. Thea’s at a loss—especially when the patient is ripped away from her as suddenly as she appeared.
Determined to find her, Thea follows a trail of clues to a remote center in Southwestern New Mexico, where a charismatic couple holds a controversial monthly retreat to uncover attendees’ romantic and sexual issues. Forced to participate in increasingly intimate exercises, Thea finds herself inching closer not only to her missing patient, but also to tantalizing answers about her harrowing past. However, time is running out, and if she stays for the last session, she too might lose her mind…or worse.
Thank you to Andrea Bartz and Emily Bestler Books/Atria for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 1, 2025
Content warning: alcohol abuse, religious abuse, child abuse, sexual harassment and assault, violence, murder, cults, psychosis, sex, gaslighting
December 28, 2024
ARC for review. To be published April 1, 2025.
2.5 stars, so 3. I lowered rating half a star as I was writing review.
Thea is a young social worker at a psychiatric hospital who comes across a patient she feels an odd connection with… and the woman resembles her. The woman is mute and majorly traumatized upon entering the hospital, then claims she doesn’t remember anything that led her there. Then the woman disappears.
In a move I don’t understand at all, except to assume Thea wasn’t really a social worker at the hospital but instead a patient? Maybe everyone in this book is a patient? Maybe all this is taking place in a snow globe? I don’t know, but anyway, Thea decides that she must find the missing patient, and, you know, just peaces out on her job and her life in order to do so. As you would.
In searching for the patient Thea comes across a couple holding monthly retreats to help people with romantic and sexual issues. So, NATURALLY, Thea, thinking the woman might be found at the retreat just goes ahead and signs herself up…for something she believes might have driven the woman she is seeking into a mute trauma response. Again, as you would do.
In a surprise to exactly no one but Thea the Incredulous the retreat turns out to be….oh, I don’t know, a bit icky. Is the woman there? What is going on?
Oh, there’s also some stuff about Thea’s childhood and some movie she was obsessed with as a kid. This is all important.
So, other than having to suspend a fair amount of disbelief when wondering how Thea makes it through the day without getting hit by a bus, and whether the girl has one ounce of survival instinct (spoiler alert: she does not), the tone of this book felt….heavy to me. It took me awhile to get through it. Maybe that just means Bartz does atmosphere well. I think I’m likely to be an outlier in not loving it, and there were parts of it I liked fine, hence the three stars versus two. I fear I’m not explaining this well….did a book ever just give you a feeling you didn’t like? This was that, for me. 2.5 stars, really rounded to three.
2.5 stars, so 3. I lowered rating half a star as I was writing review.
Thea is a young social worker at a psychiatric hospital who comes across a patient she feels an odd connection with… and the woman resembles her. The woman is mute and majorly traumatized upon entering the hospital, then claims she doesn’t remember anything that led her there. Then the woman disappears.
In a move I don’t understand at all, except to assume Thea wasn’t really a social worker at the hospital but instead a patient? Maybe everyone in this book is a patient? Maybe all this is taking place in a snow globe? I don’t know, but anyway, Thea decides that she must find the missing patient, and, you know, just peaces out on her job and her life in order to do so. As you would.
In searching for the patient Thea comes across a couple holding monthly retreats to help people with romantic and sexual issues. So, NATURALLY, Thea, thinking the woman might be found at the retreat just goes ahead and signs herself up…for something she believes might have driven the woman she is seeking into a mute trauma response. Again, as you would do.
In a surprise to exactly no one but Thea the Incredulous the retreat turns out to be….oh, I don’t know, a bit icky. Is the woman there? What is going on?
Oh, there’s also some stuff about Thea’s childhood and some movie she was obsessed with as a kid. This is all important.
So, other than having to suspend a fair amount of disbelief when wondering how Thea makes it through the day without getting hit by a bus, and whether the girl has one ounce of survival instinct (spoiler alert: she does not), the tone of this book felt….heavy to me. It took me awhile to get through it. Maybe that just means Bartz does atmosphere well. I think I’m likely to be an outlier in not loving it, and there were parts of it I liked fine, hence the three stars versus two. I fear I’m not explaining this well….did a book ever just give you a feeling you didn’t like? This was that, for me. 2.5 stars, really rounded to three.
December 16, 2024
After reading and loving the authors debut novel, The Writing Retreat, I was really looking forward to her second novel.
I really liked the beginning of the story and the writing quickly pulled me in. I also really liked the fact that the main character was a therapist like I am. I also loved the cult aspect of the story.
However I did find a few issues with the book.
I don't mind an over the top/suspend your beliefs type of story but there were so many of these situations in this one that it became a bit much. I also felt as if there was too much of a focus on the Stargirl film (a movie that the main character was obsessed with as a teen).
Even though I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did The Writing Retreat, I still liked this one and would recommend it to thriller readers. I will also look forward to reading whatever Julia Bartz writes in the future.
The Last Session by Julia Bartz will be available on April 1. Many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the gifted copy!
I really liked the beginning of the story and the writing quickly pulled me in. I also really liked the fact that the main character was a therapist like I am. I also loved the cult aspect of the story.
However I did find a few issues with the book.
I don't mind an over the top/suspend your beliefs type of story but there were so many of these situations in this one that it became a bit much. I also felt as if there was too much of a focus on the Stargirl film (a movie that the main character was obsessed with as a teen).
Even though I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did The Writing Retreat, I still liked this one and would recommend it to thriller readers. I will also look forward to reading whatever Julia Bartz writes in the future.
The Last Session by Julia Bartz will be available on April 1. Many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the gifted copy!
September 13, 2025
**3.5-stars**
The Last Session is a slow burn, psychology-fueled, suspense story following a social worker named Thea.
Thea works on a psychiatric unit and one day, when a catatonic woman arrives, having been picked up on the streets, Thea feels moments of deja vu looking at her. She swears she knows her, but can't figure out from where.
Even more strange is how similar the woman looks to her. Once out of her catatonic state, the woman claims she can't remember the events leading up to her memory loss, and her being in the psych unit in the first place.
When Thea finally places who the woman is and how she knows her, she can hardly believe it. This person played a huge part in Thea's own traumatic past. She offered her a sense of comfort and inspiration.
But just as suddenly as the woman appeared on the unit, she disappears. People claiming to be her parents came by and picked her up. Shortly thereafter though, her real parents arrive. So, who took her and where did they go?
What is going on here? Is this woman still in further trouble? Thea feels compelled to help her. She cannot let it go. She feels too strong a connection to her.
Following a trail of clues, Thea ends up in a Wellness Center in a remote area of Southwestern New Mexico. It's there that a charismatic, New Age couple counsel individuals through a 1-month retreat focusing on romance and intimacy issues.
Thea enrolls herself in the program, and while she gets closer to finding answers for her missing patient, she's maybe even more importantly, edging towards answers about her own past, and resulting hang-ups.
The Last Session is yet another story that immediately intrigued me, but started to lose me as it went on. Don't get me wrong, Bartz did succeed with a lot of things here, but it veered too far into fever dream territory at the end for my liking. Ultimately, that did sour my experience a bit.
I did appreciate how bold the content was. The conversations about sex, and in particular, the MC's explorations of her own issues surrounding sex and intimacy. I really enjoyed that side of the story.
I also loved Thea's determination and how the whole mission evolved into not just being about her saving this mystery woman, but also saving herself; aiming to regain her own power and self-confidence.
I feel like the retreat, and the characters involved in that, were also really well-developed conceptually. It reminded me a lot of the cult of Mother God, or even Heaven's Gate. I feel as far as cult stories go, it's a good one, so if that's something you enjoy, you should absolutely check it out.
Overall, I enjoyed this. While it was a little uneven for me, as far as my personal interest level goes, I still can appreciate its many strong attributes. Yet again, I am impressed by the risks that Julia Bartz takes with her stories.
Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I look forward to seeing what Bartz comes up with next!
The Last Session is a slow burn, psychology-fueled, suspense story following a social worker named Thea.
Thea works on a psychiatric unit and one day, when a catatonic woman arrives, having been picked up on the streets, Thea feels moments of deja vu looking at her. She swears she knows her, but can't figure out from where.
Even more strange is how similar the woman looks to her. Once out of her catatonic state, the woman claims she can't remember the events leading up to her memory loss, and her being in the psych unit in the first place.
When Thea finally places who the woman is and how she knows her, she can hardly believe it. This person played a huge part in Thea's own traumatic past. She offered her a sense of comfort and inspiration.
But just as suddenly as the woman appeared on the unit, she disappears. People claiming to be her parents came by and picked her up. Shortly thereafter though, her real parents arrive. So, who took her and where did they go?
What is going on here? Is this woman still in further trouble? Thea feels compelled to help her. She cannot let it go. She feels too strong a connection to her.
Following a trail of clues, Thea ends up in a Wellness Center in a remote area of Southwestern New Mexico. It's there that a charismatic, New Age couple counsel individuals through a 1-month retreat focusing on romance and intimacy issues.
Thea enrolls herself in the program, and while she gets closer to finding answers for her missing patient, she's maybe even more importantly, edging towards answers about her own past, and resulting hang-ups.
The Last Session is yet another story that immediately intrigued me, but started to lose me as it went on. Don't get me wrong, Bartz did succeed with a lot of things here, but it veered too far into fever dream territory at the end for my liking. Ultimately, that did sour my experience a bit.
I did appreciate how bold the content was. The conversations about sex, and in particular, the MC's explorations of her own issues surrounding sex and intimacy. I really enjoyed that side of the story.
I also loved Thea's determination and how the whole mission evolved into not just being about her saving this mystery woman, but also saving herself; aiming to regain her own power and self-confidence.
I feel like the retreat, and the characters involved in that, were also really well-developed conceptually. It reminded me a lot of the cult of Mother God, or even Heaven's Gate. I feel as far as cult stories go, it's a good one, so if that's something you enjoy, you should absolutely check it out.
Overall, I enjoyed this. While it was a little uneven for me, as far as my personal interest level goes, I still can appreciate its many strong attributes. Yet again, I am impressed by the risks that Julia Bartz takes with her stories.
Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I look forward to seeing what Bartz comes up with next!
March 2, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Mystery Thriller
This is the first time I read something by Julia Bartz. Many of my friends loved her debut book, so when I had the opportunity to read her latest work, I decided to give it a try. The story follows a social worker in a psychiatric unit called Thea. At her work, Thea comes across a woman with a traumatic past, so she decides to uncover her story.
Thea’s investigation leads her to New Mexico, where she goes to a remote wellness center. What she finds there is shocking. It affects her in a way where the lines between reality, therapy, and manipulation get extremely blurred.
I don’t know what to say about this book! The plot itself seems very intriguing, but I feel the story failed to be engaging. Some parts felt really interesting, and the story was moving in the right direction, but there were parts of the story that were totally over the top and didn’t make sense to me. When a story is over the top, even if in parts, usually it moves fast. Strangely, this one was slow as well.
Overall, I found this book to be a bit of a letdown. If you are going to read it, keep in mind the points I mentioned. Maybe if you get into it with lower expectations, you might end up liking it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
Genre: Mystery Thriller
This is the first time I read something by Julia Bartz. Many of my friends loved her debut book, so when I had the opportunity to read her latest work, I decided to give it a try. The story follows a social worker in a psychiatric unit called Thea. At her work, Thea comes across a woman with a traumatic past, so she decides to uncover her story.
Thea’s investigation leads her to New Mexico, where she goes to a remote wellness center. What she finds there is shocking. It affects her in a way where the lines between reality, therapy, and manipulation get extremely blurred.
I don’t know what to say about this book! The plot itself seems very intriguing, but I feel the story failed to be engaging. Some parts felt really interesting, and the story was moving in the right direction, but there were parts of the story that were totally over the top and didn’t make sense to me. When a story is over the top, even if in parts, usually it moves fast. Strangely, this one was slow as well.
Overall, I found this book to be a bit of a letdown. If you are going to read it, keep in mind the points I mentioned. Maybe if you get into it with lower expectations, you might end up liking it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
March 19, 2025
The Last Session is the latest suspense novel from Julia Bartz. Creepy and filled with strange character, it's part mystery and part horror, but not in the typical sense. There's a little foray into the paranormal, perhaps, tho not really at the same time. History reliving itself? A chain of souls tied together? Sisters reborn? Many ways to look at it. While I enjoy the author's writing, the plots are somewhat out there for me, whereas I'm more of a traditional reader. I need a realistic sense rather than an ethereal quality of how everything relates together. But still enjoyable and a good alternative path to take from time to time. Will look for the next author's book and add to my queue.
December 2, 2024
I could have done without the orgy.
Isn’t that a hell of a way to begin a review? But seriously. Did not need that.
This is a book that starts out as an interesting mystery and then veers off the rails into woo woo land. The reason behind everything is bizarre.
The author asks for a lot of buy in from the reader – I mean you have to accept some really implausible things. The problem is that my own buy in started plummeting the more I read. Plot holes abound, logic leaves the building, and, yes, sudden orgy.
The book definitely kept me reading and moves quickly.
3 stars because I didn’t put it down…even though sometimes I think I should have.
• ARC via Publisher
Isn’t that a hell of a way to begin a review? But seriously. Did not need that.
This is a book that starts out as an interesting mystery and then veers off the rails into woo woo land. The reason behind everything is bizarre.
The author asks for a lot of buy in from the reader – I mean you have to accept some really implausible things. The problem is that my own buy in started plummeting the more I read. Plot holes abound, logic leaves the building, and, yes, sudden orgy.
The book definitely kept me reading and moves quickly.
3 stars because I didn’t put it down…even though sometimes I think I should have.
• ARC via Publisher
April 25, 2025
HAHAHA, what? WHY?! Julia Bartz, are you okay?
January 19, 2025
At first, THE LAST SESSION felt like a familiar premise—a retreat that turns out to be a cult—but then it took a sharp turn into outright absurdity.
Marketed as a "locked room" thriller, the story only begins to touch on that aspect about a quarter of the way through the book, and even then, it's a stretch. Thea, our unreliable narrator, finds herself trapped at a New Mexico retreat for a few days, but the real sense of entrapment comes from being stuck with her disjointed narrative and a cast of bizarre, unlikable characters.
The plot follows Thea, a therapist, who becomes overly involved with her patient Catherine. This connection leads her to the retreat, which may or may not be a front for a cult. Supposedly mysterious events unfold, but they're hard to take seriously. The story is riddled with references to past lives and leans heavily on Stargirl—a strange, fictional movie Catherine starred in as a teen—which becomes a central, if perplexing, thread in the plot.
The characters’ decisions are baffling and often defy logic, even when the book provides shaky backstories to justify them. The narrative is a series of odd twists, many revolving around Stargirl, but none of them felt grounded or satisfying. As a reader, I found myself cringing at the implausibility of the characters’ actions and the awkward execution of the story.
Ultimately, I kept reading in the hope that things would improve, but they didn’t. THE LAST SESSION left me more frustrated than thrilled, with its over-the-top plot and lack of coherence.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books in return for an unbiased review. It releases in April 2025!
Marketed as a "locked room" thriller, the story only begins to touch on that aspect about a quarter of the way through the book, and even then, it's a stretch. Thea, our unreliable narrator, finds herself trapped at a New Mexico retreat for a few days, but the real sense of entrapment comes from being stuck with her disjointed narrative and a cast of bizarre, unlikable characters.
The plot follows Thea, a therapist, who becomes overly involved with her patient Catherine. This connection leads her to the retreat, which may or may not be a front for a cult. Supposedly mysterious events unfold, but they're hard to take seriously. The story is riddled with references to past lives and leans heavily on Stargirl—a strange, fictional movie Catherine starred in as a teen—which becomes a central, if perplexing, thread in the plot.
The characters’ decisions are baffling and often defy logic, even when the book provides shaky backstories to justify them. The narrative is a series of odd twists, many revolving around Stargirl, but none of them felt grounded or satisfying. As a reader, I found myself cringing at the implausibility of the characters’ actions and the awkward execution of the story.
Ultimately, I kept reading in the hope that things would improve, but they didn’t. THE LAST SESSION left me more frustrated than thrilled, with its over-the-top plot and lack of coherence.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books in return for an unbiased review. It releases in April 2025!
August 19, 2025
2,5 maybe.
I thought Bartz' first book had a delightful twisty ending and was expecting something similar, but The Last Session read dragged, not very interesting, and a little silly, to be frank. Still, I was able to finish my summer reading challenge, now that I can cross out the prompt about a book set in a resort, woohoo.
I thought Bartz' first book had a delightful twisty ending and was expecting something similar, but The Last Session read dragged, not very interesting, and a little silly, to be frank. Still, I was able to finish my summer reading challenge, now that I can cross out the prompt about a book set in a resort, woohoo.
February 27, 2025
2.5
Thea works as a social worker in a New York City psychiatric ward. The newest patient admitted to her ward is a catatonic female named Jane Doe. Thea tries her best to communicate to the new patient to no avail, however, she finds Jane to be somewhat familiar. After racking her brain, she thinks Jane may be the actress on one of her favorite movies Stargirl. Armed with this information, Thea goes into work the following day to discover Catherine(Jane Doe) has left. Thea makes it her mission to track down Catherine, which leads her to a retreat in New Mexico.
The idea behind this was there. Thea was in a cult like community growing up and has been traumatized as a result. Fast forward to her investigation, as an adult, she finds herself in a similar situation at the New Mexico retreat. For the first 50% I wanted to know how it all tied together and it seems to be moving at a pace that was enjoyable. Then it just completely went off the rails. I don’t even know how to explain how far off the track it went. It went from somewhat realistic to completely non-realistic in a blink of a page. I was willing to overlook the unprofessionalism of Thea as she didn’t quite resonate as a social worker. But then once I realized the avenue the author was going that was the least of my quibbles. I also feel like it was way too long and a portion of the retreat could’ve been edited out and still have gotten the same results without the length.
Overall, if you can suspend disbelief completely, then you’ll enjoy this as it was, for the most part, fast paced and certainly did have a unique story arc.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
Thea works as a social worker in a New York City psychiatric ward. The newest patient admitted to her ward is a catatonic female named Jane Doe. Thea tries her best to communicate to the new patient to no avail, however, she finds Jane to be somewhat familiar. After racking her brain, she thinks Jane may be the actress on one of her favorite movies Stargirl. Armed with this information, Thea goes into work the following day to discover Catherine(Jane Doe) has left. Thea makes it her mission to track down Catherine, which leads her to a retreat in New Mexico.
The idea behind this was there. Thea was in a cult like community growing up and has been traumatized as a result. Fast forward to her investigation, as an adult, she finds herself in a similar situation at the New Mexico retreat. For the first 50% I wanted to know how it all tied together and it seems to be moving at a pace that was enjoyable. Then it just completely went off the rails. I don’t even know how to explain how far off the track it went. It went from somewhat realistic to completely non-realistic in a blink of a page. I was willing to overlook the unprofessionalism of Thea as she didn’t quite resonate as a social worker. But then once I realized the avenue the author was going that was the least of my quibbles. I also feel like it was way too long and a portion of the retreat could’ve been edited out and still have gotten the same results without the length.
Overall, if you can suspend disbelief completely, then you’ll enjoy this as it was, for the most part, fast paced and certainly did have a unique story arc.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
April 8, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up
I was hoping for a bonkers thriller with cult vibes and boy did this deliver! Julia Bartz writes some truly unhinged twists and this book kept me glued to the page. The Last Session follows a therapist with a traumatic past who becomes obsessed with protecting a celebrity with amnesia who ends up in her psych ward and then disappears. She eventually ends up infiltrating a culty wellness retreat in New Mexico as she tries to uncover what is going on with the patient, while also confronting her own past. There is danger, catharsis, and sex to be had along the way. Is it a healthy way of dealing with some of the trauma? Probably not. Are some of the twists really bizarre? Definitely. But I was along for the ride. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Content warnings include grooming of a minor, misuse of power, religious abuse, drugging, sexual abuse/assault, violence
I was hoping for a bonkers thriller with cult vibes and boy did this deliver! Julia Bartz writes some truly unhinged twists and this book kept me glued to the page. The Last Session follows a therapist with a traumatic past who becomes obsessed with protecting a celebrity with amnesia who ends up in her psych ward and then disappears. She eventually ends up infiltrating a culty wellness retreat in New Mexico as she tries to uncover what is going on with the patient, while also confronting her own past. There is danger, catharsis, and sex to be had along the way. Is it a healthy way of dealing with some of the trauma? Probably not. Are some of the twists really bizarre? Definitely. But I was along for the ride. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Content warnings include grooming of a minor, misuse of power, religious abuse, drugging, sexual abuse/assault, violence
December 31, 2025
2.25 stars
Great premise but seriously fumbled on execution, The Last Session works as a book pitch: a social worker signing up for a peculiar wellness retreat, in pursue of a runaway patient who looks like her, was her childood celebrity crush, and potentially a key individual in unlocking memories from her childhood. Unfortunately, the general plotting is very under-cooked (other than a very good Part 1), with bland characters, out of the blue solutions, and constant simmering without leading to anything exhilarating.
The writing, while streamlined and easy to follow, is extremely hollow and lacking in atmosphere; for a story revolving around cultish brainwashing and grooming, the pedestrian prose doesn't capture the psychological turmoils the protagonist is battling, and further emphasizes the repetitiveness of its setup (lots of character talking in different locations, but barely any real action sequences).
I was impressed with Julia Bartz's debut, The Writing Retreat (gave it 5 stars), but The Last Session feels like going backward: unsure of itself (perhaps sidestepping some sensitive topics due to the subject matter), and laborious to get through, like the author ran out of steam and was merely finishing this for contractual reason. Perhaps she was overly ambitious with her sophomore effort, and couldn't weave together a page-turning narrative. Curious how would author like Mona Awad or Catriona Ward (who excels at atmospheric writing, and unafraid to be weird and out-there) handle a similar premise.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
Great premise but seriously fumbled on execution, The Last Session works as a book pitch: a social worker signing up for a peculiar wellness retreat, in pursue of a runaway patient who looks like her, was her childood celebrity crush, and potentially a key individual in unlocking memories from her childhood. Unfortunately, the general plotting is very under-cooked (other than a very good Part 1), with bland characters, out of the blue solutions, and constant simmering without leading to anything exhilarating.
The writing, while streamlined and easy to follow, is extremely hollow and lacking in atmosphere; for a story revolving around cultish brainwashing and grooming, the pedestrian prose doesn't capture the psychological turmoils the protagonist is battling, and further emphasizes the repetitiveness of its setup (lots of character talking in different locations, but barely any real action sequences).
I was impressed with Julia Bartz's debut, The Writing Retreat (gave it 5 stars), but The Last Session feels like going backward: unsure of itself (perhaps sidestepping some sensitive topics due to the subject matter), and laborious to get through, like the author ran out of steam and was merely finishing this for contractual reason. Perhaps she was overly ambitious with her sophomore effort, and couldn't weave together a page-turning narrative. Curious how would author like Mona Awad or Catriona Ward (who excels at atmospheric writing, and unafraid to be weird and out-there) handle a similar premise.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
January 16, 2025
I wish I could say that I loved this but the truth is, I really struggled with this story. At times it's stilted, the storyline goes in every direction imaginable and honestly felt chaotic. It truly was bizarre and not in a cool way were it helps the story but instead leaves you scratching your head wondering which crazy direction this is going to go next. With very little in character growth or likeability. Needless to say, this story just sadly wasn't for me.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
January 5, 2025
I really enjoyed Bartz's first novel, the Writing Retreat, so when I saw this on NetGalley, I had to request it! Unfortunately, this one was just not for me. I was super engrossed in the first half of the book, but by the second half, I just couldn't get on board with the turn the story had taken as it relied heavily on the suspension of disbelief. I can handle a little bit of this in a book if it really pays off in the end, but by the end, this just felt a little absurd and anticlimactic. While the plot was unique (which can be difficult to find in thrillers), things just felt all over the place and disjointed. I understand what the author was going for, but it just didn't work for me at all.
I'm sad to say that, if I hadn't read her first book, I honestly don't think I would have finished this one. I was just really hoping that things would come together in a more cohesive way. I do plan to check out Bartz's next book, as I'm hopeful that the strengths in her debut novel might resurface.
Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm sad to say that, if I hadn't read her first book, I honestly don't think I would have finished this one. I was just really hoping that things would come together in a more cohesive way. I do plan to check out Bartz's next book, as I'm hopeful that the strengths in her debut novel might resurface.
Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2025
The Last Session by Julia Bartz is a masterclass in psychological suspense, a sinister labyrinth that pulls you deeper with each page, only to twist and turn in ways that will leave you questioning everything. At first glance, the premise seems straightforward, social worker Thea hunting for a missing patient whose catatonic state holds the key to a dark past. But that’s just the beginning of a much darker, more twisted game.
As Thea delves into the mystery, the tension builds steadily, drawing her into a remote retreat where unsettling exercises force her to confront her deepest fears and desires. But this isn’t just a place for self-discovery, it’s a psychological trap. What begins as a search for answers slowly morphs into a descent into madness, where every step forward reveals a new, more disturbing layer to the truth.
Bartz weaves a narrative that feels suffocating, like a tightening noose around your chest. You think you’ve figured it out, convinced that you understand the motives, the players, and the outcome, but just as you feel secure in your assumptions, Bartz rips the ground from beneath you. The retreat, once seeming like a place of revelation, becomes a sinister mechanism of control, designed to push Thea, and the reader, past the point of no return. What’s real? What’s manipulation? What happens when the line between the two becomes impossible to distinguish?
By the time the final session arrives, you’ll feel like you’ve been led in circles, a pawn in a game you never understood. The ending is both unsettling and brilliant, leaving you with a gnawing sense of unease that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page. This isn’t just a thriller, it’s a dark, calculated puzzle that keeps you trapped inside its pages, unable to escape until the final, gut-wrenching revelation.
As Thea delves into the mystery, the tension builds steadily, drawing her into a remote retreat where unsettling exercises force her to confront her deepest fears and desires. But this isn’t just a place for self-discovery, it’s a psychological trap. What begins as a search for answers slowly morphs into a descent into madness, where every step forward reveals a new, more disturbing layer to the truth.
Bartz weaves a narrative that feels suffocating, like a tightening noose around your chest. You think you’ve figured it out, convinced that you understand the motives, the players, and the outcome, but just as you feel secure in your assumptions, Bartz rips the ground from beneath you. The retreat, once seeming like a place of revelation, becomes a sinister mechanism of control, designed to push Thea, and the reader, past the point of no return. What’s real? What’s manipulation? What happens when the line between the two becomes impossible to distinguish?
By the time the final session arrives, you’ll feel like you’ve been led in circles, a pawn in a game you never understood. The ending is both unsettling and brilliant, leaving you with a gnawing sense of unease that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page. This isn’t just a thriller, it’s a dark, calculated puzzle that keeps you trapped inside its pages, unable to escape until the final, gut-wrenching revelation.
July 18, 2025
After loving “the writing retreat” I was sooo excited for Julia Bartz new book and as expected I absolutely loved it!!
I loved The mystery behind two look alike women who share the same traits, birthday and whose childhoods are alike in an interesting way.
The plot mostly follows Thea, a social worker who hasn’t yet found her place in life and is currently working in a psychiatric ward. Her life is upturned when a catatonic celebrity shows up on her ward.
Skip forward to part 2 we have adventure, travel, more mystery, intrigue, a search for a missing person tied to a potential cult and Thea who is playing amateur detective to try and seek out answers to an unusual connection she has felt since age 13.
I loved Thea as a character, she is a bit of a mess and definitely has some unresolved issues yet I couldn’t help but love her, she is someone I would definitely want to befriend and take under my wing to offer my protection.
The pacing of the book was excellent and kept me engaged throughout. This was one of those books I just have a thoroughly good time reading and got lots of enjoyment out of. The plot definitely gets a little crazy at times as there are so many different components to the story however I loved that aspect as it kept me on my toes racing to see how it would all end.
There are characters you’ll love, characters you’ll love to hate, characters who may trick you. If you like lots of twists and a thriller a little on the crazy side - you’ll have fun immersing yourself in this locked door, nature and dessert experience.
Thank you to atria books and Julia Bartz for the EARC!
Publish date: April 1st 2025
March 29, 2025
On 12 July 2024 I wrote my review of Julia Bartz’ novel The Writing Retreat and I ended this review with these words: ‘The main thing why I kept on reading though was that Julia Bartz is quite talented in what she does and therefore I hope to read another book by her one day. Preferably with more likable characters and a storyline that doesn’t veer in so many directions.’
I was wrong.
I did try to read The Last Session but what should have warned me are the triggers mentioned at the start of the book. Why isn’t it compulsory to write the triggers in the blurb?
Main character Thea is one of those characters that fails to become alive. She’s just as so many other young persons these days. She’s not satisfied with her life, she drinks like a fish, she has no home (not even a tiny apartment) and no boyfriend – but that has to do with ‘a trauma from her childhood’.
Anyway, I read The Writing Retreat from beginning to end, but this one I give up one somewhere around page 25. There is too much going on in my life right now to be bothered to read books like these. I decided to read some of the other reviews on GR before I wrote my own, and I’m happy I’m not the only confused reader, to say it nicely.
I’m happy for the reviewers who did like the book though, but in the future I will not try and read one of Julia Bartz’ books again.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Atria for this review copy.
I was wrong.
I did try to read The Last Session but what should have warned me are the triggers mentioned at the start of the book. Why isn’t it compulsory to write the triggers in the blurb?
Main character Thea is one of those characters that fails to become alive. She’s just as so many other young persons these days. She’s not satisfied with her life, she drinks like a fish, she has no home (not even a tiny apartment) and no boyfriend – but that has to do with ‘a trauma from her childhood’.
Anyway, I read The Writing Retreat from beginning to end, but this one I give up one somewhere around page 25. There is too much going on in my life right now to be bothered to read books like these. I decided to read some of the other reviews on GR before I wrote my own, and I’m happy I’m not the only confused reader, to say it nicely.
I’m happy for the reviewers who did like the book though, but in the future I will not try and read one of Julia Bartz’ books again.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Atria for this review copy.
March 26, 2025
In THE LAST SESSION, main character Thea just happens to work at a New York psychiatric hospital as a social worker, when a mysterious catatonic woman with a strange tattoo is brought in as a “jane doe.” Thea recognizes her as Catherine, the star of a her favorite teen movie, “Stargirl.” They form a connection, then after Catherine gets picked up by people “posing” as her parents, and from something she had left behind for Thea, Thea immediately assumes she needs help. In a hunch through a podcast the woman had been listening to, Thea travels to The Relational Retreat in New Mexico to find her. She’s there, but it’s ran by two shady people with a famous podcast that appear to be running a cult.
I loved The Writing Retreat, and while this is most definitely creative with its locked-room suspense featuring a cult - I did get lost in the thinking/thought process of its characters concerning what they were involved in/with. This was too over the top in suspending belief and became confusing at the halfway mark, and although this one just didn’t work for me - I can’t wait to see what she writes next! 2 stars — Pub. 4/1/25
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I loved The Writing Retreat, and while this is most definitely creative with its locked-room suspense featuring a cult - I did get lost in the thinking/thought process of its characters concerning what they were involved in/with. This was too over the top in suspending belief and became confusing at the halfway mark, and although this one just didn’t work for me - I can’t wait to see what she writes next! 2 stars — Pub. 4/1/25
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2025
Thank you Atria books for the early copy in exchange for my honest feedback
This one started off really intriguing and then got weird in a way I didn’t appreciate or enjoy.
Video review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2SEB9Nr/
This one started off really intriguing and then got weird in a way I didn’t appreciate or enjoy.
Video review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2SEB9Nr/
May 19, 2025
This audiobook was good. It was interesting to follow a social worker's point of view. She had an emotional childhood, one with a teacher and one with a bully. She's still single at 33 because the troubles in her past always were in the back of her mind.
One day, a Jane Doe showed up where Thea works. Thea recognize Jane Doe but not until later that she realized who. She was pulled into this movie star when she was growing up and now too. She woke Jane Doe out of her catatonic state. Jane Doe was discharged but it was someone pretending to be her parents. Thea believed that Jane Doe needed her help and figured out where to find her.
At this retreat, Thea felt like she was at a cult. She wanted to find Jane Doe and rescue her to leave but Thea was caught up in it. The couple who ran the retreat was very convincing and manipulative. The weak mind will fall for their words of promises.
I like cult stories. I haven't read many in books but in real life, it always baffles me how the leaders can talk the followers into sacrifice.
Thank you Simon Audio and Atria Books for the opportunity to read, listen, and review.
One day, a Jane Doe showed up where Thea works. Thea recognize Jane Doe but not until later that she realized who. She was pulled into this movie star when she was growing up and now too. She woke Jane Doe out of her catatonic state. Jane Doe was discharged but it was someone pretending to be her parents. Thea believed that Jane Doe needed her help and figured out where to find her.
At this retreat, Thea felt like she was at a cult. She wanted to find Jane Doe and rescue her to leave but Thea was caught up in it. The couple who ran the retreat was very convincing and manipulative. The weak mind will fall for their words of promises.
I like cult stories. I haven't read many in books but in real life, it always baffles me how the leaders can talk the followers into sacrifice.
Thank you Simon Audio and Atria Books for the opportunity to read, listen, and review.
December 21, 2024
This is kind of a hard one to review because I have such mixed feelings on this. I really enjoyed the first half of the book, Bartz puts in some really great and well-written commentary on religious/sexual trauma which does make this a bit of a heavy read for a thriller, it reminded me a lot of The Last Housewife .
Thea works at a psych hospital and when a patient comes in that she recognizes as an actress from her favorite movie as a teen she immediately tries to befriend her and figure out why she ended up here. she’s led to a sex/relationship therapy type of retreat with renown podcast hosts, and of course things escalate from there just like Bartz’s previous novel. However once we arrive at the retreat it turns into a bit of a fever dream, we get a strange reincarnation plotline, and there comes a point where it becomes a bit confusing to keep up with what’s going on and the book began to drag for me. it’s definitely slower paced and less exciting than The Writing Retreat and while I really did enjoy and appreciate the commentary (especially the first 30% or so of the book) it felt like the thriller aspects weren’t quite as tight. it also felt overly long and could’ve benefited from some editing.
Thea works at a psych hospital and when a patient comes in that she recognizes as an actress from her favorite movie as a teen she immediately tries to befriend her and figure out why she ended up here. she’s led to a sex/relationship therapy type of retreat with renown podcast hosts, and of course things escalate from there just like Bartz’s previous novel. However once we arrive at the retreat it turns into a bit of a fever dream, we get a strange reincarnation plotline, and there comes a point where it becomes a bit confusing to keep up with what’s going on and the book began to drag for me. it’s definitely slower paced and less exciting than The Writing Retreat and while I really did enjoy and appreciate the commentary (especially the first 30% or so of the book) it felt like the thriller aspects weren’t quite as tight. it also felt overly long and could’ve benefited from some editing.
April 20, 2025
NetGalley ARC.
Well, this was not good. Too much going on with Thea's current situation when it has nothing to do with the plot. Why waste pages on Amani's engagement? Dom's relationship? Even the epilogue was unnecessary. Should've just went even more all in on the cult. This was disappointing.
Well, this was not good. Too much going on with Thea's current situation when it has nothing to do with the plot. Why waste pages on Amani's engagement? Dom's relationship? Even the epilogue was unnecessary. Should've just went even more all in on the cult. This was disappointing.
Read
April 30, 2025Unhinged and out there, but entertaining! Put Blue Lagoon, abusive Christian pastors, ancient Egypt, Lindsay Lohan playing twins Annie and Hallie, Hilaria Baldwin, reincarnation, scary vagina dentata caves, and swingers-style sex therapy in a blender, and you'd get .... this.
The book was centered around trauma and the dark side of Christianity, as Thea, the main character, had a couple of terrible experiences as a young woman that emotionally scarred her and made it difficult for her to have successful relationships. Thea trained as a social worker but, to my surprise she
The Last Session kept me guessing and was definitely unique. And it felt steeped in 90s culture.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Subscribe to my amazing newsletter HERE at JenRyland.com Let's be friends on Bookstagram!
The book was centered around trauma and the dark side of Christianity, as Thea, the main character, had a couple of terrible experiences as a young woman that emotionally scarred her and made it difficult for her to have successful relationships. Thea trained as a social worker but, to my surprise she
The Last Session kept me guessing and was definitely unique. And it felt steeped in 90s culture.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Subscribe to my amazing newsletter HERE at JenRyland.com Let's be friends on Bookstagram!
April 5, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
🌴 trigger warnings ❌
🌴 secluded island setting
🌴 locked-room thrillers
🌴 a little spice 🌶️🌶️ with your thrillers
🌴 single POV
🌴 single timeline
I was lucky enough to get Julia Bartz’s debut novel as an ARC and I was so ecstatic to get selected for this 2nd novel as well 😁😁 Thank you so much to Atria Books and Julia Bartz for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 💕
The characters were all crazy, and I absolutely loved it 🤪🤪 (ESPECIALLY the retreat leaders). I did not like any of the characters but I don’t think you possibly could?
I know a lot of people like smut 🤪 so you may enjoy this thriller with just a little bit of spice 🌶️🌶️
There were some kind of crazy parts in here that lost me a little bit… but overall a very interesting story.
Read if you like:
🌴 trigger warnings ❌
🌴 secluded island setting
🌴 locked-room thrillers
🌴 a little spice 🌶️🌶️ with your thrillers
🌴 single POV
🌴 single timeline
I was lucky enough to get Julia Bartz’s debut novel as an ARC and I was so ecstatic to get selected for this 2nd novel as well 😁😁 Thank you so much to Atria Books and Julia Bartz for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 💕
The characters were all crazy, and I absolutely loved it 🤪🤪 (ESPECIALLY the retreat leaders). I did not like any of the characters but I don’t think you possibly could?
I know a lot of people like smut 🤪 so you may enjoy this thriller with just a little bit of spice 🌶️🌶️
There were some kind of crazy parts in here that lost me a little bit… but overall a very interesting story.
March 14, 2025
Thank you to Julia Bartz and Atria for my copy of this book! It was about a catatonic woman who shows up in a psych ward, and social worker Thea recognizes her. She realizes the woman is from a traumatic time in her past, and though the woman can’t remember how she got there, she disappears before she gets any answers. Thea is determined to find her, and follows a trail of clues to a romantic retreat in New Mexico. There she starts to work on relationship issues and participate in intimate exercises, all while trying to discover what happened to her patient. She also starts to discover more about her past, abd realizes there is more to the retreat than may meet the eye.
Thoughts: I picked this book to read on a trip to New Mexico which was a lot of fun. There were definitely plenty of cult vibes, and I have to say this story was just plain weird. There was a lot of Egyptian symbolism mixed with current Christianitiy as well as obsession with a movie. It felt really over the top and repetitive, obsessive in an odd way. It was claustrophobic and eerie, but you had to suspend belief a lot and and there were far too many things that just happened to work out in the perfect way. I loved her first book, but this one felt like an acid trip. 3-stars.
Thoughts: I picked this book to read on a trip to New Mexico which was a lot of fun. There were definitely plenty of cult vibes, and I have to say this story was just plain weird. There was a lot of Egyptian symbolism mixed with current Christianitiy as well as obsession with a movie. It felt really over the top and repetitive, obsessive in an odd way. It was claustrophobic and eerie, but you had to suspend belief a lot and and there were far too many things that just happened to work out in the perfect way. I loved her first book, but this one felt like an acid trip. 3-stars.
December 11, 2024
Thank you NetGalley, for this uncorrected ebook ARC of 'The Last Session' by Julia Bartz - expected release date 04/01/2025
I can't believe I made it through this book. So many overly far-fetched, ridiculous things happened that it was hard to take it seriously. The main character, Thea, was SUCH a mess and, I'm sorry, but between some of her outrageous actions and multiple odd obsessions/compulsions, it was really hard to relate to her character. I appreciate that the author brought light to some deep topics (cults, SA, childhood trauma and more) but it seemed that they were all overdone, way too over the top and exaggerated.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I can't believe I made it through this book. So many overly far-fetched, ridiculous things happened that it was hard to take it seriously. The main character, Thea, was SUCH a mess and, I'm sorry, but between some of her outrageous actions and multiple odd obsessions/compulsions, it was really hard to relate to her character. I appreciate that the author brought light to some deep topics (cults, SA, childhood trauma and more) but it seemed that they were all overdone, way too over the top and exaggerated.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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