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The Last Word
Tabby Riley’s online life was a roaring success. Her blog had hundreds of followers, and legions of young fans ardently awaited her every Tweet. Her real life was a bit more of a disappointment. Living in a shared flat in North London, scratching a living writing magazine articles on ‘How To Please Your Man in Bed’ wasn’t where she thought she’d be at twenty-six – especially when there was a serious lack of action in her own bedroom.
Although that might all be about to change when she’s offered a position at online newspaper The Type as a real journalist – and gains a sexy new editor, Harry Shulman, to work with. Harry’s confident, smooth talking, and completely aware that he drives Tabby mad. Which is fine, because Tabby’s dated an editor before, and it’s never happening again. Ever. But as her reputation at the paper grows, Tabby has to wonder: is it time to get out from behind the screen and live her life in the real world?
Although that might all be about to change when she’s offered a position at online newspaper The Type as a real journalist – and gains a sexy new editor, Harry Shulman, to work with. Harry’s confident, smooth talking, and completely aware that he drives Tabby mad. Which is fine, because Tabby’s dated an editor before, and it’s never happening again. Ever. But as her reputation at the paper grows, Tabby has to wonder: is it time to get out from behind the screen and live her life in the real world?
231 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 27, 2014
16 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
A.L. Michael
10 books80 followersA L Michael is a writer, currently living in Watford. She has a BA in English Literature with creative writing, and an MA in Creative Entrepreneurship, both from UEA. She also has an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes, where she researched the usefulness of therapeutic writing with those in recovery from eating disorders.
She writes books about women who are trying to figure out their place in the world, and who aren't afraid to make mistakes.
When she's not writing novels, she's working as a content writer, practicing yoga, looking at puppy videos or drinking too much red wine.
She is represented by Madeleine Milburn.
She writes books about women who are trying to figure out their place in the world, and who aren't afraid to make mistakes.
When she's not writing novels, she's working as a content writer, practicing yoga, looking at puppy videos or drinking too much red wine.
She is represented by Madeleine Milburn.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 24, 2016
Tabitha was playing it safe, blogging from home in her pajamas, going out occasionally with her roommates, and avoiding romantic relationships... Until editor Harry Shulman offered her a job at the newspaper doing real journalism. Tabby did everything she could to avoid the opportunity, remembering the disaster that landed on her the last time she worked for a major news outlet.
The conversations in this book are snappy! Tabitha's convos with her roommates and Harry are quick-witted, and so are the times she's just talking to herself... Useful characteristic for a blogger, but a little annoying when your editor is trying to ask you out on a date. :)
And oh how I enjoyed Harry and Tabby's dates. Her head on his shoulder. Flirting on car rides. Restaurant debacles. The beach. Holding hands. Staring with affection and sometimes confusion. Kissing. Sigh. I was totally brought back to being in my twenties and going on fun dates and bantering and falling in love.
Every facet of The Last Word was done well. The characters were developed appropriately for their roles (Tabby's mom was hilarious!), and, for the most part, they were likeable. (Ex-boyfriend/ex-editor was hate-able in a wonderful way.) The plot drove forward at a respectable speed. Everyone's relationships made sense. Natural dialogue and excellent writing made for easy reading. I'm impressed, especially knowing that Carina UK, an imprint of the publisher Harlequin, is only a year old! Well done, A.L. Michael and editors.
The only interruptions to the flow of this terrific read were the drinking and weed-smoking binges. They aren't really my scene, but I see how it could make sense if you're in your twenties, living in the city with roommates also in their twenties.
Honestly, I know it's a good book when I shut the kindle cover and sigh with contentment. The Last Word totally did it for me. Tabitha was a spitfire sweetheart, and Harry was so awesome I could read ten books about the man! (A.L. Michael, does Harry have a doppelgänger?)
I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The conversations in this book are snappy! Tabitha's convos with her roommates and Harry are quick-witted, and so are the times she's just talking to herself... Useful characteristic for a blogger, but a little annoying when your editor is trying to ask you out on a date. :)
And oh how I enjoyed Harry and Tabby's dates. Her head on his shoulder. Flirting on car rides. Restaurant debacles. The beach. Holding hands. Staring with affection and sometimes confusion. Kissing. Sigh. I was totally brought back to being in my twenties and going on fun dates and bantering and falling in love.
Every facet of The Last Word was done well. The characters were developed appropriately for their roles (Tabby's mom was hilarious!), and, for the most part, they were likeable. (Ex-boyfriend/ex-editor was hate-able in a wonderful way.) The plot drove forward at a respectable speed. Everyone's relationships made sense. Natural dialogue and excellent writing made for easy reading. I'm impressed, especially knowing that Carina UK, an imprint of the publisher Harlequin, is only a year old! Well done, A.L. Michael and editors.
The only interruptions to the flow of this terrific read were the drinking and weed-smoking binges. They aren't really my scene, but I see how it could make sense if you're in your twenties, living in the city with roommates also in their twenties.
Honestly, I know it's a good book when I shut the kindle cover and sigh with contentment. The Last Word totally did it for me. Tabitha was a spitfire sweetheart, and Harry was so awesome I could read ten books about the man! (A.L. Michael, does Harry have a doppelgänger?)
I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2014
You know sometimes when you read a book and you connect so much with a character it kinda freaks you out a bit? Well, that's what's happened with me and The Last Word heroine Tabby.
Tabby or Tabitha is a twenty-six year old freelance writer and bloggerific, insecure crack pot. We watch her as she finally starts getting her life back on track after a severe a few years previously. Not only did this effect her career wise, but also in a very damaging mental way. Trying to move on as she's constantly belittled by her mother, is heartbreaking, but her new Editor Harry Shulman sees in her not only the brilliance her writing offers, but also the brilliance in her as a person. To be fair everyone sees it, but Tabs. It's just a matter of time before she throws it all away and hits rock bottom again.
I loved this book. I mean seriously loved it though. It had me gripped from the start, laughing at it's sarcastic and brilliant humour, and biting back tears of sadness. It's a book full of bumps that if you were a car your suspension would be well and truly effed up. I couldn't get enough. I think every girl who reads this book will connect with Tabby. She is one of us and that's what gives this read a winning formula. She could be you, your friend, your sister.. It's real and that's what I like.
I'm not giving anything away with this except how much I loved it, and how much you'd be a fool not to have this on your Kindle/iPad/Kobo/e-reader. It's fresh, fast and completely on trend for chick lit and contemporary lovers, but had that magical romance feeling and a bit of hotness that you just can't help but love. Oh an it will so make you appreciate your own mother believe me!
A book of life, love, friendship and honesty.
Absolutely brilliant!
Tabby or Tabitha is a twenty-six year old freelance writer and bloggerific, insecure crack pot. We watch her as she finally starts getting her life back on track after a severe a few years previously. Not only did this effect her career wise, but also in a very damaging mental way. Trying to move on as she's constantly belittled by her mother, is heartbreaking, but her new Editor Harry Shulman sees in her not only the brilliance her writing offers, but also the brilliance in her as a person. To be fair everyone sees it, but Tabs. It's just a matter of time before she throws it all away and hits rock bottom again.
I loved this book. I mean seriously loved it though. It had me gripped from the start, laughing at it's sarcastic and brilliant humour, and biting back tears of sadness. It's a book full of bumps that if you were a car your suspension would be well and truly effed up. I couldn't get enough. I think every girl who reads this book will connect with Tabby. She is one of us and that's what gives this read a winning formula. She could be you, your friend, your sister.. It's real and that's what I like.
I'm not giving anything away with this except how much I loved it, and how much you'd be a fool not to have this on your Kindle/iPad/Kobo/e-reader. It's fresh, fast and completely on trend for chick lit and contemporary lovers, but had that magical romance feeling and a bit of hotness that you just can't help but love. Oh an it will so make you appreciate your own mother believe me!
A book of life, love, friendship and honesty.
Absolutely brilliant!
September 3, 2016
Originally on my blog: http://ilovedthisbook.blogspot.com
Utterly and completely charming. I adored this from the beginning and I just loved every second of reading this. I always love me some British Chick-Lit and this one delivered. My biggest disappointment? That I cannot seem to be able to buy a physical copy of the book. It seems to only be available as an eBook! How am I supposed to add it to my ever growing British Chick-Lit collection?
Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Sarra Manning or Paige Toon. Not many people have heard about this and reviewed it yet, but I hope it catches on so I can enjoy more books by this delightful author!
Utterly and completely charming. I adored this from the beginning and I just loved every second of reading this. I always love me some British Chick-Lit and this one delivered. My biggest disappointment? That I cannot seem to be able to buy a physical copy of the book. It seems to only be available as an eBook! How am I supposed to add it to my ever growing British Chick-Lit collection?
Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Sarra Manning or Paige Toon. Not many people have heard about this and reviewed it yet, but I hope it catches on so I can enjoy more books by this delightful author!
February 26, 2015
Second book on the trot by A L Michael, loved this just as much as the first. Smart and comical, it's a great feel good read.
January 22, 2016
Entertaining and fun, good for relaxing!
October 25, 2014
Originally posted on http://beccasbooooks.blogspot.co.uk/
Firstly, a huge thank you (for about the millionth time this week) to Carina UK for allowing me access to The Last Word and, of course, to the absolutely hilarious and incredibly talented author A.L. Michael. This novel was nothing short of a complete success, and I didn't want it to ever, ever, ever end! Come back, Tabby and Harry! *crys and crawls across the floor*
Everything about this novel was everything that I just freaking LOVE. Brilliant characters, hot, sexy tension and buzzing chemistry, a well put-together plot that progressed perfectly, and let's not forget that delectable cover. Not only that, but I began to feel like I was living in this novel alongside Tabby Riley and her two best-friends, Chandra and Rhi, and I felt completely and utterly at home.
A.L. Michael's characters were superb. The novel itself was written in a third person narrative, all entirely from Tabby's perspective, which really allowed me to get to know her that little bit better. But, even though it was all solely from Tabby's point of view, I still managed to feel like I knew Rhi, Chandra, Harry and her mother Claudia like the back of my hand. A.L. Michael managed to convey the other character's emotions perfectly and I felt that I knew them just as well as Tabby, which was fantastic.
Tabby Riley's character basically made up the sort of person that I would generally get along pretty well with in real life. I got the impression that the author had just put so much hard work and effort into creating Tabby and it really shone through whenever a description of the character or her messy past came up. From the clothes she wore to the men that she had slept with. A.L. Michael had thought of everything. Tabby Riley couldn't have felt any more real to me if the author had tried. Another thing that I really loved about Tabby was her negative but hugely funny outlook on her own life. The opening paragraph really set the tone and from that moment on, I knew that Tabby was my sorta' of girl.
This cannot be my life, Tabby Riley thought as she finished her latest article. Four hundred words on the dire consequences of plucking outside your brow line. She needed ice cream.
The comical misery-guts cloud that surrounded Tabby really made me laugh out loud, although there seemed to be an underlying reason behind her grey outlook on life. I don't want to completely spoil the novel for anyone out there who thinks this may be their sort of thing so I won't say too much more, but she's not just like this for no reason, I promise! I think Tabby's job also played a role in her negativity; writing articles about pleasing your man in bed and plucking eyebrows wasn't exactly her life dream, although she had tons of Twitter and blog followers who all loved her dearly because of her unique style of writing. Due to a mucky past involving an editor at her previous job, Tabby isn't planning on EVER making the same mistake twice. That is, of course, until the absolutely gorgeous Harry Shulman comes along and completely knocks her off her feet. I adored the chemistry between these two characters, and the way Tabby used all of her strength to not find him attractive or tempting in any way whatsoever. I was practically begging her to just snap, because I couldn't take the pressure that was building between the two of them. I totally 'got' why she didn't want to 'go there' though, especially after what had happened last time. What makes things worse is that Harry is an editor, just like before, and Tabby watches herself quickly spiraling into a very similar situation that lost her job and tarnished her name in the journalism world. When Tabby receives a job offer from The Type, where Harry plays the role of Editor, she can't believe her luck, although she'll be giving up her eye-brow plucking articles for things a little bit more on the serious side.
Harry was bloody delectable! He played the 'tempting, green-eyed, delicious treat' oh so well. Even I was quickly falling beneath his spell. I loved everything about him, from his cocky smile to his quick-fire remarks that took him only seconds to think up. He was confident, cheeky and everything that Tabby really didn't need in her life, but with a job offer like that on the table, did she really have a choice when it came to working in the same building as him? Harry was the kinda' guy who knew he had a devastating effect on any female within his vicinity, and he couldn't say no to bedding a ready and willing woman. But, even thought he was a complete ladies man, there was just something so damn sexy about him, I was dying to egg Tabby on to make a bloody move! Beneath all the cockiness and sexiness was a warm, kind man who really just wanted a woman to call his own and tell him that she loved him. He was gorgeous! And I do not how Tabby managed to resist him for as long as she did.
As well as the two main characters, Tabby and Harry, there were two other characters that really caught my attention, and held it too. Rhi and Chandra, Tabby's two best friends, were absolutely brilliant fictional creations that I really wished I could have a night out with. A.L. Michael got the girly banter down to a T, and it was just so entertaining to read, imagining the girls firing their catchy remarks backwards and forwards between each other whilst lounging in their living room, drinking countless cups of tea, smoking rolled up cigarettes and eating crap. That is basically my idea of a fabulous night! ;) A.L. Michael managed to perfectly present the girl's friendship and it was heartwarming and lovely and all things that friendships are. The author created such a fantastic connection between her characters; it was clear to see that nothing, and I mean nothing, could break these girl's bond.
The plot in The Last Word worked so bloody well, and just when Tabby's life was beginning to flow perfectly, I remembered that normally, there comes a problem in the plot of a story, and I was sitting there, praying that the problem wouldn't come. That there would be no climax and nothing was going to knock over Tabby's fabulous life! But, alas, a story wouldn't be fantastic if nothing bad happened to the main character and created some action and drama. A.L. Michael achieved this and so much more. I was cheering for Tabby, I had my fingers crossed so damn hard, wanting everything to work out for her! It felt like she was one of my very best friends. Tabby also had a bad habit of ruining things for herself, so each time I read about her over-thinking things and leaning towards making a bad decision and ruining her own happiness, I was practically thumping my Kindle in frustration and screaming, "NO, TABBY! NO!" Honestly, if any character deserved some happiness, I reckoned it was Tabby.
Overall, I loved this novel. I loved the excitement, and the banter, and the sexy tension and the way it all rolled along smoothly. The characters were bloody fantastic, the plot kept me highly entertained the entire way through, and I really do hope that A.L. Michael will carry on Tabby's story somehow, because I don't think I am quite ready to let her go just yet...
So, A.L. Michael, it's five yummy looking cupcakes from me! It was an absolute pleasure to read, and I do hope you have some more of that extra-special Tabby-ness up your sleeve!
Firstly, a huge thank you (for about the millionth time this week) to Carina UK for allowing me access to The Last Word and, of course, to the absolutely hilarious and incredibly talented author A.L. Michael. This novel was nothing short of a complete success, and I didn't want it to ever, ever, ever end! Come back, Tabby and Harry! *crys and crawls across the floor*
Everything about this novel was everything that I just freaking LOVE. Brilliant characters, hot, sexy tension and buzzing chemistry, a well put-together plot that progressed perfectly, and let's not forget that delectable cover. Not only that, but I began to feel like I was living in this novel alongside Tabby Riley and her two best-friends, Chandra and Rhi, and I felt completely and utterly at home.
A.L. Michael's characters were superb. The novel itself was written in a third person narrative, all entirely from Tabby's perspective, which really allowed me to get to know her that little bit better. But, even though it was all solely from Tabby's point of view, I still managed to feel like I knew Rhi, Chandra, Harry and her mother Claudia like the back of my hand. A.L. Michael managed to convey the other character's emotions perfectly and I felt that I knew them just as well as Tabby, which was fantastic.
Tabby Riley's character basically made up the sort of person that I would generally get along pretty well with in real life. I got the impression that the author had just put so much hard work and effort into creating Tabby and it really shone through whenever a description of the character or her messy past came up. From the clothes she wore to the men that she had slept with. A.L. Michael had thought of everything. Tabby Riley couldn't have felt any more real to me if the author had tried. Another thing that I really loved about Tabby was her negative but hugely funny outlook on her own life. The opening paragraph really set the tone and from that moment on, I knew that Tabby was my sorta' of girl.
This cannot be my life, Tabby Riley thought as she finished her latest article. Four hundred words on the dire consequences of plucking outside your brow line. She needed ice cream.
The comical misery-guts cloud that surrounded Tabby really made me laugh out loud, although there seemed to be an underlying reason behind her grey outlook on life. I don't want to completely spoil the novel for anyone out there who thinks this may be their sort of thing so I won't say too much more, but she's not just like this for no reason, I promise! I think Tabby's job also played a role in her negativity; writing articles about pleasing your man in bed and plucking eyebrows wasn't exactly her life dream, although she had tons of Twitter and blog followers who all loved her dearly because of her unique style of writing. Due to a mucky past involving an editor at her previous job, Tabby isn't planning on EVER making the same mistake twice. That is, of course, until the absolutely gorgeous Harry Shulman comes along and completely knocks her off her feet. I adored the chemistry between these two characters, and the way Tabby used all of her strength to not find him attractive or tempting in any way whatsoever. I was practically begging her to just snap, because I couldn't take the pressure that was building between the two of them. I totally 'got' why she didn't want to 'go there' though, especially after what had happened last time. What makes things worse is that Harry is an editor, just like before, and Tabby watches herself quickly spiraling into a very similar situation that lost her job and tarnished her name in the journalism world. When Tabby receives a job offer from The Type, where Harry plays the role of Editor, she can't believe her luck, although she'll be giving up her eye-brow plucking articles for things a little bit more on the serious side.
Harry was bloody delectable! He played the 'tempting, green-eyed, delicious treat' oh so well. Even I was quickly falling beneath his spell. I loved everything about him, from his cocky smile to his quick-fire remarks that took him only seconds to think up. He was confident, cheeky and everything that Tabby really didn't need in her life, but with a job offer like that on the table, did she really have a choice when it came to working in the same building as him? Harry was the kinda' guy who knew he had a devastating effect on any female within his vicinity, and he couldn't say no to bedding a ready and willing woman. But, even thought he was a complete ladies man, there was just something so damn sexy about him, I was dying to egg Tabby on to make a bloody move! Beneath all the cockiness and sexiness was a warm, kind man who really just wanted a woman to call his own and tell him that she loved him. He was gorgeous! And I do not how Tabby managed to resist him for as long as she did.
As well as the two main characters, Tabby and Harry, there were two other characters that really caught my attention, and held it too. Rhi and Chandra, Tabby's two best friends, were absolutely brilliant fictional creations that I really wished I could have a night out with. A.L. Michael got the girly banter down to a T, and it was just so entertaining to read, imagining the girls firing their catchy remarks backwards and forwards between each other whilst lounging in their living room, drinking countless cups of tea, smoking rolled up cigarettes and eating crap. That is basically my idea of a fabulous night! ;) A.L. Michael managed to perfectly present the girl's friendship and it was heartwarming and lovely and all things that friendships are. The author created such a fantastic connection between her characters; it was clear to see that nothing, and I mean nothing, could break these girl's bond.
The plot in The Last Word worked so bloody well, and just when Tabby's life was beginning to flow perfectly, I remembered that normally, there comes a problem in the plot of a story, and I was sitting there, praying that the problem wouldn't come. That there would be no climax and nothing was going to knock over Tabby's fabulous life! But, alas, a story wouldn't be fantastic if nothing bad happened to the main character and created some action and drama. A.L. Michael achieved this and so much more. I was cheering for Tabby, I had my fingers crossed so damn hard, wanting everything to work out for her! It felt like she was one of my very best friends. Tabby also had a bad habit of ruining things for herself, so each time I read about her over-thinking things and leaning towards making a bad decision and ruining her own happiness, I was practically thumping my Kindle in frustration and screaming, "NO, TABBY! NO!" Honestly, if any character deserved some happiness, I reckoned it was Tabby.
Overall, I loved this novel. I loved the excitement, and the banter, and the sexy tension and the way it all rolled along smoothly. The characters were bloody fantastic, the plot kept me highly entertained the entire way through, and I really do hope that A.L. Michael will carry on Tabby's story somehow, because I don't think I am quite ready to let her go just yet...
So, A.L. Michael, it's five yummy looking cupcakes from me! It was an absolute pleasure to read, and I do hope you have some more of that extra-special Tabby-ness up your sleeve!
February 28, 2019
3.5 stars
This book is actually connected to If You Don't Know Me By Now, but in a minor fashion. The books are standalones, but really, this one should be read first.
So this is my second A. L. Michaels book. I do like her writing and storytelling ability, but I'm wondering now if all her heroines are just annoying as f.
I didn't care for the heroine in the first book I read but I pretty much hated Tabby in this book. She appeared in Imogen's book and I liked her there, but in this book she was a chaotic character. She probably could have used more development in the drafting process, she was that all over the place. I didn't find her OTT antics and hysterical mood swings amusing. She didn't seem to like anything about herself. Yeah, she'd taken a hard knock a few years back. Get over it and quit wallowing already. She was full of self pity and not all that nice sometimes and was just basically a train wreck. She didn't really deserve Harry.
But can I just say, I LOVED Harry! He made a couple brief appearances in Imogene's book, too, so I was already smitten with him. In this book I just really adored him. Talk about appearances being deceiving.
This writer is talented and creates really lovely heroes so it's kind of baffling that her heroines are not up to par.
Or maybe it's just me. To be fair, I've never had much affinity towards other females and there are reasons for that. However, I am not unreasonably pro or con to either gender. And unfortunately, while the quality of heroine in this genre - a genre geared towards WOMEN - has always had questionable moments, it seems to be on the decline of late.
Just an observation.
I'm going to take one more crack at this writer, but if I dislike the h yet again, I'll have to quit while I'm ahead.
Worth a read for Harry. Don't let his intro fool you. He gets all 3.5 stars.
This book is actually connected to If You Don't Know Me By Now, but in a minor fashion. The books are standalones, but really, this one should be read first.
So this is my second A. L. Michaels book. I do like her writing and storytelling ability, but I'm wondering now if all her heroines are just annoying as f.
I didn't care for the heroine in the first book I read but I pretty much hated Tabby in this book. She appeared in Imogen's book and I liked her there, but in this book she was a chaotic character. She probably could have used more development in the drafting process, she was that all over the place. I didn't find her OTT antics and hysterical mood swings amusing. She didn't seem to like anything about herself. Yeah, she'd taken a hard knock a few years back. Get over it and quit wallowing already. She was full of self pity and not all that nice sometimes and was just basically a train wreck. She didn't really deserve Harry.
But can I just say, I LOVED Harry! He made a couple brief appearances in Imogene's book, too, so I was already smitten with him. In this book I just really adored him. Talk about appearances being deceiving.
This writer is talented and creates really lovely heroes so it's kind of baffling that her heroines are not up to par.
Or maybe it's just me. To be fair, I've never had much affinity towards other females and there are reasons for that. However, I am not unreasonably pro or con to either gender. And unfortunately, while the quality of heroine in this genre - a genre geared towards WOMEN - has always had questionable moments, it seems to be on the decline of late.
Just an observation.
I'm going to take one more crack at this writer, but if I dislike the h yet again, I'll have to quit while I'm ahead.
Worth a read for Harry. Don't let his intro fool you. He gets all 3.5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2017
A fun entertaining read, nice and light.
January 9, 2020
Really enjoyed it. Would reread
June 15, 2014
Originally posted on Dreaming With Open Eyes
I kindly received The Last Word in exchange of an honest review by the Publisher via Netgalley.
I am a huge fan of the cover! This is one of my favourites which Carina UK has revealed so far this year. Beautifully designed and perfectly matching with the book!
Let me introduce Tabitha Riley, also called Tabby, to you, a quirky, lively, young woman in her twenties. She is a journalist and a successful blogger. With her blog she reaches masses of people. Tabby is out of work at the moment after being involved with an injunction at her latest workplace. Out of the blue, Harry Shulman, editor of an online newspaper, offers her a new job. That is what she dreamed of for so long: a proper job as a real journalist. Tabby has a rule: do not get romantically involved with someone from your job after what happend with her lastest boyfriend, who was her editor. When Tabby meets Harry for the job interview it hit her. Harry is hot and there is this instant tension between them. Has Tabby learnt from the past ot will she do all her mistakes all over again?
For the most part I enjoyed reading The Last Word but I have to make a few cuts. Once I started reading, I coundn't put it down. I was immediately drawn in Tabby's world. Tabby is very edgily, so london and has a mind of her own. I liked Tabby but it was difficult for me to releate to her and her friends because we don't have much in common. Harry is a great character. He was a bit of an ass in the beginning but towards the end I really liked him. Another point is for my liking, things between Harry and Tabby moved forward a bit too fast.
The writing style was great. It was very refresing and witty. Full of scenes that make you giggle. It was just the right side of light-hearted fun. I can see potential in the book, A. L. Michael has got some great talent. I am looking out for more of her books.
I kindly received The Last Word in exchange of an honest review by the Publisher via Netgalley.
I am a huge fan of the cover! This is one of my favourites which Carina UK has revealed so far this year. Beautifully designed and perfectly matching with the book!
Let me introduce Tabitha Riley, also called Tabby, to you, a quirky, lively, young woman in her twenties. She is a journalist and a successful blogger. With her blog she reaches masses of people. Tabby is out of work at the moment after being involved with an injunction at her latest workplace. Out of the blue, Harry Shulman, editor of an online newspaper, offers her a new job. That is what she dreamed of for so long: a proper job as a real journalist. Tabby has a rule: do not get romantically involved with someone from your job after what happend with her lastest boyfriend, who was her editor. When Tabby meets Harry for the job interview it hit her. Harry is hot and there is this instant tension between them. Has Tabby learnt from the past ot will she do all her mistakes all over again?
For the most part I enjoyed reading The Last Word but I have to make a few cuts. Once I started reading, I coundn't put it down. I was immediately drawn in Tabby's world. Tabby is very edgily, so london and has a mind of her own. I liked Tabby but it was difficult for me to releate to her and her friends because we don't have much in common. Harry is a great character. He was a bit of an ass in the beginning but towards the end I really liked him. Another point is for my liking, things between Harry and Tabby moved forward a bit too fast.
The writing style was great. It was very refresing and witty. Full of scenes that make you giggle. It was just the right side of light-hearted fun. I can see potential in the book, A. L. Michael has got some great talent. I am looking out for more of her books.
November 16, 2014
Thank you to Carina UK for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review
Tabby is a blogger, her online presence is a roaring success and her followers eagerly await her every tweet about her life, but in reality as she sits in her PJ's typing her blog (hey me too!) her life isn't really as cool as her blog makes out but one thing that is true is the fact she is an awesome writer.
Living in a flatshare in London she makes her living writing articles for magazines along with her blog but her luck is about to change when she is approached by an up and coming online newspaper and is offered a position.
Straight away there is a problem and his name is Harry Shulman, her future editor, an arrogant Lothario who unfortunately for Tabby is also extremely sexy, straight away they get off on the wrong foot but with some help from Harry's boss they persuade Tabby to take the job.
As she gets to know Harry she realises he is maybe not such a big a dick as she thought he was, in fact she starts to see him in a totally different light but her two best friends warn her, Tabby has mixed work and pleasure before and it didn't end well, can Tabby make her new job work or will her feelings get in the way?
As usual Carina have some of the best reads on the go at the moment, along with eye catching covers and The Last Word is a great fun and sexy read with a lot of humour and a bit of romance too.
Awarded 4 out of 5
August 25, 2014
While in her mid-twenties, Tabby has hit a slump in both her professional and romantic life. Starting out as a journalist, she had a promising career and a dashing boyfriend but both vanished in a distressing turn of events. Now she writes humorous articles to adoring fans on her blog and twitter, lives in her pajamas and drinks a little bit too much wine. Until one day she receives a mysterious email inviting her to interview for a real position at an online newspaper. Enter Harry, a smooth, charming and arrogant editor that pushes all of her buttons, both good and bad. I read this hilarious book in one day and it just put me in a great mood. The dialogue is snappy and witty and Tabby is realistic and very funny. Harry also carried the right amount of conceit and vulnerability to make him a perfect foil for Tabby’s occasional craziness. My only complaint is that Tabby almost turned unlikable towards the end with her low self-esteem and impetuousness however, in the end she does learn her lesson and the story raps up nicely. This is a great book to lift your spirits and I enjoyed the funny and imperfect heroine. I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2014
Originally posted on: http://addictivechicklit.blogspot.com...
This is a great summer read, quick, easy and it will make you laugh. It actually reminded me of the movie Never Been Kissed, don't ask me why though... Well maybe because Tabby is a clever girl who tries to prove to herself and to the world that she can be a good journalist and an even better person but somehow manages to hurt her loved ones and has to use her words to try and make everything right. As I said, you'll devour it in one sitting by the pool. Tabby and Harry are really cute together and you'll instantly like them and Tabby's friends add the perfect spark to this lovely story.
I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great summer read, quick, easy and it will make you laugh. It actually reminded me of the movie Never Been Kissed, don't ask me why though... Well maybe because Tabby is a clever girl who tries to prove to herself and to the world that she can be a good journalist and an even better person but somehow manages to hurt her loved ones and has to use her words to try and make everything right. As I said, you'll devour it in one sitting by the pool. Tabby and Harry are really cute together and you'll instantly like them and Tabby's friends add the perfect spark to this lovely story.
I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2014
Tabby had a very successful blog, hundreds of twitter followers and was writing for a paper until her involvement with her editor and an injunction changed her life.
After being publicly humiliated and jobless unsure on where her life was heading Tabby is offered a new job with an online publisher and learns the hard way that not all editors and men are the same.
I really enjoyed this book and found it was written in a very modern way with the use of online media platforms and really enjoyed the chemistry between Tabby and Harry. I would happily recommend this book to anyone would enjoys modern romance / chick lit books.
After being publicly humiliated and jobless unsure on where her life was heading Tabby is offered a new job with an online publisher and learns the hard way that not all editors and men are the same.
I really enjoyed this book and found it was written in a very modern way with the use of online media platforms and really enjoyed the chemistry between Tabby and Harry. I would happily recommend this book to anyone would enjoys modern romance / chick lit books.
December 15, 2015
I first came across Tabby and Harry in 'If you don't know me by now' and thought gosh I'd love to find out how these two got together. Then as I searched for another book by this brilliant author I found 'The Last Word' and I was so excited. Loved these two characters. The thing I love about A.L Michael's lead characters is that they are so relatable. I just fell into this book and loved every minute of it. A wonderful read that I'm telling everyone to check out.
For a full review on this as well as 2 other by A.L Michael check out this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TL78...
For a full review on this as well as 2 other by A.L Michael check out this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TL78...
October 31, 2014
I haven't read a really lovely romantic story in a while so I was really glad I picked The Last Word to read next. A really gorgeous book with a brilliant will-they-won't-they-of-course-they-will frisson between the main two characters. (I always LOVE those!)
Really easy to read and get involved with the characters' and their relatable dramas. Couldn't put it down! Five Stars.
Copy received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Really easy to read and get involved with the characters' and their relatable dramas. Couldn't put it down! Five Stars.
Copy received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2014
What a fantastic book. Very funny book and I had a smile on my face reading the whole of it.
Loved the interactions between Tabby and Harry, and also the characters of the 2 best friends Rhi and Chandra.
Well rounded set of characters, and loved Tabby's writing style too.
Very impressed by this book.
Loved the interactions between Tabby and Harry, and also the characters of the 2 best friends Rhi and Chandra.
Well rounded set of characters, and loved Tabby's writing style too.
Very impressed by this book.
August 24, 2014
So I got a chance to start 'the last word' last night and then instead of going back to sleep when I woke up stupid early finished reading the whole lot. I've had to stop myself giggling too much in case I woke my partner up. I loved the lovers tiffs so much as well as the genuinely funny interactions between Tabby and her friends!
January 22, 2015
This was a good little romance. I enjoyed the characters enough and they were relatable. I wasn't really feeling the heat between the two- not in a terribly passionate way, it felt more like I tripped into them as a pair. Still, good writing from the second book from this author that I've read but not as good as the first one I read.
August 24, 2015
A smart and witty book with a good look at modern 20 something year olds and how they can often live their lives more through social media than physical speech. Tabby is very hot headed and finds it hard to control her emotional state of mind which she has every reason for after what happened to her. Some interesting twists. Romantic, sarcastic and hilarious in many parts.
August 4, 2016
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The author avoided some clichés, totally hit some others. I get so sick of the dysfunctional mother/daughter relationships that seem to be de rigueur in chick-lit books, and the over-drinking that's also a standard motif.
There were a couple of twists I didn't see coming, so all in all, not a bad read.
There were a couple of twists I didn't see coming, so all in all, not a bad read.
June 23, 2014
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the relationship between the two main characters. The supporting characters added their own charm to the book. This was a perfect book to just relax, have a laugh or two and escape with.
I loved the relationship between the two main characters. The supporting characters added their own charm to the book. This was a perfect book to just relax, have a laugh or two and escape with.
September 21, 2014
Such a great book! I really enjoyed this story from start to finish. I adore the hate-to-love romance trope and Michael did it flawlessly. I look forward to more from this author!
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