The Last Session

by Simona-Alexandra Chirila

She remembers him.
No one else does.

When a new patient walks into Anna's office, he seems like any other—quiet, guarded, carrying more than he's willing to say. But from the very first session, something feels wrong. Not obvious. Not enough to explain. Just… off.

Then he disappears.

No file. No record. No proof he was ever there.
And when Anna asks about him, she's met with the same answer every time:

There is no such patient.

At first, she doubts herself. A mistake. Stress. Memory playing tricks.

But then things start to shift.

Small inconsistencies.
Moments she can't explain.
A pattern she can't ignore.

Someone is rewriting her reality.

The deeper Anna digs, the more dangerous the truth becomes—because this isn't about a missing patient anymore. It's about control. About manipulation. About a carefully constructed lie designed for one purpose:

To make her question her own mind.

And the most terrifying part?

It's working.

A razor-sharp psychological thriller packed with tension, deception, and a shocking twist, The Last Session will keep you turning pages—and doubting everything—until the very end.

246 pages, ebook

First published April 10, 2026

Reviews

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Session had me hooked from the beginning. The twists and turns and trying to figure out what comes next kept me guessing the entire time. A really interesting psychological thriller.

[•mikaela• :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

A haunting psychological thriller that will have you questioning your own mind everything in society.

This had me hooked, and was written in a way that stuck with me and left me thinking long after I finished. 👀

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read The Last Session, I am left wondering if the description, psychological thriller, is somewhat over used because this story had me totally on the edge of my seat throughout.

A full-on cat and mouse quest to unravel the mysterious and sudden disappearance of a patient, Ethan Vale, who was undergoing psychiatric treatment by Dr Anna Ellison. Anna, blamed for his abscondment, is forced to take temporary leave from her role whilst the police investigate and escapes to what she believes to be a neutral remote location only to find the village is hiding more secrets than she could ever have imagined.

A truly absorbing case of who can you trust and how do you save yourself from those out to get you. Added to my enjoyment of this book, the ending was absolutely perfectly pitched.
Highly recommend.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so much more then a psychological thriller. This book kept me in suspense the entire ride. We start with Ethan in Dr. Anna Ellison's office. Ethan is talking about frames and removing himself from the frame. She is the last person to see him when he disappears. What happens next will have you on the edge of your seat ( or in my case, sleeping with the light on). From her office in London, to the countryside for a retreat. Dr. Ellison must figure out what is happening to her and who is causing it. Simona's way with words and overall vibe keep you on your toes and guessing the entire time.

[Curt Dunnam · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Last Session” by Simona-Alexandra Chirila is a mystifying 4-star read! It’s hard to say too much about this book without giving anything away. The story follows Anna as she tries to uncover what happened to a missing patient.

This book is confusing, but in a good way. I never knew what was going to happen next or who I should be rooting for. Even as the story came to an end, I still wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book!

Thanks to Simona-Alexandra Chirila for providing me with the opportunity to read this book for free and share my honest review.

[lady Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC and honest review!
When reading a psychological thriller, this is what you hope for. It has twists, turns, and plenty of suspense. It was a little slow the first third of the book but it really picked up after. I love when a book has real life elements and feels believable. The plot is good and the story flows in a way that makes sense. It doesn’t feel stagnant or rushed at any point. The characters are well written and sound like people you could cross out in daily life. Overall, I’m impressed with the creativity and research involved in this book. It will be a reread one day and I can’t wait to see what Simona writes next!

[Hannah May · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/4
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

This book was completely insane. I was not expecting anything that happened. I was not expecting the system (will not say much because of spoilers). This book made me confused but in a good way as I never knew what was going to happen next. I went into this book trying it figure it out but it then it felt like I was becoming apart of it. Hasn’t if things don’t have to be ethical, I feel like this would absolutely happen in society. I will definitely be reading more books by this author

[Emma Mazmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this as an ARC Reading and I am very glad that I did😁 This is a very unique and interesting psychological thriller I've ever read. It keeps me on edge every second when i was reading it. It was nothing like a normal thriller story with how every actions of Anna somehow ended up making me feels like I'm living in a system too (won't be describing too much about this😉 you have to read it yourself 😚).
Anyhow, I like the book and I'll definitely looking forward for other books from this author in the future 😁

[Lori Albertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this one 3.5 stars (rounded up here as 4 stars).

This one started off strong but then got quite confusing. This was done on purpose, I know, but I’m still not sure what I read by the ending. It was a little strange that most of the story was told in first person until the last chapter, which switched to third. I’m sure there was a reason, but I don’t understand this.

I’m sure there are some who will enjoy this setup.

Thank you to Simona-Alexandra Chirila for this advanced copy.

[Sara Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is what psychological thrillers are supposed to be!
You are putting together pieces and information right along with Anna while this entire world unfolds before you.
Never get too comfortable, because nothing is ever as it seems and someone might just be watching.
This story is one that will have you questioning every single character you meet. It might even have you questioning yourself!

[Mescha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was completely mindboggling, psychological and uneasy. Creating paranoia in the reader and many questions about behaviour and society. There were so many puzzles and hidden motives to work out along with the characters and trust is a hard thing to decide. The ending left me questioning the entire book and the characters, wanting to know more, wanting to understand. I really enjoyed it,

[Crystal Harbour · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am still processing my feelings. The tone is very philosophical, more so than other therapist/psychological thrillers. Riddles galore. Slow start, but picked up 2/3 of the way through. Some parts are a bit wordy and feel like trudging through a mud bog. Overall, a very interesting plot. Timely, since it includes AI and language models. #ARC

[Roxana Ileana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this psychological thriller and truly stayed with me. It was intense, vibrant, and sent chills down my spine from start to finish. What I appreciated the most was the way it made me feel — the tension, the unease, the emotional depth.
For me, a book becomes truly good when it manages to evoke real emotions, and this one did exactly that. Highly reccomend it.

[Kallie0704 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy from the author


I got a little Maze Runner vibes with this novel. The first 30% was kind of slow and redundant to me, then it was like we hit the highest hill of the roller-coaster and took off. Definitely can see this actually happening somewhere in the world, and that's disturbing in itself. That ending though!

[Jea · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Anna’s last session with Ethan, the doctor learns that he has disappeared. Taking some time away from her practice to deal with the fallout of his mysterious disappearance, she quickly realizes that someone is trying to rewrite her story. This book is a psychological suspense thriller, with twists and turns right up until the shocking conclusion!

[DeeDee Angelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an ARC read. It was so creepy and had my mind going in so many different directions! It is a psychological thriller with lots of clinical aspects. The author keeps you guessing throughout the entire story, which I loved!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC read.
This book caught me from the first chapter. It is unhinged in all the best ways. It messes with your mind all while making you want more. It makes you question every conversation that is had between the characters. A definite must read if you like psychological thrillers!

[Gaja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was confused and creeped out from start to finish, just as much as Anna was. The atmosphere definitely makes you look over your shoulder from time to time and the book overall makes you wonder if a situation like that could potentially happen nowadays.

[Claire Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is different to any books I have read but I really enjoyed it. Will definitely read more books from this author

[Ron Bahre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I could not put it down. The characters were well thought out and the storyline was very good.

[Leah Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book pulls you in right from the start. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to Anna’s last patient. I was not expecting the story to unfold as it does, and was a complete surprise. One that makes you think about your own life, and the choices you make. Anna’s world keeps changing and you never know what is real or who to trust.

Really enjoyed the book and cannot wait to read more from Simona-Alexandra Chiria!

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read The Last Session, I am left wondering if the description, psychological thriller, is somewhat over used because this story had me totally on the edge of my seat throughout.

A full-on cat and mouse quest to unravel the mysterious and sudden disappearance of a patient, Ethan Vale, who was undergoing psychiatric treatment by Dr Anna Ellison. Anna, blamed for his abscondment, is forced to take temporary leave from her role whilst the police investigate and escapes to what she believes to be a neutral remote location only to find the village is hiding more secrets than she could ever have imagined.

A truly absorbing case of who can you trust and how do you save yourself from those out to get you. Added to my enjoyment of this book, the ending was absolutely perfectly pitched.

Highly recommend.

[Hannah May · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

This book was completely insane. I was not expecting anything that happened. I was not expecting the system (will not say much because of spoilers). This book made me confused but in a good way as I never knew what was going to happen next. I went into this book trying it figure it out but it then it felt like I was becoming apart of it. Hasn’t if things don’t have to be ethical, I feel like this would absolutely happen in society. I will definitely be reading more books by this author

[Emma Mazmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this as an ARC Reading and I am very glad that I did😁 This is a very unique and interesting psychological thriller I've ever read. It keeps me on edge every second when i was reading it. It was nothing like a normal thriller story with how every actions of Anna somehow ended up making me feels like I'm living in a system too (won't be describing too much about this😉 you have to read it yourself 😚).
Anyhow, I like the book and I'll definitely looking forward for other books from this author in the future 😁

[Edna Strange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a brilliant debut book! I just couldn’t put it down. Not being one for psychological thrillers, I was a bit hesitant about reading this book, but am so glad I did. Such clever writing that draws the reader right into the storyline and question everything. The characters were strong and developed as the story unfolded. I do hope this author will be writing more books like this one. I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this book and this is my honest review of same.

[BOOKSPICE DRUMMERGIRL (RACHEL) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens with the observer is thrown into a world where she is the observed. Who can you trust? Who can you believe? Can you believe yourself? These are the questions explored in the Last Session. A clinical, mind-bending look into what makes a tick. Sort of a like a time-bomb. This story will get you thinking. It does take a little time to acclimate to the clinical language, but it does help with the overall tone of the story. A very impressive first time novel.

[Mescha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was completely mindboggling, psychological and uneasy. Creating paranoia in the reader and many questions about behaviour and society. There were so many puzzles and hidden motives to work out along with the characters and trust is a hard thing to decide. The ending left me questioning the entire book and the characters, wanting to know more, wanting to understand. I really enjoyed it.

[Crystal Harbour · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am still processing my feelings. The tone is very philosophical, more so than other therapist/psychological thrillers. Riddles galore. Slow start, but picked up 2/3 of the way through. Some parts are a bit wordy and feel like trudging through a mud bog. Overall, a very interesting plot. Timely, since it includes AI and language models. #ARC

[Sue Fedash · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a few chapters for me to fully get into this book and get a grasp on it, mainly due to all the psychological terminology. But once everything clicked, I was completely hooked. This story was a wild ride. Each chapter had me on the edge of my seat, eager to see what would happen next. I definitely didn’t see the ending coming, and I really hope there’s a book two in the future.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC read.
This book caught me from the first chapter. It is unhinged in all the best ways. It messes with your mind all while making you want more. It makes you question every conversation that is had between the characters. A definite must read if you like psychological thrillers!