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The Last Match: A Novel
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Expected 16 Feb 27One weekend. Fifty singles. Endless secrets. From the beloved author of The Golden Spoon comes another seductive, high-stakes thriller, this one set at an exclusive matchmaking retreat at an historic Newport hotel.
When fifty influencers and celebrities gather at an historic Newport estate for an exclusive matchmaking retreat, the weekend is billed as a dreamy escape—sunlit yoga, champagne by the sea, and the legendary Magnus McBride, a matchmaker with a near-mystical reputation. But behind the marble halls and ocean views, something darker lurks.
Tegan Reyes, a once-famous artist, hopes the trip will revive her stalled career. Ruby Valenti, a disgraced socialite, longs for redemption. Omar Abebe, a trivia champion haunted by loss, wants a fresh start. And Lacy Bryant, a glamorous YouTuber, is chasing more than love—she’s hunting a secret treasure rumored to be hidden in the hotel’s depths.
Then the hotel’s owner is found dead at the base of a cliff.
As a storm closes in, alliances form and fracture, old scandals resurface, and the matchmaker’s final pairings may prove fatal. Because at Windmist, everyone has something to hide—and someone will do anything to keep the past buried.
Seductive, atmospheric, and laced with shocking twists, The Last Match is a gripping tale of desire, deception, and the dangerous games we play for love.
When fifty influencers and celebrities gather at an historic Newport estate for an exclusive matchmaking retreat, the weekend is billed as a dreamy escape—sunlit yoga, champagne by the sea, and the legendary Magnus McBride, a matchmaker with a near-mystical reputation. But behind the marble halls and ocean views, something darker lurks.
Tegan Reyes, a once-famous artist, hopes the trip will revive her stalled career. Ruby Valenti, a disgraced socialite, longs for redemption. Omar Abebe, a trivia champion haunted by loss, wants a fresh start. And Lacy Bryant, a glamorous YouTuber, is chasing more than love—she’s hunting a secret treasure rumored to be hidden in the hotel’s depths.
Then the hotel’s owner is found dead at the base of a cliff.
As a storm closes in, alliances form and fracture, old scandals resurface, and the matchmaker’s final pairings may prove fatal. Because at Windmist, everyone has something to hide—and someone will do anything to keep the past buried.
Seductive, atmospheric, and laced with shocking twists, The Last Match is a gripping tale of desire, deception, and the dangerous games we play for love.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 16, 2027
About the author
Jessa Maxwell
4 books890 followersJessa Maxwell lives In Jamestown, RI with her husband, cats and a three-legged dog. Follow her on Instagram @jessamaxwellauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 9, 2026
OOOOH A matchmaker takes 50 celeberties on the most epic matchmaking weekend of their lives! Getting to know each of the individuals at this weekend getaway was super intriguing! Most of them had some sort of fall from grace and were looking at their final chance at love. Renowned matchmaker Magnus McBride is well-known for his perfect matches. However, what secrets lie at the heart of this hotel and what match from the past is coming back to burn McBride?
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 13, 2026
What could be more enticing than a weekend at a historical hotel with the opportunity to find your true love. A group of 50 singles are chosen for an exclusive matchmaking retreat. While some are looking for a fresh start, redemption, treasure, or a happily ever after. No one was prepared for the secrets that were waiting to be uncovered.
This book was told in multiple points of views I liked the short chapters and the unfolding stories of each character. The only thing I didn’t like was I felt like there were still questions left unanswered at the end. It started out really good and made me want to find out what was going on but then the ending felt rushed.
Overall I enjoyed the read and would definitely read another book by this author.
This book was told in multiple points of views I liked the short chapters and the unfolding stories of each character. The only thing I didn’t like was I felt like there were still questions left unanswered at the end. It started out really good and made me want to find out what was going on but then the ending felt rushed.
Overall I enjoyed the read and would definitely read another book by this author.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
The Last Match is a fast, breezy read. It's the kind of book you can fly through in a weekend, which honestly makes it a solid beach read recommendation.
The book's central problem is its cast. Fifty influencers and celebrities at an exclusive matchmaking retreat sounds like a delicious setup, which makes it all the more puzzling that the fifty influencers are mostly just window dressing. If the large ensemble isn't going to be meaningfully part of the story, why make it such a highlighted part of the premise?
The characters we do follow suffer from a different issue: their voices aren't distinct enough to tell apart without flipping back to check whose POV you're in. That's a fundamental problem in a multi-perspective thriller, where each character's unique perspective should be doing narrative work. Without defined, differentiated voices, the large cast becomes a liability.
Character motivations also felt underdeveloped. With so many players to flesh out in under 300 pages, there simply isn't enough room to give everyone the backstory needed to make their actions feel grounded. More than once I found myself questioning why a character was doing something, which is not where you want a reader's head to be in a thriller.
I appreciate the ambition of what The Last Match was going for, and the atmospheric Newport setting is well used. It just needed either a smaller cast or more pages. Grab it for the beach. Just don't expect it to linger. It's a 3/5 for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The book's central problem is its cast. Fifty influencers and celebrities at an exclusive matchmaking retreat sounds like a delicious setup, which makes it all the more puzzling that the fifty influencers are mostly just window dressing. If the large ensemble isn't going to be meaningfully part of the story, why make it such a highlighted part of the premise?
The characters we do follow suffer from a different issue: their voices aren't distinct enough to tell apart without flipping back to check whose POV you're in. That's a fundamental problem in a multi-perspective thriller, where each character's unique perspective should be doing narrative work. Without defined, differentiated voices, the large cast becomes a liability.
Character motivations also felt underdeveloped. With so many players to flesh out in under 300 pages, there simply isn't enough room to give everyone the backstory needed to make their actions feel grounded. More than once I found myself questioning why a character was doing something, which is not where you want a reader's head to be in a thriller.
I appreciate the ambition of what The Last Match was going for, and the atmospheric Newport setting is well used. It just needed either a smaller cast or more pages. Grab it for the beach. Just don't expect it to linger. It's a 3/5 for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Atria Books & Netgalley!
Eeek I liked this book! It was maybe the perfect time and the perfect book for me, it might not work for everyone though, kind of like a lot of books tbh, but the short chapters, the setting which I loved, the different characters, the mix of genres because you get a bit of romance (kinda) made it perfect for my very tired and messy brain rn.
Fifty influencers and celebrities all gathered at this fancy Newport estate for a matchmaking retreat sounds like such a fun premise going in, and honestly the setting delivered. Marble halls, ocean views, champagne by the sea, I was so there for the vibes. Then you throw in Tegan, Ruby, Omar, and Lacy, all with their own messy pasts and reasons for being there, and it becomes this juicy mix of characters who all clearly have something to hide.
Once the hotel owner turns up dead at the base of a cliff it kind of shifts into full mystery mode, and I loved how the short chapters kept things moving. It never felt like a slog, which honestly was exactly what I needed.
Not super hugely a fan of the ending though, like at 70% I was like nooo why go in this direction, that part kind of threw me off. But overall I had a good time and the book kept me entertained and wanting to keep reading. If you're into twisty, secrets everywhere, slightly soapy mysteries with a little romance mixed in, this one's worth picking up.
ps: my favorite character was Omar!!
Eeek I liked this book! It was maybe the perfect time and the perfect book for me, it might not work for everyone though, kind of like a lot of books tbh, but the short chapters, the setting which I loved, the different characters, the mix of genres because you get a bit of romance (kinda) made it perfect for my very tired and messy brain rn.
Fifty influencers and celebrities all gathered at this fancy Newport estate for a matchmaking retreat sounds like such a fun premise going in, and honestly the setting delivered. Marble halls, ocean views, champagne by the sea, I was so there for the vibes. Then you throw in Tegan, Ruby, Omar, and Lacy, all with their own messy pasts and reasons for being there, and it becomes this juicy mix of characters who all clearly have something to hide.
Once the hotel owner turns up dead at the base of a cliff it kind of shifts into full mystery mode, and I loved how the short chapters kept things moving. It never felt like a slog, which honestly was exactly what I needed.
Not super hugely a fan of the ending though, like at 70% I was like nooo why go in this direction, that part kind of threw me off. But overall I had a good time and the book kept me entertained and wanting to keep reading. If you're into twisty, secrets everywhere, slightly soapy mysteries with a little romance mixed in, this one's worth picking up.
ps: my favorite character was Omar!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Plot and Vibe Summary
Fifty elite influencers gather at a historic estate for an exclusive matchmaking retreat, only for the wealthy owner to turn up dead at the base of a cliff. The narrative jumps between secretive guests trapped in a tense, glamorous, and claustrophobic locked room murder mystery.
What Worked
The multiple perspectives created an addictive and fast paced narrative where everyone had something to hide. The historic Newport mansion setting delivered an incredibly wealthy, claustrophobic, and moody atmosphere that enhanced the unfolding drama.
What Didn't Work
The final twist felt slightly rushed compared to the meticulous, slow burn buildup of the character backstories and alliances. A few secondary subplots involving the influencers wrapped up a bit too neatly.
Final Thoughts
This is a sleek, engaging, and highly entertaining murder mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. It is perfect for fans of locked room mysteries who love an inside look at elite social circles.
Tropes, Spice, and Trigger Warnings
Tropes: Locked room mystery, rich people behaving badly, multi POV, secret treasure hunt.
Spice Level: Low, mostly focused on tension, desire, and romantic pairings.
Trigger Warnings: Murder, death by falling, blackmail, grief, and manipulation.
Thanks to Atria Books and NetGally for sending an ARC or advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Fifty elite influencers gather at a historic estate for an exclusive matchmaking retreat, only for the wealthy owner to turn up dead at the base of a cliff. The narrative jumps between secretive guests trapped in a tense, glamorous, and claustrophobic locked room murder mystery.
What Worked
The multiple perspectives created an addictive and fast paced narrative where everyone had something to hide. The historic Newport mansion setting delivered an incredibly wealthy, claustrophobic, and moody atmosphere that enhanced the unfolding drama.
What Didn't Work
The final twist felt slightly rushed compared to the meticulous, slow burn buildup of the character backstories and alliances. A few secondary subplots involving the influencers wrapped up a bit too neatly.
Final Thoughts
This is a sleek, engaging, and highly entertaining murder mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. It is perfect for fans of locked room mysteries who love an inside look at elite social circles.
Tropes, Spice, and Trigger Warnings
Tropes: Locked room mystery, rich people behaving badly, multi POV, secret treasure hunt.
Spice Level: Low, mostly focused on tension, desire, and romantic pairings.
Trigger Warnings: Murder, death by falling, blackmail, grief, and manipulation.
Thanks to Atria Books and NetGally for sending an ARC or advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an advanced copy.
This is one of those books that demands to be read in a single sitting! The narrative jumps between several perspectives, moving at a steady, medium pace that never dips or drags. The short chapters keep the tension taut and ensure the story remains engaging from start to finish. Out of all the viewpoints, I found myself most invested in Lacy. Instead of falling into the usual romantic subplots, she is driven by the hunt for a compelling story for her YouTube channel, and she isn't afraid to be manipulative to get what she wants. That ruthless edge makes her a fascinating contrast to the rest of the cast, who appear so harmless by comparison.
The character development across the board is strong, anchoring the suspense in believable motivations. When the twists and secrets finally come to light, they unfold at a satisfying, measured pace rather than being crammed into a rushed information dump. The final reveals genuinely surprised me, and the entire plot wraps up seamlessly. If you like hidden agendas, multiple perspectives, and steady suspense, I highly recommend this book.
#NetGalley #TheLastMatch
This is one of those books that demands to be read in a single sitting! The narrative jumps between several perspectives, moving at a steady, medium pace that never dips or drags. The short chapters keep the tension taut and ensure the story remains engaging from start to finish. Out of all the viewpoints, I found myself most invested in Lacy. Instead of falling into the usual romantic subplots, she is driven by the hunt for a compelling story for her YouTube channel, and she isn't afraid to be manipulative to get what she wants. That ruthless edge makes her a fascinating contrast to the rest of the cast, who appear so harmless by comparison.
The character development across the board is strong, anchoring the suspense in believable motivations. When the twists and secrets finally come to light, they unfold at a satisfying, measured pace rather than being crammed into a rushed information dump. The final reveals genuinely surprised me, and the entire plot wraps up seamlessly. If you like hidden agendas, multiple perspectives, and steady suspense, I highly recommend this book.
#NetGalley #TheLastMatch
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Last Match by Jessa Maxwell
Thank you NetGalley!
The Last Match was an entertaining and captivating read with an intriguing premise, a quick-moving plot, and plenty of lavish lifestyles and influencer drama to keep things interesting. Maxwell does a great job creating a world that feels glamorous, messy, and full of secrets, and I found myself wanting to keep reading to see how everything would unfold.
That said, I do wish I had known before requesting this book that it leaned so heavily into a traditional “whodunnit” mystery. That’s simply not my favorite type of read, and I think knowing that going in would have helped set my expectations.
I can absolutely see this being a great fit for readers who love twisty mysteries, glamorous influencer lifestyles, and a fast-paced plot that keeps you turning the pages. While I found the book well-written, intriguing, and genuinely captivating, ultimately, I don’t think it was quite the right book for me. Still, I can definitely see it appealing to the right reader!
Thank you NetGalley!
The Last Match was an entertaining and captivating read with an intriguing premise, a quick-moving plot, and plenty of lavish lifestyles and influencer drama to keep things interesting. Maxwell does a great job creating a world that feels glamorous, messy, and full of secrets, and I found myself wanting to keep reading to see how everything would unfold.
That said, I do wish I had known before requesting this book that it leaned so heavily into a traditional “whodunnit” mystery. That’s simply not my favorite type of read, and I think knowing that going in would have helped set my expectations.
I can absolutely see this being a great fit for readers who love twisty mysteries, glamorous influencer lifestyles, and a fast-paced plot that keeps you turning the pages. While I found the book well-written, intriguing, and genuinely captivating, ultimately, I don’t think it was quite the right book for me. Still, I can definitely see it appealing to the right reader!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed Jessa Maxwell’s last book, The Golden Spoon, so was excited to see she had a new book coming out and was even more excited to be picked to read an advanced copy.
Like her last book, each chapter was narrated by a different character, but Jessa did a good job with giving each one a distinctive voice, so it was easy to keep them straight (except Lacy, I kept forgetting about her.) I also really enjoyed that as the story progressed, layers got peeled back and we would see glimpses of how the characters might be connected to one another. Of course, I’m never smart enough to figure it out ahead of time!
My one gripe was the ages of the characters. I imagined Constantine to be in his late 40s-early 50s and then it was mentioned he was in his late 20s and it really threw me. Same with Alistair. It was mentioned he had been working at the hotel for 10 years and I thought he was in his mid-thirties, but then he said he was 27. But he talked about graduating high school and working a few jobs before starting at the hotel so that didn’t make sense. Are Magnus and Ms. Devaney close to 90? If so, how is she a mother?
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance ecopy.
Like her last book, each chapter was narrated by a different character, but Jessa did a good job with giving each one a distinctive voice, so it was easy to keep them straight (except Lacy, I kept forgetting about her.) I also really enjoyed that as the story progressed, layers got peeled back and we would see glimpses of how the characters might be connected to one another. Of course, I’m never smart enough to figure it out ahead of time!
My one gripe was the ages of the characters. I imagined Constantine to be in his late 40s-early 50s and then it was mentioned he was in his late 20s and it really threw me. Same with Alistair. It was mentioned he had been working at the hotel for 10 years and I thought he was in his mid-thirties, but then he said he was 27. But he talked about graduating high school and working a few jobs before starting at the hotel so that didn’t make sense. Are Magnus and Ms. Devaney close to 90? If so, how is she a mother?
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance ecopy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2026
Fifty influencers, artists and celebrities gather for a weekend at the historic Newport hotel Windmist for a matchmaking retreat hosted by the world famous matchmaker Magnus McBride. There is a wide cast of characters including Tegan Reyes, a famous artist, Ruby Valenti, an infamous socialite, Omar Abede, a trivia champion and Lacy Bryant, an attention seeking influencer. (Just to name a few) The guests meet and mingle and then each has a one on one meeting with the matchmaker. But all is not as it seems at Windmist and secrets from the past that have been long buried behind to surface. Then, when the owner of the famous hotel is found dead, possibly murdered, everyone is on high alert. It seems everyone has something to hide and all the guests may not just be at Windmist to be matched, but perhaps for something more sinister! This book had a lot of twists and I loved the atmospheric setting of the old hotel. I’ve read and enjoyed all of Maxwell’s novels and this latest is no exception! 4 star read for me!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoy Jessa Maxwell's books, and The Last Match was no exception! The short chapters and alternating POVs keep the pace moving, making this a fast read. Most of the characters were likable, but Lacy was horrible. Ruby was my favorite. I felt so bad for her. Multiple plot threads kept me intrigued and wondering what was going to happen. There are quite a few twists, and I didn't see any of them coming. I did have a couple of minor issues. There were supposedly 50 people at the event, but we stuck with the same small group of characters, so I never felt like there was actually a big group there. It always felt small. It didn't seem like a large lively event full of people. Also, some of the ages don't seem to make sense. Other than that, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. This would be a great beach/pool read! I look forward to seeing what Jessa Maxwell comes up with next.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jessa Maxwell is shooting to the top of my MUST-READ author list. Everything she has written is excellent, and her new book, The Last Match, was a five-star read for me.
A group of influencers and celebrities are chosen to take part in a matchmaking weekend at a historic hotel in Rhode Island. It's fancy, old, and full of secrets. There, they will meet Magnus, an old Irish matchmaker who is famous for successful matchmaking.
The book focuses on a small group of attendees and their secrets and desires. I went into this book not knowing much, and I think you should too. The mystery will unfold as you read. I couldn't put this book down.
Jessa's writing is fantastic; the plot moves quickly, and I loved the setting. I read this in two sittings! Put this on your TO-READ list right now.
A group of influencers and celebrities are chosen to take part in a matchmaking weekend at a historic hotel in Rhode Island. It's fancy, old, and full of secrets. There, they will meet Magnus, an old Irish matchmaker who is famous for successful matchmaking.
The book focuses on a small group of attendees and their secrets and desires. I went into this book not knowing much, and I think you should too. The mystery will unfold as you read. I couldn't put this book down.
Jessa's writing is fantastic; the plot moves quickly, and I loved the setting. I read this in two sittings! Put this on your TO-READ list right now.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced reader copy, my opinions are my own.
This book was excellent. The premise of 50 guests, either influencer or semi famous, coming together by the ocean to meet with a master matchmaker for a weekend of singles meeting their true love was like nothing I have read before. We meet several main characters, and the charming hotel by the sea has some secrets to be found by one of them. There is a murder first thing, and the secrets start to come to light by the midway point. The pace is fast, and the characters were written well. There is an undercurrent of unease, mystery, and whodunit type of feel.
I enjoyed this thriller, and this author has went straight to the top of my to be read list. I read this in two days, and loved every minute of it. I would absolutely recommend this to friends.
This book was excellent. The premise of 50 guests, either influencer or semi famous, coming together by the ocean to meet with a master matchmaker for a weekend of singles meeting their true love was like nothing I have read before. We meet several main characters, and the charming hotel by the sea has some secrets to be found by one of them. There is a murder first thing, and the secrets start to come to light by the midway point. The pace is fast, and the characters were written well. There is an undercurrent of unease, mystery, and whodunit type of feel.
I enjoyed this thriller, and this author has went straight to the top of my to be read list. I read this in two days, and loved every minute of it. I would absolutely recommend this to friends.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC of The Last Match by Jessa Maxwell!
Secrets! Secrets! Secrets! Fifty people are invited to the stunning Windmist mansion for an exclusive matchmaking event, but everyone seems to be hiding something. The story follows several guests, each carrying secrets that slowly unravel and lead to an exciting climax.
I really felt for some of the characters and found myself hoping they would finally get the happiness they deserved. On the other hand, there were a couple of characters who were absolutely evil! While the ending doesn't spell out exactly what happened to them, the author leaves enough clues for readers to use their inferencing skills to figure it out.
This was a well-crafted mystery with an intriguing cast of characters, plenty of twists, and enough secrets to keep the pages turning. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to mystery fans.
Secrets! Secrets! Secrets! Fifty people are invited to the stunning Windmist mansion for an exclusive matchmaking event, but everyone seems to be hiding something. The story follows several guests, each carrying secrets that slowly unravel and lead to an exciting climax.
I really felt for some of the characters and found myself hoping they would finally get the happiness they deserved. On the other hand, there were a couple of characters who were absolutely evil! While the ending doesn't spell out exactly what happened to them, the author leaves enough clues for readers to use their inferencing skills to figure it out.
This was a well-crafted mystery with an intriguing cast of characters, plenty of twists, and enough secrets to keep the pages turning. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to mystery fans.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley for the Arc- As always, I truly appreciate it!
I read this book in two sittings. It was a quick read but it was also one of those stories I just could not put down. Each chapter was narrated from a different character's point of view. As the book goes on you learn more about each of their back stories as you also are drawn further into the plot happening at the festival. Some of the characters are very unlikable but by the end most of them grew on me- except Lacy! There was a lot going on with each character so a lot of the writing felt rushed. Lots of loose ends. I felt the end was also rushed and the epilogue/update on each of the characters seemed like an after thought and was too tied up in a red bow for me. Reminded me of The Guest List or And Then There Were None. A fun read that I would recommend.
I read this book in two sittings. It was a quick read but it was also one of those stories I just could not put down. Each chapter was narrated from a different character's point of view. As the book goes on you learn more about each of their back stories as you also are drawn further into the plot happening at the festival. Some of the characters are very unlikable but by the end most of them grew on me- except Lacy! There was a lot going on with each character so a lot of the writing felt rushed. Lots of loose ends. I felt the end was also rushed and the epilogue/update on each of the characters seemed like an after thought and was too tied up in a red bow for me. Reminded me of The Guest List or And Then There Were None. A fun read that I would recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"The Last Match: Love is the promise, Secrets are the price.
One weekend. Fifty singles. Endless secrets. From the beloved author of The Golden Spoon comes another seductive, high-stakes thriller, this one set at an exclusive matchmaking retreat at an historic Newport hotel."
Meh! 2.5 rounded to 3 for me...
This is quick and breezy. I read it in a day, at the cottage, so it definitely meets certain "beach read" requirements. Overall though, totally dull. The characters read as relatively boring to me, and none of their 'voices' really came though, resulting in lackluster POV chapter changes. I was expecting a more luxurious setting, and a larger scale mystery with 50 singles. But.. it was just some people in a hotel...
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Jessica Maxwell for the advanced reader copy. The Last Match comes out February 16th 2027 #ARC #NetGalley.
One weekend. Fifty singles. Endless secrets. From the beloved author of The Golden Spoon comes another seductive, high-stakes thriller, this one set at an exclusive matchmaking retreat at an historic Newport hotel."
Meh! 2.5 rounded to 3 for me...
This is quick and breezy. I read it in a day, at the cottage, so it definitely meets certain "beach read" requirements. Overall though, totally dull. The characters read as relatively boring to me, and none of their 'voices' really came though, resulting in lackluster POV chapter changes. I was expecting a more luxurious setting, and a larger scale mystery with 50 singles. But.. it was just some people in a hotel...
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Jessica Maxwell for the advanced reader copy. The Last Match comes out February 16th 2027 #ARC #NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First, thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance copy of "The Last Match." This was my first read by Maxwell.
This book description caught my eye, as I truly enjoy all of the current reality dating shows such as "Love is Blind." Fifty popular and renowned (yet also a bit down on luck) singles are invited to an estate for a giant matchmaking weekend with a famed matchmaker. I loved the chapters from the multiple perspectives. The chapters were short, and I felt like even though there were a lot of characters, the author did a good job of creating strong characterization for each. Of course, the matchmaking weekend does NOT go as planned, though you'll have to read for yourself to uncover the mystery.
This was a quick read and I enjoyed it!
This book description caught my eye, as I truly enjoy all of the current reality dating shows such as "Love is Blind." Fifty popular and renowned (yet also a bit down on luck) singles are invited to an estate for a giant matchmaking weekend with a famed matchmaker. I loved the chapters from the multiple perspectives. The chapters were short, and I felt like even though there were a lot of characters, the author did a good job of creating strong characterization for each. Of course, the matchmaking weekend does NOT go as planned, though you'll have to read for yourself to uncover the mystery.
This was a quick read and I enjoyed it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The setting of this book was excellent: some “celebrities” get sent to a spooky, gothic hotel for a weekend for a match-making event. I read a lot of locked room mysteries, and this one had a lot going for it: a slightly more interesting cast of characters—meaning I didn’t immediately want every one of them to die in gruesome ways for being tedious or mean—and match-making/ finding love as the draw. I had fun reading this in one setting and the book mostly delivered on its promise, but I felt that the denouement was rushed and some of the characters, like Franklin, didn’t get as much attention as others.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for making an advanced copy available.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for making an advanced copy available.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Get ready for a weekend of secrets and MURDER at a matchmaking event at a tony seaside resort. A thoroughly enjoyable and quick summer read!
I really enjoyed the setting, first and foremost: a lavish and grand old hotel home to secrets of all sorts. Is there anything better? The characters were unique and multifaceted. I did not guess a single one of the twists. My only quibble is that the story jumped from major plot point to major plot point without really settling in anywhere, and I would have liked more backstory and more exposition from the characters. All in all, though, a solid read.
Thanks to Atria, via NetGalley, for this ARC!
I really enjoyed the setting, first and foremost: a lavish and grand old hotel home to secrets of all sorts. Is there anything better? The characters were unique and multifaceted. I did not guess a single one of the twists. My only quibble is that the story jumped from major plot point to major plot point without really settling in anywhere, and I would have liked more backstory and more exposition from the characters. All in all, though, a solid read.
Thanks to Atria, via NetGalley, for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
White Lotus meets Knives Out in this entertaining mystery where 50 celebrities are gathered for a matchmaking weekend. This book largely follows a select few of those 50, allowing a deeper dive into their stories and development as characters.
The pacing is consistent and the reveals are peppered throughout rather than a whirlwind at the end, which helps create the steady increase in tension of the book.
A quick read. This was my first Jessa Maxwell book but I would certainly read more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC; this is my honest review.
The pacing is consistent and the reveals are peppered throughout rather than a whirlwind at the end, which helps create the steady increase in tension of the book.
A quick read. This was my first Jessa Maxwell book but I would certainly read more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC; this is my honest review.
July 8, 2026
3⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy of this book.
Fans of the Golden Spoon will really like this one! Set in a picturesque old hotel-the summary read like it would be a murder mystery at a “match making event”…and while that was an underlying current, a much bigger story develops with the actual Match Maker and mistakes of the past.
It took me a bit to get into the many different POV in this one, but the story moved quickly with lots of surprises.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy of this book.
Fans of the Golden Spoon will really like this one! Set in a picturesque old hotel-the summary read like it would be a murder mystery at a “match making event”…and while that was an underlying current, a much bigger story develops with the actual Match Maker and mistakes of the past.
It took me a bit to get into the many different POV in this one, but the story moved quickly with lots of surprises.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5⭐️
I loved The Golden Spoon and none of Maxwell’s subsequent work has quite lived up to that one for me yet. However, this one still gives the same kind of atmospheric intensity and game-show-like feeling. I had no idea about the twists coming (I knew they were coming but I could not pinpoint any of them!).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved The Golden Spoon and none of Maxwell’s subsequent work has quite lived up to that one for me yet. However, this one still gives the same kind of atmospheric intensity and game-show-like feeling. I had no idea about the twists coming (I knew they were coming but I could not pinpoint any of them!).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When a matchmaker offers 50 influencers and would-be-celebrities a free chance at finding their match they all descend to a beautiful Newport location to promote the matchmakers services and allegedly find love. But then the hotel owner is found dead. And then some people’s motivations for coming are revealed to be less than honorable. And then, of course, there’s more on the line than love- maybe their own lives.
August 7, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this book!
I absolutely LOVED The Golden Spoon so I was very excited to jump into this. I can’t say this surpassed The Golden Spoon for me, but it was certainly fun and a good beach read! I think I wish the book was a bit longer and delved a bit deeper into the cast of characters, but overall it was a fun read that I finished in one day!
Thanks again to NetGalley an Atria Books!
I absolutely LOVED The Golden Spoon so I was very excited to jump into this. I can’t say this surpassed The Golden Spoon for me, but it was certainly fun and a good beach read! I think I wish the book was a bit longer and delved a bit deeper into the cast of characters, but overall it was a fun read that I finished in one day!
Thanks again to NetGalley an Atria Books!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to the publisher for my arc.
Another thriller to disappoint me in the past 7 days. The premise sounded so juicy but the plot was all over the place. Flashbacks to the matchmaker’s early years in his career would have added more depth.
There were so many questions left unanswered like:
What was in all the letters behind the painting? Why were Omar’s letters to the matchmaker underdeveloped?
Normally I love multiple POV’s, but all of the characters were flat and underdeveloped.
Another thriller to disappoint me in the past 7 days. The premise sounded so juicy but the plot was all over the place. Flashbacks to the matchmaker’s early years in his career would have added more depth.
There were so many questions left unanswered like:
What was in all the letters behind the painting? Why were Omar’s letters to the matchmaker underdeveloped?
Normally I love multiple POV’s, but all of the characters were flat and underdeveloped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What in the goofy nonsensical characters about as deep as cardboard did I just read? Example:
Phone rings, Hi Mom, it's been crazy here.
WHAT!!? YOU HAVE TO GET OUT OF THERE!
No mom, it's cool, I'll stay.
YOU HAVE TO FIND THE SECRET THING TO AVENGE...SOMEONE...HAVE YOU FOUND IT YET? DON'T LEAVE UNTIL YOU DO!!!
I'm only exaggerating a little bit.
And the whoooole thing reads that way.
Phone rings, Hi Mom, it's been crazy here.
WHAT!!? YOU HAVE TO GET OUT OF THERE!
No mom, it's cool, I'll stay.
YOU HAVE TO FIND THE SECRET THING TO AVENGE...SOMEONE...HAVE YOU FOUND IT YET? DON'T LEAVE UNTIL YOU DO!!!
I'm only exaggerating a little bit.
And the whoooole thing reads that way.
July 19, 2026
“The Last Match” by Jessa Maxwell is a suspenseful thriller filled with secrets, deception, and buried pasts. While I wasn't completely hooked from start to finish, I still enjoyed the story and wanted to see how all the secrets unraveled. If you enjoy character-driven mysteries with plenty of hidden motives, this one is worth checking out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advanced copy recieved from NetGalley
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley
This book was fantastic! It had locked room mystery feel. It was so atmospheric in a remote hotel. A Match-making event goes off script when someone ends up dead. There are historical secrets, hidden treasures and mysterios paintings. It was seriously so good.
When this book publishes RUN to get a copy!!!
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley
This book was fantastic! It had locked room mystery feel. It was so atmospheric in a remote hotel. A Match-making event goes off script when someone ends up dead. There are historical secrets, hidden treasures and mysterios paintings. It was seriously so good.
When this book publishes RUN to get a copy!!!
July 22, 2026
This was my first Jessa Maxwell book. It started a bit rocky but developed into an intriguing storyline with some great twists and a satisfying conclusion. It started as a three-star read and ended up super close to a five-star. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another book by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This one took me a bit to get into (I had to warm up to the different characters/POV), but I enjoyed it!
*Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
My beautifully well thought out review has vanished, so I’ll try to recap what I can remember from my review.
This was so good!!
I loved the story and really enjoyed the mystery of the couple who never checked out of the hotel. 😍
I loved the setting for this, felt the sea breeze on my face and could picture the creepy cliff side hotel with its secrets. Really enjoyed the mystery and loved the plot of minor celebrities coming together to try to find love.
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