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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
8 books908 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 52 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fifty celebrities and influencers arrive to exclusive Newport hotel for a glamorous matchmaking weekend, all hoping the legendary Matchmaker will choose their perfect match. Champagne is flowing, everyone is dressed to impress, and anticipation is building as they wait to discover who they’ll be paired with. But beneath the luxury, secrets, scandals, the past comes up, and a murder.
I really enjoyed this one! It leans heavily into a classic whodunit with a little cozy, soapy Bachelorette/Bachelor drama mixed in...sort of. Even with several POVs, it was easy to follow and kept me hooked. The eerie atmosphere, strange occurrences, and VERY suspicious characters had me constantly wondering who was hiding what and how it would all end. And honestly? I think everyone got exactly the ending they deserved.
Read on release date 02/16/2027.
Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC.
I really enjoyed this one! It leans heavily into a classic whodunit with a little cozy, soapy Bachelorette/Bachelor drama mixed in...sort of. Even with several POVs, it was easy to follow and kept me hooked. The eerie atmosphere, strange occurrences, and VERY suspicious characters had me constantly wondering who was hiding what and how it would all end. And honestly? I think everyone got exactly the ending they deserved.
Read on release date 02/16/2027.
Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC.
July 8, 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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s different, I’ll give it that.
A thriller? Not really. I’d put this more in the mystery category, with an old treasure-hunt type of vibe.
There are a LOT of characters, and at times they started to blend together for me. I found myself having to stop and remember who was who and how they fit into everything.
There were also several things that just didn’t make sense.
For one, why wait this many years to do any of this? And why have one character wear the old clothes of one of the original matches? The matchmaker wasn’t there through the years, so he certainly wasn’t going to recognize someone’s clothes from decades earlier. I kept waiting for that detail to have some bigger significance, but it never really did.
Then there’s the matchmaking weekend itself. This was supposed to be a big weekend-long event centered around making matches, yet there weren’t really any matches made. Instead, everyone seemed to spend most of the weekend pursuing their own interests, worrying about their lives back home, or getting caught up in everything else happening around them.
There were a couple of twists that made things more interesting. I especially liked the reveal involving one character’s version of his previous relationship. Finding out that the story he had been telling wasn’t true and was really something he created to cover his own embarrassment was one of the better surprises.
Unfortunately, the rest of the story never quite lived up to the potential of the premise.
A woman dies, and basically no one stops to care? The weekend just...continues? The police don’t question the guests, people are still running around doing their own thing, and everyone seems remarkably unconcerned that someone just died in the middle of all this.
Meanwhile, so much of what is happening connects back to events from decades ago, but even that part of the story never felt fully explained. We get pieces of what happened, but not enough detail to make everything that follows feel completely earned.
There was definitely an interesting story buried in here. The setting, the history, the secrets, the matchmaking concept and the mystery all had the potential to make this a really fun read. Unfortunately, there were too many characters, too many unanswered questions and too many moments where I found myself thinking, “But why would anyone do that?”
Different? Absolutely.
Did it live up to what it could have been? Not quite.
*I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The anticipated publication date is Feb. 2027.
A thriller? Not really. I’d put this more in the mystery category, with an old treasure-hunt type of vibe.
There are a LOT of characters, and at times they started to blend together for me. I found myself having to stop and remember who was who and how they fit into everything.
There were also several things that just didn’t make sense.
For one, why wait this many years to do any of this? And why have one character wear the old clothes of one of the original matches? The matchmaker wasn’t there through the years, so he certainly wasn’t going to recognize someone’s clothes from decades earlier. I kept waiting for that detail to have some bigger significance, but it never really did.
Then there’s the matchmaking weekend itself. This was supposed to be a big weekend-long event centered around making matches, yet there weren’t really any matches made. Instead, everyone seemed to spend most of the weekend pursuing their own interests, worrying about their lives back home, or getting caught up in everything else happening around them.
There were a couple of twists that made things more interesting. I especially liked the reveal involving one character’s version of his previous relationship. Finding out that the story he had been telling wasn’t true and was really something he created to cover his own embarrassment was one of the better surprises.
Unfortunately, the rest of the story never quite lived up to the potential of the premise.
A woman dies, and basically no one stops to care? The weekend just...continues? The police don’t question the guests, people are still running around doing their own thing, and everyone seems remarkably unconcerned that someone just died in the middle of all this.
Meanwhile, so much of what is happening connects back to events from decades ago, but even that part of the story never felt fully explained. We get pieces of what happened, but not enough detail to make everything that follows feel completely earned.
There was definitely an interesting story buried in here. The setting, the history, the secrets, the matchmaking concept and the mystery all had the potential to make this a really fun read. Unfortunately, there were too many characters, too many unanswered questions and too many moments where I found myself thinking, “But why would anyone do that?”
Different? Absolutely.
Did it live up to what it could have been? Not quite.
*I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The anticipated publication date is Feb. 2027.
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.
Want to Read
September 25, 2026oooh, I really liked The Golden Spoon! Can't wait to read this one!
pub date: 02/2027
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
pub date: 02/2027
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fifty quasi-celebrities are invited to the Windmist in Newport for a matchmaking retreat hosted by Magnus McBride, matchmaker extraordinaire. Strange as it sounds, the participants are excited and hoping to increase their social media presence. The story follows four of the guests and is told in alternating points of view from each of them (plus others). Tegan is an artist going to please her mother. Ruby is most famous for her public breakdown and divorce. Omar has lost his partner and is unable to move on. Lacy’s a treasure hunter who thinks she’s a lot cooler than she is. And then there’s Ms. Devaney, the current owner of the hotel, which has been in her family for years. She ends up dead.
The story is fast-paced, but there are a few too many narratives. It’s a little hard keeping all the women straight, because there are so many of them. But at least all the names are unique, so it’s clear the author knows the reader will need some help. There’s a back story to why the hotel owner is murdered but I don’t want to spoil anything, so I can be very vague and say some guests checked in but they never checked out.
My biggest issue, and I swear not a single reviewer has mentioned this, is that there’s a major missing bit of information regarding a discovery. The reader is led to believe one thing, and it’s the other (some readers will guess this), but it’s never explained how or who. I reread it several times, and it’s just not there. Are we supposed to assume the likely culprit was responsible? Why is this never confirmed or explained? I was really hoping for an extra narrative showing it, but we didn’t get one. Otherwise, I enjoyed the story and the old-fashioned vibe of the Windmist and the employees.
My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the free advance reading copy of this book.
The story is fast-paced, but there are a few too many narratives. It’s a little hard keeping all the women straight, because there are so many of them. But at least all the names are unique, so it’s clear the author knows the reader will need some help. There’s a back story to why the hotel owner is murdered but I don’t want to spoil anything, so I can be very vague and say some guests checked in but they never checked out.
My biggest issue, and I swear not a single reviewer has mentioned this, is that there’s a major missing bit of information regarding a discovery. The reader is led to believe one thing, and it’s the other (some readers will guess this), but it’s never explained how or who. I reread it several times, and it’s just not there. Are we supposed to assume the likely culprit was responsible? Why is this never confirmed or explained? I was really hoping for an extra narrative showing it, but we didn’t get one. Otherwise, I enjoyed the story and the old-fashioned vibe of the Windmist and the employees.
My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the free advance reading copy of this book.
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
THE LAST MATCH is the latest book from Jessa Maxwell, an author I discovered through my neighborhood book club who has become one of my must-read authors. As with all of her previous books, I easily became immersed into the story.
THE LAST MATCH features a weekend matchmaking event for fifty semi-famous celebrities, tastemakers, and influencers, organized by the daughter of a sixth-generation matchmaker. The story takes place at the Windmist Hotel in Newport, RI, and is told through several POVs -
1. Tegan - a 32-yo famous NYC artist who somewhat lost her way five years ago
2. Omar - a Bostonian who lost his partner almost two years ago, and who became famous for his time as a contestant on Quiz Night
3. Magnus - the 82-yo famous matchmaker whose daughter, Aisling, coordinated the matchmaking event
4. Ruby - a disgraced ex-wife of a prominent senator
5. Alastair - the manager of the Windmist Hotel where the matchmaking event is taking place
6. Lacy - a treasure seeker with a popular YouTube channel
You can feel the atmospheric tension and sense of unease almost immediately at this hotel. Some strange occurrences add to this tension. And the characters all seem to carry secrets.
I enjoyed the twisty story, as well as the ending. Fans of Lucy Foley, Ruth Ware, and Alice Feeney should definitely add Jessa Maxwell to your list. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟
THE LAST MATCH features a weekend matchmaking event for fifty semi-famous celebrities, tastemakers, and influencers, organized by the daughter of a sixth-generation matchmaker. The story takes place at the Windmist Hotel in Newport, RI, and is told through several POVs -
1. Tegan - a 32-yo famous NYC artist who somewhat lost her way five years ago
2. Omar - a Bostonian who lost his partner almost two years ago, and who became famous for his time as a contestant on Quiz Night
3. Magnus - the 82-yo famous matchmaker whose daughter, Aisling, coordinated the matchmaking event
4. Ruby - a disgraced ex-wife of a prominent senator
5. Alastair - the manager of the Windmist Hotel where the matchmaking event is taking place
6. Lacy - a treasure seeker with a popular YouTube channel
You can feel the atmospheric tension and sense of unease almost immediately at this hotel. Some strange occurrences add to this tension. And the characters all seem to carry secrets.
I enjoyed the twisty story, as well as the ending. Fans of Lucy Foley, Ruth Ware, and Alice Feeney should definitely add Jessa Maxwell to your list. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟
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
“The Last Match” is a quick and entertaining read. I loved the setting in this book: you just can’t go wrong with an old hotel when it comes to mystery books. Alistair, in particular, added that vintage flair to the story. The locations within the hotel felt somewhat limited, and I felt like I would have liked to see more of it. However, I still enjoyed the hidden spots in it.
My main critique is really the abrupt ending. I even went back a page at a certain spot to make sure I didn’t accidentally skip a chapter. It felt jarring and left me a little disappointed: there was a lot of build-up to one last, final confrontation and “tell all,” and it just… didn’t really happen? I suppose it did, but I kept thinking there would be more. The book kept me turning the pages and wanting to find out what’s next, but the final reveal fell flat. I think the author could have gone further, but oh well.
I didn’t mind the large cast of characters with their own POVs; in fact, it kind of reminded me of Lucy Foley books, and I do enjoy those. Some characters felt predictable, but there were a couple that surprised me near the end. It was interesting to see how these different characters and their secrets would all come together in the end. Overall, I still had a fun time with this book, even if it felt like it was cut short.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My main critique is really the abrupt ending. I even went back a page at a certain spot to make sure I didn’t accidentally skip a chapter. It felt jarring and left me a little disappointed: there was a lot of build-up to one last, final confrontation and “tell all,” and it just… didn’t really happen? I suppose it did, but I kept thinking there would be more. The book kept me turning the pages and wanting to find out what’s next, but the final reveal fell flat. I think the author could have gone further, but oh well.
I didn’t mind the large cast of characters with their own POVs; in fact, it kind of reminded me of Lucy Foley books, and I do enjoy those. Some characters felt predictable, but there were a couple that surprised me near the end. It was interesting to see how these different characters and their secrets would all come together in the end. Overall, I still had a fun time with this book, even if it felt like it was cut short.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Last Match is a destination thriller set during a weekend of matchmaking and murder.
When an exclusive matchmaking retreat brings together loveless C-listers, murder and mayhem ensues as a well respected matchmaker, mysterious disappearance, and shocking death unlock buried secrets of some unsuspecting guests, threatening the lives of everyone involved.
This was a quick read, the pacing was good, and the mystery made it a page turner. However, the big reveals did not live up to the mystery as they were predictable and anticlimactic. There were subtle hints that perhaps something supernatural was happening and I wish the story went there. The plot was teasing twists and turns that did not happen. The matchmaker Magnus, the disappearance of the couple, and the murder had no significance in the end. The story was begging for something sinister. There were questions left unanswered. Why was Allistair ultimately wearing old clothes? Why now did Davinia organize the event?
While I liked the easy and fast paced energy of the book, I felt it needed a more intricate mystery with higher stakes, a darker outcome, and more unexpected plot twists.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
When an exclusive matchmaking retreat brings together loveless C-listers, murder and mayhem ensues as a well respected matchmaker, mysterious disappearance, and shocking death unlock buried secrets of some unsuspecting guests, threatening the lives of everyone involved.
This was a quick read, the pacing was good, and the mystery made it a page turner. However, the big reveals did not live up to the mystery as they were predictable and anticlimactic. There were subtle hints that perhaps something supernatural was happening and I wish the story went there. The plot was teasing twists and turns that did not happen. The matchmaker Magnus, the disappearance of the couple, and the murder had no significance in the end. The story was begging for something sinister. There were questions left unanswered. Why was Allistair ultimately wearing old clothes? Why now did Davinia organize the event?
While I liked the easy and fast paced energy of the book, I felt it needed a more intricate mystery with higher stakes, a darker outcome, and more unexpected plot twists.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Honestly, having to spend an entire weekend at a hotel with 50 strangers already sounds like a thriller to me. And these people are supposed to mingle and find love? Absolutely not. 😂
The Last Match takes 50 singles, puts them in a gorgeous historic Newport hotel for an exclusive matchmaking retreat, and then—because apparently forced socializing wasn't horrifying enough—someone ends up dead at the bottom of a cliff.
Now we're talking.
I really enjoyed this one. The short chapters kept me flying through it, and I liked the multiple POVs and slowly figuring out everyone's secrets and how these people might be connected. There are A LOT of characters, but there was enough going on that I stayed interested and wanted to know what everyone was really doing there.
I did want a little more from the ending after all that buildup. With 50 people, secrets, scandals, matchmaking, and a murder, I was expecting things to get even messier.
Still, this was a fun, entertaining mystery with a great setting and plenty of drama.
And once again, I've learned an important lesson from thrillers: if someone invites me to an exclusive weekend at a secluded fancy hotel, I'm staying home.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Last Match takes 50 singles, puts them in a gorgeous historic Newport hotel for an exclusive matchmaking retreat, and then—because apparently forced socializing wasn't horrifying enough—someone ends up dead at the bottom of a cliff.
Now we're talking.
I really enjoyed this one. The short chapters kept me flying through it, and I liked the multiple POVs and slowly figuring out everyone's secrets and how these people might be connected. There are A LOT of characters, but there was enough going on that I stayed interested and wanted to know what everyone was really doing there.
I did want a little more from the ending after all that buildup. With 50 people, secrets, scandals, matchmaking, and a murder, I was expecting things to get even messier.
Still, this was a fun, entertaining mystery with a great setting and plenty of drama.
And once again, I've learned an important lesson from thrillers: if someone invites me to an exclusive weekend at a secluded fancy hotel, I'm staying home.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I LOVED the setup of this one!! Fifty singles, an exclusive matchmaking retreat at a gorgeous historic hotel, influencers and celebrities everywhere, and obviously everyone is hiding something. It felt like the perfect recipe for a messy locked-room style thriller.
There are quite a few characters to keep track of at first, but I really liked how their individual stories slowly started connecting and how basically everyone gave me a reason to be suspicious of them. The matchmaking retreat made the whole thing feel really fresh too. I loved the contrast between this dreamy, romantic weekend and the fact that there is literally a murderer among them.
Once the murder happened, I was HOOKED. The secrets, scandals, shifting alliances and little reveals kept me constantly changing my mind about what was actually going on. I also really enjoyed the Newport hotel setting. It gave the book such a secluded, atmospheric vibe, especially once the storm rolled in.
Such a fun, twisty thriller with a really unique premise. This was my first Jessa Maxwell and I’ll definitely be checking out more from her!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
There are quite a few characters to keep track of at first, but I really liked how their individual stories slowly started connecting and how basically everyone gave me a reason to be suspicious of them. The matchmaking retreat made the whole thing feel really fresh too. I loved the contrast between this dreamy, romantic weekend and the fact that there is literally a murderer among them.
Once the murder happened, I was HOOKED. The secrets, scandals, shifting alliances and little reveals kept me constantly changing my mind about what was actually going on. I also really enjoyed the Newport hotel setting. It gave the book such a secluded, atmospheric vibe, especially once the storm rolled in.
Such a fun, twisty thriller with a really unique premise. This was my first Jessa Maxwell and I’ll definitely be checking out more from her!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an 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
September 25, 2026
First of all, yes, in this case definitely judge a book by its cover! Gorgeous cover certainly equals really good book with The Last Match! Fifty influencers have gathered at an estate retreat for a matchmaking weekend. What could possibly go wrong? Well, not surprisingly, everyone has an agenda, scandals and secrets abound, someone wants revenge and there's that dead owner at the bottom of a cliff. Now, there are a LOT of characters, we aren't hearing from all fifty, but still, there is a lot to keep up with. I did have to go back and refresh my memory a few times. We hear from six main POV's, Tegan, Lacy, Alistair, Omar, Ruby and Magnus! I loved all of those names! An odd thing, I know, but I sometimes struggle with character names. Like his name is WHAAAT??? But anyway, lots of twists and turns, great creepy vibes and the short chapters definitely held my attention. I did find it a bit weird that a body has been found, presumably murder and the festivities continue just like normal, but hey, why ruin a fun story? This is my second Jessa Maxwell and not my last!
Thank you to #NetGalley, Jessa Maxwell and Atria Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to #NetGalley, Jessa Maxwell and Atria Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
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
This book had a really interesting premise, and there were elements of the story that I loved. However, I felt like I couldn’t really connect to a lot of the characters, and there were moments when I found it difficult to want to pick the book back up.
I absolutely loved the “Clue” aspect of this book. I hadn’t read a book yet that had more than 2-3 POV’s and I enjoyed experiencing situations from multiple perspectives. That being said, I do think the number of perspectives contributed to my difficulty staying engaged. I really enjoyed some characters storylines, while other chapters felt slower and harder for me to get through. I thought the authors attention to detail was amazing. I could vividly picture everything while reading this.
Unfortunately the “twist” did fall flat for me. I felt like the pacing was pretty slow in the first half and once it started picking up, I really enjoyed it, but then I just wasn’t able to get that ‘shock’ factor for the ending.
Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I absolutely loved the “Clue” aspect of this book. I hadn’t read a book yet that had more than 2-3 POV’s and I enjoyed experiencing situations from multiple perspectives. That being said, I do think the number of perspectives contributed to my difficulty staying engaged. I really enjoyed some characters storylines, while other chapters felt slower and harder for me to get through. I thought the authors attention to detail was amazing. I could vividly picture everything while reading this.
Unfortunately the “twist” did fall flat for me. I felt like the pacing was pretty slow in the first half and once it started picking up, I really enjoyed it, but then I just wasn’t able to get that ‘shock’ factor for the ending.
Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
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 20, 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
The dark and emotional prologue pulled me right into this book, and then the story immediately switched gears to multiple POVs of various influencers and celebrities taking part in a matchmaking festival weekend, leaving me wanting to read quickly to figure out how we got there. As the story moves forward, each character has more truths and secrets revealed about them via their POV, as well as others. A death quickly occurs, but this does not derail the festivities as one might think…..events carry on as planned. There are handfuls of creepy / scary moments that add to the murderous atmosphere. And while some of the characters are not particularly likeable, you will like reading about them as the past and present collide in spectacular fashion. The ending (or more accurately endings) have most everyone getting exactly what they deserve. I quite enjoyed the experience of reading this book and was drawn into the story throughout…..I would definitely read more by this author.
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!
August 19, 2026
Jessa Maxwell has become an auto-read for me over the years, and her upcoming novel continues to prove why! Her newest release follows 50 celebrities as they arrive at a matchmaking retreat hosted by a famous matchmaker at a historic Newport hotel. Most are there hoping to find love, but some guests have very different intentions. When the hotel manager is found dead, the romantic weekend quickly turns into a weekend of deception, secrets, and murder.
I had such a great time reading this one! I loved the different character POVs and slowly discovering all of the connections between everyone. It was a quick, easy read that kept me hooked, with a few twists sprinkled throughout. Definitely another win for me from Jessa Maxwell!
Thank you Atria Books for the ARC!
I had such a great time reading this one! I loved the different character POVs and slowly discovering all of the connections between everyone. It was a quick, easy read that kept me hooked, with a few twists sprinkled throughout. Definitely another win for me from Jessa Maxwell!
Thank you Atria Books for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Five stars from me, and I do not hand those out easily!
The Last Match completely hooked me. The character development was fantastic, the story was compelling, and it held my attention from beginning to end. I became genuinely invested in the characters and needed to know how everything was going to unfold.
The best endorsement I can give this book? I devoured it in two days. Every time I had a chance to read, I was picking it back up. This was one of those stories that kept calling me back until I finished it.
Engaging characters, a great story, and a book I genuinely didn’t want to put down. An easy five stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
All reviews reflect my personal opinions.
The Last Match completely hooked me. The character development was fantastic, the story was compelling, and it held my attention from beginning to end. I became genuinely invested in the characters and needed to know how everything was going to unfold.
The best endorsement I can give this book? I devoured it in two days. Every time I had a chance to read, I was picking it back up. This was one of those stories that kept calling me back until I finished it.
Engaging characters, a great story, and a book I genuinely didn’t want to put down. An easy five stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
All reviews reflect my personal opinions.
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