Katy Birchall's books are always a good time, and this was no exception. This was a second-chance, enemies to lovers romance, and the banter was top notch. It was so much fun watching Harper and Ryan reconnect. I also really enjoyed watching Harper's growth over the book in terms of accepting her parents' views of her job, as well as realizing that her job doesn't define her. This would be a perfect summer read!

The Last Word is a cute second chance romance/enemies to lovers with a dash of celebrity gossip and it was such a fun read.

Harper is a celebrity editor at her magazine and is a phenomenal journalist with a knack for putting even the grumpiest stars at ease. She loves her job, but fears her workplace is ruined when Ryan is hired as features editor. Harper knows Ryan and knows him well. Ten years ago they worked as interns at a different publication and the chemistry was undeniable. But after an amazing weekend together, Harper learns Ryan was keeping something from her, leaving her feeling betrayed and vowing to never speak to him again. Sparks fly when the two are forced to work together. Harper hates him, but why does she still feel so drawn to him… and why does he know her like no one else does?

My issue with some enemies to lovers book is that I find the reason they hate each other to be dumb, for lack of a better explanation. This story was refreshing because I totally understand why Harper felt betrayed by Ryan, but I also could understand why he made that choice. With a believable backstory in place, I really enjoyed the bickering and banter between the two as they found their way back to each other. The celebrity journalism aspect is intriguing and fun, shining a little insight into what that world might really be like. I really enjoyed this cute read, just as I did The Wedding Season by Birchall last year.

This one comes out tomorrow, May 2nd. Check it out!

Thank you to @netgalley @stmartinspress and @katybirchallauthor for the earc of this fun romcom!

This book had me from the first line of its description; The Hating Game meets Beach Read.  Those are two of my favorite books, so I was excited and intrigued, but also skeptical.  The bar was set pretty high for Katy Birchall and The Last Word, and I was not disappointed.  

I loved both of our MC's.  Harper reminded me of an Aaron Sorkin heroine; one of those talented go-getters who consistently excel and are totally bad-ass in their professional life, but a bit lacking in self-confidence in their personal lives.  The Last Word is told in single POV through Harper, and includes flashbacks to her first internship in the journalism industry, which is also the first time she met Ryan.  Ryan is the quiet, serious guy that's often seen as cold and aloof but is really incredibly thoughtful, genuine, funny, and romantic.  I liked both Harper and Ryan as individuals, but as a pair they were even better.  I had so much fun watching their relationship grow and change, their banter was on-point, the utter longing was excruciating but delicious, and I was totally shipping them from the start! The supporting characters were incredibly well-developed and include a despicable, sexist boss, colleagues-turned-best friends, delightful celebrities, and family members that cover the full spectrum from loving and supportive, to...not.  

This was my first Katy Birchall, but I thoroughly enjoyed her storytelling and her writing style and will now be reading my way through her backlist and eagerly awaiting any future releases.  
Tropes: Second-chance romance, Enemies-to-lovers, Workplace romance (a romance trifecta)
My thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press Group and Katy Birchall for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Enemies to lovers in the best way! This is such a fun second chance romance filled with chemistry, celebs and comedy (as well as misguided communication issues followed by much needed character growth!).

Harper is a phenomenal celebrity editor. She actually cares about the famous people she interviews and she lets them talk off the record instead of scoring a huge scoop, which in turn, allows her to score the huge scoop because they trust her! Ryan broke her heart years ago after a hot and heavy weekend together, so she doesn't trust him, both personally and professionally.

The barbs they toss at one another followed by sizzling stares are utterly delicious. Goodness gracious, is it hot in here or is it just Ryan and Harper?! "I can't believe he wants me as much as I want him" SWOON!!!

The supporting characters are just as fantastic. I LOVED Harper's coworkers and the celebrities she interviewed. The taxi scene had me in hysterics. Then, the picnic scene in London had me smiling with glee. This book was SO good, just like all of Katy Birchall's books. Go read them all!

I enjoyed this one, a very good slow burn, enemies to lovers second- romance that had me interested until the end. The one thing that bothered me and is usually something that throws me off a read in particular is miscommunication. Still, it surprised me how much I enjoyed this book even with the communication barrier. I would recommend this one for all of the familial aspects and witty banter.

This was a fun workplace romance! It was def a slow burn, and the anticipation killed me. Harper frustrated me at times because she just *had* to always have the last word- I know that was the point but man sometimes she just quickly assumed the worst. RYAN OMG such a fricken golden retriever man!!! I knew right from the start he loved her and he slowly but surely made it known and I just adored him. This really was comparable to The Hating Game!

Fans of enemies to lovers and second chance romances will love The Last Word! Harper and Ryan have a history and now are thrown together when Ryan is hired at Harper's newspaper. I loved the dual timelines and how the story was revealed as we learned more about both characters.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for this advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for a honest review

Fans of The Hating Game - you’ll love this book! I absolutely loved Katy’s style of writing. It can sometimes be tricky doing different timelines and switching back and forth but it felt like it was so effortless in this book and it really added to the progression of the story.

I loved Ryan and Harper’s banter and the fact that Ryan had been down bad for her since day one. Harper is a go getter who is career driven and independent - knowing who and what she wants in life. I really enjoyed this book!

I just finished Birchall’s The Wedding Season and I had this arc and knew it was releasing soon (May 2nd). The past books of Birchall’s were more Women’s fiction with some romance on the side. This was a full Contemporary Romance with second chance romance, enemies to lovers and office romance.
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Harper is the celebrity editor in a magazine. She interviews hot shots, goes to all the events, has a boyfriend. Life seems perfect but her family relationships is barely a ship. And her nemesis has joined their team which throws off her equilibrium.
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This started out slow for me but I did enjoy Harper and Ryan’s bickering. Harper seems to have a kindred heart when she interviews others but her lack of self respect with dumping Liam sooner was annoying. Liam was a wasted space. I think the book picked up for me at 40% then I couldn’t put it down but I would hope it doesn’t take that long for others. And maybe the checked out parents bothered me too since I had just read TWS and that seems to be a common theme Birchall. 😬
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Content: alcohol consumption by adults, some minimal language, 1 mostly open door scene, misogynistic boss
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There was great worth at the end. I’ll definitely read more of Birchall’s work. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the e-arc copy. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

This book was everything I needed!

I adored Beach Read and enjoyed Hating Game, so I knew going in that I would most likely enjoy it, and I did. Workplace romances are to die for, and this one is no exception. Enemies, Harper is mad when Ryan is hired at her job. Forced together, they bicker and fight, and dang, I'm obsessed.

This book was really good. Harper felt a little immature at times, but I loved the dynamic between Harper and Ryan, and their chemistry was off the charts. They are total opposites, which I like reading love interests like that. I really enjoyed this and recommend it 100%!

This second chance, enemies-to-lovers, workplace romance was witty and entertaining.

Harper is a journalist, an honest and honorable one. When her editor leaves, Ryan is hired as the replacement. Ryan the man that not only broke her trust, but also her heart ten years ago.  

It took me a while to get into this one.  I connected with Harper's structured chaos and her tendency to be late and messy.  I find a kindred spirit in someone who sets multiple alarm clocks to get up. Ryan is her complete opposite.  He's a little uptight and arrogant but it turns out he's a really good guy.

Despite her flaws, Harper is likable and is great at her job.  She connects and cares for the celebrities she interviews. 

The character development stood out the most. I loved the ending and seeing Harper take charge of her career and go in a new direction. 

The banter and competition between Harper and Ryan in the past and present added a lot to the story.  The story was cute with some funny scenes.

It's entertaining and well-written and does have a little spice, its definitely a slow burn. The romance and chemistry were a little lacking for me personally.  Even so, I recommend this if you enjoy contemporary fiction or women's lit with some romance mixed in.

Unfortunately this one was not for me and it was a DNF. I could not get into this writing style.

Thank you to NetGallery and St. Martin’s Griffith for this eARC.

This was a cute, fun read if you are a fan of workplace rivalries and second chance romance with strong-headed characters and good banter. This one is not as saturated in the romance and gives good character growth. I liked Harper's character arc. A little slow to start but good once it picks up.

A classic HEA story involving a enemies to lovers in the workplace story. Super cute and easy read- just gets a tad annoying when the main character keeps flip flopping from understanding to being insulted over and over. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

The following review was posted on my blog three days ago, on Tuesday, May 2nd, the day of publication. It was shared on Instagram twice and has already been posted on Goodreads. The blog post includes links to order the books and to its Goodreads page, so readers can add it to their to-be-read books.



“This job is not your be all and end all. It’s a job. It’s not who you are.”
“That just goes to show you don’t know me at all.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Deals with gaslighting, cheating, and horrible working conditions.

“The Last Word” follows Harper Jenkins, a celebrity journalist, as she tries to coexist with a new editor, Ryan Jansson, who was hired for at magazine she works at… just that Ryan isn’t too new to her—they were both interns at the same paper a decade prior, and following a whirlwind romance, have barely talked since. Will they collaborate, ignore each other, or perhaps fall into old habits? That’s for you to find out and for Katy Birchall to tell.

“The Last Word” will be amongst one of my favorite reads this year, I can feel it. It reminded me so much of one of my favorite books (“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Read), although it was following a vastly distinct story.

The use of alternating timelines kept you on your toes, and the characters, both main and secondary, were all so unique, relatable, and intriguing. Set in London’s journalism scene, I genuinely wanted to know where this story was going at all times.

With it’s second-chance, enemies-to-lovers romance, “The Last Word” will capture your heart in a beat. Also, if you enjoy workplace romances, like “The Hating Game” by Sally Thorne, I would absolutely and highly recommend this read. It’s a bit of a slow and dry burn, but the conclusion is oh-so sweet, it’s worth it.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: May 2, 2023

I loved everything about this book except for Harper’s attitude towards Ryan. Was it warranted? Maybe. But for someone portrayed as being at the top of their game professionally, her reactions to him were anything but; she was childish and immature. Otherwise, the story was wonderful. I enjoyed the immersion into the world of magazine publishing and Harper’s approach to getting her stories. Overall, a highly enjoyable read.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this!

The description gave me strong The Hating Game vibes which I adored, so I was really excited for this. I did like the character development in her own life, especially with her family. It had one of my biggest pet peeves - where a romance protagonist is in a committed relationship at the beginning and for a significant portion of the book, I want to be able to root for the main couple the whole time and not being able to because cheating sucks, well, sucks. That plus some of the other choices when it came to the main characters didn’t work for me, unfortunately.

Harper Jenkins is a hot mess. She is not only good at her job, she makes talking to celebrities easy to do. She doesn't do gotcha pieces. Her life is cruising along till there is a shake-up at the magazine. Her long time nemesis is now sitting next to her and supposed to join in on her articles/stories. Ryan Jansson is now working at the same place as Harper. He considers her the one that got away. Can they possibly get past this. Everyone in the office feels like they are watching a match. Waiting to see what each of them are going to throw at each other. Someone has to have the last word. Slowly they are finding their way to back to each other. A reorganization at the magazine leaves her without a job and in a spiral. What is she going to do? It's something her sister said that has her on edge. Could she do it? She is not only very good at what she does, Harper knows what she wants. Harper and Ryan are just so much fun and you never know who is going to get The Last Word.

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @stmartinspress and @smpromance for an early copy of The Last Word by Katy Birchall. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

The Last Word is an enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy about Harper, a Celebrity Editor who is well-known for getting tight-lipped Hollywood stars to open up to her, and Ryan, their magazine’s newest Features Editor. They’d worked together years before and fell into a whirlwind romance until Ryan betrayed her and they never spoke again until they’re teamed up together again. Harper and Ryan couldn’t agree on anything and constantly bicker - Ryan can’t bear how chaotic and messy Harper is; Harper finds Ryan’s condescending nature infuriating. They clash over who’s writing what article and fight over who’s going to which event. Yet as they’re forced to spend more and more time together, Harper realizes she may have misjudged Ryan and can’t help but feel a spark growing between them. Long-buried feelings start to resurface and, when they’re thrown together on a romantic press trip abroad, their chemistry comes to a head. But all is fair in love and magazines, and with the news that layoffs across the department are imminent, Harper is left to wonder: who will get the last word?

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

I definitely enjoyed Harper and Ryan’s sizzling chemistry, which is pretty strong especially whenever they argue. I love that they challenge each other, and I found Ryan so endearing and sweet as he knows all of Harper’s tells; he knows her well.

While there’s a miscommunication on both occasions where Ryan seemingly betrays Harper (lies of omission), I loved how they both grew as individuals. Harper, who’s written as this incredible journalist who can make everyone she interviews more at ease prior to the actual interview, was able to shine brighter as a journalist outside the magazine, and Ryan became more comfortable voicing out his feelings and thoughts. I also enjoyed just how they complement and bring out the best in each other.

Rating this ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5 Available to purchase from all book retailers!

I’ve been in a rough reading slump and this delightful book brought me out of it! Katy does such a great job of writing powerful friendships on top of relationships. I love Harper’s friendships with all of the other awesome ladies in this book. And I absolutely loved the banter between her and Ryan in the “enemy” phase, even if it was pretty clear this was a “he falls first” situation and not all was what Harper thought.

I’m not a big second chance romance girl but the playful enemies to lovers of it all made it for me. I loved their relationship but I also love that this was a story about Harper embracing those around her in her natural bubbly compassion and the rewards that paid for her in her low times.