Harper is a celebrity editor for Narrative, a magazine. Her desk is messy & chaotic, she’s always late for meetings, etc but she’s very hard working and loves her job. She genuinely cares for the people she interviews and doesn’t write the gossip. Ryan is more reserved, keeps everything neat and organized. He also has a passion for his job as an editor. So basically complete opposites!

I liked the flashbacks from 11 years ago sprinkled throughout when they both were interns for the same publishing company.

But I didn’t love the constant bickering. Harper was always wanting the last word with Ryan with every. single. thing. That got so old after like the first 25%. I struggled with Harper with her attitude towards Ryan both in the past and present.

They had a good connection though. Super sweet moments together. He’s been crazy about her since they first time they met and I just melted right there when he said that.

Read if you like:
•second chance romance
•enemies to lovers
•workplace romance

Overall, I didn’t LOVE this one but found it still enjoyable!

[ Thank you to the publisher & netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own ]

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

This was my first book by Birchall so I didn’t know what to expect for writing style. I think the description of “The Hating Game meets Beach Read” actually hindered my experience. It set the bar high for romance and this one didn’t really meet that for me. The book was kind of slow, the FMC wasn’t all that likable and I didn’t feel the romance/connection. This one just wasn’t for me.

This one has several classic tropes—second chance romance, enemies to lovers, opposites attract and office romance. It is written well and the arguing between the two main characters is really fun! Definitely gave me Hating Game vibes!

A pair of interns hook up and find themselves working together 11 years later. Both have not forgotten the time they spent together and are trying to be successful at the magazine that they work for. The editor is a nasty man that continues to put them at odds with each other. Will they be able to put the past behind them or will those unresolved feelings surface ?

This is a straightforward romance that is predictable but enjoyable all the same. I enjoyed The Secret Bridesmaid and The Wedding Season a little more just because they were more unique. I do enjoy Birchall’s writing style and characters and look forward to reading more by her.

3.5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley #TheLastWord #KatyBirchall

*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

DNF @ 20%

I’m starting this review by saying I am very much in the minority here. Before I DNFed I read other reviews and almost everyone else seems to like it so PLEASE try this book for yourself if you think it sounds good. I just didn’t vibe with the main character and found it really difficult to get into this book. Everything I read dragged, I found the banter too snarky, and the FMC is a bit of a hot mess which I just couldn’t seem to find endearing. However, as I said, a lot of other people like this so just because it isn’t for me doesn’t mean it’s not for you!

3.5 Rounded up to 4. Thanks to Katy Birchall, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this one was cute and fun. I'm a big fan of enemies to lovers so I jumped at the opportunity to read this book. Harper Jenkins is a brilliant journalist that has a knack for getting celebrities to open up and share about their lives. Her boss, however, doesn't see the point in her job even if she's getting big interviews with famous celebrities. When her boss hires someone from her past, she's furious and not sure how to make things work. Harper and Ryan bicker endlessly in the office, but others see flirtation. What her coworkers don't know is Ryan left Harper heartbroken after a office competition turned into romance. Harper still holds a grudge and wants to focus on her job. As Harper and Ryan spend more time together, their office rivalry turns into more.
I liked the banter between Harper & Ryan.

I liked the concept of the story. I enjoyed all of the extra characters and I felt they brought some fun moments to the story. There were a few things that fell a bit short for me. Harper, at times, felt really immature with her bickering with Ryan. Some of it felt unnecessary and childish. Especially the third act break up. I understood the reasoning, but the ultimatum made by Harper felt immature. The story was enjoyable and it is one I would suggest to readers.

3.5 stars
I really liked Birchall's other two adult books, and I was excited for this one. The first half of the book goes back and forth between present day and some snippets from 10 years ago when Harper and Ryan first met. Unfortunately, it felt like things in both timelines were moving very slowly. Current day, there was LOTS of bickering. Perhaps even too much.
I enjoyed the second half of the book better, as the characters opened up more and got along better. There were great scenes between them, family members, and friends. I wish the second half had started sooner.
Overall it was a cute story, I just would have liked the emphasis to be on other things in some parts.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3.5/5 ⭐️

Tropes

Enemies to lovers
Workplace romance
Second chance romance
Slow burn

Review:
The last word by Katy Birchall was a fun and cute romantic comedy. The start of the book focused on Harper and her career as a celebrity editor for a magazine and although it was interesting it was sometimes too slow for me. But it was understandable since Harper loves her job a lot. The romance was well done and it was interesting. I liked Harper and Ryan as a couple and was interested to see where it would go. I liked the flashbacks of what happened to them and how it slowly revealed the reasoning for theme being “enemies”. Toward the end I did feel frustrated with Harper and how she treated Ryan. And they stopped being good as a couple for me because of her but nonetheless I did enjoy this book. I did love how good Ryan treated Harper and how soft he was towards her. He was the part that redeemed this relationship. Overall I would recommend this book since I think it is was an enjoyable read.

The Last Word was just what I needed! Nothing too serious or scary. Harper is a hard working, independent woman who loves her job and is determined to not let anything get in her way. Not even the only man she has ever fallen hard for. Ryan seems like the perfect guy- except he keeps getting in the way of Harpers career. And they both like to have the last word. I enjoyed their feisty interactions. Plus there are some great life lessons learned along the way. Put this one in your beach bag!

Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin for the copy of this book!

I've loved Katy Birchall's last two books and was very excited to read this book based on "The Hating Game" x "Beach Read" vibes... but I think that what I didn't have in mind and what I forgot to adjust my expectations to is that Katy Birchall writes contemporary fiction with a side of romance, meaning there's not going to be as much interaction with the couple and as much tension and love in her books. That being said, I think the comparisons put in the description hurt my experience of this book, because I was bored and wanting more from the characters together.

Rating: 4.5/5

The Last Word was such a fun read filled with banter and tension between the two main characters. It follows Harper and Ryan who met as journalist interns. When several years later, they are forced to work together again, they pretend to not know each other. Throughout the book, you find out about their past and why they haven’t spoken since the internship.

I loved getting to know the characters and learning about their backstory. The chemistry between the two is undeniable throughout the whole book and I couldn’t wait for them to get together.

I also found it incredibly interesting to learn about Harper’s job and the celebrities she interviewed. She loves her job and is excellent at it, which makes the workplace setting so much more interesting to read.

Overall, I loved reading this book. I liked how the romance was at the forefront, but there were also several other subplots like Harper’s job and her relationship with her family.

I absolutely recommend reading this book!

3.5

This one was cute! I went in pretty blind and only knew it was being compared to the likes of Beach Read and The Hating Game. If you loved both of those books, I think you may go into this one with too high of expectations. But it was still a cute, adversaries to lovers read.

The beginning was a little slow for me personally, but once Harper and Ryan had more interactions and I learned more of their backstories the book kept my attention better. I would say yes, it is a romance, but it leans towards women’s fiction as well - with an equal focus on Harper’s growth professionally and personally in addition to her story with Ryan.

I liked the second chance elements as well and thought the premise that they were initially adversarial interns fighting for the lone spot at the end of the summer added that extra something to the story. The fact that Ryan knew/remembered the little details really illustrated how gone he was for Harper from the beginning.

I maybe would’ve liked it more without the comparison to Beach Read - I think my expectations were a little too high going in, but like I said it was a still a cute read. I think it would make a good pool/vacation read!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

Read if you like:

🥊 adversaries to lovers
💙 second chance
📝 celebrity interviews
💪🏻 learning to stick up for yourself
💼 workplace romance
☝🏻 single pov

This was one I was so excited to be able to read and it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the pacing of the book and how the characters were easy to be drawn in by.

Harper is an ethical and brilliant journalist who’s known for getting tight lipped stars to open up. She loves being a celebrity editor and has built some of the best contacts in the industry.

Ryan is hired as the new features editor. Harper couldn’t believe her luck. A decade ago, when they were interns, spark flew and ultimately Ryan betrayed her. They haven’t talked since.

Now they can’t avoid each other forever. As they’re forced to spend more time with each other, sparks begin to fly again and things appear to be taking a turn for love. Will they be able to set aside their differences? Or are they too different to work?

I absolutely loved Harper’s character! She was such a good journalist with a big heart and I fell in love with her character. Her enemy, Ryan is also a great. The two are opposites in many ways. Harper is a free spirit and Ryan is a bit more uptight. Together they worked…until they didn’t. Now they are working together again and their love comes back. While this book was a little predictable and formulaic at times, it still flowed well and really worked. I think the likeable cast of characters helped me overlook some of the more generic points. If you’re looking for enemies to lovers, an office romance, opposites attract and a second change romance then I hope you check this one out. The banter between the characters is also top notch and also helped keep me engaged.

If you’re looking for a fun romance book, then check this one out soon – on May 2nd.

Thank you to St Martins Press, @stmartinspress, SMPRomance, @SMPRomance, and Netgalley, @netgalley, for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun-to-read lighthearted book that I enjoyed! 3.5/5 stars. The overall enemies to lovers theme with a slow burn romance is always a fun read for me. I enjoyed the main character, especially her lack of organization and lack of timeliness, which I don't feel is often portrayed in books and was carried as a main theme throughout. And even with these traits, was still seen as a top performer and go-getter in her career, which was lovable! The main character's love interest (but first, enemy) is very much the opposite of her in main characteristics/life traits, but is also thriving in his career. They have some fun banter throughout the book, and he really starts to win your heart throughout. There were some fun twists and turns (specifically how the past played in), but quite a few of the situations were super predictable. Although predictable, it was a light, romantic and fun read. Received as a NetGalley early read thanks to St. Martin's Press.

Post on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5503563453

I thoroughly enjoyed this second chance, workplace rivals British romance set in the world of dwindling print journalism. Harper is used to being discredited by co-workers and her parents but she enjoys entertainment reporting. When her former flame and rival, Ryan returns and they start competing again, the sparks fly but there's only room for one of them. Perfect for fans of Falon Ballard's Just my type and great on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital copies in exchange for my honest review!

Big thanks to St. Martin's Press for the widget to read new Katy Birchall! I loved The Wedding Season so I was excited to see what she would come up with next.

Anticipated pub is 2 May 2023

I really enjoyed this story. I found Harper to be a super likable character. She's a hot mess but so together in her career. Her banter with Ryan was fun and I found myself laughing out loud several times. We get periodic flashbacks to summer of 2012 to find out (slowly) what happened when Harper and Ryan first met & interned together. They have lots of struggles on the way but eventually discuss what happened in the past. I laughed and I (almost) cried. This gave me all the feels.

Overall funny, cute and entertaining story.

This was a fun read. The romance between the main character and the love interest had me invested from the beginning, but don't be fooled this is a slow burn romance. Character development was great and would definitely recommend.

4/5 stars

Harper is the celebrity editor at The Narrative and loves her job. She has a couple of great friends who support each other at work with the only pain being Cosmo, their boss. When one friend leaves for a promotion with another publication, the new hire is a face Harper has been avoiding to great lengths. She can't stand stick-in-the-mud and neat-freak Ryan. They've only gotten on well for a short time years ago but she'll never forget their big blow up. It's more than infuriating that the sparks persist between them.
I loved the tension and chemistry between Harper and Ryan. Their constant bickering and need to have the last word was relatable even when it got to be a touch too much. I wanted to have Ryan's POV because he was such a sweet cinnamon roll even through Harper's less than positive viewpoint.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin & NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book

Journalist Harper has a reputation for using empathy and trust to get the best A-list celebrity interviews in the business. Yet her misogynistic boss has little respect for her and her "fluff" pieces. Things only get worse when her ex, Ryan, joins the team as a features editor. With Harper and Ryan forced to work together, old feelings resurface, and a fragile trust grows between them. But when layoffs loom, will the past repeat itself?

This is my favorite Katy Birchall novel to date. Her characteristic insight into the human heart combines with laugh-out-loud humor and a deeply emotional romance for a warm and satisfying read. Don't miss this book!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The Last Word by Katy Birchall is a funny and delightful story. Harper is a chaos in motion and loves her job as the celebrity news reporter at her magazine. Ryan is orderly and endearing and works as an editor. They love to argue and of course have the last word in this enemies to lovers story.

I adored the banter between Ryan and Harper especially in the newsroom. The back and forth timeline allowed for their backstory to flow seamlessly. Being able to watch Harper connect with people over interviews was truly magical, and I wanted to sit next to her and take notes on how she did it. I enjoyed the unexpected funny scenes, family drama, and workplace humor which added to the appeal of the story.

The Last Word was a great read and I enjoyed hanging out with Harper and Ryan. The setting in London added to its charm. I recommend it.
I was given a book by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.