I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Like all of Katy Birchall's books, this is another fun, easy to read novel. The main characters are instantly likeable and have undeniable chemistry.
The plot is packed full of events and extras and it's important to remember who's who in the narrative, but Birchall makes it simple.
The office dynamics were interesting to read about, and it feels like there are the same employees (and bosses) everywhere. Harper and the situation with her family was executed well, and I was happy about what happened in the end with her profession.
At times Ryan and Harper argued a bit too much, but I guess that's part of the story.
4.5 stars

Another great book from Katy Birchall. This one doesn’t have a wedding setting. Instead, our narrator Harper is the celebrity editor at a print magazine who is known for her empathetic and insightful interviews. Unfortunately Harper’s boss, Cosmo, fails to see the value in her work. When Cosmo hires Ryan to be the new features editor and begins assigning Harper’s stories to Ryan, she is dismayed. Especially since Harper and Ryan knew each other a decade ago, and she cannot stand him. This is a second chance romance with enemies to lovers trope. The comparison to the Hating Game is accurate although I liked this book more. If you enjoy contemporary romantic fiction this is a great pick. I would also recommend Birchall’s earlier book The Wedding Season.

The sexism was a bit too much, especially in the beginning. It seemed to overtake the story and I started to lose interest for the first ⅓ of this book. Going into this, I was expecting a romance and when workplace toxicities seemed to take over the story I almost didn’t finish it. But I’m so glad this book didn’t solely focus on that as the main subject because this author writes one hell of a romance book. Once the book started focusing on Harper and Ryan I completely fell in love with this book.

I was hardcore crushing on Ryan from the moment I met him. I’m such a sucker for a pseudo enemies-to-more workplace romance, especially when it’s clearly obvious the guy falls first. He brought a sweetness to this story that made this romance book stand out from the rest. Though it was a rough beginning, when the story picked up I couldn’t help but devour this book. Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin
And NetGalley for this ARC

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Harper loves her job as a journalist who dishes about celebrities. When the company she works for hires a man she hopes she would never lay eyes on again, she tries to plow ahead. They both disagree about everything. I enjoyed the characters in this book.

I enjoyed the plot of this but I am realizing that I do not particularly enjoy present tense books. The enemies to lovers trope was sublime in this one! Thank you to Netgalley for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I was honestly really impressed with this book, especially the writing style. I was a fan of the characters and they overall storyline. Great read!

Katy Birchall has done it again! Another contemporary second chance, enemies to lovers, workplace romances from the Katy Birchall.

Absolutely loved this one! Enemies to lovers is one of my favorites, however I don’t think Harper and Ryan were ever true enemies. Everything from the realistic view on journalism to the witty office banter held my attention to the very end.

Harper is a journalism genius and always manages to write the most amazing articles despite incredible pushback from her boss. When her closest ally leaves the office and an old nemesis returns, she thinks she’ll be at a loss for sure. However, Ryan is just what she needed. With the whole office aware of the flame between them, Harper and Ryan continue to fight til the last word. Until maybe the last word is one that means the world to both of them.

A big thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin, Katy Birchall, and Netgalley for gifting the E-Arc in exchange for my honest review. This was beautifully written and a pleasure to read!

This was very confusing to me, especially the beginning. However I was intrigued by the backstory of the character being interviewed and the whole incident. Without giving much away, I don't think that I would honestly read this book again. Which is a shame because I really loved The Secret Bridesmaid.

I have loved Katy Birchall's books for a while now and I am so thrilled that this new romantic comedy lived up to my expectations. Witty banter, a good dose of enemies, a sweeping second chance romance that spans over a decade, and a wonderful dip into the world of celebrity journalism makes this one a lot of fun!

*One open door scene, some strong language

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my complimentary e-arc of this book. All opinions here are my own.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Disclosure: I received an ARC of THE LAST WORD in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ahead of its May 2023 release!

I thought this was a this fun, standout take on the enemies-to-lovers trope, no small feat given the saturated romcom market! Sparks fly when Harper, a Celebrity Editor, must share a newsroom with her longtime nemesis (and old flame) Ryan. Their fun, sexy banter was my favorite part of the book, evoking genre greats like Emily Henry and Talia Hibbert.

This was a definitive foray into the romance genre for Birchall, whose last title skewed more Women's Fiction. I did find her prose to be slightly dense at times, and the first quarter of the book might have benefited from tighter pacing. However, once the book gets going, it doesn't stop! You'll be rooting for Harper and Ryan all the way to the end.

4/5 stars for THE LAST WORD

I absolutely loved the secret bridesmaid by Birchall and everything since had fallen flat. Unfortunately I was really bored with this and just pushed through in order to finish. I think lots will love it but I needed more plot twists or something

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press Group for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 4.5/5 stars

The Last Word is a fun workplace, enemies to lovers romance full of banter and drama. The story follows Harper, a talented journalist with a gift of putting everyone (including skittish celebrities) at ease. She is the celebrity editor at her newspaper and loves her job..until her former nemesis, Ryan, is hired. The two banter and clash as everyone around them wonders how they know each other and what exactly happened between them.

The chemistry. I absolutely loved Harper and Ryan’s banter and fights. The two are very swoonworthy together, but also are hilarious. I loved the flashbacks to how they fell out and it really added to their story. Both are very well-rounded characters that you automatically root for. Fans of Falon Ballard and Sally Thorne will love this romcom!

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

“The Last Word” by Katy Birchall is a workplace enemies-to-lovers romance book. I felt a lot of The Hating Game vibes reading this book, but this one I read in a day because it was so enjoyable. This was a really fun book and I liked them separately and together. Harper’s chaotic energy would sometimes take over the page, but to also read how she was sensitive toward those she was interviewing was sweet to read. Ryan’s ethics yet vulnerability I found sweet too. Yes, Ryan could’ve handled a few situations differently, but one I’ll excuse to being young (and awkward) and the other I’ll chalk up to being in a generally difficult situation. This was the book I needed after reading some rather heavy books recently - light, good ending, some drama, but it was a lot of fun getting to know the characters and situations.

The Last Word, the latest novel by acclaimed author Katy Birchall, is a quick and light read with an enjoyable plot and likable characters. However, if you are an avid reader of rom-coms, women's fiction and fiction in general, you may find yourself thinking "been there done that". As much as I liked the book, the story was a bit too familiar for me to totally sink my teeth into. The story of girl meets boy, girl and boy drift apart, girl re-meets boy and cannot stand him, and then girl and boy rekindle their relationship is a good one, but in the setting that The Last Word falls into, it was a bit too recognizable for my taste.

Incredibly sweet MMC and bomb FMC. It lacked some of the humor that I’ve come to expect from Katy Birchall, but still left me with a smile. I also hate the miscommunication trope, but it feels like it’s in every rom com these days so it is what it is. Overall enjoyed the book and recommend it 😊

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced copy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Katy Birchall books and this one did not disappoint! It's a trusty enemies to lovers trope and I really liked the main characters. This is a great vacation read and I finished it in one sitting on a long flight. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Loved loved loved this one. Thank you to netgalley for the chance to review an ARC!

The story centers on two reporters and I loved how much focus there was on their professional lives. And how they were both good at their jobs. That was honestly my favorite part of the book. The conflict also felt natural and not contrived - there were real hurdles they needed to surmount to be together (spoiler alert that's not much of a spoiler!) I read a similar book last year set in LA that was just not as well done. This was a quick fun read, and I highly recommend it! Good for fans of The Hating Game or Christina Lauren.

I loved The Wedding Season and The Secret Bridesmaid!
Birchall's newest book was no different.

The Last Word is contemporary story following Harper who is a determined journalist as a Celebrity Editor. She is well-known and can get thoes Hollywood stars talking about anything.

When her dreadful boss hires polished reporter Ryan to be the new Features Editor, Harper is infuriated.
Because Harper and Ryan have known each other before, being interns working at the same publication, where they sparked their romance… well that was until Ryan fooled Harper, and they haven't spoke to or seen each other again.

Together back at work everything starts off catastrophe.
Not being able to agree, bickering, fighting, everything is a mess.
Forced to work it out and spending more time together they both start to think maybe have started off on the wrong foot and they can't help but to feel that tug and spark again.
Feelings start to grow and their chemistry is swooning.

But the buzz about layoffs coming from the department are approaching, Harper can't help but wonder: who will get the last word?

The Last Word by Katy Birchall was an outstanding enemies-to-lovers romance story!
Honestly I wasn't expecting anything less.
Becase she can write!
I am deeply in awe of Katy Birchall's spectacular talent for creating characters that make readers feel something.
In this exceptionally funny and charming romance… Birchall's writing is crisp and fun, the characters are fully engaging, and the story is delightful.
I had the absolute best time seeing how this amazing story played out.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

LOVED IT!

A great second chance/enemies to lovers read - thankfully, as second chance is definitely a trope that is hit or miss for me. Harper and Ryan's chemistry was off the charts and I loved the competing/colleague journalist aspect of the story.