If you thought the first book had some "interesting" or "out there" moments, buckle up for this sequel! It's packed with equally wild twists that might not appeal to everyone. But for me? I enjoyed this one even more than the debut. Just a heads-up, make sure to read the trigger warnings included at the beginning of the book, as there’s a lot at play here.

With its culty vibes and intriguing premise, this book definitely kept me on my toes. There were moments when I needed a break and opted for lighter reads, but overall, it was an enjoyable journey. It's clear this book might not be everyone's cup of tea, and that's totally okay! After all, reading is a deeply personal and subjective experience.

This is kind of a hard one to review because I have such mixed feelings on this. I really enjoyed the first half of the book, Bartz puts in some really great and well-written commentary on religious/sexual trauma which does make this a bit of a heavy read for a thriller, it reminded me a lot of <i>The Last Housewife</i> .

Thea works at a psych hospital and when a patient comes in that she recognizes as an actress from her favorite movie as a teen she immediately tries to befriend her and figure out why she ended up here. she’s led to a sex/relationship therapy type of retreat with renown podcast hosts, and of course things escalate from there just like Bartz’s previous novel. However once we arrive at the retreat it turns into a bit of a fever dream, we get a strange reincarnation plotline, and there comes a point where it becomes a bit confusing to keep up with what’s going on and the book began to drag for me. it’s definitely slower paced and less exciting than <i>The Writing Retreat</i> and while I really did enjoy and appreciate the commentary (especially the first 30% or so of the book) it felt like the thriller aspects weren’t quite as tight.

Ok I will say this , this book will NOT be for everyone , it was dark and twisted with culty vibes and creepy AF at times !

The Last Session is a magnetic read , which somehow seduced me to read every single page . I did not know where this was going and the story literally took me down some rabbit hole and I was sucked in good and spat out like a like a sour grape. I had so many scenarios playing in my head and lets just say I was never right !

The writing is very vivid and if you like locked room thrillers then I think you might enjoy this one. However there is a lot of triggers in this book, such as sensitive subjects like religious abuse, alcohol abuse, bullying and sexual harassment. ( The author does a good job of forewarning readers before starting )

I really don't want to give anything away , but if you like unreliable narrators, dimensional reads, and Culty vibes then add this one to your TBR .

There were a few things that did not work for me , one in particular was the main characters career was a social worker and I question , would a social worker really do what transpired in this story , but that's the great thing about fiction , it can any way the author takes us and it was quit the thrilling ride!!

Thank you Netgalley, Atria Books and Julia Bratz for this heated locked room thriller of a page turner !!

PS for my Genx readers that are fans of Twin Peaks , this is for you !!

Respectfully Another Read by Angie

After loving “the writing retreat” I was sooo excited for Julia Bartz new book and as expected I absolutely loved it!!

I loved The mystery behind two look alike women who share the same traits, birthday and whose childhoods are alike in an interesting way.

The plot mostly follows Thea, a social worker who hasn’t yet found her place in life and is currently working in a psychiatric ward who’s her life is upturned when a catatonic celebrity shows up on her ward.

Skip forward to part 2 we have adventure, travel, more mystery, intrigue, a search for a potentially missing person and Thea who is playing amateur undercover detective to try and seek out answers to an unusual connection she has felt since age 13.

I loved Thea as a character, she is a bit of a mess and definitely has some unresolved issues yet I couldn’t help but love her, she is someone I would definitely want to befriend and take under my wing to offer my protection.

The pacing of the book was excellent and kept me engaged throughout. This was one of those books I just have a thoroughly good time reading and got lots of enjoyment out of.

Also the cover is stunning 👏🏼👏🏼

Thank you to atria books and Julia Bartz for the EARC!

Publish date: April 1st 2025

I had to DNF at 50 pages. Choppy writing, ridiculous references to sexuality and a terrible plot. I do not recommend which is such a disappointment because I loved her first book.

DNF at 50 pages. Choppy writing, ridiculous references to sexuality and a terrible plot. I do not recommend.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the eARC of this title!**

This one is a DNF for now. I’m not sure if I’m not in the right headspace for this one but it’s reading less like a thriller and more like a religious trauma therapy session.

I respect the author for tackling these big topics and I’m certain this book will resound with the right audiences.

Unfortunately, the pacing of this one is not working for me. I feel like I’ve been reading this book for 2 weeks and I’m only 22% into a 240 page….. I will give this one another try but not right now.

I devoured Julia Bartz's debut novel, “The Writing Retreat”, so I couldn't wait to dive into her second book, “The Last Session”. It definitely lived up to my expectations! The storyline is rich with layers—featuring a social worker, a psychiatric unit, an oddly familiar catatonic patient, and a wellness cult…oh my! From the very first page, the pacing is fast and relentless, with a darkly chilling vibe that lingers from start to finish. Julia Bartz masterfully blends intricate plotlines that feel both fresh and original, showcasing her talent for storytelling. I was completely captivated by the depth of her characters and the psychological complexity they embody—I love that! If you're in search of a suspenseful thriller that grips you and refuses to let go, then I wholeheartedly recommend *The Last Session*. It's a riveting read that you won't be able to put down!

2.75 stars
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In The Last Session, we follow our main character Thea, a social worker with a troubled past, who gets intertwined with a cult when her latest patient arrives in a catatonic state. What starts as an ordinary intake, Thea can't help but feel like she knows her new patient from somewhere but can't put her finger on it. It's revealed that Jane Doe is Catherine O’Brien, who at age thirteen starred in Thea's favourite movie - Stargirl.

Thea can't help but get too close to Catherine, and believes that she's sent her a plea for help when people claiming to be her "parents" check her out care. This lead brings her to New Mexico for a "wellness/relationship" retreat. Here we meet the infamous Sol and Moon who are the leaders who will guide us on this journey. We're introduced to a few other characters who are on this same retreat and you start to begin who you can trust. During the retreat, we're reconnected with Jonah-P.I. who was hired by Catherine's parents to find her, and Mikki-a freelance journalist who wants a big story. Immediately you begin to wonder who Thea can trust.

I was really into the first 75% of the book, I loved the culty vibes and wondered what the outcome would be of the book. The last 25% was a fever dream, it was beautifully written but just lost me. Like every story, this cult's motives aren't what they seem, the ending was looking a little bleak for Thea and I feared the worst for her. I'm mad that those who I trusted were linked to the cult and wanted to sacrifice Thea to the portal.

At 240 pages (NetGalley version) this dragged out far too long. Its slow pacing doesn't help add many thrills to this locked-in setting.
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I would like to thank Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books, Julia Bartz and NetGalley for a copy of The Last Session in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, this book is set to be published on April 1st, 2025, pre-order your copy today!

2.25

Setting: New Mexico
Rep: n/a

I loved this author's previous book, but this one was a flop for me - a nonsensical, one-note cult book. It isn't a locked room thriller at all, I have no idea why that's in the synopsis. At no point was it surprising or twisty. It's exactly what you'd expect a cult book to be.

This was a strong thriller novel, it uses the social worker element perfectly and told the story that it needed to. I was engaged with what was happening and was invested in what was happening. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the feel of this. Julia Bartz has a strong writing style and thought it worked with the New Mexico element.

I absolutely loved this book. Julia did a great job creating the characters, as I was reading it played out like a movie in my head! When books have such a great flow it makes it impossible to put down.

dramatic themes of religious abuse and some very strange scenarios. 5 stars. tysm for the arc. would really recommend, a uniuqe but awesome thriller.

This was my first book by this author. It’ sucked me in from the beginning. It’s not my typical type of read but it keep me wanting more. Julia is a fantastic write and definitely keeps you engaged.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC of The Last Session.

This was a wild one! At 75% I was planning to give a lower rating because the plot got SO out there, but I ended up actually not hating the way it was tied together in the end. Overall a fast-paced read that kept me on my toes not knowing where the story would go next. Knocked off a full star because I really hate female main characters behaving idiotically, and Thea behaved idiotically nearly the entire book.

4 stars

A bizarre book, but in the very best way.

There were so many delicious components in this thriller including mental health, religion and spirituality, and cult mindsets. As a therapist myself I loved the author's subtle commentary on ethics in the mental health field. Particularly, I loved how she addressed common themes I have seen for myself and my colleagues including caring for your own mental health needs in tandem with your patients. Bartz takes the thread of reality and weaves it in a fantastic way.

This book is an intense and gripping read that pulls you in from the very first chapter. The story centers around Thea, a social worker at a psychiatric hospital, who becomes deeply intrigued by a mysterious patient recovering from a catatonic state. This connection spirals into a deeper investigation into a cult-like wellness retreat in the New Mexico desert, and let me tell you-things get wild.

The plot is fast-paced with no unnecessary filler, and the tension keeps building as the story unfolds. The eerie desert setting and cultish undertones give it a truly unsettling vibe, and the twists are both unexpected and thought-provoking.
It's one of those books where you feel on edge, but you can't stop turning the pages.

What really stood out to me was how the author tackles heavy themes like trauma and mental health. The portrayal is sensitive and insightful, adding emotional depth without feeling overly preachy. At times, it's definitely an emotional rollercoaster, but it's handled in a way that feels meaningful rather than overwhelming.

This book isn't afraid to explore darker subject matter, but it does so thoughtfully, giving us a better understanding of the characters and their struggles. If you're a fan of thrillers with a psychological edge and a hint of the bizarre, this is a story that will stay with you.

“The Last Session,” Julia Bartz’s latest novel, centers around Thea, a social worker who becomes captivated by one of her patients. However, when her patient abruptly leaves the treatment center, Thea is compelled to find her. This pursuit leads Thea to a wellness-style retreat nestled in the desert of New Mexico. The retreat delves into relationships and sexual intimacy, which triggers painful memories from Thea’s past. Will she be able to confront her trauma and locate her patient?

This book is well-crafted and has the potential to become a favorite among readers. I particularly enjoyed the psychological elements woven throughout the narrative. If you’re seeking an inclusive thriller that also explores sexuality, “The Last Session” is likely to captivate your interest.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Started off with decent plot and pacing but lost me in the middle, just got bogged down with too much useless dialogue. Tone seemed to change from a suspense to a self help book that I just found boring.
Not terrible but not exciting.

2.5 stars.

Honestly, I should have maybe realized this was about a cult and I am not a fan of thrillers that use cults as a plot point / storyline. It just never works for me.

I was intrigued in the beginning and first half of this book, but around the 75% mark, it just started to lose me it became kind of nonsensical and boring and I started to lose interest in the overall plot and conflict.

I’m sure people who don’t mind/enjoy books that include cults, will enjoy this much more than me. This book just was not for me at all.

Super bummed because I enjoyed The Writing Retreat much more.