In "The Last Session" Julia Bartz delivers a taut and harrowing thriller that delves deep into trauma, human vulnerability, and the sinister exploitation of the emotionally fragile.

The plot is compelling and richly layered, following Thea, an art therapist haunted by her own troubled past, as she embarks on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth behind a catatonic patient’s disappearance. Moving seamlessly between a psychiatric ward in New York and the eerie desert retreat of the Center for Relational Healing, Bartz creates a vivid and unsettling backdrop for the suspenseful narrative.

Thea’s journey is both psychological and physical, unfolding with an urgency that keeps the reader invested while allowing space for emotional depth. The pacing, which maintains a fine balance between tension and revelation, is excellent, and the narrative twists are carefully orchestrated, building intrigue and delivering shocks at just the right moments to hold readers' attention.

Thea stands out as a deeply flawed yet empathetic protagonist. Her struggles with addiction, the lingering scars of past abuse, and her determination to save a woman who eerily mirrors her own identity make her an unforgettable lead. The supporting cast, from the enigmatic Jonah to the shadowy figures of Moon and Sol, are equally compelling and complex, adding layers of mystery and moral ambiguity to the tale.

Ultimately, "The Last Session" is both a chilling thriller and a poignant exploration of the ways in which pain and vulnerability can be exploited. Bartz’s sharp prose and unflinching portrayal of emotional trauma elevate the story, making it as thought-provoking as it is gripping. This is a thriller with depth, complexity, and an unrelenting sense of unease, and readers will find this to be an unforgettable experience.

I really liked how The Last Session started out. It’s a mystery about a patient who shows up at a psychiatric hospital. Because of Thea, the therapist’s, past and connection she feels with this patient the rest of the story is about what she does to help her. In doing so the rest of the story goes down a crazy path. If you like realistic stories this might not be for you. However if you enjoy reading entertaining stories and are open to “out there” thinking then this would be for you. Thank you to Atria Books for the ARC!

I have a love hate relationship with this book now lol. The first 30% of the books was boring, 30-60% was interesting with a few twists, 60-90% had me thinking "wtf am I reading?", and the last 10% redeemed the book. The cult aspect was new to me, with that and the redeemable ending I gave it a solid 4 stars

I was hooked since the beginning of Catherine's story. She mysteriously ends up at a psychiatric hospital with no memory of anything. She looks traumatized and won't talk to anyone. Thea a social worker gets Catherines case, and she has a feeling that she looks familiar. Suddenly, Catherine dissappears, and Thea makes it her mission to find her. Thea finds some clues that lead her to a retreat in New Mexico. Let me tell you, it gets weird from that moment on. Weird people, and it gives cult vibes. I enjoyed the book for the most part.

That was not for me. The time jumping at the end felt very disjointed and confusing. The first three segments of the book felt anticlimactic, but not in the regular thriller way. It was an excellent idea, but the execution was not for me.

This was an interesting read with cult vibes! I was drawn into the story from the start! 🙌

I have to say, I did feel like this was a bit over the top for me though. Despite that, I did still enjoy it and would recommend checking it out! 👏

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️

This was the first “cult” book I’ve read. The first half of this book was strong & kept me interested in the mystery unfolding. Things started to get a bit repetitive & off the rails, but I will say, Julia has insane creativity/research to come up with the ideas in this story! I was very impressed in that regard!
It was just okay for me; I definitely had to just enjoy the ride & suspend my belief in what was happening in the second half.
Thank you Atria Books for an early copy of The Last Session!

So many times I wanted to stop reading this awful novel.It started off fairly ok then it seemed to get better.Not!!For some reason I felt compelled to keep going to see where it would end. I found myself skipping large chunks of the utter nonsense that I found totally boring and unrealistic.At some point didn’t care how it ended.
Thank you NetGalley,author,Julia Bartz,and publisher,Altria Books for the opportunity to read,Last Session.
You may read all the other reviews about this novel because I really have nothing to add about this convoluted story.
On sale April 01,2025.

Wellness centers are supposed to be healing, it is right there in the name. That's not necessarily the case with the Center for Recreational Healing, led by a cultish like couple, Moon and Sol, as they are known. On the surface, the two seem to have good intentions, but with time, it is clear they have their own agenda, and morals, doing whatever ti takes to achieve those goals.

This story begins in NYC, where a social worker, Thea, first meets a Jane Doe. And while this woman isn't talking, Thea is drawn to her, not just because they look alike. I won't get into any details, but this woman eventually leads Thea to the Center when she is mysteriously picked up by people pretending to be her parents.

There are a lot of subplots in this story, maybe too many. The most intriguing one being Thea's childhood trauma, something Moon draws out during her time at the center.

If you think of Wellness Centers as spiritual mumbo jumbo, like I do at times, this book won't change that impression. Moon and Sol are clearly taking advantage of their guests' vulnerability, and with Thea and Catherine (Jane Doe), they take things to the extreme. Things that could put them in jail.

The ending is a bit over the top, but I'm glad some got justice and closure.

Overall, this book is an intriguing one, but didn't have my heart racing like I'd want with a thriller. Probably because I didn't connect with the character. However, if you like cult themed books, this one may be for you.

This thriller is full of twists and surprises, and inside look into recruiting for an intense cult.

As a child, Thea felt a connection to movie star Catherine O’Brien. They looked alike, they shared the same birthday, but there was something more.

Years later a Jane Doe who is admitted to the psychiatric ward Thea is working on seems strangely familiar. They seem to have a connection, despite not knowing each other at all. Jane Doe feels it too.

Their meeting starts a chain of events that bring Thea to a weekend retreat to jumpstart relationships. Something is just drawing her there.

As more and more is revealed, the intentions of the retreat and those in attendance become darker and more twisted.

I am fascinated by cult behavior and how someone can find themselves wrapped up in what appears to be outrageous claims and practices. Watching this happen step by step over just a few days shows just how easily someone can slip into a group mentality.

I really enjoyed this story and was definitely surprised by plot twists along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for providing me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I have complicated thoughts on this one. Overall- great concept and who doesn’t feel intrigued by a cult? However I got a little lost in all the details and would have to stop and re read occasionally, specifically in the parts pertaining to the reincarnation. Other than that it was a good thriller with really unique ideas!

What did I just read?? This thriller is bizarre. It takes readers into a cult mindset with a narrator who is unsure about reality. Is she living in a collective consciousness or is she just being gaslit?

Some topics for discussion are:
Grooming
Cults
Accountability
Sexuality

There is a diverse set of characters. When reading you feel like you’re really the at the therapy center. The narrator is unlikable at times. She borders between victim and a person who makes excuses for her actions.

Overall, the setting of a therapeutic retreat led by unhinged cult leaders was very entertaining. There were many twists and turns—- while suspending one’s beliefs is important to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

4⭐ | The Last Session by Julia Bartz

The Last Session by Julia Bartz is a gripping psychological thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. The novel focuses on the complexities of friendships, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to when they feel trapped or misunderstood. I loved how the author built a sense of suspense and tension with every passing moment, leaving me second-guessing everything.

The characters were well-developed, each with their own secrets and motivations, making it difficult to know who to trust. The setting and atmosphere added to the eerie feeling that permeated the whole book, and the twists at the end were shocking—though not without a bit of predictability for those familiar with psychological thrillers.

While the pacing was strong for the most part, there were a few moments where the plot felt a little slow, but it didn’t take away from the overall experience. The conclusion was satisfying, tying up loose ends without feeling too forced.

If you're a fan of dark, twisty thrillers that dive deep into human psychology and complicated relationships, The Last Session is definitely worth a read!

This book started out so strong with Thea, a therapist, that recognizes one of the new patient as a former actress to one of her favorite movie. They look alike and have an instant connection. When she is discharged mysteriously, Thea is determined to figure if she okay.

She follows a trail and ends up in Nee Mexico at an alternative retreat. The story is atmospheric and I was intrigued. The host of the retreat, Sol and Moon, are charismatic and it also feels eerily there and very cult like.

Thea ends up exploring her traumas of the past and it is woven into what is happening at the retreat. The second half of the book truly lost me with dreams, Egyptian references and going into different portals. It just got too wacky for me.

Thank you @atriabooks for a copy of this.

I would honestly give this 3.5⭐️. I love a good weird and culty novel and this one definitely delivers. This book is a psychological thriller with a supernatural twist.

While this book was indeed, a wild and unpredictable ride, I found some of the parts to be super farfetched. I know this is fiction, and again with a cult you can never be sure what will happen, but I wasn’t exactly sure how to feel about it, or if it really added to the story

I really enjoyed the first half or so of the book. I did like the way the author tied everything together in the end. Overall, I would recommend this to fans of thrillers who don’t mind reading a story that may make you feel a little uncomfortable at times

Probably 2.5-3 stars.

This book started off really interesting and good and then goes a little off the rails. I don’t mind books moving from reality to “other” but this just didn’t feel executed well and I couldn’t buy into the story being told. Just started to feel weird and like a totally different book.

It’s a story I could see others really enjoying but the turn partway through the book just didn’t feel right and pulled me out too much. There were still good twists as you went but the story just wasn’t my cup of tea after a while. This is a book I think I’ll have to sit on for a while to really develop my final rating/feelings/thoughts.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for my review.

This was an interesting book and I loved the writing style. It flowed well and was hard to put down. My issue with this is how sexual it is. I just don’t read sexual thrillers like this and it was definitely off putting. I was not a fan.

I found this book just ok. I didn't connect very well to the characters and that may have thrown me off. I did think the writing and plot were decent just not enough to really pull me in. I did love The Writing Retreat by this author and am excited to read more from her in the future!

Thank you Atria Books for providing me this arc via NetGalley in return for an honest review

I enjoy the writing of this author after reading two novels from them. I like that it is a little weird and like a fever dream where you can never know what's true until (hopefully) the end. That being said, there were parts of this story that I was intrigued about and others that just fell flat. Some of the plot points, especially near the last third of the book were not as flushed out and felt random in comparison to what had happened at that point. This could also be a story that my brain didn't completely get the message or symbolism the author was giving, and that detracted from my enjoyment.
I do think there is a book by this author that will be something I enjoy throughout since I like the author's writing, so I will continue to pick up her releases. Thank you to Netgalley and Atria for the eARC in exchange for a review.

What a fantastic book! The first one I have read by this author but definitely can't wait to read more! The characters stay with you long after you finish the book. Highly recommend!