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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
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.
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.
3.75 stars
If you enjoy rivals-to-lovers with a dose of “he’s been crazy about her all along,” The Last Word is going to be a new favorite.
Typically, I like dual POV in romance because I like to have the insight into both characters. However, in this book, author Katy Birchall absolutely make the right decision and writes the entire story in Harper’s POV. As a reader, you really understand the way that Harper thinks, which can be as charming of an experience as it is infuriating. There were a couple of times during my reading when I didn’t quite see how Harper had gotten to the place that she was, but as a whole, I think the story was entertaining.
Overall, this is pretty minimal on angst, and more comedic in tone. And it definitely feels evocative of books like The Hating Game.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.
If you enjoy rivals-to-lovers with a dose of “he’s been crazy about her all along,” The Last Word is going to be a new favorite.
Typically, I like dual POV in romance because I like to have the insight into both characters. However, in this book, author Katy Birchall absolutely make the right decision and writes the entire story in Harper’s POV. As a reader, you really understand the way that Harper thinks, which can be as charming of an experience as it is infuriating. There were a couple of times during my reading when I didn’t quite see how Harper had gotten to the place that she was, but as a whole, I think the story was entertaining.
Overall, this is pretty minimal on angst, and more comedic in tone. And it definitely feels evocative of books like The Hating Game.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.
Katy Birchall is such an underrated author that more people need to read from! I have read and enjoyed most of her books, and this one is my favorite. I love the humor, romance, friendships, and life lessons that are in her books. The relationship between Harper and Ryan was so good, but the overall life lesson of picking up the pieces after life‘s failures, sealed the deal for me. Honestly this book would have been five stars if not, for the immature conflict at the end but I still thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend! If you are a fan ofKatherine Center, you need to check this author out.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found it pretty boring tbh:/
reminded me a lot of the hating game
reminded me a lot of the hating game
My favorite romances are when the chemistry between the characters is so apparent, it jumps through the pages immediately. It’s easier said than done - and most require a slow burn. But every once in a while you at h it from the first interaction, and then you know you are in for an excellent read.
And that was exactly the case here. From the first interaction between Harper and Ryan, I was ALL in.
I also adored the character of Harper. She was instantly relatable. She’s a celebrity journalist, quite successful in her field, and known for her ability to get even the most cynical and tight mouthed celebrities to open up. While she’s prof what she’s built, she has a rough relationship with her family and her romantic life has been meh. And then she sees Ryan in a conference room, and things take a turn.
We learn through flashbacks that Ryan and Harper have a backstory, and I loved this way of learning about them. Their conflicts and journey felt realistic but also I found myself smirking and laughing a lot.
This gave me strong Hating Game vibes - and I mean that as the highest compliment! I’ve enjoyed everything that I’ve read by @katybirchallauthor and this is no exception- I had a solo vacay day yesterday and spent it devouring this book with absolutely no regrets. The best way to spend a day!
Big thanks to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for gifting me this advanced readers copy! It is out May 2!
Will post on goodreads, my bookstagram @scottonreads and retail sites
And that was exactly the case here. From the first interaction between Harper and Ryan, I was ALL in.
I also adored the character of Harper. She was instantly relatable. She’s a celebrity journalist, quite successful in her field, and known for her ability to get even the most cynical and tight mouthed celebrities to open up. While she’s prof what she’s built, she has a rough relationship with her family and her romantic life has been meh. And then she sees Ryan in a conference room, and things take a turn.
We learn through flashbacks that Ryan and Harper have a backstory, and I loved this way of learning about them. Their conflicts and journey felt realistic but also I found myself smirking and laughing a lot.
This gave me strong Hating Game vibes - and I mean that as the highest compliment! I’ve enjoyed everything that I’ve read by @katybirchallauthor and this is no exception- I had a solo vacay day yesterday and spent it devouring this book with absolutely no regrets. The best way to spend a day!
Big thanks to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for gifting me this advanced readers copy! It is out May 2!
Will post on goodreads, my bookstagram @scottonreads and retail sites
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
The Last Word is a story of two kids falling for eachother, falling apart, and finding their way back as adults.
I really enjoyed my time with Harper and Ryan. I loved how committed Harper was to her job, the difficulties with her family, and her reluctance to trust. I was surprised by how long it took to get to the "romance" of this book -- Ryan didn't show up until about 20% in -- but it allowed time to really understand Harper first.
I loved the way the author wove in scenes from the past and how those interactions mirrored the present day, especially when it came to Ryan. His anxiety yet quiet confidence was intriguing and mesmerizing.
Overall, a fun read but not as much of a straight romance as I was anticipating. The book focusses so much on Harper and her work which was surprising, but ultimately made for a great story.
The Last Word is a story of two kids falling for eachother, falling apart, and finding their way back as adults.
I really enjoyed my time with Harper and Ryan. I loved how committed Harper was to her job, the difficulties with her family, and her reluctance to trust. I was surprised by how long it took to get to the "romance" of this book -- Ryan didn't show up until about 20% in -- but it allowed time to really understand Harper first.
I loved the way the author wove in scenes from the past and how those interactions mirrored the present day, especially when it came to Ryan. His anxiety yet quiet confidence was intriguing and mesmerizing.
Overall, a fun read but not as much of a straight romance as I was anticipating. The book focusses so much on Harper and her work which was surprising, but ultimately made for a great story.
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 narrated by Karen Cass. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital copies in exchange for my honest review!
Harper Jenkins is at the top of her game. She has connections and an uncanny ability to connect with people, making her an excellent celebrity journalist. She’s frequently frustrated by her decidedly less-than-stellar boss but is otherwise content at her job, sitting nestled between two friends in the office. She’s content, that is, until one of her friends takes a position at another publication. And Ryan, a fellow journalist and former love interest, takes that friend’s place. As the Features Editor. At the desk right next to Harper’s.
This one gave me The Hating Games vibes from the looks Ryan gives Harper (that she misinterprets) to the way they react to each other’s desks to the one-upmanship style of their bickering—both wanting to have the last word. It has the workplace, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract scenario like The Hating Game but with a second chance romance twist added in.
I adored their chemistry (emotional and otherwise), the sweetness of their whirlwind romance backstory (until things fell apart for them, of course), and Harper’s drive and relatability. I adored Ryan (full stop).
I received an advance copy from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.
This one gave me The Hating Games vibes from the looks Ryan gives Harper (that she misinterprets) to the way they react to each other’s desks to the one-upmanship style of their bickering—both wanting to have the last word. It has the workplace, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract scenario like The Hating Game but with a second chance romance twist added in.
I adored their chemistry (emotional and otherwise), the sweetness of their whirlwind romance backstory (until things fell apart for them, of course), and Harper’s drive and relatability. I adored Ryan (full stop).
I received an advance copy from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.