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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I LOVED THIS BOOK!
This thing with "The Last Word" is that - yes, it's a romcom (closed door romance) - but it is so much more.
This is a story about Harper - a journalist who profiles celebrities for a weekend magazine. She takes pride in the stories she gets to tell - that she gets to showcase individuals in a way that the public might not have been privy too. Harper in work mode = BRILLIANT.
But work is not always perfect - and when the features editor leaves for another job - the person who replaces happens to be Ryan - the same Ryan she had interned with years earlier at the start of her career. The same Ryan she had caught feelings for. And the same Ryan who betrayed her.
And so begins the basis of this book - Harper and Ryan - not only are they on the same team at work, but they sit next to one another. They are constantly being thrown together - and SPARKS fly.
I loved their banter. I love the personal growth. At times Harper felt a little immature - but she was able to acknowledge that.
This book made me smile, it was so good that I didn't want to put it down (stayed up late to finish it as quickly as possible). Harper and Ryan made me feel warm and fuzzy - I loved it ALL.
It is a PERFECT comfort read - entertaining, well written, well paced and delightful.
4.5 star read. recommended.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.
This thing with "The Last Word" is that - yes, it's a romcom (closed door romance) - but it is so much more.
This is a story about Harper - a journalist who profiles celebrities for a weekend magazine. She takes pride in the stories she gets to tell - that she gets to showcase individuals in a way that the public might not have been privy too. Harper in work mode = BRILLIANT.
But work is not always perfect - and when the features editor leaves for another job - the person who replaces happens to be Ryan - the same Ryan she had interned with years earlier at the start of her career. The same Ryan she had caught feelings for. And the same Ryan who betrayed her.
And so begins the basis of this book - Harper and Ryan - not only are they on the same team at work, but they sit next to one another. They are constantly being thrown together - and SPARKS fly.
I loved their banter. I love the personal growth. At times Harper felt a little immature - but she was able to acknowledge that.
This book made me smile, it was so good that I didn't want to put it down (stayed up late to finish it as quickly as possible). Harper and Ryan made me feel warm and fuzzy - I loved it ALL.
It is a PERFECT comfort read - entertaining, well written, well paced and delightful.
4.5 star read. recommended.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.
The Last Word
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Author: Katy Birchall
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Harper Jenkins is at the top of her game. A brilliant, determined journalist with a well-known knack for getting tight-lipped Hollywood stars to open up to her, Harper loves her job as Celebrity Editor at a newspaper’s glossy weekend magazine and has the best contacts in the business.
But when her awful boss hires talented reporter Ryan to be the new Features Editor, Harper is furious. Because the two have met before: a decade ago, they were interns at the same publication, where they fell into a whirlwind romance…until Ryan betrayed Harper, and they never spoke again.
Thrown together in a busy newsroom, their dynamic is a disaster from the start. They can’t agree on anything and bicker constantly—Ryan can’t bear how chaotic and messy Harper is; Harper finds Ryan’s condescending nature infuriating. They clash over who’s writing what article, and fight over who’s going to which event.
Yet as they’re forced to spend more and more time together, Harper realizes she may have misjudged Ryan and can’t help but feel a spark growing between them. Long buried feelings start to resurface and, when they’re thrown together on a romantic press trip abroad, their chemistry comes to a head.
But all is fair in love and magazines, and with the news that layoffs across the department are imminent, Harper is left to wonder: who will get the last word?
My Thoughts: This was a slow burn romance novel. The tropes are enemies to lovers (my favorite) and office romance.
The story is narrated by Harper and Ryan, in their respective POVs. I loved the author’s realistic and authentic approach to journalism. I really loved Harper’s ethics in journalism and can hope that more journalists carry her same work ethic. Harper was immature and a workaholic in the beginning, but she really evolves throughout the story. Ryan seems reserved and unapproachable to begin with, but when you get to know him, he is kind and compassionate. The characters were developed well with depth, had growth, witty banter, chemistry, and were creative. The author’s writing style was complex, humorous, swoony, and keeps you engaged.
The narrators in the audiobook did a great job with our MCs and other voice variations, they really gave life to the characters. I would recommend this book to other readers. I had both the digital ARC and audiobook and I preferred the audiobook.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Author: Katy Birchall
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Harper Jenkins is at the top of her game. A brilliant, determined journalist with a well-known knack for getting tight-lipped Hollywood stars to open up to her, Harper loves her job as Celebrity Editor at a newspaper’s glossy weekend magazine and has the best contacts in the business.
But when her awful boss hires talented reporter Ryan to be the new Features Editor, Harper is furious. Because the two have met before: a decade ago, they were interns at the same publication, where they fell into a whirlwind romance…until Ryan betrayed Harper, and they never spoke again.
Thrown together in a busy newsroom, their dynamic is a disaster from the start. They can’t agree on anything and bicker constantly—Ryan can’t bear how chaotic and messy Harper is; Harper finds Ryan’s condescending nature infuriating. They clash over who’s writing what article, and fight over who’s going to which event.
Yet as they’re forced to spend more and more time together, Harper realizes she may have misjudged Ryan and can’t help but feel a spark growing between them. Long buried feelings start to resurface and, when they’re thrown together on a romantic press trip abroad, their chemistry comes to a head.
But all is fair in love and magazines, and with the news that layoffs across the department are imminent, Harper is left to wonder: who will get the last word?
My Thoughts: This was a slow burn romance novel. The tropes are enemies to lovers (my favorite) and office romance.
The story is narrated by Harper and Ryan, in their respective POVs. I loved the author’s realistic and authentic approach to journalism. I really loved Harper’s ethics in journalism and can hope that more journalists carry her same work ethic. Harper was immature and a workaholic in the beginning, but she really evolves throughout the story. Ryan seems reserved and unapproachable to begin with, but when you get to know him, he is kind and compassionate. The characters were developed well with depth, had growth, witty banter, chemistry, and were creative. The author’s writing style was complex, humorous, swoony, and keeps you engaged.
The narrators in the audiobook did a great job with our MCs and other voice variations, they really gave life to the characters. I would recommend this book to other readers. I had both the digital ARC and audiobook and I preferred the audiobook.
This is my third Katy Birchall book and I've loved every single one! I'm a huge fab of enemies-to-lovers so I knew that I was going to love this one and I was right!
Now, that being said, it is a little bit of a slow burn. Without giving too much away about the story, there is some necessary set-up before we meet Harper's nemesis.
The main character, Harper Jenkins, is a brilliant, funny and caring celebrity editor at a newspaper's glossy weekend magazine. She's great at her job and always manages to get the best scoop. Her down-to-earth, easy-going personality, makes her a favorite with celebs and their agents. But when her boss hires Ryan to be the new features editor, Harper is furious. Harper and Ryan where both interns at another publication 10 years ago, until Ryan betrayed Harper and they haven't spoke since.
Now ten years later, Harper and Ryan are forced to thrown together in a busy newsroom. They constantly argue and bicker about everything. Harper believes Ryan is still a condescending jerk just like her boss Cosmo. But the more Harper and Ryan are forced to be around each other, the more Harper starts to wonder if she's misjudged Ryan. As the spark between them grows and old feelings resurface, will they get it right this time or are they destined to crash and burn again?
I adore both Ryan and Harper. Harper is such a genuine and relatable character. Her greatest strength is getting people to feel at ease around her and it's clear that she loves her job -- which she's also great at. I love that she is very confident in who she is and has a very honest approach. It was also nice to see such a positive representation of a reporter, specifically one that focuses on celebrity stories. She treats every celebrity with respect and it makes you root of her because she's just a good person.
I think Katy did a great job crafting Ryan as Harper's enemy/love interest. At first it appears that Ryan is this obnoxious jerk who is hell bent on making Harper's life difficult. But as the story continues you realize that there is more to the story. He's a sensitive, reserved and insecure. He's super sweet and you can't help but root for him to work things out with Harper. Also the whole birthing scene in the taxi is so good!!
Overall, this is a great story with relatable characters that. It's funny and heartfelt.
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / St. Martin’s Griffin for this digital arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
Now, that being said, it is a little bit of a slow burn. Without giving too much away about the story, there is some necessary set-up before we meet Harper's nemesis.
The main character, Harper Jenkins, is a brilliant, funny and caring celebrity editor at a newspaper's glossy weekend magazine. She's great at her job and always manages to get the best scoop. Her down-to-earth, easy-going personality, makes her a favorite with celebs and their agents. But when her boss hires Ryan to be the new features editor, Harper is furious. Harper and Ryan where both interns at another publication 10 years ago, until Ryan betrayed Harper and they haven't spoke since.
Now ten years later, Harper and Ryan are forced to thrown together in a busy newsroom. They constantly argue and bicker about everything. Harper believes Ryan is still a condescending jerk just like her boss Cosmo. But the more Harper and Ryan are forced to be around each other, the more Harper starts to wonder if she's misjudged Ryan. As the spark between them grows and old feelings resurface, will they get it right this time or are they destined to crash and burn again?
I adore both Ryan and Harper. Harper is such a genuine and relatable character. Her greatest strength is getting people to feel at ease around her and it's clear that she loves her job -- which she's also great at. I love that she is very confident in who she is and has a very honest approach. It was also nice to see such a positive representation of a reporter, specifically one that focuses on celebrity stories. She treats every celebrity with respect and it makes you root of her because she's just a good person.
I think Katy did a great job crafting Ryan as Harper's enemy/love interest. At first it appears that Ryan is this obnoxious jerk who is hell bent on making Harper's life difficult. But as the story continues you realize that there is more to the story. He's a sensitive, reserved and insecure. He's super sweet and you can't help but root for him to work things out with Harper. Also the whole birthing scene in the taxi is so good!!
Overall, this is a great story with relatable characters that. It's funny and heartfelt.
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / St. Martin’s Griffin for this digital arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book surprised me in the best way! It’s been awhile since I read an enemies-to-lovers romance where the trope pitted the two MCs against each other for believable reasons. Harper and Ryan are the perfect foil to one another: they are both super stubborn, completely opposite in everything, except for the appreciation they have for journalism. Add to that a workplace romance, and this book delivered all the quippy banter and office tension I could want.
Harper is a bit of a mess in every way EXCEPT for her ability to connect with celebrities on a personal level. Ryan is the half-Swedish, shy, super organized gorgeous demigod who is replacing Harper’s office mate at the magazine where she works. The thing is, they’ve met ten years before, and it didn’t end well, setting off a competitive streak in each to be the best at their jobs. I love, love, loved the dialogue between Harper and Dan and even though it’s easy to see from the start how their arguments can fuel passion, it was so much fun listening to them. The dual timeline worked well to help capture the build up in tension between these two, from interns competing for a job to coworkers that have to get along. Harper is a complex character and it was so nice to see that she wasn’t just some ditzy celeb journo, but a girl who is really good at what she does despite her non traditional methods. And sweet, patient Ryan—I love it when a hero falls first and he balances Harper so well. Birchall’s side characters are written just as well as her MCs and Mimi and Isabella are a delight as much as Cosmo is an idiot and Harper’s parents are intense. I’ve yet to meet a book by Katie Birchall I did t like, and this one was no exception. I hope the Last Word makes it to everyone’s TBR.
Content warnings: parental gaslighting, cheating partner, lying, character giving birth on page, workplace belittling.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Harper is a bit of a mess in every way EXCEPT for her ability to connect with celebrities on a personal level. Ryan is the half-Swedish, shy, super organized gorgeous demigod who is replacing Harper’s office mate at the magazine where she works. The thing is, they’ve met ten years before, and it didn’t end well, setting off a competitive streak in each to be the best at their jobs. I love, love, loved the dialogue between Harper and Dan and even though it’s easy to see from the start how their arguments can fuel passion, it was so much fun listening to them. The dual timeline worked well to help capture the build up in tension between these two, from interns competing for a job to coworkers that have to get along. Harper is a complex character and it was so nice to see that she wasn’t just some ditzy celeb journo, but a girl who is really good at what she does despite her non traditional methods. And sweet, patient Ryan—I love it when a hero falls first and he balances Harper so well. Birchall’s side characters are written just as well as her MCs and Mimi and Isabella are a delight as much as Cosmo is an idiot and Harper’s parents are intense. I’ve yet to meet a book by Katie Birchall I did t like, and this one was no exception. I hope the Last Word makes it to everyone’s TBR.
Content warnings: parental gaslighting, cheating partner, lying, character giving birth on page, workplace belittling.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A classic HEA story involving an enemies to lovers in the workplace trope. Super cute and easy read- just gets a tad annoying when the main character keeps flip flopping from understanding to being insulted over and over. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
The Last Word is about two journalists, Harper and Ryan, who have a shared history and start as enemies and turn to lovers. Harper loves her job, but when Ryan is hired as the new Features Editor on her team she is furious. Harper and Ryan have a history that dates back to the time when they were both interns at the same publication together. They did not part in good terms and Harper isn’t ready to forgive Ryan, but when they are forced into a working relationship, how long can she resist?
I am a huge fan of enemies to lovers and of workplace romances, this book combines the two in a great way! This book is full of great characters that are fun to get to know, the perfect amount of workplace drama and a great romance that has me rooting for the couple from the very beginning. I really enjoyed this book and thought it was really well done. This is perfect for romance fans who are looking for a witty romance between two work rivals who are undeniably attracted to each other!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an audiobook version of this book! The narration was great as well!
I am a huge fan of enemies to lovers and of workplace romances, this book combines the two in a great way! This book is full of great characters that are fun to get to know, the perfect amount of workplace drama and a great romance that has me rooting for the couple from the very beginning. I really enjoyed this book and thought it was really well done. This is perfect for romance fans who are looking for a witty romance between two work rivals who are undeniably attracted to each other!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an audiobook version of this book! The narration was great as well!
S’cute i love u Katy Birchall n ur British romcoms
This was such a cute, fun read. It was a quick fun enemies to lovers with an overwhelmingly positive message of doing what makes you.
Harper is a workaholic who puts everything into her work (her heart included) and when her work nemesis joins her magazine, it’s all on the line.
I really liked Ryan, shy and self conscious but open and always ready to argue with Harper. Harper was so incredibly frustrating at times, but she was so real.
We have a really solid cast of characters that work together really well, and I think the pacing is just right. The flashbacks aren’t overdone which I appreciate. I’m just bored of the third act break-up, it’s so frustrating every single time.
Overall, a very solid romance and I highly recommend! Thank you to Macmillan and Katy Birchall for the review copy! All thoughts are my own.
Harper is a workaholic who puts everything into her work (her heart included) and when her work nemesis joins her magazine, it’s all on the line.
I really liked Ryan, shy and self conscious but open and always ready to argue with Harper. Harper was so incredibly frustrating at times, but she was so real.
We have a really solid cast of characters that work together really well, and I think the pacing is just right. The flashbacks aren’t overdone which I appreciate. I’m just bored of the third act break-up, it’s so frustrating every single time.
Overall, a very solid romance and I highly recommend! Thank you to Macmillan and Katy Birchall for the review copy! All thoughts are my own.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated