A review by selendrea
The Last Word by Taylor Adams

dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I picked this book up from the library because No Exit was currently unavailable, and I'm glad I did. The Last Word made me laugh, cringe in anticipation, shout "no!", and even cry. It's largest success is, in my opinion, detailing a relatable main character worth rooting for. If you've ever experienced loss, grief, trauma, and/or a difficulty with Hangman, you'll see a bit of yourself in Emma. I genuinely wanted her to succeed, both in her very dangerous circumstances, and also in her mental struggles.

Taylor Adams has an incredible ability to describe tense scenes that make you genuinely feel invested in the action. Additionally, the plot is a classic cat-and-mouse thriller but with multiple twists that kept me guessing. I thought I knew what would happen in each chapter, but I was proven wrong consistently. I loved how the perspective switched away from Emma's to add uniqueness to the book's structure and even a dash of humor. Without spoiling anything, I'll just say - pay attention to the non-Emma passages. It beckons a 2nd read.

To enjoy this book, however, you MUST suspend your disbelief. Turn off your intense need to find perfect logic in a book for a few hours. This will make the over-the-top action sequences, plot armor, and somewhat frustrating decisions a lot easier to stomach. I believe it's worth it, because at the core, this book is a truly heartfelt and thrilling gem.
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