Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press Group for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 4.5/5 stars

The Last Word is a fun workplace, enemies to lovers romance full of banter and drama. The story follows Harper, a talented journalist with a gift of putting everyone (including skittish celebrities) at ease. She is the celebrity editor at her newspaper and loves her job..until her former nemesis, Ryan, is hired. The two banter and clash as everyone around them wonders how they know each other and what exactly happened between them.

The chemistry. I absolutely loved Harper and Ryan’s banter and fights. The two are very swoonworthy together, but also are hilarious. I loved the flashbacks to how they fell out and it really added to their story. Both are very well-rounded characters that you automatically root for. Fans of Falon Ballard and Sally Thorne will love this romcom!

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

“The Last Word” by Katy Birchall is a workplace enemies-to-lovers romance book. I felt a lot of The Hating Game vibes reading this book, but this one I read in a day because it was so enjoyable. This was a really fun book and I liked them separately and together. Harper’s chaotic energy would sometimes take over the page, but to also read how she was sensitive toward those she was interviewing was sweet to read. Ryan’s ethics yet vulnerability I found sweet too. Yes, Ryan could’ve handled a few situations differently, but one I’ll excuse to being young (and awkward) and the other I’ll chalk up to being in a generally difficult situation. This was the book I needed after reading some rather heavy books recently - light, good ending, some drama, but it was a lot of fun getting to know the characters and situations.

The Last Word, the latest novel by acclaimed author Katy Birchall, is a quick and light read with an enjoyable plot and likable characters. However, if you are an avid reader of rom-coms, women's fiction and fiction in general, you may find yourself thinking "been there done that". As much as I liked the book, the story was a bit too familiar for me to totally sink my teeth into. The story of girl meets boy, girl and boy drift apart, girl re-meets boy and cannot stand him, and then girl and boy rekindle their relationship is a good one, but in the setting that The Last Word falls into, it was a bit too recognizable for my taste.

Incredibly sweet MMC and bomb FMC. It lacked some of the humor that I’ve come to expect from Katy Birchall, but still left me with a smile. I also hate the miscommunication trope, but it feels like it’s in every rom com these days so it is what it is. Overall enjoyed the book and recommend it 😊

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced copy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Katy Birchall books and this one did not disappoint! It's a trusty enemies to lovers trope and I really liked the main characters. This is a great vacation read and I finished it in one sitting on a long flight. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Loved loved loved this one. Thank you to netgalley for the chance to review an ARC!

The story centers on two reporters and I loved how much focus there was on their professional lives. And how they were both good at their jobs. That was honestly my favorite part of the book. The conflict also felt natural and not contrived - there were real hurdles they needed to surmount to be together (spoiler alert that's not much of a spoiler!) I read a similar book last year set in LA that was just not as well done. This was a quick fun read, and I highly recommend it! Good for fans of The Hating Game or Christina Lauren.

I loved The Wedding Season and The Secret Bridesmaid!
Birchall's newest book was no different.

The Last Word is contemporary story following Harper who is a determined journalist as a Celebrity Editor. She is well-known and can get thoes Hollywood stars talking about anything.

When her dreadful boss hires polished reporter Ryan to be the new Features Editor, Harper is infuriated.
Because Harper and Ryan have known each other before, being interns working at the same publication, where they sparked their romance… well that was until Ryan fooled Harper, and they haven't spoke to or seen each other again.

Together back at work everything starts off catastrophe.
Not being able to agree, bickering, fighting, everything is a mess.
Forced to work it out and spending more time together they both start to think maybe have started off on the wrong foot and they can't help but to feel that tug and spark again.
Feelings start to grow and their chemistry is swooning.

But the buzz about layoffs coming from the department are approaching, Harper can't help but wonder: who will get the last word?

The Last Word by Katy Birchall was an outstanding enemies-to-lovers romance story!
Honestly I wasn't expecting anything less.
Becase she can write!
I am deeply in awe of Katy Birchall's spectacular talent for creating characters that make readers feel something.
In this exceptionally funny and charming romance… Birchall's writing is crisp and fun, the characters are fully engaging, and the story is delightful.
I had the absolute best time seeing how this amazing story played out.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

LOVED IT!

A great second chance/enemies to lovers read - thankfully, as second chance is definitely a trope that is hit or miss for me. Harper and Ryan's chemistry was off the charts and I loved the competing/colleague journalist aspect of the story.

Wow! I totally and completely loved this book so much! It was the perfect blend of women's fiction and romance and I never wanted it to end! I seriously enjoyed every single second of this book.

Harper was such a fantastic main character and I really enjoyed her development throughout the book. She knew who she was and what she wanted and she owned it. Harper was so easy to root for and such a pleasure to read about! Ryan was delightfully nerdy and wonderful and I adored the way he loved Harper. Their banter was excellent- so much fun to read! This slow burn second chance romance was perfection!

I really enjoyed reading this romance. It did a great job playing up the enemies to lovers tropw. I did find the first half alittle slow but it picked up. The characters were really good, Harper was very likeable.

A fun read to cap off 2022! I love an enemies to lovers romance and this one did not disappoint. Harper is a bit of a workaholic who writes for the celebrity section of a magazine. Her days and nights are consumed with movie premieres and celebrity interviews. She would never fall in love again after the one and only time she did and it blew up in her face. She puts all her effort into advancing her career. Until the one guy she did fall for ends up as an editor at her magazine!

Is Harper really over him? Can she guard her heart this time around? Loved the strong female work oriented character of Harper! And the slow burn romance felt realistic.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

Pretty darn good. While this started off as a little iffy for me, it quickly turned around. Once that happened I was all in. I loved the chemistry and witty banter between Harper and Ryan and liked the storyline even though it was a tad predictable. 3.5 stars.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin via NetGalley for the arc.

I loved this! Katy's other books were wedding focused, so this wasn't but it was more romance than women's fiction! This is a great workplace enemies to lovers and I loved this book! I will definitely be giving this another read after it gets pubbed. I loved both characters. Harper is a celebrity journalist but only shares what they want to be shared. I liked when they worked together and started getting over their differences. Really good stuff.

I loved this so so much! The Wedding Season and The Secret Bridesmaid were good, but this definitely topped those for me! I loved that this was a workplace second chance romance. I know it's kind of billed as enemies to lovers, but I don't think that really fits. Regardless, I was obsessed with this book from the start. Harper's character was so inspiring. It was so easy to love her. And Ryan. Oh, Ryan. Their clashing personalities were honestly adorable and we love a man who falls first and falls HARD. This was just such a delight. The main characters, the supporting characters, the celebrities and their stories!! Love it. Katy Birchall keeps getting better and I can't wait to see what she puts out next!

I was beyond excited when I got an arc of this one! I love Katy Birchall’s last two books & this one was no exception. Harper believes in putting work before love, because she’s learned the hard way that’s what you have to do. But now, the man who made her believe that is working right next to her & you know how they say the line between love & hate is so close - well, old feelings of both are popping back up again for her. This one was so fun - if you enjoy work place romance (the work place is a magazine place - so fun), frenemies to lovers with flashback scenes & character growth that I feel Katy Birchall is so skilled at writing, then pick this one up!!

I enjoyed this enemies to lovers story. Full of character development, witty banter and a fun plot. The chemistry between Ryan and Harper was well done without being too over the top and spicy (but there's a little spice). Harper is always looking on the bright side and made the best of her family situation while putting down boundaries-a great character development lesson. I would recommend this if you're looking for a fun rom com book.

A super cute midweek read with a heated rivalry, flirty quips and a bustling British backdrop!
Harper was such a fun MC, and reading from her point of view was refreshing. Her voice was distinct and witty, and her chaotic lifestyle made for an easy- to-read page turner.

After absolutely loving The Secret Bridesmaid and The Wedding Season, I was beyond thrilled to receive an early arc of Birchall’s upcoming release. Well, after I got over my initial disappointment that this wasn’t a wedding-centric book. But it was so funny and adorable! A complete feel-good book with wit and humor that I’ve come to expect from Birchall. Much more of a romance than her first two books, which lean more towards Women’s Fiction. This had all the good tropes: workplace enemies to lovers, he fell first, second chance romance, and opposites attract. Really enjoyable. It pains me to say this but I am SUCH a Harper. All the way down to her 20 alarms that are like 3 minutes apart, the chaotic tote bag, pettiness, and overall messiness. So to me, she was an incredibly relatable character. I loved her heart of gold and her work ethic. And Ryan was a total babe, loved him and his appreciation for Harper. Yeah, I would’ve liked if he handled some situations differently but he’s a man with strong ethics and I respect that. I also liked the found family aspect and the side characters. While I prefer Birchall’s other books, this was an absolute delight to read and had me smiling the entire time. Definitely recommend to my fellow contemporary romance fans.

I would like to start off thanking St. Martin's Publishing Group and NetGalley for gifting me an E-ARC. I am giving this review voluntarily.

I got absolutely lost in this book. It was such a fun read and who doesn’t love a good enemies to lovers contemporary romance? I loved getting to know the characters, especially Ryan, who is not all Harper makes him out to be.

This book features Harper who is the celebrity editor of Narrative. All seems to be going well until her best friend finds another job at another magazine. Harper knowing her friend wouldn’t choose someone incompetent, continues on with her work without a worry who will be working next to her from now on.

Harper isn’t the average journalist. She actually respects her interviewees and makes sure that she’s only sharing what the celebrities wants to share. Being a writer of celebrities isn’t something everyone understands. Let alone her parents and sister understands.

With all the sudden change going on and a sudden re entrance of someone who she hates in Harpers life, will she collapse under it all or will she find a way to make it out at the top? Only time will tell.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed this story. I would highly recommend it for those who loves a good office romance. I also really enjoyed Katy Brichall’s writing, I’ll definitely read another book from her.

This book was all I wanted and more. Love it all the way. I am a total fan of Katy Birchall. Must read. They had chemistry and you rooted for them.