a sweet British love story set against the world of magazine journalism. Ryan and Harper have a charming second change courtship with nods to he-falls-first and enemies-to-lover. The book was witty and I enjoyed reading about Harper’s work life, but I found the series of events and tension between them less believable. Thank you for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is out in May!

This is a great little office/workplace romance book that will delight you: if you love arguments between couples (ala Pride and Prejudice) you will be in love with this book as they battle for love.

Easy to read and a perfect book to take to the beach, pool, backyard, porch or balcony and enjoy with good weather while reading away the hours. .

#shortbutsweetreviews

rating: 4.5 stars
genre: romance
steam: open door, fades-to-black

This book isn't kidding when it says that it's BEACH READ meets THE HATING GAME. But instead of authors, they're journalists. And instead of competing for the same job, they're just competing for a little respect. However, saying this, if The Hating Game wasn't for you, THE LAST WORD still might be! Because while the plot was similar, the characters and the storyline definitely was not!

And, spoiler alert, I loved it!

Things I liked:
✨ Their banter when they're flirting/friends and not bickering. When the characters bicker, Harper definitely came off a little unreasonable...but when they were play fighting, it was absolutely adorable.
✨ Secret smiles
✨ Harper interviewing celebrities was an absolute delight! I loved watching how she was able to put even the most famous people at ease and write really rewarding and original pieces based on those conversations.
✨ I both loved and hated the third act breakup of this one! Which is saying a lot for me.

Things I Didn't Like:
✨ The miscommunication trope being buddy-buddy with just Ryan
✨ The lack of Dual POV - all romance should be Dual POV

This one was so, so cute! I read it in about a day - I just couldn't leave Ryan & Harper.

This was a sweet and meaningful story that did not focus solely on the romance. Harper has a lot to reflect on during this story: she’s navigating a job where she knows she’s doing a good job but has a boss who doesn’t appreciate her; her family ostracizes her for not going down their narrow path for her; and her ex Ryan is the new guy at the office. I kinda liked Ryan more than Harper (which is unusual for me), but I really loved his commitment to re-winning Hapers affection. My heart really went out to Harper, but I really wanted her to handle some of her issues in a more healthy way because I hated seeing her hurt so much. I loved her redemption at the end—telling off her family made me cheer for her out loud— and I loved her and Ryan’s finale here. I liked the focus on Haper’s development, not just the romance here. And I appreciated the truly ethical and compassionate way Harper does her job as a journalist.
Thank you for the ARC!!!

My favorite part of Katy Birchall's third rom-com is the way she refreshingly portrays her protagonist, Harper, as a skillful celebrity journalist who is effective at getting her subjects to open up because she is empathetic and truly wants her articles to be positive and flattering. Unfortunately, she often displays immaturity in how she responds to stress and challenges to her personal relationships.

Harper can't help snapping back at her dismissive, disrespectful boss and her unsupportive parents, becoming impatient with her current boyfriend, Ryan, and constantly complaining to her friends. To be fair, her parents and boss are insufferable, and Ryan hasn't learned from his mistake when he and Harper were interns together--he makes the same one now that he was recently hired as features editor by Harper's boss. Neither Harper nor Ryan communicates well in fraught situations, and there is no humor to counteract the angst.

We know they were meant to be together, although I couldn't quite bring myself to care. I highly recommend Birchall's previous books, The Secret Bridesmaid and The Wedding Season, but I didn't feel this one was up to those books' high standards.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

“I guess it’s proof of what we talked about—when it comes down to it, you really can’t plan everything.”
.
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“You’re Harper Jenkins. You’ll think of a way to get what you want,” she smiles. “You always do.”
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I couldn’t set it down! A humorous and romantic story about two journalists who always must have the last word. Their banter and chemistry is intoxicating. I really enjoyed Katy’s writing style and the story had the perfect amount of conflict, despite a bit of a slow start in the early chapters. There were a few confusing parts for me as an American (rounders is apparently similar to baseball, I’ve learned!) but easy enough to figure out and follow the story. Harper and Ryan are entangled in an enemies to lovers trope with a second chance at love. The main characters are well developed and their personalities and quirks are detailed so it feels as though you really know them. I have to admit I loved this book so much that I’ve already pre-ordered the paperback copy!

This left me with a book hangover,
Folks. I absolutely loved Harper’s character and I’m not afraid to admit that I related to her! She’s perky, disorganized, but so good at her job. And the way she sets her alarms…. Let me tell you, I set my alarms like that and my husband hates it. I read pieces to my husband and it was like he was Ryan and I was Harper. Their characters were so RELATABLE!

Harper is a celebrity editor for a magazine in London that Ryan comes to work for as a featured editor. In American terms, they are journalists but are also responsible for the editorial responsibilities. Harper and Ryan have a history from a decade prior as interns that did not end well, so when Ryan starts working next to Harper every day, it’s a blast to read about.

Ryan is organized, quiet and sweet. He’s a little bit of a Type A personality and maybe a little OCD, but it’s obvious he cares about Harper. Watching their relationship grow within these pages was like watching a really good rom-com on Netflix.

I’m so happy with how the book ended but I am also so sad that the book ended. Ergo, book hangover. This is an absolute must read if you love rom-coms, journalists, and are maybe a little messy and always running late yourself!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the approval.

I appreciated how much of this story focused on Harper’s career and her friendships rather than solely on the romantic trajectory. However, I did find it hard to connect with the chemistry between Harper and Ryan. So much of what I saw was the “enemy” aspect and it wasn’t clear to me for much of the story what it was they liked/loved about each other.

I always love a flashback to build out relationships and backstories, this was a good device to employ for this story. I did feel like the technical use of the flashback was a bit inconsistent here.

I got this as an ARC from netgalley, all in exchange for an honest review of my thoughts. Honestly, I’m kind of disappointed. I feel like the book began at such a weird point, no explanation given whatsoever on who the characters were. And in regards to one of the main characters, Harper, she irritated me a bit. I liked the second chance romance aspect, the flashbacks, and the plot of the story has potential. I just wish it was a little better because I think it fell flat.

3.5/5 ☆

If you're going into this expecting a full on romance, I would steer clear. While Harper does reunite with her crush after 10 years, I was more interested in Harper's career than her love life. A British journalist who covers celebrities and is well respected in the industry? I was immediately drawn to her personality and can see why those who Harper interview chose her over other journalists. This also touches on Harper's problems with her parents and sister and working through that while trying to pursue her career.

Much of the back and forth between Harper and Ryan was just immature bickering and fighting to get the last word in. Once they do get together, they were adorable. Ryan is very sweet to Harper and adores her. Soft MMCs are rare to come by!

I enjoy Katy Birchall's writing. Some parts were slow, but overall, a solid read! I'd categorize this more women's fiction than romance.

His blue eyes bore into mine, and he adds quietly, “I remember everything.”

-second chance romance, enemies to lovers workplace romance
-“out of control” chemistry and the back and forth between them was sooo good 😮‍💨
-generally don’t prefer flashback scenes but these were done really well
-the way Ryan knew Harper soooo well, crinkle and all, made me swoon 💞
-thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC 🙌🏻

4.2⭐️

Definitely worth the read if you're in the market for a slowburn workplace enemies to lovers with a smooth writing style and fairly well developed characters.

Personally though I found the FMC a teensy bit insufferable and the MMC blander than saltines crackers. I didn't feel any chemistry between them, but I'm unsure if that's because I also just didn't like the characters individually very much.

Despite the fact that I didn't like the MCs this was still a decent read and would recommend it if I knew someone was itching to read a book like this.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read an eARC in exchange for an unbiased honest review!

The Last Word by Katy Birchall is sweet and funny, half second chance romance, half enemies-to-lovers.

Harper and Ryan first met ten years ago, when they were both interns up for the same job at The Daily Bulletin. Sparks flew, but their romance was short lived when Ryan betrayed Harper and they went their separate ways.

A decade later, they’re thrown back in each other’s orbits when Ryan is hired as the features editor at the Narrative, where Harper is the celebrity editor.

The story proceeds as you’d expect, but the writing is sharp and Harper’s excellence in reporting adds a layer that isn’t always present in romances like this. I was occasionally frustrated with Harper and Ryan for not just talking to each other, but there’s a maturity here that elevates the tropes.

Four stars. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC.

I loved this book. I mean, really loved it. It's got everything: enemies-to-lovers; he falls first; workplace romance; London; journalism … it was so fun and helped me out of a slight book slump.

Harper and Ryan were interns years ago at a newspaper. One was picked to continue employment there, one wasn't. A decade later they find themselves in a very similar work situation.

I loved the competitive journalists storyline. Journalism is dying and newsrooms are near extinct now, so this was such a fun glimpse into newspapers/magazines. sad face.

Harper and Ryan's chemistry was ssssiiizzzllliiinggg, and their back and forth banter was fiiirrrreeee. It was sweet to see him try so hard to win her over and control his emotions - emotions of STEAMING LOVE.

I look forward to reading anything and everything Katy Birchall has written in the past and future.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an e-copy of THE LAST WORD to review.

I rate THE LAST WORD five out of five stars.

2.5 stars. Harper, the main character was very, very annoying. At first her defensiveness was mildly amusing but, by the time I was about a third into this story, my main feeling was exasperation. Ryan was slightly less annoying but I became more and more exasperated with his behavior as well. I liked the premise of the overall story line and there were a couple of funny, satisfying, or sweet moments that reminded me why I love Katy Birchall's writing so much but... but... but...

So, my advice to you dear reader, is to read Birchall's prior two books: "The Secret Bridesmaid" and "The Wedding Season". I loved them both so much that I've already read them several times as well as getting the audiobook versions too! Their laugh out loud funny, heartwarming, sweet, and very satisfying.

Loved the premise and characters. Really enjoyed Ryan and Harpers banter. Not usually a fan of flashback chapters but these were quick and enjoyable.

I enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope. Add in second chance and I am sold. I loved the banter in this one - and the humour as well. The story is an example of opposites attract - and how we adjust to the ones we love. This was the perfect weekend red and it left me smiling.

I adore this book. Enemies to lovers at its finest! The characters were well written and developed. This was one of those special books that you never want to put down because it’s so addicting. Katy Birchall is a fantastic writer and this book is no exception!

I think the book had so much potential. The bickering and angst between ryan and harper really had me invested, I also liked the past viewpoints too but then it fell flat. I feel like the reason for their long separation was not good and it happened way too soon and by the time they resolved things, I just didn't find myself caring anymore. I also found the bickering to be really annoying after a while. I feel like people who do like slowburns and enemies to lovers would like this, I think the writing style just wasnt for me really. Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / St. Martin’s Griffin for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I really enjoyed this book! The numerous tropes of enemies to lovers, he fell first, and slow burn second chance romance came together so beautifully that I could not stop reading this. Harper was such a relatable character that it made it easy to relate and to put yourself into the plot, making it that much more addictive. The character development throughout the book for both Harper and Ryan was almost as incredible as the banter. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance books!