This was a fun, quick read set in the world of journalism with enemies to lovers AND concealed history driving the romance! I loved Harper and how passionate she was about her job as a journalist - she knew her worth and what she was good at which I love in FMC. But then she was rather immature and unprofessional when the new features editor, Ryan, is someone she has a past with. Except it's largely due to miscommunication and bitterness that she holds onto for far too long. Despite those aspects of the story, I did enjoy it! Ryan was a great MMC and I wish we had his POV at times because I would love to know how he worked through is own frustration with Harper. They had excellent banter filled chemistry, but I wanted a bit more development of their relationship. It would have complimented Harper's growth wonderfully.

I would still recommend this even though it has room for improvement!

The banter is great and the opposites attract is well done... I just wish it wasn't so predictable. Because this falls under a classic slow burn, happily ever after story, it just kind of fell flat

Celebrity journalist Harper Jenkins has a reputation for establishing strong connections with A list stars. Now if only she could make her curmudgeonly boss understand her worth, she’d be golden. Instead, she finds she’s often having to prove herself at pitch meetings, her ideas falling on deaf ears.

Things go from bad to worse when her boss hires her old nemesis, Ryan as the new Features Editor. As if his being the new clear favorite isn’t bad enough, the two are constantly at each other’s throats, the details of their deep seated feud known only to the two of them. While interning together years prior, their attraction blossomed into something more. But a falling out brought them back to square one, they’re not so simmering tension now just waiting to boil over.

Forced to spend more time together, Harper and Ryan have a harder and harder time fighting their unresolved feelings for one another. But can Harper trust her gut or is history doomed to repeat itself like last time?

The Last Word is the first book I’ve read by @katybirchallauthor and I’m honestly surprised why I haven’t seen more love for it (or her). Marketed for fans of The Hating Game, I found the comparison to be true. Also, this book had the unfortunate timing of coming out the same time as the thriller, The Last Word. To be clear, they are VERY different stories, but I digress.

While I loved the banter between Harper and Ryan, what really got me fuming was the unequal treatment of the two in the workplace, due to a chauvinistic boss. I only worked in an office setting for a short period of time, but sadly more often than than not, this is an ideology that still permeates office culture.

The Last Word is a smart romance that definitely will not be the last words I read by this author.

Birchall is quickly becoming an author that is becoming a must read for me. I love her stories, the realness of her characters and the settings. The friendship relationships in this work was what our it over the edge to four stars for me. I just adored Ryan and Harper. More please.

(Actual 3.5, rounded down) This book was cute and I'm always a good sucker for an enemies/rivals-to-lovers romance. That being said, I unfortunately was able to draw many comparisons back to *another* E2L story I read earlier this year, which kind-of took away some of my enjoyment from this one. Overall though, the story was solid and the characters were likable enough, so I'd def still recommend out to others & had a good time reading it!

Okay, I LOVED THIS BOOK. I've loved Katy's other books and this one didn't disappoint.

Harper Jenkins, a very talented journalist, finds out her boss hired her ex-lover Ryan and is very, very upset. Of course they get into fights, work starts to suffer and they have to figure out how to work together before they both lose their jobs.

This book was witty, fun, and had a lot of parts I physically cackled out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.

Besides being a cute, easy romcom, this book also included storylines focusing on the workplace and family, which I enjoyed. In fact, we don't properly meet the love interest until about 1/4th of the way in, so I would say if you're interested solely in romance, you may be less of a fan of this. I liked the magazine setting, and Harper's job as a a celebrity editor.

The banter between Harper and Ryan was fun, and there were several cute moments between them. This is both a rivals-to-lovers and second chance romance, and we have flashbacks to 11 years ago where we learn what happened between them the first time to make Harper hate Ryan so much. The conflict in both timelines could have just been resolved if they had communicated, which was a little f frustrating, especially if you hate the miscommunication trope, but overall I really enjoyed this and would recommend if you're looking for a nice and easy summer read.

Okay I loved this! Definite The Hating Game vibes. I really enjoyed the FMC she was a chaotic ball of energy. At times the rushing to anger so quickly annoyed me but it made perfect sense with her past. The writing style was so fun and made the book really hard to put down.

Thank you netgalley for the earc in exchange for an honest review.

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

This book was slow, and left a lot to be desired. If I'm going to read a romance book, I'd rather not read a closed door. But overall, it was sweet.

I love a good enemies-to-lovers troupe. This reminds me in a way like "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and if you enjoyed that movie, you'll most likely enjoy reading. Katy Birchall's new book "The Last Word". Plenty of competition, mix in some incorrect judgements, and you have the recipe for a great romantic comedy. Let's be honest, competition definitely gets sparks flying.

I enjoyed the characters and the shenanigan's most of all.

When her nemesis shows up (for the second time!) at her job, Harper Jenkins has had enough! She's doing well as a celebrity editor with numerous contacts, but when Cosmo, her horrendous boss, hires the one and only Ryan as the new features editor, working together (again) causes a whole new set of drama.

Many moons ago, the two were interns just starting out in the field. After a brief romance, and Ryan beat out Harper for the permanent spot at the publication, things were 100% over. How will they manage to work together again?

In this opposites attract romance, set in the busy newsroom, what will happen to the lovers turned enemies? Will they battle it out again or be enemies forever?

Thank you NetGalley and author for this ARC!

I enjoyed it a lot! Such a cute book. This book is a fun and flirty romantic comedy. I highly recommend this and will most definitely will be reading again.

This was a well written romance novel, that I would definitely recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

I enjoyed this! I really liked The Wedding Season so I was excited for this! While I didn't like this one as much I still enjoyed it! Overall, I liked both main characters, though got a little frustrated with Harper's immaturity at the beginning. I really liked how the story came full circle and look forward to Katy's next book!

Harper is a celebrity editor for a magazine. Her nemesis, Ryan, has just been given the job of Features editor, working right next to her. Their constant bickering is definitely noticed, but there’s a fine line between hate and love.

I loved The Hating Game, so when I read the summary of this one and saw it was compared to that, I knew I’d give it a try! I loved the competition between Harper and Ryan, their history in the past, and the development they both go through. Their banter, their stark differences in everything they do, and the friends around them all make for a really enjoyable, quick read!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book

I am not normally one to rave about a workplace romance, but I loved this book! After a slow start, this book pulled me in and didn't let go until I devoured it. The banter between Harper and Ryan had me absolutely giggling. This is a wonderful, wholesome read that will have you reaching for the next Katy Birchall book you can get your hands on. Did I mention Birchall is the queen of writing side characters? How does she consistently write such lovable secondary characters? I don't know, but I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

This was so well written. I was engrossed from the first page and it ticked all the boxes of my expectations. The character development was excellent. I would definitely recommend to others, a must read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Last Word by Katy Birchall.

Harper Jenkins knows better than anyone that work and love do not mix. Fresh out of university, Harper secured an internship to write at a local newspaper. Unbeknownst to her, she is not the only one. Enter Ryan, fellow intern and Harper’s direct competition for securing a job.

After being assigned the task of co-writing an article, Harper and Ryan discover their tumultuous work environment stemmed from their undeniable attraction and chemistry. The two begin dating, but their relationship is cut short when Harper is passed over and the job is awarded to Ryan.

Fast forward eleven years and Harper is now writing for a new newspaper. While her job has its ups and downs, she is happy covering entertainment and working alongside coworkers she considers friends. That is until, Ryan turns up again. Will history repeat itself, or will Harper and Ryan get a do over?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Last year I was introduced to Katy Birchall’s writing and quickly fell in love with it. It was a bit shocking to learn that until very recently, Birchall only wrote YA fiction. While The Last Word is only the third book Birchall has written (since segueing into adult fiction), you would think she has been doing it for decades.

I highly recommend picking up a copy, as it is the perfect summer book. Readers are guaranteed to enjoy this enemies-to-lovers, he falls first, second chance romance. It is a fast-paced, fun read that can be easily consumed during any vacation, beach day, or long weekend.


* I had the pleasure of both reading and listening to this book and thoroughly enjoyed both. Being from the US, getting to hear the narrator’s accent made the story come to life!

Special thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Griffin, Macmillian Audio, and Katy Birchall for allowing me to read and listen to this book in exchange for my honest feedback.