I really enjoy Julia Bartz but this book was just not for me. I could not get into the story line or the characters. I am sure for the right reader this would be a great read. I am thankful for the early copy.

I was interested in the first 20% of the book, but the rest of the book was not for me. The more I read the more I was rushing for it to be over due to the over the top cult life and spirituality aspect of the book. The description says it's a locked room thriller and I think that is a misrepresentation.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Whew! Crazy cult action, poor decision-making by our main character, Thea, and a subplot about a movie Thea was obsessed with as a teen (which has not aged well—hello completely age-inappropriateness between the two stars) make for a really wild ride. I have to admit I preferred Julia Bartz’s first novel, The Writing Retreat, to this one, but she certainly has a way with plot and I’ll happily read her next one! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4’

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for my review copy!

Thea is a social worker who hasn’t found her happily ever after. She is a social worker working on a psych ward. A celebrity shows up on the ward. And then Thea goes chasing after a missing person to a cult like retreat. There is a lot of mystery , sexuality, religion explored there. And then there is the mystery. The writing is fast paced. There was definitely some good character development.

I wanted to like this but it felt soooo dull. I also tried it as an audiobook and was just not vibing with it. I think this could be a nice read for someone else, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

This psychological thriller is well written and a great, gripping read. Her character development is well developed, written with skillful prose. The book has twists and turns a plenty, and keeps readers guessing until the end. I recommend this book, and look forward to reading more from this author.

A catatonic woman shows up at the psychiatric unit and social worker, Thea, swears she knows her from somewhere. She then finds the woman holds a link to her past. When the woman comes out of her state, she can't recall a thing.
Determined to find the truth, Thea follows a trail to a remote wellness centre in New Mexico.

As with the authors previous novel, I thoroughly enjoyed the writing here and there were many unpredictable twists. I definitely connected more with the first part of the book but I found the second part a little off the rails. With all of that said, I would read anything this author writes and can't wait to see what she does next.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for this gifted review copy.

This book is the definition of “wtf did I just read?” This book sucked me in immediately! I needed to know what was going on with Catherine, where she came from & what she’d been through! While I didn’t love all of Thea’s choices (ahem, stop orgy-ing & save your friend Ms ma’am) I still enjoyed the ride. If you love a good cult book, pick this one up!
Overall I really enjoyed this book, thank you so much to Julia Bartz, Netgalley & the publisher for allowing me to read this early!

I enjoyed reading this book! it was well written with a good mystery thriller feeling. It did keep me on the edge of my seat wanting to know all of what was going on, and to uncover all of the secrets. It was a good read!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

I really enjoyed Bartz's first novel, the Writing Retreat, so when I saw this on NetGalley, I had to request it! Unfortunately, this one was just not for me. I was super engrossed in the first half of the book, but by the second half, I just couldn't get on board with the turn the story had taken as it relied heavily on the suspension of disbelief. I can handle a little bit of this in a book if it really pays off in the end, but by the end, this just felt a little absurd and anticlimactic. While the plot was unique (which can be difficult to find in thrillers), things just felt all over the place and disjointed. I understand what the author was going for, but it just didn't work for me at all.

I'm sad to say that, if I hadn't read her first book, I honestly don't think I would have finished this one. I was just really hoping that things would come together in a more cohesive way. I do plan to check out Bartz's next book, as I'm hopeful that the strengths in her debut novel might resurface.

Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I really couldn't figure out what was happening. I enjoyed it and love that it wasn't very predictable. I love suspenseful book and this is one of them.

Julia's books always keep me enthralled, if not a little weirded out. I love a good cult novel, so I was invested from the start.

The premise for this book really intrigued me but unfortunately the execution fell short for me. The beginning took me a little while to get into and feels like a different story than where it ended up. The beginning is definitely needed to set up the story and allow Thea and Catherine to meet. Once Thea gets to the Center, the main plot really takes off.
I find cult culture interesting so that aspect of the book drew me in. However, I didn't love all the focus on the movie Stargirl, the movie itself seemed crazy and far fetched in the first place. I guess it makes sense for the reincarnation plot but I just didn't like it.
This book has many trigger warnings so be careful of those- sexual child abuse, grooming, bullying to name a few

I have suck mixed feelings about this novel. The first 30% was kind of a bore. No real action until that point. Cults, sex, SA, child abuse etc TW! That didn’t bother me. What did bother me was how unbelievable the plot was and how completely idiotic the MFC was. I really disliked her. Ugh. I did get through it- I guess that’s saying something. Two culty, sex filled, TW filled ⭐️


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

If you want to be scared and curious at the same time then The Last Session by Julia Bartz is the perfect spring read for you! A social worker encounters a catatonic woman in a psychiatric ward and something about this woman is familiar. What could go wrong? Or right for that matter? Following the trail of clues was intriguing to me and the ending surprised me more than any thriller I have read in a while.

Okay, so I really enjoyed the beginning of the story & the writing quickly pulled me in - it felt very Freida McFadden to me! There was also a cult aspect to the story that I was super intrigued by. So it truly started out as an interesting mystery & then pretty quickly turned a little crazy & soon you find yourself in La La Land.

The Author asks for a lot of buy in from the reader, in my opinion. You have to accept some really implausible things. I don't mind an over-the-top suspend your beliefs type of story, but there were SO many of these situations in this one that it became a bit much, & at times it felt like there was too much going on & some unnecessary things that just complicated the story.

All that to say, this book definitely kept me reading & moves quickly. It’s getting a solid 3 stars because I didn't put it down, even though sometimes I think I should have.

The Last Session by Julia Bartz will be available on April 1st!

PS: This Audiobook ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Social worker Thea comes face to face with her favorite childhood actress, Catherine. Catherine was admitted to the facility Thea works but is checked out by a couple impersonating her parents. Thea is convinced Catherine is asking for help when she finds a mysterious note. Thea dives deeper and finds Catherine may be involved in a cult.

I really enjoyed the cult vibes but the dreams/ reincarnation aspect was too unbelievable for me. I could have really done without that part of the story and still don’t understand the connection between cult leaders and Thea/Catherine. I was left with the feeling of WTF did I just read?!?

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to Netgalley, Atria, and Simon and Schuster. I received this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts are entirely my own.


Thea is a social worker who meets Catherine who is mute and seems to be in a catatonic state. Thea realizes that she was the star of a movie called Star Girl that Thea watched when she was thirteen. Catherine and Thea have the same hair and birthday and Catherine remarks that they could be twins. Catherine had been at a relational retreat which is really a cult. Moon and Sol who are the heads of the cult/retreat manipulate everyone and try to convince Thea that she is a twin priestess to Catherine and that one of them needs to be sacrificed. Catherine dies after trying to help Thea and also kills Moon who killed others because she believed that the plot of Star Girl was true. This book was so strange and so entertaining at the same time. I didn’t like it as much as the first book. By the end of the book I wanted it to end so badly. Some of the things in the book were just to insane to believe.

I'm sorry (and I truly feel bad saying this) but this book was TERRIBLE. Meandering, chaotic, messy, and wholly ridiculous.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Note: Trigger warning this book deals with sexual manipulation and abuse. It includes graphic sex scenes.

"The Last Session" by Julia Bartz is a takes readers on a journey through the dark recesses of the human mind. Bartz, known for her ability to craft intense and suspenseful narratives, delivers a novel that is deeply unsettling.

The story follows Thea, a social worker who encounters a catatonic woman at a psychiatric unit. Thea is convinced she recognizes the patient from her past, and as the woman regains consciousness, she reveals a connection to a traumatic event in Thea's life.

Determined to uncover the truth, Thea follows a trail of clues that leads her to a wellness center in New Mexico.

Bartz skillfully builds tension throughout the story, creating a sense of claustrophobia and unease that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The wellness center, with its charismatic couple and controversial retreats, becomes a labyrinth of secrets and hidden agendas. Thea's infiltration into this mysterious world is fraught with danger, as she is forced to participate in increasingly intimate and unsettling sexual exercises.

The protagonist, Thea, is a compelling character whose personal struggles and determination drive the narrative forward. Bartz delves into her psyche, exploring her vulnerabilities and strengths, making her a relatable and sympathetic figure. The supporting cast is equally well-developed, each adding depth and complexity to the story.

Bartz's writing is sharp and evocative, with a keen eye for detail that brings the setting and characters to life. The dialogue is natural and realistic, enhancing the authenticity of the interactions. The pacing is expertly handled, with moments of high tension balanced by quieter, introspective passages that allow for character development and reflection.

The themes of trauma, redemption, and the search for truth are explored with nuance and insight. Bartz challenges readers to consider the impact of past experiences on present actions and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth. This thematic depth adds an intellectual layer to the thrilling plot, making for a thought provoking read.