I was very excited to read this book and I personally felt that this book started out strong. I found myself getting lost in the cult elements that felt too far-fetched. The character development was a little slow for me personally and certain aspects felt too far-fetched. I love a thriller, but this one was my style or preference. I do think there is a certain audience for it and overall I liked the writing style. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title!

Hmm.. not really my vibe like I’d thought it’d be. Book focuses on mental health and cults, so if that is your jam then you would really like it. I did enjoy the author’s writing style and would read from her again.

This book has mixed reviews. I went into it with an open mind and I enjoyed it.

Thea is a social worker at a mental hospital. A catatonic Woman is admitted and Thea recognizes her from the past. Two mysterious people pick up the woman but Thea senses that she is in danger. Thea follows the woman to a wellness center in the middle of the desert. This hippy retreat is not what you would expect. It’s dangerous!

The first half of this book is really good. The writing is fast paced and interesting. I thought there was a lot of good character development. Thea’s past is riddled with neglect and sexual trauma. The second half of this book is a little off the rails. If you like books about hippy cults you will probably love this one!

Thea, a social worker, is drawn to a mysterious Jane Doe client, whom she identifies as Catherine O’Brien, a former actress. Convinced they share an unspoken connection, Thea follows Catherine’s cryptic note to a secluded retreat. There, she unravels repressed memories of childhood trauma and becomes entangled in a cult led by “Moon and Sol.” The novel’s first half captivated me with its gripping psychological tension, but the second half veered into a disjointed mix of surreal dreams, reincarnation, and scattered revelations that left me disappointed.

While this one started out strong and seemed very promising, I found myself getting lost in the cult elements that felt too far-fetched. The main character was unlikeable and it made the book feel like the plot dragged on for far too long, especially with the far-fetched elements. I was hoping for more twists along the way, but this one just fell flat. 2.75 star read for me!

4/5 stars: as a previous psychology teacher and lover of cult thrillers, this book was super fascinating and chilling to me - the sense of suspense and danger was real throughout and kept me on my toes

While there were some parts I was a bit hmmmm about (the reincarnation part was kinda odd, as was the fact that the MC would jump on a plane to follow a stranger), these were overridden by the weaving and well paced plot, twists and overall character building of some of the MCs.

It’s my first time reading Julia Bartz, but I will be going back to read the Writing Retreat soon!

I just finished The Last Session by Julia Bartz and it was an interesting one! I definitely liked the concept of the plot. You follow Thea as she encounters a patient in her mental health facility who is catatonic but very familiar. She discovers her identity and how it connects to her traumatic past but then the woman is gone as fast as she arrived. She follows her trail to a Center in the desert and the truth begins unraveling from there. Not a completely linear storyline and it gets.a little weird and crazy. I have a feeling this will be another polarizing book from Julia Bartz, where you either love it or hate it, and unfortunately I fall into the middle where this didn't really do it for me but I enjoyed some aspects. I would still recommend people give it a go and see what they think for themselves!

The Last Session by Julia Bartz is a mind-bending ride that keeps you guessing until the very end. While it wasn't my usual style of book, I found myself drawn in by the unpredictable plot and intricate writing. The narrative blends reality with delusion, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty that kept me on edge. Themes of past lives, reincarnation, and cult-like elements were a little hard to follow at times but the story is compelling enough to keep you invested. If you enjoy stories that challenge your perceptions and keep you questioning what's real, The Last Session offers a unique and engaging experience.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

It started off strong… and then it kind of fell off for me. I was excited to learn about Thea’s patient and am a huge fan of a good “locked-room” thriller. However this was not a locked room thriller. It turned into what felt like a fever dream and trauma dump that I wasn’t a huge fan of.

This book cemented that this author just isn't for me. I wasn't a fan of Writing Retreat but I always try to see if it was a one off, it wasn't. I didn't like this one either even though the premise sounded promising.

This is Julia Bartz' second book, and if you read The Writing Retreat, you know that you should expect a thriller that is just outside of the norm. I'm becoming a fan of hers because her plots are so different from average thrillers.

The Last Session is a bit slow getting to the point. The setup took too long before Thea got to the centre, and things started happening with a cast of characters I loved or loved to hate. This book has similar vibes to Nine Perfect Strangers, only weirder, so if you liked that, you might like this.

There's a lot of talk of religion, cults, drugs and sexual trauma, so be warned when you go in that it's not always an easy read.

I feel like I need a few days to really process this book. It wrapped up well, but there were so many points along the way that made me roll my eyes. It's so crazy, I can't believe it, but I am also along for the ride.

This book is not for the faint of heart. This unhinged novel takes you on a wild ride with a premise so out there, you'll wonder if you accidentally stumbled into another dimension or perhaps a past or future life. The story is written from Thea's perspective who is a social worker in New York. One of Thea's patients, Catherine, is an actress from her favorite teenage movie. The book follows Thea as she tries to understand Catherine and her relationship with what appears to be a cult in New Mexico.

While it's definitely bizarre, Julia Bartz's writing is captivating. The character descriptions and development make them feel real and relatable.

This book won't be for everyone, but if you're looking for something truly unique and enjoy a wild, twisty turny ride, then I highly recommend giving The Last Session a try. Just be prepared to have your mind blown.

Julia Bartz’s *The Last Session* had me hooked from the very first page. The story kicks off when a catatonic woman arrives at a psychiatric unit, and social worker Thea realizes there’s something hauntingly familiar about her. From that moment, the book is a whirlwind of mystery, emotion, and psychological tension that kept me glued to every twist and turn.

As Thea pieces together the connection between the patient and her own troubled past, Bartz takes us on a journey to a remote retreat in Southwestern New Mexico. The descriptions of the retreat—and the strange, charismatic couple running it—are so vivid and unsettling, you’ll feel like you’re right there with Thea, caught in the middle of something both fascinating and deeply wrong.

What really struck me about this book is how layered it is. It’s not just a suspenseful thriller; it’s also a moving story about trauma, resilience, and the lengths we’ll go to for closure. The exercises Thea has to participate in at the retreat are as unsettling as they are revealing, forcing her—and us—to confront uncomfortable truths. And just when I thought I had everything figured out, Bartz threw in twists that left me reeling.

Thea’s determination, vulnerability, and bravery make her such a relatable protagonist. By the time the story reached its heart-pounding finale, I was completely invested in her journey. If you’re looking for a book that’s equal parts suspenseful, thought-provoking, and impossible to put down, *The Last Session* is it. Julia Bartz has crafted something truly unforgettable, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this and flew through it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for sending me "The Last Session" by Julia Bartz. Unfortunately, this book was not for me but I really appreciate being sent a copy to read!

THE LAST SESSION started out with a lot of promise and quickly drew me in through its twisty storyline and interesting characters. But about two-thirds of the way in, it honestly felt like we pivoted into a new book. I completely lost track of the plot, which felt like some kind of crazy fever dream, and wondered what I was even reading. Not sure this one was for me…

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the opportunity to read and review THE LAST SESSION.

Another great thriller from Julia Bartz. This novel reminds readers how quickly people can be convinced that what you see is not always what it seems. It was interesting to pick the brains of each character and their motives as they are at a retreat that eventually screams CULT to the reader. There were some twists that I did not see coming! If you want a thriller that you won't be able to put down, this should be your next read.

I wanted to love this as much as The Writing Retreat, but it just didn’t do much for me! Enjoyable if very predictable plot and I often couldn’t keep track of all the supporting characters and the reincarnation storylines.

I liked the first part of the book the most, i got involved right away, but it got a little bit too bizarre for me. It was an ambitious attempt to explore cults, spiritual leaders, sexual abuse, relationship issues mixed in with spiritual questions and philosophical ones about reincarnation, our spiritual purposes, interconnections between people. It just went a bit too far for me and at times it felt too long. So a mixed bag for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for this E ARC! Wow just wow. I don't know what it is about Julia Bartz writing but it's just sooooo wildly good to me. This book had me hooked from the beginning and just kept getting crazier and more shocking as it went on. This story follows Thea who works at a rehabilitation center and there she meets Catherine a movie star she was obsessed with as a young girl. From the beginning Thea can tell something is very wrong with Catherine and wants to help her but when Catherine leaves the center and leaves clues as to where she will but Thea feels a connection and responsibility to find her. Thus Thea finds herself in the middle of a cult. Sure this sorry is a little out there and very different but I genuinely think that's what made it so shocking and page turning. Julia has quickly become one of my favorites!