I had high hopes for this one and it fell flat. The beginning starts off well as I find books with a psychotherapist usually intriguing. The storyline then shifted to a whole unrealistic cult type narrative. The psychotherapy part just dropped (although the author threw in a few therapy terms here and there) and it went on a destructive path of BS. Sadly, it could have been such a great book if the author had continued the therapist/client relationship instead of this afterlife crap. There were no thrilling aspects. I found it difficult to get through and boring in numerous parts.

1⭐️

What a ride!!! Much like her first novel, this book drags you to the most psychotic places, and you just have to hold on! Could not put down!

I really enjoyed The Writing Retreat so was overjoyed to get this latest from Bartz. Initially, it was fascinating and easy to get into as Thea is a social worker and meets her childhood idol, Catherine when she is admitted to the clinic in a catatonic state. And then the real craziness begins! Thea is encouraged to attend The Center for Relational Healing in New Mexico where she meets Moon and Sol, the charismatic leaders who are so welcoming and kind, But later she suspects it's more than just "healing" as it feels cult-like and she's never really sure what's real and what's fantasy. Childhood trauma, allegations of abuse, and current heartbreak all come together in this novel that often reminded me of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Disneyland!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I loved the author’s first book, “The Writing Retreat”. This one was not for me. I didn’t enjoy the story and had a hard time with the plot. It also felt overly long. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved how unique the premise of this book was. It was so refreshing to read a new plotline for a change. I enjoyed the cult aspect and found the characters intriguing, albeit a bit weird. I also found the setting in the desert in New Mexico to be perfectly fitting. My only real complaint is that parts of the storyline got a bit crazy and I had a hard time wrapping my head around the feasibility of things at times. It wasn't enough to make me dislike the book, just enough to knock off one star. This was a 4 star read for me! I look forward to reading more from Julia in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an e-ARC of this novel.

I am really torn on this review. The first part of the book was incredible. I loved the premise and couldn’t wait to figure out this connection between Thea and her look-a-like star patient. However, once we got to the center and the fever dream portion I felt like the book just dragged on and it was too far fetched for me to get fully invested in.

This was different but still an immersive read. And WHOA at the twisty turns….will give you whiplash for sure. The arc of the book was wonderful, the protagonist, too. I’m not big on the supernatural in my reads but it felt natural in the cult-like (minus the like😂) setting. Gives you an idea of how easy it can be to be pulled into something that one would immediately say “that’d never happen to me!”. Never say never! 4 strong stars.

Julia Bartz delivers a compelling and atmospheric tale in The Last Session, a locked-room thriller that masterfully intertwines psychological suspense with deeper themes of trauma, healing, and human connection. Thea, a social worker haunted by her past, is thrust into a disturbing web of secrets when a catatonic patient unexpectedly connects her to long-buried memories. What begins as a professional pursuit quickly transforms into a personal journey as Thea infiltrates a mysterious retreat in the deserts of New Mexico, uncovering truths that challenge both her beliefs and her sanity.

The novel is a vivid exploration of the interplay between trauma and self-discovery, with Bartz crafting an unsettling yet immersive atmosphere that keeps readers on edge. The remote retreat setting is both alluring and menacing, with its charismatic leaders and unconventional methods pushing Thea—and the reader—toward uncomfortable revelations. As the exercises grow more intense, the tension rises, and Bartz deftly balances the suspense with introspective moments that delve into Thea’s psyche.

While the pacing is brisk and the twists are plentiful, the story occasionally veers into implausible territory, requiring a suspension of disbelief, particularly regarding Thea's decisions as a professional. However, this is offset by the novel’s ability to hold the reader’s attention with its unpredictable turns and rich, layered characters. Thea’s vulnerability and determination make her a relatable protagonist, even when her actions border on questionable.

Themes of cult-like dynamics, the ethics of mental health care, and the lingering effects of childhood trauma add depth to the narrative. Bartz’s nuanced portrayal of these issues elevates the book beyond a simple thriller, offering thought-provoking commentary on the lengths people will go to confront their past and protect those they care about.

Despite some uneven pacing and a slightly rushed conclusion, The Last Session is a dark and compelling read that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense and locked-room mysteries. With its eerie setting, complex themes, and gripping plot, it’s a book that lingers long after the final page.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for sharing this wild ride's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

A twisty thriller with cult, religious, and reincarnation themes. There is also a trigger of sexual abuse/ grooming in this
I liked this book, I did see a lot of the twists coming, but the journey was fun if a bit long. If you like suspenseful books, this is a good one.

This was tough to rate. The first half was intriguing- as a therapist myself - anything psychological/mental health/ thriller and I AM THERE!

This starts off strong, a social worker at a psychiatric hospital has a Client that feels familiar, but from where?

There are some questionable ethical decisions made - suspension of code of ethics disbelief required - but there is a mystery to be solved!

And then it all goes off the rails.

The latter half of the book feels like a full-on fever dream—and not the good, creative kind. It’s as if the author decided to dump every trauma trope into a blender, hit purée, and then forgot to put the lid on. What could have been a nuanced exploration of psychological themes turns into the literary equivalent of everything and the kitchen sink.

Instead of grounding the story in real psychological disorders or meaningful character arcs, it veers into chaotic territory—complete with random past-life regressions. I needed a GPS just to track what was happening, and even then, the plot spiraled into an incoherent mess.

Final grade: C-, this session needs more closure

** Thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my always honest review*

Julia Bartz's The Last Session is an intense and gripping read that masterfully balances psychological tension with deeper, more complex themes. When I first picked it up, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. What I found was a book that pulled me in so thoroughly it felt like watching an immersive film.

Thea, the main character, was a standout for me. I found her relatable and compelling, with layers that made her feel incredibly real. Her perspective anchored the story, and I enjoyed being inside her head as she navigated the increasingly tense and unsettling events. The first part of the book, in particular, was absolutely stellar. The writing was atmospheric and razor-sharp, drawing me in so deeply that I often found myself thinking about the story even when I wasn’t reading it. It was the kind of book I couldn’t put down until my eyes physically couldn’t stay open anymore.

Up until the midpoint, I was ready to give this book a full five stars. The pacing, the character development, and the almost cinematic quality of the writing were all incredible. However, as the story veered into a more "paranormal" direction, I found myself slightly less engaged. While I could understand and even appreciate the twists, they felt a bit rushed toward the end. The climax, though thought-provoking, didn’t quite have the emotional weight I had hoped for, and the resolution came together a little too quickly for my taste.

That said, the book remains a remarkable read. It tackles heavy, difficult topics such as religious trauma with sensitivity and depth, adding a layer of emotional complexity that made the story even more impactful. While these moments were at times hard to read, they added weight to the narrative, making it more than just a gripping psychological thriller. Overall, The Last Session left a strong impression on me. It’s a book that lingers in your mind, long after you’ve turned the final page. Julia Bartz has a knack for crafting vivid, intense stories that stay with you, and I’m excited to see what she writes next. This was my first book by her, but it certainly won’t be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4 stars! For fans of Nine Perfect Strangers, I think you'd enjoy this one! Thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review..

This is the third time I’ve tried to write this review, and I’m still not sure how to accurately summarize my thoughts. The Last Session has everything I loved from Bartz’s debut, The Writing Retreat, plus more!

In this novel, Bartz writes an unflinching commentary on the impacts of childhood trauma - religious trauma, sexual trauma, abuse by authority figures - and how these traumas continue to manifest into adulthood. Although Thea is a social worker, it was easy to see how her past abuse informed her actions in regard to Catherine. In many ways, she was trying to save someone with whom she felt a deep connection and whose life she viewed as a mirror of her own.

Like The Writing Retreat, Bartz creates a fever dream like atmosphere that pulls you right into the plot and setting along with the characters. I enjoyed the mystery behind Catherine’s disappearance, and the exploration of cults and new age rhetoric. The reincarnation theme may not be for all readers, but I was impressed with how Bartz seamlessly weaved it into the story as a way to explain Catherine and Thea’s deep connection.

My only complaint is the length of the novel - it’s just shy of 400 pages and there’s definitely some parts of the plot that dragged in the middle. Despite this, I was deeply engaged with the story, and enjoyed how each part was broken up to focus on a different reveal. If you loved The Writing Retreat, then you are sure to love Bartz’s sophomore novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I read quite a few thrillers, so I want to give Julia Bartz props for originality. This is not a story I've seen before in a thousand different variations. I did enjoy the culty creepiness and truly had no idea where the book was going. However, it didn't really work. Our protagonist, Thea is a drip. She's been through some trauma which makes her somewhat sympathetic, but for a smart woman, she makes some very questionable choices. Of course, if she didn't there would be no book to read. I generally enjoyed the ride, but it did take me several days to finish and I would not say the suspense was riveting. I will read future books by Bartz, I think she has enormous potential and just hasn't hit her stride yet.

This one was hard for me to rate. I’ll start with the things I liked, I loved the cover and I loved the cult concept. The writing was good. What lost me is the motivating factor for the cult’s behavior. I kept reading expecting another reveal that would make more sense but that moment never came.

I felt this started really strong, got lost about 75% in, and then came back. It’s a book about trauma, cults and past memories. I enjoyed reading it.

This is my first book by Julia Bartz. I really enjoyed it. I love a good book about cults, as it's one of my favorite true crime genres. This book was really dark, and I enjoyed the twists and turns. I can't wait to read more.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

Really liked the book, but really disliked main character Thea….i just wanted to take her by the shoulders and shake her! That being said, great story. Culty, mystical, murderous, not knowing who you can trust- The Last Session had it all.

The Last Session by Julia Bartz gets a solid 4 stars from me. This thriller dives deep into the eerie and unsettling, following Thea as she tracks a mysterious patient tied to her traumatic past all the way to a creepy retreat in New Mexico. The locked-room mystery vibes mixed with intense psychological drama make it a gripping read, though some parts felt a bit rushed toward the climax. Still, the tension and unexpected twists kept me hooked, and the wellness retreat setting was a fresh, sinister touch. Perfect for fans of moody, suspense-filled stories!

This was weird and wild and I liked it. Lol. I admit I do prefer her first novel I read, The Writers Retreat, but this has the same whimsical, mysterious, and totally unique premises and characters that were highly interwoven and complex. I liked the setting a lot and Julia is clearly a master at developing a scene for the reader to feel like they are right there with the characters. The last 1/3 of the book was very dry for me and I felt it could have lost a few chapters of pure dialogue, but I still enjoyed it.