The Last Session by Julia Bartz [Book Review]

Book Review

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BOOK INFO

Title: The Last Session

Author: Julia Bartz

Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books

Publish Date: April 1, 2025

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 3/5

The Last Session by Julia Bartz

BOOK BLURB

When a catatonic woman shows up at the psychiatric unit, social worker Thea swears she knows her from somewhere. She’s shocked to discover the patient holds a link to a traumatic time in her past. Upon regaining lucidity, the patient claims she can’t remember the horrific recent events that caused her brain to shut down. Thea’s at a loss—especially when the patient is ripped away from her as suddenly as she appeared.

Determined to find her, Thea follows a trail of clues to a remote center in Southwestern New Mexico, where a charismatic couple holds a controversial monthly retreat to uncover attendees’ romantic and sexual issues. Forced to participate in increasingly intimate exercises, Thea finds herself inching closer not only to her missing patient, but also to tantalizing answers about her harrowing past. However, time is running out, and if she stays for the last session, she too might lose her mind…or worse.


The Last Session by Julia Bartz

MY REVIEW

Thea, a social worker at a psychiatric unit, recognizes a patient and wants to help her. When the patient abruptly leaves the facility, Thea tries to find her, and ends up in a remote wellness retreat.

The Last Session is told through Thea’s point of view. Thea is naive and makes some poor decisions throughout the book. The plot is entertaining, but does involve suspending disbelief.

This is a slow burning and bizarre mystery. Good for readers who enjoy fiction involving cults and wellness retreats gone wrong.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Books by Julia Bartz:
  1. The Writing Retreat
  2. The Last Session

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