Book Review: The Last Session by Julia Bartz

The Last Session takes readers deep into the world of an experimental group therapy retreat designed to break emotional blocks—especially for women creatives. But when a group of strangers gathers in an isolated mountain lodge, the promise of healing begins to unravel into something far more unsettling.

Led by the enigmatic Dr. Arlo, the group is encouraged to share vulnerable truths and participate in intense psychological exercises. But beneath the surface of self-discovery lies manipulation, obsession, and unraveling trust. As tensions mount, secrets emerge, and each woman begins to question what’s real—and who’s really in control.

📖 Quick Summary

I rated The Last Session 4 out of 5 stars for its fresh, provocative premise and sharp social commentary. Julia Bartz delivers a layered psychological thriller that plays with power, therapy culture, and the ways women are taught to question themselves.

The book plays out like a blend of The Retreat and The Silent Patient, but with a distinctly feminist twist. The pacing is steady but builds to some satisfying tension, and the isolated setting creates a claustrophobic energy that mirrors the emotional unraveling of each character.

It left me reflecting on the fine line between healing and harm, and how easy it is to lose ourselves in pursuit of “fixing” what might not be broken at all.

📝 My Review

I rated The Last Session 4 out of 5 stars for its fresh, provocative premise and sharp social commentary. Julia Bartz delivers a layered psychological thriller that plays with power, therapy culture, and the ways women are taught to question themselves.

The book plays out like a blend of The Retreat and The Silent Patient, but with a distinctly feminist twist. The pacing is steady but builds to some satisfying tension, and the isolated setting creates a claustrophobic energy that mirrors the emotional unraveling of each character.

It left me reflecting on the fine line between healing and harm, and how easy it is to lose ourselves in pursuit of “fixing” what might not be broken at all.

🎨 My Scrapbook Spread

For this layout, I drew inspiration from the warm, earthy tones of the desert, paired with symbolic imagery from the water cave in the bottom left to represent hidden depth and emotional exploration. The clock signifies the limited and intense timeframe of the retreat, while the image of New York marks the story’s origin. I included the phrase “Never give up” to reflect Thea’s resilience and determination to heal, despite her past. The words “Things will get better” offer a quiet reminder of hope—a theme that echoes throughout her journey.

🎥 Watch the Review

Want a closer look at the visual storytelling behind this book? Watch the full YouTube review where I break down the novel’s key twists and walk through the scrapbook spread that brings its eerie brilliance to life.