Rereading my review of Julia Bartz's "The Writing Retreat", I was conflicted because the first 75% was excellent, and then the last 25% disappointed me; however, I still loved it. With "The Last Session," I loved 100% of the story and book.
Thea is a young social worker in New York. Her days are spent in a psychiatric hospital, where she provides various types of therapy to patients, and her nights are spent in a bottle. One day, a new catatonic patient arrives on the floor, and Thea is drawn to her. Somehow, Thea knows this woman; she's so familiar, and surprisingly, she and Thea resemble each other.
Thea is shocked when she discovers who the patient is and how she connects to a traumatic time in her life. Before she and the patient, Catherine, can work together further, Catherine is kidnapped from the hospital.
Following clues, Thea finds herself in New Mexico at a remote retreat. Hosted by a vibrant and charismatic couple, Moon and Sol, Thea searches for Catherine, all while participating in the weekend's events. The events grow intimate, with nudity, shared showers, and confessions. Thea finds herself pulled deeper and deeper by Moon and Sol, especially as they start to work on her trauma. When her last session comes, she's unsure if things are real or if they aren't, and she's deeper into the retreat's cult.
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I love cult stories. I don't think that's an uncommon feeling, as so many novels explore it. I find something about giving oneself over to something or someone fascinating. Thea's determination to save Catherine was her driving force, but ultimately, she DID find some peace from the retreat, so it wasn't ALL bad.
Bartz is about to immerse the reader in the desert—the heat, the dusty landscape, the night sky. "The Last Session is a compelling and dark story that explores the human psyche and repression. It's weird and complex and...I loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.