The Final Word

Author: Laura Thomas
Genre: Romantic Mystery/Suspense
Series: Bite of Betrayal #2
Pages: 281
Release Date: June 5, 2025
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink

When aspiring author Sophie Brooks chooses to trade a vibrant Paris life for the tranquility of a quaint English village, she imagines her final days in the City of Lights will be magical. Sophie doesn’t anticipate a chilling encounter with an old flame—nor does she plan to find a new love on her very last night.

Miles Morgan’s life has been defined as a successful opera singer—until now. His chance encounter with Sophie in Paris ignites renewed hope ... if he can figure out his next chapter and if she can accept what his future may hold.

In the heart of the English countryside, Sophie and Miles’ fairy tale romance turns into a noxious nightmare as the darkness of Sophie’s past—and her volatile ex—catch up with her. Both Sophie and Miles must surrender everything to the One they thought had betrayed them as they lean into love and fight for their lives.

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Reviewer: Rick Norris

Romance and suspense duel it out during this romantic thriller.  

Sophie Brooks is a struggling novelist trying to make ends meet while working in a French Pastry shop in Paris. Suppressing the horror of a past relationship, she meets Miles, a successful opera singer. Their chance encounter ignites Sophie’s hope. But then she witnesses a disturbing sight while walking home. Moving to the heart of the English countryside to escape the experience, Sophie reunites with Miles in a fairytale romance, which turns into a noxious nightmare as the darkness of Sophie’s past—and her volatile ex—catch up with her. Both Sophie and Miles must fight for their lives in this twisting, turning plot. 

The author navigates the story with ease, closing most chapters with cliffhangers that compel the reader to turn pages. I found The Final Word to be a quick and enjoyable read.  

I commend Ms. Thomas for tackling the difficult topic of domestic abuse, its impact on the victims and victims’ families. It’s difficult to interweave a story setting while entertaining a reader without lessening the seriousness of this topic. 

The author paints excellent pictures of the internal thoughts and struggles of the characters. “Sophie looked out over the expanse of water before them. The sea was gunmetal gray, the exact color of Miles’s eyes. If she was going to be able to get through this, she would have to focus on the sea rather than the pain—or pity—in this man’s face.” 

From a Christian perspective, Ms. Thomas shows the struggles of a person who is jaded on Christianity through an abusive relationship with a former so-called Christian. Some people paint Christians as abusive, judgmental, and hypocritical due to a bad experience with a single Christian. The author builds the reader’s understanding of the character’s resentment as she attempts to put that experience behind her.  

I highly recommend this story to readers who like romance, suspense, with a little action-adventure. 

I received a review copy courtesy of Mountain Brook Ink through Interviews & Reviews for an unbiased and objective review.

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