In Her Defense

by Philippa Malicka

As a sensational celebrity libel trial unfolds, a young woman at the periphery secretly wields the power to make or break the case. But with her own hidden past, will she dare to speak up?

A REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB SELECTION!

Everyone is watching. Only one person knows the truth.

The whole country has been riveted by the Beloved TV star and national treasure Anna Finbow, standing in court, accusing her daughter’s therapist Jean Guest of brainwashing her daughter Mary for her own financial gain. Jean insists Mary’s traumatic memories arise from her upbringing and her time studying at a prestigious art school in Rome; wounds only Jean’s therapy can heal. But as the trial unfolds, it’s Augusta “Gus” Bird, Anna’s former employee—a seemingly insignificant bystander, a nobody—who holds the key to unraveling the tangled web of lies and deceit.

What really happened to Mary in Rome? And if her memories can’t be trusted, how will they ever uncover the truth behind her estrangement? Twisty and propulsive, In Her Defense is a compulsively readable debut for fans of Lucy Foley and Laura Dave.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Audiobook, Horror

352 pages, Hardcover

First published February 3, 2026

Reviews

[Dutchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anna Finbow finds herself embroiled in a libel lawsuit filed by her daughter‘s therapist, Jean. Anna is convinced that Jean has brainwashed her daughter Mary, and posts the accusation in her celebrity newsletter to her fans. At the start of the trial, we see the proceedings through Gus’s eyes. Gus was a close friend of Mary’s and is also connected to Jean via therapy. The timeline alternates between the trial, as well as Gus‘s time in Rome, where she meets Mary and Jean. This helps to develop a backstory to try and understand if Anna‘s accusations are in fact true.

Through Gus‘s time in Rome, we see how she becomes acquainted with both Mary and Jean. All of the characters are unlikable to the point that I couldn’t see any redeeming qualities really about any of them. Gus is looking for a sense of belonging which leads her to developing a close friendship with Mary that is never quite reciprocated the way she hopes. However, Jean is her rock that she feels she can always rely on. Jean keeps attempting Gus to introduce her to Mary, but Gus is hesitant. What I felt this was missing was the “why”. As a reader, I am following the relationships, but am questioning why any of these people are connected. What does Gus see in Mary? What is Jean’s infatuation with Mary? We see it all unfold, but I don’t ever get the understanding of what is driving some of their actions.

This is one of those novels that I think there’s a bit of reading between the lines on what constitutes as therapy and which side you end up believing. I’m hesitant to classify this as a psychological thriller, but it has a few of those elements as well as some legal courtroom drama. While I had some hangups with this one, I definitely would be interested in seeing what the future holds for this author.

3.5 Stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Angie Miale · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHOA. What a book. I just finished and I am totally shook. It is both suspenseful and terribly sad. Mood readers beware- it is hard to find a character to root for but it dives really deep into themes of identity and desire for acceptance. I was absolutely riveted and my mouth dropped open several times. Perfect for fans of Lucy Foley and Laura Dave.

SYNOPSIS
Gussie is the key witness in a trial. Mary's mother, Anna, is a beloved TV actor and Mary her estranged only daughter. Anna is suing Mary's therapist, Jean Guest. Jean says that Mary's parents are toxic and supports Mary in cutting off all contact. Anna says that Mary has been manipulated for money and Jean has inserted false memories into Mary's mind. Gus is the one that brings the two together- a former client of Jean, Mary has cut her off too. But Gus is the one that brought Jean and Mary together.

THEMES- heavy!
Very bad therapy
Art school setting
The roles we play to each other- how our friends see us
Unrequited love
Estrangement of family
Sexual promiscuity as a search for acceptance
We are all simultaneously the groomer and the groomed, the villain and the victim, the unreliable and fiercely loyal.

I have read so many books where I came away saying, "Sheesh, these people all need therapy. This book is practically an advertisement for therapy." WHOA. NOT SO FAST. Did you know that in the UK anyone can register as a therapist online, like registering as a "life coach" it appears that this doesn't have the level of regulation that it does in the states. Or at least it doesn't in this universe.

the characters are so sad and over time they appear to see themselves in both ways. The characters, particularly Gus and Mary, grow over time and begin to have a maturity to understand their past insecurities. Jean gave them hope, then made them dependent on her for this hope, but at least she gave them hope.

There is a reason why people join cults- there are wonderful things about it that make one feel finally understood, feel like there is a story to their pain. If it was all isolation and hopelessness then no one would join a cult. But there is a desperation for identity that becomes fulfilled and feels wonderfully validating.

this book is so suspenseful it practically feels like horror. Unbelievable story.

Thank you to Netgalley and scribner for the ARC. Book to be published 2/24/26

[Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeply poignant novel outlining the search for identity, the fallibility of memory, and the interplay between obsession and love, Ms. Malicka swept me up in her words. You see, between the scandal, intrigue, and drama and the riveting court case playing out in real time, In Her Defense was one heck of a special novel. But it was the intense character study that grabbed me and didn’t let go. Focusing a sharp lens on Gus, the courtroom drama—while captivating—was only part of the story. After all, this coming-of-age tale was mixed judiciously with a cult-like vibe that had me thinking long and hard. With the sense that the scenario behind this trial could’ve been ripped right from the headlines, it felt both true-to-life and over-the-top—but only in the best possible way. After all, it was filled with a gaslighter supreme, oodles of secrets, and a web of lies.

All in all, despite the slow-burning storyline in this genre-bending stunner, I couldn’t put this book down and finished it in one single sitting. Haunting, expressive, and with a definite literary fiction feel, the two alternating timelines were both eerily atmospheric and yet also packed with twists. But it was the narrator—who walked the fine line between unreliable and trustworthy—that made this book sing. Well, alongside of the emotional depth surrounding the exploration of both power and control and betrayal and friendship. A dark look at all of the above, this debut novel had a bit of everything for lovers of literary thrillers, family dramas, and courtroom suspense. So if you enjoy unsettling plot lines that will keep your mind whirring away, grab this book now. After all, it’s going to stay rent-free in my head for a very long time. Rating of 4.5 stars.

SYNOPSIS:

The whole country has been riveted by the trial: Beloved TV star and national treasure Anna Finbow, standing in court, accusing her daughter’s therapist Jean Guest of brainwashing her daughter Mary for her own financial gain. Jean insists Mary’s traumatic memories arise from her upbringing and her time studying at a prestigious art school in Rome; wounds only Jean’s therapy can heal. But as the trial unfolds, it’s Augusta “Gus” Bird, Anna’s former employee—a seemingly insignificant bystander, a nobody—who holds the key to unraveling the tangled web of lies and deceit.

What really happened to Mary in Rome? And if her memories can’t be trusted, how will they ever uncover the truth behind her estrangement?

Thank you Philippa Malicka and Scribner Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: February 3, 2026

Content warning: parent-child estrangement, gaslighting, homophobia, drug and alcohol use, adult/minor relationship, mention of: eating disorder, grooming, suicide

[Teresa Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a particular weakness for debut psychological thrillers, especially when a new author comes out swinging, and In Her Defense absolutely earns that attention. This story unfolds around a very public libel case, where a powerful media figure stands accused of destroying a therapist’s reputation, and the courtroom becomes less about facts and more about perception. The narrative moves between the legal spectacle and the quieter moments that led everyone there, slowly revealing how memory, influence, and fear distort the truth. At the center is Augusta “Gus” Bird, a woman who appears peripheral at first, almost forgettable, until it becomes clear she may be the only person capable of untangling what actually happened.

What impressed me most is how character driven this novel is. The internal lives of these people are as tense and volatile as the external plot, and the emotional stakes inside the courtroom feel just as dangerous as the verdict itself. The unreliable narration keeps you constantly recalibrating your loyalties, questioning motives, and wondering who is being manipulated and who is doing the manipulating. Malicka digs into mental health, vulnerability, therapy, queer identity, consent, boundaries, and toxic mentorship with a precision that feels unsettlingly believable. The exploration of cult-like influence and psychological control is especially effective, forcing you to sit with how fragile our sense of self can be, how easily it can be shaped, and who benefits when it is.

This is not a book that tells you who to root for. You are left circling every character, asking whether they are obsessed, fulfilling a need, protecting themselves, or simply lying to survive. The tension builds slowly but deliberately, rewarding patience rather than rushing to satisfy expectations. Slow burn thrillers aren't for the faint of heart, but stick with it because the ending is...chef's kiss. Philippa Malicka is officially on my radar, and if this is what her debut

[Holden Wunders · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a lot of mixed thoughts and feelings about this book, I am also weirdly biased as I am estranged from my parents. Going into this book, I wasn’t quite prepared for what it actually was. It was portrayed and marketed in a very particular way that had me thinking this would be a court room drama with a crazy mother and isn’t necessarily the case.

This was less of a thriller and drama and more so a case study of humanity and existence. It tried to toe the line of literary a lot more than I had expected it to. And while that’s not a bad thing whatsoever, it was jarring in a lot of ways. It felt like it took time even to get its own footing within the book as the first 50ish pages it still wasn’t sure what book it was going to be and in what genre.

I really did think this was going to be about a crazy mother and her emotional instability given the many books coming out about estrangement, influencer parents, etc. But this was more so about a cultist therapist brainwashing and separating a woman from her life and the many people who try to get her back. It takes the POV from a woman who’s been apart of her life previously and gets entangled with her family in unexpected ways. I don’t think that should be a spoiler but the premise of the book and how it should be portrayed.

There were times I was disappointed and started skimming and then I would slow back down and be interested again which does say a lot of the quality. Even not being fully into this, it would drag me back again and again. Although it wasn’t what I had wanted from this book it was well done in a lot of ways and is worth a read if you liked The Girls from Emma Cline.

[Karen’s Library · Rating 2 out of 5]

In Her Defense is about a beloved TV star who takes her daughter Mary’s therapist to court claiming the therapist has brainwashed Mary and is actually a cult leader.

I thought this premise sounded interesting and as it looked to be a twisty psychological thriller, I definitely wanted to read it.

Unfortunately, there was really no thriller to this one and I didn’t really see any twists. It’s more woman’s literature which is not a typical genre for me. I would guess that others may enjoy this genre but it’s really not my cup of tea.

The characters were all extremely unlikable and I struggled to stay invested in the story. I usually need at least one character to root for.

I blame myself for not realizing that it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. Lesson learned. I should have read the description more carefully.

*Thanks to Scribner for the gifted eARC.*

[Delaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise for this book is so promising, and I wanted to enjoy it more than I did, but alas. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the main character we were reading from, I felt like she told things in a way that kept me at a distance. Which, perhaps that’s intentional, but it did prevent me from becoming fully invested. I was waiting for the big twist but it never really came through. Overall, a more chill read for me when I was looking for something suspenseful. May be a better book for someone else’s mood!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

[Leisa]

4.5 stars

✨This is a remarkable debut. It delivers a multi-layered story that is part legal thriller, part family drama, part psychological suspense. While it’s filled with deeply flawed and quite unlikeable characters, the writing is so powerful that I still felt a connection with the story.

✨At its heart, this is a story about psychological manipulation as well as a fascinating look at how easily a vulnerable person be victimized and exploited. It also explores how the lines can sometimes be blurred between victim and villain.

✨I loved the dual timelines and the way the book made me so mad I wanted to throw it across the room then go grab it back so I could hurry and keep reading.

I definitely recommend this one.

🌿Read if you like:
✨Complex characters
✨Moral ambiguity
✨Cult narratives
✨Artist stories
✨Dysfunctional family stories
✨Legal thrillers
✨Psychological suspense

[Micronova · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Her Defense by Philippa Malicka
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 stars

Is this the author’s debut? 🤔

That’s right. It IS and I’m a little surprised to see that this is a Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection.

I’m not sure this is the book I would introduce myself to the world with.

I believe this was marketed as a psychological thriller? I don’t think it is. I also would not agree with the synopsis comparison to the likes of Lucy Score (maybe? I’ve never read her,) or Laura Dave (huge fan of.)

I WOULD agree that this reads like a courtroom drama novel.

The timeline spans the present and a period of time in Gus’s past that she spent in Rome as a ceramics intern.

We follow Gus (Augusta,) as she spends days sitting and watching a courtroom libel case, a case that she knows she holds the key to. Gus is a former employee of Anna Finbow (famous star.) Anna’s daughter Mary is a client of Jean Guest, her “therapist.” Jean filed a libel suit against Mary’s mother Anna in response to an article Anna authored that made some bold statements about Jean.

What did Anna write about Jean? How is Mary caught between the two? And what the heck does Gus have to really do with any of it?

The pacing was choppy throughout this book. There were attempts made at a plot twist or two but I don’t feel like they were very successful. I was able to figure out what was transpiring before I reached the halfway point of the read. I didn’t find the characters to be that interesting and I most definitely found it difficult to understand the reasoning and actions between them. The big “AHA” moment was anticlimactic.

I think the author had a good idea for the basis of a novel. It just wasn’t fleshed out. A good idea could have turned into a great one. Instead, it just didn’t land well. For me, anyway.

Three stars because it definitely isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever read and the actual writing isn’t bad. At the end of the day though, it’s just a story that I read and won’t remember.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for the digital advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Stephanielikesbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a character study which unfolded during a libel trial in London when a wealthy mother, Anna, sues an unlicensed, cult-like therapist for how she manipulated and brainwashed her daughter, Mary, to turn against her parents. Told through the eyes of Gus, a young woman who also came under the spell of the therapist and who worked for Anna, the story touches on self-doubt, self-loathing, belonging, identity, and past trauma.

While the concept was interesting, I thought the story would have benefited from seeing the story through Mary’s eyes as well as Gus’. I also found the pacing to be slow as the focus was on the remembering and contemplation of past events and actions, and less on the actual trial. Mary was the only sympathetic character but I didn’t feel that I knew or understood her since we only learn about her through Gus’ eyes. The ending was somewhat hopeful which was good after the dark atmosphere of the story.

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.

[leonie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must have missed the psychological thriller bit along with the twist!! Unlikable characters and all just a bit "wet'.

[Bobbie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed In Her Defense by Phillippa Malicka. It’s a compelling legal thriller that kept me turning pages while also giving me a lot to think about.

The courtroom drama is well done, but what stood out most to me was the emotional side of the story. The main character feels very real. Flawed, determined, and constantly questioning herself in a system that doesn’t always feel fair. I liked how the book explored themes of justice, perception, and the way women are judged, both inside and outside the courtroom.

The pacing was mostly solid, though there were a few moments in the middle where it slowed down a bit for me, and some plot points weren’t entirely surprising. Still, the tension builds nicely, and the payoff at the end made it worth it.

Overall, this was an engaging, thought-provoking read, especially if you enjoy legal thrillers with strong characters and social commentary. Definitely one I’d recommend, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy.

[Emily Poche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Scribner for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

In Her Defense by Philippe Malicka is part psychological thriller, part legal drama. Set in both present London and years before in Rome, a woman named Gus is transfixed; first by a student named Mary, and then by a mysterious therapist. Later, Mary’s famous mother will claim in court that this therapist has brainwashed and alienated her daughter. Gus seems to be the only one with the full story.

I think that, on my first reading, that this book would have a lot of appeal to fans of Lisa Jewell. Monied families, ingratiating schemers, and dark secrets do make this book have a very familiar sense of framing.

Something that I particularly liked was that Gus, our main character, wasn’t blameless and often was unlikeable. She’s the push that gets the whole story in motion but she’s far from an innocent. Her actions are spineless, selfish, and at times cross boundaries. But at the same time, Malicka writes her with a healthy dose of empathy; she’s lonely, manipulated, and desperately seeking validation. I think that it’s pretty masterful that the author could craft a character that in one moment feels like a little lost puppy and in the other seems like a dangerously obsessed creep.

Unfortunately, I did not feel that the other characters were written with as much deftness as the main character. Jean especially appears as little more than a Svengali—charming and then deeply dangerous. We’re given little peeks into her as a more complex character and her motives are hinted at, but she really seems a stock “evil therapist.” Mary, as well, has very little depth beside being beautiful and physically present.

I did find that when this book was good, it was very, very engaging. On the other hand, when it dragged, it basically ground to a standstill. I felt like the same few ideas were being rehashed without moving the plot forward or adding depth. We know that Jean is manipulative and striving to control Mary, using Gus as a pawn to reach her. I felt like the many scenes of their interactions trying to reel her in were repetitive. It felt a little bit like I was reading the same interaction over and over again, interspersed with more interesting moments.

I liked this book, but it wasn’t a complete success in its goals. I think that if you really crave a different spin on a cult leader style thriller, that this could be very gripping. I particularly liked the way that the author wrote the ambiguously sympathetic main character. 3/5 stars!

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK overall, but there was so much build‑up throughout the story that the ending felt surprisingly mediocre and left me wanting something more satisfying.

[Christina Pace · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big thank you to Simon & Schuester, Philippa Malicka, and NetGalley for providing an ARC upon request in exchange for an honest review!

2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.

I liked the premise of this book. A libel trial involving a celeb chef, her daughter and the therapist that 'stole' her away from her? And the witness that could make/break the case? Sounds really interesting, and the book had me in the beginning, setting up the little breadcrumbs that would come up later down the road with an unassuming, day-in-the-life protagonist.

However, for me I found it staggering around part 2, which started out interesting, but then became a rotating door of 'will they/won't they' emotions that are never quite really acted upon by the main character. This goes on throughout part 2 and part 3, and it becomes a constant lurid description of being an art student in Rome. A lot of key details are also brought up as key parts of the story, only to never be expanded upon or closed out on at the conclusion of the novel. I won't get into spoiler territory as this book has yet to be released (slated for a Feb. 2026 release) but for so much time it spends on MC and her pining for her love interest in Rome, it says nothing about (IMO) the more important details that play a part in the court case. Fortunately it picks back up in part 4, but even those parts feel woefully short in comparison to part 2 and 3.

I really liked how things are described in the writing, and I think Malicka is a solid writer. I also liked the main character being as messy and vulnerable as she was, and how she unknowingly stepped into the belly of the beast with the court case. However, I think it's bogged down by pacing issues and the extended focus on one event over all others that make it a miss for me.

[Charlene Roberson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

I am getting really tired of these poor women who just can't handle life. Someone else has to justify their existence and they connect themselves to whoever comes along that seems to have a better life and/or make their pitiful existence better.

Such a person is Augusta "Gus" Bird. Her parents were never "enough" - not emotionally, lovingly, caring ENOUGH. And when she is caught with another girl in a compromising situation at the school she attends and her parents teach, they are disappointed in her. Their beliefs do not allow them to accept that she may be "different" and she can't accept that she has disappointed them, even though she doesn't really much like them.

She drifts around and finally decides she will be a ceramicist, getting space in Rome in an internship to further her learning and techniques. But when she spots a group of young women her age who seem to have it all, she schemes to become one of them, if only peripherally. What she fails to realize is that they are as lost as she is, they just have family money to support their whims and lack of ambition. One of them, Mary Finbow is everything Gus wants to be, or have. She gets hired as a model at the art school where the girls are students and is chosen to be Mary's model, which she interprets as a romantic interest.

Gus also, seemingly randomly, gets acquainted with a woman, Jean Guest, who presents herself as a therapist and offers to help Gus get her life in order and reach her dreams. Turns out, Jean is really befriending Gus to get to Mary, who falls under her spell and leaves Rome to "work on herself" with Jean, abandoning her schooling and Gus.

So Gus thinks she can get into both Mary and Jean's good graces by working for Mary's mother, Anna Finbow, a beloved TV star who has brought suit against Jean for alienating her daughter from her parents and her former life.

When we FINALLY get the the trial, about one-third of the way through the book, it is underwhelming. The story at that point alternates between the trial, with each day excruciatingly reported, and the women's time in Rome. Then suddenly the trial is over and we skip ahead six months to FINALLY end this sordid and unnecessary story.

[Corinne Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part psychological thriller and part legal drama. The main character, Gus, is quite the unreliable character. Gus becomes quite enamored with a fellow student, Mary, and then by a mysterious therapist, who is very charming but becomes very dangerous. As the story goes on, it is this very therapist, who Mary's mother claims in court, that has brainwashed and alienated Mary from her family. The entire story is told from the perspective of Gus. At times, you feel sorry for Gus because she seems so vulnerable and lacking in confidence, while at other times she comes across as very manipulative and stalkerish. It is Gus who gets Mary and Jean (the therapist) together, as she feels that Jean has helped her in so many ways. But once Jean has Mary in her grasp, she neglects Gus and this causes Gus to spiral. You start to feel like you don't know who to trust, as it feels like no one is telling the truth. I found the book to be entertaining and pretty fast-paced, but I started feeling like I didn't grasp the characters' underlying motives. I felt like both Gus & Jean were very wishy-washy.

Many thanks to Scribner & NetGalley for an invitation to read an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Am I missing something here? This was supposed to be a thriller… Is the thriller in the room with us because not once throughout this entire book not did I feel like there was any anything to make this a thriller? There was nothing keeping me on the edge of my seat? This book was so easy to stop and hard to start again. In between sitting, did I not once, ever felt the need to think about this at all. No stakes, no twists, no turns, no big reveal, no mystery at all.

As for the story in general was there even a story? I felt like there was a book with nothing happened. The MC was painfully mediocre and forgettable. She was a terrible narrator and hard to connect with let alone root for. She kept everyone—including the reader—at arms length so you never get the need to be invested, if the main character can’t ever care about herself and what is happening, why so the reader?

Basically, if you go into this ignoring the thriller part and go into this expecting a pointless chill read, you might enjoy this. If you want Thriller with some suspense, THIS IS NOT IT!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very impressed with this debut novel. Augusta “Gus” is the main character and is a witness in the libel case that a TV celebrity filed against a therapist who treated her daughter, Mary. Gus had connections to the TV celebrity and to Mary. You learn early on that Gus also knew the therapist, Jean Guest. The story unfolds in a dual timeline format and kept me engaged the whole time. If you like twisty psychological thrillers, I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Scribner, the author and Net Galley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this slow paced mystery/drama. A celebrity takes her daughter's therapist to court, a friend of the daughter, also connected to the therapist, is the narrator. The therapist has a cult-like following, and is accused of implanting memories. The story is told through the court procedings, along with flashbacks to the narrator's interactions with all the other people involved leading up to the court case. It's a story in which you're never quite sure who to believe, none of the characters are particularly sympathetic, but it was interesting and entertaining from start to finish.

[Tam Sesto · Rating 4 out of 5]

A court case told in past/present modes. The characters were hard to like or root for, but their personalities fit the story perfectly. The plot was intriguing and captivating. The writing was moody and depressing. The ending was unexpected, and yet somehow perfect.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

[Trisha]

ooh this sounds twisty. I like when we can't tell which story is true. Sounds like this one will be unique.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Alona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a story! I have no words to describe this book as for now. A very interesting read.
I think Gussie made a right decision in the court and after it. Of course, I took the side in the trial and I am glad I was right.
Highly recommend it for reading!

[Erin Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started off really strong for me and I liked the twists however towards the end I just started getting frustrated at a lot of the characters and the ending wasn’t the justice I wanted so it feel flat for me. 3 stars. The audio helped me when I needed to pick it up.

[savreadsbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75✨
*review to come*

[Janelle C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book centers on a highly publicized court case involving a questionable therapist, told through a mix of trial scenes and flashbacks. While the structure keeps things mildly engaging, very little actually happens. Overall, it feels overhyped and ultimately lacks an any resolution.

[Alyssa Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5? I was very invested in this story and loved the premise - but as the story went on it fell flat to me. I was very disappointed by how it all played out!

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was primed for drama. You pitch me a courtroom showdown between a celebrity mom and a maybe cult leader therapist, throw in a fragile art student and a wildcard narrator with suspiciously strong side character energy? I’m seated. I’ve cleared my schedule. I’m expecting The Vow meets The Crown with a dash of Girl, Interrupted and maybe a few tasteful breakdowns over terracotta. What I got was more like if your ex’s emotional support barista testified in court while still lowkey stalking them on Instagram.

In Her Defense follows Augusta "Gus" Bird, who is… how do I put this gently… absolutely unqualified to be anywhere near a courtroom or anyone’s daughter. Gus is orbiting the chaos of a high-profile libel trial where famous lifestyle goddess Anna Finbow (think Goop, but with clay) is suing her daughter’s therapist Jean Guest for, allegedly, brainwashing Mary and inserting trauma like it’s an emotional BBL. The therapist, for her part, claims Mary’s estrangement is very much a “bad parents, bad vibes” situation. Meanwhile Gus, former friend, maybe ex-hookup, possibly unpaid intern to both women’s psyches, holds the one brain cell that could make or break this whole circus.

But does Gus testify? Not really. Does she monologue about her unrequited crush on Mary, get manipulated by Jean like she’s in a very sad rom com, and take dramatic train rides? Absolutely. Most of this book is less legal thriller and more long-form diary entry from someone who thinks handing over a mixtape is the same thing as processing grief. And honestly? Kinda iconic. But also deeply frustrating.

The vibes are off in a way that almost works. The story dips into the weird intimacy of toxic mentorship, unreciprocated love, and the kind of therapy that feels more like emotional MLM recruitment. Jean Guest has major cult leader in sensible shoes energy, but the book keeps her behind glass like a fancy exhibit instead of letting us dig into her psyche. Mary is more of a symbol than a person. And Gus? Gus is trying so hard to be the narrator of her own life, but you can tell she’s been edited out of the group chat multiple times.

The best parts are when the book leans into how gross and real it all feels. The art school flashbacks in Rome? Sensual, creepy, overstimulating in that way all good Euro trauma should be. But by Part 3, we’re just rinsing and repeating the same will-they-won’t-they dynamic between Gus and her lingering obsession with Mary and Jean. The tension flatlines. I started rooting for the trial to wrap up just so someone could go to jail or at least therapy with a license.

Also, the courtroom stuff? Criminally underused. We are told this is a libel trial watched by the entire country and yet we get, like, five minutes of actual legal drama and a lot more staring at people across cafés like we’re in a very sad Italian episode of Law and Order SVU. The potential was there but the execution felt like it kept getting distracted by its own reflection in a café window.

Is this book bad? No. Is it great? Also no. It’s smart, stylish, and very sure of itself, but it’s also emotionally evasive in ways that made me feel like I needed my therapist afterward. I respected the craft, but I didn’t enjoy the spiral. Gus is a brilliant mess of a character, but the plot keeps her treading water instead of letting her swim or sink in a satisfying, dramatic blaze.

Three stars because it gave me a lot to chew on, even if most of it tasted like slightly bitter prosecco. Perfect if you like your thrillers slow, sad, and filled with people making consistently terrible choices for reasons they refuse to explain.

Whodunity Award: For Making Me Root for the Therapist to Be a Cult Leader Just So Something Would Happen

Massive thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for the ARC. It made me question the therapeutic ethics of every wellness influencer I’ve ever followed and also whether I’ve accidentally libeled someone in a group chat.

[Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller · Rating 4 out of 5]

In her striking debut, IN HER DEFENSE, Philippa Malicka shocks readers with an immersive psychological thriller involving manipulated relationships.

Guest v. Finbow is a closely watched lawsuit being tried in the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Jean Guest alleges that her reputation as a therapist has been damaged by the libelous statements of Anna Finbow, an influential television personality. Anna shows no remorse, only indignant anger. She fumes that Jean turned her daughter, Mary, against her. She claims that the unlicensed “therapist” planted false memories in Mary’s head, which destroyed their close bond. Anna wants the world to know what this witch did to their relationship, and she hopes to keep Jean from wrecking other families. Not only has Anna lost her daughter, her marriage is now hanging by a thread.

In the weeks leading up to the trial, Anna interviews a young woman, Augusta “Gus” Bird. Gus, like Anna, is a ceramicist. She has dreamed of working with Anna, an artist with a brand of collectibles known all over the country. So Gus shows up for the appointment and gets the job. However, unexpectedly, the duties are not as Anna’s aide in pottery making but as the Finbows’ dog walker. Although disappointed, Gus accepts anyway.

Sometime back, Gus went to Rome in order to pursue her passion for becoming a great ceramicist. Struggling artists in an expensive city like Rome often find it difficult to survive. So when Gus was chosen to pose at a posh art school, she jumped at the chance as she desperately needed the money. As a bonus, the student she’d be sitting for was Mary Finbow. Tall, blonde, beautiful and rich, Mary has everything that Gus yearns for. And it doesn’t take long for Gus to fall in love with her. How can she get Mary to reciprocate those feelings?

What happens in Rome becomes a blur of drunken parties, sexual experiments and young people gone wild. Gus took up with a crowd of girls who have a lifestyle far different from what she has ever known. Sometimes their choices make her uncomfortable, but she needs acceptance. She craves it, along with constant reassurance. While Gus thinks she knows what she wants, she is open to suggestions. She easily can be manipulated. But Gus has no money, so why would anyone bother? For at least one person, there’s a very good reason.

Augusta Bird is a highly sympathetic character. Until she’s not. Her story twists and changes from one setting to the next, making it difficult to keep liking her. But it’s equally hard not to like her. Just when she does something really nice, she ruins it with a jaw-dropping slam. Or she might start out on a bad course only to finish off by setting things right.

Then there’s Anna Finbow. She lost contact with her only child. Was it her fault? Did Jean Guest plant memories? Did the therapist cause the rift between mother and daughter for her own gain? Who here did the manipulating? Who should win the lawsuit? Oh, there are so many questions.

IN HER DEFENSE is a compulsive page turner. Does it end on the right foot? It’s up to you to find out.

Reviewed by Kate Ayers

[Angel **Book Junkie** · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Scribner, and Phillipa Malicka for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In Her Defense is one of those books that pulls you in with a strong premise, gives you characters you want to alternately hug and throttle, and then leaves you sitting there thinking, “Well… that was a ride.” Not the most explosive thriller on the shelf, but definitely one that kept me invested—sometimes out of love, sometimes out of pure frustration.

👩‍⚖️ The Characters
Anna
Anna is the beating heart of this story. I adored her. I wanted to wrap her in a blanket, hand her a cup of tea, and tell her everything would be okay. She’s layered, vulnerable, and quietly powerful in a way that sneaks up on you. Every scene with her felt grounded and emotionally rich. She’s the reason I kept turning pages.

Gus
And then… there’s Gus.
If Anna is the character you want to protect, Gus is the one you want to shake until her teeth rattle. Her inner monologue tested every ounce of my patience. Her choices? Questionable. Her attitude? Even more questionable. And that ending? Let’s just say she earned herself a metaphorical slap in the face. I kept waiting for her to give more—more depth, more growth, more anything—but she stayed frustratingly flat for me. If I’d found her even slightly more compelling, this could’ve been a five‑star read.

⚖️ The Storyline
The plot is solid, with a thoughtful legal‑drama backbone and emotional stakes that feel real. It’s not the most pulse‑pounding thriller, but it has a steady rhythm that keeps you curious. Some moments shine, others simmer a little too quietly, but the overall arc works. The tension builds in a slow, deliberate way, and the final stretch delivers enough payoff to make the journey worthwhile.

🎯 What Worked
Anna’s character—complex, warm, and deeply human

A strong premise with emotional weight

A finale that ties things together with satisfying clarity

🤏 What Fell Short
Gus being… Gus

A narrative that never quite hits “unputdownable”

A few pacing dips that soften the impact

⚖️ Final Verdict
A compelling, character‑driven legal drama with one protagonist you’ll love and another you’ll want to launch into the sun. While it wasn’t as captivating as I hoped, the emotional depth, the thoughtful storytelling, and Anna’s standout presence make it a strong read.

Final Score: 4 stars. A well‑crafted story with heart—held back only by one very frustrating character.