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The Bestseller
YOU TOLD HER YOUR DARKEST SECRETS.
NOW MILLIONS WILL READ THEM . . .
Therapist Helena Averell knows that client confidentiality is the number one unbreakable rule of her job. But the constant stories of coercive control and threat she hears from her client Belle about her dangerous husband have been wearing her down. One night over too many glasses of wine, she tells her best friend Tala everything that Belle has told her.
The problem is, Tala is a down-on-her-luck novelist who is looking for an idea for her new thriller.
Months later, Tala is excitedly telling Helena that her publisher is saying this is going to be her biggest book ever. The story is Belle's story. Not only is Helena's job on the line, but if Belle's husband is as dangerous as she says, her life is too...
Why would Tala do this to Helena? She knows what's at stake.
Your friends are meant to protect you... aren't they?
NOW MILLIONS WILL READ THEM . . .
Therapist Helena Averell knows that client confidentiality is the number one unbreakable rule of her job. But the constant stories of coercive control and threat she hears from her client Belle about her dangerous husband have been wearing her down. One night over too many glasses of wine, she tells her best friend Tala everything that Belle has told her.
The problem is, Tala is a down-on-her-luck novelist who is looking for an idea for her new thriller.
Months later, Tala is excitedly telling Helena that her publisher is saying this is going to be her biggest book ever. The story is Belle's story. Not only is Helena's job on the line, but if Belle's husband is as dangerous as she says, her life is too...
Why would Tala do this to Helena? She knows what's at stake.
Your friends are meant to protect you... aren't they?
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
June 30, 2026
I could listen to the narrator, Charlotte Worthing, all day. Her voice is soothing, like a warm bath after a hard day. The plot was clever, original, and unpredictable. Most of the story reads like a deadly cat-and-mouse game, with the roles constantly shifting as twists and turns accumulate. There were so many twists at the end, my head was spinning. The epilogue is chilling and the perfect conclusion to a mesmerizing, jaw-dropping tale. Thank you, NetGalley, and Headline Audio for my audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
➡️ "The Bestseller" was not one of my besties.
➡️ WHY? I was not the right reader for this book. I prefer fast-paced thrillers without repetitive text and too many tangents.
➡️ The book's premise was unique and compelling:
A therapist breaches confidentiality by revealing the sordid details of a client's troubled marriage to her best friend, who then turns that juicy real-life drama into her next book.
I lost track of how many times the therapist expressed regret over her decision. Yes, the guilt was real, but this repetitive text and melodrama slowed the momentum.
I would have enjoyed the book more had it stayed locked onto its central premise instead of constantly veering off course.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Charlotte Worthing. Although Charlotte Worthing's performance was 10-star, the book would have benefited from multiple narrators since it unfolded from multiple POVs and timelines.
This was a very impressive debut with uneven pacing that failed to deliver the thriller punch I was seeking.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2026
This is a debut? Wow! Jenny Knightsby is an author to watch. The Bestseller had me hooked from the very beginning and my jaw dropping at the end. What did I just read?
A story of complicated relationships and the things people do for love. Helena is a therapist who is seeing Bella, a woman who doesn’t really believe that there is a problem with her marriage but is seeing her to shit her sister up. Helena can see what is really happening and is scared for her patients safety. She mentions the case to her best friend Tala, knowing that she shouldn’t but really needing someone to talk to. Months later, Talas new book comes out about a toxic relationship that is the mirror of Bella’s life. And this is just the beginning of her troubles.
I loved the tension throughout this book, it really did make you feel like everyone was in danger and scared. Through dual timelines of the past and present, we learn more about Helena and Talas relationship and past and a see why each woman has the issues that they do.
I thought that I had this one all worked out, and I was so happy to be wrong. The twists in this one were so clever, it was a very bingeable story. It is emotional as you would imagine, and some parts are hard to read. The narrator Charlotte Worthing did a fantastic job of telling the story, with all the emotion and tension in play.
Thank you to Headline Audio for my early copy of this great book to reread and listen to.
A story of complicated relationships and the things people do for love. Helena is a therapist who is seeing Bella, a woman who doesn’t really believe that there is a problem with her marriage but is seeing her to shit her sister up. Helena can see what is really happening and is scared for her patients safety. She mentions the case to her best friend Tala, knowing that she shouldn’t but really needing someone to talk to. Months later, Talas new book comes out about a toxic relationship that is the mirror of Bella’s life. And this is just the beginning of her troubles.
I loved the tension throughout this book, it really did make you feel like everyone was in danger and scared. Through dual timelines of the past and present, we learn more about Helena and Talas relationship and past and a see why each woman has the issues that they do.
I thought that I had this one all worked out, and I was so happy to be wrong. The twists in this one were so clever, it was a very bingeable story. It is emotional as you would imagine, and some parts are hard to read. The narrator Charlotte Worthing did a fantastic job of telling the story, with all the emotion and tension in play.
Thank you to Headline Audio for my early copy of this great book to reread and listen to.
June 6, 2026
The Bestseller by Jenny Knightsby is an intense, fast-paced thriller that completely pulled me in from start to finish. The story follows Helena, a therapist who becomes deeply involved in her client Belle’s life as she tries to help her escape a dangerous and abusive marriage. What starts as a professional relationship quickly spirals into something far more complicated and morally grey.
As Helena confides in her best friend Tala about Belle’s situation, things take a shocking turn when Tala writes a book that appears to mirror Belle’s life a little too closely. From that moment on, the tension ramps up, and Helena is left questioning whether she has betrayed her client’s trust in the worst possible way.
This book truly felt like a roller coaster—I couldn’t put it down. The twists kept coming, and just when I thought I had things figured out, the story shifted again. The emotional weight of the characters’ choices and the ethical dilemmas Helena faces added depth to the suspense.
That said, this is definitely a heavy read at times. The story includes trigger warnings for infertility, abuse, rape, drugs, and murder, which may be difficult for some readers. However, these elements are woven into the story in a way that heightens the stakes and keeps you fully invested.
Overall, The Bestseller is a gripping and addictive read that explores trust, boundaries, and the consequences of blurred lines. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with plenty of twists, this one is well worth picking up.
As Helena confides in her best friend Tala about Belle’s situation, things take a shocking turn when Tala writes a book that appears to mirror Belle’s life a little too closely. From that moment on, the tension ramps up, and Helena is left questioning whether she has betrayed her client’s trust in the worst possible way.
This book truly felt like a roller coaster—I couldn’t put it down. The twists kept coming, and just when I thought I had things figured out, the story shifted again. The emotional weight of the characters’ choices and the ethical dilemmas Helena faces added depth to the suspense.
That said, this is definitely a heavy read at times. The story includes trigger warnings for infertility, abuse, rape, drugs, and murder, which may be difficult for some readers. However, these elements are woven into the story in a way that heightens the stakes and keeps you fully invested.
Overall, The Bestseller is a gripping and addictive read that explores trust, boundaries, and the consequences of blurred lines. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with plenty of twists, this one is well worth picking up.
August 1, 2026
Damn this was good. I started it and finished it in one go. Couldn’t put it down. A few trigger warnings, and it was dark but so so good.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy. Review to come upon release.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy. Review to come upon release.
August 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a pleasant surprise!
When I first started The Bestseller, I really wasn’t sure how much I was going to like it. I wasn’t considering DNFing it, but it hadn’t completely grabbed me either. Then, somewhere around the 20% mark, I became increasingly intrigued.
The puzzle pieces started piling up, and I had such fun trying to figure out how they all fit together. I kept forming theories about the characters and what was really happening, only to find myself questioning those theories as another piece of information appeared. That became one of my favorite parts of the reading experience.
Charlotte Worthing’s narration was excellent—wonderful cadence, easy to understand, and very well paced.
I was also reading several exceptionally good books at the same time, which makes this five-star rating even more significant to me. The Bestseller managed to keep pulling me back despite having some very strong competition for my attention.
I’m so glad I kept listening. This developed into a clever, intriguing, and thoroughly enjoyable five-star read.
I was blessed with an ALC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
What a pleasant surprise!
When I first started The Bestseller, I really wasn’t sure how much I was going to like it. I wasn’t considering DNFing it, but it hadn’t completely grabbed me either. Then, somewhere around the 20% mark, I became increasingly intrigued.
The puzzle pieces started piling up, and I had such fun trying to figure out how they all fit together. I kept forming theories about the characters and what was really happening, only to find myself questioning those theories as another piece of information appeared. That became one of my favorite parts of the reading experience.
Charlotte Worthing’s narration was excellent—wonderful cadence, easy to understand, and very well paced.
I was also reading several exceptionally good books at the same time, which makes this five-star rating even more significant to me. The Bestseller managed to keep pulling me back despite having some very strong competition for my attention.
I’m so glad I kept listening. This developed into a clever, intriguing, and thoroughly enjoyable five-star read.
I was blessed with an ALC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
June 22, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
An excellent debut. That was very nearly a 4 star rating from me, I’m extremely hard to please when it comes to psychological thrillers for no real reason other than it was previously my go to genre and therefore I’ve read so many that I practically always have it figured out. Not quite, this time, I definitely guessed some of the twists, but not how they’d play out. I liked the characters, I loved the premise and the narration was excellent. I did find things to be slightly repetitive at times but it wasn’t a killer for me.
I can’t wait to see where the author goes next.
Huge thanks to Headline Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
An excellent debut. That was very nearly a 4 star rating from me, I’m extremely hard to please when it comes to psychological thrillers for no real reason other than it was previously my go to genre and therefore I’ve read so many that I practically always have it figured out. Not quite, this time, I definitely guessed some of the twists, but not how they’d play out. I liked the characters, I loved the premise and the narration was excellent. I did find things to be slightly repetitive at times but it wasn’t a killer for me.
I can’t wait to see where the author goes next.
Huge thanks to Headline Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
June 23, 2026
Yikes! I give this one 3.75⭐️’s round up. This one gets you from the very beginning and then it’s a slow burn, but one that will have you a little anxious for more but when it heats up hold on to your knickers 😂 Honestly this one should come with some trigger warnings it’s heavy with behavior health disorders, sexual abuse with minor, and sexual assault. I mean, it is a psychological thriller with behavioral health being at the center. It can be a little repetitive, but still entertaining all the more.
Looking for your next deep dive, psychological thriller, with lots of toxic people and good old fashioned gaslighting? Then stop right here! Great storytelling with a satisfying ending and for that I say…thank you!
Looking for your next deep dive, psychological thriller, with lots of toxic people and good old fashioned gaslighting? Then stop right here! Great storytelling with a satisfying ending and for that I say…thank you!
July 27, 2026
Jenny Knightsby does an excellent job of drawing the reader into the story with intensity, tension, and genuine shock. I was surprised more than once, especially because the direction and heart of the story were nothing like I expected. Although The Bestseller is Knightsby’s debut novel, it reads with the confidence and polish of an author with many published books behind her.
From the beginning, Knightsby pulled me in without revealing the full impact the story would eventually deliver. Like many readers, I quickly made assumptions about the characters and where the plot was headed, only to discover that I was completely off the mark.
I struggled to understand how Tala could betray Helena by writing the book, and I felt a great deal of anger toward her for doing so. At the same time, I was shocked that Helena had broken client confidentiality in the first place. That moral tension made the story even more compelling, because there was blame, fear, and uncertainty on more than one side.
I also found myself trying to understand the complicated dynamic between Tala, Helena, and Helena’s husband, Dylan. The shifting timeline—moving between the present and their university years—helped fill in important gaps while making the story even more intriguing.
I had suspicions about Helena’s client, Belle, and Belle’s husband, Julius. My mind kept returning to the possibility that the entire situation was a setup designed to discredit Helena, but I could not figure out who would do such a thing—or why. As the story unfolded, every character began to feel unreliable. Not knowing who I could trust, or even who I should empathize with, made the reading experience far more thrilling.
The character development is excellent, and I enjoyed getting to know Tala, Helena, and Dylan both in the present and through the events of the past. The story delivers several jaw-dropping twists, and what I initially thought might be just an okay read ended up completely blowing me away.
My Final Verdict: The Bestseller is a gripping, twist-filled thriller that kept me questioning everyone’s motives until the very end. With strong character development, layered tension, and surprises that genuinely caught me off guard, Jenny Knightsby delivers an impressive debut that I would highly recommend to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers built on secrets, betrayal, and unreliable loyalties.
Thank you to the publisher, Headline, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.
From the beginning, Knightsby pulled me in without revealing the full impact the story would eventually deliver. Like many readers, I quickly made assumptions about the characters and where the plot was headed, only to discover that I was completely off the mark.
I struggled to understand how Tala could betray Helena by writing the book, and I felt a great deal of anger toward her for doing so. At the same time, I was shocked that Helena had broken client confidentiality in the first place. That moral tension made the story even more compelling, because there was blame, fear, and uncertainty on more than one side.
I also found myself trying to understand the complicated dynamic between Tala, Helena, and Helena’s husband, Dylan. The shifting timeline—moving between the present and their university years—helped fill in important gaps while making the story even more intriguing.
I had suspicions about Helena’s client, Belle, and Belle’s husband, Julius. My mind kept returning to the possibility that the entire situation was a setup designed to discredit Helena, but I could not figure out who would do such a thing—or why. As the story unfolded, every character began to feel unreliable. Not knowing who I could trust, or even who I should empathize with, made the reading experience far more thrilling.
The character development is excellent, and I enjoyed getting to know Tala, Helena, and Dylan both in the present and through the events of the past. The story delivers several jaw-dropping twists, and what I initially thought might be just an okay read ended up completely blowing me away.
My Final Verdict: The Bestseller is a gripping, twist-filled thriller that kept me questioning everyone’s motives until the very end. With strong character development, layered tension, and surprises that genuinely caught me off guard, Jenny Knightsby delivers an impressive debut that I would highly recommend to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers built on secrets, betrayal, and unreliable loyalties.
Thank you to the publisher, Headline, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
OMG.
I will never ever look at my therapist the same way again. Sorry, not sorry. In this day and age, most of us have talk therapy covered by insurance, so we drop in, tell all, and blissfully go on our merry way. telling our form of truth.......
Not judging here, but we all have secrets, some deep and dark. We trust our therapist to keep those........ privacy acts and all....... But what if the secrets aren't really um.......
A therapists job is to listen. NOT TELL.
Nuff said.
Since this is my opinion, and Im not doing spoilers, Im just gonna say, damn, why didn't I write this book? Oh yeah, cause Im not that good.
Full of angst, twists, turns and hate (oh yeah that was mine), this is one of the most unputdownable books so far. Trust no one...... And set an alarm so you get some rest before you have to go to your therapy appointment tomorrow morning
😉
I will never ever look at my therapist the same way again. Sorry, not sorry. In this day and age, most of us have talk therapy covered by insurance, so we drop in, tell all, and blissfully go on our merry way. telling our form of truth.......
Not judging here, but we all have secrets, some deep and dark. We trust our therapist to keep those........ privacy acts and all....... But what if the secrets aren't really um.......
A therapists job is to listen. NOT TELL.
Nuff said.
Since this is my opinion, and Im not doing spoilers, Im just gonna say, damn, why didn't I write this book? Oh yeah, cause Im not that good.
Full of angst, twists, turns and hate (oh yeah that was mine), this is one of the most unputdownable books so far. Trust no one...... And set an alarm so you get some rest before you have to go to your therapy appointment tomorrow morning
😉
June 8, 2026
3.5⭐️
I’d had this one on my radar for months after seeing it absolutely everywhere on Bookstagram during its UK release. The marketing campaign for this book was fantastic and definitely did its job because I was intrigued long before I picked it up.
I listened to this on audio and found it a really easy book to get through. The premise immediately grabbed me: a therapist breaches confidentiality, her novelist best friend publishes a suspiciously familiar story, and suddenly everyone’s lives start unravelling.
The opening was strong and had me hooked straight away. I also thought some of the reveals were clever, particularly as more of Helena and Tala’s history came to light. The friendship dynamics were probably the most interesting part of the book for me.
That said, the pacing dipped a bit through the middle and there were a few moments that felt a little hard to believe. Not enough to stop me enjoying it, but enough that I occasionally found myself questioning how realistic certain developments were.
The ending ramped things back up again though, and I flew through the final section.
Overall, a bingeable psychological thriller with a great premise, a dramatic finish and enough twists along the way to keep me listening.
I’d had this one on my radar for months after seeing it absolutely everywhere on Bookstagram during its UK release. The marketing campaign for this book was fantastic and definitely did its job because I was intrigued long before I picked it up.
I listened to this on audio and found it a really easy book to get through. The premise immediately grabbed me: a therapist breaches confidentiality, her novelist best friend publishes a suspiciously familiar story, and suddenly everyone’s lives start unravelling.
The opening was strong and had me hooked straight away. I also thought some of the reveals were clever, particularly as more of Helena and Tala’s history came to light. The friendship dynamics were probably the most interesting part of the book for me.
That said, the pacing dipped a bit through the middle and there were a few moments that felt a little hard to believe. Not enough to stop me enjoying it, but enough that I occasionally found myself questioning how realistic certain developments were.
The ending ramped things back up again though, and I flew through the final section.
Overall, a bingeable psychological thriller with a great premise, a dramatic finish and enough twists along the way to keep me listening.
May 23, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
An enjoyable read. A little predictable I found but I read it easily and enjoyed a couple of smaller twists. Great writing and story.
An enjoyable read. A little predictable I found but I read it easily and enjoyed a couple of smaller twists. Great writing and story.
July 20, 2026
For a therapist, Helena could be quite blind to what was happening around her. So no, I didn't like her as a character. In fact, I'm going further and say she was a really bad therapist.
And I didn't like this story. For a great part of it, the story didn't seem to go anywhere. I was getting relly fed up with the whole 'Belle and Julius' thing. And it was quite predictable. It was only Helena who didn't want to see what was right in front of her.
Reading this book gave me weird feelings. From those sessions between Helena and Belle, to 'the Secret' Helena, Tala and Dylan kept quiet about, the convoluted end. The whole thing was strange and uncomfortable, and the way Helena behaved was too bizarre to be believable. On a second thought, though, most of the characters' behaviours were absolutely outlandish.
My favourite character was the cat.
1,5 star.
And I didn't like this story. For a great part of it, the story didn't seem to go anywhere. I was getting relly fed up with the whole 'Belle and Julius' thing. And it was quite predictable. It was only Helena who didn't want to see what was right in front of her.
Reading this book gave me weird feelings. From those sessions between Helena and Belle, to 'the Secret' Helena, Tala and Dylan kept quiet about, the convoluted end. The whole thing was strange and uncomfortable, and the way Helena behaved was too bizarre to be believable. On a second thought, though, most of the characters' behaviours were absolutely outlandish.
My favourite character was the cat.
1,5 star.
February 24, 2026
Big thanks to Netgalley for approving my request for an E arc of this book!! I did find that the story was dragging on a bit for me. It seemed like I was waiting for too long to figure out what happened in the past. (I also was able to figure out the twists in this book not that that bothers me necessarily I still enjoyed the read.) However, I did love the ending of this the last 15-20% of the book was so good!
June 3, 2026
As someone who loves psychological thrillers built around secrets and unreliable memories, The Bestseller was an enjoyable read. The premise immediately hooked me: a therapist makes one mistake by sharing details about a client's troubled marriage with her best friend, only for that story to end up in a bestselling novel. From there, the tension keeps building as the consequences begin to spiral.
The present and day storyline was intriguing, but the flashbacks to Helena and Tala's university years were my favorite parts of the book. With each flashback, more pieces of the puzzle fell into place, and I found myself constantly questioning what had really happened in the past and who could be trusted. The friendship between Helena and Tala felt layered and complicated, and I liked how the story explored loyalty, betrayal, and the secrets people keep to protect themselves and others.
The pacing was a little slow for me in the beginning, and while I guessed part of the twist before the reveal, I still enjoyed watching everything unfold. The final chapters tied the different timelines together well.
The present and day storyline was intriguing, but the flashbacks to Helena and Tala's university years were my favorite parts of the book. With each flashback, more pieces of the puzzle fell into place, and I found myself constantly questioning what had really happened in the past and who could be trusted. The friendship between Helena and Tala felt layered and complicated, and I liked how the story explored loyalty, betrayal, and the secrets people keep to protect themselves and others.
The pacing was a little slow for me in the beginning, and while I guessed part of the twist before the reveal, I still enjoyed watching everything unfold. The final chapters tied the different timelines together well.
July 10, 2026
“YOU TOLD HER YOUR DARKEST SECRETS. NOW MILLIONS WILL READ THEM . . .”
That is the start of the book blurb, if that hasn’t grabbed you enough to make you want to read the book, then you are so missing out. Trust me when I say that this is a book not to be disregarded.
This has been quite a story, somewhat of a rollercoaster of a ride but also a slow burner in places, all of which I say in positive light. The storyline was clever, not one you come across before and the author did it justice. Yes there is a topic within the storyline that some readers might find difficult to read, being toxic coercive control but the author did it well I thought.
Anyway the storyline literally had me captivated throughout, I was on the edge of my seat a fair bit wondering what might happen next, and wondering who can I trust. I’ll admit there was a couple of twist revelations that I did in fact guess before they happened, but that in no way spoiled my enjoyment of the story.
I’m amazed that this is the author’s debut novel, she is definitely going to be one to watch out for.
That is the start of the book blurb, if that hasn’t grabbed you enough to make you want to read the book, then you are so missing out. Trust me when I say that this is a book not to be disregarded.
This has been quite a story, somewhat of a rollercoaster of a ride but also a slow burner in places, all of which I say in positive light. The storyline was clever, not one you come across before and the author did it justice. Yes there is a topic within the storyline that some readers might find difficult to read, being toxic coercive control but the author did it well I thought.
Anyway the storyline literally had me captivated throughout, I was on the edge of my seat a fair bit wondering what might happen next, and wondering who can I trust. I’ll admit there was a couple of twist revelations that I did in fact guess before they happened, but that in no way spoiled my enjoyment of the story.
I’m amazed that this is the author’s debut novel, she is definitely going to be one to watch out for.
March 22, 2026
What would you do if your best friend went against privacy violations of your patient and in a few weeks will publish everything to the world? Helena Salve is a couples therapy therapist who has some harsh methods but they work. When Helena has a new patient, everything changes. Julius- Belles husband is a monster. Slowly through therapy sessions, Helena discovers the truths that make him out to be a horrible man who abuses his wife mentally, and physically. When her best friend releases a book with all the details she spilled, Helena has to make sure Julius doesn’t get his hands on a copy. Read to find out what unfolds chapter after chapter in this crazy suspenseful thriller. I like the 2 settings back in university and present day. The last 25% of the book got so good I couldn’t put it down!
June 19, 2026
Therapist Helena makes a serious mistake by sharing a client's personal information with her best friend, Tala. What follows is a series of events that could potentially turn her life upside down.
I found this one engaging from the start. The pacing was on the slower side, but I enjoyed the way the story unfolded and found myself invested in what was happening. At times, it felt a little repetitive, though.
I also liked the dual timelines and thought they worked well to build the story. The way everything came together in the end was satisfying. I also enjoyed the audiobook narration, which added to the overall experience.
Thanks to NetGalley and Headline Audio | Mountain Leopard Press for the ALC.
February 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-read ARC. It has been a while since I have read a psychological thriller but this one kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I had an inkling of where the climax of this book would go but I was completely surprised by the twists and turns and the ending. The friendship between Tala and Helena kept the story relatable while the tension between Tala and Helena’s husband had you questioning a hidden incident. So, so good. Would definitely make a great movie.
July 1, 2026
I love a good thriller and this book did not disappoint 👏🏼👏🏼 I was immediately interested from when I first read the blurb and really loved the storyline! The story unfolded so well and the twists involving Dylan as a husband as well as Julian/Leo was so well written, I was gripped from start until finish!
Thank you to Netgalley as well as Jenny Knightsby for allowing me to read and review an arc of this book! 4 stars! ⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley as well as Jenny Knightsby for allowing me to read and review an arc of this book! 4 stars! ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I always enjoy a good psychological thriller and this did not disappoint. Following Helena through not only her professional but personal turmoil and fall out was a fascinating perspective. I enjoyed how you could almost look back and see her spiraling more and more. I particularly appreciated how the twists kept coming till the very last pages. I enjoyed the flashback elements although sometimes I got a little confused as I'd overlooked the jump in timeline. These were a great way to build up a picture of effectively what started it all though. I wish we'd got to see more of Tala, she was a really interesting character who didn't get enough page time in the current timeline. I'd love to see the whole story and writing the bestseller from her perspective. Dylan and Julias were well written and it was very clever how the two aspects of abusive relationships were portrayed, one obvious and arguably what most people would imagine with a controlling relationship, what much quieter and more psychological.
Overall a very enjoyable read that I couldn't stop turning the page on! I can't wait to read more by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Mountain Leopard Press (Headline) for an ARC of this book.
Overall a very enjoyable read that I couldn't stop turning the page on! I can't wait to read more by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Mountain Leopard Press (Headline) for an ARC of this book.
August 24, 2026
Thanks to Headline Audio, Mountain Leopard Press the author and NetGalley for an LRC in return for an honest review.
Wow! What a debut. The Bestseller completely drew me in and kept me guessing right until the end. The premise immediately grabbed me - a therapist breaks confidentiality and shares the details of her client's troubled marriage with her best friend, only for that friend to turn the story into her next bestseller. From there, things become increasingly twisted and complicated.
I loved the toxic friendship at the heart of the story and the way the different timelines gradually revealed more about Helena and Tala and their relationship. I thought I had worked out where the story was going several times, only to be proved wrong. The twists kept coming and the final revelations were fantastic.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Charlotte Worthing and she was excellent. She brought the characters and all the tension and emotion to life beautifully.
A clever, addictive and thoroughly entertaining psychological thriller. Five stars from me - I can't wait to see what Jenny Knightsby writes next!
#TheBestseller #NetGalley
Wow! What a debut. The Bestseller completely drew me in and kept me guessing right until the end. The premise immediately grabbed me - a therapist breaks confidentiality and shares the details of her client's troubled marriage with her best friend, only for that friend to turn the story into her next bestseller. From there, things become increasingly twisted and complicated.
I loved the toxic friendship at the heart of the story and the way the different timelines gradually revealed more about Helena and Tala and their relationship. I thought I had worked out where the story was going several times, only to be proved wrong. The twists kept coming and the final revelations were fantastic.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Charlotte Worthing and she was excellent. She brought the characters and all the tension and emotion to life beautifully.
A clever, addictive and thoroughly entertaining psychological thriller. Five stars from me - I can't wait to see what Jenny Knightsby writes next!
#TheBestseller #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
A quick, captivating read that I couldn’t put down. The dual POVs and the past-and-present timelines tied together really well and kept the story moving. There were lots of twists..while many were somewhat predictable, it was still an overall enjoyable read.
I also appreciated how the book portrayed two different types of abusive relationships: one that is more obvious and one that happens more behind the scenes. That contrast felt realistic and highlighted how subtle abuse can be overlooked, even by the people experiencing it.
A quick, captivating read that I couldn’t put down. The dual POVs and the past-and-present timelines tied together really well and kept the story moving. There were lots of twists..while many were somewhat predictable, it was still an overall enjoyable read.
I also appreciated how the book portrayed two different types of abusive relationships: one that is more obvious and one that happens more behind the scenes. That contrast felt realistic and highlighted how subtle abuse can be overlooked, even by the people experiencing it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I enjoyed The Bestseller, check out any trigger warnings prior as some darker themes in the story! It was a slower start then really picked up pace towards the end! And some twists I didnt see coming!
March 14, 2026
Thank you to Headline Books and Netgalley for this eARC!
Helena, a happily married woman, with University best friend Tala by her side, is a relationships therapist. When her new client Belle, a confident woman, playful and in control, diminishes under her husband's shadow, Helena finds her mind fixated on Belle's abusive relationship. Over a glass of wine, she shares details of the client with Tala, sharing more over the year. When Tala's new book comes out, Helena finds obvious links between the story and the details she shared with Tala in private. As Belle's husband begins to extend his control over Belle, trying to pull her back under his control, will he recognise himself in Tala's best selling, most talked about book? And if he does, what will this mean for Helena?
I was drawn to this book instantly from just the blurb. I had to know what happened and it didn't disappoint. Helena is a very stoic character, she learns when to stay silent, when to push her clients, and taught herself to recognise social signs in order to understand people and her clients better. I found this worked well, and even though Helena's character isn't exactly the most enticing character on paper, Knightsby handles her well. Helena is a likeable character and I found myself rooting for her throughout. Tala is also a very likeable character, and we even get some flashbacks from her point of view mixed in with the present. I found some of the flashbacks quite drawn out, hinting towards something but seemingly never getting closer!
This book utilises twists and secrets in order to keep you guessing and add suspense. I did find that the build up in some parts was very very heavy, and quite drawn out. Believability was also a minor issue, I could excuse some of it due to character's own motives and fears, etc, but the time frame between certain *events* did make it a lot less plausible in my mind. Despite that, I found it was something I was willing to forgive as the book was just so engaging!
I was hooked instantly, and I really enjoyed Knightsby's writing style. It felt smooth, easy to read and exciting. I kept staying up late to read this, and longing for my break at work so I could read more! There is some minor issues in the book for me, but for others I could see it putting them off. If you like thrillers and can forgive a few *less plausible* character actions/inactions, then I would highly recommend this book.
Helena, a happily married woman, with University best friend Tala by her side, is a relationships therapist. When her new client Belle, a confident woman, playful and in control, diminishes under her husband's shadow, Helena finds her mind fixated on Belle's abusive relationship. Over a glass of wine, she shares details of the client with Tala, sharing more over the year. When Tala's new book comes out, Helena finds obvious links between the story and the details she shared with Tala in private. As Belle's husband begins to extend his control over Belle, trying to pull her back under his control, will he recognise himself in Tala's best selling, most talked about book? And if he does, what will this mean for Helena?
I was drawn to this book instantly from just the blurb. I had to know what happened and it didn't disappoint. Helena is a very stoic character, she learns when to stay silent, when to push her clients, and taught herself to recognise social signs in order to understand people and her clients better. I found this worked well, and even though Helena's character isn't exactly the most enticing character on paper, Knightsby handles her well. Helena is a likeable character and I found myself rooting for her throughout. Tala is also a very likeable character, and we even get some flashbacks from her point of view mixed in with the present. I found some of the flashbacks quite drawn out, hinting towards something but seemingly never getting closer!
This book utilises twists and secrets in order to keep you guessing and add suspense. I did find that the build up in some parts was very very heavy, and quite drawn out. Believability was also a minor issue, I could excuse some of it due to character's own motives and fears, etc, but the time frame between certain *events* did make it a lot less plausible in my mind. Despite that, I found it was something I was willing to forgive as the book was just so engaging!
I was hooked instantly, and I really enjoyed Knightsby's writing style. It felt smooth, easy to read and exciting. I kept staying up late to read this, and longing for my break at work so I could read more! There is some minor issues in the book for me, but for others I could see it putting them off. If you like thrillers and can forgive a few *less plausible* character actions/inactions, then I would highly recommend this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Bestseller is a sharp, unsettling, and compulsively readable psychological thriller that digs into the fragile boundaries between friendship, ambition, and betrayal. From the opening chapters, there’s a creeping sense of inevitability—one small breach of trust that spirals into something far more dangerous than anyone expects.
Helena is a brilliantly drawn protagonist: steady, compassionate, and deeply committed to her work as a therapist. Her sessions with Belle are some of the most emotionally charged moments in the novel, filled with tension, fear, and the heavy weight of someone trying to escape a life of coercive control. It’s easy to understand how Helena, worn down by the stories she hears, makes one terrible mistake. And it’s even easier to feel the shock when that mistake becomes the backbone of her best friend’s new “fictional” thriller.
Tala is equally fascinating—ambitious, frustrated, and desperate for a breakthrough. Her decision to use Belle’s story is both horrifying and heartbreakingly human, and the novel excels at showing how ambition can warp even the closest relationships. The dynamic between Helena and Tala becomes a taut, emotional battleground, full of guilt, anger, and the dawning realisation that their friendship may never have been as solid as Helena believed.
The tension escalates beautifully as the book within the book becomes a sensation. The stakes rise on every front: Helena’s career, Belle’s safety, and the terrifying possibility that Belle’s husband will recognise himself in the pages. The author handles the theme of coercive control with sensitivity, keeping the focus on emotional truth rather than sensationalism.
What makes the story especially gripping is its moral complexity. No one is entirely innocent, yet everyone is painfully human. The novel asks uncomfortable questions about loyalty, responsibility, and the stories we claim as our own—and it refuses to offer easy answers.
Twisty, emotionally charged, and impossible to put down, The Bestseller is a smart, character‑driven thriller that lingers long after the final page. It’s a reminder that the most dangerous betrayals often come from the people we trust most.
With thanks to Jenny Knightsby, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Helena is a brilliantly drawn protagonist: steady, compassionate, and deeply committed to her work as a therapist. Her sessions with Belle are some of the most emotionally charged moments in the novel, filled with tension, fear, and the heavy weight of someone trying to escape a life of coercive control. It’s easy to understand how Helena, worn down by the stories she hears, makes one terrible mistake. And it’s even easier to feel the shock when that mistake becomes the backbone of her best friend’s new “fictional” thriller.
Tala is equally fascinating—ambitious, frustrated, and desperate for a breakthrough. Her decision to use Belle’s story is both horrifying and heartbreakingly human, and the novel excels at showing how ambition can warp even the closest relationships. The dynamic between Helena and Tala becomes a taut, emotional battleground, full of guilt, anger, and the dawning realisation that their friendship may never have been as solid as Helena believed.
The tension escalates beautifully as the book within the book becomes a sensation. The stakes rise on every front: Helena’s career, Belle’s safety, and the terrifying possibility that Belle’s husband will recognise himself in the pages. The author handles the theme of coercive control with sensitivity, keeping the focus on emotional truth rather than sensationalism.
What makes the story especially gripping is its moral complexity. No one is entirely innocent, yet everyone is painfully human. The novel asks uncomfortable questions about loyalty, responsibility, and the stories we claim as our own—and it refuses to offer easy answers.
Twisty, emotionally charged, and impossible to put down, The Bestseller is a smart, character‑driven thriller that lingers long after the final page. It’s a reminder that the most dangerous betrayals often come from the people we trust most.
With thanks to Jenny Knightsby, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Bestseller by Jenny Knightsby
Narrated by Charlotte Worthing
Length : About 12 hours at 1x or about 8 hours at 1.5 x
Genres: Debut, Psychological Suspense
BOUNDARIES
Although therapist Helena Salve knows the importance of client confidentiality, after too many glasses of wine one night, she tells her best friend, Tala, about one of her clients, a woman named Belle. The examples of coercive control that Belle has shared, although of course she doesn’t see it as such, are the most shocking that Helena has ever heard.
BETRAYALS
Months later, Tala, a down on her luck novelist, is excitedly telling Helena that her publisher believes her next book will be her break-out novel. Usually, she shares an ARC (advanced reader copy) with Helena, but this time she has been very secretive about her book “Your Enemies Close”.
Once Helena reads it, she understands why. It seems to be Belle’s story.
If Belle, or worse, her husband Julius, were to read it, Helena's career would be jeopardized. And, if Belle's husband is as dangerous as she claims, she and Belle could be in danger as well. Helena cannot believe that Tala could betray her confidence like this.
I’m drawn to PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS with therapists and those that challenge boundaries, so, impulsively, I added this DEBUT. It ended up being so much more COMPLEX than what it initially sounded like.
I was completely ENGAGED as this entertaining story unfolds through alternating PAST and PRESENT chapters, giving us background on the complicated friendship that Helena and Tala share, as well as the relationships that they each share with their own significant others, and how these play into what happens with Belle.
The author takes her time revealing SO MANY SECRETS but then the ending has three time jumps, making it feel rushed, and at 400 pages (12 hours) the story feels a little bit long. Despite these pacing issues, it is a SOLID DEBUT, and I will definitely pick up whatever Jenny Knightsby pens next!
3.75 stars ⭐️
Expected release date: June 18, 2026
Thank You to Mountain Leopard Press for the Audible Audio provided through NetGalley Shelf. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
Narrated by Charlotte Worthing
Length : About 12 hours at 1x or about 8 hours at 1.5 x
Genres: Debut, Psychological Suspense
BOUNDARIES
Although therapist Helena Salve knows the importance of client confidentiality, after too many glasses of wine one night, she tells her best friend, Tala, about one of her clients, a woman named Belle. The examples of coercive control that Belle has shared, although of course she doesn’t see it as such, are the most shocking that Helena has ever heard.
BETRAYALS
Months later, Tala, a down on her luck novelist, is excitedly telling Helena that her publisher believes her next book will be her break-out novel. Usually, she shares an ARC (advanced reader copy) with Helena, but this time she has been very secretive about her book “Your Enemies Close”.
Once Helena reads it, she understands why. It seems to be Belle’s story.
If Belle, or worse, her husband Julius, were to read it, Helena's career would be jeopardized. And, if Belle's husband is as dangerous as she claims, she and Belle could be in danger as well. Helena cannot believe that Tala could betray her confidence like this.
I’m drawn to PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS with therapists and those that challenge boundaries, so, impulsively, I added this DEBUT. It ended up being so much more COMPLEX than what it initially sounded like.
I was completely ENGAGED as this entertaining story unfolds through alternating PAST and PRESENT chapters, giving us background on the complicated friendship that Helena and Tala share, as well as the relationships that they each share with their own significant others, and how these play into what happens with Belle.
The author takes her time revealing SO MANY SECRETS but then the ending has three time jumps, making it feel rushed, and at 400 pages (12 hours) the story feels a little bit long. Despite these pacing issues, it is a SOLID DEBUT, and I will definitely pick up whatever Jenny Knightsby pens next!
3.75 stars ⭐️
Expected release date: June 18, 2026
Thank You to Mountain Leopard Press for the Audible Audio provided through NetGalley Shelf. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A psychological thriller with a main character who is a psychologist was too intriguing for me to pass up. I love exploring the forces that drive character behavior and this debut author being brave enough to tackle that particular bear had me curious. There were some snags with the pacing, this didn't need to be a 400-page brick, but I enjoyed the premise, so it wasn't a huge deal.
📙📙📙📙
A psychologist spilling drunken secrets to a bestie could cost her career.
🍷🍷🍷🍷
Could you trust her to protect those confidences?
🤐🤐🤐🤐
What if she used your story of a client's controlling husband as a template for her newest novel instead?
✍🏻✍🏻✍🏻✍🏻
This is the scenario Helena finds herself in. Betrayed by her best friend Tala, she finds herself worried about her job and her client Belle whose husband Julian is a twisted monster. With the upcoming novel poised to hit the bestseller list Helena feels compelled to circle the wagons and protect those around her. Her fear is that if the novel receives the projected success, the violent Julian could recognize his actions bared to the world.
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
However, the more we see of Helena I wondered if she was able to see the forest for the trees in her own life. The story soon becomes more in depth with a past timeline that details events occurring during Helena's and Tala's college years. It opened the doors to deeper mental exploration as both young women had issues as did the guys they were dating.
🦎🦎🦎🦎
Some of these characters read like every slimy person I've met that had enough charisma to draw people in. You have to pay attention to see the mask slip, but once that happens you can't unsee it. The repetition got old even though I acknowledge that these swirling thoughts would plague a person much in this fashion in real life. However, as a narrative it caused the pace to drag. Charlotte Worthing's narration was immersive the way she brought the cast to life was memorable.
🎧🎧🎧🎧
I'm looking forward to what Jenny Knightsby creates next!
Thank you to Headline Audio | Mountain Leopard Press for providing an ALC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
📙📙📙📙
A psychologist spilling drunken secrets to a bestie could cost her career.
🍷🍷🍷🍷
Could you trust her to protect those confidences?
🤐🤐🤐🤐
What if she used your story of a client's controlling husband as a template for her newest novel instead?
✍🏻✍🏻✍🏻✍🏻
This is the scenario Helena finds herself in. Betrayed by her best friend Tala, she finds herself worried about her job and her client Belle whose husband Julian is a twisted monster. With the upcoming novel poised to hit the bestseller list Helena feels compelled to circle the wagons and protect those around her. Her fear is that if the novel receives the projected success, the violent Julian could recognize his actions bared to the world.
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
However, the more we see of Helena I wondered if she was able to see the forest for the trees in her own life. The story soon becomes more in depth with a past timeline that details events occurring during Helena's and Tala's college years. It opened the doors to deeper mental exploration as both young women had issues as did the guys they were dating.
🦎🦎🦎🦎
Some of these characters read like every slimy person I've met that had enough charisma to draw people in. You have to pay attention to see the mask slip, but once that happens you can't unsee it. The repetition got old even though I acknowledge that these swirling thoughts would plague a person much in this fashion in real life. However, as a narrative it caused the pace to drag. Charlotte Worthing's narration was immersive the way she brought the cast to life was memorable.
🎧🎧🎧🎧
I'm looking forward to what Jenny Knightsby creates next!
Thank you to Headline Audio | Mountain Leopard Press for providing an ALC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 18, 2026
How on earth am I supposed to review this book without spoiling it?!
The Bestseller is one of those rare thrillers that didn't just surprise me; it completely changed the way I understood everything I'd already read. I was hooked from the beginning, but the further I got, the more intricate, unsettling and compelling it became. By the final quarter, putting it down simply wasn't an option.
The psychological elements are incredibly well handled. There are some very heavy themes here, particularly around relationships, manipulation, memory and control, but they never felt included simply for shock value. Instead, they gradually build into something much bigger, and some of the later revelations completely reframed characters, conversations and events I'd already experienced.
What impressed me most was the construction. There were moments when I wondered why certain timelines or details were receiving so much attention, only for their significance to become devastatingly clear later. So many seemingly separate threads eventually connect, and the reveals aren't just twists for the sake of having twists. They actually change the meaning of what came before.
And that final section! Every time I thought I finally understood what was happening, another piece clicked into place. I went through suspicion, horror, vindication, heartbreak, genuine disbelief and several variations of "WHAT?!" before reaching an epilogue that somehow managed to deliver one final blow.
The last sentence was perfect.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Charlotte Worthing, who was wonderful. Her performance suited the story beautifully and kept me completely absorbed, particularly as the tension escalated.
This is dark, clever, uncomfortable and exceptionally compelling. It's the sort of thriller I know I'll still be thinking about long after finishing it.
Five stars, because apparently that's the maximum I'm allowed to give for a book that changed my brain chemistry.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Bestseller is one of those rare thrillers that didn't just surprise me; it completely changed the way I understood everything I'd already read. I was hooked from the beginning, but the further I got, the more intricate, unsettling and compelling it became. By the final quarter, putting it down simply wasn't an option.
The psychological elements are incredibly well handled. There are some very heavy themes here, particularly around relationships, manipulation, memory and control, but they never felt included simply for shock value. Instead, they gradually build into something much bigger, and some of the later revelations completely reframed characters, conversations and events I'd already experienced.
What impressed me most was the construction. There were moments when I wondered why certain timelines or details were receiving so much attention, only for their significance to become devastatingly clear later. So many seemingly separate threads eventually connect, and the reveals aren't just twists for the sake of having twists. They actually change the meaning of what came before.
And that final section! Every time I thought I finally understood what was happening, another piece clicked into place. I went through suspicion, horror, vindication, heartbreak, genuine disbelief and several variations of "WHAT?!" before reaching an epilogue that somehow managed to deliver one final blow.
The last sentence was perfect.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Charlotte Worthing, who was wonderful. Her performance suited the story beautifully and kept me completely absorbed, particularly as the tension escalated.
This is dark, clever, uncomfortable and exceptionally compelling. It's the sort of thriller I know I'll still be thinking about long after finishing it.
Five stars, because apparently that's the maximum I'm allowed to give for a book that changed my brain chemistry.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
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