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The Bestseller
Not yet published
Expected 18 Jun 26YOU TOLD HER YOUR DARKEST SECRETS.
NOW MILLIONS WILL READ THEM . . .
Therapist Helena Salve 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 Salve 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?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 18, 2026
13 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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 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 for an ARC of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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.
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!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5
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 Publisher
The Bestseller follows therapist Helena, who knows that confidentiality is one unbreakable rule of her job. But the constant stories of coercive control from her client Belle about her husband have been wearing her down. One night, she tells her best friend Tala, a struggling novelist, everything. Months later, Tala is excited about her biggest book yet - except it’s 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...
The Bestseller is an engaging debut built on an intriguing premise, that unfolds as a slow-burn, psychological story that rewards patience and cleverly blurs the line between fiction and reality.
Jenny Knightsby doesn’t shy away from depicting some truly horrifying examples of coercive control, yet she approaches the subject with sensitivity. Rather than sensationalising it, she explores its emotional and psychological toll with care. Combined with the thoughtful exploration of friendship, ethical responsibility, complicity, and consequence, it creates a layered, intimate, and unsettling story.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its morally tangled narrative. The chapters set in the past added depth, keeping me invested in uncovering what had happened, whilst the morally complex characters left me constantly second guessing who was actually in the wrong. I did guess some of the twists, however they were so satisfying and well executed that they felt rewarding and poetic rather than just predictable.
The pacing is very much a slow burn, and often repetitive, but this ultimately fed into the claustrophobic sense of inevitability that runs through the story. The second half is where the pace picks up - the tension sharpens, the truth teeters on a knife edge, and the sense of betrayal becomes palpable. Then, the ending delivers a powerful karmic justice that was very satisfying - but I won’t say anymore!
Thank you so much to Headline Books for having me on the Netgalley readalong! My opinions are my own.
The Bestseller is an engaging debut built on an intriguing premise, that unfolds as a slow-burn, psychological story that rewards patience and cleverly blurs the line between fiction and reality.
Jenny Knightsby doesn’t shy away from depicting some truly horrifying examples of coercive control, yet she approaches the subject with sensitivity. Rather than sensationalising it, she explores its emotional and psychological toll with care. Combined with the thoughtful exploration of friendship, ethical responsibility, complicity, and consequence, it creates a layered, intimate, and unsettling story.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its morally tangled narrative. The chapters set in the past added depth, keeping me invested in uncovering what had happened, whilst the morally complex characters left me constantly second guessing who was actually in the wrong. I did guess some of the twists, however they were so satisfying and well executed that they felt rewarding and poetic rather than just predictable.
The pacing is very much a slow burn, and often repetitive, but this ultimately fed into the claustrophobic sense of inevitability that runs through the story. The second half is where the pace picks up - the tension sharpens, the truth teeters on a knife edge, and the sense of betrayal becomes palpable. Then, the ending delivers a powerful karmic justice that was very satisfying - but I won’t say anymore!
Thank you so much to Headline Books for having me on the Netgalley readalong! My opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC Review: The Bestseller by Jenny Knightsby
The Bestseller by Jenny Knightsby is a psychological thriller that exceeded my expectations.
The story follows therapist Helena Salve, a woman who is exceptional at her job until one of her newest patients awakens something deeply unsettling within her. In a moment of vulnerability, Helena shares parts of her confidential sessions with her best friend, fully aware that she should not. Soon after, her best friend releases a new novel, and the plot mirrors Helena’s patient’s story far too closely to be a coincidence.
As panic sets in, Helena fears not only for her career but also for her patient’s safety, especially when it comes to the patient’s husband. She struggles to understand how her best friend could betray her trust so completely, and the tension escalates from there.
This is a powerful, thought-provoking story that lingered in my mind long after I finished it. It raises unsettling questions:
Who can we truly trust?
Do we really know the people closest to us?
Are we seeing reality, or only what we want to see?
The plot is gripping and immersive, pulling me in from the very first page. The characters feel deeply human, flawed, and real, which made it easy to connect with them. Their struggles reflect real-life issues, and that realism added emotional weight to the story. My favorite moments were when Helena finally began to piece everything together and, especially, the final revelation, which was both shocking and satisfying.
Please note that the book includes mentions of abuse, which may be triggering for some readers.
Overall, this would be an excellent pick for a book club, as it invites discussion and reflection. If you enjoy psychological thrillers that explore trust, betrayal, and moral boundaries, I highly recommend The Bestseller.
The Bestseller by Jenny Knightsby is a psychological thriller that exceeded my expectations.
The story follows therapist Helena Salve, a woman who is exceptional at her job until one of her newest patients awakens something deeply unsettling within her. In a moment of vulnerability, Helena shares parts of her confidential sessions with her best friend, fully aware that she should not. Soon after, her best friend releases a new novel, and the plot mirrors Helena’s patient’s story far too closely to be a coincidence.
As panic sets in, Helena fears not only for her career but also for her patient’s safety, especially when it comes to the patient’s husband. She struggles to understand how her best friend could betray her trust so completely, and the tension escalates from there.
This is a powerful, thought-provoking story that lingered in my mind long after I finished it. It raises unsettling questions:
Who can we truly trust?
Do we really know the people closest to us?
Are we seeing reality, or only what we want to see?
The plot is gripping and immersive, pulling me in from the very first page. The characters feel deeply human, flawed, and real, which made it easy to connect with them. Their struggles reflect real-life issues, and that realism added emotional weight to the story. My favorite moments were when Helena finally began to piece everything together and, especially, the final revelation, which was both shocking and satisfying.
Please note that the book includes mentions of abuse, which may be triggering for some readers.
Overall, this would be an excellent pick for a book club, as it invites discussion and reflection. If you enjoy psychological thrillers that explore trust, betrayal, and moral boundaries, I highly recommend The Bestseller.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jenny Knightsby’s debut, The Bestseller, is a masterclass in tension, moral complexity, and slow-burning suspense. From the very first chapter, the stakes feel intimate yet uncomfortably high—a therapist’s mistake sets off a chain of events that is as emotionally charged as it is unpredictable.
What stands out is how Knightsby balances psychological depth with thrilling pacing. Helena is a nuanced protagonist whose decisions feel human, flawed, and believable, which makes the consequences of her actions resonate. Tala, equally compelling, highlights the messy intersections of ambition, loyalty, and moral compromise. The novel never relies on sensationalism; instead, it builds suspense through character choices, fractured relationships, and the creeping unease of secrets revealed at the wrong moment.
The writing is both intelligent and accessible, with a deft handling of multiple timelines and perspectives that enrich the story without overwhelming it. Knightsby’s debut is character-driven, emotionally resonant, and morally complex—qualities that will appeal to discerning readers and thrill-seekers alike.
The Bestseller is the kind of psychological thriller that lingers after the final page, raising questions about trust, friendship, and the boundaries of ethical responsibility. It’s a debut that promises much more to come, and one I’d be excited to see in physical form on any bookshelf.
What stands out is how Knightsby balances psychological depth with thrilling pacing. Helena is a nuanced protagonist whose decisions feel human, flawed, and believable, which makes the consequences of her actions resonate. Tala, equally compelling, highlights the messy intersections of ambition, loyalty, and moral compromise. The novel never relies on sensationalism; instead, it builds suspense through character choices, fractured relationships, and the creeping unease of secrets revealed at the wrong moment.
The writing is both intelligent and accessible, with a deft handling of multiple timelines and perspectives that enrich the story without overwhelming it. Knightsby’s debut is character-driven, emotionally resonant, and morally complex—qualities that will appeal to discerning readers and thrill-seekers alike.
The Bestseller is the kind of psychological thriller that lingers after the final page, raising questions about trust, friendship, and the boundaries of ethical responsibility. It’s a debut that promises much more to come, and one I’d be excited to see in physical form on any bookshelf.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Helena is a couples therapist who makes a questionable decision when she takes on a client without the husband present despite clear signs that he is coercively controlling. Instead of handling the situation professionally, she confides in her best friend, Tala, a struggling novelist, and ultimately breaks her client Belle's confidentiality.
Tala then uses the story as inspiration for her new novel and it quickly takes off. If Belle's husband recognizes their story in its pages, the consequences could be devastating for everyone involved.
The novel shifts between Helena and Tala's past and the present, slowly revealing how their friendship evolved and how their choices led them here. At its core, this is a story about what really goes on behind closed doors and whether we ever truly know the people closest to us.
Overall, I found this to be an entertaining and fast read. My biggest struggle was with Helena's character. She repeatedly makes enormous mistakes and never seems to learn from them. While I understand that people are flawed and sometimes repeat unhealthy patterns, the magnitude of her decisions made it difficult for me to rate the book higher. Despite my frustrations, this was an engaging debut novel and definitely worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Books for my ARC copy and honest review.
Expected Publication date: June 18, 2026.
Tala then uses the story as inspiration for her new novel and it quickly takes off. If Belle's husband recognizes their story in its pages, the consequences could be devastating for everyone involved.
The novel shifts between Helena and Tala's past and the present, slowly revealing how their friendship evolved and how their choices led them here. At its core, this is a story about what really goes on behind closed doors and whether we ever truly know the people closest to us.
Overall, I found this to be an entertaining and fast read. My biggest struggle was with Helena's character. She repeatedly makes enormous mistakes and never seems to learn from them. While I understand that people are flawed and sometimes repeat unhealthy patterns, the magnitude of her decisions made it difficult for me to rate the book higher. Despite my frustrations, this was an engaging debut novel and definitely worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Books for my ARC copy and honest review.
Expected Publication date: June 18, 2026.
February 16, 2026
The plot of this debut mystery/thriller is unique and intriguing. A young therapist, Helena, with a haunting past, becomes enthralled with one of her patients and divulges the patient’s secrets, specifically the endured abuse, to her best friend, Tala, while drinking one night. Tala happens to be an author, and soon after, releases a novel about a husband who engages in emotional manipulation and coercion with his wife. The book goes on to become a best-seller. Knowing she’s broken her client’s confidentiality, Helene becomes more and more worried about losing her job, and her credibility, while stressing about potential consequences from her client’s abusive husband and the betrayal she feels. What follows is a unique thriller, with differing timelines, perspectives and many moving parts.
I enjoyed the mystery and uniqueness of this book. It started somewhat slowly, with some repetitiveness, but turned around in the second half. It kept me guessing on certain aspects of the story, which honestly, is what I most want in a thriller!
Thank-you so much to NetGalley, Mountain Leopard Press and Jenny Knightsby for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy. You can get your copy June 18th, 2026!
I enjoyed the mystery and uniqueness of this book. It started somewhat slowly, with some repetitiveness, but turned around in the second half. It kept me guessing on certain aspects of the story, which honestly, is what I most want in a thriller!
Thank-you so much to NetGalley, Mountain Leopard Press and Jenny Knightsby for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy. You can get your copy June 18th, 2026!
February 22, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Headline, and Mountain Leopard Press for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Bestseller by Jenny Knightsby. This debut will be published on September 10, 2026.
Helena, a couples therapist, shares details about a client with her best friend, Tala, a struggling author, over a bottle of wine. A year later, those details becomes the basis of Tala’s novel Your Enemies Closer. Helena now fears for her client Belle and herself and what may transpire due to her breach in confidentiality and the release of Tala’s novel.
This felt like a long read. Do you continue reading waiting for the payoff or do you abandon it halfway through?
The story does go back in time between 2001 and 2003 when Helena and Tala were in university with their respective boyfriends - Dylan and Jed. What kept me reading was wanting to know what transpired back then and how it relates to the present time.
The story is well written and there are a lot of complexities to build the plot connecting it to past events. The characters are thoughtfully developed and you understand why they behave the way they do. As you progress, the story does become predictable but still enjoyable.
Helena, a couples therapist, shares details about a client with her best friend, Tala, a struggling author, over a bottle of wine. A year later, those details becomes the basis of Tala’s novel Your Enemies Closer. Helena now fears for her client Belle and herself and what may transpire due to her breach in confidentiality and the release of Tala’s novel.
This felt like a long read. Do you continue reading waiting for the payoff or do you abandon it halfway through?
The story does go back in time between 2001 and 2003 when Helena and Tala were in university with their respective boyfriends - Dylan and Jed. What kept me reading was wanting to know what transpired back then and how it relates to the present time.
The story is well written and there are a lot of complexities to build the plot connecting it to past events. The characters are thoughtfully developed and you understand why they behave the way they do. As you progress, the story does become predictable but still enjoyable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Blown away that this book was so good. It pulled a Freida McFadden in that it was throwing all kinds of misdirection (or so I thought) the entire time. The ending was a complete 180, and everything stacked up until I wasn't sure what I was more horrified by. The story is told mostly from Helena's current POV, and I disliked her a healthy amount. I think that might have been the intent because she was judgy, self-centered, borderline delusional with her savior complex, and you could see the cracks but it was hard to figure out her affect until the end. I felt something about all of the characters and that's always huge for me, having the author make me care. Total thriller vibes, well written, first chapter is gripping.
*Note: ARC from Mountain Leopard Press on Netgalley.
*Note: ARC from Mountain Leopard Press on Netgalley.
February 25, 2026
4.5
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really really enjoyed it! The premise of the book was very different what would happen if your friend took the secrets you told her about your patients and wrote a book! As scandalous as that sounds this book was so so much more!! The intertwined relationships in the book and their secrets was so damn juicy! I did call one thing in the book but everything else I was clueless!
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really really enjoyed it! The premise of the book was very different what would happen if your friend took the secrets you told her about your patients and wrote a book! As scandalous as that sounds this book was so so much more!! The intertwined relationships in the book and their secrets was so damn juicy! I did call one thing in the book but everything else I was clueless!
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March 1, 2026𝟐.𝟓⭐️ 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠!
𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬!
Although I loved participating in the readalong, the book wasn’t really for me. It’s a slow-burn up until the last 15%. There were a few twists but some were predictable. The characters were grown adults but acted very immature/child-like and I didn’t find myself rooting for anyone which took the enjoyment out of reading. However, I did enjoy the dual timelines and how one past experience was unravelled through the past.
A big thank you to Headline Books and NetGalley for the group readalong and advanced reader copy!~⭐️⭐️✨
𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬!
Although I loved participating in the readalong, the book wasn’t really for me. It’s a slow-burn up until the last 15%. There were a few twists but some were predictable. The characters were grown adults but acted very immature/child-like and I didn’t find myself rooting for anyone which took the enjoyment out of reading. However, I did enjoy the dual timelines and how one past experience was unravelled through the past.
A big thank you to Headline Books and NetGalley for the group readalong and advanced reader copy!~⭐️⭐️✨
March 1, 2026
Rating: 3.5⭐️
This was a bit repetitive at first and I couldn’t get on with the main character of Helena. Otherwise I really enjoyed the past story line focused around the character of Tala. The end and twist were good.
This was a bit repetitive at first and I couldn’t get on with the main character of Helena. Otherwise I really enjoyed the past story line focused around the character of Tala. The end and twist were good.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews