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The Therapy Room
She shared her darkest secrets. Now someone is using them to destroy her.
New mother Shelly should be enjoying the happiest time of her life. She’s just given birth to a beautiful baby boy, Alfie.
But Alfie’s arrival has triggered something deep inside Shelly and now she finds herself at the mercy of crippling OCD and violent intrusive thoughts that terrify her. Desperate for help, she joins a therapy group led by renowned psychologist Dr Andrea Galanis.
It doesn’t work. Instead of helping, somehow therapy seems to be bringing her very worst fears to life.
What Shelly doesn’t realise is that someone from her dark past has infiltrated the group. And now she is sharing her most private secrets with a person who is determined to rip her life apart, one painful piece at a time.
With everything and everyone she cares about under threat, Shelly has a simple choice – confront the horrifying truth she’s kept hidden for almost twenty years, or face every mother’s worse nightmare – losing the child she loves.
The Therapy Room – the chilling psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Liane Moriarty, and Sally Hepworth.
New mother Shelly should be enjoying the happiest time of her life. She’s just given birth to a beautiful baby boy, Alfie.
But Alfie’s arrival has triggered something deep inside Shelly and now she finds herself at the mercy of crippling OCD and violent intrusive thoughts that terrify her. Desperate for help, she joins a therapy group led by renowned psychologist Dr Andrea Galanis.
It doesn’t work. Instead of helping, somehow therapy seems to be bringing her very worst fears to life.
What Shelly doesn’t realise is that someone from her dark past has infiltrated the group. And now she is sharing her most private secrets with a person who is determined to rip her life apart, one painful piece at a time.
With everything and everyone she cares about under threat, Shelly has a simple choice – confront the horrifying truth she’s kept hidden for almost twenty years, or face every mother’s worse nightmare – losing the child she loves.
The Therapy Room – the chilling psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Liane Moriarty, and Sally Hepworth.
ebook
First published September 28, 2025
2 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
O.M.J. Ryan
15 books77 followersHailing from Yorkshire, OMJ Ryan worked in radio and entertainment for over twenty years, collaborating with household names and accumulating a host of international writing and radio awards. In 2018 he followed his passion to become a full-time novelist, writing stories for people who devour exciting, fast-paced thrillers by the pool, on their commute – or those rare moments of downtime before bed. Owen’s mission is to entertain from the first page to the last.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
September 21, 2025
"The Therapy Room" is a riveting thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
We meet Olivia, a woman consumed by her past, as she inveigles herself into the life of Shelly, the woman responsible for her brother's murder.
What unfolds is a tense and dramatic cat-and-mouse game where every page builds up the suspense.
The characters are multi-layered and relatable, drawing you into their complex lives. Olivia's meticulously thought out plans for revenge, filled with cunning twists, add depth and layers to the narrative.
The explosive ending had me racing through the pages and everything was all tied up as neatly as a bow on a bottle of Bollinger. A must read for fans of fast paced thrillers.
As an advance reader for Netgalley, this is my own opinion.
We meet Olivia, a woman consumed by her past, as she inveigles herself into the life of Shelly, the woman responsible for her brother's murder.
What unfolds is a tense and dramatic cat-and-mouse game where every page builds up the suspense.
The characters are multi-layered and relatable, drawing you into their complex lives. Olivia's meticulously thought out plans for revenge, filled with cunning twists, add depth and layers to the narrative.
The explosive ending had me racing through the pages and everything was all tied up as neatly as a bow on a bottle of Bollinger. A must read for fans of fast paced thrillers.
As an advance reader for Netgalley, this is my own opinion.
September 29, 2025
OMJ Ryan’s The Therapy Room is a taut and unsettling psychological thriller that grips you from the very first page and doesn’t let go until the final revelation. What begins as a seemingly ordinary attempt at healing and self-discovery quickly transforms into a dangerous exploration of buried secrets, fractured trust, and the consequences of past mistakes resurfacing at the worst possible time.
At the center of the story is Shelly, a character whose vulnerability and inner strength make her both sympathetic and compelling. She enters her therapy group hoping to find balance and clarity, but instead finds herself thrown into turmoil when a new member arrives. This dark, enigmatic presence is not just a stranger—he is tied to her past in ways she doesn’t immediately realize, and his reappearance threatens to unravel everything she has built. The looming danger is made all the more chilling because Shelly has no idea just how personal this threat truly is.
Ryan excels at building tension by contrasting the seemingly safe environment of the therapy room with the menace creeping in from Shelly’s past. The juxtaposition of a space designed for healing being infiltrated by someone with sinister intentions is brilliantly unsettling. It forces readers to consider how easily trust can be manipulated and how past mistakes, no matter how deeply buried, can come back to haunt us.
One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is the dual trajectory Ryan crafts: the rise of one character and the fall of another. As the antagonist grows in confidence and control, Shelly is forced into a downward spiral of doubt, fear, and desperation. This dynamic creates a constant push and pull of power, raising the stakes with every chapter. Watching these two arcs collide is both fascinating and deeply suspenseful, keeping readers on edge as the balance shifts back and forth.
The pacing is sharp and deliberate, with chapters that end on cliffhangers and revelations that arrive just when you think you’ve figured things out. Ryan is a master of misdirection, planting seeds of doubt and suspicion that make the eventual twists all the more satisfying. The psychological depth of the story ensures that it is not just about shock value but about the emotional toll of trauma, the fragility of trust, and the devastating ripple effects of choices made long ago.
What also makes The Therapy Room stand out is Ryan’s ability to craft characters who feel authentic and multi-dimensional. Shelly is not portrayed as a perfect heroine but as a flawed, real woman whose struggles make her strength all the more admirable. The antagonist, too, is written with nuance—dangerous and unsettling, yet disturbingly human, which only adds to the sense of dread.
By the time the story races toward its climax, the tension has been wound so tightly that the conclusion feels both inevitable and shocking. It’s the kind of ending that makes you reflect not only on the story itself but also on the broader themes it explores—how the past never truly stays hidden, how fragile our sense of safety can be, and how the line between healing and destruction can be razor-thin.
Overall, The Therapy Room is a dark, intelligent, and emotionally charged thriller that goes beyond the typical beats of the genre. With its unforgettable characters, sharp writing, and relentless suspense, OMJ Ryan has delivered a novel that is as thought-provoking as it is pulse-pounding. Fans of psychological thrillers will find themselves captivated, disturbed, and ultimately satisfied by this expertly crafted story.
At the center of the story is Shelly, a character whose vulnerability and inner strength make her both sympathetic and compelling. She enters her therapy group hoping to find balance and clarity, but instead finds herself thrown into turmoil when a new member arrives. This dark, enigmatic presence is not just a stranger—he is tied to her past in ways she doesn’t immediately realize, and his reappearance threatens to unravel everything she has built. The looming danger is made all the more chilling because Shelly has no idea just how personal this threat truly is.
Ryan excels at building tension by contrasting the seemingly safe environment of the therapy room with the menace creeping in from Shelly’s past. The juxtaposition of a space designed for healing being infiltrated by someone with sinister intentions is brilliantly unsettling. It forces readers to consider how easily trust can be manipulated and how past mistakes, no matter how deeply buried, can come back to haunt us.
One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is the dual trajectory Ryan crafts: the rise of one character and the fall of another. As the antagonist grows in confidence and control, Shelly is forced into a downward spiral of doubt, fear, and desperation. This dynamic creates a constant push and pull of power, raising the stakes with every chapter. Watching these two arcs collide is both fascinating and deeply suspenseful, keeping readers on edge as the balance shifts back and forth.
The pacing is sharp and deliberate, with chapters that end on cliffhangers and revelations that arrive just when you think you’ve figured things out. Ryan is a master of misdirection, planting seeds of doubt and suspicion that make the eventual twists all the more satisfying. The psychological depth of the story ensures that it is not just about shock value but about the emotional toll of trauma, the fragility of trust, and the devastating ripple effects of choices made long ago.
What also makes The Therapy Room stand out is Ryan’s ability to craft characters who feel authentic and multi-dimensional. Shelly is not portrayed as a perfect heroine but as a flawed, real woman whose struggles make her strength all the more admirable. The antagonist, too, is written with nuance—dangerous and unsettling, yet disturbingly human, which only adds to the sense of dread.
By the time the story races toward its climax, the tension has been wound so tightly that the conclusion feels both inevitable and shocking. It’s the kind of ending that makes you reflect not only on the story itself but also on the broader themes it explores—how the past never truly stays hidden, how fragile our sense of safety can be, and how the line between healing and destruction can be razor-thin.
Overall, The Therapy Room is a dark, intelligent, and emotionally charged thriller that goes beyond the typical beats of the genre. With its unforgettable characters, sharp writing, and relentless suspense, OMJ Ryan has delivered a novel that is as thought-provoking as it is pulse-pounding. Fans of psychological thrillers will find themselves captivated, disturbed, and ultimately satisfied by this expertly crafted story.
September 21, 2025
There's something deeply unsettling about the idea that the person sitting across from you in therapy might not be who they claim to be. OMJ Ryan's The Therapy Room explores this fear with a premise that immediately grabbed my attention: what happens when grief transforms into calculated vengeance?
The story follows Olivia, a woman hollowed out by loss and injustice. When her brother Daniel died and his killer walked free, Olivia's world shattered completely. Years later, she's alone—family gone, purpose lost—until she spots Shelley, the woman she believes destroyed everything. This chance encounter becomes the catalyst for an elaborate revenge plot that had me questioning the ethics of justice versus retribution.
OMJ Ryan crafts a compelling cat-and-mouse dynamic as Olivia infiltrates Shelley's therapy group under the false identity of "Jess." What makes this particularly twisted is Shelley's vulnerability—she's battling postpartum depression and disturbing thoughts about harming her family. As someone who's witnessed friends struggle with PPD, I found these scenes both authentic and heartbreaking. Olivia's manipulation of someone in such a fragile state made my skin crawl in the best possible way.
The psychological chess match that unfolds is genuinely gripping. Olivia systematically dismantles Shelley's life with surgical precision, and I found myself simultaneously rooting for and horrified by her methodical approach. OMJ Ryan excels at showing how trauma can twist someone into something unrecognizable, and Olivia's transformation from victim to predator feels disturbingly believable.
However, the book's greatest strength—its slow-burn buildup—becomes its weakness in the climax. After hundreds of pages of mounting tension around Daniel's death, the revelation of what actually happened left me feeling cheated. The truth felt anticlimactic and underwhelming compared to the weight OMJ Ryan had given it throughout the narrative. It was that frustrating "really, that's it?" moment that deflated much of the story's impact.
Despite this disappointment, I appreciated OMJ Ryan's exploration of how people process trauma differently. The therapy setting provides an intimate backdrop for examining vulnerability, trust, and the masks we wear. The question "are we really safe telling our secrets to strangers?" lingered long after I finished reading.
The Therapy Room is an engaging psychological thriller that mostly delivers on its promises. While the ending didn't quite meet my expectations, the journey there was compelling enough to keep me turning pages. Fans of revenge narratives and domestic thrillers will find plenty to enjoy, even if they might share my frustration with the resolution.
The story follows Olivia, a woman hollowed out by loss and injustice. When her brother Daniel died and his killer walked free, Olivia's world shattered completely. Years later, she's alone—family gone, purpose lost—until she spots Shelley, the woman she believes destroyed everything. This chance encounter becomes the catalyst for an elaborate revenge plot that had me questioning the ethics of justice versus retribution.
OMJ Ryan crafts a compelling cat-and-mouse dynamic as Olivia infiltrates Shelley's therapy group under the false identity of "Jess." What makes this particularly twisted is Shelley's vulnerability—she's battling postpartum depression and disturbing thoughts about harming her family. As someone who's witnessed friends struggle with PPD, I found these scenes both authentic and heartbreaking. Olivia's manipulation of someone in such a fragile state made my skin crawl in the best possible way.
The psychological chess match that unfolds is genuinely gripping. Olivia systematically dismantles Shelley's life with surgical precision, and I found myself simultaneously rooting for and horrified by her methodical approach. OMJ Ryan excels at showing how trauma can twist someone into something unrecognizable, and Olivia's transformation from victim to predator feels disturbingly believable.
However, the book's greatest strength—its slow-burn buildup—becomes its weakness in the climax. After hundreds of pages of mounting tension around Daniel's death, the revelation of what actually happened left me feeling cheated. The truth felt anticlimactic and underwhelming compared to the weight OMJ Ryan had given it throughout the narrative. It was that frustrating "really, that's it?" moment that deflated much of the story's impact.
Despite this disappointment, I appreciated OMJ Ryan's exploration of how people process trauma differently. The therapy setting provides an intimate backdrop for examining vulnerability, trust, and the masks we wear. The question "are we really safe telling our secrets to strangers?" lingered long after I finished reading.
The Therapy Room is an engaging psychological thriller that mostly delivers on its promises. While the ending didn't quite meet my expectations, the journey there was compelling enough to keep me turning pages. Fans of revenge narratives and domestic thrillers will find plenty to enjoy, even if they might share my frustration with the resolution.
September 25, 2025
There's a very specific subgenre of psychological thriller movies, which I like to think of as "Sunday afternoon thrillers", that oftentimes air from 4 PM to 6 PM (ish) on Saturdays and, most importantly, on Sundays. You know the ones, don't you? Conventionally attractive actors and actresses, a love story that gets derailed by the main antagonist's dark intentions, more than your fair share of downright insane stalking tendencies from whoever's the villain du jour, and plenty of kidnapping going on in the name of some delusional stranger's happy ever after. Bonus points if the titles go along the lines of "Fiancé Killer", "Deadly Exchange" or "The Wrong Neighbor" (though I won't think any less of you if you've conjured true crime-adjacent titles such as "The Lakehouse Murders"). Are you a fellow lover of these early afternoon movies?
You cannot miss out on this book if that's the case.
Narrated by two women whose lives are connected by a dark tragedy that took place fifteen years ago, "The Therapy Room" is a psychological thriller movie turned fiction novel that will trap you, and not let you go until you've turned the very last page. One decade and a half later, Olivia still hasn't been able to let go of the hatred she harbors toward one Shelly, whose role in Olivia's baby brother's death has haunted Olivia ever since little Dan died on the cliffs all those years ago. Despite the fact that Olivia was left brotherless, devastated, and orphaned after the incident, life doesn't seem to have gotten back at Shelly the way it has at Olivia. Far from; Shelly has a gorgeous husband, a huge house, a beautiful six-month-old child, and a well-paying job. Fueled by hatred and the firm belief that Shelly shouldn't get to live her picket-fence dreams while she struggles, Olivia is quick to concoct a plan after she sees Shelly again from afar. She will infiltrate the therapy group sessions that Shelly is attending for her OCD. She will gain her trust. And then... She will take everything that Shelly holds dear away.
As far as psychological thrillers go, this one had a chokehold on me from the get-go. Thanks to the author's choice to have both Olivia and Shelly tell the story, the book was a breathtaking dance between a woman whose thirst for revenge is unsatiable, and a woman who cannot figure out why disaster keeps striking one time after the other as of lately. It was a cleverly-plotted novel, that's for sure, and I highly appreciated the fact that the author was skilled enough to keep the intrigue and stakes high even though one of the two main characters was actively causing the other's troubles on-page. The twist at the end, regarding Olivia, was one I didn't see coming! Meanwhile, I grew really fond of Shelly, who was a character I had lots of empathy for as she struggled with adjusting to motherhood, mental health struggles, a stressful workplace and a well-meaning, but ultimately absent, husband.
Read this book! ASAP!!
You cannot miss out on this book if that's the case.
Narrated by two women whose lives are connected by a dark tragedy that took place fifteen years ago, "The Therapy Room" is a psychological thriller movie turned fiction novel that will trap you, and not let you go until you've turned the very last page. One decade and a half later, Olivia still hasn't been able to let go of the hatred she harbors toward one Shelly, whose role in Olivia's baby brother's death has haunted Olivia ever since little Dan died on the cliffs all those years ago. Despite the fact that Olivia was left brotherless, devastated, and orphaned after the incident, life doesn't seem to have gotten back at Shelly the way it has at Olivia. Far from; Shelly has a gorgeous husband, a huge house, a beautiful six-month-old child, and a well-paying job. Fueled by hatred and the firm belief that Shelly shouldn't get to live her picket-fence dreams while she struggles, Olivia is quick to concoct a plan after she sees Shelly again from afar. She will infiltrate the therapy group sessions that Shelly is attending for her OCD. She will gain her trust. And then... She will take everything that Shelly holds dear away.
As far as psychological thrillers go, this one had a chokehold on me from the get-go. Thanks to the author's choice to have both Olivia and Shelly tell the story, the book was a breathtaking dance between a woman whose thirst for revenge is unsatiable, and a woman who cannot figure out why disaster keeps striking one time after the other as of lately. It was a cleverly-plotted novel, that's for sure, and I highly appreciated the fact that the author was skilled enough to keep the intrigue and stakes high even though one of the two main characters was actively causing the other's troubles on-page. The twist at the end, regarding Olivia, was one I didn't see coming! Meanwhile, I grew really fond of Shelly, who was a character I had lots of empathy for as she struggled with adjusting to motherhood, mental health struggles, a stressful workplace and a well-meaning, but ultimately absent, husband.
Read this book! ASAP!!
Read
October 3, 2025The Therapy Room by OMJ Ryan, When Shelly starts group therapy she’s been demoted at her job for only working four days due to being a new mom. She has a new boss Derek, who is a jerk. She has a strong marriage and a beautiful new baby boy, but she can’t help having intrusive thoughts caused by her postpartum depression. on her way to one of her group therapy meetings at the Omega house she just so happens to be seen by a woman named Olivia and Olivia also happens to blame Shelly for everything bad that’s happened in her life ever since the death of her brother Dan. soon a new girl named Jess starts the group therapy and her and Shelly become friends because after all 12 year-old Olivia looks nothing like the 30 something year-old Jess so when things start going wrong and Shelly‘s life Jess is looking for tears and the absolute destruction of the other woman only to see her in group therapy saying she’s glad a pornographic tape was sent to her boss Derek and she lost her job because now she can focus on her son and help invest in her husband Nick’s business and oh how grateful she is for Nick. jess is infuriated her plan didn’t go the way she thought it would so she has to up her game until she finally decides to make it personal and this is when Jesss true colors really come out. I know it isn’t funny to make fun or laugh at crazy people but so many times I laughed at how ridiculous Jess was but when it comes to do or dare Shelly is positioned to lose the most precious thing in her life if only she can think of a way out of it. This book was a real doozy and I do want to say although the ending was tension filled twisty in every great thing about these types of books but I could have sworn I read that ending before verbatim somewhere else I don’t know how I could have unless this book was released previously with another publisher but even so the other parts of the book didn’t seem familiar to me at all in any event this is a great book in one I definitely recommend. #BooksSprout, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #OMJRyan, #TheTherapyRoom,
September 22, 2025
The Therapy Room is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the dark intersection of motherhood, mental illness, and revenge.
At the heart of the novel is Shelly, a new mother whose joy at the birth of her baby boy, Alfie, is quickly overshadowed by terrifying intrusive thoughts and crippling OCD. Hoping to find relief, she joins a therapy group led by Dr. Andrea Galanis—but instead of healing, she unknowingly places herself in the path of someone determined to destroy her. Olivia, haunted by the death of her brother fifteen years earlier, has infiltrated the group under a false identity. As Shelly shares her most private fears, Olivia twists them into weapons, setting off a chilling game of psychological cat and mouse.
Told from alternating perspectives, the story builds steadily, creating an atmosphere of claustrophobic dread. Ryan captures the vulnerability of postpartum struggles with unsettling realism, while Olivia’s relentless pursuit of vengeance adds layers of menace and suspense. The short, sharp chapters keep the pace brisk, and the shifting viewpoints make it easy to see the same events through very different lenses.
While some of the twists may be predictable for seasoned thriller readers, the tension, emotional weight, and deeply unsettling dynamics more than make up for it. The ending may divide opinion—it’s abrupt and not as explosive as the buildup suggests—but the journey there is compelling and thought-provoking.
With its blend of raw emotional honesty and chilling psychological suspense, The Therapy Room will appeal to fans of Lisa Jewell, Liane Moriarty, and Sally Hepworth. It’s an engrossing, unsettling read that leaves you questioning how well we really know the people we confide in.
At the heart of the novel is Shelly, a new mother whose joy at the birth of her baby boy, Alfie, is quickly overshadowed by terrifying intrusive thoughts and crippling OCD. Hoping to find relief, she joins a therapy group led by Dr. Andrea Galanis—but instead of healing, she unknowingly places herself in the path of someone determined to destroy her. Olivia, haunted by the death of her brother fifteen years earlier, has infiltrated the group under a false identity. As Shelly shares her most private fears, Olivia twists them into weapons, setting off a chilling game of psychological cat and mouse.
Told from alternating perspectives, the story builds steadily, creating an atmosphere of claustrophobic dread. Ryan captures the vulnerability of postpartum struggles with unsettling realism, while Olivia’s relentless pursuit of vengeance adds layers of menace and suspense. The short, sharp chapters keep the pace brisk, and the shifting viewpoints make it easy to see the same events through very different lenses.
While some of the twists may be predictable for seasoned thriller readers, the tension, emotional weight, and deeply unsettling dynamics more than make up for it. The ending may divide opinion—it’s abrupt and not as explosive as the buildup suggests—but the journey there is compelling and thought-provoking.
With its blend of raw emotional honesty and chilling psychological suspense, The Therapy Room will appeal to fans of Lisa Jewell, Liane Moriarty, and Sally Hepworth. It’s an engrossing, unsettling read that leaves you questioning how well we really know the people we confide in.
September 27, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! This review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.
This was an absolutely insane read. The Therapy room is a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
We meet our main character Olivia, a young woman who is still grappling with the loss of her younger brother; who she believes was murdered by our other main character, Shelly.
This book follows Olivia’s carefully thought of revenge plot, as well as the subsequent decline in her own mental health. It’s a story full of twists, revenge and a need to settle the score.
Synopsis:
She shared her darkest secrets. Now someone is using them to destroy her.
New mother Shelly should be enjoying the happiest time of her life. She’s just given birth to a beautiful baby boy, Alfie.
But Alfie’s arrival has triggered something deep inside Shelly and now she finds herself at the mercy of crippling OCD and violent intrusive thoughts that terrify her. Desperate for help, she joins a therapy group led by renowned psychologist Dr Andrea Galanis.
It doesn’t work. Instead of helping, somehow therapy seems to be bringing her very worst fears to life.
What Shelly doesn’t realise is that someone from her dark past has infiltrated the group. And now she is sharing her most private secrets with a person who is determined to rip her life apart, one painful piece at a time.
With everything and everyone she cares about under threat, Shelly has a simple choice – confront the horrifying truth she’s kept hidden for almost twenty years, or face every mother’s worse nightmare – losing the child she loves.
The Therapy Room – the chilling psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Liane Moriarty, and Sally Hepworth.
This was an absolutely insane read. The Therapy room is a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
We meet our main character Olivia, a young woman who is still grappling with the loss of her younger brother; who she believes was murdered by our other main character, Shelly.
This book follows Olivia’s carefully thought of revenge plot, as well as the subsequent decline in her own mental health. It’s a story full of twists, revenge and a need to settle the score.
Synopsis:
She shared her darkest secrets. Now someone is using them to destroy her.
New mother Shelly should be enjoying the happiest time of her life. She’s just given birth to a beautiful baby boy, Alfie.
But Alfie’s arrival has triggered something deep inside Shelly and now she finds herself at the mercy of crippling OCD and violent intrusive thoughts that terrify her. Desperate for help, she joins a therapy group led by renowned psychologist Dr Andrea Galanis.
It doesn’t work. Instead of helping, somehow therapy seems to be bringing her very worst fears to life.
What Shelly doesn’t realise is that someone from her dark past has infiltrated the group. And now she is sharing her most private secrets with a person who is determined to rip her life apart, one painful piece at a time.
With everything and everyone she cares about under threat, Shelly has a simple choice – confront the horrifying truth she’s kept hidden for almost twenty years, or face every mother’s worse nightmare – losing the child she loves.
The Therapy Room – the chilling psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Liane Moriarty, and Sally Hepworth.
October 6, 2025
The Therapy Room is a dark and intense psychological thriller that draws you right into the complicated universe of guilt, secrets, and vendetta. The novel progresses through multiple narratives, mostly Shelly—a new mother with horrific intrusive thoughts—and Olivia, who goes by the pseudonym "Jess" to gain entrance into an open group therapy program.
What begins as a story about survival from trauma and post-birth adversity quickly unfolds with much deeper layers of fixation and ulterior motives. Olivia's desire to insinuate herself into Shelly's life and make her pay for past wrongs provides the book with its cutting-edge tension. The therapy sessions, instead of being therapeutic, become a platform for manipulation, lies, and unresolved tension.
OMJ Ryan does an excellent job showing the vulnerability of mental illness and how unresolved trauma can push individuals to self-destructive extremes. The alternating perspectives keep the action taut, and the relentless guessing on who's lying keeps it impossible to set down.
That notwithstanding, a few of the sections do have that slightly stretched feel, and occasionally Olivia's manipulations tip over into the theatrical. But the psychological complexity and the jaw-dropping disclosures more than compensate.
Overall:
If you're a fan of thrillers that delve into the darker aspects of the human psyche—with lots of twists, blemished characters, and moral ambiguities—The Therapy Room is definitely worth your while. It's disturbing, addictive, and provoking, and it makes you wonder just how far guilt and vengeance can drive a person.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What begins as a story about survival from trauma and post-birth adversity quickly unfolds with much deeper layers of fixation and ulterior motives. Olivia's desire to insinuate herself into Shelly's life and make her pay for past wrongs provides the book with its cutting-edge tension. The therapy sessions, instead of being therapeutic, become a platform for manipulation, lies, and unresolved tension.
OMJ Ryan does an excellent job showing the vulnerability of mental illness and how unresolved trauma can push individuals to self-destructive extremes. The alternating perspectives keep the action taut, and the relentless guessing on who's lying keeps it impossible to set down.
That notwithstanding, a few of the sections do have that slightly stretched feel, and occasionally Olivia's manipulations tip over into the theatrical. But the psychological complexity and the jaw-dropping disclosures more than compensate.
Overall:
If you're a fan of thrillers that delve into the darker aspects of the human psyche—with lots of twists, blemished characters, and moral ambiguities—The Therapy Room is definitely worth your while. It's disturbing, addictive, and provoking, and it makes you wonder just how far guilt and vengeance can drive a person.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 25, 2025
I can appreciate it when an author wants to step out of their comfort zone and try out a new genre. I've always enjoy OMJ Ryan's Detective Jane Phillips police procedural series - I've read every one - so I was intrigued to have the chance to preview his first go in the psych thriller genre.
Ryan does a good job fleshing out our two main characters as well as the supporting cast. As the plot develops, the concept of one being the protagonist vs the other being the antagonist begins to shift - actions that seemed justified initially become over the top as time goes on. What started off as motivation caused by tragedy builds to a climax that nearly goes off the edge of a cliff, both figuratively and literally.
Given this was OMJ Ryan's first psych thriller, my hat goes off to him. With that said, a reference to a constable nicknamed Jonesy reminds me how much I miss new volumes in the Detective Jane Phillips series (for those who haven't read them, Jonesy is Phillips' right hand DS). My sincerest hope is that Ryan doesn't abandon the police procedural genre, but considers alternating between the two if additional psych thrillers are in his future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ryan does a good job fleshing out our two main characters as well as the supporting cast. As the plot develops, the concept of one being the protagonist vs the other being the antagonist begins to shift - actions that seemed justified initially become over the top as time goes on. What started off as motivation caused by tragedy builds to a climax that nearly goes off the edge of a cliff, both figuratively and literally.
Given this was OMJ Ryan's first psych thriller, my hat goes off to him. With that said, a reference to a constable nicknamed Jonesy reminds me how much I miss new volumes in the Detective Jane Phillips series (for those who haven't read them, Jonesy is Phillips' right hand DS). My sincerest hope is that Ryan doesn't abandon the police procedural genre, but considers alternating between the two if additional psych thrillers are in his future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 28, 2025
The Therapy Room throws you straight into a psychological web of revenge, trauma, and obsession. The story follows Olivia, who is determined to destroy Shelly’s life. The two women are bound by a past tragedy, and Olivia blames Shelly for everything that followed. While Shelly should be savoring her time as a new mom, she’s drowning instead—grappling with OCD, intrusive thoughts, and the supposed safety of group therapy. But when a new “friend” enters the picture, it’s clear nothing is as it seems.
The descent from instability into full-blown madness is executed really well. Ryan captures the raw impact of trauma on mental health in a way that feels unsettlingly real. The pacing is quick, and the growing sense of unease had me tense throughout.
That said, I personally struggled to connect with the characters, which made the story harder for me to sink into. And while the buildup was disturbing and tense, the ending left me underwhelmed—I had expected something more explosive after everything that came before.
Still, if you like dark, twisty psychological thrillers that explore the blurred line between reality and obsession, this one delivers.
Thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
The descent from instability into full-blown madness is executed really well. Ryan captures the raw impact of trauma on mental health in a way that feels unsettlingly real. The pacing is quick, and the growing sense of unease had me tense throughout.
That said, I personally struggled to connect with the characters, which made the story harder for me to sink into. And while the buildup was disturbing and tense, the ending left me underwhelmed—I had expected something more explosive after everything that came before.
Still, if you like dark, twisty psychological thrillers that explore the blurred line between reality and obsession, this one delivers.
Thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
September 29, 2025
So, this is my first read by this author and I was drawn in by the front cover image and title which I could tell would make the perfect setting for a good psychological thriller.
This actually was such a chilling read - as we follow Shelley, struggling with post-partum depression, being targeted through her therapy group sessions.
The idea that this place where you're made to feel at ease and safe to speak about your issues, actually becomes the place where you're imparting your every vulnerability to others who then don't have your best interests at heart - this really made me uncomfortable.
As someone who has suffered PPD and used a therapist (although not for that reason), it really put me on edge and really got me thinking about how you can safeguard against this sort of thing really happening.
I really felt for both our main characters as their motivations and actions all stemmed from past traumas - which with the right help, could have helped them so much - and avoided what happened.
This was so well written and felt authentic throughout.
The characters were easy to relate to and felt down to earth.
This helped us build that connection and really become immersed in bothw the storyline and their lives.
This was a great first read and I'm really keen to hunt out more books by this author to add to my future tbr.
This actually was such a chilling read - as we follow Shelley, struggling with post-partum depression, being targeted through her therapy group sessions.
The idea that this place where you're made to feel at ease and safe to speak about your issues, actually becomes the place where you're imparting your every vulnerability to others who then don't have your best interests at heart - this really made me uncomfortable.
As someone who has suffered PPD and used a therapist (although not for that reason), it really put me on edge and really got me thinking about how you can safeguard against this sort of thing really happening.
I really felt for both our main characters as their motivations and actions all stemmed from past traumas - which with the right help, could have helped them so much - and avoided what happened.
This was so well written and felt authentic throughout.
The characters were easy to relate to and felt down to earth.
This helped us build that connection and really become immersed in bothw the storyline and their lives.
This was a great first read and I'm really keen to hunt out more books by this author to add to my future tbr.
October 17, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the ARC for this book!
Brief synopsis:
The Therapy Room follows two characters - Shelley, a new mother navigating work, motherhood, mental health and her relationship - and Olivia, a woman plagued by the death of her brother and suffering with trauma as a result.
Unbeknownst to Shelley, their lives are forever entwined.
Will Shelley be able to manage the demons that plague her? Will Olivia complete her plan of revenge?
Overall opinion:
It took a while for me to thoroughly get into this book but once I was, I was hooked. The play of mental illness and how that is represented in such an emotive way took my breath away due to the raw complexity. I would recommend this book but provide trigger warnings.
The setting of the therapy room, a place meant to provide safety and allow for vulnerability, is juxtaposed with the dark intentions of Olivia and how she intends to use the sessions.
Writing style:
Alternating duel perspective
Villain vs victim
Depth of characters:
The way mental illness and trauma is expressed in this book is phenomenal. The depth and emotive language used paints a picture of the struggles both characters face.
Trigger warnings:
Mental illness
Child abduction
Distorted reality
Abuse
Trauma
Brief synopsis:
The Therapy Room follows two characters - Shelley, a new mother navigating work, motherhood, mental health and her relationship - and Olivia, a woman plagued by the death of her brother and suffering with trauma as a result.
Unbeknownst to Shelley, their lives are forever entwined.
Will Shelley be able to manage the demons that plague her? Will Olivia complete her plan of revenge?
Overall opinion:
It took a while for me to thoroughly get into this book but once I was, I was hooked. The play of mental illness and how that is represented in such an emotive way took my breath away due to the raw complexity. I would recommend this book but provide trigger warnings.
The setting of the therapy room, a place meant to provide safety and allow for vulnerability, is juxtaposed with the dark intentions of Olivia and how she intends to use the sessions.
Writing style:
Alternating duel perspective
Villain vs victim
Depth of characters:
The way mental illness and trauma is expressed in this book is phenomenal. The depth and emotive language used paints a picture of the struggles both characters face.
Trigger warnings:
Mental illness
Child abduction
Distorted reality
Abuse
Trauma
September 22, 2025
3.5 stars for me. My first book by this author, and not the last.
Olivia can't believe when she saw Shelly, the woman who was responsible for her brother Dan death. Joining the therapy room that Shelly is attending is perfect for Olivia , she plan to befriend her and ruin her life. Olivia now call herself Jess, and she stops at nothing to get her revenge.
Shelly can't believe what is happening, first her job suffer, then being accused for things she didn't do,and her marriage in turmoil bad luck seems to following her everywhere. Good thing there is a new friend from the therapy room Jess, who is there for her in such difficult times.
Will Olivia get the closure so she can move on with her life?
Will Shelly resolve the problems that seems to pile up?
This thriller was a joy to read, reading from two POV, I was not sure who was the better woman, and it was a surprise who I was rooting for at the end. Hope to read more author further work.
I would recommend it for fast paced with twist thriller fans.
Thank you booksprout,netgalley and publisher for arc.
Olivia can't believe when she saw Shelly, the woman who was responsible for her brother Dan death. Joining the therapy room that Shelly is attending is perfect for Olivia , she plan to befriend her and ruin her life. Olivia now call herself Jess, and she stops at nothing to get her revenge.
Shelly can't believe what is happening, first her job suffer, then being accused for things she didn't do,and her marriage in turmoil bad luck seems to following her everywhere. Good thing there is a new friend from the therapy room Jess, who is there for her in such difficult times.
Will Olivia get the closure so she can move on with her life?
Will Shelly resolve the problems that seems to pile up?
This thriller was a joy to read, reading from two POV, I was not sure who was the better woman, and it was a surprise who I was rooting for at the end. Hope to read more author further work.
I would recommend it for fast paced with twist thriller fans.
Thank you booksprout,netgalley and publisher for arc.
September 27, 2025
TW: intrusive thoughts of harming/killing a child, PTSD
This book was a wild ride! This is my first by this author, and will definitely *NOT* be my last.
We follow the story of Olivia/Jess and Shelly. Olivia/Jess has had her life ruined and continues to go downhill since she was 12. Her brother died which started everything. She swears up and down that Shelly is responsible and she aims to make Shelly pay.
Olivia/Jess has one goal this entire book, she wants Shelly to suffer exactly as she has. That need for revenge only strengthens as she realizes that Shelly has the life she so desperately wants.
I don't think I've ever hated a character more in my life....except maybe Professor Umbridge lol. The entire time that I don't think Olivia/Jess can do anything worse to Shelly, she proves me wrong. I couldn't read this fast enough to find out what happens.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this digital copy early!
This book was a wild ride! This is my first by this author, and will definitely *NOT* be my last.
We follow the story of Olivia/Jess and Shelly. Olivia/Jess has had her life ruined and continues to go downhill since she was 12. Her brother died which started everything. She swears up and down that Shelly is responsible and she aims to make Shelly pay.
Olivia/Jess has one goal this entire book, she wants Shelly to suffer exactly as she has. That need for revenge only strengthens as she realizes that Shelly has the life she so desperately wants.
I don't think I've ever hated a character more in my life....except maybe Professor Umbridge lol. The entire time that I don't think Olivia/Jess can do anything worse to Shelly, she proves me wrong. I couldn't read this fast enough to find out what happens.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this digital copy early!
September 23, 2025
The Therapy Room is a psychological thriller that also shows the struggles of mental health and post party.
Shelly is a mom and is in therapy for crippling anxiety and ocd. During times of high anxiety, she tends to get a lot of intrusive thoughts and she's terrified that she may act on it and hurt her son or her husband. At therapy, she meets Jess, who befriends her. But her friendship isn't authentic. Because Jess is looking for vengeance.
My first instinct is to say, Jess is psychotic. Her behavior, the things she would do, the lengths she was willing to go. I really just wanted to say she was a psycho. But at the root of it all, she had deep trauma that affected her deeply.
This story was very well writing and easy to follow. The story was very intriguing and kept wanting more. I recommend giving this one a read.
Shelly is a mom and is in therapy for crippling anxiety and ocd. During times of high anxiety, she tends to get a lot of intrusive thoughts and she's terrified that she may act on it and hurt her son or her husband. At therapy, she meets Jess, who befriends her. But her friendship isn't authentic. Because Jess is looking for vengeance.
My first instinct is to say, Jess is psychotic. Her behavior, the things she would do, the lengths she was willing to go. I really just wanted to say she was a psycho. But at the root of it all, she had deep trauma that affected her deeply.
This story was very well writing and easy to follow. The story was very intriguing and kept wanting more. I recommend giving this one a read.
September 28, 2025
The Therapy Room is a lightning-fast psychological thriller, and the multiple perspectives make it absolutely addictive. The core tension is a deadly game of cat-and-mouse between Shelly, a vulnerable new mother seeking help for crippling intrusive thoughts, and Olivia, the woman who has infiltrated her therapy group, desperate for revenge from a shared past.
OMJ Ryan uses these shifting viewpoints to brilliant effect, making every character's account unreliable. You're constantly piecing together the true story, knowing that Olivia (operating under an alias) is meticulously twisting Shelly's deepest fears against her. A twisty, paranoid, and perfectly paced read for anyone who loves psychological suspense.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
OMJ Ryan uses these shifting viewpoints to brilliant effect, making every character's account unreliable. You're constantly piecing together the true story, knowing that Olivia (operating under an alias) is meticulously twisting Shelly's deepest fears against her. A twisty, paranoid, and perfectly paced read for anyone who loves psychological suspense.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 30, 2025
I love psychological thrillers, and this one was intense from start to finish. The story follows two women Olivia and Shelly whose lives are tangled by a tragedy that happened years ago. Olivia lost her younger brother in a terrible accident, and she blames Shelly for it. Now, fifteen years later, Olivia is ready to get revenge.
I found it fascinating how Olivia slowly worked her way into Shelly’s life. Shelly is struggling with OCD and the pressures of being a new mom. The way Olivia used Shelly’s fears against her was chilling.
The book is told from both their points of view, which made it even more gripping. I could understand Olivia’s pain, but I also felt sympathy for Shelly.
There were a few twists I didn’t see coming, and the final chapters had me racing through the pages. I liked how the story explored mental health and motherhood while still keeping the suspense high.
I found it fascinating how Olivia slowly worked her way into Shelly’s life. Shelly is struggling with OCD and the pressures of being a new mom. The way Olivia used Shelly’s fears against her was chilling.
The book is told from both their points of view, which made it even more gripping. I could understand Olivia’s pain, but I also felt sympathy for Shelly.
There were a few twists I didn’t see coming, and the final chapters had me racing through the pages. I liked how the story explored mental health and motherhood while still keeping the suspense high.
October 6, 2025
My very first book by OMJ Ryan and it will not be the last! Many thanks to the author and Netgalley for providing me with a copy for an honest review. The story captured my attention from the start and never let go. We have Olivia's POV, a troubled soul with a traumatic past, colliding with Shelly's POV, new to motherhood and navigating life ridden by OCD and some scary intrusive thoughts. While Shelly seeks the help of a therapist, she is unaware that the new girl joining the group knows a lot more about her past than she anticipated. The storyline is filled with nail-biting suspense and fast-paced narration that will keep you flipping pages, eager to find out what happens next. The ending fell a bit short for me - I guess I was looking for more details on the unfaithful night from the past; the epilogue also left me with a few more unanswered questions.
September 27, 2025
I couldn’t stop reading this – it’s real edge of your seat stuff! I started one evening but fell asleep with an hour to go, woke up at 6 am and finished it.
Initially, we know very little about Shelly, only that Olivia believes she did something so terrible fifteen years ago that it destroyed her life and that of her family. We don’t know what to believe, but no matter what it was, Olivia’s methods of getting revenge made me cringe. I couldn’t justify what she did for any reason whatsoever.
In fact I felt really sorry for Shelly (hoping she was innocent of whatever Olivia believes she did), otherwise I would have been really conflicted. Though the one I felt the most sympathy for was poor little Alfie. Shelly has severe OCD and has intrusive thoughts about suffocating him, and also stabbing husband Nick. But she never does it, and has begun attending a group therapy session so she can talk about her feelings.
Olivia, calling herself Jess, becomes more and more unhinged, and by the end the book is racing along at a cracking pace while she carries out her final plan. It was so well written and at times I could barely keep up! I’ll certainly be looking out for more from this author.
Many thanks to @ZooloosBT for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
Initially, we know very little about Shelly, only that Olivia believes she did something so terrible fifteen years ago that it destroyed her life and that of her family. We don’t know what to believe, but no matter what it was, Olivia’s methods of getting revenge made me cringe. I couldn’t justify what she did for any reason whatsoever.
In fact I felt really sorry for Shelly (hoping she was innocent of whatever Olivia believes she did), otherwise I would have been really conflicted. Though the one I felt the most sympathy for was poor little Alfie. Shelly has severe OCD and has intrusive thoughts about suffocating him, and also stabbing husband Nick. But she never does it, and has begun attending a group therapy session so she can talk about her feelings.
Olivia, calling herself Jess, becomes more and more unhinged, and by the end the book is racing along at a cracking pace while she carries out her final plan. It was so well written and at times I could barely keep up! I’ll certainly be looking out for more from this author.
Many thanks to @ZooloosBT for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
September 24, 2025
Imagine reading a story from the villain's POV. The Therapy Room by OMJ Ryan is the story of Olivia whose younger brother died years ago...but that time she didn't only lost her brother but also her mother to suic*de and her father to alcoholism. Her only close living rekative is her dementia ridden grandmother who lives in an oldage home. In short her life is mess. But on a sudden day she sees Shelly, a woman who kill*d her brother but her life, a handsome husband, a big rich house and cute little baby boy. The complete opposite to Liv. But when Olivia sees Shelly going to therapy, she decides to use this opportunity to take her revenge. Why Shelly who has a perfect life going through therapy? Does Olivia get her revenge? The questions which will get answered in this book.
September 24, 2025
Y’all! The Therapy Room by OMJ Ryan is a psychological thriller that will clutch your brain and never let go. New mom Shelly should be basking in baby bliss, but intrusive thoughts, crippling OCD, and a haunted-seeming therapy group turn her world into a nightmare. 😳
Ryan’s writing is razor-sharp—you feel Shelly’s panic, hear whispered betrayals, and see darkness creep into what should be safe. Shelly is fierce, vulnerable, and impossible not to root for as the tension ratchets higher with every session.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Breathless, twisting, and uncomfortably addictive—OMJ Ryan proves the therapy room is anything but safe. 🖤👶🔥.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ryan’s writing is razor-sharp—you feel Shelly’s panic, hear whispered betrayals, and see darkness creep into what should be safe. Shelly is fierce, vulnerable, and impossible not to root for as the tension ratchets higher with every session.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Breathless, twisting, and uncomfortably addictive—OMJ Ryan proves the therapy room is anything but safe. 🖤👶🔥.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 29, 2025
I thoroughly loved how this one kept me on the edge of my seat! It is one of those psychological thrillers that has you gripped to the story from start to finish. I didn’t know what to expect and found myself sitting with my jaw dropping in disbelief during the random shocking moments. The big reveals are unexpected and it will have you guessing what will happen next. It is pure evil and genius at it’s finest. I can’t wait to read more books by this talented author. I highly recommend this one, it definitely has the shock factor! I could actually imagine this book being turned into a tv drama.
September 30, 2025
This book held my attention straight through to the end. It follows Olivia (Jess) and Shelly as Olivia seeks revenge for her brother’s murder over a decade ago.
The author handles dual POVs seamlessly, and I loved watching the contrast between Shelly’s life unraveling into chaos and Olivia’s darkening perspective. The push and pull between them kept me turning pages.
The pacing never let up and the twists were placed well throughout, keeping me guessing while still feeling inevitable. A twisty read with character depth and suspense!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The author handles dual POVs seamlessly, and I loved watching the contrast between Shelly’s life unraveling into chaos and Olivia’s darkening perspective. The push and pull between them kept me turning pages.
The pacing never let up and the twists were placed well throughout, keeping me guessing while still feeling inevitable. A twisty read with character depth and suspense!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 1, 2025
This book had me hooked from the start! I loved the premise and the prologue was so intense, I knew I was on to a winner here.
The story is a fast paced, psychological thriller that contains possibly one of the most unhinged characters I’ve come across in a while. My jaw was on the floor several times.
It had short, snappy chapters which is a big win for me. I devoured this in less than 24 hours, I didn’t want to put it down! It absolutely did not go the way I thought it would 😂
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a fast paced, psychological thriller!
I give this 5 stars!
The story is a fast paced, psychological thriller that contains possibly one of the most unhinged characters I’ve come across in a while. My jaw was on the floor several times.
It had short, snappy chapters which is a big win for me. I devoured this in less than 24 hours, I didn’t want to put it down! It absolutely did not go the way I thought it would 😂
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a fast paced, psychological thriller!
I give this 5 stars!
October 1, 2025
The Therapy Room is a fast-paced, chilling psychological thriller. It features new mum Shelly, who is struggling with depression and intrusive thoughts, and Olivia who is determined to wreak revenge for the death of her brother. I particularly enjoyed all the psychological elements of this book. Olivia is one of the most unhinged characters you’ll ever read, and the way she ensnares Shelly is clever, oppressive, and truly unnerving. I found myself turning the pages so quickly, whilst a sense of dread settled in my stomach. I was completely engaged with the plot and the characters. An excellent, easy to read, compelling book that I loved.
November 2, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read the ARC of this book.
The story caught my attention from the beginning. However, I starter getting a little bit bored on the third quarter of the book. I think I’m used to thriller to have. Plot twist which in this book didn’t happened.
I enjoyed the story, and kept me entertained. I do think that the story is not based around the therapy group and I thought the mental illness part of the books was very interesting, it would have been cool, if the psychiatrist would have caught it or have given more real information about mental illness. I feel this part was a bit flat on the book,
The story caught my attention from the beginning. However, I starter getting a little bit bored on the third quarter of the book. I think I’m used to thriller to have. Plot twist which in this book didn’t happened.
I enjoyed the story, and kept me entertained. I do think that the story is not based around the therapy group and I thought the mental illness part of the books was very interesting, it would have been cool, if the psychiatrist would have caught it or have given more real information about mental illness. I feel this part was a bit flat on the book,
September 22, 2025
Shelly is going to group therapy because she has overwhelming anxiety, and intrusive thoughts when with her baby boy, Alfie.
A new woman, Jess, joins the therapy group, and bad, disturbing things happen to Shelly.
This is a dark, disturbing novel, filled with secrets and revenge. Memories of a traumatic event are twisted and not quite accurate.
Mental health issues affect all of us, but some people more than others, especially when hatred, bitterness and revenge are in the picture.
I flew through this novel. It is well plotted and well written.
4/5 stars from me.
A new woman, Jess, joins the therapy group, and bad, disturbing things happen to Shelly.
This is a dark, disturbing novel, filled with secrets and revenge. Memories of a traumatic event are twisted and not quite accurate.
Mental health issues affect all of us, but some people more than others, especially when hatred, bitterness and revenge are in the picture.
I flew through this novel. It is well plotted and well written.
4/5 stars from me.
September 30, 2025
What an Amazing and Terrifying story, too! This is all about getting the help one needs after traumatic things happen!
This story, however, has been wound around very neatly and is going to require a session that is far beyond what is available in this therapy room. I loved the push and pull throughout the whole book. This is not a story for those who may have trigger issues, but it is for those of us who thrive on a great story!
Thank you, OMJ RYAN, for a great story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest review.
This story, however, has been wound around very neatly and is going to require a session that is far beyond what is available in this therapy room. I loved the push and pull throughout the whole book. This is not a story for those who may have trigger issues, but it is for those of us who thrive on a great story!
Thank you, OMJ RYAN, for a great story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest review.
October 14, 2025
The cover blurb is right on point, ‘an edge of your seat psychological thriller’, and it most certainly is!
A twisty thriller that gets you so gripped in its story you cannot put it down, I was even reading waiting for the kettle to boil.
A definite 5⭐️ read
I won’t give anything away but Olivia and Shelly wow one struggling with being a new mum and coping with her OCD the other on a revenge path, but why?
You have to read to find out - that ending woah! Very clever writing and I’ll be checking out the series of Detective Jane Phillips book by this author they look really good 👍
A twisty thriller that gets you so gripped in its story you cannot put it down, I was even reading waiting for the kettle to boil.
A definite 5⭐️ read
I won’t give anything away but Olivia and Shelly wow one struggling with being a new mum and coping with her OCD the other on a revenge path, but why?
You have to read to find out - that ending woah! Very clever writing and I’ll be checking out the series of Detective Jane Phillips book by this author they look really good 👍
September 20, 2025
Publishes Sept 28th
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
I was very interested in reading when I saw the title. I love everything to do about therapy (the good and the bad) so I was greatly anticipating where the author would take this book.
It was a slower burn, but a good read. It was not what I was expecting but the author executed it well. It was relatively predictable but still had suspenseful moments.
Overall a solid 3⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
I was very interested in reading when I saw the title. I love everything to do about therapy (the good and the bad) so I was greatly anticipating where the author would take this book.
It was a slower burn, but a good read. It was not what I was expecting but the author executed it well. It was relatively predictable but still had suspenseful moments.
Overall a solid 3⭐️⭐️⭐️
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