Helpless

by Jessica Knoll

From the New York Times bestselling author of Luckiest Girl Alive and Bright Young Women comes a smoldering psychological thriller with a singular, mind-bending last page.

It’s been twelve years since Faye Heron broke Henry Spalding’s heart. Henry was her college boyfriend, her first intense love, but Faye was in danger of being subsumed by him.

Now, Faye is one half of a power-producing duo with her Hollywood husband. Henry is a married father running the family business. Both of their lives have essentially gone to plan.

When a former and beloved college professor suddenly passes away, Faye and Henry find themselves back on campus for the funeral, circling something old and dangerous. Something, if Faye is honest with herself, she has been trying to duplicate for years. But Henry is one of a kind.

The kind who delivers a hypnotic apology for the way things ended.
The kind who suggests they go back to the hotel for a drink.
The kind who drugs and kidnaps her.

When Faye comes to Henry’s remote mountain cabin, she’s beside herself. Has Henry brought her here to punish her? She did, after all, write and star in a lauded episode of television based on their indelicate appetites and vicious breakup. As her week of captivity unfolds, Henry’s wanton demands intensify, and a sprawling, years-old mystery begins to take shape—one that will rewrite history as Faye remembers it and reveal an astounding, cataclysmic truth.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Adult, Horror Thriller, Psychological Suspense

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 7, 2026

About the author

Jessica Knoll is the New York Times Bestselling author of THE FAVORITE SISTER and LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE—now a major motion picture on Netflix starring Mila Kunis. She has been a senior editor at Cosmopolitan, and the articles editor at SELF. She grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and graduated from The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and bulldog, Franklin. BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN, her third novel, publishes on September 19th.

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica Knoll’s writing is something I keep returning to because she always surprises me. What makes her so unique is that each of her books feels like it could have been written by a different author, yet they all intersect at one powerful point: the awakening, rage, and rising fist of women taking back their narratives.

I loved Luckiest Girl Alive for its cutting corporate-world commentary, and I adored Bright Young Women even more. So when I started this book, I’ll admit—I was confused. I caught myself thinking, Why am I reading an erotic, obsessive romance wrapped in a mystery full of dominance, dysfunctional family trauma, and psychological obsession?

But I told myself to keep going, because this is still among my favorite genres. And I’m glad I trusted the process. Without giving anything away, there is a twist at the end that will absolutely divide readers into two fierce camps: those who love it, and those who absolutely hate it.

As for me? I’m on the lover side. I spent most of the book questioning what was real, who to trust, and what truly happened in the past. The final reveal made the entire narrative click for me—smart, bold, and a genuine rug-pull moment. While this isn’t my favorite Knoll book overall, it’s still uniquely compelling, psychologically twisty, and populated with characters who are perfectly hateable yet strangely sympathetic once you understand the trauma they carry. They aren’t toxic for no reason—they were shaped by everything they endured.

Here’s a spoiler-free plot outline with my own commentary to help you decide if this book is for you. (My vote: yes! You may question my recommendation during the first act, but once the second act begins, everything escalates beautifully—especially if you appreciate daring twists.)

Our main character, Faye Herron, is a powerful Hollywood producer, married to another successful producer. She becomes a rising star after writing a hit TV episode inspired by her ex-boyfriend Henry Spalding, portraying him as a villain for millions of viewers. Years later, when her beloved college professor passes away, his nephew Campbell reaches out and asks her to speak at the ash-scattering ceremony. Faye agrees, even though it forces her to confront painful memories tied to that chapter of her life.

Returning to her professor’s secluded home also means facing Henry Spalding—the ex whose heart she broke and whose image she publicly destroyed. Yet time has changed them both: Faye is married, Henry is married with children, and logically, the past should be behind them. But as soon as they’re in the same room, undeniable chemistry resurfaces. A few drinks, a hotel room, shared vulnerability—and suddenly, Faye wakes to find herself kidnapped and taken to a remote mountain cabin.

Is Henry exacting revenge for the humiliation she caused him, or is something even darker at play? He insists he’s protecting her. He insists she’s safer locked away. But from what? And why? As Faye uncovers deeply buried secrets about their shared history, she begins to realize that nothing she believed about her past—or herself—is entirely true, and the danger surrounding her is far more complex than she imagined.

Overall: I loved the originality of this story. I even enjoyed the steamy scenes and found myself oddly rooting for these flawed, damaged characters and their intoxicating, toxic dynamic. They are far from healthy—but in a strange way, they fit each other perfectly. If you’re craving a fast-paced, steamy, psychologically sharp mystery that becomes smarter and bolder as it unfolds, this is absolutely worth adding to your TBR.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for providing this clever, twist-filled mystery’s digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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[Liana Gold]

This would be my third book by Jessica Knoll. Having recently read “Bright Young Women” and previously read “Luckiest Girl Aline”, I’m very fond of her work, particularly how she uses her own words to give a voice to the voiceless.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Scribner Publisher, and the author Jessica Knoll for sending me this ARC.

Publication date: July 7, 2026

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The relationship portrayed in this book was painfully toxic. I love a book with some spice but this was a 2 1/2 year sexually abusive relationship that the FMC still fantasized about. Also, I just can’t with the Mary Magdalene and Jesus kink.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

[haleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

advance copy won in goodreads giveaway

“everyone wants erotic thrillers right now. everyone.”

a psychosexual thriller about a woman who has been consistently victimized by those who hold power over her. i thought it lost it in the middle and had turned into some generic booktok dark romance slop, but it came back around in the end. jessica knoll, i’m sorry i ever doubted that you would write anything other than a nuanced work on power & how the trends of popular culture uphold and revere subjugation.

i wish this was a bit longer to flesh out part 4, which was the most interesting part of this book, but i loved the full circle moment

side note: also to the other reviewers going “oh this is so spicy” “the spice in this is actually problematic”, i need you to engage more critically with what you’re reading

[Sally 📚 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Faye is a successful actress/writer/director returning to her college town for a beloved former professor’s funeral. In doing so, she faces Henry, her ex-boyfriend she left behind and hasn’t spoken to since she left him and wrote an award-winning television episode about his controlling behavior in their relationship. As this story unfolds, it becomes clear that NOTHING is as straight-forward as it seems at first glance. Faye struggles to determine who she really is and what she really wants as she is forced back into Henry’s orbit.
This book is very well-written and a solid psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns. It is also an erotic thriller and the sexual dynamic of Faye and Henry’s relationship will not be for everyone. At times, their relationship made it difficult to figure out anyone’s motivations, but that may have been the intention. I think fans of Gillian Flynn and Karin Slaughter fans will enjoy “Helpless”!
Thank you to NetGalley for this e-ARC!

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for an advance copy of this new novel that is a story about love, dark obsessive love, one that a person thought was in the past, but as the quote goes the "The past isn't even dead. Its not even past", opening up wounds long thought forgotten, wounds she never even knew were there.

I had just started working in bookstore when books about toxic relationships and toxic families were starting to appear. I had no idea what these were, nor what the were talking about. My dating life had been small, my family were people I liked being around. So most of these books seemed strange to me. Not to my co-workers. Soon I was hearing stories about toxicity in their life that well, made me glad to be boring. Some of these stories have stayed with me, though thankfully none of them were as dark and scary as this book. A well-written book at that. Helpless by bestselling author Jessica Knoll is a story of bad love, bad people, bad families, and what we try to forget when we move on, and what we miss when everything seems to be going wrong.

Faye Heron and Henry Spalding were the it couple in their small college, the one people wanted to be, and the one that so much was expected of. Faye left Henry, breaking his heart heading west to escape her family, and in many ways Henry, for their relationship had a lot of things that people could not see. Faye married and together with her husband became a producing dynamo, creating a show that caught the world's attention, based a little bit on her life with Henry. The death of a loved professor brings Faye back to her college and back to Henry. Henry has married also, and taken over the family business. The more Henry is around Faye begins to feel that something is off. That she is forgetting something. Henry asks Faye over for drinks, and soon she awakens in his cabin, a captive to an increasingly emotional Henry. The more time Faye spends there, the more she realizes that much that she old as true was lies, and she has no idea who to trust anymore, except herself.

I usually don't do this, but all the trigger warnings are in the book. This is a book that will make most people wonder about life in a monastery for who wants to meet and or date some of these people. That said this is an interesting book, a story of love and obsession but told from a different point of view, and one that constantly changes as more and more of the past is revealed to the characters. Again this is a rough book, but one that I kept reading even as I was shaking my head and going, yeah that's not my thing. Knoll has a very good way in creating characters that one feels you could run into them at work, or at the coffee shop. You might want to run after a few minutes of conversation, but they seem very real. The story is bigger than what it seems, dealing with abuse in families, harassment in higher education, and really, really toxic people in a doom spiral of a relationship.

A book that I am sure will cause a few conversations. I can see people defending some actions, being irate at others, and upset by the whole book. I like when authors take risks, try new things, and even make stories that might divide their readers. A really strong title from an author who constantly amazes. I look forward to what Knoll has planned next.

[Anna Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, thank you to Scribner for an advanced copy of “Helpless,” which pubs this upcoming July 7th!

Jessica Knoll is once again a master class in mood. The moodiness of the writing evokes a combination of Emma Cline (especially “The Guest”) and Karen Elizabeth Russell’s “My Dark Vanessa.” In particular when it comes to the latter, we have a very toxic, taboo, and deeply unsettling relationship between the protagonist, Faye, and her ex-boyfriend Henry. You find yourself almost wanting to jump into the page and extricate her from the dysfunction, but find you can’t look away from the impending crash you know (you hope!) is coming. I can see the reviews for this book being polarized due to the nature of the relationship itself.

Also, no one does feminine rage like Jessica Knoll - I love that the women characters she writes have dualities, and I think Faye is very much in that category. Brave but messy with non-linear growth trajectories, snarky but smart. They dominate their own narratives in a way that challenges traditional expectations of how women “should” behave, all while allowing them the grace of imperfection. It almost challenges the male characters to step into a dynamic where they’re forced to wrestle for control, only to find themselves falling through the carefully placed manhole cover that was in front of them all along.

The final third of the book feels like it breaks the fourth wall, especially when the protagonist recognizes and labels her own story as an “erotic thriller,” of which this is probably the first of its kind that I’ve read! I love a good genre-bender and admittedly I didn’t see this kind of hybrid coming! This is by far Jessica Knoll’s spiciest book yet.

I haven’t read anything quite like this, it’s both intoxicating and toxic and I stayed up WAY past my bedtime on several occasions.

I’ve read all of Knoll’s work, and so here’s my updated ranking: Bright Young Women > Luckiest Girl Alive > Helpless > The Favorite Sister

Last, I want to acknowledge that this story referenced the devastating Palisades fire, and, coincidentally, I finished this book on its anniversary. My heart goes out to those impacted and rebuilding.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, wow. Helpless has all the makings of a satisfying thriller. It hooks readers immediately. It is at the same time mysterious, smart, and sexy. (I was like, woah, steamy, Jessica!) It ramps up our curiosity, makes us question the reality that Faye is presenting us with, the circumstances surrounding Faye’s past, and the power of storytelling. Who are we without the stories we tell about ourselves? These stories, past and present, shape our lives and perspectives in powerful ways, but what if we’re misremembering, or what if we’re plain wrong? What if our perspective is off, skewed by memory or deniability? What if we accepted something we were told without question? And what if all of that was shattered? Outside of what happens to Faye in a remote cabin in the Adirondacks, Helpless made me think about my own life. What have I been telling myself? And have I been truthful? Or have I been spinning a yarn (see what I did there?) to fit a narrative that makes me feel comfortable? And what if I stepped outside of that comfort?

Good literature makes you think. Helpless is all at once twisty, shocking, and insightful. Jessica Knoll packs a punch, takes us on an unforgettable journey, and wraps everything up with an unbelievably satisfying ending. I am so excited for this book to be in the world, for readers to get their hands on it. If you want a good thriller—Jessica’s got you. If you want something provocative—Jessica’s got you. If you’re looking for something more than a little sexy, like maybe you’ll blush and wonder if your four year old can tell what you’re reading (he can’t, he’s four, he’s singing “Am I a man or am I a muppet?” along with Jason Segel on his Tonies box), and maybe you’ll wonder if you should wait to read it until after he’s in bed (you’re just being silly now)—Jessica’s got you. If you want a smart, twisty book that makes you think not just about the character’s plight, but about your life and the stories you tell yourself—Jessica’s got you.

Seriously, pre-order this book. You’re going to want to read it as soon as it comes out.

Full review on Substack: https://mariehendry.substack.com/p/re...

[Pamela Shrewsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚🔥 BOOK REVIEW 🔥📚
Title: Helpless
Author: Jessica Knoll
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Topics: Power and control, coercive relationships, memory and self‑deception, consent and autonomy, obsession
Publication Date: 07/07/26
Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Format: Advanced Release Copy (ARC)

Thank you to @NetGalley, Scribner, and Jessica Knoll for my ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this, but I’m left feeling conflicted.

The story follows Faye, now a successful Hollywood powerhouse, who returns to her old college campus for a professor’s funeral — only to collide with Henry, the ex she’s never fully outrun. What begins as an awkward reunion spirals quickly: Henry drugs her, kidnaps her, and drags her to a remote mountain cabin where the past refuses to stay buried.

Knoll does not hold back. Helpless is a dark, twisty, deeply uncomfortable descent into obsession, power, and the kind of love that feels more like a trap than a choice. There are moments where the tension is genuinely gripping, and the dynamic between Faye and Henry is intentionally messy, claustrophobic, and emotionally charged.

That said, the book didn’t fully land for me. The pacing felt uneven, especially in the middle, and some of the darker elements were so extreme that they pulled me out of the story rather than deeper into it. I appreciated what Knoll was trying to explore — memory, control, and the stories we rewrite to survive — but I sometimes struggled to stay connected to the characters through all the chaos.

This is not a comfortable read, and readers should expect heavy themes around consent, coercion, and obsession. The “indelicate appetites” mentioned in the synopsis lead to some very dark, unsettling dynamics that may be too much for some. I don’t mind a dark book, but I found it hard to stay invested in Faye and Henry’s connection as the week unfolded.

Still, the final reveal is sharp, and Knoll’s writing remains compelling. Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers that push boundaries will find plenty to unpack here. For me, it was a solid read with standout moments — just not quite the knockout I hoped for.

[Melissa DeLong-Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

^^^ perfect description of how i'm feeling after finishing this one.

the non-spoiler review: i thought this was going to be a psychological thriller, and while it certainly had those elements, i would classify this as an erotic thriller first and foremost. there are on-page descriptions of sexual assault and several explicit sex scenes (fine! just not what i expected here). it definitely is a jessica knoll novel – the FMC is a woman who are at least a little psychologically fucked up, definitely an unreliable narrator, and has a lot of rage driving her actions.

hiding the rest of my commentary for spoilers!

okay so – the ENDING. are you KIDDING ME?!?! as the story is happening, there are many references to faye's big episode being the one that is a little truth embellished, but at no point did my tiny brain connect the dots that perhaps it was foreshadowing this story being told in the same way. how much of it was true? it made me think of verity, where you hit the ending and you know it's going to cause mass chaos because some people are going to die on script while others believe it's a true story. i don't know where i land, tbh! i described the book to my husband as a fever dream, like i didn't even know what was going on at times because it was so far beyond the realm of realistic, HOWEVER that ending kind of brings it all back and makes it make sense to why it's so unbelievable.

that said, i'm waffling on how i feel about it. i think what's throwing me off is the element of sexual trauma and eroticism tossed in. it didn't flow with the rest of the story, and almost felt like an additive to make it more... twisted? i think it could've easily been a story based solely around the murdering plot or around the relationship between faye and henry, but the connection of it all didn't hit quite as well.

*thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for the ARC!*

[Nurse Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another likely NY Times best selling novel by Jessica Knoll! Her new novel, Helpless, breaks the limits of being in just one genre and crosses boundaries from thriller and mystery to romance and erotica. This novel will appease the masses from all sides of the library categories!

Following the death of her mentor, PT, Hollywood hot shot Faye has returned home to mourn his loss. The anticipation of seeing a previous love, Henry, keeps her on edge for more reasons than the first half of the book can shed light on. But what if PT’s sudden death wasn’t an accident? What secrets, lies, and betrayals await the end of this story?

This story will have the reader rooting for the fairytale ending that isn’t your average fairytale. The thriller genre readers can rest assured that this isn’t a sleazy smut and has real mystery and turbulence along the way; while the romance readers can enjoy the suspense outside of the bedroom that amps up the fun between the sheets. Seems like a perfect hit!

I love Jessica Knoll’s previous stories and the ease of reading her novels. Her characters always have a very relatable/real air to them that pulls the reader in. She blurs the lines between right and wrong leaving the audience to sympathize that following your heart will always be right.

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for this ARC!



Why not 5 stars? There was a recurring floridity to the writing that I anticipate being mentioned in reviews once, “Helpless”, releases. I found it cumbersome and pretentious, reducing the fluidity of the authors words. I also struggled with the ending- instead wanting the loose ends tied up in pretty little bows. I found the supporting characters to have very little depth to have such a pivotal role in the story, and that deterred me from rating this one 5 stars. I absolutely love the book and will recommend it to all audiences; I also can’t wait to see it on the NYT best sellers list next year!

[Collyn Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

read if you like:
🐈‍⬛ cat and mouse games
🕵🏼 kidnappings
🫡 people from your past

summary:
Maybe because it’s almost Christmas, but man I’m struggling with thrillers these days. This book follows Faye Heron, a Hollywood producer who started her life over after splitting with her intense first love from college, Henry. When they unexpectedly reunite at the funeral of a favorite professor, old feelings and tensions resurface. What starts as an awkward encounter quickly spirals into a dire situation when Henry drugs and kidnaps Faye, bringing her to a remote mountain cabin. While she’s held captive, Faye must deal with both Henry’s unpredictable behavior but also a mystery from their past that threatens to disrupt everything she thought she knew.

This book is deeply rooted in themes of obsession and emotional complexity, with a suspenseful tension that keeps readers on edge. That said, I found it a bit challenging to feel fully hooked at first, as we didn’t spend much time with the characters before the story’s dramatic shift. Faye is the most developed character, and her thoughts and emotions are easy to connect with, but Henry remains an enigma for much of the novel, and the professor, though clearly important, leaves you guessing about their ultimate significance. I found myself torn between empathy for Faye, confusion about where the story was heading, and horror at the experiences she endures. I appreciated how the narrative tied their college past to the present day, showing how old relationships and unresolved emotions can resurface in unexpected ways. However, the intense tension between Faye and Henry sometimes made the story difficult to follow, keeping me both intrigued and slightly off-balance as the plot unfolded.

Thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for the advanced copy to review!

[Angela C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bright Young Women was my favorite book in 2023. I loved how it combined true crime with literary fiction and used facts from the life of a real serial killer but instead of focusing on him, focused on the lives of the young women he senselessly murdered. I was thrilled when I was able to download Jessica Knoll's latest novel Helpless from NetGalley.

While I did not love Helpless as much as I loved both Bright Young Women and Luckiest Girl Alive, it was a compelling read that I found almost impossible to put down. I read it over 2 days, which for me is insanely fast. When I started the book, I thought I knew where it was going: the death of a mentor means a 30 something woman has to come back to the place where she had one of her most formative (and toxic) relationships, where they reunite, and you can probably guess where it goes from there.

Except that is not at all where it went! It went off on a twisted track and I doubt anyone will be able to guess where it ultimately lands. Jessica Knoll knows how to write complex women characters and also how to write about how difficult it is to exist in the world as a woman and how that can make people do things that others don't understand.

On the negative side, I would say this book is very descriptive with some sex scenes in a way that is not my favorite. This book has definite erotic thriller elements to it.

I am giving this book 3 stars because it was hard to put down and I just wanted to know what happened next. I deducted a star for the spiciness of the book, which is just not my thing. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves twists and turns and especially loves their books a little spicy. I will continue to read every book Jessica Knoll writes!

***Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for this honest review***

[Chelsea Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*

Helpless follows Faye Heron who is a beautiful woman working in Hollywood and she is married to a producer. One of Faye’s college professors passes away so Faye goes back to her old college campus for the funeral. There she meets her ex-boyfriend, Henry Spalding who was her first love. Their connection was extremely intense with their relationship leaning into BDSM. Their relationship was a little toxic and their reunion awakens something in Faye. Henry apologises for how their relationship ended and deep down Faye wants to reconnect with him. Faye is forced to confront the truth about their past whilst being in a dangerous situation that unravels into a sinister game.

I really loved this book but it definitely won’t be for every reader. This leans into BDSM and Faye and Henry have a very toxic relationship but in a strange way I was rooting for them. This book is very sexual and at times it felt as if I was reading a dark romance book. Then the intrigue starts as we slowly start to find out what is going on. This had some intriguing twists and turns that I enjoyed. I definitely didn’t guess what was happening and it was fun to see it all unfold. This is very readable and I just had such a good time reading this. I appreciated Faye’s experience of Hollywood and what was said about being a woman in the spotlight. I’m still thinking about this book and it’s definitely left an impression on me. I will be recommending this book but if you don’t like graphic sexual context then this may not be for you. It was perfect for me though and I loved it so I have to give this five stars.

[Cindy Bokma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just wrote an entire review of this book, and it didn’t post. Here we go again. I have been a huge fan of Jessica Knoll’s books since her but novel, which had me glued to the pages. I also loved Bright Young Women. That said, Helpless missed the mark for me. Let me explain why.

First, the basic plot. Faye is a successful producer in Hollywood along with her husband. They have serious issues in their relationship that trouble Faye. So when she goes to the funeral of her beloved college professor and comes face to face with an old boyfriend, she can not deny the attraction.

Her relationship with Henry was so dysfunctional and bizarre that I could not relate to this attraction. Henry essentially kidnaps Faye and takes her to a remote cabin where she slowly learns the truth about the death of the professor and his wife.

Henry has an ax to grind with Faye, who used their previous relationship as fodder for an episode in her TV show. Is he seeking revenge, or is he just still so smitten with Faye that he wants to push the boundaries of their twisted relationship?

I am not giving any spoilers; you'll have to read it and see how it unfolds. This book is dark, tense, and none of the characters are likable. Usually, I love that, but Faye did not resonate with me.

As always, when a book doesn’t land with me, I blame myself and my mood and not the author. I’m sure that fans of Jessica’s will devour this one.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This upcoming novel by Jessica Knoll is INTENSE. The writing is great, and it’s one of those books you want to read in one sitting. I will say, though, this book will not be for everyone; readers will either love it or hate it.

In this psychological thriller, we follow Faye, a Hollywood writer/producer who’s marriage is on the rocks. She travels to her college town in NY for the funeral of a beloved professor, and it’s there that she runs into her ex, Henry. After the funeral services are over, utter chaos ensues, and the story really takes an unexpected turn. It’s chock full of characters with no redeeming qualities, and you have no idea who to trust.

This story weaves in and out of Faye’s and Henry’s past and the present. There’s spicy scenes, but not how you’d typically expect. Their history is complicated, and interwoven with love, obsession, hurt, dysfunction, eroticism, and dominance. The “spice” is delivered very differently in this book, and is so ingrained in who they were as a couple, and I found the dynamics of their relationship fascinating. There’s so much psychologically involved in their connection that it created suspense and intrigue. The best way to read this book is to just dive in and buckle in for the ride. It’s unique and page-turning for sure!

*Thank you @netgalley and @scribnerbooks for this advanced reader copy. This book hits shelves July 2026!

[Lex · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark, gripping thriller with spice, shock, and more twists than you know what to do with. What else could you possibly want?

I devoured this novel. I must confess… this one took a turn I hadn’t expected when I first started reading. However, it turned out to be a sharp, twisty, sexy novel that appealed to everything I love reading about.

The story between Faye and Henry captivated me. There was so much unresolved conflict, ferocity, and tension between them that it was palpable. They are obsessive, messy, pretty flawed, and a perfect match. As the novel progresses and the plot thickens, the intricacies of their characters and their relationship are revealed. You get to appreciate what exists between them, twelve years after their bright, hot relationship went down in flames, as well as understand what made them who they were, who they are now, and the extent they are willing to go to protect themselves and the things they care about.

Jessica Knoll is an impeccable writer. The build of tension was brilliantly executed. Her writing is both compelling and intoxicating. At no point did I know whom to trust, whom to believe, or what would happen next. I was spellbound, either screaming at Faye or screaming for Faye or just screaming.

A massive thank you to Jessica Knoll and Scribner for an advanced reading copy via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

[Megan Magee · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Faye met Henry, it was instant love- the passionate kind that burned fast and fizzled out even quicker. Desiring her own stance in life, Faye marries elsewhere and finds herself sexless, sad, and even worse off in love than she could have ever imagined. Where she feared losing herself under the weight of Henry's charm, she dreads even more losing herself to someone who can't bring themselves to touch her. When you throw in the professor dying who is responsible for Faye's memories essentially of Henry, we reconnect all these pieces into the present of our book and follow the clues to figure out who has secrets and what they are. This is not your usual "Thriller" novel, exploring themes of rage, sexual violence, kinks, and rape. While I was a bit shocked by the content displayed in what I expected from a run of the mill thriller, I really loved how well written our main character was, at least when it came to her opinions and the way she approached life, but it was HARD to read from her POV sometimes with how absolutely infantile certain topics were. I think this one was okay- not for me, but it'll definitely be excellent for someone else. Thank you so much to the author and Scribner for the chance to read an early digital copy. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Peggy Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish goodreads would let me give half star ratings, because this would be more like a 3.5. This book is being marketed as a thriller/mystery/horror, but I would consider this an erotic thriller first and foremost. This was my first book by Jessica Knoll and I feel that what she did well was making believably flawed characters. I would suggest reading trigger warnings if you are bothered by SA or BDSM. I personally liked the ending, but I can bet that some will not. There were some things that bothered me such as a sex scene where it was mentioned things were taking place on the table where his children ate their cereal for breakfast. I just felt that was a bit uncalled for and cringy. I do feel that the author did a good job putting us into the mind of Faye so we can get some back story and know how she thinks. However, there were many times I felt like the characters were ignoring some pretty big things happening (like murder), and glossing over big events and spending more time having sex than they did discussing what to do in their situation which made it a bit hard to believe at times.

[Wendy Remez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-First let me say that I am a huge fan of Jessica Knoll and her writing style. We meet Faye, writer, actress, powerhouse of Hollywood, S she goes home to attend the funeral of a beloved professor. She runs into Henry, a former boyfriend who tried to keep her from her dreams. The two have a rocky past, but when he offers to take her back to her hotel she says yes. Henry kidnaps Faye to help him hide a secret…The story unravels from there. Some may find the story difficult to read as there is some trauma from Faye’s past brought to life in her time with Henry. I dod not mind that, however, I just found the story just a bit slow to progress and the reveal a little bit predictable and over the top. All of the opinions are my own, and do not at all deter me from looking for books from Jessica Knoll again. This one just wasn’t my favorite, but it may be yours, especially if you are a fan of the author! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Rachelle Dillard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrillers are my jam and this is no exception but not all thrillers are made alike. I’ve read Jessica’s second book, Bright Young Women and it has stuck with me since, perhaps because I have friends and family growing up recounting their second hand encounters growing up in Seattle during Ted Bundy’s reign. Alas, that is not why we have gathered here today.

Helpless is a total departure from the traditional straightforward thriller, it digs deeper, hits at a more primal part of the female fantasy, wrapped in yes, a toxic relationship that translates to one hell of a thriller that keeps you guessing all the way through.

The story starts off in a dark academia vibe with Henry and Faye reuniting-ish at their beloved professor’s funeral where Faye is asked to speak. What happens next is a roller coaster that gives moments of suspenseful horror, the psychological fear and eroticism weaved throughout that we all secretly route for.

If you’re into something a little more nasty, this book is for you.

[Roman Clodia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second Knoll book I've read where I've appreciated the material but somehow the storyline itself doesn't quite cohere and I revolve through feeling engaged and bored while reading. I think with this one it veers too hard into torrid thriller territory: a kidnapping! murders and planned murders! everyone's a twisted killer! It all became too much and even the ending didn't save this for me - I mean there's commercial and then there's plain schlocky and this crossed that line.

It's a shame as the underlying thinking about helplessness and empowerment could have been nailed much better and while I think I can understand why the sex had to be so explicit, it's never sexy, too cold and clinical in its details and thus became a chore to read.

Knoll has such interesting ideas but the books don't quite land for this reader - sorry!

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC via Netgalley

[Hannah Orb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one - I love Jessica Knoll's writing style and went into this one completely blind.

The main character is extremely successful and returns to her college town for the funeral of a beloved professor (her mentor) - what happens next is a whirlwind of wild and obscure.

This was captivating and easy reading - my complaint is the flashbacks were not noted so it would take me a moment or two to understand it was not in the present timeline. I believe Knoll was trying to accomplish this by breaking the book into parts but it was not as effective as perhaps noting "then" vs "now".

I loved the choices made by Knoll of referencing only the people at the funeral by name - and everyone else by title "my husband", "my agent", "my mother" etc. It helped me feel in the story, in the present timeline and not in her life back in CA.

I take away a star bc the ending felt rushed but it was good!!

Thank you NetGalley for this superb arc.

[AE · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gosh. I so wanted to like this! I loved Jessica Knoll’s previous novel but this…

This wasn’t it, not for me at least.

It felt half baked.

The tempo was off, the genre also felt off (sometimes a thriller than general fiction then romance and back again at thriller), and the main characters are all unlikable and hard to follow or care about.

Without giving away any spoilers: Faye’s actions and thinking made no sense - how she behaved in the context of who she’s written out as being (her history and relationship with Campbell as an example vs what she went on to do and how she then reacted to it).

None of the characters made sense as people.

If I was the editor I’d say to the author that, sadly, in its current form, this is not ready for publication, not unless she’s ready for a 3 Goodreads rating - at best. It needs a pretty substantial restructure, rethinking, and edit.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpless is going to be the newest psychological thriller to potentially divide your book club/bookish friends - those that love it, those that didn’t, those with lots of questions - but you’ll all want to be in on the conversation.
Faye, the FMC, is a deliciously morally gray and questionable narrator throughout all the twists of this novel. The subtle inclusion of the experiences that have shaped her life and not-so-“commercial” relationships was perfectly executed. Knoll never fails to provide some shock value while keeping a character’s humanity intact enough to keep readers invested.
If you enjoyed Pretty Girls by Karen Slaughter, you’ll find yourself on the ‘loved it’ side of the conversation! I’m looking forward to recommending to all my friends and hearing their thoughts, even if they differ from my own. Always the best kind of book talks!

[Madeline Church · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpless instantly intrigued me with its synopsis, and I decided to give it a try even though I did not like Jessica Knoll's Luckiest Girl Alive. I cannot even explain how strong this started off! Right away, I was hooked. The story seemed to be going down an unputdownable path.

Then, it took a turn. It started to feel like some sort of kink book, and it lost the plot I was so engrossed in originally. If the second half was similar to the first half, this would definitely have a higher rating. I do think this is a thriller that most people would decently like, especially due to the psychological aspects!

Thank you NetGalley, Scribner, & Jessica Knoll for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Helpless is released on July 7, 2026!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Knoll's previous book, Luckiest Girl Alive, but this one missed the mark for me. Maybe it was just too dark to read right before Christmas? Faye was a well-developed character, and the POV movement between their time in college and the present made the pace flow well. However, the other characters—especially Henry and the professor—weren’t developed enough.

Henry and Faye's obsessive, dominating relationship and sex life was too much for me. Nothing about it felt relatable or helped me understand them. And then the ending. I hate a fake-out ending, and I was so annoyed. You do spend most of the book wondering what the truth is, so I can see where Knoll was going with it, but it still felt like a cop-out.

Overall, though, it has great pacing, tension, and keeps you guessing. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.

[Lindsey R · Rating 3 out of 5]

This psychological thriller had me hooked right from the beginning. I really appreciated the writing and build up in the first half of the book. Once we got more into Faye and Henry’s relationship, it was incredibly disturbing. I lost interest in the two of them quickly, so when the twists came up in the story, which was great writing and not what I predicted, I was more relieved that we were getting closer to the end of the story.

I am not a big reader of this genre and definitely don’t recommend reading it in the middle of the night. I had the craziest and scary dreams afterwards. The sexual content was over the top.

I do appreciate getting this advanced copy of the book. Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity.

[Tayler Marcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate leaving bad reviews, but this didn’t click for me. The book tackles some big themes which I appreciated, BUT the story felt a bit all over the place and the characters didn’t fully land for me. I found myself more frustrated than interested at times. That said, it might work better for readers who enjoy more provocative stories as it does have quite a bit of spice. I wouldn’t really consider this one a thriller as the spicy scenes/main relationship were at the forefront of the entire book more so than the plot. I think this will definitely appeal to people, but just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner Books for this ARC!

*** ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ***

[Brandon Copley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jessica Knoll has a talent for writing books that leave you feeling so dirty that you long for a loofah and a hot shower by the last page.

The characters in Helpless cross so many lines that you are never quite sure who (if anyone) to root for. While I typically enjoy this type of morally ambiguous plot device, the cringe factor emitted by Faye (our protagonist?) and Henry was almost too much, even for me.

A meta plot twist in the in final act did bring a me a modicum of relief but will definitely not be for everyone.

Bottom line- a compelling read that will force you to examine the boundaries of desire, punishment and free will… while leaving you feeling oh so filthy.

Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review.