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I'm Here to Help
To stop the corruption in her small town and avenge the victims, a therapist turns vigilante in a shocking novel of psychological suspense by the bestselling author of Jane Doe.
Melody Stanford prides herself on being a good person. She’s a loving wife and mother, a school volunteer, a faithful friend, and a trusted therapist with a sympathetic ear. But underneath her calm and collected veneer, Melody is raging.
The vulnerable women she counsels are breaking down and telling their secrets, exposing a prominent attorney and other influential men in Melody’s small North Carolina town for the predators they are—their heinous crimes protected by power, money, and connections. They’re not going to get away with it anymore. If the system won’t make these men pay, Melody will. One by one.
What starts out as small acts of vengeance soon descends into something far more satisfying, dark, and just. But when her own personal life begins to unravel, Melody wonders what she’s ready to risk, and what line she’s willing to cross in the name of justice. Because once she does, there’s no going back.
Melody Stanford prides herself on being a good person. She’s a loving wife and mother, a school volunteer, a faithful friend, and a trusted therapist with a sympathetic ear. But underneath her calm and collected veneer, Melody is raging.
The vulnerable women she counsels are breaking down and telling their secrets, exposing a prominent attorney and other influential men in Melody’s small North Carolina town for the predators they are—their heinous crimes protected by power, money, and connections. They’re not going to get away with it anymore. If the system won’t make these men pay, Melody will. One by one.
What starts out as small acts of vengeance soon descends into something far more satisfying, dark, and just. But when her own personal life begins to unravel, Melody wonders what she’s ready to risk, and what line she’s willing to cross in the name of justice. Because once she does, there’s no going back.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2026
About the author
Victoria Helen Stone
14 books1,604 followersWall Street Journal bestselling writer Victoria Helen Stone, author of the runaway hit Jane Doe, pens critically acclaimed novels of dark intrigue and emotional suspense. Her work includes Follow Her Down, At the Quiet Edge, Problem Child, Half Past, and the chart-toppers False Step, and Evelyn, After. Bald-Faced Liar is her tenth suspense.
Victoria writes in her home office in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, far from her origins in the flattest plains of Minnesota, Texas, and Oklahoma. She enjoys gorgeous summer trail hikes in the mountains almost as much as she enjoys staying inside by the fire during winter. Victoria is passionate about dessert, true crime, and her terror of mosquitoes, which have targeted her in a diabolical conspiracy to hunt her down no matter the season.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriahel...
Victoria writes in her home office in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, far from her origins in the flattest plains of Minnesota, Texas, and Oklahoma. She enjoys gorgeous summer trail hikes in the mountains almost as much as she enjoys staying inside by the fire during winter. Victoria is passionate about dessert, true crime, and her terror of mosquitoes, which have targeted her in a diabolical conspiracy to hunt her down no matter the season.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriahel...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
This was such a fun and engaging read. A vigilante therapist is such an intriguing concept that, the potential of it alone had me hooked. I loved how social issues were woven and explored in the story, which i think gave it more depth than just the thriller premise.
Though, i wished the story had more tension and thrill, but overall, it still was an exciting and engaging read.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
This was such a fun and engaging read. A vigilante therapist is such an intriguing concept that, the potential of it alone had me hooked. I loved how social issues were woven and explored in the story, which i think gave it more depth than just the thriller premise.
Though, i wished the story had more tension and thrill, but overall, it still was an exciting and engaging read.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Tense, suspenseful, and deliciously unhinged, I’m Here to Help centered around the exact kind of woman I’d love to be right about now. Taking a vengeful stance on a whole slew of badly behaving men, Melody delivered every bit of the pent up feminine rage that is running through most women’s veins in our country right about now. You see, while on the face of it this was a very Freida McFadden-esque tale, underneath the crazy antics were plenty of thought-provoking themes. Keeping me on the edge of my seat as our morally gray narrator let loose with a series of delightfully twisted deeds, Stone somehow took our current messed-up world and shrank it down to one small southern town all while letting the perfect anti-heroine take down the patriarchy one at a time. After all, if this story is anything to go by, revenge is best served up by an unapologetically cunning woman fed up with it all.
So what else did I love about this one-sitting read? Well, on top of a *chef’s kiss* justice-seeking female main character, I have to say that the deep dive into her psyche made her seem all the more real. Don’t get me wrong, you’re going to have to suspend your disbelief here and there, but that was just all part of the fun. With an increasingly paranoid mentality that made me side-eye every character I came across, no one was free from my eagle eye in this quick, easy read. I mean, how could I possibly put this one down once things began to go off the rails? With a very Kaira Rouda-meets-B.A. Paris feel and Jane Doe-like vibes, it fused the former’s brilliant over-the-top-ness with the latter’s clever insight as well as Ms. Stone’s own dark wit. So if you’re looking for the perfect revenge thriller, grab this one now. After all, who doesn’t love a kick-a** vigilante therapist? Rating of 4.5 stars.
Read if you’re a fan of:
- Unhinged narrators
- Feminine rage
- Small-town settings
- Dark secrets
- Morally gray behavior
- Vigilante justice
- A sense of paranoia
- Revenge thrillers
- Men behaving badly
- Twisty plotting
- Darkly comedic wit
- Anti-heroines
- Calculated women
BRIEF BLURB:
Okay. I know I say this a lot, but this time I mean it. Don’t read the publisher-provided synopsis. In my opinion, it simply gives too much away. All you need to know is the following…
Melody Stanford seems to have it all: a loving family, a close circle of friends, and a career as a trusted therapist in her tight-knit community. But as her clients reveal disturbing secrets about powerful men in their small North Carolina town, Melody grows increasingly furious at the injustice of them continuing to get away with their crimes. Unable to take anymore, she decides to take matters into her own hands. The further she escalates matters, though, the darker and more dangerous her acts of revenge become. As her carefully constructed life begins to unravel one snapped thread at a time, Melody must decide how far she’s willing to go to make things right—and what she’s prepared to risk in the process.
Thank you Victoria Helen Stone and Lake Union Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: October 27, 2026
Content warning: infidelity, rape, animal cruelty, sexual harassment, misogyny, sexism, drug abuse, violence, car accident, arson, police brutality, mention of: drug overdose, trafficking
So what else did I love about this one-sitting read? Well, on top of a *chef’s kiss* justice-seeking female main character, I have to say that the deep dive into her psyche made her seem all the more real. Don’t get me wrong, you’re going to have to suspend your disbelief here and there, but that was just all part of the fun. With an increasingly paranoid mentality that made me side-eye every character I came across, no one was free from my eagle eye in this quick, easy read. I mean, how could I possibly put this one down once things began to go off the rails? With a very Kaira Rouda-meets-B.A. Paris feel and Jane Doe-like vibes, it fused the former’s brilliant over-the-top-ness with the latter’s clever insight as well as Ms. Stone’s own dark wit. So if you’re looking for the perfect revenge thriller, grab this one now. After all, who doesn’t love a kick-a** vigilante therapist? Rating of 4.5 stars.
Read if you’re a fan of:
- Unhinged narrators
- Feminine rage
- Small-town settings
- Dark secrets
- Morally gray behavior
- Vigilante justice
- A sense of paranoia
- Revenge thrillers
- Men behaving badly
- Twisty plotting
- Darkly comedic wit
- Anti-heroines
- Calculated women
BRIEF BLURB:
Okay. I know I say this a lot, but this time I mean it. Don’t read the publisher-provided synopsis. In my opinion, it simply gives too much away. All you need to know is the following…
Melody Stanford seems to have it all: a loving family, a close circle of friends, and a career as a trusted therapist in her tight-knit community. But as her clients reveal disturbing secrets about powerful men in their small North Carolina town, Melody grows increasingly furious at the injustice of them continuing to get away with their crimes. Unable to take anymore, she decides to take matters into her own hands. The further she escalates matters, though, the darker and more dangerous her acts of revenge become. As her carefully constructed life begins to unravel one snapped thread at a time, Melody must decide how far she’s willing to go to make things right—and what she’s prepared to risk in the process.
Thank you Victoria Helen Stone and Lake Union Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: October 27, 2026
Content warning: infidelity, rape, animal cruelty, sexual harassment, misogyny, sexism, drug abuse, violence, car accident, arson, police brutality, mention of: drug overdose, trafficking
October 28, 2026
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog
⭐⭐⭐
I'm Here to Help
Victoria Helen Stone
Publication Date: October 27th, 2026
Lake Union Publishing
285 Pages
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Women's Fiction
I very much enjoyed Jane Doe by this author. This one is touted as a psychological suspense. It's about a woman named Melody Stanford who is a therapist in North Carolina. Melody has a picture-perfect life from the outside—she has a husband and kids, she volunteers, and she's a mental health advocate. But as we all know, looks can be deceiving. On the inside, Melody has anger issues. I'm not talking about someone took-my-parking-spot or my-husband-is-always-late anger; I'm talking full-fledged rage.
Every day she has to listen to and counsel women who are victims. They're lied to, they're abused, and they are betrayed by very powerful men, and the legal channels do nothing to stop them. When Melody realizes that the system will never grant these women justice, she decides to take matters into her own hands and she becomes a vigilante of sorts. She's a smart woman, so of course these acts are very organized. The revenge starts out small at first, then they turn dark and dangerous... but very satisfying. Dealing with all this means Melody's personal life suffers, and so she must make a choice whether to continue or not.
I loved the premise of this one, especially since she is a therapist and she uses her knowledge of the human psyche well, though the moral side of things is pretty black and white. The pacing was quick and never let up. It was very suspenseful throughout, and watching Melody come up with her plans and trying not to get caught was very tense. I loved the idea of how the justice system favours the rich and famous and how much vigilantism is enough. The story makes the reader ask some really tough questions.
Of course, a story like this is going to get a bit repetitive and a tad predictable. The character depth failed for me; while Melody's reasons are distinct and realistic, her schemes are a bit out there and make the reader have to suspend their disbelief too much for my liking, especially in the way she avoids getting caught. This was entertaining enough, and I did enjoy the fast pace and the dark side of it. It isn't anything groundbreaking.
Another thing I had issue with—which has nothing to do with the author—is why is this categorized as women's fiction? I get that abuse and men getting away with crimes when they hurt their partners are female issues, but this is a psychological thriller or dark suspense read. This is a book men would enjoy, and they aren't doing their author any favours by labeling the book in such a way.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Goodreads ratings reflect reader demographics and
popular enthusiasm rather than objective literary merit.
The Book Review Crew Blog
⭐⭐⭐
I'm Here to Help
Victoria Helen Stone
Publication Date: October 27th, 2026
Lake Union Publishing
285 Pages
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Women's Fiction
I very much enjoyed Jane Doe by this author. This one is touted as a psychological suspense. It's about a woman named Melody Stanford who is a therapist in North Carolina. Melody has a picture-perfect life from the outside—she has a husband and kids, she volunteers, and she's a mental health advocate. But as we all know, looks can be deceiving. On the inside, Melody has anger issues. I'm not talking about someone took-my-parking-spot or my-husband-is-always-late anger; I'm talking full-fledged rage.
Every day she has to listen to and counsel women who are victims. They're lied to, they're abused, and they are betrayed by very powerful men, and the legal channels do nothing to stop them. When Melody realizes that the system will never grant these women justice, she decides to take matters into her own hands and she becomes a vigilante of sorts. She's a smart woman, so of course these acts are very organized. The revenge starts out small at first, then they turn dark and dangerous... but very satisfying. Dealing with all this means Melody's personal life suffers, and so she must make a choice whether to continue or not.
I loved the premise of this one, especially since she is a therapist and she uses her knowledge of the human psyche well, though the moral side of things is pretty black and white. The pacing was quick and never let up. It was very suspenseful throughout, and watching Melody come up with her plans and trying not to get caught was very tense. I loved the idea of how the justice system favours the rich and famous and how much vigilantism is enough. The story makes the reader ask some really tough questions.
Of course, a story like this is going to get a bit repetitive and a tad predictable. The character depth failed for me; while Melody's reasons are distinct and realistic, her schemes are a bit out there and make the reader have to suspend their disbelief too much for my liking, especially in the way she avoids getting caught. This was entertaining enough, and I did enjoy the fast pace and the dark side of it. It isn't anything groundbreaking.
Another thing I had issue with—which has nothing to do with the author—is why is this categorized as women's fiction? I get that abuse and men getting away with crimes when they hurt their partners are female issues, but this is a psychological thriller or dark suspense read. This is a book men would enjoy, and they aren't doing their author any favours by labeling the book in such a way.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Goodreads ratings reflect reader demographics and
popular enthusiasm rather than objective literary merit.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A vigilante therapist who starts going after people in the town after she hears about their crimes.
When I read the synopsis, I thought that the main character was going to be someone I really liked, but that is not exactly how this book is written. She is actually pretty unhinged and most likely going through some undiagnosed mental health problems. She sees everybody as a potential villain and has a lot of paranoia.
The writing itself is a little chaotic & I am not sure if the author mean it to be this way, but to me it made the main character seem chaotic herself and like she was really losing it. At the same time, her actions are meant to be helpful and seek justice. I think some of the things she did were really brave even though she was quite a bit crazy.
There was so much going on in this book. Never a dull moment at all. It was very interesting. It reminds me of a Freida McFadden book, but a lot more detailed than she gets with her writing. The ending made me think that there could be a sequel. I mean a woman like this is going to find another cause right? She will never stop being suspicious. I would definitely read a sequel.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
When I read the synopsis, I thought that the main character was going to be someone I really liked, but that is not exactly how this book is written. She is actually pretty unhinged and most likely going through some undiagnosed mental health problems. She sees everybody as a potential villain and has a lot of paranoia.
The writing itself is a little chaotic & I am not sure if the author mean it to be this way, but to me it made the main character seem chaotic herself and like she was really losing it. At the same time, her actions are meant to be helpful and seek justice. I think some of the things she did were really brave even though she was quite a bit crazy.
There was so much going on in this book. Never a dull moment at all. It was very interesting. It reminds me of a Freida McFadden book, but a lot more detailed than she gets with her writing. The ending made me think that there could be a sequel. I mean a woman like this is going to find another cause right? She will never stop being suspicious. I would definitely read a sequel.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read
October 16, 2026A therapist turns vigilante against corruption in her small town? Yes, please!
Premise - Melody Sanford is the picture of a good woman: wife, mother, therapist, friend, volunteer. She’s also raging inside.
In her small North Carolina town, justice doesn’t meet out consequences for the bad men who harm her patients. Melody decides to take things into her own hands.
I grew up largely in North Carolina, so I was excited about the setting. It didn’t really come to life for me, though (which is fine! Setting doesn’t have to be a character in every story, just a heads up).
I definitely came into this story with the wrong expectations all around. I was thinking Mad Mabel x Dear Debbie with a Marion-style female serial killer and that is NOT this story.😅 This is more of a down to earth, what you see is what you get, the subtext is spelled out in the text story.
Unreliable narrators are my jam, or at least narrators who aren’t totally 100% aware of why they do all the things they do and maybe tell themselves some lies (in the vein of ‘I’m so fine!’ or ‘this is a totally great idea!’), but I know a lot of people prefer books where the characters are better adjusted. This character knows the rationale between everything she feels and why, and she says it on the page. Readers who want full clarity will love it!
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Paige Reisenfeld. She has such a lovely texture in her read, I definitely enjoyed her narration, even if I didn’t quite find my match in this story.
Thanks, NetGalley and Brilliance Audio, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Premise - Melody Sanford is the picture of a good woman: wife, mother, therapist, friend, volunteer. She’s also raging inside.
In her small North Carolina town, justice doesn’t meet out consequences for the bad men who harm her patients. Melody decides to take things into her own hands.
I grew up largely in North Carolina, so I was excited about the setting. It didn’t really come to life for me, though (which is fine! Setting doesn’t have to be a character in every story, just a heads up).
I definitely came into this story with the wrong expectations all around. I was thinking Mad Mabel x Dear Debbie with a Marion-style female serial killer and that is NOT this story.😅 This is more of a down to earth, what you see is what you get, the subtext is spelled out in the text story.
Unreliable narrators are my jam, or at least narrators who aren’t totally 100% aware of why they do all the things they do and maybe tell themselves some lies (in the vein of ‘I’m so fine!’ or ‘this is a totally great idea!’), but I know a lot of people prefer books where the characters are better adjusted. This character knows the rationale between everything she feels and why, and she says it on the page. Readers who want full clarity will love it!
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Paige Reisenfeld. She has such a lovely texture in her read, I definitely enjoyed her narration, even if I didn’t quite find my match in this story.
Thanks, NetGalley and Brilliance Audio, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2026
📖 Title: I'm Here To Help
🖋️ Author: Victoria Helen Stone
📅 Pub Day: October 27, 2026
💌 Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
📚 Format: Digital
🏷️ ISBN: 9781662544316
⏱️ Length: 291 pages
📌 Genre(s): Psychological Thriller, Crime Fiction, Domestic Thriller
⭐ Star Rating: 4★
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
I was immediately interested in the idea of a therapist who gets fed up with hearing about awful men getting away with everything and finally decides to do something about it.
Melody spends so much time listening to other people's problems that eventually she decides she's done being the person who just sits there and listens. And while I can understand her frustration, watching her actually put her plans into action is a whole different story. She's a therapist, a wife, and a mother, and she's trying to keep all these parts of her life going while doing things that could absolutely ruin her life, career, and future.
I also liked that she wasn't some flawless badass who had everything figured out. She makes questionable decisions, and the more involved she gets, the harder it becomes to keep her personal life separate from what she's doing. You can see how easily things could blow up in her face, which kept me curious to see just how far she'd take everything.
This was a fun, messy revenge thriller, and I can absolutely get behind a story that lets awful people sweat a little.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
If you like:
✔️ Female rage
✔️ Vigilante justice
✔️ Revenge plots
✔️ Morally gray women
✔️ Corrupt powerful men
✔️ Dark humor
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Thank you to NetGalley, Victoria Helen Stone, and Lake Union Publishing for gifting this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
This review is cross‑posted across multiple platforms.
🖋️ Author: Victoria Helen Stone
📅 Pub Day: October 27, 2026
💌 Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
📚 Format: Digital
🏷️ ISBN: 9781662544316
⏱️ Length: 291 pages
📌 Genre(s): Psychological Thriller, Crime Fiction, Domestic Thriller
⭐ Star Rating: 4★
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
I was immediately interested in the idea of a therapist who gets fed up with hearing about awful men getting away with everything and finally decides to do something about it.
Melody spends so much time listening to other people's problems that eventually she decides she's done being the person who just sits there and listens. And while I can understand her frustration, watching her actually put her plans into action is a whole different story. She's a therapist, a wife, and a mother, and she's trying to keep all these parts of her life going while doing things that could absolutely ruin her life, career, and future.
I also liked that she wasn't some flawless badass who had everything figured out. She makes questionable decisions, and the more involved she gets, the harder it becomes to keep her personal life separate from what she's doing. You can see how easily things could blow up in her face, which kept me curious to see just how far she'd take everything.
This was a fun, messy revenge thriller, and I can absolutely get behind a story that lets awful people sweat a little.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
If you like:
✔️ Female rage
✔️ Vigilante justice
✔️ Revenge plots
✔️ Morally gray women
✔️ Corrupt powerful men
✔️ Dark humor
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Thank you to NetGalley, Victoria Helen Stone, and Lake Union Publishing for gifting this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
This review is cross‑posted across multiple platforms.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Holy white girl rage, Batman, this book is a thinly veiled temper tantrum in the name of the liberal agenda. With bizarre comments like how one of the patients is in therapy because of "billionaires" and another person moved to a place where "they care more about women's health", it's like all the worst of tiktok rage compiled under an isbn. DNF.
The audiobook narration is stunning.
#gifted Brilliance Audio
The audiobook narration is stunning.
#gifted Brilliance Audio
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Vigilante Therapy: When the system fails, Melody is here to help.
Victoria Helen Stone remains the undisputed queen of vengeance plots in I'M HERE TO HELP. If you loved Jane Doe, Melody Stanford is going to steal your heart in the darkest way possible. She might just be your new favorite unhiniged protagonist.
Intro
As a long-time fan of Victoria Helen Stone (a favorite), I have read every single one of her books, and having had the privilege of interviewing her on my platform, I am always primed for her dark brilliance. Her ability to craft unapologetic, fiercely complex women is unmatched. With her latest psychological thriller, I'm Here to Help, she completely shatters expectations once again, earning an absolute 5🌟Stars + from me.
The Hook
What happens when the person paid to heal your mind decides it's much more efficient to avenge your trauma?
Elevator Pitch
Melody Stanford is a licensed therapist in a small town plagued by corruption. When she discovers that the legal system is designed to protect powerful predators instead of their victims, she begins to step outside her professional boundaries. Replacing her notepad with a checklist for retribution, she transforms into a vigilante, methodically dismantling the lives of the men who believe they are untouchable. No one would ever suspect a professional therapist, wife, and mother of such crimes.
Setting
A suffocatingly insular small town in the Raleigh, North Carolina area where institutional corruption runs deep, secrets are currency, and the powerful are heavily insulated from accountability.
Vibe
Darkly comedic, intensely gripping, morally gray, and deeply cathartic. It balances a sharp edge of psychological suspense with an intoxicating undercurrent of vigilante justice.
Genre
Psychological Thriller / Suspense / Vigilante Fiction.
Themes
~Vigilantism vs. Legal Justice: Exploring the breaking point where systemic failure forces personal intervention.
~The Morality of Retribution: What happens to a healer's psyche when they cross over into destruction?
~Power Dynamics and Gender: Dismantling the old boys' network in a small-town landscape.
Standout Characters
~Melody. She joins the ranks of Stone's iconic, sharp-edged heroines (reminiscent of Jane Doe). She is brilliant, calculated, entirely unapologetic, and yet driven by a profound, twisted sense of loyalty to the victims who walk through her door.
Author Writing Standout
Stone writes with a razor-sharp, clinical precision that matches her protagonist's mindset perfectly. Her pacing is relentless, and her trademark dark wit keeps you laughing even when the subject matter turns pitch-black.
Takeaway
True justice isn't always neat, legal, or quiet—sometimes it requires a controlled burn to clear out the rot.
Title Significance
"I'm Here to Help" plays brilliantly on the classic therapist’s greeting. It shifts from a comforting promise of mental health care to an ominous, multi-layered threat aimed directly at the predators of the town. Melody is helping—just not in the way anyone expects.
Metaphor
A scalpel in the hands of a surgeon who has decided that cutting out the tumor requires taking down the whole patient.
Why You Should Read
If you love revenge thrillers featuring brilliantly capable women who refuse to play the victim, this book is non-negotiable. It delivers the ultimate cathartic payoff.
My Thoughts
Having read all of Stone's work and spent time interviewing her, I am always in awe of how she pushes the boundaries of the "morally gray woman." Melody is a spectacular creation. The slow unravelling of her personal life as she balances her secret crusade keeps you on the edge of your seat, making it impossible to put down. I adored her!
Verdict 5/5 Stars
"Nobody writes an unapologetic, calculating woman quite like Victoria Helen Stone. An absolute must-read masterpiece of dark intrigue."
Recs/Read Alikes
~Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone (The ultimate blueprint for her unapologetic female vengeance stories).
~Bald-Faced Liar by Victoria Helen Stone (Her brilliant 2025 release featuring a sharp-witted female lead navigating toxic dynamics)
~The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda (Perfect for fans who love watching wealthy, corrupt inner circles get brought down from the inside).
~The Therapist by B.A. Paris (Excellent if you want another thriller centered around therapeutic secrets and neighborhood deception, though it trades Stone's signature pitch-black wit for pure, serious psychological dread).
~The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (An absolute staple for readers who crave layered revenge plots, massive twists, and intense power struggles).
🎧 Audio Standout
The audiobook experience of I'm Here to Help is exceptional, thanks to a stellar performance by narrator Paige Reisenfeld. Reisenfeld delivers a masterclass in voice acting, perfectly challenging Melody's clinical composure, her underlying fury, and the dry, dark humor that makes the narrative sing. The tonal shift between Melody’s professional therapy voice and her internal vigilante monologue is executed with flawless precision. If you are a fan of audiobooks, Reisenfeld's performance elevates this thriller into an immersive, addictive audio experience that you will want to finish in a single sitting.
Special thanks to Lake Union Publishing, Brilliance Audio, and NetGalley for sharing an advance reading and listening copy for my honest thoughts.
Blog review posted @
JudithD.Collins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
#LitLitMiniAuthorChats | #AuthorElevatorSeries
#AudioElevatorSeries
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: Oct 27, 2026
Oct Newsletter
Oct 2026 Must-Read Books
Victoria Helen Stone remains the undisputed queen of vengeance plots in I'M HERE TO HELP. If you loved Jane Doe, Melody Stanford is going to steal your heart in the darkest way possible. She might just be your new favorite unhiniged protagonist.
Intro
As a long-time fan of Victoria Helen Stone (a favorite), I have read every single one of her books, and having had the privilege of interviewing her on my platform, I am always primed for her dark brilliance. Her ability to craft unapologetic, fiercely complex women is unmatched. With her latest psychological thriller, I'm Here to Help, she completely shatters expectations once again, earning an absolute 5🌟Stars + from me.
The Hook
What happens when the person paid to heal your mind decides it's much more efficient to avenge your trauma?
Elevator Pitch
Melody Stanford is a licensed therapist in a small town plagued by corruption. When she discovers that the legal system is designed to protect powerful predators instead of their victims, she begins to step outside her professional boundaries. Replacing her notepad with a checklist for retribution, she transforms into a vigilante, methodically dismantling the lives of the men who believe they are untouchable. No one would ever suspect a professional therapist, wife, and mother of such crimes.
Setting
A suffocatingly insular small town in the Raleigh, North Carolina area where institutional corruption runs deep, secrets are currency, and the powerful are heavily insulated from accountability.
Vibe
Darkly comedic, intensely gripping, morally gray, and deeply cathartic. It balances a sharp edge of psychological suspense with an intoxicating undercurrent of vigilante justice.
Genre
Psychological Thriller / Suspense / Vigilante Fiction.
Themes
~Vigilantism vs. Legal Justice: Exploring the breaking point where systemic failure forces personal intervention.
~The Morality of Retribution: What happens to a healer's psyche when they cross over into destruction?
~Power Dynamics and Gender: Dismantling the old boys' network in a small-town landscape.
Standout Characters
~Melody. She joins the ranks of Stone's iconic, sharp-edged heroines (reminiscent of Jane Doe). She is brilliant, calculated, entirely unapologetic, and yet driven by a profound, twisted sense of loyalty to the victims who walk through her door.
Author Writing Standout
Stone writes with a razor-sharp, clinical precision that matches her protagonist's mindset perfectly. Her pacing is relentless, and her trademark dark wit keeps you laughing even when the subject matter turns pitch-black.
Takeaway
True justice isn't always neat, legal, or quiet—sometimes it requires a controlled burn to clear out the rot.
Title Significance
"I'm Here to Help" plays brilliantly on the classic therapist’s greeting. It shifts from a comforting promise of mental health care to an ominous, multi-layered threat aimed directly at the predators of the town. Melody is helping—just not in the way anyone expects.
Metaphor
A scalpel in the hands of a surgeon who has decided that cutting out the tumor requires taking down the whole patient.
Why You Should Read
If you love revenge thrillers featuring brilliantly capable women who refuse to play the victim, this book is non-negotiable. It delivers the ultimate cathartic payoff.
My Thoughts
Having read all of Stone's work and spent time interviewing her, I am always in awe of how she pushes the boundaries of the "morally gray woman." Melody is a spectacular creation. The slow unravelling of her personal life as she balances her secret crusade keeps you on the edge of your seat, making it impossible to put down. I adored her!
Verdict 5/5 Stars
"Nobody writes an unapologetic, calculating woman quite like Victoria Helen Stone. An absolute must-read masterpiece of dark intrigue."
Recs/Read Alikes
~Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone (The ultimate blueprint for her unapologetic female vengeance stories).
~Bald-Faced Liar by Victoria Helen Stone (Her brilliant 2025 release featuring a sharp-witted female lead navigating toxic dynamics)
~The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda (Perfect for fans who love watching wealthy, corrupt inner circles get brought down from the inside).
~The Therapist by B.A. Paris (Excellent if you want another thriller centered around therapeutic secrets and neighborhood deception, though it trades Stone's signature pitch-black wit for pure, serious psychological dread).
~The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (An absolute staple for readers who crave layered revenge plots, massive twists, and intense power struggles).
🎧 Audio Standout
The audiobook experience of I'm Here to Help is exceptional, thanks to a stellar performance by narrator Paige Reisenfeld. Reisenfeld delivers a masterclass in voice acting, perfectly challenging Melody's clinical composure, her underlying fury, and the dry, dark humor that makes the narrative sing. The tonal shift between Melody’s professional therapy voice and her internal vigilante monologue is executed with flawless precision. If you are a fan of audiobooks, Reisenfeld's performance elevates this thriller into an immersive, addictive audio experience that you will want to finish in a single sitting.
Special thanks to Lake Union Publishing, Brilliance Audio, and NetGalley for sharing an advance reading and listening copy for my honest thoughts.
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My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: Oct 27, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this title. My review is in no way influenced by receiving this copy.
I want to start by saying that I really wanted to like this book. The concept of a psychological thriller following a therapist determined to seek justice for the women she counsels immediately appealed to me.
Unfortunately, this book fell short for me for several reasons. First, it didn't contain enough suspense or tension for me to truly feel like I was reading a psychological thriller. The atmosphere never felt charged enough to convey how high the stakes should have been. I also felt disconnected from the characters. Overall, they fell flat, and I wasn't invested in rooting for the protagonist or feeling any real animosity toward the antagonist. Instead, I found myself largely indifferent to everyone.
Lastly, the pacing didn't keep me engaged. I don't mind a slower build if the characters are compelling or the plot gradually unfolds in a way that maintains my interest, but I didn't feel that was the case here.
I do see a lot of potential in this story. It just didn't live up to the expectations I had after reading the blurb and experiencing the strong initial setup.
I want to start by saying that I really wanted to like this book. The concept of a psychological thriller following a therapist determined to seek justice for the women she counsels immediately appealed to me.
Unfortunately, this book fell short for me for several reasons. First, it didn't contain enough suspense or tension for me to truly feel like I was reading a psychological thriller. The atmosphere never felt charged enough to convey how high the stakes should have been. I also felt disconnected from the characters. Overall, they fell flat, and I wasn't invested in rooting for the protagonist or feeling any real animosity toward the antagonist. Instead, I found myself largely indifferent to everyone.
Lastly, the pacing didn't keep me engaged. I don't mind a slower build if the characters are compelling or the plot gradually unfolds in a way that maintains my interest, but I didn't feel that was the case here.
I do see a lot of potential in this story. It just didn't live up to the expectations I had after reading the blurb and experiencing the strong initial setup.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
the setup…
Melody Stanford is a therapist working in North Carolina. She’s married with a son who is leaving the nest for college. To the outside world, she looks like the typical suburban professional who’s highly active in her community. But underneath that smooth exterior, Melody is seething with rage at the injustices toward women. The stories being shared by her clients about men behaving really badly are fueling these feelings and she’s come to the conclusion that she needs to help out lady justice.
the heart of the story…
It’s clear from the first page that Melody is fed up, angry and more than a little out of control. While she’s expert at plotting her tactics to bring these men down, I also could see that underneath all that rage was someone who hadn’t completely lost her humanity. Her angst and worry was driving her nutty (and me).
the narration…
Paige Reisenfeld is new to me and I thought she voiced Melody perfectly, capturing her range of emotions skillfully and providing distinctive voices for other characters. I also enjoyed her storytelling.
the bottom line…
If you like female rage packaged in a way that isn’t too crazy (I think), you’ll enjoy Melody’s journey. I connected to her anger if not her solutions. But I liked that she never disconnects with her feelings that what she was doing was wrong no matter how she justified them. I struggled with my own feelings, vacillating between wanting her to get caught and not being nabbed. That said, I’d never hire her as my therapist!
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Melody Stanford is a therapist working in North Carolina. She’s married with a son who is leaving the nest for college. To the outside world, she looks like the typical suburban professional who’s highly active in her community. But underneath that smooth exterior, Melody is seething with rage at the injustices toward women. The stories being shared by her clients about men behaving really badly are fueling these feelings and she’s come to the conclusion that she needs to help out lady justice.
the heart of the story…
It’s clear from the first page that Melody is fed up, angry and more than a little out of control. While she’s expert at plotting her tactics to bring these men down, I also could see that underneath all that rage was someone who hadn’t completely lost her humanity. Her angst and worry was driving her nutty (and me).
the narration…
Paige Reisenfeld is new to me and I thought she voiced Melody perfectly, capturing her range of emotions skillfully and providing distinctive voices for other characters. I also enjoyed her storytelling.
the bottom line…
If you like female rage packaged in a way that isn’t too crazy (I think), you’ll enjoy Melody’s journey. I connected to her anger if not her solutions. But I liked that she never disconnects with her feelings that what she was doing was wrong no matter how she justified them. I struggled with my own feelings, vacillating between wanting her to get caught and not being nabbed. That said, I’d never hire her as my therapist!
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Did Not Finish
September 30, 2026***Thanks to the publisher for this eARC on Netgalley!***
This is a DNF at 12% for me (and I should note the first 6% is taken up by blurbs of praise for the author’s other books) but the premise is an interesting one - what if a therapist, after years of hearing endlessly awful things from her patients, decides to take matters into her own hands and make things right. Therapist turned vigilante in a small North Carolina town is an interesting one. I’ve enjoyed the author’s Jane Doe books and I think this slots in neatly for readers who enjoyed those to enjoy this one as well.
My thing is that the first-person POV from our FMC, Melody, is very strong and in text, I find it a more tedious style to read? I usually enjoy first-person but there’s levels to it. It’s a writing style here that I would enjoy more in audiobook form being read to me instead of me reading the text to myself.
I know we can all relate to books for any number of things and we don’t have to 100% related TO a character to enjoy a book. But maybe it’s the first-person POV of it all, but I struggled more with the character here. While she’s actually less than a decade older than me, she already has a son ready to head off into a gap year after high school and this book isn’t JUST about her being a therapist turned vigilante but also a mother and a wife. And I find myself less interested the more I read about her daily life. I wouldn’t call her old (she’s only 42) but it’s a whole other lived experience she’s coming from that I just find myself less interested in reading.
This is a DNF at 12% for me (and I should note the first 6% is taken up by blurbs of praise for the author’s other books) but the premise is an interesting one - what if a therapist, after years of hearing endlessly awful things from her patients, decides to take matters into her own hands and make things right. Therapist turned vigilante in a small North Carolina town is an interesting one. I’ve enjoyed the author’s Jane Doe books and I think this slots in neatly for readers who enjoyed those to enjoy this one as well.
My thing is that the first-person POV from our FMC, Melody, is very strong and in text, I find it a more tedious style to read? I usually enjoy first-person but there’s levels to it. It’s a writing style here that I would enjoy more in audiobook form being read to me instead of me reading the text to myself.
I know we can all relate to books for any number of things and we don’t have to 100% related TO a character to enjoy a book. But maybe it’s the first-person POV of it all, but I struggled more with the character here. While she’s actually less than a decade older than me, she already has a son ready to head off into a gap year after high school and this book isn’t JUST about her being a therapist turned vigilante but also a mother and a wife. And I find myself less interested the more I read about her daily life. I wouldn’t call her old (she’s only 42) but it’s a whole other lived experience she’s coming from that I just find myself less interested in reading.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐ 3.5 Stars
I loved the premise of this book! A therapist in a small North Carolina town gets tired of hearing about the horrible things happening to her clients, especially when the men responsible have money and connections that allow them to get away with it. So she decides to take matters into her own hands.
And honestly, I don't blame her! I've always thought therapists should get one free day a year to seek revenge on behalf of their clients. LOL! Seriously though, imagine listening to some of these stories and knowing the people responsible are out there living their lives without any consequences.
I really liked the small-town setting and Melody's intentions. She was definitely a little unhinged, and I questioned some of her decisions, but I understood her frustration.
My biggest disappointment? I wanted more vengeance! Maybe that's the horror reader in me, but I expected things to get a little crazier. There was quite a bit of time spent inside Melody's head, and some of it became repetitive. I wanted less thinking about revenge and more actually getting revenge!
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Paige Reisenfeld, and I enjoyed her performance. She did a great job bringing Melody's character to life.
Overall, this was an entertaining psychological thriller with a great concept. I just wish it had been a little more intense. Maybe I've read too much horror, but I was ready for Melody to really lose it! LOL!
A solid 3.5 stars for me!
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the advance audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
I loved the premise of this book! A therapist in a small North Carolina town gets tired of hearing about the horrible things happening to her clients, especially when the men responsible have money and connections that allow them to get away with it. So she decides to take matters into her own hands.
And honestly, I don't blame her! I've always thought therapists should get one free day a year to seek revenge on behalf of their clients. LOL! Seriously though, imagine listening to some of these stories and knowing the people responsible are out there living their lives without any consequences.
I really liked the small-town setting and Melody's intentions. She was definitely a little unhinged, and I questioned some of her decisions, but I understood her frustration.
My biggest disappointment? I wanted more vengeance! Maybe that's the horror reader in me, but I expected things to get a little crazier. There was quite a bit of time spent inside Melody's head, and some of it became repetitive. I wanted less thinking about revenge and more actually getting revenge!
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Paige Reisenfeld, and I enjoyed her performance. She did a great job bringing Melody's character to life.
Overall, this was an entertaining psychological thriller with a great concept. I just wish it had been a little more intense. Maybe I've read too much horror, but I was ready for Melody to really lose it! LOL!
A solid 3.5 stars for me!
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the advance audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
October 11, 2026
I’m always up for a good vigilante revenge story, so the premise of this one immediately caught my attention. I thought the concept was interesting and had a lot of potential, especially since I’m a fan of stories about women taking justice into their own hands.
For me, the biggest struggle was the pacing. There was quite a bit of repetition surrounding the main character’s work and her internal thoughts about men. While I understood how both played into her character and motivations, I wanted to spend more time with the revenge plot. I think tightening up some of those moments would have made the story even more impactful.
That said, I still think there’s an interesting story here, and I can see this appealing to readers who enjoy vigilante justice and a female lead with a strong point of view. What doesn’t necessarily work for one reader might be exactly what another enjoys, and that’s one of the things I love about reading!
While this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me in every way, I’d still encourage fans of revenge thrillers to check it out when it releases and form their own opinions. I’m curious to see what everyone else thinks!
A big thank you to Victoria Helen Stone for sending me an early copy. I truly appreciate the opportunity to read it before publication!
For me, the biggest struggle was the pacing. There was quite a bit of repetition surrounding the main character’s work and her internal thoughts about men. While I understood how both played into her character and motivations, I wanted to spend more time with the revenge plot. I think tightening up some of those moments would have made the story even more impactful.
That said, I still think there’s an interesting story here, and I can see this appealing to readers who enjoy vigilante justice and a female lead with a strong point of view. What doesn’t necessarily work for one reader might be exactly what another enjoys, and that’s one of the things I love about reading!
While this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me in every way, I’d still encourage fans of revenge thrillers to check it out when it releases and form their own opinions. I’m curious to see what everyone else thinks!
A big thank you to Victoria Helen Stone for sending me an early copy. I truly appreciate the opportunity to read it before publication!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I fell in love with this author after reading Jane Doe, then False Step, then The Last One Home, then the follow up to Jane Doe, Problem Child... and now adore her even more with I'M HERE TO HELP. Not only is this author one of the kindest people I've ever met, but an excellent thriller writer. I'm behind in some of her releases but will need to remedy that immediately!
In this psychological suspense novel, we meet Melody, a therapist who knows all the bad things that people are doing in her neighborhood... and she has had enough! All these women are confiding in her and all the bad things point to some very prominent men in the community. Because they have money and connections, they never seem to have to pay for their crimes... but Melody will make them pay and she is consumed by her rage.
I absolutely love Mel - she's such a fun character to read about. She's a devoted wife and mother who volunteers and has good standing in the community. But how can she sit idly by while terrible things are happening to the most vulnerable? One victim in particular hits close to home. Will her obsession cost her everything? Or give safety back to her and her neighbors?
I did NOT see a few things coming and was extremely happy with the ending. Melody is someone who knows what she's doing is risky but she thinks it's worth it and will take the punishment she deserves if it comes down to it. Therapist turned vigilante and I was here for every bit of it.
Thank you, Victoria, for another amazing read!!
Absolutely add this to your tbr and journey with Melody as she exacts her revenge.
In this psychological suspense novel, we meet Melody, a therapist who knows all the bad things that people are doing in her neighborhood... and she has had enough! All these women are confiding in her and all the bad things point to some very prominent men in the community. Because they have money and connections, they never seem to have to pay for their crimes... but Melody will make them pay and she is consumed by her rage.
I absolutely love Mel - she's such a fun character to read about. She's a devoted wife and mother who volunteers and has good standing in the community. But how can she sit idly by while terrible things are happening to the most vulnerable? One victim in particular hits close to home. Will her obsession cost her everything? Or give safety back to her and her neighbors?
I did NOT see a few things coming and was extremely happy with the ending. Melody is someone who knows what she's doing is risky but she thinks it's worth it and will take the punishment she deserves if it comes down to it. Therapist turned vigilante and I was here for every bit of it.
Thank you, Victoria, for another amazing read!!
Absolutely add this to your tbr and journey with Melody as she exacts her revenge.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Lake Union Publishing, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest psychological thriller by Victoria Helen Stone, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Paige Reisenfeld. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!
Melody Stanford is a trusted therapist and tries to be a good person. She's a loving wife, mother, and friend, but inside she's raging at the stories she hears from vulnerable women about the terrible crimes committed against them by men. She decides she must take action, but just how much will she risk?
This was a fast-paced novel, with an intriguing premise, with real-world issues that would make any woman stand up and say enough is enough. It's an outlet in itself to be privy to Melody's thoughts as she tries to do what she thinks is right, while still honoring the rules of her profession, but concerned more with the women who seek her help. I always like a book that will put you in the mindset of a character, and you'll feel Melody's rage as she is tired of men behaving badly. The narration by Reisenfeld was great - you could feel all the different emotions that Melody was experiencing and it just added to the story.
Melody Stanford is a trusted therapist and tries to be a good person. She's a loving wife, mother, and friend, but inside she's raging at the stories she hears from vulnerable women about the terrible crimes committed against them by men. She decides she must take action, but just how much will she risk?
This was a fast-paced novel, with an intriguing premise, with real-world issues that would make any woman stand up and say enough is enough. It's an outlet in itself to be privy to Melody's thoughts as she tries to do what she thinks is right, while still honoring the rules of her profession, but concerned more with the women who seek her help. I always like a book that will put you in the mindset of a character, and you'll feel Melody's rage as she is tired of men behaving badly. The narration by Reisenfeld was great - you could feel all the different emotions that Melody was experiencing and it just added to the story.
October 28, 2026
This book pissed me off. The level of injustice is so high, yet so damn real. I don’t think you can read this book without feeling rage. The best part is the main character, Melody, feels that rage. She actually does something about it. It is glorious!!
The book isn’t telling you to go out and get vigilante justice. It’s trying to open your eyes to the wrongs of the world, and tell you that you’re not alone in feeling upset. Melody is a therapist and sees people crumbling every day. She feels helpless, we all feel so helpless. But she is a fictional character so she gets to run people over and not look back lol Melody is all of us.
My heart was racing through the whole book. There is a point in the book where things get very close to home for Melody, and it is extremely anxiety inducing. But so good!! I couldn’t stop reading. The book does not let up until the end, and you will have a rollercoaster of emotions. The swears that came out of my mouth…
The book isn’t telling you to go out and get vigilante justice. It’s trying to open your eyes to the wrongs of the world, and tell you that you’re not alone in feeling upset. Melody is a therapist and sees people crumbling every day. She feels helpless, we all feel so helpless. But she is a fictional character so she gets to run people over and not look back lol Melody is all of us.
My heart was racing through the whole book. There is a point in the book where things get very close to home for Melody, and it is extremely anxiety inducing. But so good!! I couldn’t stop reading. The book does not let up until the end, and you will have a rollercoaster of emotions. The swears that came out of my mouth…
October 14, 2026
A really great female rage novel, with a great lead character and some slightly unbelievable plot twists! The writing was really easy and I appreciate how the book hit the ground running, we were thrown into this dizzy plot right away. Tense and thought provoking, this had just the right level of anger simmering away to keep me interested. A fast paced thriller!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #ImHeretoHelp #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #ImHeretoHelp #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Small-town therapist turned vigilante, Melody, seeks justice against men who have done her clients wrong. As the messiness of her actions and the risks she takes escalate, so too does the danger (and steady unravelling of her life).
This one was wild, and was feminine rage at its best!!! The number of times I thought the FMC had been caught genuinely had me on the edge of my seat and gasping at points. I also enjoyed that we got to witness the inner workings of her thoughts and dialogue, which informed her actions. It felt like peak chaos, and Melody undoubtedly had some issues of her own! If you enjoy fast-paced, revenge thrillers or reading about unhinged characters, this is the book for you.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing, Victoria Helen Stone and NetGalley for access to this ALC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
This one was wild, and was feminine rage at its best!!! The number of times I thought the FMC had been caught genuinely had me on the edge of my seat and gasping at points. I also enjoyed that we got to witness the inner workings of her thoughts and dialogue, which informed her actions. It felt like peak chaos, and Melody undoubtedly had some issues of her own! If you enjoy fast-paced, revenge thrillers or reading about unhinged characters, this is the book for you.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing, Victoria Helen Stone and NetGalley for access to this ALC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First of all, I'm absolutely exhausted because I stayed up all night listening to this!! I couldn't stop and needed to know what was happening next. I absolutely loved the feminist rage this stirred in me, it's such a great book highlighting why we choose the bear!! Not all men but always men!! I loved the female main character. The narrator for this was also fantastic ❤️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to like this book. The premise seemed interesting. I think it would have been really fun as a short story! However the pacing seemed off to me and did not serve to build suspense. The book ended up feeling padded for length unnecessarily. Additionally, I didn't find the main character's revenge spree to be super believable, even by unhinged thriller standards. Overall I wasn't crazy about this one, but I think it would be enjoyable for the right person.
I wanted to like this book. The premise seemed interesting. I think it would have been really fun as a short story! However the pacing seemed off to me and did not serve to build suspense. The book ended up feeling padded for length unnecessarily. Additionally, I didn't find the main character's revenge spree to be super believable, even by unhinged thriller standards. Overall I wasn't crazy about this one, but I think it would be enjoyable for the right person.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5 ⭐️
Melody is a therapist who is tired of watching awful people get away with hurting others. Eventually, listening to her clients talk about everything they’ve been through isn’t enough anymore, and she decides to start taking justice into her own hands.
I will always love a book with some feminine rage, but Melody was on another level. There were definitely moments where I was like okay... youre taking this a little far my friend.
I do wish we got more of Melody actually working as a therapist and interacting with her clients. I think that would have helped me understand her more and made it easier to see exactly why everything affected her so deeply. Her character arc felt a little all over the place at times, and I wasn’t always sure where the story was going with her.
I also wanted a little more from the ending. After everything that happened, I expected a more conclusive wrap-up and was left feeling like I still had a few questions.
Overall, I really liked the idea behind this one and there were definitely parts that entertained me, but I wanted a little more depth from Melody and a stronger ending.
Melody is a therapist who is tired of watching awful people get away with hurting others. Eventually, listening to her clients talk about everything they’ve been through isn’t enough anymore, and she decides to start taking justice into her own hands.
I will always love a book with some feminine rage, but Melody was on another level. There were definitely moments where I was like okay... youre taking this a little far my friend.
I do wish we got more of Melody actually working as a therapist and interacting with her clients. I think that would have helped me understand her more and made it easier to see exactly why everything affected her so deeply. Her character arc felt a little all over the place at times, and I wasn’t always sure where the story was going with her.
I also wanted a little more from the ending. After everything that happened, I expected a more conclusive wrap-up and was left feeling like I still had a few questions.
Overall, I really liked the idea behind this one and there were definitely parts that entertained me, but I wanted a little more depth from Melody and a stronger ending.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The author developed a shred of insight 85% in when she referred to herself as immature and reckless. This book was all over the place. I can't tell if it was meant to convey her unhinged mental state or was just not great writing. Either way it was hard to read. I didn't disagree with any of her opinions about women and society, but the tangents got repetitive and didn't actually progress the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Overall this book was ok. It was a quick read. The characters were ok but I just felt like information was missing and no real overall conclusion.
Still it was a quick easy read
Thank you NetGalley for the copy
Still it was a quick easy read
Thank you NetGalley for the copy
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What happens when the person who spends her life listening to other people's trauma decides that listening is no longer enough?
That question sits at the heart of I'm Here to Help, and it makes for a tense, morally complicated psychological thriller that refuses to stay comfortably inside the lines.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
The Chaos and the Crusade of I’m Here To Help:
Every therapist’s office is a repository for the town's darkest secrets, but in Victoria Stone's I’m Here To Help, the therapist decides she is finally done just listening. Enter Melody, a practitioner in the small, deceptively quiet town of Bow Creek who is utterly exhausted by the parade of powerful, wealthy men walking away scot-free from the emotional and physical destruction they leave in their wake. When the legal system fails a client trying to press charges against an Aleca man whose clout shields him from consequences, Melody decides that client privilege and confidentiality rules can officially take a back seat.
What follows is a hyper-detailed, fast-paced psychological crusade that plays out like a Freida McFadden thriller on overdrive. There is never a dull moment, but this isn't your standard, polished vigilante story; it is something far more chaotic, polarizing, and deeply unhinged.
The Internal Chaos of Bow Creek's Avenger:
The fascinating thing about I’m Here To Help is just how messy its protagonist truly is. On the surface, the synopsis promises a satisfying, "women fighting back" revenge fantasy. In execution, however, Melody is far from a clean, admirable superhero. She is completely paranoid, jumping to wild conclusions, and seeing a potential villain around every single corner.
The writing itself mirrors her fractured state of mind. It is frantic and multi-directional, with Melody throwing her hands into several different projects at once. While some readers might find the narrative a bit overstuffed and in need of tightening halfway through, this structural chaos serves a brilliant psychological purpose: it perfectly captures a woman actively losing her grip on reality while trying to force the universe into balance.
The Vigilante Paradox: Justice or Just Insane?
The book sets up a brilliant, infuriating moral dilemma that will leave readers entirely split on whether to cheer for Melody or desperately wish someone would call the cops on her:
The Case for Melody.
1. Pure Entertainment: Watching an unstable character wreak unbridled vengeance on pathetic abusers is inherently thrilling.
2. Brave Intentions: She risks everything to serve up justice on a silver platter for women who have been systematically silenced.
The Case Against Melody:
1. Hypocrisy at Scale: Her vigilante acts lower her to the same level as the criminals she targets, putting innocent bystanders at risk.
2. Professional Betrayal: It is literally her job to help heal people, not to break the law and weaponize her clients' trauma.
This tension peaks during the book's staggering resolution. After a mountain of lies, Melody sits down with her husband to swear that, moving forward, their relationship will be built on total, transparent honesty. The catch? She purposefully holds back her biggest, darkest criminal secret because, in her own words, she’s "not crazy enough" to confess everything. It’s an infuriatingly hypocritical move for a therapist, but a flawlessly realistic one for a woman who has completely crossed the line.
My Verdict:
It's not a story about a perfect heroine. It's about a woman slowly consumed by her need to fix a broken world, even if it means breaking herself in the process. It's unsettling, thought-provoking, morally grey, and impossible to look away from. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with unreliable protagonists, ethical dilemmas, and characters who challenge your sympathies, this one is well worth picking up.
I’m Here To Help works best if you don't try to view Melody as an inspiring role model. Instead, treat it as a wild, dark comedy of errors, a portrait of pent-up rage dumped onto the page where a woman goes down in a blaze of glory just to entertain us. The ending leaves the door wide open for a sequel, and honestly, a woman this suspicious is never going to stop finding new causes. Count me in for the next round of her chaotic justice.
That question sits at the heart of I'm Here to Help, and it makes for a tense, morally complicated psychological thriller that refuses to stay comfortably inside the lines.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
The Chaos and the Crusade of I’m Here To Help:
Every therapist’s office is a repository for the town's darkest secrets, but in Victoria Stone's I’m Here To Help, the therapist decides she is finally done just listening. Enter Melody, a practitioner in the small, deceptively quiet town of Bow Creek who is utterly exhausted by the parade of powerful, wealthy men walking away scot-free from the emotional and physical destruction they leave in their wake. When the legal system fails a client trying to press charges against an Aleca man whose clout shields him from consequences, Melody decides that client privilege and confidentiality rules can officially take a back seat.
What follows is a hyper-detailed, fast-paced psychological crusade that plays out like a Freida McFadden thriller on overdrive. There is never a dull moment, but this isn't your standard, polished vigilante story; it is something far more chaotic, polarizing, and deeply unhinged.
The Internal Chaos of Bow Creek's Avenger:
The fascinating thing about I’m Here To Help is just how messy its protagonist truly is. On the surface, the synopsis promises a satisfying, "women fighting back" revenge fantasy. In execution, however, Melody is far from a clean, admirable superhero. She is completely paranoid, jumping to wild conclusions, and seeing a potential villain around every single corner.
The writing itself mirrors her fractured state of mind. It is frantic and multi-directional, with Melody throwing her hands into several different projects at once. While some readers might find the narrative a bit overstuffed and in need of tightening halfway through, this structural chaos serves a brilliant psychological purpose: it perfectly captures a woman actively losing her grip on reality while trying to force the universe into balance.
The Vigilante Paradox: Justice or Just Insane?
The book sets up a brilliant, infuriating moral dilemma that will leave readers entirely split on whether to cheer for Melody or desperately wish someone would call the cops on her:
The Case for Melody.
1. Pure Entertainment: Watching an unstable character wreak unbridled vengeance on pathetic abusers is inherently thrilling.
2. Brave Intentions: She risks everything to serve up justice on a silver platter for women who have been systematically silenced.
The Case Against Melody:
1. Hypocrisy at Scale: Her vigilante acts lower her to the same level as the criminals she targets, putting innocent bystanders at risk.
2. Professional Betrayal: It is literally her job to help heal people, not to break the law and weaponize her clients' trauma.
This tension peaks during the book's staggering resolution. After a mountain of lies, Melody sits down with her husband to swear that, moving forward, their relationship will be built on total, transparent honesty. The catch? She purposefully holds back her biggest, darkest criminal secret because, in her own words, she’s "not crazy enough" to confess everything. It’s an infuriatingly hypocritical move for a therapist, but a flawlessly realistic one for a woman who has completely crossed the line.
My Verdict:
It's not a story about a perfect heroine. It's about a woman slowly consumed by her need to fix a broken world, even if it means breaking herself in the process. It's unsettling, thought-provoking, morally grey, and impossible to look away from. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with unreliable protagonists, ethical dilemmas, and characters who challenge your sympathies, this one is well worth picking up.
I’m Here To Help works best if you don't try to view Melody as an inspiring role model. Instead, treat it as a wild, dark comedy of errors, a portrait of pent-up rage dumped onto the page where a woman goes down in a blaze of glory just to entertain us. The ending leaves the door wide open for a sequel, and honestly, a woman this suspicious is never going to stop finding new causes. Count me in for the next round of her chaotic justice.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m Here to Help was such a dark, twisted, and satisfying psychological thriller! Victoria Helen Stone takes the idea of a woman who has simply had enough and turns it into a fascinating story about rage, revenge, justice, and what happens when someone decides the system has failed for far too long.
Melody Stanford is a therapist in a small North Carolina town, which means she spends her days listening to her clients reveal some of the darkest things happening behind closed doors. Again and again, she hears about women being hurt, exploited, and failed by a system that seems to protect the powerful men responsible. Eventually, listening isn't enough anymore. Melody decides to take matters into her own hands—and that's when things get REALLY interesting.
I absolutely loved how morally complicated Melody is. She isn't a perfect heroine, and she certainly isn't a traditional vigilante. Her intentions are understandable, but her methods become increasingly questionable as her crusade escalates. I found myself simultaneously cheering her on and thinking, Melody...maybe you should stop now. 😂 That tension made her such a fascinating character to follow.
What really worked for me was watching her transformation. Her anger starts with very understandable frustration, but as she gets deeper into her mission, paranoia and fear begin to take over. She starts questioning everyone around her, uncovering more secrets, and putting her career, marriage, family, and own safety at risk. I genuinely wasn't sure how far she was going to go—or whether she would be able to come back from it.
The thriller aspect kept me hooked, too. There are secrets everywhere, plenty of questionable characters, and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I especially enjoyed the feeling that Melody could never completely trust what was happening around her. The tension builds as her carefully constructed life begins to unravel, and there were several moments where I couldn't read fast enough.
I also appreciated that this isn't simply a straightforward “woman gets revenge” story. It asks some uncomfortable questions about justice and revenge. When people with power and influence repeatedly avoid consequences, what happens when someone decides to create her own consequences? Can two wrongs ever make a right? And how much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice in the process?
This book definitely has a strong undercurrent of feminine rage, but I thought that worked beautifully with the story. Melody has spent years absorbing the trauma of other people while being expected to listen, empathize, and follow the rules. Watching her finally decide that she is DONE sitting on the sidelines made for a wild and compelling ride.
Dark, tense, messy, morally gray, and incredibly entertaining, I’m Here to Help was exactly the kind of psychological thriller I enjoy. Melody may be completely unhinged at times, but I couldn't look away from her chaotic crusade for justice.
5 stars!
Thank you to Victoria Helen Stone, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Melody Stanford is a therapist in a small North Carolina town, which means she spends her days listening to her clients reveal some of the darkest things happening behind closed doors. Again and again, she hears about women being hurt, exploited, and failed by a system that seems to protect the powerful men responsible. Eventually, listening isn't enough anymore. Melody decides to take matters into her own hands—and that's when things get REALLY interesting.
I absolutely loved how morally complicated Melody is. She isn't a perfect heroine, and she certainly isn't a traditional vigilante. Her intentions are understandable, but her methods become increasingly questionable as her crusade escalates. I found myself simultaneously cheering her on and thinking, Melody...maybe you should stop now. 😂 That tension made her such a fascinating character to follow.
What really worked for me was watching her transformation. Her anger starts with very understandable frustration, but as she gets deeper into her mission, paranoia and fear begin to take over. She starts questioning everyone around her, uncovering more secrets, and putting her career, marriage, family, and own safety at risk. I genuinely wasn't sure how far she was going to go—or whether she would be able to come back from it.
The thriller aspect kept me hooked, too. There are secrets everywhere, plenty of questionable characters, and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I especially enjoyed the feeling that Melody could never completely trust what was happening around her. The tension builds as her carefully constructed life begins to unravel, and there were several moments where I couldn't read fast enough.
I also appreciated that this isn't simply a straightforward “woman gets revenge” story. It asks some uncomfortable questions about justice and revenge. When people with power and influence repeatedly avoid consequences, what happens when someone decides to create her own consequences? Can two wrongs ever make a right? And how much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice in the process?
This book definitely has a strong undercurrent of feminine rage, but I thought that worked beautifully with the story. Melody has spent years absorbing the trauma of other people while being expected to listen, empathize, and follow the rules. Watching her finally decide that she is DONE sitting on the sidelines made for a wild and compelling ride.
Dark, tense, messy, morally gray, and incredibly entertaining, I’m Here to Help was exactly the kind of psychological thriller I enjoy. Melody may be completely unhinged at times, but I couldn't look away from her chaotic crusade for justice.
5 stars!
Thank you to Victoria Helen Stone, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m Here to Help by Victoria Helen Stone
★★★☆☆
Review of advanced copy I received from NetGalley.
The idea of a therapist who takes matters into her own hands is very well executed here. Our main character, Melody, is a therapist who begins linking several of her clients’ problems back to one crooked lawyer. Knowing the local police are unlikely to help, Melody decides to pursue her own brand of justice, uncovering more and more as the story progresses.
The supporting characters were well developed, and I understood their motivations throughout, which made the story that much more suspenseful. Every interaction Melody has with Simon, Chris, and Jake feels like it could lead to absolute chaos, and that’s the mark of a good thriller.
I also did not see the twist involving Melody’s husband, Chris, coming. Honestly, I’d recommend this book for Chris’ arc alone. It added a layer to the story that I genuinely wasn’t expecting and made the latter part of the book much more interesting.
The reason this ultimately lands at three stars for me is that the book started to feel padded for length. Nearly every chapter reminds us that Melody has transformed from a sweet, helpful therapist into a vigilante counselor, that she’s terrified of being caught, or that she has no one with whom she can share her increasingly dark thoughts. After a while, I understood. We did not need to keep revisiting it.
There were also multiple scenes devoted to Melody discovering that a particular character was a terrible person. The first thing this person did was already so awful that I really didn’t need three or four additional examples to convince me. Those scenes began to feel less like character development and more like an effort to extend a book that is already only 267 pages.
And that’s really my biggest issue: this would have been a fantastic short story or novella. The central premise is strong, the suspense works, the characters are interesting, and there are some genuinely good surprises. There just wasn’t quite enough story to sustain the length without repetition.
That said, I definitely think Victoria Helen Stone’s writing is well done and worth exploring further. Anyone looking for a quick thriller with an unusual premise and a mystery that’s a little harder to figure out should definitely check out I’m Here to Help.
★★★☆☆
Review of advanced copy I received from NetGalley.
The idea of a therapist who takes matters into her own hands is very well executed here. Our main character, Melody, is a therapist who begins linking several of her clients’ problems back to one crooked lawyer. Knowing the local police are unlikely to help, Melody decides to pursue her own brand of justice, uncovering more and more as the story progresses.
The supporting characters were well developed, and I understood their motivations throughout, which made the story that much more suspenseful. Every interaction Melody has with Simon, Chris, and Jake feels like it could lead to absolute chaos, and that’s the mark of a good thriller.
I also did not see the twist involving Melody’s husband, Chris, coming. Honestly, I’d recommend this book for Chris’ arc alone. It added a layer to the story that I genuinely wasn’t expecting and made the latter part of the book much more interesting.
The reason this ultimately lands at three stars for me is that the book started to feel padded for length. Nearly every chapter reminds us that Melody has transformed from a sweet, helpful therapist into a vigilante counselor, that she’s terrified of being caught, or that she has no one with whom she can share her increasingly dark thoughts. After a while, I understood. We did not need to keep revisiting it.
There were also multiple scenes devoted to Melody discovering that a particular character was a terrible person. The first thing this person did was already so awful that I really didn’t need three or four additional examples to convince me. Those scenes began to feel less like character development and more like an effort to extend a book that is already only 267 pages.
And that’s really my biggest issue: this would have been a fantastic short story or novella. The central premise is strong, the suspense works, the characters are interesting, and there are some genuinely good surprises. There just wasn’t quite enough story to sustain the length without repetition.
That said, I definitely think Victoria Helen Stone’s writing is well done and worth exploring further. Anyone looking for a quick thriller with an unusual premise and a mystery that’s a little harder to figure out should definitely check out I’m Here to Help.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of *I’m Here to Help* before publication. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
*I’m Here to Help* is a dark, sharp psychological thriller about female rage, corruption and what happens when someone finally decides that the system is never going to deliver justice.
Melody Stanford appears to have a completely respectable life. She is a wife, mother, school volunteer and trusted therapist in a small North Carolina town. But through her work, she hears story after story from vulnerable women who have been abused or exploited by powerful men who seem completely protected by money, reputation and connections. Eventually, listening is no longer enough for her.
I really liked the premise because Melody is such a morally complicated character. She genuinely wants to protect women who have been failed, but once she starts taking matters into her own hands, the line between justice and revenge becomes increasingly blurred. I found myself understanding why she was angry while also questioning just how far she was prepared to go.
The strongest part for me was the sense of frustration running through the story. Melody repeatedly sees powerful men avoiding consequences while the women affected are left to deal with the damage, and you can understand how that anger builds. I also liked that her actions start small before gradually becoming darker and more dangerous, because it makes her transformation feel more believable.
The pacing is generally good and the revenge element is satisfying, but there were moments where I felt the message was slightly heavy-handed and some of the situations became more dramatic than realistic. Melody’s personal life also begins to unravel alongside everything else, and while that adds tension, I would have liked a little more depth in some of those relationships.
Overall, *I’m Here to Help* was dark, entertaining and thought-provoking. I enjoyed Melody’s morally grey character and the idea of a therapist becoming increasingly unwilling to simply sit back and listen while powerful people escape accountability. It did not completely blow me away, but it was a compelling revenge thriller with plenty to think about.
*I’m Here to Help* is a dark, sharp psychological thriller about female rage, corruption and what happens when someone finally decides that the system is never going to deliver justice.
Melody Stanford appears to have a completely respectable life. She is a wife, mother, school volunteer and trusted therapist in a small North Carolina town. But through her work, she hears story after story from vulnerable women who have been abused or exploited by powerful men who seem completely protected by money, reputation and connections. Eventually, listening is no longer enough for her.
I really liked the premise because Melody is such a morally complicated character. She genuinely wants to protect women who have been failed, but once she starts taking matters into her own hands, the line between justice and revenge becomes increasingly blurred. I found myself understanding why she was angry while also questioning just how far she was prepared to go.
The strongest part for me was the sense of frustration running through the story. Melody repeatedly sees powerful men avoiding consequences while the women affected are left to deal with the damage, and you can understand how that anger builds. I also liked that her actions start small before gradually becoming darker and more dangerous, because it makes her transformation feel more believable.
The pacing is generally good and the revenge element is satisfying, but there were moments where I felt the message was slightly heavy-handed and some of the situations became more dramatic than realistic. Melody’s personal life also begins to unravel alongside everything else, and while that adds tension, I would have liked a little more depth in some of those relationships.
Overall, *I’m Here to Help* was dark, entertaining and thought-provoking. I enjoyed Melody’s morally grey character and the idea of a therapist becoming increasingly unwilling to simply sit back and listen while powerful people escape accountability. It did not completely blow me away, but it was a compelling revenge thriller with plenty to think about.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bow Creek, S Carolina
Melody Stanford is a therapist in a small town and as a consequence knows a multitude of secrets about the people she lives amongst. She hears some terrible stories, one in particular from a client forces her out of her inertia and she becomes determined to do something. First of all, she researchers to check for further evidence and then she’ll strike. For the women who “don’t matter”, against a system that is stacked against them and to ensure they don’t get away with it again.
I really like the premise of this latest novel from Victoria Helen Stone as they can’t be many women who haven’t come up against the patriarchy at some point, in some way, shape or form. It’s certainly an eye-opening experience being inside Melody’s head, she’s understandably very angry and appears to unravel as time goes on. At times, her mind is all over the place, she’s a bit unhinged perhaps or suffering some sort of breakdown. By the same token she’s brave and though her actions are definitely questionable, it comes from a place of seeking justice when it appears to be a closed door by legitimate means.
It’s fast-paced, the tension mounts as havoc rules the day. However, is there a bit too much going on?? On the other hand, it’s fair to say there’s never a dull moment in Melody‘s world and so I go with the flow.
I’m glad the author has written this book, there’s much for us women to be angry about as we witness men in the real world getting away with things time and time again. It’s a compelling novel, a psychological thriller about someone who has heard too much, been pushed too far and seeks revenge - not that I’m advocating what she does!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Lake Union for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Melody Stanford is a therapist in a small town and as a consequence knows a multitude of secrets about the people she lives amongst. She hears some terrible stories, one in particular from a client forces her out of her inertia and she becomes determined to do something. First of all, she researchers to check for further evidence and then she’ll strike. For the women who “don’t matter”, against a system that is stacked against them and to ensure they don’t get away with it again.
I really like the premise of this latest novel from Victoria Helen Stone as they can’t be many women who haven’t come up against the patriarchy at some point, in some way, shape or form. It’s certainly an eye-opening experience being inside Melody’s head, she’s understandably very angry and appears to unravel as time goes on. At times, her mind is all over the place, she’s a bit unhinged perhaps or suffering some sort of breakdown. By the same token she’s brave and though her actions are definitely questionable, it comes from a place of seeking justice when it appears to be a closed door by legitimate means.
It’s fast-paced, the tension mounts as havoc rules the day. However, is there a bit too much going on?? On the other hand, it’s fair to say there’s never a dull moment in Melody‘s world and so I go with the flow.
I’m glad the author has written this book, there’s much for us women to be angry about as we witness men in the real world getting away with things time and time again. It’s a compelling novel, a psychological thriller about someone who has heard too much, been pushed too far and seeks revenge - not that I’m advocating what she does!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Lake Union for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Something nefarious is going on in Bow Creek. For years Melody has listened to clients talk about problems. Men with power, wealth, and control who walk all over women because they believe themselves superior. Melody has reached a point in her life where too many bad people get away with misdeeds and it’s time to right the wrong by breaking a few rules of her own. Her days of offering advice or sitting back and doing nothing has come to an end. It’s time to take action against the evils of these men.
…
I’m Here To Help is about a woman who is tired of watching powerful wealthy men get away with crimes because they have a reputation to uphold. When a woman tries to stand up for herself by pressing charges against a man with clout it backfires. Melody can’t take one more minute of listening to the lies that come out of Alec’s mouth. It’s time for someone to serve men like Alec on a platter of revenge.
…
Stone’s emotions are clear and her feelings towards the injustice is even clearer. I felt like Stone had some pent up anger she needed cleansing. This story was her way of dumping all that rage.
…
Melody is a therapist in a small town so she knows all the dirty secrets of her clients lives. It’s exhausting being the person to bare all the ugliness that takes place in her community. Melody would love nothing more than to expose the secrets of these controlling men. Client privilege be damned. Confidentiality rules can take a back seat. Melody’s fear is palpable making her paranoid and manifesting her fear by jumping to conclusions.
…
Stone could’ve shortened this book. There was too much going on. Melody’s character had her hands in several different places. About halfway in I just wanted to find out how it ended with Melody and all the lives she touched along the way.
…
I’m Here To Help is about a woman who is tired of watching powerful wealthy men get away with crimes because they have a reputation to uphold. When a woman tries to stand up for herself by pressing charges against a man with clout it backfires. Melody can’t take one more minute of listening to the lies that come out of Alec’s mouth. It’s time for someone to serve men like Alec on a platter of revenge.
…
Stone’s emotions are clear and her feelings towards the injustice is even clearer. I felt like Stone had some pent up anger she needed cleansing. This story was her way of dumping all that rage.
…
Melody is a therapist in a small town so she knows all the dirty secrets of her clients lives. It’s exhausting being the person to bare all the ugliness that takes place in her community. Melody would love nothing more than to expose the secrets of these controlling men. Client privilege be damned. Confidentiality rules can take a back seat. Melody’s fear is palpable making her paranoid and manifesting her fear by jumping to conclusions.
…
Stone could’ve shortened this book. There was too much going on. Melody’s character had her hands in several different places. About halfway in I just wanted to find out how it ended with Melody and all the lives she touched along the way.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Melody Stanford works as a therapist and lives in a small North Carolina town. She prides herself on being a good human, which she is. In addition to her job, she takes her duties as a wife and mother as seriously as she takes volunteering in her community, and being there for her friends.
Melody is also married to a good human and appears to have raised one, in her only son. Unfortunately, the stories that she hears from her female clients make it eminently clear to her that she may be in a minority.
Already seething over the capacity of a well protected predator in their area to avoid consequences for his criminal activities, when Melody discovers something truly awful about one of the officers who is supposed to be serving and protecting his community, her simmering frustration and barely suppressed rage erupt in a series of actions, which will undoubtedly have repercussions well beyond her ability to contain them...
This book addresses an issue that we have become almost resigned to - the pervasiveness of misogyny and male violence towards women of all ages. Victoria Helen Stone's rage is palpable in the telling of this story and it is so very relatable.
The reader will find it alarmingly easy to relate not only to Melody's emotions, but also her desperation to do something that will make a difference. I can only hope that for many readers, this book itself and the issues that it raises will begin to make a difference, in terms of their thinking and perhaps even in terms of their activism (not to be confused with arson!) going forward. This one is well worth your time, and gets 4.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Melody is also married to a good human and appears to have raised one, in her only son. Unfortunately, the stories that she hears from her female clients make it eminently clear to her that she may be in a minority.
Already seething over the capacity of a well protected predator in their area to avoid consequences for his criminal activities, when Melody discovers something truly awful about one of the officers who is supposed to be serving and protecting his community, her simmering frustration and barely suppressed rage erupt in a series of actions, which will undoubtedly have repercussions well beyond her ability to contain them...
This book addresses an issue that we have become almost resigned to - the pervasiveness of misogyny and male violence towards women of all ages. Victoria Helen Stone's rage is palpable in the telling of this story and it is so very relatable.
The reader will find it alarmingly easy to relate not only to Melody's emotions, but also her desperation to do something that will make a difference. I can only hope that for many readers, this book itself and the issues that it raises will begin to make a difference, in terms of their thinking and perhaps even in terms of their activism (not to be confused with arson!) going forward. This one is well worth your time, and gets 4.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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