She Needs Therapy

by V. Brandy

She's got a problem.Billie is over her soul-sucking corporate job, her terrible boyfriend, and ready for a life that doesn’t make her want to scream into a throw pillow. The trouble is, she has no idea how to escape. Then, a new friend-- Alana-- breezes into her glamorous, fearless, and the type of person who makes Billie feel like reinvention might be possible. There’s just one tiny Billie has a crush on Alana’s boyfriend, Rodrigo. Even worse? Billie doesn't know it yet, but Alana is an international arms dealer.



He’s got the wrong woman.Rodrigo has a habit of projecting his dream girl onto women who are wrong for him. Exhibit Alana—his volatile girlfriend who also happens to be an arms dealer. Now, Rodrigo wants out of the relationship, preferably with all vital organs intact. But breaking up is hard to do when your soon-to-be ex is armed, unstable, and loves revenge. It doesn't help that Rodrigo is attracted to Alana's newest friend, Billie.

They’ve got forced proximity.When Billie is kidnapped by Alana and taken on a glittering European disaster tour, she and Rodrigo are thrown together into sun-soaked cities, luxury hotels, getaway cars, and one dangerously inconvenient bedroom. He’s grumpy. She’s sunshine with a stress migraine. They do not trust each other. They absolutely should not want each other. Naturally, every mile makes the tension worse.

Maybe they all... need therapy?Billie thought she needed to fix herself. Rodrigo thought he needed to survive his breakup. Neither planned on falling in love while running from a killer in designer heels. But somewhere between the danger, the denial, and the one-bed-level tension, they’ll have to decide what’s Alana finding out the truth, or admitting they might be exactly what the other has been looking for.

Perfect for fans of "The Lost City" and readers of Katherine Center, "She Needs Therapy" is a darkly funny, high-stakes romantic comedy packed with forbidden attraction, bad decisions, luxury hotels, getaway cars... and the kind of love that makes running for your life feel like destiny.

***

Tropes Forced Proximity

Only One Bed

Enemies to Lovers

Grumpy/Sunshine

Fish Out of Water

Bodyguard / Protector Romance

Destination / Travel Romance

390 pages, Paperback

Published May 29, 2026

Reviews

[Adri · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a fun, lighthearted read where you shouldn't take yourself too seriously, this absolutely delivers. I just loved the sheer chaos of it all!

I really liked Billie and Rodrigo, but Alana was hands-down my absolute favorite. She is true trash panda chaos—but make it designer and weaponised!
The Dynamic: While Rodrigo is incredibly sweet, hot, and total eye candy, the real heart of this story belongs to Alana and Billie. Then seeing Billie become empowered to stand up and be exactly who she wants to be was bad a** womenry.
From their initial meeting at a baby shower to the incredible country-hopping trip around Europe, the pace for Billie and Rodrigo’s relationship keeps you entirely on your toes.
That cheeky little update for Alana at the very end was very Alana, what else

The book is incredibly fast-paced, which is great, but it is so chaotic all the way through that it makes it a bit tough to distinguish which specific "chaos gremlin" moment was meant to be the actual pivotal, climatic peak of the story.

An absolute blast of a book. If you want something entertaining, fast, and wonderfully chaotic, definitely pick this one up!

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. 2.25 ⭐️ If the ‘Yup, that’s me. You’re probably wondering how I ended up in this situation.’ was the intro to a book, it would be the intro to this one.

Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. The premise was interesting, the execution was not. Editing errors aside, the writing style itself was not cohesive to the flow of the story – I counted 12 em dashes on a single page and it made it feel like part of the book was being written in Morse Code.

Rodrigo reveals early on that he has a bad habit of jumping in to romantic relationships impulsively only to regret it later. When it comes to Billie, it’s insta-love again but it works out fine because she’s the FMC? Make it make sense.

Admittedly, I did like Billie’s character development and appreciated her growth of a backbone but overall, this book was not for me.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a wild ride!! And I loved every minute of it. I really appreciated the pace of the beginning as you really get to know the characters before everything pops off. Love how the action just kept coming in this book, I mean who doesn't Moo when a gun is pointed at them LOL! Looking forward to reading more books from this world.

Thank-you for provided an with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Synthia Whitaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts with a bang or maybe a thump to the ground. We are introduced to Rodrigo who’s afraid of and to leave his girlfriend. One might call her crazy. I think she’s a business woman who happens to work in crime. Like Barbie, Alana can and will be anything. Just look at her mood board. The only thing she needs is a friend.

Enters overly emotional Billie, who’s just trying to get the promotion of a life time but doesn’t have the back bone to fill it…. Enter Alana who takes names and bones.

This book was so good. It was funny, exciting and a little crazy. 4 Stars ✨

[Bri]

DNF at 20%

First, thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this books in exchange for an honest review.

Personally, this wasn’t for me but I can see why so many people would enjoy it through! This story follows Rodrigo (a carpenter/painter) and Billie (“The Assistant” - works as an assistant and never stands up for herself and is always helping others). Both are unhappy in their current relationships and Rodrigo’s girlfriend, Alana (an arms dealer + killer), decides that Billie will be her new best friend. Billie is kidnapped by Alana and taken on an European disaster tour.

Rodrigo states that he has a habit of jumping into relationships and the second he sees Billie, its insta love for him, while still unable to break up with his ‘crazy girlfriend’ (his words and how to books starts is him stating that and to not cancel him for it). And as for Billie, she’s in an unhappy relationship and upon meeting Rodrigo, also essentially falls for him and thinks he’s hot. She lets her current boyfriend walk all over her and just staying in it since it's the easier option even though she's clearly not happy in it.
I personally found the characters a bit too over the top. I'm sure that both Bille and Rodrigo's characters evolve over the course of the rest of the book, but I couldn't stand who they were currently. I found myself struggling to really get into the book overall and decided to dnf it instead of continuing.

I do think that the overall premise of the story was an interesting one, even if I didn’t see it to the end.
This is a closed-door romcom and while it didn’t fully work for me, I can definitely see others enjoying it even if I didn't.

Expected Tropes
* Forced Proximity
* Only One Bed
* Enemies to Lovers
* Grumpy/Sunshine
* Fish Out of Water
* Bodyguard / Protector Romance
* Destination / Travel Romance

[myworldsinpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 star (rounded up to 4)

Review of arc received from NetGalley.

From the first sentence, this book had me hooked. I really loved the chaos. It was light-hearted, easy to follow, a perfect blend of humour and suspense, and overall a fun read.

I really liked the premise of this book. However, I felt like the romance was a huge let down - it was insta-love, and that's not a trope I like because I don't find it to be believable. If the romance was done better, and some of the issues I mention later on were fixed, I really believe this book has 5 star potential.






SPOILERS

My main issue with this book was the romance. It very much felt like insta-love. I can't believe that anyone would be willing to risk their life for someone they spoke all of 20 words to. I felt like there was too much focus placed on building up an obsession with each other, rather than building a connection. The forced proximity aspect would have been enough to build that attraction / desire to protect etc over time for me.

I had quite a few issues with chapter 33:
- Rodrigo was meant to be running away, holding the ring...yet apparently Marco took it from Alana??
- The door to the roof is locked. Rodrigo is making a big deal about Billie having the key...yet once they reunite, there's not one mention of the key being used to open the door... did it magically open??
- The part where Rodrigo got shot in the arm...I'm sorry, but I felt like he was making a big deal out of it. I'm aware that it's very painful.. but in other books / movies, I see the adrenaline being enough to keep the character moving.. yet with Rodrigo.. he's sprawled out on the floor, in the middle of a battle. I just felt that was a bit pathetic. It was his arm, not his leg... he could've at least gotten himself out of the way..

I would very much like to continue this series, but I believe the next book centres around Alana? I like her character, but I find her way of speaking a bit off putting at times, so I'm slightly wary as to how a whole book focused around her would look like.

Overall, I really loved the plot and the chaos, and when I first started reading it, it gave me 5 star vibes. However, the romance was a huge let down for me - and why I marked it down a whole star. The remaining 0.5 star was because of what I believed to be plot holes in chapter 33.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a very cute read, like really good and satisfying junk food. and i do not mean that as an insult. the characters in this book are the extreme versions of themselves, especially alana, but it WORKS in the world that Brandy has created.

surprisingly, it really hits home in the sense of taking what you deserve and understanding your worth and not settling. for a romcom, there are a few points where it hits pretty deep. definitely laughed out loud a couple of times!

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was an absolute blast from start to finish!

A chaotic, funny rom-com packed with sass, chemistry, and plenty of unexpected twists, She Needs Therapy had me hooked from the very first chapter. Alana completely stole the show for me. I loved her pink-loving style, boss energy, and the fact that she’s also a total badass. She was the perfect mix of confidence, chaos, and unpredictability.

Then there’s Billy, who is desperate to be taken seriously at work and stuck with a terrible boyfriend. Her life takes a wild turn when she meets Alana, who drags her into a whirlwind of kidnappings, European adventures, luxury hotels, nightclubs, and more trouble than anyone could possibly prepare for.

And Rodrigo? Let’s just say he wanted to break up with Alana… but was far too terrified to actually do it. Things quickly spiral out of control, and before they know it, all three of them end up with a bounty on their heads. I won’t spoil how it happens, but it made for one wild ride!

This was exactly what the author promised: a chaos-and-chemistry romance comedy. It was fun, outrageous, entertaining, and impossible not to love. If you’re looking for a rom-com that’s completely unhinged in the best way possible, this one is definitely worth picking up.

💕 Fun • Chaotic • Funny • Sassy • Action-Packed

[bookishrants18 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts off with such incredible banter and interesting storyline.
Our main characters are Rodrigo and Billie. Billie is The Assistant. She never stands up for herself and is always taking care of others. Rodrigo is dating Alana and is desperately trying to leave the relationship because Alana is an absolute psychopath. They all end up on this adventure running from the criminal org Alana worked for across europe.
The relationship between Rodrigo and Billie is very instant love. I loved the character arc for Billie and watching her become a Billie badass. The banter is also top freaking tier in the beginning of the book. However, by the end it felt repetitive and the writing felt choppy. The story kind of just stopped working for me and it stopped being funny.
Overall, this was a cute story with good banter, and an easy read.

[lauren]

I don't think I can fairly rate this. The voice of the novel is good and the premise is interesting/fun, however I have a sneaking suspicion about AI being used somewhere in the editing process. I made it to 61% or chapter 25.
Edited June 18: I have been informed this was not written or edited using AI. Happy that's the case, however I'm not interested enough to finish the read.

[Jenna (jenreadsmagic) · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

Thank you Emerald Lion Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of She Needs Therapy by V. Brandy.

I want to start this review by saying that I really liked the premise of the book. She Needs Therapy follows our MMC Rodrigo, who desperately wants to leave his girlfriend - Alana - who happens to be an arms dealer, and FMC Billie, who meets and becomes friends with Alana but also happens to be developing a crush on her new friend's boyfriend. I love the idea of the boyfriend and the friend ending up together while having to try and escape the deadly girlfriend who doesn't want to let go. It's giving romcom meets thriller.

I will say, there are fun elements to the book and there were times I found myself giggling and I did start warming up to Rodrigo as a character. However, I think the pacing might be a bit too inconsistent for a book that's meant to be so high-stakes.

I also found myself struggling to stay engaged with the story because of just how exaggerated the characters are. Rodrigo knows he projects his dream girl onto women who are wrong for him and enters relationships too quickly, but suddenly he's practically head over heels for a woman he'd only met once for 12 minutes? Then there's Billie who is a complete pushover at the start to the point where it seems genuinely unrealistic even for a chronic people pleaser and she's completely miserable but doesn't do anything about it. And then you've got Alana - I know she's the psycho arms dealer girlfriend/soon-to-be-ex-girlfriend so you're not meant to like her, but I just felt like the character was a bit too over the top - it was almost giving an exaggerated Harley Quinn x Barbie. Because of how exaggerated the characters were, I found myself becoming a little bit disconnected and distracted from the story at times.

While She Needs Therapy may not be quite the right kind of romcom book for me, I think there will definitely be plenty of readers who will like this book because it is a fun, chaotic story that blends humour, romance and suspense. I also think people who do like more of an insta-love / love at first sight kind of romance will enjoy it too.

[Chelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

NetGalley Arc

This one had a really interesting concept and on paper should have been right up my alley, but unfortunately it just didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
The pacing felt a little sporadic throughout and was mostly on the slower side, which made it hard to stay fully invested at times. I also found that comments about the characters’ appearances were repeated far too often, particularly in the first half, to the point where it became distracting.
The romance was probably my biggest struggle. Billie and Rodrigo met once and seemed ready to die for each other simply because they found each other attractive. I just didn’t buy into the connection enough for the relationship to feel believable.
The humour was a bit hit or miss for me. A lot of it felt forced, especially when it came to Alana’s character, although there were definitely some genuinely funny moments. Billie had some great lines, with “I’m a murderer. I just killed a man. Murder. That’s something I do now, I guess.” being a standout.
I could see exactly what the author was trying to do with Alana—this Barbie pink, bubbly badass who could handle anything thrown at her—and I actually loved that concept. Unfortunately, the excessive use of “like” in her dialogue became pretty grating after a while.
Character-wise, Billie was easily my favourite. I loved watching her grow from someone meek and constantly trying to please everyone into someone who really came into her own. Alana is completely unhinged with some very questionable morals, but she’s also the ultimate girls’ girl and I couldn’t help but appreciate that. Rodrigo was the weakest of the three for me. While I liked how protective he was of Billie, the girls completely stole the show and honestly, I’m here for that.
This is a closed-door romance with plenty of chaos, friendship, and character growth. While it didn’t fully work for me, I can definitely see other readers enjoying what it brings to the table.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Needs Therapy by V. Brandy is a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that perfectly blends witty banter, emotional vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry. Despite its humorous title and lighthearted moments, the story also explores deeper themes of personal growth, healing, and learning to confront emotional baggage instead of running from it. The characters are wonderfully flawed and relatable. Their interactions are packed with sharp humor, playful tension, and heartfelt moments that make their relationship feel authentic. The chemistry between the main characters is electric, and watching them slowly break down each other's walls is both entertaining and rewarding. What I appreciated most was how the story balances comedy with genuine emotional depth. While there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, the author doesn't shy away from showing that love alone isn't enough. Overall, She Needs Therapy was a fun, heartfelt, and charming start to the Chaos & Chemistry series that has me excited to see what comes next.

I received an ARC copy from Netgalley. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a RIOT! I was laughing and kept on my toes the entire time. The whole premise was pretty absurd and chaotic (my favorite), and luckily that was maintained for the entire book.

The characters were so lovable - Billie and her character development, Rodrigo and his jawline, Melissa's badassery, Benny and his movie references, and even (especially) Alana, the psychopath. I am not normally a big fan of insta-love, but it thought it worked really well because the whole book was so ridiculous that the ridiculousness of the insta-love just fit in perfectly.

Overall, I loved the book, but my biggest complaint (and the only thing keeping it from being a 5-star read) was the very frequent use of dramatic similies and metaphors. This is something I've noticed in a lot of romances lately, and maybe it's just me, but I personally feel like it detracts from the reading experience.

Thanks to BookSirens and the author for this free ARC in return for my honest review. If you're looking for something fast paced, fun, and all around ridiculous, I would definitely recommend this book!

[Clauee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right from the start, the story got my interest. I was expecting a crime scene only to find out that it is his figure of speech. I never read a book that can create such questions in mind.

It then brings a scientific view making me wonder if it's another sense of humor or could it be that the story is being diverted into a science fiction story. Such a theme suddenly drops, pulling us back into an average typical day of a guy with his girlfriend. (A casual voice.)

What pulls me deeper into the story is the career of Alana. Why would Rodrigo break up with her. Could it be that Alana is not only a girlfriend that could kill with her actual looks but a real killer?

I conclude that this is a story that could bring potential readers because the writer can create several interesting areas in the mind of the readers.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! The plot of the story is interesting, fun, and kept me turning pages. The lack of fluffy drama is a high point for me!

Billie's evolution from meek to self-assured was perfectly spread out through the book, so it felt genuine. She is built up through the story as she comes into her own.

Rodrigo is a badass sweetheart. I liked that his character isn't wishy-washy about his feelings, and he shares openly with Billie what he's worried about. I like that honesty.

Melissa is the perfect best friend!

Alana is psycho-friend goals! I giggled at her antics, and while her actions were morally messed up, her character is hard not to love. She needs her own HEA!


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Angelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC.
This is a nice palette cleanser if you like mafia reads and want the drama without the open door romance. At first I didn’t exactly like this book for the fact that Billie, our FMC, is exactly like me. A people pleaser who worries about everyone else first and herself, dead last. I kept reading and ended up liking the way the story progressed; it felt like it could naturally have gone in the direction it did.
The relationship better Billie and Rodrigo did not feel forced and could have passed as healthy in some crazy way haha. The title is perfect because while Billie is our main FMC, we have Alana who is the cause of everything that happens and we don’t know what “she” needs therapy, but they both do IMO, and maybe Rodrigo, too.

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right at the start, the idea of Rodrigo being too afraid of his girlfriend, Alana, to break up with her was great! I love a woman that can command respect lol! Not to mention how she got Billie to go on their little adventure, in real life am I okay with this no, of course not, but for the plot? Heck yes! Not loving that they Rodrigo and Billie are falling for each other while he is still dating Alana. I get he wants out and is afraid for his life but it still gives me the ick. It did cause a great plot line though with them being afraid of Alana finding out! I laughed out loud several times reading this and didn't mind the fade to black scenes. While I usually read smut, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book!

[Smut Goblin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, chaotic romcom! Billie is desperate to escape her terrible job and boyfriend when glamorous (and slightly terrifying) Alana enters her life - right as Billie develops a crush on Alana’s boyfriend Rodrigo. Cue the kidnapping, European disaster tour, luxury hotels, getaway cars, and all the forced proximity tension.

I loved the grumpy/sunshine vibes, one-bed shenanigans, and The Lost City energy. It starts strong and the action is wild, though it drags a bit in the middle before picking back up. The fade-to-black spice works and the whole thing is a fast, entertaining ride with real stakes.

Solid fun read. Huge thanks to Emerald Lion Press for the eARC!

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC in return for an honest review.

2.5/5

The concept of this book was so intriguing to me. A femme fatale character picking her new best friend (the most innocent person) in the midst of a break up with her very attractive boyfriend. But something didn't hit and I think it was the character development. It all seemed too fast for me to feel I could fully be invested.

That being said, this is an easy, fun and fast paced read and even though this not be a book I would recommend to friends, I enjoyed the concept all in all.

[Marka Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantic comedy with action and adventure! I've been looking for a book just like this and nothing fit the bill until now. Loved this. Very funny. Good banter. Yes, there was some insta-love between the main characters but it was actually addressed as part of the problem. Rodrigo wonders throughout the book if he's "doing it again" (falling in love too fast). But (without spoilers), it all makes sense by the end. What I loved is that everyone in the books needs therapy not just the person you think needs it hte most (cough, Alana, cough). Really fun already preorderd the next one.

[Yora Canter Visscher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author and netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book!
I really liked the premise of this book, it was very fun and I laughed out loud a few times. I liked the characters very much (especially alana), and i think overall the story was very well executed and binge worthy.
However, I think the romance was very insta love. So much, that I just didn't believe anything of it.
Still I would recommend it to everyone!

[Nena Jo Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is extremely well written. I got sucked into this rom-com immediately. I loved how all aelana wanted was a husband and a best friend, I just hate how it turned out for her, but I love she didn't give up her dream and kept a whiteboard of dreams to check off each time one came true. This is an incredible read about love, friendship, the underbelly of the crime world, and an assassin with some kickazz heels. I highly recommend this book

[Alena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that this is one of those books that pleasantly surprised me. It managed to be funny, relatable and thoughtful all at once. As a corporate girly myself I definitely related to this book. I appreciate how honestly, humorously and realistically it explored growth, relationships, and self reflection. There were several moment that made me laugh out loud and others that made me stop and think. It felt felt refreshingly real with a laugh.

[Nena Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written, fun, chaotic, funny rom-com!! 5 star read, Im still thinking about the characters days after reading this book. Let me just say Alana is a badazz and I absolutely love how Billie found her courage!!! Rodrigo was very supportive and loved how he finally stood up for him self. I highly, highly recommend this book, great summer read

[Nan Dimitive · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got an early copy through #netgalley. Big fan of this author's mysteries. Not what I always read (not a big romance reader), but I liked it more than I thought it would. The two main characters love story was fast but felt ment to be. five stars!

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely a comedic relief. While I felt the book moved fast, I enjoyed it from a non logistical matter.

Both female characters, Alana and Billie are a silly duo but work. I also really enjoyed their character growth in this book and was very pleased at the end of it. Billie really grew from the start of the page and you really root her happiness throughout the book. Alana, she surprises you.

Thank you Booksirens for this arc!