The Bestseller by Jenny Knightsby review

About The Book

Book: The Bestseller
Author: Jenny Knightsby
Standalone or Series: Standalone
Publisher: Mountain Leopard
Publication Date (UK): 18th June 2026

My Review

Earlier this year Headline invited me to a secret group read of The Bestseller and this week the cover was revealed.

This is the debut novel from hospital doctor Knightsby. It centres on therapist Helena, her husband Dylan, and her best friend Tala who is an author.

Helena’s new client, Belle, has been recommended couples therapy, but her husband Julius is a no-show. Through their one-to-one sessions, Helena determines that Belle is in a coercive relationship and encourages her to stand up for herself. At the same time, she finds herself venting about the situation to Tala… but has Helena’s breach of confidence inspired the storyline of Tala’s new novel?

Alongside the present-day timeline, we’re taken back to the group’s university years. This timeline also features Tala’s then-boyfriend, Jed. We learn something happened back then that it seems only Helena cannot remember, or perhaps doesn’t want to.

The Bestseller starts strong before settling into a slower middle, but it picks up again with the dramatic ending that packs a lot in. Some elements were hard to believe, particularly the situations the women found themselves in, but overall it’s a solid debut.

Thank you to Headline and Mountain Leopard for the ARC.