Member Reviews

I'm here to help by Claire Lunn is a gripping Psychological thriller!

The story is centered around Frankie and her husband Russ, who have a toddler named Olivia and Frankie pregnant with the second. Exhausted she hired a nanny, but when she meets Jasmine and shakes her hand she can't shake the feeling that she has met her before.

Weird accidents begin occurring and Frankie can't help but think that Jasmine is behind them. Such as Frankie waking up in the hospital after falling down the stairs. Is it pregnancy hormones and lack of sleep or is something more sinister going on?

Thank you Claire for partnering with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

Was this review helpful?

I'm Here to Help by Claire Lunn is a gripping and suspenseful novel.
I’m a big fan of Lunn’s work and this was another wonderful read.
The compelling narrative and well-drawn characters had me up so late.
The way she creates her characters is seriously the best. They are intriguing and entertaining.
Claire Lunn's ability to build and maintain suspense makes this novel a captivating read for fans of psychological thrillers.

Was this review helpful?

I'm Here to Help by Claire Lunn

This was my first book by Claire Lunn and I was very excited to discover Claire and put her into the list of my favourite authors.

I'm Here to Help was a fast-paced, twisty and page-turner thriller which had got me from the beginning. It kept me guessing to the end and I was still shocked by the twisted ending. A big surprise. The prologue worked very well and I was hooked right after. The characters had a well-balanced in the story, some were lovely and some you really disliked. Throughout the whole thriller, you did not know who to trust.

This suspenseful thriller worked very well and I recommended this thriller to everyone!

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for my copy.

Pub date: Apr 11, 2025

Was this review helpful?

To say I was hooked on this book as soon as I’d finished the prologue is no lie . I just knew this was going to be one of those can’t put down reads . I was captivated by this story until the very last sentence . Claire Lunn isn’t an author I’m familiar with but I now have her on my list of favourite authors. This is a fast paced psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns that had my heart racing at times. Of course I was positive I had everything worked out in my head as to what was going on and then to discover I was completely off track. I found myself not knowing who to trust as I progressed through the book. To wrap up this was a fabulous read and well deserving of 5 ⭐️

Was this review helpful?

Wow I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down!
Gripped me the whole way through. Definitely 5* from me
The twists at the end I wasn’t expecting at all, definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves a book that grips you from the beginning and enjoys good twists.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoy reading books that toy with readers’ minds.
Frankie is grappling with a lot: a new pregnancy, sour mother-in-law, distant husband, and the new young nanny.
Everything is turned upside down…. The suspicious ones are actually helpful, and the vouched ones are actually sinister.
With help like what Frankie gets from both sides, it makes for an enthralling read.

Was this review helpful?

Firstly I would like to thank Bookouture at NetGalley and author Claire Lunn for providing me with a copy of “I’m Here To Help” in return for my honest opinion.

Now my review, this psychological thriller follows Frankie mother to 3-year-old Olivia and pregnant again, she finds herself to be struggling to keep up with daily tasks and the household upkeeps. To help take the stresses off Frankie the family hires a live in nanny called Jasmine to help them with Olivia and household chores. But Frankie hasn’t felt any less stressed since Jasmine has been staying there, infact Frankie has been rather poorly since jasmine arrived. The doctors have diagnosed her with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) but frankie feels it’s something else. Is Jasmine really here to help or is she trying to replace Frankie?
It is well written and gripping. Slow-paced but it adds to the dark and twisty emotions of the storyline. Good mix of characters by loving some and completely hating others. Suspenseful and captivating this book will have you hooked. I would recommend this book but if you are a bit more sensitive to the things you read this wouldn’t be for you as it contains sexual and emotional abuse.
4.5 stars fantastic read

Was this review helpful?

Wowsers, what a story!!! Why haven’t I come across Claire Lunn before?! This was so hard to put down and now I have another favourite author to put on my favourite authors list!

Frankie has found herself unexpectedly pregnant with her second child with her husband Russ. However, this pregnancy is taking a toll on her with Hyperemesis and her GP has strongly advised rest which is difficult for Frankie to do whilst looking after their 3 year old little girl, Olivia, who like most toddlers, is constantly on the go. Russ’s wealthy family have never warmed to Frankie and so they have a very strained relationship. Frankie’s mother-in-law Petunia offers a solution to help Frankie get some rest, a live in nanny called Jasmine. Jasmine is the daughter of a close family friend and the perfect candidate. Initially Frankie hates the idea of having a stranger in her home but soon realises that she really does need some help and so agrees to a week trial. Jasmine seems a nice enough and capable nanny, who Olivia instantly adores and so, initially, the agreement of a nanny works well for the family and the week trial turns into a permanent position, albeit with Russ making the decision without talking to Frankie about it. Soon after this though strange accidents start to happen to Frankie and then she begins to feel pushed out of her own family. To begin with Jasmine takes Olivia on little outings but soon is joined by Petunia and then later on by Russ and Frankie starts to feel less and less like Russ’s wife and Olivia’s mother and more like a lodger in her own life especially as she also seems to be just getting sicker and sicker. Frankie also notices looks of unsaid words between Jasmine and Russ and starts to worry that Russ may be cheating on her again, as he did once before they were married. She forgave him, and he promised it would never happen again, but she is still on high alert about it happening again. Frankie begins to wonder whether Jasmine has ulterior motives for getting close to the family and if so with the strange accidents happening are Frankie, Olivia and her unborn child in danger?!

Well, this book drew me straight in, as soon as I read the prologue I was hooked. I absolutely hated Russ from the very start, and I always say that it is great writing from an author when they make me feel such strong emotions over a fictional character. I actually didn’t think I could despise him more, but the Biggles story just had me raging (sorry a little cryptic but I don’t want to spoil anything 😉). I also really didn’t like Russ’s mother, Petunia, and thought she fit the stereo typical nasty mother-in-law perfectly. I rooted for Frankie throughout the whole book, and, at times, I did admit I was screaming at her in my head because there were so many red flags, but I understood why she took as much as she did. I really really felt for her and at times just wanted to give her a hug (again what great writing!). I did not see the twist coming which was brilliant and to be honest even though I have read a lot of psychological thrillers I have never read one with such a diabolical villain, awful and terrible in their evilness!

Ultimately what a great read this was. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys this genre, you won’t be disappointed. I really hope Claire Lunn writes more psychological thrillers as this one was brilliant!

And just a little added comment saying I had never heard of the word “sunpuddles” before, but it is certainly in my vocab now. A very much deserved 5 stars from me!

Thank you to NetGalley, Claire Lunn and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.

Was this review helpful?

As someone who lives for psychological thrillers that go beyond surface-level twists and really dive into the messiness of the human mind, I’m Here to Help by Claire Lunn completely delivered. This one got me. From the first chapter, there was this uneasy tension creeping in—subtle but constant, like the quiet hum of anxiety that never quite lets up.

The story follows a woman named Sarah who begins seeing a new therapist, and—without spoilers—let’s just say this therapist is the kind of “helper” that makes your skin crawl. It’s all about manipulation, blurred lines, and gaslighting, which hit me on a deep level, especially as someone who’s walked through trauma, CPTSD, and the ongoing journey of healing.

Claire Lunn does an amazing job weaving in themes of trust, vulnerability, and how easy it can be for people in positions of power to exploit pain under the guise of “helping.” That dynamic felt chillingly real, and it brought up a lot of emotions for me—especially thinking about how many of us have been desperate for someone to just listen and instead got someone who made it worse.

The pacing is solid—slow burn at first, but it builds into this tense, claustrophobic atmosphere where you’re not sure who to trust (just how I like it). I also appreciated how it wasn’t just about the twist, but about the aftermath—how we carry our wounds, how we protect ourselves, and how we try to move forward when the people who were supposed to help have harmed us instead.

As a sober woman who has worked hard to reclaim her voice and identity, this book felt like both a warning and a mirror. It reminded me why boundaries matter and how powerful it is to learn to trust your own gut again.

Highly recommend for fans of psychological thrillers with a raw emotional core and a fierce undercurrent of truth.

Was this review helpful?

I’m Here to Help by Claire Lunn.
I did like the cover and blurb of this book. I got into this book straight away. I liked the writing style and the story. I liked Frankie. I didn't like Jasmine at all. I wasn't sure how I felt about Russ. I didn't trust her. Oh my. That completely blew me away. Twisty and gripping and shocking. I certainly didn't see that coming. I'm looking forward to seeing what this author comes up with next. Definitely recommend.

Was this review helpful?

I'm Here to Help by Claire Lunn is a tension filled psychological thriller debut packed with suspense.

Frankie is happily married to Russ, has an adorable 2-year-old daughter Olivia and a baby on the way. When she develops an extreme case of morning sickness, Frankie finds it impossible to take care of Olivia along with doing the daily chores around the house. Russ and his mother suggest hiring someone to help out around the house and with Olivia so Frankie agrees and then they hire Jasmine. At first Jasmine is an absolute gem. She is so helpful with taking care of Olivia and Frankie is extremely grateful. But soon things start to feel strange between Frankie and Jasmine. When Frankie has an accidental fall down the stairs, she is almost positive that right before she fell she saw Jasmine smile at her. Was Jasmine trying to harm her and her baby? Is Frankie just being paranoid or is Jasmine trying to take over Frankie's family?

This book grabbed me right away and did not let go until that last twist! I'm Here to Help does deal with some triggering subjects such as gaslighting, manipulation, infidelity and sexual assault / rape so beware and protect your mental health. I did feel like the beginning was a bit slower than I expected but it does quickly ramp up into the tension filled and suspenseful thriller that I love! Definitely give this one a shot if you like reading twisty stories with unexpected endings!

Thank you to NetGalley, Claire Lunn, and Bookouture for this ARC! Publication date is April 11th 2025.

Was this review helpful?

I’m Here To Help by Claire lunn and narrated by Elizabeth Bower is a fast pace thriller. Frankie has the most severe case of morning sickness you can get and needs help with her toddler Olivia. Unfortunately Russell and his mom decide they’re hiring Jasmine. Frankie doesn’t know Jasmine and from the beginning she finds the whole situation suspect as time goes on of course strange things start to happen Frankie’s made to look unstable and as if she’s losing her mind and she believes Jasmine is the culprit. She also believes Jasmine is having an affair with Russell. by the time she learns the truth she may not have anyone to tell. This was so good I always say the end of the story can absolutely change how you thought of the whole book and the end of this one was a doozy. With the great narration setting a tone that really had me sitting up in bed heart palpitating waiting to find out what was going on. anyone who loves thrillers will absolutely enjoy this book I don’t believe I’ve ever read a book by this author before but I will definitely read another in the future. It was greatly executed with a wild ending. I listen to the audio version and the Kindle and either one would be a great choice although I love a good narrator and Elizabeth Bower is definitely that.#NetGalley, #BookToursAudio, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #ClaireLunn, #I’mHereToHelp, #ElizabethBower,

This is a review of the audiobook.

Was this review helpful?

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Bookouture.

This is a psychological thriller. Frankie is expecting her second child, and her husband Russ employs Jasmine as a nanny to help take care of their three-year-old daughter, Olivia. Frankie feels unwell, and has to deal with her condescending mother-in-law, Petunia, who criticises her frequently. Jasmine is a stranger to Frankie, but Russ has known her a long time, and Olivia seems to like her. Soon after Jasmine moves in, Frankie finds that something about Jasmine's presence makes her uneasy, and no-one will listen.

After just a few chapters, I felt drawn in, and found that this book played with my head. I sympathised with Frankie, disliked Petunia, and questioned the behaviour of both Russ and Jasmine. I found that the characters were quite relatable in some ways, as though they could easily have been people that I knew. I found Jasmine an intriguing character, even if she wasn't the most likeable, and towards the end, there were some twists that I didn't see coming.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Was this review helpful?

This psychological thriller does have some compelling elements but overall, I had pretty mixed feelings about this one. On occasions, the story definitely had its gripping moments and emotional punches that really landed but getting there was a bit of a struggle. The beginning felt slow, and considering that this is my favorite genre, it didn’t hook me the way I expected from a psychological thriller. It took a while for the suspense to build, and I found myself wondering when things were finally going to kick off.

What also stood out for me was the familiarity of the plot. It reminded me a lot of other thrillers that I’ve read over a period of time and I could pick the twists although I was hoping for something different.

There are still a lot of things that I appreciated like Frankie’s character with a lot of raw emotion and I really connected with her especially with everything she was going through. Her paranoia, her struggles as a mom, and the tension made for an intriguing phase in the story.

The final twist was good and the book does touch on some heavier, very real issues like family pressure and mental health, something that I connect with and also work with through my not for profit. I felt that the overall pacing and structure could have been tighter.

Overall not a bad few hours of reading experience, there were definitely parts I couldn’t put down but it left me a little on the fence.

Was this review helpful?

This one drags you straight in and what you think you know … you don’t! Where you think it’s going … it’s not! Who you can trust … will be questioned throughout. I enjoyed how this one played out. The narration was very engaging especially when it came to Olivia (you’ll see what I mean 🤗). You have both likeable and totally unlikeable characters. This was an engaging listen that keeps you guessing.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen and review #ImHereToHelp

Was this review helpful?

Claire Lunn’s I’m Here to Help is a gripping and emotionally resonant thriller that taps into a parent’s deepest fears—what happens when the very people meant to help become part of the problem? From the opening pages, this story draws you in with its haunting premise and refuses to let go.

Lunn expertly builds suspense, creating a slow-burning tension that keeps readers questioning every motive and detail. Just when you think you understand the direction, the story takes a sharp, unexpected turn that redefines everything you thought you knew. The twist is not only surprising but also thought-provoking, adding depth to the emotional journey of the characters.

The pacing is perfectly controlled, with a narrative that holds tight to your attention and never lets up. Lunn’s writing shines in its ability to stir both empathy and unease, making it impossible to stop reading.

I’m Here to Help is a standout psychological thriller—unsettling, poignant, and utterly compelling. It’s a must-read for fans of domestic suspense who are drawn to stories that challenge perceptions and push emotional boundaries.

Was this review helpful?

Frankie is struggling with being pregnant and looking after her toddler Olivia, so her family agree to hire a nanny, Jasmine. When Jasmine arrives Frankie realises that she may not be as nice as she seems. Is Franke right to be wary?

This sounded like a fun read as I enjoy books that aren’t as they seem. The story started strongly and I was interested to see where it would go. There was a sense of unease running throughout that helped build the tension and suspense. I never really knew who to trust.

The characters are quite unlikeable and I didn’t really forge a connection with any of them. I found that although this started strongly, it started to dip by the mid way point, picking up towards the end. This was a decent book overall however and I’d be interested to see what the author writes next. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

OMG this was so gripping and twist central. The raw emotion of frankie came through the story so much i was compelled to read on to find out is this so predictable or something more darker going on. This although a story dealt with some very difficult and emotion driven issues which are sadly very real in society. This deal with the preconceptions we all have and now we can all be manipulated to believe things which we cant understand . A typical family is never a typical family really there were lots of stereotypes and the final reveal was like a kick in the stomach. There were times i was screaming get away it doesn't matter who is right just run. This was a pleasure to read. It had such dark elements but also an element of redemption .Highly recommended as a 5 star physchogical thriller. Thank you netgallery, publisher and author for this 5 star read.

Was this review helpful?

I’m Here to Help by Claire Lunn is a slow-burn psychological thriller that steadily builds tension until a mind-blowing final twist that completely floored me. Claire Lunn masterfully keeps you second-guessing what’s real and who to trust. It’s one of those books that pulls you in deeper with every chapter—and when the truth hits, it hits hard. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever she writes next.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 @𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙜𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 @𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣.

Was this review helpful?

I'm Here to Help is a psychological thriller, that will keep you up all night!

Frankie is pregnant again and she is suffering from the worst case of morning sickness. She feels dizzy, unable to cope with things and even unable to look after her feisty three-year-old daughter Olivia. They hire a nanny, Jasmine even though Frankie is little bit against hiring a nanny. Everything seems to turn fine for Frankie as Jasmine seem to be the life saver in the family. But soon, Frankie finds herself getting into small accidents, her husband even believes that Frankie is losing it. And Frankie believes that whatever small accidents are caused by Jasmine and she suspects that there is something going on between her husband and Jasmine. And Frankie must save herself and Olivia's before it's too late.

This was a page turner. I literally couldn't put this book down. The story is mostly told in Frankie's POV with Jasmine's POV as well. As a reader, do you think Frankie is being paranoid or if she is actually right? There were not much twists or turns but the ending was actually completely unexpected. I can understand all these emotions and feelings that Frankie is going through, as she doesn't really have a proper family and that she is completely controlled by her in-laws. This was actually unputdownable and I actually really enjoyed reading this one. Worth 4.5 stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Was this review helpful?