A superbly crafted tense filled plot with gaslighting and a pregnant mother who just wants to be validated. It had me engaged and on the edge of my seat. The ending blew me away as I didn't see it coming but I loved it! I particularly enjoyed how the author wrote in the vocabulary of a three year old for Olivia and I couldn't help but smile and talk the same way. The plot was intense.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. Great thriller book. Kept me on the edge of the seat all the time. Couldn't put the book down. Will read other books by this Author.

This book kept me engaged and was a fun, thrilling read. I felt for Frankie and wasn’t sure she’d end up on top, but it was a good ending. I’d love to read more by the author

Great suspense full book full of drama and suspense would read other book from this author enjoyed this book very much

As a mother who just finished the pregnancy from a horror novel, similarly to Frankie, I couldn't wait to feel validated. And then I read the horrors and gaslighting from Jasmine, the nanny caring for Frankie and I was absolutely shocked. Every single thing that happened was a terrifying read, and left me scared for a character in a novel! The writing was superb, and left me absolutely enthralled. Page by page I was begging for answers that I couldn't figure out on my own. Suggestion? Don't read as a pregnant mama or a new mama. But absolutely do read it eventually, you won't regret it!

Frankie is pregnant, and though this is her second time carrying a child (and the first was a dream) this one is causing her a lot of difficulty. She is wary about inviting a stranger into her house, but her husband Russ insists, so Jasmine is hired to be her live-in nanny.

Things seem to be going fine at first, Jasmine gets along with her toddler well, but Frankie is worried that her nanny is trying to replace her. When she is hospitalized for falling down the stairs, part of Frankie believes it was Jasmine that pushed her. But no one believes her increasing suspicions about her new many. Is Jasmine secretly trying to kill her to take Frankie’s family as her own?

I’m Here to Help is has an interesting plot and I enjoyed the constantly shifting “he/she did it” vibe. While I felt that parts of it were a little contrived, overall it was an enjoyable story. 3.75 stars.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

I'm Here to Help by Claire Lunn is a chilling psychological thriller that will keep readers on edge from start to finish. The story follows a pregnant woman, Frankie, who feels increasingly uneasy around her seemingly perfect nanny, Jasmine. What starts as a simple feeling of unease escalates into a terrifying realization that Jasmine may not be as helpful as she seems. As Frankie’s suspicions grow, she becomes convinced that Jasmine is trying to take over her life—and possibly even harm her.

Lunn masterfully builds tension, using Frankie's shifting perspective to create a sense of paranoia and dread. The author’s skillful portrayal of a vulnerable woman dealing with the pressures of pregnancy and motherhood adds emotional depth to the suspense. Readers will be hooked as they try to untangle the web of deception, gaslighting, and mystery surrounding Jasmine’s true intentions.

With a final twist that will leave readers breathless, I'm Here to Help is a gripping read for fans of psychological thrillers and domestic suspense. Claire Lunn has crafted a thrilling, unpredictable story that will make you question who you can trust—and just how far someone will go to get what they want.

Wow, what a read!! This author sure knows how to write a psychological thriller with suspenseful twists through out. Great character building. Loved everything about this book and can not rate it high enough. Can't wait to read more form this author.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an early copy of I’m Here to Help. WHERE HAS CLAIRE LUNN BEEN HIDING???? What a Fantastic book!!!! Gaslighting to the max! What a twist, such a GREAT read!!! Russ is the most despicable character ever. LOVED, LOVED LOVED!!! Thank you again and please keep writing Claire.

I liked the writing and how the story didn’t stale at all, just kept pushing through and intrigued me with the diverse cast of characters their interactions.
Four stars

I enjoy this a gripping thriller i couldn’t put down.
Love how easy it followed was a good read
The characters were interesting and some I really didn’t like the twist I did not see coming
Fast paced intense story

Name :- I'm Here To Help
Author:- Claire Lunn
Plot:- Claire Lunn delivers a chilling domestic thriller with I'm Here to Help, a novel that will make you question who you can truly trust in your own home. With an unreliable narrator, a seemingly perfect nanny, and a web of psychological manipulation, this book keeps readers on edge from start to finish. When an overwhelmed mother hires a new nanny, Jasmine, she feels an eerie sense of familiarity. But she brushes it off—after all, she needs help. At first, Jasmine seems like the perfect addition to their home, caring for little Olivia and winning over her husband, Russ. But soon, paranoia sets in. Is Jasmine just a helpful nanny, or does she have a hidden agenda? After a terrifying fall down the stairs, the protagonist wakes up in the hospital, certain that Jasmine pushed her. But no one believes her—not even her husband. As she fights to uncover the truth, she realizes she may have been wrong all along. And if she doesn’t escape soon, she and her children might not survive.
Likes and Dislikes:-
Likes:-
1 Psychological Suspense – The slow unraveling of paranoia and doubt keeps the tension high.
2 Unpredictable Twists – Just when you think you have the story figured out, Lunn delivers a shocking turn.
3 Unreliable Narrator – The protagonist’s emotional instability makes you question whether she’s imagining things or if Jasmine is truly dangerous.
Overall:- I'm Here to Help is a tense, gripping thriller that keeps you second-guessing until the final pages. With its mix of paranoia, family drama, and unexpected revelations,
My Rating :- 5/5

The storyline and caracters was very good. It was missing a little something but overall the thriller was amazing.

This was a great read of a thriller that kept me guessing to the very end of the book. This is a sad story about a poor woman who is suffering badly during her second pregnancy with very little support from her husband and her in laws. Everyone seems to believe she should be able to get on with things as she’s only pregnant but she is so ill she can barely get out of bed. As the family decide a nanny is the answer they install a young family friend in without her say so and she is railroaded into it but now it seems like she is trying to take her life and family away from her and is she in danger from this woman. The problem is she’s too ill to fight back and a fall down the stairs convinces her something else is going on!

Page Turner! This book gave me Freida McFadden vibes with its somewhat short chapters and mysteriousness. It was easy to read and kept me intrigued from beginning to end. Frankie is in the middle of a rough pregnancy with her second child and cannot keep up with her toddler. It is decided that help is needed, so they hire a family friend to become a live in Nanny. Jasmine seems perfect and sweet at first, but as the weeks go by Frankie can't shake the feeling that she is being lied to. Frankie uncovers a twisted web of lies, but who is deceiving her? I will definitely be following the success of this book and recommending to everyone.

This book tells the captivating story of a couple navigating the tumultuous journey of parenthood, beginning with the conception of their second child. As the mother grapples with an intense bout of nausea, the couple decides to hire a nanny to help manage the challenges that arise. However, the arrival of the nanny brings unexpected chaos into their lives, leading to a whirlwind of events that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The writing style and plot bear a striking resemblance to "The Housemaid," drawing readers into a world filled with suspense and tension. The author masterfully weaves twists and turns throughout the narrative, leaving my jaw on the floor with each unexpected development.
This book was so engaging that I found myself reading well past my bedtime, unable to put it down. If you're looking for a thrilling read that explores the complexities of relationships and the unforeseen consequences of trust, this book is a must-read!

Book/Story: ⭐️⭐⭐
Book Cover: ⭐️⭐️⭐

Trigger Warning(s): Gaslighting
Manipulation
Sexual Assault/Rape
Infidelity
Loss Of Parent(s)
Grooming
POV: Dual, First Person
Series/Standalone: Standalone
First In Series: N/A
Trope(s): None
Spice: None
Genre: Thriller
Burn: Fast
Safe or Dark: Safeish
Release Date: April 11, 2025

-Overview

When Frances Minetti gets pregnant, the pregnancy causes her to develop hyperemesis gravidarum. She very quickly realizes that she can’t do all the day-to-day things she normally could; that includes taking care of her three-year-old daughter Olivia. Her mother-in-law sets her up with a live-in nanny; Jasmine is her sister-in-law's best friend’s daughter. She’s also young, beautiful, and ambitious. Frankie isn’t as taken with her as her husband, Russell, and the rest of his family are, but once she sees how great Jasmine is with her daughter, she relents and agrees to give her a one-week trial.

The young woman quickly moves into the Minetti’s home, and the seven-day trial goes smoothly. Jasmine is helpful and attentive, not only to Olivia but to Frankie as well. Life with the live-in nanny is wonderful, until it isn’t. As Frankie watches Jasmine interact with Olivia and Russ, something starts to feel off. Is this twenty-something-year-old trying to take Frankie’s place within the family?

One day Frankie suddenly takes a tumble down the stairs that lands her in the hospital. The one thing she remembers before her fall is interacting with Jasmine. Did she accidentally fall or was she pushed? As Frankie’s suspicions build, she becomes certain that Jasmine wants her gone. Frankie turns to the one person who should believe her, Russ, except he doesn’t. Despite the gaslighting and manipulation running rampant, Frankie knows one thing for sure...

Jasmine isn’t who she claims to be, and she will kill to take over Frankie's life.

-Pace/Writing Style

I appreciated two things about the book right away. The fact that things kick off and suck you in right away, and the short chapters.

The prologue starts somewhere in the middle of the story, and it made me all the more curious to see how things played out. Chapter one doesn’t disappoint either. We are taken back six months prior to the events that occurred in the prologue, and we get right into the heart of things. We very quickly understand Frankie’s family dynamic with her in-laws and the predicament she’s in. It’s definitely a fast-burn type of book. There is no filler prior to getting to the heart of things. I enjoyed that.

The chapters in this book are nice and short. Lunn’s writing style flows nicely but gives the readers a lot of information without being confusing. It makes it easy to read a lot in one sitting and fly through this book. While the chapters don’t always end on cliffhangers, they do end in such a way that makes you want to keep on finding out what happens next. Reading one more chapter very quickly turned into ten.

This was a roller coaster of a ride from start to finish, and I enjoyed being on it. There were times when I thought I knew exactly how things were going to play out just to turn around and find out that I didn’t. This rage-inducing story really threw me for a loop again and again. That was very fun.

Lunn does play on the predictability of the plot a bit before pulling the rug out from under you.

As mentioned above, this book made me RAGE. So, be prepared for that when diving into this.


Characters

I have to be honest; I didn’t like a single character in this book. I thought they were all awful. I just happened to dislike some more than others.

Frances “Frankie” Minetti - Despite being our FMC, I just couldn’t get behind Frankie. She was horribly vain, constantly talking about how her figure was ruined after having kids and commenting about her pre- and post-baby weight. She gave off serious woe is me vibes. I often found her to be very whiny and weak-sounding. Frankie definitely was not a strong female (and not just due to her hyperemesis gravidarum). She tried to come off as working to have everything under control but was often a pushover. She would give in just for the sake of giving in and avoiding an argument. She was often suspicious of Jasmine before even having any reason to be. She questioned Jasmine's and Russ's relationship more than once for no reason. She created problems where there weren't any. I don’t know why, but I just didn’t like Frankie at all. The book is told entirely from her perspective, and that was difficult for me, but since I enjoyed the story in general, I just sucked it up.

Russell “Russ” Minetti - Frankie's husband sort of stood on the outskirts of things. He was a very busy surgeon, so he seemed to be absent from the home more often than not. He was an attentive father but seemed to undermine a lot of the decisions Frankie made within the marriage. Most of the time Russ would side with his family, who clearly didn’t care for his wife and got joy out of watching her squirm, just to make everyone (other than Frankie) happy and keep the peace. If I’m being honest, I disliked Frankie’s character more than Russ’s. Even though he made a lot of crappy choices and had the gaslighting skills of a champion.

Jasmine – The live-in nanny is a sweet, young lady; in fact, she’s almost too sweet. She’s almost too helpful. She’s almost too kind. She’s almost too much of everything. Jasmine enjoyed challenging Frankie. She had a game to play, and she played it very well. Jasmine knew what she wanted, and by God, she was going to do anything in her power to get it. She was always cool, calm, and collected even in the most uncomfortable of situations. I didn’t care for her at all. Not one bit.

Petunia Minetti – She is horrid. I hated her. If she were my mother-in-law, I just might go to jail for murder.

Other Thoughts

In the synopsis, it is said that when Frankie meets Jasmine, she can’t help but feel like she has met her before. However, when they do finally meet, nothing in Frankie’s dialogue or inner thoughts mentions any of that to the readers. She doesn’t even hint at having a weird familiarity with the young woman. 

I didn’t particularly care for the underlying “women aren’t attractive after having children” undertones in the story. It was mentioned more than once how Frankie was much more desirable before carrying two babies. 

Early on in the book, it is mentioned that Jasmine’s mom, Helen, and Russ’s sister, Amanda, are lovers disguising themselves as best friends. They use their friendship as an excuse to spend time together and explain their closeness to one another. The whole family knows there is something more going on but doesn’t bother to mention it. This dynamic doesn’t have any effect on the plot. At all. It has nothing to do with how anything plays out. What was the big deal? What was the point of making sure the readers knew about that? There wasn’t a reason for the detail to be shared.

TLDR: AN ENTERTAINING THRILLER WITH A FUN TWIST!

As always, please remember that reading is subjective, and that’s what makes it so great. 😊

I would like to thank Bookoture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.

This is my voluntary, unbiased, and honest review.

This is a really well written thriller that pulls you along from the start. I loved the twists and the thoroughly unlikeable characters. I read it in one day it's that good!

This is a dark family drama thriller and is a book that really catches the reader by surprise.

The characters are really unlikeable but that said I was ripped by the drama and the suspicions of them.

I could not wait to get to the end and was shocked with the twists.

Brilliant..

This. Book. Is. Rage. Inducing.
It’s a masterclass in gaslighting, so hold on to your hat as your head spins!

I have to admit I had trouble sticking with it at one point, because of how mad it made me. It’s not like I could put it down though, being drawn into the web.

I was in for the epic conclusion.
And it was good. You’ll probably think you know what’s going on. But I doubt many will actually figure it out.

*I’m not usually one for TWs but I can see where they could be necessary here for some.

That aside-I’m Here to Help is a solid read I can recommend, landing somewhere in the 4-4.5* range for me.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance digital read.