In Her Defense (A Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick)

A Novel

By: Philippa Malicka

Narrated by: Anna Popplewell

A REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB SELECTION!

As a sensational celebrity libel trial unfolds, a young woman at the periphery secretly wields the power to make or break the case. But with her own hidden past, will she dare to speak up?

Everyone is watching. Only one person knows the truth.

The whole country has been riveted by the trial: Beloved TV star and national treasure Anna Finbow, standing in court, accusing her daughter’s therapist Jean Guest of brainwashing her daughter Mary for her own financial gain. Jean insists Mary’s traumatic memories arise from her upbringing and her time studying at a prestigious art school in Rome; wounds only Jean’s therapy can heal. But as the trial unfolds, it’s Augusta “Gus” Bird, Anna’s former employee—a seemingly insignificant bystander, a nobody—who holds the key to unraveling the tangled web of lies and deceit.

What really happened to Mary in Rome? And if her memories can’t be trusted, how will they ever uncover the truth behind her estrangement? Twisty and propulsive, In Her Defense is a compulsively readable debut for fans of Lucy Foley and Laura Dave.

Grabbed me right away

I really enjoyed this book. It grabbed me from the begging. Definetly a psychological wild ride.

Despicable characters

Kept listening to find out what happens but didn’t enjoy this book. Disappointing as other book club selections from Reese have been much better.

Pulled me in right away

I really liked the faultiness of every character. It made it feel very real, like the way each character distorted what they saw or felt to fit their own narrative. The manipulations of some of them made my skin crawl and then made me want to listen to the rest of it even more.

Interesting Story

3.5 ⭐️ really. This story involves a complicated main character, who gets involved with a complicated girl and then a questionable therapist. From there all hell breaks loose.

COULD NOT STOP LISTENING!!!!

An epic and insightful book. A very timely look at wellness culture, celebrity, and class but reading it feels like eating candy. I gobbled it up greedily and then tried to find a podcast to listen to because I wanted to discuss it. Malicka is a beautiful writer and the book if full of gorgeous descriptions as well as perfect dialogue. Her descriptions of the arts and the artist residencies were spot on. Do yourself a favor and download this twisting tale!!! I hope there will be a movie or a series made from it.