The Doll's House by Natasha Boydell is a psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Naomi’s life seems to be on track when she finally secures a new home for her family, after a failed sale of her apartment. But the situation takes a dark turn when Summer, a kind-hearted single mother, buys Naomi’s old apartment and begins inserting herself into Naomi’s life in increasingly unsettling ways. From enrolling her child in Naomi’s daughter’s class to dressing like her and even befriending all of Naomi's friends, Summer’s behavior soon crosses a line.

Naomi’s unease grows when she discovers Summer has created a doll’s house that mirrors her own new home, a chilling symbol of how far Summer is willing to go. As Naomi begins to question her reality, she’s faced with the terrifying possibility that Summer’s obsession is more dangerous than she could have imagined.

Boydell expertly builds tension with each turn of the page, delivering a twisted narrative of envy, obsession, and manipulation. The Doll’s House is a fast-paced and gripping psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Sue Watson, who will enjoy its dark and suspenseful exploration of what happens when someone becomes obsessed with stealing another's life.

The Doll's House by Natasha Boydell
Naomi is heartbroken when the sale of her apartment falls through, dashing her dreams of moving to a beautiful 'forever home' nearby with her family. However, her hopes are reignited when a sweet-natured single mother named Summer intends to buy Naomi's old apartment. Suddenly, Naomi might get her new house after all.
Initially, it feels like Summer has saved Naomi's life. But as soon as the sale goes through, Summer appears at Naomi's new home. She enrols her child in the same class as Naomi's daughter, starts dressing like Naomi, and quickly becomes close friends with all of Naomi's friends. To make matters more unsettling, Naomi discovers that Summer possesses a pretty dollhouse that looks just like Naomi's new home.
Naomi wants to believe she is just imagining things. What could Summer possibly want? And how far will she go to take everything Naomi has?
I was eager to join the tour for The Doll's House after enjoying Natasha Boydell's The Woman Next Door and The Perfect Home (among others) by this exceptional author. From the very first page, where Naomi has a phone conversation, and her younger child experiences a moment of vulnerability, I was captivated by Natasha's writing. The plot is cleverly constructed, drawing readers in with twists and turns. Imitation, suspicion, and deceit thread through each chapter like a serpent on the hunt, leading to an explosive finale.
Natasha is a strong, brilliantly written, and complex protagonist who embodies both vulnerability and strength—truly the best of both worlds. Summer plays the role of a dangerously manipulative fantasist, contributing significantly to the story, which depicts the fallout of two colliding worlds. The supporting cast, including Oliver (Naomi's husband), Asha, Victoria, Angela, and Rachel, along with other friends and acquaintances, are all depicted with great attention to detail and emotional depth.
The Doll's House is a domestic psychological thriller that I wholeheartedly recommend.
I want to thank Boldwood Books, author Natasha Boydell, and Rachel's Random Resources for providing a copy for me to read and review.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author of the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Natasha Boydell's The Doll's House is a captivating and suspenseful novel that will keep you guessing until the very last page. This is my first foray into Boydell's work, and I can confidently say it won't be my last.
The story centres around Naomi, who is preparing to move out of her beloved family home. When the initial buyer pulls out, a charming woman named Summer steps in, offering a breath of fresh air and the promise of a smooth transition. However, this idyllic picture quickly unravels as a series of unsettling events unfold.
Boydell masterfully weaves a tale of mystery, fear, and frustration, leaving the reader constantly on edge and anticipating the next shocking twist. The level of detail is impressive, creating an immersive and sometimes chilling atmosphere that had me glancing over my shoulder more than once.
Naomi is a relatable and engaging protagonist, making it easy to connect with her emotions and experience the story alongside her. The Doll's House is a truly exceptional read, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a gripping and suspenseful mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

The Doll’s House by Natasha Boydell is an utterly gripping and atmospheric thriller that kept me on edge from start to finish. This was such a tense, twisty tale, with an ever-present sense of isolation and fear that truly immerses the reader in Naomi’s world. The author masterfully builds suspense, making it almost impossible to put the book down.

The setting plays a crucial role in establishing the novel’s eerie and unsettling tone, enhancing the psychological tension throughout. Naomi’s journey is compelling, and while she is an intriguing protagonist, I did find her impulsive and churlish at times, which made it difficult to fully connect with her. Additionally, I was slightly put off by an element of ageism in the story—when Naomi refers to a policeman as "laddie" in a way that felt patronising and unnecessary. This moment didn’t endear me to her character, but it was a minor gripe in an otherwise thrilling read.
I loved how the ending leaves room for a sequel. The pacing is excellent, and the writing style is engaging, making this a book that I finished very quickly.

Overall, The Doll’s House is a fantastic psychological thriller with an intense, gripping atmosphere and a strong sense of unease. I would highly recommend it to fans of suspenseful, character-driven narratives, and I look forward to seeing what comes next from Natasha Boydell!

This was fantastic and I had a hard time putting it down! The suspense is really well done and I didn't know how it was going to end. There are some unsettling moments that had me engrossed. If you enjoy thrillers, I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Natasha Boydell, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! The crazy twist at the end after the big reveal completely blindsided me. I'm a very hard person to do that to lol. The sister twist was a good enough ending and would've got it 4-4.5 but the end sealed the 5 star for me!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"The Doll's House" is not for the faint of heart. This unsettling debut novel delves into the chilling depths of childhood trauma, exploring themes of isolation, abuse, and the enduring power of the past.

Boydell masterfully builds suspense, weaving a tapestry of unsettling imagery and psychological dread.

"The Doll's House" is a powerful and disturbing exploration of the human psyche. Boydell's prose is raw and unflinching, capturing the suffocating atmosphere of the lingering trauma that continues to shape one's present.

This is a chilling reminder of the enduring power of childhood experiences and the darkness that can lurk within the most innocent of places.

This was my first time reading anything by the author, and I found it a real page turner.

What I enjoyed about the book:
*clever use of the prologue and epilogue to challenge the reader
*interesting plot involving imitation / stalking and mind games
*variable pace and tension
*a sense of everything unravelling and not knowing how things will resolve
*twists and questions

Overall, it was a compelling read covering themes of mental illness, adoption, stalking, child cruelty, bullying, being pushed out of your own life, and losing a grip on reality. I would definitely be keen to read more by the author.

This book creeped me out so much, in a good way! I love when the main character experiences something that no one else does or even notices. This book was very suspenseful and I couldn’t stop reading because I needed to know what would happen next!

*The Doll's House* by Natasha Boydell is a captivating and atmospheric psychological thriller that weaves together mystery, suspense, and dark family dynamics. The novel centers around a seemingly idyllic family whose perfect life begins to unravel, revealing secrets, lies, and buried truths that ultimately shape the chilling narrative.

Boydell’s writing is one of the standout features of the novel. Her descriptive prose draws readers into the eerie, claustrophobic world of the story, especially through the symbolic presence of the doll’s house—a metaphor for control, manipulation, and the delicate facades people maintain. The tension builds gradually, and the pacing keeps you hooked, making it difficult to put the book down.

The characters in *The Doll's House* are complex and intriguing, particularly the central figure, whose unraveling psyche creates a sense of unease. Boydell does a brilliant job of portraying the psychological struggles of her characters, making their motivations and actions both believable and unsettling. There are moments when you’re unsure who to trust, and this uncertainty creates an intense atmosphere that keeps the reader on edge.

While the story is filled with twists and surprises, the emotional core of the book is grounded in themes of trauma, betrayal, and the darkness that can lie within families. The resolution of the mystery is satisfying, although it may leave some readers with lingering questions, particularly regarding the deeper motivations of certain characters.

Overall, *The Doll’s House* is a tense, thought-provoking thriller that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense. It’s a gripping exploration of the secrets that people keep hidden behind closed doors, and the consequences those secrets can have when they finally come to light. If you enjoy stories with intricate plots, well-drawn characters, and an atmosphere that keeps you guessing until the very end, this novel is worth picking up.

This was a lot of fun.

I have to admit that I was floored when I found out why everything was happening! And, oh, this poor woman. I felt for her so much.

The book is very twisty and very intense. Like cut the tension with a knife intense.

I did find myself very frustrated with many of the characters, but I also didn’t want to stop reading.

I enjoyed this one!

I gave this book 4 stars. I am not overly familiar with the author but I did enjoy the book.. It was a gripping story that I did not want to put down, I found the main story to be about an imposter of the creepy variety. This book was a job well done!

The Doll's House by Natasha Boydell was an excellent psychological thriller, and so addictive. It is full of twists and turns from start to finish especially as it was creepy with it! The Doll's House will have you turning your pages quickly to find out what happens next,

Naomi is heartbroken when the sale of her apartment falls through, all her dreams are gone and all she wanted to do was move into her new beautiful forever home especially as it is by her family.
However, a sweet-natured single mother named Summer appears out of the blue and wanting to purchase Naomi's apartment. It now looks like Naomi might get her new house after all.
The sale goes through and everyone is happy........that soon changes when Summer appears at Naomi's new home. She has only enrols her child in the same class as Naomi's daughter, and has started to dress like Naomi, and then quickly becomes close friends with all of Naomi's friends. To make matters more unsettling, Naomi discovers that Summer possesses a pretty dollhouse that looks just like Naomi's new home.

WoW.....Creepy!!!

Naomi wants to believe she is just imagining things.

What could Summer possibly want?

And how far will she go to take everything Naomi has?

But, Why?

Quick page turn, this is so good.......I ended up readinf this book to the early hours of the morning.

I highly recommend this book I loved it.


Big Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

Intriguing, twisted, and tense, The Doll's House delivers chills as one woman begins to insert herself into the life of another. Naomi was thrilled when Summer bought her home, allowing her family to move into a bigger house with a garden. Summer was as sweet and mysterious as her perfume. Everything seemed perfect until Summer showed up at Naomi's new home, befriended Naomi's friends, and even started dressing like Naomi. Add in a doll's house, and you have a creepy, twist-filled book!

I absolutely loved this one. It was entertaining, with an underlying vibe of creepiness and unease. I had so many questions while reading, especially about why Summer was doing what she was doing. The reveal was unexpected, and I enjoyed the twists, turns, and the unnerving sense that something wasn't quite right with one of the characters. This book kept me on my toes and was an incredibly entertaining read.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this fantastic book! #netgalley #thedoll'shouse

Thank you to NetGalley an Boldwood Books for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I had a hard time getting into this book; there were some pages that grabbed me but it was short lived. I found the main character annoying and dramatic; it reminded me of high school. While I didn't hate it, I found it to be just OK.

I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book from Boldwood Books.

This book made me realise that perhaps titles draw me in more than I realise! The first reference to a doll’s house didn’t come until nearly half way through the novel and although it had more value at the end, I am not convinced it was the right title to choose.

Following Naomi after Summer has bought her house, we see Naomi’s life unravelling as Summer appears to be trying to take over Naomi’s life in her tight-knit community in Barnet. And things get stranger and stranger!

My favourite quote:
“She’s playing you off against each other……as she runs between the two of you like a tiny feline polygamist.”

BLOG TOUR REVIEW.

Review for 'The Doll's House' by Natasha Boydell

Well done Natasha on an absolutely tension packed and page turning thriller!!!

AN ABSOLUTELY UNPUTDOWNABLE, TENSION FILLED AND SUSPENSEFUL BOOK THAT WILL KEEP YOU UP LATE AT NIGHT UNTIL YOU TURN THE LAST PAGE!!

Wow!!! This book is fantastically written and had me hook, line and sinker from beginning to end. The descriptions were so in depth and vivid that the hair on my arms was standing on the ends and my heart was pounding throughout. The synopsis, title and cover were perfect for the storyline.

A HUGE success by the extremely talented Natasha Boydell!! I thoroughly enjoyed this intriguing page turner which constantly had me guessing who was telling the truth and who was lying. Straight from the prologue Natasha had me gripped and needing to know what had happened and who that person was talking about and I was sucked in from that moment until the very end! I was absolutely absorbed throughout this suspense filled thriller that is filled with tension, drama, family, suspense, secrets, paranoia, friendship, lies, community and so much more!!! I DID NOT see the twists coming at all!!! Just when I think everything had been worked out and things were settling down BOOM came the cliff-hanger ending that left me needing a sequel!! A MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS Natasha!! It is getting harder and harder to shock me but by God you did that over and over and over!!! One of the most gripping unputdownable psychological books I have read this year!!! You have one hell of a talent and I cannot wait to get hold of your previous and future books. I cannot remember the last time I was so hooked by a book but you managed that big time!!! In this gripping page turner we meet Naomi who has just sold her flat to a single woman called Summer and moved her family into the home of their dreams. However, it does not take long to start discovering problems with the house and Naomi starts to wonder if she has made a mistake. When Summer arrives at Naomi's new home to ask about the oven Naomi wonders where she got her new address from. Naomi starts seeing Summer a lot more when she enrols her daughter into the same school as Naomi's children and then starts hanging around with her friends. If that is not enough Summer also has a new hair cut which is similar to Naomi's and even starts wearing the same clothes!! When strange things start happening such as clothes and jewellery going missing and someone looking into her windows at night Naomi is determined than Summer is out to get her. However, her friends jus think that she is jealous and even her eldest daughter Bella does not understand why her Mum doesn't like Summer. Is Naomi right and Summer is out to get her or is Summer just wanting to make friends in a new community and Naomi is just being paranoid? Well, if you want to know the answer then you will just have to grab a copy of this brilliant page turner today and find out for yourselves! I can promise that you will not regret it!! I must admit that I didn't find the storyline to be unique and I am sure I have read a similar storyline previously but the twists definitely came as a surprise which makes up for it! The storyline is filled with shocks, suspense, tension, deceit, and everything you could ask for in a gripping thriller!!. There was so much going on and it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. It was one of those books that I was either reading it or thinking about the plot and itching to pick the book back up again as I just HAD to know what was going to happen next and at the end! Natasha's fantastic evocative descriptions ensures you are completely absorbed into the storyline with the characters coming to life all around you! This book is absolutely addictive and I read it in one sitting. It kept me on the edge of my seat, biting my nails with my heart absolutely pounding throughout especially at the end! I really am looking forward to the next book by this extremely talented author. A gripping, all consuming addictive page turner!!!

Clear your schedule before you start as I read this in one sitting as I could not put it down!! Absolutely hooked!! I would absolutely love to see this turned into a movie!!!!

The characters were all strong and realistic and thanks to Natasha's absolutely fantastic writing skills they all come to life when you are turning the pages. I was constantly finding myself questioning the characters and going from feeling sorry for one to wanting to shout at the same one after a couple of chapters to feeling worried for them!! My heart completely went out to Naomi's youngest daughter Freya as it breaks my heart seeing children being left out and/or bullied. One thing I cannot abide in life is bullying!!! Natasha clearly cares about her characters, even though I was not a huge fan of some of them she really brings them to life with her in depth descriptions and fantastic characterisation. Each of the characters are multi-layered with strong and unique personalities. As I previously mentioned I was not actually a fan of them and this normally ends with me struggling with the book as I usually like to connect with the characters but in this case it didn't actually make a difference as I was completely invested in the storyline from beginning to end! Thanks to Natasha's fantastic writing skills she has managed to put extremely unlikeable characters in such a fantastic storyline that you can't help but be addicted to the book regardless of how you feel!!! I will stop here as I will give too much away if I say anymore and I really don't want to spoil it for future readers so I wont say anything else and let other readers make their own minds up about how they feel about the characters.. Regardless of whether you love or hate the characters they all worked perfectly together to make this an addictive and gripping storyline!!

Overall an absolutely fantastic, unputdownable and addictive page turning thriller!!

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Captivating thriller by Natasha Boydell about Summer, a woman obsessed with Naomi, the former owner of the apartment she bought. This woman follows Naomi’s life, a copycat of every decision she makes, the school the children attends to, how she dresses, who her new friends are. I could not put this book down.

🔹 My take: 4.25/5

🔸 Naomi and her family have found a beautiful & bigger house to settle and looking towards finalising sale deal of their existing house. At last moment, the deal is cancelled and their dreams shatter. Enters Summer, a single mother who expresses interest to get the house. Naomi being in desperate need; the deal goes through quickly. Summer is very sweet and beautiful. But Naomi starts noticing that Summer has taken admission of her daughter in same school as Naomi’s daughter, she starts dressing same like Naomi and the group of friends which were once Naomi’s, start mingling more with Summer. Once when Naomi visits Summer’s home, she finds a doll house which is an exact replica of her new house. Naomi knows something is off with Summer but neither her husband nor any of her friends believe it. Until one day when Naomi is doing the rounds of the neighbourhood and finds something unbelievable.

💖 Wows - A very well written thriller, this kept me on edge the whole time. There are multiple scenes where thrill and suspense quotient is high and it keeps you guessing what will happen ahead. I finished reading this in 2 days since the mystery was killing me. One of the few books where I loved all the characters like even the antagonist (at least until the climax) 😀. The book has multiple layers and relationships are covered sensitively - mother-daughter, husband-wife, teacher-guardian and especially friendships.

💔 Ows - The characters at some point might become unbearable or seen as insecured. They will make sense only at the end. So I do see if reader is not patient enough, they could end up not finishing this. But, I did fly through it and loved it 😍

💫 This is a good creepy thriller with mystery elements. I am sure thriller lovers will love it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thanks to @theboldbookclub @tashy_boydell and @netgalley for sharing the DRC in exchange for honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Having previously toured with The Perfect Home, I had an idea of what to expect from Boydell's writing style, but I wasn't expecting THAT!

The Doll's House takes us on a fast paced, crazy ride through the lives of Naomi and Summer, two women unknowingly connected by a doll's house in ways they couldn't even begin to imagine.

It had me hooked from the opening chapters and I'm ashamed to say I devoured the book in one sitting, it's that good!

Great characters, a twisted plot and buckets of suspense.