🪩The Mirror House Girls
✍️ Faith Gardner
📅 Pub date: 23 Jan 2025

Thank you @netgalley and the publisher for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first Faith Gardner book, but I’ve seen her books recommended on the psychological thrillers Facebook group.

If you like cults, true crime documentaries and psychological mind f*@ks you’re in for a treat! Witnessing Winona’s vulnerability and ultimate brainwashing is nail-bitingly tense, but expertly done. Bravo @faith.gardner 👏🏻

It’s a wild ride. I read this in 24 hours, and now I’m off to find the extra chapter / epilogue…

Looks like it’s on KU for the Aussies 🇦🇺

#faithgardnerbooks #faithgardner #themirrorhousegirls #itsbookedup #netgalley #kindleunlimited

I love how this book moved between viewpoints, it definitely kept my attention and it spoke to my love of true crime.

The Mirror House Girls by Faith Gardner is a claustrophobic and addictive thriller full of manipulation and brainwashing. I have always been amazed by people who can blindly follow some philosophy without questioning. Probably I am too strong-minded or logical, I don't know.

In this story, Winona fell for it because of the circumstances - a nonfunctioning relationship with her mother and grief for her grandmother. She was too desperate for acceptance, attention and understanding.

It was interesting to see how manipulation and obsession progress to a completely messed up level where there is no way back.

Simon successfully creates a situation where girls fall for him and do not question his intentions and actions, they just accept him for what he does. Simon uses this to his advantage and creates an isolated atmosphere where he gives girls the feeling that they can leave any time they want knowing, they are under his spell.

The story is told from Winona's point of view in the past and from Scarlett's point of view as part of the documentary because Scarlett is the only survivor of the original group that lived at Mirror House.

Thank you, NetGalley and Mirror House Press for this copy.

I’m a huge fan of true crime docs about cults and as such, a huge fan of this book. It was unputdownable, suspenseful, and brilliantly written.

We follow Winona, who meets Dakota at a grief support group. One weekend, Dakota encourages Winona to join her on a hike with her roommates. On that faithful day, Winona meets Simon and is immediately put under his spell; he’s handsome, smart and charismatic.

Winona decides to move in with them in the Mirror House, and is astonished by how much she loves her new friends and new life. Especially as Simon - a clinical psychologist - is showing particular interest in helping her face her fears.

As her life becomes further enmeshed with the group, she finds herself continually shutting down that internal voice that tells her something is not quite right.

Faith Gardner executed such a brilliantly vivid depiction the insidious nature of a cult - how it permeates your every pore, blasts seeds of doubt out of your brain, changes your language, and compels you to do anything to the favour of the leader.

Cults prey on the weaknesses of individuals and give them what they crave - belonging - forsaking the naysayers and lifting their leader to God-tier status.

Winona’s deep-seated need for love and acceptance, makes you question whether you would fall for the charms of a cult. Everyone has a need for friendship, love, community, and so anyone could fall prey to Mirror House.

This book was so atmospheric, had a great cast of characters, and managed to both disturb and delight me.

Really recommend this as your next thriller read!

Thanks to Mirror House Press and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

This is easily one of my favorite arcs I’ve ever received. The Mirror House Girls alternates between some unnervingly, revealing documentary excerpts and Winona’s journey of self-discovery after losing her sense of self. Along the way, she befriends Dakota, who introduces her to the world of the Mirror House and Simon, the captivating yet unsettling ‘head’ of the household (think Charles Manson, and you’re not far off).

From the first few pages, I knew I was going to enjoy this—and I wasn’t wrong. The documentary excerpts were my favourite feature, adding layers of tension and expectations. While some parts of the middle felt slower, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every detail, every deliberate unraveling, made me feel immersed in the world of the Mirror House girls.

I love a good cult story! This has everything I love in a psychological thriller. Wynona was very relatable in her search for belonging somewhere. Her development in the story made this so much more enjoyable. Although the plot was laid out in the beginning, I couldn't wait to read what happened next. The author did a great job weaving the present documentary narrative with the past. Loved this one!

Arrrgh! Time and time again. These horrific people that get into places of power and seek their victims accordingly. It's abuse. And in this case told perfectly in reference to the huge problem that is cults.
I wanted to scream from the very start for someone to look after this girl before someone took advantage or bad things happen. And alas. She was taken in. Lost and alone and needy for care she was taken in. And of course things quickly turn. But we as outsiders are seeing the slow burn of twisting and manipulation perfectly. And of course those under the leaders "spell" don't see it.
I'm always shaking when I see or read these things. So desperate for the victims and so angry at those doing it. And angry becuase the poor victims just can't stop being fooled, but wanting them to just open their eyes.
And it's not that simple. And this novel tells this Pov really.rrally well. It's heartbreaking and anger inducing at the same time. And just so very sad.
But a great book. And it told it, and gave all.the emotions to you I each page really cleverly.

Ever wonder how cults start? Ever wonder what these people are thinking? How do they end up like this? Well, this is one way that happens. The main character was infuriating. I wanted to yell at her. I wanted to shake her. But this really does happen. People get involved in these things. Why? Winona was alone. She was in mourning. She was last. She was searching. And she was the exact prey that egomaniacs who need followers look for. I felt like I was a friend of hers trying to talk her out of it and knowing I wouldn't be able to do so.

Wow! As a fan of true crime and someone fascinated behind the psyche of falling into a cult. This book did such a good job of encompassing all those elements. Hearing the events unfold through Winona’s voice really painted the picture of how not only an individual but a group of people can fall into the trap of a highly manipulative individual. The irony of the cult leaders name is not lost on me. The story is also built in a suspenseful way even as you see the writing on the wall for where everything is leading. This is my first read by Faith Gardner and I’m interested in reading more from her if they are as good as Mirror House Girls!

Whoa. This was definitely a psychological thriller. The way this book messed with my mind was crazy.

Psychological mind control? Ideals gone bad? As someone who would think, how could this happen? This is a striking tale of a woman who needed to belong. When she met a group of people that made her feel whole the edges of reality slowly blur until Winona finds herself deep in a situation she never thought she'd find herself in.

This book took me on a roller coaster of emotions. I'm not sure I'd classify it as a thriller as much as a psychological fiction book. It was heartbreaking. There was a decent amount of suspense but mostly this book was based on control and need. As a fan of thrillers, I did enjoy this book. A bit more sad than I am used to but it was 100% necessary for this story. Wow.

Thank you @mirrorhousepublishing and @netgalley for a copy of this title. All my reviews are unbiased.

This review has been posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on January 17th, 2025. Links provided.

When Winona first moves into quirky Mirror House, she finds friendship and a sense of belonging among a group of housemates, including charming and insightful Simon. Initially, Simon, backed by his psychology degree, is just a supportive friend, guiding their shared pursuit of personal growth and giving back to the community. But over time, his influence and “methods” of self improvement deepens, and the housemates become a “family” bound by his increasingly rigid and unsettling demands. As subtle shifts give way to darker transformations, trust fractures, and Winona becomes ensnared in a web of manipulation and control. Trapped in a world where Simon’s utopian vision spirals into something far more dangerous, she finds herself among people she barely recognizes - including herself. Can Winona wake up to the truth before it’s too late to escape?

This was my first book by Faith Gardner and my first thriller/suspense novel about a cult and boy did it deliver! I was hooked from start to finish and had difficulty putting it down. The Mirror House Girls effortlessly shows how what begins as a warm, supportive group of friends slowly transforms into a dangerous cult under the influence of Simon’s magnetic leadership. The gradual shift from camaraderie to control felt chillingly authentic, illustrating how longing for love, friendship, belonging, and healing can be twisted into manipulation. I was captivated by the realistic group dynamics and the emotional depth of the characters - rooting for their realization of what was happening while dreading the inevitable fallout. The inclusion of the documentary subplot added a unique, immersive layer that heightened the tension. Gardner’s gripping writing and expertly crafted suspense made this an unforgettable read. With its dark twists and thought-provoking portrayal of human vulnerability, this novel is definitely one I recommend!

Thank you to Mirror House Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of Mirror House Girls in return for my honest review.

this book absolutely delivers 𝖈𝖚𝖑𝖙 𝖛𝖎𝖇𝖊𝖘. it’s all about thinking you’ve found your “found family,” only to realize you’ve been completely brainwashed! i loved every second of it. the tension had me on edge the entire time. it amazing to see how people can completely surrender themselves to someone, and i loved how Faith lets us experience it all through the eyes of the women involved. so, the question is: do you have what it takes to be a 𝖒𝖎𝖗𝖗𝖔𝖗 𝖍𝖔𝖚𝖘𝖊 𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑?

Thank you @faithgardner @netgalley for the digital arc!

Winona is feeling lost until she moves into Mirror House and feels like she belongs in this tight-knit group of girls. Her attraction to their housemate Simon blinds her to his strange beliefs and controlling behavior until it’s too late…

I love a good cult thriller and this one did not disappoint! This was my first book by Faith Gardner and I am so excited to dive in to her other books. The writing was excellent! With the foreshadowing from chilling documentary snippets, there is a sense of foreboding and dread always crackling under the surface. I was completely absorbed in this unsettling and increasingly disturbing story until that utterly satisfying end.

Rating 4.5⭐️

Fear to love. Fear to love. Fear to love. That’s sure going to be stuck in my head for awhile. Where do I even start. I did like the narrator, however, there were times I wanted o jump into the book and shake her! I know that was the entire point but you just want to scream CULLLTTTTT to her. I also got SO mad at Simon and the way he talked to her- so the ending she gave us that REALLY helped my frustration! This was a good read! Also- I absolutely HATED Maude.

This was a tense, heart thumping read that felt like a true crime novel! The documentary excerpts made the story even more compelling.
The FMC, Winona, has just lost her grandmother and feels lost and unsettled in a new town. She meets new friends and thinks life is good until she realizes she’s part of a cult. Simon plays on the girls fears using manipulation and deception while slowly destroying their minds.
The emotional ending and the epilogue, called Home, tied everything together.
This book was exceptionally written, engaging, atmospheric and thought provoking. I love Faith Gardner’s books. 💕
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

All Winona wanted was to be in a place to call her own and fit in. When she arrived at Mirror House, she got much more than she bargained for. When we are introduced to Simon, something about him seems a little off. He's perfectly lovely, but something is hiding under the surface that slowly starts to emerge as everyone grows closer. There are so many different things that each girl experiences that show us just how much influence Simon has over them. It's so scary to read how things slowly start escalating. I think once he gets them to go "off the grid," when Simon entirely comes into having complete or almost complete control over all the girls. Check out this book if you want a culty read!


Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book's advanced e-arc!

This book was good. I loved how Gardner wove the story showing how the cult changed and grew. What felt so welcoming to Winona soon spiraled as Simon became more controlling, more demanding, and the group dynamics changed. I thought Gardner did an excellent job showing cult group dynamics

Delicious jawdropping book! I never thought I would have loved this one so much.

Beautifully written.

Amazing book to add to your TBR

Simon says:

"If it's not hard work, it's not worth doing."

Winona agrees to rent a room at Mirror House, hoping to make new friends. Instead, she gets a new "family" led by former psychologist Simon Spellmeyer. If she wants to stay there, she must follow Simon's unorthodox protocols for self-improvement. His methods are disturbing and unconventional, but the results are undeniably successful.

When Simon's visions lead the housemates in a very dark direction, Winona finds herself at the center of a cult. Can she trust the people she loves?

I recently read a few of Faith Gardner's Jolvix Episodes and really enjoyed them, so l was excited to read her newest psychological thriller. I really enjoy Gardner's writing and appreciate that she always finds a clever way to connect her books. It was fun to learn that one of the characters in The Mirror House Girls works for Jolvix!

I always enjoy a good character driven cult plot, and this one did not disappoint! The hysteria slowly mounts to a frenetic climax and ends with a twist! This cult felt very modern, and it was helpful to me to picture this happening in 2025. She includes a link at the end of the book to read the hidden last chapter (but by accessing it, you agree to sign up for her newsletter). The book would have been incomplete for me without that chapter, so I highly recommend reading it. A QR code is also included to listen to Scarlett’s songs on YouTube. I really enjoyed these “technical enhancements” to the novel.

I highly recommend The Mirror House Girls if you are in the mood for a good psychological thriller about cults!

4/5 stars

Expected publication date: 1/23/25

Thank you to NetGalley and Mirror House press for the ARC of The Mirror House Girls in exchange for an honest review.

I just want to start this by saying that this is my second read by this author and I recall there being a cult in the background of the other novel, and so it’s nice to see that she took that idea and made it it’s own separate thing - which I’m glad she did, because I remember reading that book and wishing she’d gone into more depth on that aspect. I got my wish, I guess! And she nailed it.

I loved everything about this book. It was fast-paced and tense, and I felt dread throughout the entire read just knowing what was to come, and that feeling only got worse as I got attached to Winona and the girls. Every character felt so real and all the relationships were so fascinating. I genuinely have no notes. I loved it.

I do think I’d be safe from this cult, because the leader pissed me off right from the jump - however, I still fully understood how he manipulated these girls and why he had the hold he did, and how everything escalated so slowly at first, then rapidly. I was bracing myself for a sad ending and while it was definitely that, it was still so satisfying. Or as satisfying as it could be. It was what I was crossing my fingers for and it did not disappoint.