Very well written, kept me interested 100%. A little slow at times but was happy with the ending. Will be buying this one for my physical collection

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and wow am I glad I did! I recently read one of Faith Gardners other books (The Prediction), and I didn’t realize this one was by the same author until somewhat through the book. This author has a wide range of talent! Although about completely different things both books were great!

Back to Mirror House Girls- this book was excellent at showing the dynamics of a cult, and we are shown the journey from beginning to end. I would love to know what research or experiences went into writing this. I loved the documentary POV alongside the main character’s POV. Definitely will be on my recommend list and I will certainly be looking into other works by this author!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

Thank you Netgalley and Mirror House Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Faith Gardner’s “The Mirror House Girls” is a haunting and immersive psychological thriller that focuses on the sinister dynamics of cults and blind loyalty. This gripping novel follows Winona, a young woman searching for belonging, as she rents a room in the enigmatic Mirror House and becomes enmeshed in its web of control under the influence of the charismatic Simon Spellmeyer.

Winona’s journey begins innocently enough, hoping to make friends and start anew. Instead, she finds herself drawn into a “family” that thrives on vulnerability and isolation, with Simon as the self-proclaimed leader. Under the guise of exposure therapy, Simon uses his members’ deepest fears to psychologically manipulate and dominate them. What starts as camaraderie quickly spirals into control, as Winona and the others are pushed to extremes for Simon’s approval.

Adding to the tension, the book opens with a flash-forward of tragedy—a chilling mass suicide involving the members of the Mirror House. This ominous beginning sets the tone, building an atmosphere of dread that intensifies as the story unfolds. The inclusion of documentary transcripts and interviews with an ex-member offers an intriguing multi-layered perspective, enriching the story and adding authenticity to the cult’s unraveling as you know what’s going to happen at the end.

Gardner masterfully captures the psychological nuances of cult dynamics, showing how easy it is for someone seeking acceptance to be manipulated into dangerous situations. Winona’s inner conflict is especially compelling, as she wrestles with doubts about Simon’s methods while clinging to the sense of community she’s found. Scarlett, another member, stands out as a sharp contrast to the group’s blind devotion, adding depth and complexity to the cast of characters.

The book’s slow buildup is deliberate and essential, laying the groundwork for the psychological tension that drives the story. As the plot accelerates in the second half, you quickly see just how extreme the overwhelming loyalty Simon has gained from the different Mirror House members. The poetic prose, paired with the innovative use of documentary elements, elevates the storytelling, making the book both immersive and emotionally resonant.

While the deliberate pacing effectively sets up the tension, the beginning was a bit slow as the various characters and their motivations were established, but it perfectly sets up how quickly Winona became isolated. Additionally, the predictability of Simon’s final twist might lessen the impact, though I really liked how the ending showed Simon’s own fear and downfall.

Overall, “The Mirror House Girls” is a chilling exploration of the need for belonging and how it can lead to vulnerability and exploitation. The book examines the devastating consequences of power, manipulation, and blind loyalty. Gardner’s portrayal of mob mentality and mass hysteria is both thought-provoking and unsettling, reminding us of the fine line between trust and control. Fans of cult stories, true crime, and psychological suspense will find this book unputdownable. “The Mirror House Girls” is a must-read for anyone drawn to stories of power, trust, and the dark corners of human psychology.

I really enjoy books about cults (true and fiction) because I like the insight inside of the heads of those that are a part of said cult. This was definitely one of those books and it is definitely a whirlwind. As soon as Winona was introduced to the members of Mirror House, I knew something was off. The rest of the book is Winona’s inner fight against herself and her outside involvement with Mirror House. The lead up to the tragedy depicted in the first chapter is wild. I really enjoyed the wrap up at the end. So thankful to be able to read an early copy of Faith Gardner’s next psychological thriller!

The depth of desire to belong leads one to become a simple possession. All identity is lost.

Stamp this one as my 9th book by the superb Faith Gardner. There's a reason for that, folks. Gardner has an uncanny gift for creating a spellbound experience. She has her finger on the pulse of her characters and she brings them to life on the page......pages that we flip furiously through to engage with them. Gardner has outdone herself in The Mirror House Girls.

Winona is a wandering soul. She can't quite get any permanence in life. Winona is grieving for her eccentric grandmother who lived life skidding joyously to the end. Winona was her caregiver and it's taken its toll on her. She also has an overbearing mother who demands her allegiance day and night. Their relationship is broken. Quite honestly, it never connected in the first place.

And then a leaf falls from the tree of happenstance. Winona meets a young woman who brings her to Mirror House where she lives. Winona immediately feels a connection. A room opens for occupancy. Our Winona is in. But as in all things in life, be careful what you wish for, Winona.

The Mirror House Girls is a remarkable read. Like an unwinding silk scarf, we watch Winona lose control of self. Faith Gardner lays out a panoramic view of life within the confines of a cult. You'll find yourself gasping at the harsh elements of control visited upon the lambs. The hand on the reigns is Simon Spellmeyer, a shady psychologist whose methods are beyond quirky. He feeds off the volatile weak spots he searches for in the lives of these willing young women.

The Mirror House Girls is due to publish 1/23/25. Here's one to definitely put on your list for reads for 2025. Believe me, it will stay with you long after.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Mirror House Press and to the talented Faith Gardner for the opportunity.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm always very happy about an ARC and being able to give it a review! <3

Faith Gardner has become one of my favorite authors in a very short time and of course I had to read her latest book immediately!

The story is extremely good written as always, no unnecessary length or "empty" pages that slow down the whole story. The characters were extremely well developed and I felt for each and every one of them! Except for Simon, lol.

(The spice that was included was just right and the lovestory was perfect)

The ending wasn't as twisty as in her previous books, but I still had a really really good time and couldn't put it down! I'm already waiting for her next book. :p

Thank you Mirror House Press and Faith Gardener for this read!

From start to finish this book had me thoroughly addicted. I love a cult thriller and this one doesn't disappoint. It's told from mixed POVs, in multiple timelines which slowly fed us recounts of events as it happened and added suspense.

The characters were written well and I felt I could picture each in my mind clearly. The mix of loveable and often horrible characters made it easy to feel a mix of emotions as I became invested.

Overall this was a really good read! A winner for lovers of cult thrillers and suspense!

Faith Gardner is a phenomenal writer and this is one of my new more favorites of hers! The storyline was so good, the characters were easy to connect with, and overall had me hooked!

Sometimes its like this author knows my deepest and weirdest fears and she writes a book about them. Simon is like this guy we all knew in college and my guy scarred me for life, but luckily I did not move into the weird rental house with the bizarre rules. I still knew people who did. I remember just visiting and being like "oh this is weird."
My favorite part was when the mom was like "Your home? You're a bunch of renters."
Oh and yes Jolvix is in this one!
The ending was everything.
I will never get over this one.

this was a really great psychological thriller. It was so quick paced and it also was written really well. I loved how it was eerie and scary and made me feel on the edge of my seat and feel tense while reading it!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

WOWZA!!!!! Faith Gardner has delivered another mesmerizing, gripping, and riveting book! I had a hard time putting down The Mirror House Girls as I was glued to the pages both wanting and dreading what would happen next. I loved the tension and the feeling of unease that this book evoked in me. This book touches on the need to belong, the need to be accepted, the need to dominate, power, and manipulation.

Winona rents a room at Mirror House hoping to make friends. What she finds is a 'family' of sorts and begins working with Simon Spellmeyer, the 'group’s leader who insists on self-improvement through exposure exercises. She is uncomfortable yet intrigued and soon finds herself as part of a 'found family' and moves with them....

Holy Moly! 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, how a charismatic leader can manipulate and prey on others. I was on the edge of my seat with my fingers crossed for several of the characters. I hoped for the best for all of them (except for one) while dreading what could happen.

I also loved the of a documentary paired with music and how Gardner utilized them to enhance the story. Although I could have done without how the lyrics were shown on the page. I'm not a big fan of writing going down the center of the page and having to read that way. But the rest of the book was so exceptional that I was able to overlook that aspect.

Whew! This book was excellent and is now my favorite Faith Gardner book. I loved the nod to Jolvix in this book. Very clever! This book was wonderfully written, well thought out, atmospheric and thought provoking.

Highly Recommend!

This was my first time reading a cult thriller book and it did not disappoint! The characters were relatable and the story was really interesting - it kept my attention all the way to the ending. After reading this, I'm definitely going to be checking out more of Faith Gardner's books!

Some books quietly work their way under your skin, and The Mirror House Girls is one of them. It’s beautifully written, with poetic prose that never feels overdone, and it captures the slow, insidious build-up of manipulation and cult dynamics in a way that feels all too real.

The story starts a bit slow, but that pacing is deliberate, laying the groundwork for everything to come. Once the tension kicks in, it doesn’t let up. Gardner does an incredible job showing how easy it is to get swept up in something dangerous while convincing yourself it’s normal—or even good. Winona’s inner conflict was especially compelling. Watching her justify her choices while struggling with doubts felt so raw and relatable.

The addition of an interview with one of the housemates, presented years after the events of Mirror House, was a fantastic choice. It gave the story a fresh perspective and added an extra layer of suspense as you piece together what really happened.

One standout feature that makes this book so unique is the inclusion of music. One of the characters writes songs, and Gardner links to YouTube tracks for readers to listen to at specific moments. It’s such a creative way to deepen the experience and bring the story to life.

For fans of true crime, cult stories, or psychological thrillers, this is a must-read. It’s emotional, gripping, and leaves you thinking long after the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mirror House Press for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Thrillers around cults can be difficult, you already know it’s all going to go wrong, right?

The Mirror House Girls brings something different. A new friendship formed at a grief support group leads Winona moving into the eccentric Mirror House, an artsy eccentric home led by the charismatic Simon.

Step by step she becomes enchanted by the closeness, and their strange ways. The story with intercut with dialogue from a documentary, telling of the tragedy that unfolded, told by one of the survivors.

Faith Gardner does a great job at building up the main characters and then the suspense. Initially I thought it was going to be a little less dark and crazy than They Are The Hunters or Like It Never Was, but trust me, it goes there. There are plenty of shock moments and lasting damage.

Consistently entertaining, occasionally shocking and highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley and Mirror House Press

Another exciting thriller from Faith Gardner! As with her previous books, "The Mirror House Girls" is a fast-paced psychological mindf*ck that will leave you wondering what's real and what's not, not to mention what's right and what's wrong. Gardner does a great job turning Simon into a classic cult leader, who at the beginning looks like he truly cares—until the subtle ways he's controlling his followers grow ever more obvious, and ever more egregious. I enjoyed the documentary excerpts; instead of removing me from the plot, these short asides only enhanced the suspense and left me wondering how the main character was going to get out of the situation alive. The novel's plot threads are tied up in a satisfying conclusion that fit well with the rest of the story—that is to say, it wasn't too easy or too neat to be believable. Since the first Jolvix novel I read, Gardner has been—and remains—and auto-read author for me!

Really enjoyed the story, really interesting look at cults and their followers. I found it compelling and the characters were interesting and understandable. The one thing I didn't like was how she described cosmos as a girly drink - they're strong! I think most people aware of cocktails would think that, but maybe it's just me!

Just WOW! Another fantastic novel by Faith Gardner! So lucky to get a ‘sneak preview’ of her latest book. This starts with a bang and just never lets up. Captivating characters that kept me flipping pages long into the night. Loved everything about this book!
Thank you NetGalley , Faith Gardner and Mirror House Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

The Mirror House Girls by Faith Gardner is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Winona, looking for a place to belong, rents a room in The Mirror House, where she quickly becomes involved with a group led by the charming but controlling Simon Spellmeyer. At first, it feels like the perfect place to call home, but as the strange and disturbing routines of the house intensify, Winona finds herself trapped in a web of manipulation and distrust. The story builds tension in such a way that you can't help but feel the suspense grow with every turn. It's a powerful look at how trust can be twisted, the dangers of blind loyalty, and how easily someone can be controlled. The unsettling conclusion stays with you long after you finish the book. If you enjoy thrillers that mess with your mind, The Mirror House Girls is definitely for you.
4.5 Stars!

The Mirror House Girls is a deeply gripping and addictive psychological thriller. It had me glued to the pages right from the start. The subject matter to me is truly fascinating, intriguing and Faith delivered once again in a masterful way. She built a very strong storyline with a great plot and development.

If you're looking for thrills all around, this is not what this one delivers, this is a true deep dive into the psychological aspects. How manipulation, narcissism, control, isolation can truly alter someone's way of thinking, acting and reacting. Truly Gardner delivered a very solid story that I couldn’t look away from. Some scenes are very unsettling and uncomfortable, the vividness in which the scenes were written, the details, it truly made my skin crawl at times! The power of great writing!

Simon is the worst human imaginable, the control he has over all these women is mind boggling. I learnt to love all of the girls in a different way, they all had their reasons behind each of their actions. Sometimes it was hard not to throw the book and shake some sense into them, but that's the whole purpose of this book. These things actually happen, the author made it feel very close to reality. All the emotions, fears, insecurities were felt through Gardner's words, her style of writing grips you and makes you feel everything that needs to be delivered.

Another hit by Faith Gardner. An absolute unputdownable read that is easily bingeable in one sitting.

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @mirrorhousepress & @faithgardner for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have never read a Faith Gardner book so I wasn't sure what to expect. Cult books are always intriguing to me and the book description immediately piqued my interest.

Initially, I was impressed how quickly that I became hooked when I began the book. The story centers around Winona, a young woman who feels disconnected from her mother and is trying to find her place in the world. She is invited to move in to the Mirror House with a group of other women and one slightly older man, Simon. The book focuses on the house dynamics among Winona, Simon, and the other women.

I really enjoyed the way in which the story was told. The ending was revealed early on through an interview with one of the Mirror House residents. The interview chapters alternate with Winona's discovery of the Mirror House and the events that occur while Winona resides there.

I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys reading about cults and wants a book they can't put down.