I was about half way through this when I thought it should have been ending but wasn't. It just felt drawn out for me with a sort of abrupt ending.

The talented Faith Gardner delivers yet another compelling thriller that hooks you from start to end!

This was so unsettling and some scenes were uncomfortable to read even, but I couldn't tear myself away. I loved the writing and how the interview excerpts are interspersed with Winona's POV.

The book offers great insight into what it's like to be drawn into a cult and why it's so hard to break away. It also acknowledges how it's easy to judge from the outside versus the desire for validation, approval and belonging. The gradual escalation and eventual climax was so well-written.

A very satisfying, illuminating and engaging read!

P.S. Huge fan of The Jolvix Episodes so I absolutely loved that little nod to it 😉

4.5, rounded up to 5 stars. An engaging and well told story that surpasses stereotypical cult trope novels. The author does a nice job depicting masterful manipulation and a gradual descent into madness.

Finished just in time to make The Mirror House Girls my favorite book of 2024! OMG Faith Gardner, you did it again! What an addictive, compelling, and captivating story that will no doubt be the talk of booktok and bookstagram next month!

This work of fiction could be considered a true story with the attention to detail and true-to-form atmosphere it creates. Faith Gardner masterfully tells how the grief of losing a family member slowly spirals into induction of a “fear to love” preaching cult for MC, Winona. While fully embracing her new friends and way of life, Winona is naive to the reality of being in a cult- and powerless to leave. This story is told on two timelines, past and present, and through Winona’s experience and clips from a documentary about the cult.

I can only pray they make this into a movie! It has all the right things to be a best selling book and make it into the big screen. Thank you NetGalley and Mirror House Press for this ARC!

Thank you Netgalley & Mirror House Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Mirror House Girls is an intense psychological thriller that follows Winona and the other women that have fallen under the Mirror House spell. A majority of this book is a slow-winding road that seems to be leading to something sinister. You spend most of the time bouncing between the incredulous feeling of "how are they falling for this" and being nervous for what is around the next bend in the road. The last 20% is way more intense, and is very satisfying.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone curious about cults/the psychological torture that permeates the culture of fanatic groups.

I’d like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I have never read a book by this author but I was excited to dive deep into this book about a cult and the aftermath. Winona meets someone at a grief counselling group that’s just like her, searching for meaning in this big, wide world. She tells her to come move into the Mirror House where she lives with a few other likeminded some and Simon Spellmeyer. She is immediately drawn to them and their lifestyle and then the book really takes off. Told between two perspectives, during the cult and interviews with a survivor, we see how Winona feels being in the cult, inwardly and outwardly. This book shows the slow grip Simon places on his girls and how it feels impossible to leave. I couldn’t put this one down.

Incredible. Wow.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. this book was absolutely incredible. The beginning made me really wonder where this book was going, but once it hit on the main themes, it was off an running. This book made me feel so many emotions; anger, fear, rage, sorrow, etc. But in a good way. This book helped me realize how people irl fall into cults because the subtle yet constant changes made it easy to see how someone so horrible can command so much authority.

Anyway, this is the best fictional book about a cult I've ever read. I was hooked and couldn't put it down.

This is my first Faith Gardner book It was Very well written
You will find yourself not wanting to put it down. and the twists really surprised me

This was so well done and worked with the psychological thriller element that I was looking for. I was invested in the element and was everything that I was hoping for. I was hooked from the first page and was everything that I was looking for. Faith Gardner did a great job in writing this and can't wait for more.

A chance meeting with a kindred spirit at a grief processing group, this is how Winona is introduced to the Mirror House. From the outside looking in, the occupants of the Mirror House seem like a great group of people - several women from all backgrounds and an out of the field psychologist, Simon. It seems like a hippy group, connecting to nature with their garden, connecting with each other in their home, and Winona longs to be a part of something - to find somewhere she belongs. She gets this opportunity when she is offered to rent spare room in the Mirror House. She opens herself to helping others in the community, in becoming a part of the group they’ve formed in the house, and eventually to Simon’s offer of help - to help her face her fears. But as time goes on, Simon’s help becomes stranger, their group is forced to move, and Winona can hardly recognize these people who she trusts wholeheartedly. But if she leaves, where will she go? Who will she belong with then?

Whew. This one kept me on my toes. People say, when referring to trauma and violence, that if you throw a frog into a pot of boiling water it’ll jump immediately out, but if you put it in cold water and start to slowly raise the temperature, it’ll gradually let itself be cooked alive. That’s what reading this novel was like. Interesting at the beginning, and slowly and surely grabbed me in a hold and I could not put it down. Winona’s struggles tugged hard at my emotions, and I couldn’t help but hold my breath as her journey in the novel reaches its conclusions.

Final Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Recommended if you like: psychological thrillers, cultish fiction, dual timelines

(I received an advanced copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)

The Mirror House Girls is a haunting psychological thriller that dives deep into the complexities of identity, manipulation, and the dangers of blind faith. The novel follows Winona, a young woman seeking transformation and belonging, who rents a room in the enigmatic Mirror House. The house, led by the charismatic yet unsettling psychologist Simon Spellmeyer, promises a utopian vision of self-improvement through strange and increasingly disturbing methods. As Winona gets drawn into Simon's world, the line between self-discovery and self-destruction begins to blur, leading to a tension-filled, unpredictable descent into chaos.

What makes the Mirror House Girls particularly gripping is Winona’s internal struggle. Her initial hope for self-improvement gradually shifts into a desperate fight for survival as she starts to realize the true cost of Simon's vision. The tension between her longing for transformation and the growing suspicion that something is terribly wrong is palpable. As the group's dynamics fracture, trust evaporates, and Winona is forced to confront the dark consequences of her choices, not just for herself, but for the people she has come to know.

The psychological depth of the characters is one of the novel's strongest points. Each member of the house is uniquely drawn, adding layers of complexity to the unfolding mystery. As Winona's bond with her housemates deteriorates, the story takes a sharp turn into the psychological horrors of isolation, manipulation, and loss of self. The narrative moves at a brisk pace, with twists and turns that keep readers on edge. The deeper Winona sinks into Simon’s vision, the more intense the stakes become, leading to a shocking and haunting climax that leaves an indelible mark.

However, the novel is not just about suspense; it also explores deeper philosophical themes about the nature of self-improvement, personal responsibility, and the price of belonging. The cost of Simon’s "utopian dream" ultimately becomes a tragic commentary on how far people will go in the pursuit of perfection—and what they lose in the process.

In conclusion, The Mirror House Girls is a compelling and thought-provoking psychological thriller that will leave readers questioning the line between self-improvement and self-destruction. With strong character development, a chilling atmosphere, and a plot that unfolds with increasing dread, it’s a novel that will stick with you long after the final page. If you're a fan of psychological suspense and dystopian mind games, this book is a must-read.

Fear to love. The infamous motto of The Mirror House and its way of life.

Do not let the beautiful cover fool you, this story is dark, depressing, and will leave you on the edge of your seat with your head spinning until you’ve read the very last word. The Mirror House Girls by Faith Gardner at Mirror House Press was a fantastic page turner and has me adding all of Faith Gardner’s books to my TBR.

Winona is no stranger to manipulation, having endured a lifetime of it from her mother and most recently her slimy ex. Winona’s decision to rent a room at Mirror House feels like a much needed fresh start, and she quickly falls in love with each of the inhabitants. The camaraderie within the house and roommates is much like a family, however that love blinds them to the manipulation of the charismatic Simon, who is their house leader.

It begins with little things at first, but quickly spreads until everyone is questioning themselves, and their loyalty, as they pit against one another. This slow burn decent into madness is craftily illustrated in a dual part narration. One from the first person point of view of Winona as events unfold, and by Scarlett, one of the housemates, in a documentary a year after the tragedy of the Mirror House Girls.

Faith Gardner’s authorship leaves you feeling that you are right there amongst the madness, and I couldn’t get enough!

Thank you to NetGalley, Faith Gardner, and Mirror House Press for the advanced reader copy in turn my honest review of the book.

Thank you Net Galley and Mirror House Press for the ARC of The Mirror House Girls, by Faith Gardner. Winona’s grandmother just passed away and she has left her good for nothing boyfriend, when she meets Dakota at a grief counseling meeting in California. Dakota and Winona become friends immediately and Dakota invites Winona to see where she lives and asks her to move in. The house Dakota brings her to is a house that is covered in mirrors and has 5 girls and 1 man, named Simon living there. Winona is welcomed and feels like she has found her “family”. However the longer Winona stays in this house with these people, she starts questioning if she has done the right thing. As time goes on, she has begun to love them and Simon and can’t see that she is being manipulated. The power Simon has over everyone leaves them feeling that the outside world is not for them. This is a very good story and the writing is excellent. You can feel Winona’s emotions, fear, and can also understand her need for belonging. This story is not for the faint of heart, there are a few situations that are upsetting. I highly recommend this book. It is one you will not want to put down. This is the first book I have read by Faith Gardner and I look forward to reading more.

Faith Gardner continues to blow me away. As someone who has always had such a fascination with cults, this book made me realize just how easy it can be to get wrapped up in one.

I don't connect with many characters in thrillers, but I was able to instantly relate to Winona. I could feel her vulnerability and need for love and acceptance.

I loved the interview excerpts. I kind of wish there had been a little more of that. The cast of characters was PERFECT. There wasn't and overabundance of people to get to know, leaving the opportunity to really get to know each character and their backstory.

I highly recommend!!! One of my favorite reads of the year!

Thank you NetGalley for the early read of this book! I was so excited to read this and it did not disappoint. Fantastic book from one of my favorite authors! Very suspenseful and engaging. I’m always excited to pick up a Faith Gardner book

Whoa! First, I love a cultish book, but this was more than that. It really delved into the manipulation and mind games that come with a cult. Winona, the main character, is longing for so many things, and she finds it with Simon Spellmeyer at Mirror House, and so much more. Normally when reading books with cults, I feel like screaming because the characters fall so easily for the utopia that the leader promises. This novel, however, had me understanding the needs that were being met by the members. This may have been the first time I have felt that way through the eyes of another. Psychological thriller lovers will devour this book!

When Winona rents a room in the infamous “mirror house” in Santa Cruz, she gets a group of friends and a place to call home. We instantly see the progression of this cult and how the dangerous leader Simon leads them to a path of destruction.

I literally cannot tell you how uncomfortable this book made me. To see these people brainwashed was so difficult. I wanted to scream at them and tell them to run as fast as they can away! The methods made me cringe and I was utterly disgusted.

The shocking end we know is coming because it’s told in the beginning of the book. But I promise you that’s not the end! The ending gave me a lot of closure and hope. WAKE UP!

Another nail biting thriller by Faith Gardner, author of Like It Never Was. A cult thriller like no other, this book had me hooked from the first chapter and I was unable to put it down. The relatable characters, and demonstration of vulnerabilities made this one of the most realistic cult-centric books I’ve read. The accompanying original songs are a must to download, and add another layer to the characters and overall experience! And, be sure to read the bonus epilogue, Home, that Faith has linked at the end of the book! I’m going to call it early and say that I think this will be one of 2025’s biggest hits

Have I ever mentioned how much I love a cult?

We have a dual timeline told via our FMC, Winona (Noni) at The Mirror House and via documentary transcripts one year after the “event”.

This was an inside look into how a simple group of chosen family can quickly turn into something more sinister, how a charismatic group leader slips into the role of manipulative cult leader, and how the need for belonging can cloud one’s judgment to the point of no return.

This was such a great read, y’all!

You also need to make sure you sign up for Faith’s newsletter so you get to read the bonus chapter at the end!

Thanks to NetGalley and Mirror House Press for an ARC of Mirror House Girls in exchange for my honest review!

Winona decides to rent a room at the Mirror House and hopes to connect and create friendships with the other roommates. She is soon under the spell of the eccentric Simon and his strange protocols for self improvement. Red flags go up but it’s too late as Winona’s stay takes a dark turn.

I could not put this book down! Cults fascinate me. It’s shocking that people can get so entrenched and brainwashed into doing the things they do. The author does an amazing job at depicting the insidious nature of cults. She makes the FMCs journey into this world so believable. Although I knew generally where the story was going, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next. I loved the interviews that were interspersed into the story too.

If you liked the documentary about the NXIVM cult or something similar, you will love this book!