This book was unlike any other thrillers I have read as it had a unique premise I have not come across in my years of reading. It kept me engaged with the story of these kidnapped children forced to live in a “dollhouse” under the control of a psycopath essentially. I did lose slight interest in the middle and was somewhat confused in regards to the escape plan until it all clicked for me towards the end. The last 20% of the book made it absolutely un-put-downable. There were definitely some darker scenes that might be bothersome to some readers, specifically regarding very descriptive scenes of abuse. Overall, i really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Sara Ennis’ book!

14 year old Twins Angel and Bud are taken by a mysterious lady after their mothers leaves them alone for a weekend. Jennifer gives Angel and Bud a tour of the ‘dollhouse’ and meet original ‘doll’ Olivia, who was taken from her family over a year ago. They are threatened to abide by the rules or face the wraith of Alfred and his violent temper. They are forced to reenact photos from Alfreds past, but as the number of photos left dwindle, the trio fear their own safety. Meanwhile, Olivias dad and FBI agent, Nick are following a trail and homing in on Alfred and Jennifer.
A great thriller, plenty of twists, some you see coming and others you don’t. I really enjoyed this and will be looking to read more by Sara Ennis.

This books introduces some many characters within the first couple of chapters that I really I had to focus in who was who; a character was introduced and you learned something about them, just as you are invested on them and wanting to know more, a new character comes in and the process starts over.

Readers meet twins Angel and Bud and learn that their mother is "no mother of the year", she leaves her two 14-year olds away from a week while she goes on a trip. Angel gets kidnapped, along with Bud and they are brought to the Dollhouse. Peter is introduced next and you read about his hardships in life: Olivia being kidnapped is the only hardship he can do something about. He uses his time and resources to try to get her back.

As Peter finds more clues, will be find his daughter, Olivia? Can Bud learn to control hs temper to keep him and Angel safe in the Dollhouse? Will Bud and Angel ever make it safely out of the Dollhouse?

The Dollhouse is a twisted story where Alfred is trying to remake his childhood memories. as a boy, he was bullied by his sister and others around him. he uses his "dolls" to try to change the outcome of his memories, but doesn't feel successful. This book had me invested at the beginning, trying to figure out if Angel and Bud would make it out safe again.

*warning - this story does have a man who likes to beat children in it. It's not usually overly graphic, but it is a part of the story.

I'd like to say a huge thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

THIS BOOK!! Wow!!! I started it knowing it was a thriller but it kept me turning the page as fast as I could to know what happened next. The take that Sara rooks on the twins and Olivia even down to little Gracie was so fascinating and made you root for them at every second to escape. 5/5 stars on this!! A read that is the definition of a psychological thriller that keeps you on your toes.

I want to start off with 2 trigger warnings in this book. If that is something you would like to avoid, then stay away from this book. A famous reporter who has his daughter kidnapped. A set of twins in another state kidnapped also. A school guidance counselor that just wants to help and do good. Are the two kidnapping cases connected? If so how? Now onto the review...The characters are so real. I feel like I know some of them. The author had a great way making them real and making their emotions and reactions something you understand. There are moments, I feel like things are happening to me! Description of places or the things happening are vivid, clear, powerful. Plays like a movie in your head. Why would someone do this is constantly looping in your head. Overall, if this is your kind of genre, than it won't disappoint! A couple twists, turns that really surprised me! This is just the first book also...book number 2 come out in the fall! Looking forward to it.

Good book!! I definitely enjoyed reading this one! I wasn't sure after I read the description but I really liked it! This book was filled with suspense, action ,drama, and all kinds of twists and turns! I highly recommend reading this book! Its well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

👧 Book Review 👧

👧 The Dollhouse by Sara Ennis

👧 Publication Date - June 1st 2021

👧 Alfred needs Dolls. Blonde, blue-eyed human dolls that will help him rewrite his past and change his future.

Twins Angel and Bud are used to making do. Their dad is in prison, and mom won’t win parenting awards. Bud thrives on neglect, but Angel isn’t so strong.

Now they’re captives in a place called the Dollhouse, and things have gone from bad to worse. The Dolls are forced to re-stage old photographs, but satisfying Alfred is not easy. He has a twisted sense of humor and a violent temper that explodes when things don’t go his way — and sometimes when they do.

Angel knows that if she and the other Dolls are to survive this warped playtime, she can no longer be needy and afraid. She must prove how strong she can be — fast.

There aren’t many photos left …

👧 The Dollhouse is a deeply disturbing and dark psychological thriller. The torture scenes are there but not incredibly full on to the point that they make the reader upset but maybe a little uncomfortable.

👧 The characters were well developed and relatable. I particularly enjoyed Angel's character, she suffered greatly but still tried to save her twin and Olivia.

👧 Ennis writes to make you feel that you are experiencing everything with the characters. You feel their emotions, fears and hopes.

👧 There are many twists and turns to keep you interested and intrigued until you are reading to the early hours of the morning...

👧 Recommend to anyone who loves a thriller and isn't squimish about some uncomfortable torture scenes.

The Dollhouse was an exciting read. It kept me up at night just trying to find out what was going to happen next. The characters were relatable and the kids weren't annoying like some kid characters can be. The story intrigued me and soon couldn't put it down. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good thriller with some good twists and turns.

Really enjoyed this book thank you for the opportunity to read it before release I would definitely recommend it.... was abit of a roller coaster emotionly and really felt connected with angel.... would have liked more info on the outcome etc of edward, Alfred and Jennifer what happened in the past and future etc

I absolutely loved this book! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time reading it and could not put it down. Fantastic, fast paced read. I will definitely be looking for more from this author.

This is a true psychological thriller. Disturbing, engaging, creepy, full of twists. It was an entertaining read, I couldn't put it down.

One of the best thrillers I have read in a long time.

This book is a disturbingly dark thriller. So much suspense. It could almost be classified as a horror rather than psycho thriller. I enjoyed this book.

This was such a intriguing book. Nothing like I've read before. It took a bit of reading in parts but that was just due to the content not the writing. The writing was so good I felt like I was stuck on there with them or watching from a distance and not able to help.

It was a fascinating concept and one which I think would be a great film.

It is based around a house and some mental scars that Alfred will never get over. Jennifer appears to be the slightly calming influence on him but no better than him really.

Its a thought provoking book with sad and happy parts in.

Welcome to The Dollhouse, a place where no one wants to visit. This intense dark thriller had me enraptured from page one until the last page. As the story developed I kept thinking, no way could that last chapter be topped and the author managed to consistently outdo themselves!

Chilling, disturbing and gripping, this is a well-written, edge of your seat thriller .

Sara Ennis completely outdid herself . Quite a few times I was frightened and had to turn the lights on . Not only is this novel chilling but at times I was down right shocked.

If you haven’t read the Dollhouse yet I encourage you to do so

Q: What do you get if you mix the movie SAW with the book ROOM?
A: This book !

This story was a mindfuck and I loved every minute of it. It was violent and creepy and all out disturbing, this is not your mama's kidnapping story. What does it say about me that I read the whole thing in one night, staying up until five o'clock in the morning to do so? I have such a book hangover right now and I REGRET NOTHING!

This is a well thought out psychological thriller that blew me away, Sara Ennis has such a creepy imagination and I am here for it! Apparently there is a prequel to Arthur's story so I am going to ask the author for it. Cross your fingers for me. Also, there is a book two coming out to see what happens to Angel in the aftermath. I am looking forward to that too. needless to say, Ms. Ennis certainly has a new fan in this gal.

This book was called a psychological thriller. It started out that way. It quickly devolved into a crime story horror with too much torture for my comfort.

Twin teenagers, Angel and Bud are kidnapped. They are forced to act out scenes for videos and photos for this disturbed man who is keeping them. He's trying to change his bad family memories of being bullied by his sister. He calls them and treats them as his dolls in his dollhouse, as objects. If they disobey or hesitate, he loses his temper and takes that out on them.

At one point we meet a guidance counselor and this chapter and the others about him make no sense until the end of the book. It comes from out of nowhere.

If you like crime and real life horror stories, it's mostly well written and at least it didn't have rape in it. I did feel terribly for Angel and the other "dolls".

I received this e-book on Netgalley in exchange for writing a review of it.

I was really drawn in by the premise of this story, as it sounded along the same vein as my favorite crime shows like Criminal Minds and Mind Hunter. The characters were dynamic and the plot kept me on my toes.

That being said, the writing style employed by the author is not my favorite, particularly the dialogue involving the younger characters. At times it sounded forced and the jargon uncharacteristic to how teenagers actually talk. Additionally, the prose switches between stunted sentences and long, whimsical lines.

Overall, this book is a 3.5/5 stars.

It starts at the wrong place.
The info dump is sickening.
The voice is dull, unengaging, feels like reading from the White Pages.