House of Idyll is a novel in which a young singer gets the chance to stay at an artists' retreat run by her favourite band, only to find something sinister lurking underneath. Angelina is a barista in Hollywood, wanting to make it as a singer-songwriter, until she's suddenly plucked away and offered the chance to stay at the compound owned by rock band Black Idyll. There, she can live and work on her music for free, and she even gets to see Jesper Idyll, the band's iconic frontman and her teenage crush. As Angelina stays longer, she notices weird things like spooked horses and mysterious figures, but it is hard to tell where the dream ends and the nightmare begins.

Having read Dawson's Bloom and Guillotine previously and being interested in stories about ideas of rock stars, House of Idyll sounded like a book for me. I particularly enjoyed Guillotine and House of Idyll feels similar to that for a lot of the book, as someone who isn't used to a luxury lifestyle explores a very different world. However, where Guillotine is an 'eat the rich' horror thriller, House of Idyll is more of a rock star drama with some threatening vibes. I was expecting far more horror from this book, but that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy what it was.

Following Angelina's perspective, the narrative is very slow burn, building up her sense of unease and how it clashes with the fact it feels like all of her dreams are coming true. There's a lot of build up, and my main issue with the book is that the ending is incredibly quick and doesn't really conclude a lot of the plot points that came up, other than the reader assuming there's a reason that fits in with the reveal at the ending. In my opinion, there could've been more dread and more meaning to the final twist if we knew a little bit more about why certain things, like character deaths, had needed to happen in the way they did. However, I did like the final twist, and it almost feels like there could be a sequel that might delve further into the darkness.

House of Idyll is a fun, quick-to-read book about secretive rock stars in a weird compound, so even though it was a lot of build up for a very quick conclusion, I enjoyed that build up and the atmosphere it created. It had the trashy rock star vibe that I often want from novels about musicians, and don't always get, so it's perfect if that is what you're looking for, rather than a scary horror story.

This book was SUCH a fun read. If you felt underwhelmed with Grady Hendrix's "We Sold Our Souls,' this book will make up for it.
The plot centers around a place for creative types to come and perfect their craft. It is the brainchild of Jesper Idyll, a superstar in a superband who wants to give back to those who may not have opportunities for success.
I know... sounds just like a cult. Angelina, the FMC, thinks that as well when she is picked up on the street by one of the band members. She is told there are no strings attached, she can stay as long as she wants, and she can come and go from the property. Wear white and create.
Angelina quickly finds herself having a zeitgeist of creativity, and Jesper is there cheering her on, including her in his Inner Circle. But things quickly start to go.....weird. Is the person she seeing at night Jesper, or is it someone (or something) more sinister. Why are people leaving without notice? Where are they going? (Why would they want to leave?) Angelina puts herself in a dangerous position to find out the truth.

I really enjoyed the book. The structure of it is well plotted, the characters are interesting, and she does a great job at pacing the story; I enjoy when the characters and the readers find out things at the same time; to me it feels like a more immersive experience. This is a great read as we transition from summer to fall.

Slow-burn seems to be the word of the summer for horror. This is no different. I LOVED Dawson’s take on a cult, and the slow, creeping sense of dread as you realize that your “something is wrong here” instincts are only growing more and more correct. With an ending that packs a punch, this storyline is worth sacrificing some time to read.

Oh no. This was not good. This did not live up to the hype in my head.
Bloom and Guillotine were so fantastic and I had such high hopes for this.

Angelina is trying to make it out as a singer. After having a really bad day of losing her job and where she is living, is mysteriously made an offer she cannot refuse.

Angelina is stupid. You knew were this was heading right from the beginning. It's a short read and the ending, well it just ended, felt like Dawson just gave up on it. I wanted more of a backstory. This book has been described as a horror and terrifying, I didn't feel either of this. I'm so disappointed it was so flat for me. This needed to be fleshed out more.

Boooooo

i've always wanted to read a book by this author and i'm glad i finally did! even though this book wasn't my favourite, i still had a fun time. this is coming out 9th of september!

the characters were fine, angelina was a bit too naive for my liking though. 😭 girl has no survival instincts unless she's directly threatened lol. i could relate to her regarding major celebrity crush, i think we've all been there. 😂
the band seemed cult-y as hell from the get go and honestly if it's too good to be true, it probably is.

the writing style was fine, it was interesting enough to continue and held that mysterious atmosphere well. it definitely makes you question what's actually happening. the problem was men having erections all the time lol, it always gives me the ick. i don't need that to be unsettled.

i thought i loved reading about rock bands/hollywood celebrities but the only book i actually loved was daisy jones & the six by taylor jenkins reid. this was enjoyable but a bit unrealistic. some parts did get a bit repetitive as well and i wanted something more unhinged to happen. this was quite mild than what i was expecting going into this book.
i wanted to know more about the women in the story and the unicorn aspect itself. i feel like we didn't get enough of that considering that was a huge thing.

i would still recommend reading this, especially people who want to try reading horror. it was a interesting, just not my favourite!

3.5 ⭐

I do like a book about a cult, and this very much seems like one.
It had a lot to like.
The unicorn illustrations, the slightly sinister lyrics.
The whole cult vibe going on.
The feeling of unease that something certainly was off.
The creepy unicorn....

I'd say I enjoyed 90% of this book, but there were times it just felt too much like a teen dream...
The ending too, a bit rushed for my liking
Minor niggles in an otherwise enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed this book. I didn´t know what to expect and the end blowed my mind. Thank you for this ARC. Honestly, everything is good with this book. Congrats!!

I went into this one with zero expectations — and it totally surprised me. Creepy cult vibes? Yes please.

This ended up being my favourite book from Dawson so far! I’m usually really picky with shorter novels because I often want more from them… but this one had me hooked from the start. I flew through it — totally unputdownable.

My only critique? I wish it had been just a little longer to flesh out some of the details. But overall, it was dark, fast-paced, and seriously fun.

If you love unsettling stories with cult energy and quick pacing, this one might be for you.

I will come back to post links once I add to my social media

4 stars
Creepy, dreamy, and totally sucked me in.

House of Idyll is like if Midsommar and Daisy Jones had a spooky baby. A struggling artist gets invited to an exclusive music commune—only to find out it’s less about creativity and more about control. The vibes are lush and eerie, the culty undertones are chef’s kiss, and Jesper Idyll is the kind of charismatic creep you love to hate.

Quick read, unsettling ending, and a perfect blend of art, ambition, and horror. I couldn’t look away.

Thank you NetGalley and Titan books for this arc. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an arc copy of this book for my review.

This was the first book I've read by Delilah S. Dawson, but I actually purchased Guillotine a few weeks ago and now I'm super excited to read it.

House of Idyll was fast paced, dark, and twisted. I loved the creepy isolated setting, it was really unsettling. I've not read a cult horror before but this was a great place to start! I loved the story, I thought it progressed seamlessly. The writing flowed really well and was easy to read, and the characters were written perfectly.

The only reason I've not rated this the full 5 stars is because I wished it had been a little bit longer, I felt the ending was a little abrupt.

All in all, I'd definitely recommend this book and would say it's worth preordering! House of Idyll publishes on 9th September 2025 🖤

Really enjoyed this book! Love the author's writing style (so descriptive and easy to read, which makes you feel like you're part of the story as it unfolds). This story, (to me) a cautionary tale of "sometimes things are too good to be true" was like reading a fast-paced fever dream. Much like the main character, at times it was difficult to discern what was "real" and what was a "dream". The ending of the story was rather sudden (although I kind of figured that's the direction the story was going). Which wasn't a negative. Instead, the ending lingered and made me think about it, and think about the rest of the book. And think about it some more. Sometimes and abrupt ending can be jarring and a bad thing. This time it totally worked. I love a book that lingers.

A fab read showcasing music and communes! I had a wonderful time reading an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and to the publisher.

This book follows Angelina, down on her luck and desperate to stay living in Los Angeles to pursue her music career. Very quickly in the opening chapters she finds herself homeless and jobless. So when she’s invited to join a creative commune of artists and performers, led by one of her favourite bands, she’s easily convinced to say yes for the free room and board. She’s moved to this beautiful space in nature with yoga and drum circles, everyone wears white all the time and they have their own tiny houses, there’s gifts and nourishing food. However she starts to see things that unnerve her.

This is a horror novel so you can assume things won’t go entirely to plan. However for a moment, I really wanted Angelina to thrive in this community and I was hoping she could continue in her creative flow and inspiration. However, the pay off of the horror elements was well worth it and enhanced by how invested I was in Angelina’s success.

This was beautiful, unnerving, surprising. It’s quite short and usually this leaves me feeling like the book needed more, but actually, the author managed to deliver this story spot on in a shorter page count.

Wildly entertaining! I want to read more from this author!

I devoured this book... & I will be reading it again...

I've been obsessed with Delilah s Dawson since reading Bloom and while this didn't beat out Bloom for the top spot, This was excellent. I was sold from the first page.

You get drawn in to the story and I'm not ashamed that say I would have ended up in a similar situation.

Dawson keeps the vibes of this immaculate and the story just keeps you hooked. You are drawn in to the story, made to feel uneasy throughout and then it's over. and then I'm left thinking...

Is a cult, a cult, if it says it's not a cult?!

I wanted to read this book because I read Guillotine earlier this year and absolutely loved it.
I loved this one as well.
As soon as the story kicks in, the feelings of unease and concern start, but the writing is so good that you also question everything. Is it reality, dream, or just paranoia?
Are the monsters supernatural or just human?
I'm not usually a fan of the rockstar subgenre but this story is great, fast, sexy and gripping. And the ending is absolutely perfect.
Thank you so much Titan Books for this ARC!

A darkly seductive tale of beautiful rock stars, sinister cults, and a magical oasis where dreams come true for a price. A disturbingly decadent and wickedly compelling tale of the hollywood dream turned nightmare. Darkly delicious prose that will seduce you and a story that will ensnare you until death releases you.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐝𝐲𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐡 𝐒. 𝐃𝐚𝐰𝐬𝐨𝐧

4 stars

Angelina Yves is a very much struggling singer/songwriter who has just gotten fired from her barista job in LA when she’s offered the chance of a lifetime - sponsorship and a life in residence by the biggest band in the world, Black Idyll. Life on the compound is amazing (if monochromatic) and soon Angelina falls for Jasper Idyll, the lead singer. But is everything what it seems to be?

Angelina, the first thing I would have done would have been to have searched for people who were successful AFTER the house to make sure they were still alive, OK (I know you don’t have any money, because the real first thing I would do is always my first instinct….call my lawyers!)

Anyway, the place sounds incredible, it would be great if there were such places. The end was quite rushed and a small letdown (for me) but I enjoyed the book overall. I have several Dawson books on my list so I’m glad to have finally read one of her books. Many thanks for the ARC.

Midsommar meets Hollywood rockstars in this fast-paced, sun-drenched cult horror that had me fully hypnotized from page one. I devoured it in a single sitting like I was being initiated.

This book gave serious:
🔪 "What if Dani from Midsommar traded in Swedish flower cults for Malibu wellness retreats?"
🎸 "What if Jim Morrison came back from the dead and started a commune in the Hollywood Hills?"
vibes, and honestly? I was living for it.

The tension builds like a slow-burning acid trip until it spirals into full-blown chaos, and I couldn’t look away. There’s glitz, there’s guru energy, there’s something not-right-in-the-organic-sushi...

The main character? ICONIC. The vibe? 💀🔥. The pacing? So fast, it felt like my Kindle was melting.

A massive thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for this eARC. I will absolutely be recommending this to anyone who likes their horror with a side of sunstroke, stardust, and stylish dread.

Would 100% join the cult if it came with a killer soundtrack and an LA view. (jk… unless?)

I really enjoy Dawson's horror novellas, and House of Idyll reminded me a lot of both It Will Only Hurt for a Moment and Guillotine. She does such a great job depicting mildly cult-like settings. Angelina was a great main character: the first chapter with her working in the coffee shop had me laughing out loud. I liked how the first half of the book really lulls you into a false sense of security; you know that something bad is going to happen just from the knowledge of it being a horror story, but everyone is being so nice, and everything seems to be working out so perfectly for Angelina.

OH MY GOD.
Oh my god?????
I absolutely LOVED this book. I went into it completely blind and I’m so glad I did. I didn’t know what was going to happen next but I couldn’t put it down and flew through it in less than 24 hrs. Delilah is becoming an autobuy author for me. All of her books are top tier and I cannot wait to read more.
This book gave midsommer vibes - cult type, eerie, puts you on edge, just all the good stuff! The hidden meaning behind it was beautiful. It was written so so well & the ending had me absolutely SHOOK. I want more omg!!!!
I will not stop thinking about it for a while. Highly HIGHLY recommend you read this when it’s out!

Delilah Dawson is writing incredible books across so many different genres and target ages. Between House of Idyll and Ride or Die, she now has two of my favorite books coming out just this year!

House of Idyll follows Angelina, a down on her luck aspiring singer who on a really bad day gets the opportunity of a lifetime, becoming a part of an artists commune led by the frontman of her favorite band of all time.

Of course, all is not what it seems and it gets very surreal and very dangerous. But Angelina is not a victim and she responds very differently than is expected in this short, fantastic book.

To go into further detail would have to include spoilers but I will say, I love how Dawson takes her time, establishing characters and setting the scene beautifully for the third act. I definitely recommend this one!