Description:

A widowed mother, ready to give love another chance, moves into her fiancé’s old family home with her teenage daughter. But as they try to build a future together, the past refuses to let go in this haunting short story from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger.

When Jules first meets the handsome artist Kirin, she’s still mourning her husband’s death, but a fairytale romance soon sweeps her off her feet. Now she and her daughter Scout are moving out of the city and into Kirin’s once-lonely mansion. He’s thoughtfully updated and adapted the home to match their personalities. But Scout is determined to keep her father’s memory alive by rejecting the new life her mother and Kirin have spun for her.

Scout’s sullenness begins to fade, though, when she finds a beautiful handmade doll in one of the many empty rooms in the house. Kirin says that the doll belonged to his late sister and he’d like Scout to have it. Scout’s hopeful for a connection over their shared grief, but as she grows more curious about Kirin’s sister, she can’t escape the feeling that a danger lurks in the house…and its gaze is fixed on her mother.

Adele’s Review:

Once again, Lisa Unger offers readers an entertaining, expertly crafted and compelling story with The Doll’s House. This eerie thriller arrives in time for Halloween, featuring a young widow’s fresh romance with the seemingly perfect man. Unger’s modern gothic short story offers a fresh take on familiar themes. We want the relationship to be everything Jules and her daughter Scout need to flourish in their new life with puppet artist, Kirin. If he and his spectacular home seems too good to be true, we could be wrong, couldn’t we?

This reviewer absolutely loved this story. Jules is relatable and worthy of our empathy. (Plus, dolls and puppets are awesome!) A recommended read.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6786782871

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CW2WRMFL