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The Bentley Orphans
‘There’s something wrong here, something rotten at the core. They’ve all been driven mad by it and maybe I have too.’
On the edge of town sits Briarlee House, home to eccentric playwright Dallas Bentley and his horde of bickering drama students. The Bentleys have always been the subject of local gossip, but whether they’re a devil-worshipping cult or simply antisocial hippies, nobody can agree.
This is where failing medical student Caz finds himself staying for the summer. When they’re not knocking each other’s heads into walls, or throwing spiteful barbs around the dinner table, the Bentleys spend their days rehearsing a play that Caz has somehow landed himself a role in. Life with his new friends is certainly never dull.
But as summer drags on, Caz starts to suspect the Bentleys are hiding something. Lara always seems to know what’s on his mind, Val takes creepy photographs, and Ronan is at the centre of an infamous town tragedy. Then there’s Courtney, the girl the Bentleys won’t talk about, whose diary mysteriously ends up in Caz’s possession. As his life outside of Briarlee falls apart, and the Bentleys’ dubious morals weigh on his conscience, Caz questions everything. What are the Bentleys hiding, what happened to Courtney, and most importantly, what will happen to him if he digs too deep?
WELCOME TO THE MAD HOUSE.
On the edge of town sits Briarlee House, home to eccentric playwright Dallas Bentley and his horde of bickering drama students. The Bentleys have always been the subject of local gossip, but whether they’re a devil-worshipping cult or simply antisocial hippies, nobody can agree.
This is where failing medical student Caz finds himself staying for the summer. When they’re not knocking each other’s heads into walls, or throwing spiteful barbs around the dinner table, the Bentleys spend their days rehearsing a play that Caz has somehow landed himself a role in. Life with his new friends is certainly never dull.
But as summer drags on, Caz starts to suspect the Bentleys are hiding something. Lara always seems to know what’s on his mind, Val takes creepy photographs, and Ronan is at the centre of an infamous town tragedy. Then there’s Courtney, the girl the Bentleys won’t talk about, whose diary mysteriously ends up in Caz’s possession. As his life outside of Briarlee falls apart, and the Bentleys’ dubious morals weigh on his conscience, Caz questions everything. What are the Bentleys hiding, what happened to Courtney, and most importantly, what will happen to him if he digs too deep?
WELCOME TO THE MAD HOUSE.
398 pages, Paperback
Published August 28, 2025
1 person is currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and ABR Books for the ARC
Me and all the people I annoyed by being a dumb theater kid
The perfect book for you if you love the idea of an early 2000s tv show with 20 episodes per season because despite a mysterious thing going on in the background, most of the chapters are endless yapping sessions and drama between young adults who are way too messy for my (real life) liking but great to read about.
This is not a book to read in a day. Because it will feel like watching the first two seasons with no sleep between episodes. It's for the people who want to feel part of a story, not just ''get to the point''.
I feel like I know all these people now, so even though the paranormal stuff came in pretty late, I'm 100% into it and want to know what comes next. Like when the Vampire Diaries ended on a really good cliffhanger.
Me and all the people I annoyed by being a dumb theater kid
The perfect book for you if you love the idea of an early 2000s tv show with 20 episodes per season because despite a mysterious thing going on in the background, most of the chapters are endless yapping sessions and drama between young adults who are way too messy for my (real life) liking but great to read about.
This is not a book to read in a day. Because it will feel like watching the first two seasons with no sleep between episodes. It's for the people who want to feel part of a story, not just ''get to the point''.
I feel like I know all these people now, so even though the paranormal stuff came in pretty late, I'm 100% into it and want to know what comes next. Like when the Vampire Diaries ended on a really good cliffhanger.
July 3, 2025
The Bentley Orphans is an immersive, dark, atmospheric read with a lot of gothic undertones cut with punchy lines of dry sarcastic humor, and a touch of the bizarre and the whimsical.
Perfect for readers who enjoy a literary ambience in terms of setting, prose and character study with a good dose of genre elements, including an unraveling mystery, on-page drama and riveting character dynamics and relationships.
The major and minor POV style choice was effective, keeping us immersed in Caz's point of view, while also giving us glimpses of Courtney's experience that we couldn't get from Caz's interactions, and regardless of our secret insight, there were still surprises to be had.
The characters are truly flawed but they don't pretend to be anything other than what they are, and that made for a truly refreshing experience. The irony and sarcasm, the humor, were present in just the right places and doses to cut through the angst and the dark emotional drama as Caz dove deep into the unknown.
The Bentley Orphans is a story very much about human experiences, with more than a sprinkling of gothic speculative elements, immersed in its setting, neck-deep in character dynamics, and riveting in plot. It makes you step so literally into Caz's shoes that you end up questioning your own judgment and sanity by the end.
Loved the writing, loved the setting, loved the story, loved the characters. What awful people - oh, to be among them. If there were more than a five star option, I would give it to this book. Sign me up for the entire series.
*I received a free Advance Reader Copy of The Bentley Orphans. I leave this review freely. All opinions are my own.*
Perfect for readers who enjoy a literary ambience in terms of setting, prose and character study with a good dose of genre elements, including an unraveling mystery, on-page drama and riveting character dynamics and relationships.
The major and minor POV style choice was effective, keeping us immersed in Caz's point of view, while also giving us glimpses of Courtney's experience that we couldn't get from Caz's interactions, and regardless of our secret insight, there were still surprises to be had.
The characters are truly flawed but they don't pretend to be anything other than what they are, and that made for a truly refreshing experience. The irony and sarcasm, the humor, were present in just the right places and doses to cut through the angst and the dark emotional drama as Caz dove deep into the unknown.
The Bentley Orphans is a story very much about human experiences, with more than a sprinkling of gothic speculative elements, immersed in its setting, neck-deep in character dynamics, and riveting in plot. It makes you step so literally into Caz's shoes that you end up questioning your own judgment and sanity by the end.
Loved the writing, loved the setting, loved the story, loved the characters. What awful people - oh, to be among them. If there were more than a five star option, I would give it to this book. Sign me up for the entire series.
*I received a free Advance Reader Copy of The Bentley Orphans. I leave this review freely. All opinions are my own.*
August 29, 2025
Omg what a ride! A constant mind game from beginning to end AND WHAT AN END!!! Loved the development of this story from curios mysterious vibes to horror! If you like Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé then I think you will LOVE The Bentley Orphans. Masterpiece! All the stars! Can’t wait for the second book!
August 27, 2025
(4.5/5 rounded up)
Note: I received a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
A slow paced and character focused story that is very slice of life (but not without drama and mystery).
It has:
• casual lgbtq+ rep
• theatre kids (derogatory) /j
• complicated, layered, and VERY flawed characters
• eccentric group of individuals
• setting that takes place in a single location
I enjoyed this one! It was strange but intriguing and the characters were incredibly interesting (Ronan is my fave). While I guessed one of the main twists pretty early on, the mystery and intrigue was still very much present and kept me reading. Beware before going in: these characters are MESSY. You might not like all of them but that’s not the point. I also appreciated that things were explained / revealed slowly. There were times when I was like “…huh?” but then a few pages or chapters later it would be explained. I didn’t really find Caz likable as the protagonist but he was interesting enough that I didn’t mind it. Plus I felt having a deeply flawed & somewhat unlikable character was the point.
There were, however, some things that kept it from being a 5 star for me:
1) A handful of times I had trouble keeping track of who was speaking.
2) I was kind of confused about a plot point. I kept expecting Cal’s random bursts of attraction to literally every woman in the house (apart from maybe one but she wasn’t around for a majority of the book) to be explained but it wasn’t. It just felt so… out of nowhere? Maybe I’m too asexual to understand lol. Or maybe it will be explained in later books? I’m not quite sure. It also felt the aftermath of one of these moments with him and the female character was resolved too quickly (especially on the female character’s side).
While I did very much enjoy the read, I don’t think I’ll pick up the rest of the series when it comes out. I feel pretty satisfied where this one ended and don’t want that to possibly be ruined by the next book(s).
TL;DR
Overall I’d recommend this one, but think it’s important to understand what type of story, characters, and book you’re going into before reading so you can have the right expectations! Know that it’s mainly a slow paced slice of life story with small bits of mystery and a cast of very flawed (and some unlikable) characters.
Note: I received a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
A slow paced and character focused story that is very slice of life (but not without drama and mystery).
It has:
• casual lgbtq+ rep
• theatre kids (derogatory) /j
• complicated, layered, and VERY flawed characters
• eccentric group of individuals
• setting that takes place in a single location
I enjoyed this one! It was strange but intriguing and the characters were incredibly interesting (Ronan is my fave). While I guessed one of the main twists pretty early on, the mystery and intrigue was still very much present and kept me reading. Beware before going in: these characters are MESSY. You might not like all of them but that’s not the point. I also appreciated that things were explained / revealed slowly. There were times when I was like “…huh?” but then a few pages or chapters later it would be explained. I didn’t really find Caz likable as the protagonist but he was interesting enough that I didn’t mind it. Plus I felt having a deeply flawed & somewhat unlikable character was the point.
There were, however, some things that kept it from being a 5 star for me:
1) A handful of times I had trouble keeping track of who was speaking.
2) I was kind of confused about a plot point. I kept expecting Cal’s random bursts of attraction to literally every woman in the house (apart from maybe one but she wasn’t around for a majority of the book) to be explained but it wasn’t. It just felt so… out of nowhere? Maybe I’m too asexual to understand lol. Or maybe it will be explained in later books? I’m not quite sure. It also felt the aftermath of one of these moments with him and the female character was resolved too quickly (especially on the female character’s side).
While I did very much enjoy the read, I don’t think I’ll pick up the rest of the series when it comes out. I feel pretty satisfied where this one ended and don’t want that to possibly be ruined by the next book(s).
TL;DR
Overall I’d recommend this one, but think it’s important to understand what type of story, characters, and book you’re going into before reading so you can have the right expectations! Know that it’s mainly a slow paced slice of life story with small bits of mystery and a cast of very flawed (and some unlikable) characters.
July 20, 2025
Ash Bronte Roy’s debut novel The Bentley Orphans is an expertly woven web of intrigue and mystery that I couldn’t pull myself free from until it was over. And even now, I can’t wait to get thrown back into the madness.
Wonderfully twisty, I was pulled in by each long-awaited reveal, feeling much like our main character, Caz – never knowing what was real or what to believe, tangled up in the drama of the enigmatic Bentleys who you don’t know whether to love or hate, to trust or run in the opposite direction of.
With such a big, colourful cast of characters, every single one of them breathed life into every scene they entered and, like Caz, I was curiouser and curiouser to get to the real beating heart of each of them. But it truly was their relationships with each other that made the cogs in this story move. The way they complimented and opposed each other, the secrets that drove their interactions, leading them all deeper into dangerous territory. (Messy found family will always be a superior trope.)
Some things I enjoyed:
- The chapter openings and endings were all fantastic, and really got me excited to carry on reading.
- The introductions to each of the characters are well written and give an immediate insight to what they’re like.
- The settings are written with such depth that I felt like I was right there as a bystander, watching everything unfold.
- Seeing the characters through Caz’s eyes and also through Courtney’s diary was really effective in building tension.
- The Courtney chapters always had me eager to keep reading, waiting to unravel the mystery behind her journal – it was always such a treat to read her perspective again.
In conclusion, I enjoyed The Bentley Orphans IMMENSELY and can’t wait to see what comes next.
*I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Wonderfully twisty, I was pulled in by each long-awaited reveal, feeling much like our main character, Caz – never knowing what was real or what to believe, tangled up in the drama of the enigmatic Bentleys who you don’t know whether to love or hate, to trust or run in the opposite direction of.
With such a big, colourful cast of characters, every single one of them breathed life into every scene they entered and, like Caz, I was curiouser and curiouser to get to the real beating heart of each of them. But it truly was their relationships with each other that made the cogs in this story move. The way they complimented and opposed each other, the secrets that drove their interactions, leading them all deeper into dangerous territory. (Messy found family will always be a superior trope.)
Some things I enjoyed:
- The chapter openings and endings were all fantastic, and really got me excited to carry on reading.
- The introductions to each of the characters are well written and give an immediate insight to what they’re like.
- The settings are written with such depth that I felt like I was right there as a bystander, watching everything unfold.
- Seeing the characters through Caz’s eyes and also through Courtney’s diary was really effective in building tension.
- The Courtney chapters always had me eager to keep reading, waiting to unravel the mystery behind her journal – it was always such a treat to read her perspective again.
In conclusion, I enjoyed The Bentley Orphans IMMENSELY and can’t wait to see what comes next.
*I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2025
The Bentley Orphans is such a wonderful debut novel. Filled with mysteries and madness, neither the main character Caz or we, as the readers following him, truly know what's real for a long time. It nearly drove me mad while reading. The slow reveal of more and more secrets was absolutely perfect though, and kept me turning pages quickly.
The characters all have their flaws, and also lots of sass and drama. Highlighting this part were the theater rehearsals, that always mirrored the current like or dislike between characters.
There were many times when I wanted to take one of the characters and shake them until they finally talked to each other - being open and honest with each other without snide remarks apparently is hard. Caz honestly fits right in, and I loved seeing how his mindset and behavior slowly changed. One could say it's a slow descend into madness, but who are we to judge?
The only character I truly love is Ronan. He's just an adorable puppy with too much energy. Everyone else gets the full hate-love treatment. Intriguing, especially Quinn and Val, but are they good people? Not necessarily.
I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the Mad House Series!
I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy but I'm freely leaving this review. All opinions are my own.
The characters all have their flaws, and also lots of sass and drama. Highlighting this part were the theater rehearsals, that always mirrored the current like or dislike between characters.
There were many times when I wanted to take one of the characters and shake them until they finally talked to each other - being open and honest with each other without snide remarks apparently is hard. Caz honestly fits right in, and I loved seeing how his mindset and behavior slowly changed. One could say it's a slow descend into madness, but who are we to judge?
The only character I truly love is Ronan. He's just an adorable puppy with too much energy. Everyone else gets the full hate-love treatment. Intriguing, especially Quinn and Val, but are they good people? Not necessarily.
I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the Mad House Series!
I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy but I'm freely leaving this review. All opinions are my own.
August 31, 2025
I went into this not knowing exactly what to expect, but wow - it pulled me right in.
This book is slow paced in the best way, weaving mystery through every page. The gradual reveals are both irritating and irresistible - you’re desperate to know what’s going on, but the uncertainty makes you feel like you’re living it right alongside Caz. Like him, you’re never quite sure what’s real, what’s rumor, and what’s imagined.
The characters feel so authentic. They're weird, messy, honest. You won’t like them all, and even the ones you do like will grate on you sometimes… but that’s what makes them real. Watching Caz change and spiral as he tries to fit into the Bentley household felt like watching myself slip down that rabbit hole too.
The relationships are tangled, confusing, and fascinating, and the mystery surrounding the Bentleys, Dallas, Courtney, and the house itself is so cleverly done. Courtney’s POV chapters added an extra layer of intrigue, like peeking through a different keyhole into the same strange world.
This is so different from what I usually read, but I seriously enjoyed it. If you love atmospheric mysteries that blur the line between reality and imagination, this one’s for you!
This book is slow paced in the best way, weaving mystery through every page. The gradual reveals are both irritating and irresistible - you’re desperate to know what’s going on, but the uncertainty makes you feel like you’re living it right alongside Caz. Like him, you’re never quite sure what’s real, what’s rumor, and what’s imagined.
The characters feel so authentic. They're weird, messy, honest. You won’t like them all, and even the ones you do like will grate on you sometimes… but that’s what makes them real. Watching Caz change and spiral as he tries to fit into the Bentley household felt like watching myself slip down that rabbit hole too.
The relationships are tangled, confusing, and fascinating, and the mystery surrounding the Bentleys, Dallas, Courtney, and the house itself is so cleverly done. Courtney’s POV chapters added an extra layer of intrigue, like peeking through a different keyhole into the same strange world.
This is so different from what I usually read, but I seriously enjoyed it. If you love atmospheric mysteries that blur the line between reality and imagination, this one’s for you!
October 10, 2025
Adore this book. Dysfunctional found family vibes/flawed protagonists/cynicism & humour/beautiful metaphors/a setting that feels alive.
October 10, 2025
(4.25☆'s) ahhh i loved this sm!! every time i picked it up i was hooked on the bentley's mysterious fucked-up-edness. i need more ASAP!!
September 10, 2025
Thank you ABR Books and Netgalley for the ARC!
That being said... I struggled with how to rate this book because there were some things I loved, some I enjoyed, and others that, sadly, just didn’t click with me at all.
Things I liked:
- The cover was stunning! It totally grabbed my attention when I was looking for something new to read.
- The description was a solid 10/10. It sounded amazing and got me super excited about the book.
- The prologue was mysterious and intriguing. I was hooked right away. It felt like the book was off to a strong start.
- I enjoyed the banter between the girls and the guys. It was fun.
- I really liked the chapters that included the diary. Those were some of my favorite to read.
- The story gave off some The Midnight Club vibes, which I loved. With the different kids/young adults living there, and the main character trying to understand the mysteries of the house that kept a lot of secrets.
- I liked the book towards the end, it finally picked up the pace and things started happening, which made me want to know what came next.
What didn’t work for me:
- I didn’t like the way Caz was written and couldn't connect with him... at all. I get that we obviously weren’t supposed to know too much about the Bentleys due to the mystery about them, but I really wish we’d gotten more from Caz as a character. Aside from knowing what he was studying and a bit about his family, we didn’t learn much about him. He mostly just described what everyone else was doing, and it left me feeling detached. Like, "why should I care about what you’re going through if I don’t even really know you?".
- As a former theater kid myself (lol), I liked seeing that part in the story, but I felt like it took over too much. The mystery side of the book got kind of buried. There were a few strange and mysterious moments, but most of the story was focused on the play rehearsals, which got repetitive and boring after a while. I kept waiting for something to happen, but it was all about campfires, rehearsals, arguments and relationship drama.
- I didn’t love how the book balanced the mystery and the theater stuff. Every time things started to feel eerie or intense (like with the weird behavior, missing people, or strange events) it would suddenly shift to relationship drama or someone getting in trouble. It messed with the atmosphere and took away from the suspense.
I was really excited for this one... The cover is gorgeous and the premise sounded right up my alley, but unfortunately, it just didn’t fully work for me.
That being said... I struggled with how to rate this book because there were some things I loved, some I enjoyed, and others that, sadly, just didn’t click with me at all.
Things I liked:
- The cover was stunning! It totally grabbed my attention when I was looking for something new to read.
- The description was a solid 10/10. It sounded amazing and got me super excited about the book.
- The prologue was mysterious and intriguing. I was hooked right away. It felt like the book was off to a strong start.
- I enjoyed the banter between the girls and the guys. It was fun.
- I really liked the chapters that included the diary. Those were some of my favorite to read.
- The story gave off some The Midnight Club vibes, which I loved. With the different kids/young adults living there, and the main character trying to understand the mysteries of the house that kept a lot of secrets.
- I liked the book towards the end, it finally picked up the pace and things started happening, which made me want to know what came next.
What didn’t work for me:
- I didn’t like the way Caz was written and couldn't connect with him... at all. I get that we obviously weren’t supposed to know too much about the Bentleys due to the mystery about them, but I really wish we’d gotten more from Caz as a character. Aside from knowing what he was studying and a bit about his family, we didn’t learn much about him. He mostly just described what everyone else was doing, and it left me feeling detached. Like, "why should I care about what you’re going through if I don’t even really know you?".
- As a former theater kid myself (lol), I liked seeing that part in the story, but I felt like it took over too much. The mystery side of the book got kind of buried. There were a few strange and mysterious moments, but most of the story was focused on the play rehearsals, which got repetitive and boring after a while. I kept waiting for something to happen, but it was all about campfires, rehearsals, arguments and relationship drama.
- I didn’t love how the book balanced the mystery and the theater stuff. Every time things started to feel eerie or intense (like with the weird behavior, missing people, or strange events) it would suddenly shift to relationship drama or someone getting in trouble. It messed with the atmosphere and took away from the suspense.
I was really excited for this one... The cover is gorgeous and the premise sounded right up my alley, but unfortunately, it just didn’t fully work for me.
August 23, 2025
wow! this is honestly the perfect word for this book. wow!
I was left jaw hanging after reading such a masterpiece. The book made me question every little detail. At some point I thought I was going insane with the characters. but they were not. or where they?
it was worded in such a way it always left place for questions and doubts. I never knew if I truly got the true picture or there was more to it than it left to be seen.
also the characters were so easy to love even tho you couldn't trust any of them. you get attached In a weird fucked up way and can't put the book down.
they trap you in like you live every day with them and can't leave. or you don't want to.
and the ending? the answers just give you more questions and doubts.
it's 100% a must read and if I could I'll re-read it again just to feel the feels it gives you.
thanks for the opportunity to ARC read such a masterpiece
I was left jaw hanging after reading such a masterpiece. The book made me question every little detail. At some point I thought I was going insane with the characters. but they were not. or where they?
it was worded in such a way it always left place for questions and doubts. I never knew if I truly got the true picture or there was more to it than it left to be seen.
also the characters were so easy to love even tho you couldn't trust any of them. you get attached In a weird fucked up way and can't put the book down.
they trap you in like you live every day with them and can't leave. or you don't want to.
and the ending? the answers just give you more questions and doubts.
it's 100% a must read and if I could I'll re-read it again just to feel the feels it gives you.
thanks for the opportunity to ARC read such a masterpiece
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews