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The Dollhouse District
Welcome to the Dollhouse District.
Rosalie Winters wakes up in a pastel nightmare where the only way out is murder. The Dollhouse District is a deadly simulation where prisoners must kill three targets to earn their freedom. When her own alliance frames her for murder and leaves her for execution, Rosalie makes a desperate choice: she gives a protector token to Zyren Mordecaine, the silver-haired killer who was seconds away from ending her life.
Now she belongs to him.
As her protector, Zyren keeps her alive. But protection comes with rules, and obedience is expected. Every move Rosalie makes is watched. Every mistake is punished. In a world built on control and bloodshed, survival means becoming a monster. And the Dollhouse doesn’t forgive those who hesitate.
The Dollhouse District is book 1 of a series.
Rosalie Winters wakes up in a pastel nightmare where the only way out is murder. The Dollhouse District is a deadly simulation where prisoners must kill three targets to earn their freedom. When her own alliance frames her for murder and leaves her for execution, Rosalie makes a desperate choice: she gives a protector token to Zyren Mordecaine, the silver-haired killer who was seconds away from ending her life.
Now she belongs to him.
As her protector, Zyren keeps her alive. But protection comes with rules, and obedience is expected. Every move Rosalie makes is watched. Every mistake is punished. In a world built on control and bloodshed, survival means becoming a monster. And the Dollhouse doesn’t forgive those who hesitate.
The Dollhouse District is book 1 of a series.
218 pages, Paperback
Published January 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
May 31, 2026
She gave her token to the killer who almost became her ending.
Rosalie wakes inside a pastel nightmare built to break people. The rules are brutal: kill three targets, or stay trapped where fear is law and hesitation gets punished. She’s spent her life trying to keep her hands clean, but the Dollhouse wants blood, obedience, and proof that she can survive what it makes her become.
When her alliance turns on her and leaves her marked for execution, Rosalie gives her protector token to Zyren, the controlled, silver-haired killer who nearly became her last breath. Now he keeps her alive, but safety has teeth, and every rule tightens the cage between them.
Zyren is violent, disciplined, and feared for a reason, but Rosalie starts to see what the Dollhouse has carved into him. Beneath his control is a man shaped by pain, duty, and survival. She should hate him, but their war of control and resistance turns darker, closer, and harder to deny.
As the District pushes Rosalie toward the moral line she swore she’d never cross, Zyren becomes both captor and shield. Their bond grows through fear, punishment, trust, desire, and a devotion neither of them knows how to survive cleanly. In a world built to make monsters, love changes what they’re willing to risk.
Rosalie hardens without losing the part of herself that still resists. Zyren lets her see the fear, guilt, tenderness, and damage under his discipline. They move from ownership and threat into a charged push-pull of control and trust, where desire is dangerous and survival leaves a mark.
A steamy, dark dystopian romance with enemies to lovers, forced proximity, protector and prisoner tension, ownership dynamics, trauma bonding, moral conflict, and dangerous devotion. It’s about survival, control, autonomy, fear, intimacy, guilt, and the cost of staying good in a world built to make monsters.
The Elevator Pitch: A principled woman wakes inside a pastel death game where survival demands blood, and her only chance is the dangerous protector who once nearly killed her. Bound by rules, fear, and a growing pull neither of them can afford, she begins to see the wounds beneath his violence while he becomes dangerously invested in keeping her alive. In a world built to turn mercy into weakness, their bond tests what it means to survive without losing the self completely.
Heat Level: 🔥 Steamy
Rosalie wakes inside a pastel nightmare built to break people. The rules are brutal: kill three targets, or stay trapped where fear is law and hesitation gets punished. She’s spent her life trying to keep her hands clean, but the Dollhouse wants blood, obedience, and proof that she can survive what it makes her become.
When her alliance turns on her and leaves her marked for execution, Rosalie gives her protector token to Zyren, the controlled, silver-haired killer who nearly became her last breath. Now he keeps her alive, but safety has teeth, and every rule tightens the cage between them.
Zyren is violent, disciplined, and feared for a reason, but Rosalie starts to see what the Dollhouse has carved into him. Beneath his control is a man shaped by pain, duty, and survival. She should hate him, but their war of control and resistance turns darker, closer, and harder to deny.
As the District pushes Rosalie toward the moral line she swore she’d never cross, Zyren becomes both captor and shield. Their bond grows through fear, punishment, trust, desire, and a devotion neither of them knows how to survive cleanly. In a world built to make monsters, love changes what they’re willing to risk.
Rosalie hardens without losing the part of herself that still resists. Zyren lets her see the fear, guilt, tenderness, and damage under his discipline. They move from ownership and threat into a charged push-pull of control and trust, where desire is dangerous and survival leaves a mark.
A steamy, dark dystopian romance with enemies to lovers, forced proximity, protector and prisoner tension, ownership dynamics, trauma bonding, moral conflict, and dangerous devotion. It’s about survival, control, autonomy, fear, intimacy, guilt, and the cost of staying good in a world built to make monsters.
The Elevator Pitch: A principled woman wakes inside a pastel death game where survival demands blood, and her only chance is the dangerous protector who once nearly killed her. Bound by rules, fear, and a growing pull neither of them can afford, she begins to see the wounds beneath his violence while he becomes dangerously invested in keeping her alive. In a world built to turn mercy into weakness, their bond tests what it means to survive without losing the self completely.
Heat Level: 🔥 Steamy
January 31, 2026
ARC review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Dollhouse District is dark, vicious, and hypnotic—a pastel-coated nightmare that turns survival into a moral freefall. From the moment Rosalie wakes inside the District, the story makes one thing brutally clear: innocence is a liability, and hesitation is a death sentence.
The concept alone is chilling—a simulated prison where freedom is earned through murder—but what elevates this book is how deeply it commits to psychological tension. Rosalie’s betrayal by her own alliance is gutting, and her split-second decision to bind herself to Zyren Mordecaine feels both desperate and devastating. One token. One choice. A lifetime of consequences.
Zyren is terrifying in the quietest way. He doesn’t need theatrics to assert control—his presence is the threat. As her protector, he keeps Rosalie alive, but the cost is obedience, surveillance, and the slow erosion of autonomy. Their dynamic is uncomfortable, intoxicating, and perfectly suited to a world where ownership masquerades as safety.
Rosalie’s evolution is the heartbeat of the story. She doesn’t become strong by staying pure—she survives by adapting, hardening, and learning when to bare her teeth. The Dollhouse District doesn’t reward goodness; it rewards monsters willing to do what others won’t.
If you love dystopian dark romance, lethal games, morally gray (or outright black) characters, and stories where survival means surrendering parts of yourself you may never get back, The Dollhouse District is an unforgettable descent into control, blood, and becoming exactly what the world demands. 🖤🎀🔪
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Dollhouse District is dark, vicious, and hypnotic—a pastel-coated nightmare that turns survival into a moral freefall. From the moment Rosalie wakes inside the District, the story makes one thing brutally clear: innocence is a liability, and hesitation is a death sentence.
The concept alone is chilling—a simulated prison where freedom is earned through murder—but what elevates this book is how deeply it commits to psychological tension. Rosalie’s betrayal by her own alliance is gutting, and her split-second decision to bind herself to Zyren Mordecaine feels both desperate and devastating. One token. One choice. A lifetime of consequences.
Zyren is terrifying in the quietest way. He doesn’t need theatrics to assert control—his presence is the threat. As her protector, he keeps Rosalie alive, but the cost is obedience, surveillance, and the slow erosion of autonomy. Their dynamic is uncomfortable, intoxicating, and perfectly suited to a world where ownership masquerades as safety.
Rosalie’s evolution is the heartbeat of the story. She doesn’t become strong by staying pure—she survives by adapting, hardening, and learning when to bare her teeth. The Dollhouse District doesn’t reward goodness; it rewards monsters willing to do what others won’t.
If you love dystopian dark romance, lethal games, morally gray (or outright black) characters, and stories where survival means surrendering parts of yourself you may never get back, The Dollhouse District is an unforgettable descent into control, blood, and becoming exactly what the world demands. 🖤🎀🔪
February 7, 2026
I overall enjoyed The Dollhouse District by Blaire Russell. Once I got into the story, it was an easy and fast-paced read with no dull or dragging moments. The plot flows smoothly and keeps you engaged throughout.
At the beginning, I was a bit confused and initially thought the story focused on three girls. It wasn’t until the second chapter that it became clear it was actually about two girls and one boy — Rosalie, Liora, and River. Once that was clarified, the story settled nicely.
The setting and concept gave me strong Hunger Games vibes, especially in the way the characters are placed into a controlled, high-stakes environment where survival and dynamics matter.
One thing that personally bothered me was Liora. If these characters have been best friends for years, the way she treats Rosalie — even before everything unfolds — felt frustrating at times and made it harder for me to connect with her character.
That said, the story reads very smoothly and stays engaging from start to finish. Overall, The Dollhouse District is a fun and fast read with an intriguing concept and no boring moments.
At the beginning, I was a bit confused and initially thought the story focused on three girls. It wasn’t until the second chapter that it became clear it was actually about two girls and one boy — Rosalie, Liora, and River. Once that was clarified, the story settled nicely.
The setting and concept gave me strong Hunger Games vibes, especially in the way the characters are placed into a controlled, high-stakes environment where survival and dynamics matter.
One thing that personally bothered me was Liora. If these characters have been best friends for years, the way she treats Rosalie — even before everything unfolds — felt frustrating at times and made it harder for me to connect with her character.
That said, the story reads very smoothly and stays engaging from start to finish. Overall, The Dollhouse District is a fun and fast read with an intriguing concept and no boring moments.
February 15, 2026
Slow burn in the most unexpected way!
Delicious mix of violence passion and romance. He owns her but he falls and she ends up falling too. Filled with action,banter and consequences.
Not for the faint of heart
They protect each other no matter the cost.
Delicious mix of violence passion and romance. He owns her but he falls and she ends up falling too. Filled with action,banter and consequences.
Not for the faint of heart
They protect each other no matter the cost.
February 21, 2026
Welcome to the Dollhouse District - where the aesthetic is pastel and the survival strategy is murder.
This has a true 2.5 star rating, but I rounded up for Goodreads.
I wanted to love this one so badly because the premise is genuinely so good. A deadly simulation where prisoners have to eliminate three targets to earn their freedom? That’s immediately compelling. It gave me strong Squid Game meets Twisted Metal energy - brutal, stylized, and full of potential for morally gray choices and shifting alliances. The concept itself is easily the strongest part of the book and what kept me turning the pages.
But for me, the execution never fully matched the ambition.
This is a fast, short read, and it feels like it. We’re introduced to a large cast (River, Liora, Astra, Theo, Fox) yet most of them never move beyond surface level. They exist more as names and functions than as fully realized people. Unfortunately, even Rose and Zyren didn’t escape that same shallowness. For a book that’s setting up a series, I was expecting stronger groundwork: clearer character motivations, deeper emotional anchors, and a more defined sense of the larger world and stakes.
Rose as an FMC was the biggest disconnect for me. She often felt like she was meant to come across as calculating, resilient, and secretly soft … but I never fully experienced those traits on page. Instead, she read as emotionally distant and a bit mechanical, and I struggled to connect with her choices or her inner world.
The dynamic between her and Zyren had a lot of potential - especially with the protector token and the implied captor/captive tension - but it moved too quickly to develop real weight. The power imbalance, the forced proximity, the psychological push and pull… all of those elements were there in theory, but not on the page long enough to create the atmosphere they were clearly aiming for. It ended up feeling more told than felt.
That became my overall experience with this book: it’s full of really cool, unique ideas - the simulation, the aesthetic, the social structure, the brutality of the game … but it tries to juggle so many of them that none get the depth they deserve.
If this functions more as a prequel or extended prologue to the real story, I can see later books benefiting from the setup. But as a Book 1, I personally needed more substance to feel invested in the characters and their journeys.
Final thoughts:
A visually striking and highly original premise that just needed more depth in its characters, relationships, and foundational worldbuilding to truly hit.
This has a true 2.5 star rating, but I rounded up for Goodreads.
I wanted to love this one so badly because the premise is genuinely so good. A deadly simulation where prisoners have to eliminate three targets to earn their freedom? That’s immediately compelling. It gave me strong Squid Game meets Twisted Metal energy - brutal, stylized, and full of potential for morally gray choices and shifting alliances. The concept itself is easily the strongest part of the book and what kept me turning the pages.
But for me, the execution never fully matched the ambition.
This is a fast, short read, and it feels like it. We’re introduced to a large cast (River, Liora, Astra, Theo, Fox) yet most of them never move beyond surface level. They exist more as names and functions than as fully realized people. Unfortunately, even Rose and Zyren didn’t escape that same shallowness. For a book that’s setting up a series, I was expecting stronger groundwork: clearer character motivations, deeper emotional anchors, and a more defined sense of the larger world and stakes.
Rose as an FMC was the biggest disconnect for me. She often felt like she was meant to come across as calculating, resilient, and secretly soft … but I never fully experienced those traits on page. Instead, she read as emotionally distant and a bit mechanical, and I struggled to connect with her choices or her inner world.
The dynamic between her and Zyren had a lot of potential - especially with the protector token and the implied captor/captive tension - but it moved too quickly to develop real weight. The power imbalance, the forced proximity, the psychological push and pull… all of those elements were there in theory, but not on the page long enough to create the atmosphere they were clearly aiming for. It ended up feeling more told than felt.
That became my overall experience with this book: it’s full of really cool, unique ideas - the simulation, the aesthetic, the social structure, the brutality of the game … but it tries to juggle so many of them that none get the depth they deserve.
If this functions more as a prequel or extended prologue to the real story, I can see later books benefiting from the setup. But as a Book 1, I personally needed more substance to feel invested in the characters and their journeys.
Final thoughts:
A visually striking and highly original premise that just needed more depth in its characters, relationships, and foundational worldbuilding to truly hit.
January 31, 2026
The Dollhouse District was such a gripping dark romance thriller — I became completely immersed and invested in this brutal, high-stakes world.
We follow Rosalie, who is thrown into the Dollhouse, a simulation prison where there is no trial, no justice, and no choice. Survival is the only currency, and freedom is earned through blood. Rosalie is imprisoned alongside her friends, River and Liora, who quickly prove they are not the people she thought they were — willing to sacrifice her without hesitation if it means saving themselves.
To escape the Dollhouse, prisoners must kill three designated targets. While surrounded by violence and desperation, Rosalie remains a strong FMC who clings to her values, refusing to blur her moral lines or fully surrender to the deadly game — even when doing so puts her at risk.
Along the way, she meets Zyren, her assigned protector — a guard placed inside the Dollhouse to monitor and control prisoners. His presence offers protection, but at a cost, binding Rosalie into a different kind of captivity. Zyren is morally grey, obedient to orders, and admittedly a bit of a bastard 😉 — and yet I fell for him instantly. The slow-burn romance between him and Rosalie was beautifully done, offering rare moments of hope and tenderness in an otherwise bleak, oppressive world.
Set in a dystopian landscape filled with advanced technology, constant danger, and relentless psychological pressure, this story asks powerful questions:
What would you do to survive? How far would you go? Would you abandon your values — or fight to remain a good person? And what would you sacrifice to protect the ones you love?
A dark, intense, and thought-provoking read from Blaire Russell that stayed with me long after I finished.
Tropes:
⭐️ Forced Proximity
⭐️ Enemies to Lovers
⭐️ Morally Grey MMC
⭐️ She’s Sold to Him / He Despises Her
⭐️ Dark Romance
⭐️ Romantic Thriller
Spice Rating: 🌶️
We follow Rosalie, who is thrown into the Dollhouse, a simulation prison where there is no trial, no justice, and no choice. Survival is the only currency, and freedom is earned through blood. Rosalie is imprisoned alongside her friends, River and Liora, who quickly prove they are not the people she thought they were — willing to sacrifice her without hesitation if it means saving themselves.
To escape the Dollhouse, prisoners must kill three designated targets. While surrounded by violence and desperation, Rosalie remains a strong FMC who clings to her values, refusing to blur her moral lines or fully surrender to the deadly game — even when doing so puts her at risk.
Along the way, she meets Zyren, her assigned protector — a guard placed inside the Dollhouse to monitor and control prisoners. His presence offers protection, but at a cost, binding Rosalie into a different kind of captivity. Zyren is morally grey, obedient to orders, and admittedly a bit of a bastard 😉 — and yet I fell for him instantly. The slow-burn romance between him and Rosalie was beautifully done, offering rare moments of hope and tenderness in an otherwise bleak, oppressive world.
Set in a dystopian landscape filled with advanced technology, constant danger, and relentless psychological pressure, this story asks powerful questions:
What would you do to survive? How far would you go? Would you abandon your values — or fight to remain a good person? And what would you sacrifice to protect the ones you love?
A dark, intense, and thought-provoking read from Blaire Russell that stayed with me long after I finished.
Tropes:
⭐️ Forced Proximity
⭐️ Enemies to Lovers
⭐️ Morally Grey MMC
⭐️ She’s Sold to Him / He Despises Her
⭐️ Dark Romance
⭐️ Romantic Thriller
Spice Rating: 🌶️
February 3, 2026
🖤ARC REVIEW 🖤
This book is a fast paced, dystopian romance I couldn't put down. It is very much a mix of The Hunger Games/ Saw(in a sense)
We find our main character and her friends placed into a prison type setting full of pastel colors and gunfire. Where they have to kill three names targets to find their freedom.
Rosalie, a character who is keen on people pleasing, really grows into a fierce bitch to protect who she loves, during her growth through the many challenges she faces in the Dollhouse District, which include untrustworthy friends, to broken alliances, she uses her problem-solving skills to grant her protection from the ruthless protector everyone fears. Zyren is BIG scary dog privilege and will do whatever it takes to protect Rosalie at any cost, due to the inner construct rulings to "the game".
It was a fantastic read. I do wish it was longer so we could have had more of a slow burn between Rosalie and Zyren. I think it would have added a bit more heat to the storyline
This book is a fast paced, dystopian romance I couldn't put down. It is very much a mix of The Hunger Games/ Saw(in a sense)
We find our main character and her friends placed into a prison type setting full of pastel colors and gunfire. Where they have to kill three names targets to find their freedom.
Rosalie, a character who is keen on people pleasing, really grows into a fierce bitch to protect who she loves, during her growth through the many challenges she faces in the Dollhouse District, which include untrustworthy friends, to broken alliances, she uses her problem-solving skills to grant her protection from the ruthless protector everyone fears. Zyren is BIG scary dog privilege and will do whatever it takes to protect Rosalie at any cost, due to the inner construct rulings to "the game".
It was a fantastic read. I do wish it was longer so we could have had more of a slow burn between Rosalie and Zyren. I think it would have added a bit more heat to the storyline
February 8, 2026
Blaire Russell crafts a chilling dystopian simulation where the rules are simple but brutal: kill three targets or never leave. I was immediately struck by the contrast between the "dollhouse" aesthetic and the visceral violence of the game. Following Rosalie as she navigates a world of betrayal specifically from friends she thought she knew made for a gripping, high-octane read. The psychological pressure of "staying good" while the world demands you be "monstrous" is the heartbeat of this story.
At under 200 pages, this is an incredibly fast-paced ride with no "filler" moments. However, because the world and the chemistry were so intriguing, I actually found myself wishing for more. The ending felt a bit rushed, and I would have loved another 50 pages to really dive deeper into the aftermath of their escape and the complexities of Rosalie and Zyren’s connection.
A gritty, addictive, and thought-provoking dystopian novella. Perfect for fans of dark romance and high-stakes survival games who want a story they can finish in one sitting
At under 200 pages, this is an incredibly fast-paced ride with no "filler" moments. However, because the world and the chemistry were so intriguing, I actually found myself wishing for more. The ending felt a bit rushed, and I would have loved another 50 pages to really dive deeper into the aftermath of their escape and the complexities of Rosalie and Zyren’s connection.
A gritty, addictive, and thought-provoking dystopian novella. Perfect for fans of dark romance and high-stakes survival games who want a story they can finish in one sitting
February 10, 2026
Survival Has a Price
Welcome to a dystopian nightmare called "The Dollhouse District" that feels like Running Man collided with The Hunger Games and decided to go feral. Rosalie wakes up trapped in a deadly simulation where survival means blood on your hands... and wow, the concept had me intrigued.
But listen… Liora? Jail. Straight to jail. I’m barely into the book and she already gets Rosalie caught, then turns her back like it’s nothing. The flashbacks with River and Liora just made me scream internally... why do we cling to toxic friendships this long?!
Zyren is every morally grey menace you want in this kind of world: cold, controlled, and terrifyingly fascinating. The enemies-to-lovers tension is there, but the writing felt a bit surface-level for me. I wanted more emotional depth, more breathing room. It’s fast, sometimes rushed and choppy… but still? The concept is intriguing enough that I’d absolutely continue the series.
My Ratings: ⭐ 4/5 ▪︎ 🥵 1/5
🥀 For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
Welcome to a dystopian nightmare called "The Dollhouse District" that feels like Running Man collided with The Hunger Games and decided to go feral. Rosalie wakes up trapped in a deadly simulation where survival means blood on your hands... and wow, the concept had me intrigued.
But listen… Liora? Jail. Straight to jail. I’m barely into the book and she already gets Rosalie caught, then turns her back like it’s nothing. The flashbacks with River and Liora just made me scream internally... why do we cling to toxic friendships this long?!
Zyren is every morally grey menace you want in this kind of world: cold, controlled, and terrifyingly fascinating. The enemies-to-lovers tension is there, but the writing felt a bit surface-level for me. I wanted more emotional depth, more breathing room. It’s fast, sometimes rushed and choppy… but still? The concept is intriguing enough that I’d absolutely continue the series.
My Ratings: ⭐ 4/5 ▪︎ 🥵 1/5
🥀 For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
February 21, 2026
Welcome to the Dollhouse.
Betrayal? Whatever.
A game that has consequences, some that are permanent? Obviously.
Blood thirsty holograms? As if.
“Protectors”, who specialize in chaos rather than, you know, protecting you? Hard pass.
Rose is stuck playing a game designed by Xander—a madman. He clearly never received enough hugs as a child. It’s one giant living nightmare.
Rose tumbles into the Dollhouse’s rabbit hole, unearthing secrets better left buried. Her uncanny talent to land on her feet comes with a ‘survival tax:’ A giant flashing neon arrow that screams, "exterminate!"
Then there is Zyren, a Protector turned Roses “bodyguard." Miserable and always brooding, Zyren expects complete submission. Submit isn’t in Rose’s vocabulary and the endless, "Why,” really tests his patience.
They become allies, creating a dynamic duo with 🔞 to give. They uncover forbidden answers that lay out the path to escape. Xander messed with the wrong girl, because if she goes down so does his precious Dollhouse. She’ll light the match and watch as it all burns down.
Betrayal? Whatever.
A game that has consequences, some that are permanent? Obviously.
Blood thirsty holograms? As if.
“Protectors”, who specialize in chaos rather than, you know, protecting you? Hard pass.
Rose is stuck playing a game designed by Xander—a madman. He clearly never received enough hugs as a child. It’s one giant living nightmare.
Rose tumbles into the Dollhouse’s rabbit hole, unearthing secrets better left buried. Her uncanny talent to land on her feet comes with a ‘survival tax:’ A giant flashing neon arrow that screams, "exterminate!"
Then there is Zyren, a Protector turned Roses “bodyguard." Miserable and always brooding, Zyren expects complete submission. Submit isn’t in Rose’s vocabulary and the endless, "Why,” really tests his patience.
They become allies, creating a dynamic duo with 🔞 to give. They uncover forbidden answers that lay out the path to escape. Xander messed with the wrong girl, because if she goes down so does his precious Dollhouse. She’ll light the match and watch as it all burns down.
January 30, 2026
🖤 ARC REVIEW 🖤
Dollhouse District by Blaire Russell
This isn’t my usual go-to read, but wow—I was hooked from page one.
We follow Zyren and Rosalie in a brutal dystopian world where Rosalie wakes up trapped in a simulation prison. She’s innocence personified, while Zyren has fully embraced the darkness—and that contrast? Chef’s kiss.
Fast-paced, action-heavy, and impossible to put down, this story keeps you on edge as characters literally fight for their freedom in the most deadly way possible. Add in a subtle touch of romance (because I need it 😌) and you’ve got a seriously addictive read.
At just 195 pages, this was a quick but intense ride.
If you love dystopian worlds, high stakes, moral gray characters, and survival games where not everyone makes it out alive—this one’s for you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
Highly recommend!
#ARCRead #DystopianReads #Bookstagram #DarkFiction #SurvivalGames #BookReview #QuickRead
Dollhouse District by Blaire Russell
This isn’t my usual go-to read, but wow—I was hooked from page one.
We follow Zyren and Rosalie in a brutal dystopian world where Rosalie wakes up trapped in a simulation prison. She’s innocence personified, while Zyren has fully embraced the darkness—and that contrast? Chef’s kiss.
Fast-paced, action-heavy, and impossible to put down, this story keeps you on edge as characters literally fight for their freedom in the most deadly way possible. Add in a subtle touch of romance (because I need it 😌) and you’ve got a seriously addictive read.
At just 195 pages, this was a quick but intense ride.
If you love dystopian worlds, high stakes, moral gray characters, and survival games where not everyone makes it out alive—this one’s for you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
Highly recommend!
#ARCRead #DystopianReads #Bookstagram #DarkFiction #SurvivalGames #BookReview #QuickRead
February 19, 2026
I’ll be honest, I spent a fair bit of the beginning feeling a little confused about what was happening and who all the characters were, but once the storyline developed and things started to click into place, I found myself enjoying it much more.
You all know I love a good trial moment in a book, and I really enjoyed that element here. I just wish there had been a bit more plot development around that key theme, because it had so much potential. I think if the book had been extended by even another 100 pages, we could have had more indepth world building to develop the storyline a bit more.
That said, I did enjoy the overall reading experience. It was a solid, easy read, I just found myself wishing it had been explored a little further. The ending also felt quite abrupt, I actually went back and reread the final pages a few times to make sure I hadn’t missed anything.
Overall, a good read with great ideas, I just wanted a little more from it.
You all know I love a good trial moment in a book, and I really enjoyed that element here. I just wish there had been a bit more plot development around that key theme, because it had so much potential. I think if the book had been extended by even another 100 pages, we could have had more indepth world building to develop the storyline a bit more.
That said, I did enjoy the overall reading experience. It was a solid, easy read, I just found myself wishing it had been explored a little further. The ending also felt quite abrupt, I actually went back and reread the final pages a few times to make sure I hadn’t missed anything.
Overall, a good read with great ideas, I just wanted a little more from it.
March 8, 2026
Reviewed by Dee Layton on behalf of the Plot Thickens Book Club.
Title: The Dollhouse District
Author: Blaire Russell
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book is a very interesting book. I personally didn't think I would like it in the beginning, but I gave it a chance. I was very wrong about my first assumptions and actually really enjoyed it. I thought the author did a very good job although some points I was a little confused. But the confusion didn't last long as I went further in the book I figured out what I needed to know and what I was confused about. I do like the characters in the book I think they were all very amazing and very different. The dollhouse district is a very wild, brutal hunger games type place. I like the curve balls throne. The ups and downs through the whole book. Overall, this is the first book I've ever read by the author and I'm very impressed by it I look forward to seeing if this grows into a series or what else the other puts out in the future.
Title: The Dollhouse District
Author: Blaire Russell
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book is a very interesting book. I personally didn't think I would like it in the beginning, but I gave it a chance. I was very wrong about my first assumptions and actually really enjoyed it. I thought the author did a very good job although some points I was a little confused. But the confusion didn't last long as I went further in the book I figured out what I needed to know and what I was confused about. I do like the characters in the book I think they were all very amazing and very different. The dollhouse district is a very wild, brutal hunger games type place. I like the curve balls throne. The ups and downs through the whole book. Overall, this is the first book I've ever read by the author and I'm very impressed by it I look forward to seeing if this grows into a series or what else the other puts out in the future.
January 27, 2026
Received this book as an ARC, I really enjoyed this book, but the ending really let it down.
I loved the dark yearning and build up to Rosalie's and Zyren's relationship and it was done so well. It was really gripping and fast paced, I couldn't put it down. It takes you on a roller coaster, so many twists and turns, I loved Zyren's character development, starting off as a mystery and softening to Rosalie.
There was so much room for the characters to develop, I felt the ending was lacking and rushed. It is a HEA, but I wanted more from the ending, the relationship between the FMC and MMC personally could have been more in depth when they escaped. The book builds upto the 'after' part but falls short.
It is a dark book with themes of violence
-murder
-Toxic relationships
-death
-kidnapping and imprisonment
please check your trigger warnings 🖤
I loved the dark yearning and build up to Rosalie's and Zyren's relationship and it was done so well. It was really gripping and fast paced, I couldn't put it down. It takes you on a roller coaster, so many twists and turns, I loved Zyren's character development, starting off as a mystery and softening to Rosalie.
There was so much room for the characters to develop, I felt the ending was lacking and rushed. It is a HEA, but I wanted more from the ending, the relationship between the FMC and MMC personally could have been more in depth when they escaped. The book builds upto the 'after' part but falls short.
It is a dark book with themes of violence
-murder
-Toxic relationships
-death
-kidnapping and imprisonment
please check your trigger warnings 🖤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2026
ARC DNF: I really struggled to get into this book from the offset. There was a few things that were said twice for example when she is injected it says twice that she’s knocked out and it fades to black. I noticed there wasn’t much character description so I really struggled to try and picture what each of the characters were like which ended up blending them altogether it wasn’t until I think the third chapter when I realise that they weren’t three girls were hanging out together it was in fact a boy there as well I stopped reading after 20%. The book has a hunger games vibes about it mixed with a bit of black Mirror and almost traitors in the way of trying they were trying to figure out who had killed one of the characters when I stopped reading.
If you’re into hunger games type, black mirror dystopian books then this would be for you but unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me.
If you’re into hunger games type, black mirror dystopian books then this would be for you but unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me.
February 1, 2026
I was attracted by the core trio of Rosalie, Liora, and River feels painfully real from the very beginning… heir dysfunctional friendship, built on history, resentment, and unrequited love, immediately draws you in and makes their plunge into a deadly nightmare intensely personal. Various scenes that stood out to me including the “Egg” Discovery, the River’s Betrayal, and the Holographic Xander are incredibly memorable.
I feel tense, curious, and deeply invested. The writing effectively builds a claustrophobic atmosphere where no one can be trusted—not the system, not the protectors, and not even your oldest friends. The book offers a powerful perspective on systems of control and moral compromise.
I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy fast-paced stories with complex morally grey characters with Mysteries.
I feel tense, curious, and deeply invested. The writing effectively builds a claustrophobic atmosphere where no one can be trusted—not the system, not the protectors, and not even your oldest friends. The book offers a powerful perspective on systems of control and moral compromise.
I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy fast-paced stories with complex morally grey characters with Mysteries.
February 10, 2026
The Dollhouse District is a dark, high-concept dystopian romance that leans more on psychological tension and atmosphere than action or heat. The world is intentionally unsettling, built to explore control, morality, and the cost of survival when choice is an illusion. While the premise is brutal, the execution stays focused on emotional pressure and character decisions rather than shock value, which worked well for the tone of the story.
On a personal level, I enjoyed the dystopian setting and was invested in the three main characters, particularly the morally gray dynamics at play. The relationship elements fit the oppressive world, though the romance remained lighter on spice than I tend to prefer. Overall, this felt like a thoughtful, dark read that will appeal most to readers who enjoy dystopian romance, morally complex characters, and tension-driven stories rather than high heat.
On a personal level, I enjoyed the dystopian setting and was invested in the three main characters, particularly the morally gray dynamics at play. The relationship elements fit the oppressive world, though the romance remained lighter on spice than I tend to prefer. Overall, this felt like a thoughtful, dark read that will appeal most to readers who enjoy dystopian romance, morally complex characters, and tension-driven stories rather than high heat.
March 4, 2026
Oh you want trauma? Betrayal? Emotional damage wrapped in neon-lit danger? Dollhouse District said buckle up.
This book throws you straight into survival mode and does not apologize for it. Rosalie isn’t just fighting for her life she’s fighting her feelings, her past, and the absolute chaos that is her love triangle. And let me tell you… it’s messy in the best way.
Character Drama? Top tier.
Rosalie is layered, conflicted, and constantly toeing the line between strength and vulnerability. Her tension with River? Electric. Her complicated dynamic with Liora? Whew. That emotional push and pull had me stressed and invested.
And then there’s Xander Blue…
That man walks in and suddenly the lines between villain and victim blur so hard you don’t know who to trust. I love a morally gray wildcard and this book DELIVERS.
This book throws you straight into survival mode and does not apologize for it. Rosalie isn’t just fighting for her life she’s fighting her feelings, her past, and the absolute chaos that is her love triangle. And let me tell you… it’s messy in the best way.
Character Drama? Top tier.
Rosalie is layered, conflicted, and constantly toeing the line between strength and vulnerability. Her tension with River? Electric. Her complicated dynamic with Liora? Whew. That emotional push and pull had me stressed and invested.
And then there’s Xander Blue…
That man walks in and suddenly the lines between villain and victim blur so hard you don’t know who to trust. I love a morally gray wildcard and this book DELIVERS.
January 29, 2026
I received this book as an ARC from the author and really enjoyed it.
Set in a dystopian world, criminals get sent to compete for freedom in the Dollhouse District. It's not just a fight to survive, it's a fight yo save your humanity. The FMC, Rosalie, quickly finds out that she has awful friends. She happens to find her way to Zyren who is as morally grey as they come but turns out yo have a soft spot for a feisty prisoner.
The story at times was heartbreaking but necessary to show how cruel the world can be and how far people are willing to go to live. if you enjoyed The Hunger Games, this is even better IMO.
4/5⭐️for a thrilling story with a lot of action and just the right amount of spice.
Set in a dystopian world, criminals get sent to compete for freedom in the Dollhouse District. It's not just a fight to survive, it's a fight yo save your humanity. The FMC, Rosalie, quickly finds out that she has awful friends. She happens to find her way to Zyren who is as morally grey as they come but turns out yo have a soft spot for a feisty prisoner.
The story at times was heartbreaking but necessary to show how cruel the world can be and how far people are willing to go to live. if you enjoyed The Hunger Games, this is even better IMO.
4/5⭐️for a thrilling story with a lot of action and just the right amount of spice.
January 31, 2026
I really enjoyed this book! It was different than a lot of the romance books that I usually read and the plot was so fun! It reminded me a lot of hunger games but darker and add some spice. The MMC is a protector in the prison type game that they are stuck in. The FMC got caught in the wrong place with a couple friend who also got thrown into the prison game. In this world, this is where you go when you break the law. She gets the unwanted attention of the MMC when she stands up to him to protect her friend, but when things start to go wrong the tables turn for both of them. Having a conscience in a game where the only way out is taking out numerous targets could be the thing that ends them both.
February 7, 2026
*ARC REVIEW* Starting off by acknowledging the freshness of this idea. It seems like a lot of the books are the same thing over and over again and I haven’t read anything like this before. This made me think hunger games style with a prison twist.
Now - I had to force myself to finish this book. I found it lacked a lot of context and fluff to really create an image to what you’re reading. It missed so many details to properly understand what was happening. It felt like you were jumping major details in character development and scenes and also missing back story in understanding the story. I’ll keep in mind that I read an advanced copy but the amount of grammatical errors and I even caught a character name mistake added to the confusion and low rating.
Now - I had to force myself to finish this book. I found it lacked a lot of context and fluff to really create an image to what you’re reading. It missed so many details to properly understand what was happening. It felt like you were jumping major details in character development and scenes and also missing back story in understanding the story. I’ll keep in mind that I read an advanced copy but the amount of grammatical errors and I even caught a character name mistake added to the confusion and low rating.
March 6, 2026
ARC review team ♥︎
Let me start by saying I couldn't get enough of this book! I need a book 2, like, yesterday!
This story is a fast paced, slow burn, enemies to lovers dystopian romance.
Rosalie and her two friends find themselves waking up in a pastel hell hole, where it's kill or get killed.
Rose, our brave and fierce MFC, who eventually finds herself under the "ownership" of our MMC, big daddy Zyren.
Using her problem solving skills Rose manages to fight her way through Xander's simulation without killing a single soul.
I do wish it was a bit longer, so we could get more story built between Zyren and Rose that leads up to their relationship.
Overall it was a great read that kept me on edge and turning pages!
Let me start by saying I couldn't get enough of this book! I need a book 2, like, yesterday!
This story is a fast paced, slow burn, enemies to lovers dystopian romance.
Rosalie and her two friends find themselves waking up in a pastel hell hole, where it's kill or get killed.
Rose, our brave and fierce MFC, who eventually finds herself under the "ownership" of our MMC, big daddy Zyren.
Using her problem solving skills Rose manages to fight her way through Xander's simulation without killing a single soul.
I do wish it was a bit longer, so we could get more story built between Zyren and Rose that leads up to their relationship.
Overall it was a great read that kept me on edge and turning pages!
May 14, 2026
It's well written and a good story. I picked this book to review as I really like the authors imagination and other writings.
I'm personally not a great fan of a dystopian plotline, however because of the author I gave it a go.
Rosalie the main character is well written as she tries to survive and live a life, there is a lot of growth in her and self realization from her. Zyren her protector has some good lines when dealing with her and it's quite amusing to read.
The bad guy was crazy and the dollhouse revolved around his 'sickness'. A truly scary character when you look at his power reach.
All in all a good book for me trying a dystopian story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I'm personally not a great fan of a dystopian plotline, however because of the author I gave it a go.
Rosalie the main character is well written as she tries to survive and live a life, there is a lot of growth in her and self realization from her. Zyren her protector has some good lines when dealing with her and it's quite amusing to read.
The bad guy was crazy and the dollhouse revolved around his 'sickness'. A truly scary character when you look at his power reach.
All in all a good book for me trying a dystopian story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 28, 2026
This is a quick easy but enjoyable read. It took me some time to really get into it because it is not what I expected at all. I feel that the description did not describe the book well but honestly that is my only complaint. I would not consider this book super dark and I personally do not see the need for all the content warnings. This is one I would not be afraid to recommend at all. Think Hunger Games but instead of the reaping it’s just criminals getting put into an alternate reality to serve time for their crimes. If you like alternate reality/scify ish this would be the perfect quick read!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC copy. All opinions are completely my own.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC copy. All opinions are completely my own.
January 29, 2026
I was sent this book by the Author so first of all, thank you for that Blaire ☺️
I enjoyed this book, I don’t think it was what I was expecting but it did turn out good.
I liked the slow burn between Rose and Zyren but I felt like the book could have been longer and have more between them..
I’ve never read anything with this theme, but I think I’ll be looking into books that are similar because I do like the simulation aspect of the book.
I would like to have seen an epilogue perhaps of how they got on after Xander was killed and they kept little Xanders hologram, or maybe a second book or bonus chapter from the author but over all I did enjoy the book as I read it within 24 hours 😊
I enjoyed this book, I don’t think it was what I was expecting but it did turn out good.
I liked the slow burn between Rose and Zyren but I felt like the book could have been longer and have more between them..
I’ve never read anything with this theme, but I think I’ll be looking into books that are similar because I do like the simulation aspect of the book.
I would like to have seen an epilogue perhaps of how they got on after Xander was killed and they kept little Xanders hologram, or maybe a second book or bonus chapter from the author but over all I did enjoy the book as I read it within 24 hours 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2026
If you’re a fan of The Hunger Games or The Maze Runner, this book is definitely for you. The story follows Rosalie and told from her POV, whose life takes a dangerous turn after her friends drag her into trouble, landing them straight in "The Dollhouse District."
The plot centers on her fight for survival, which is where we meet the MMC, Zyren. Their connection develops beautifully over time, making for a fantastic slow-burn romance. While this isn't my usual genre and I was hesitant at first, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly it pulled me in. Once I started, I couldn't put it down! I’m crossing my fingers that Blaire Russell has a sequel in the works.
Spice 🌶
The plot centers on her fight for survival, which is where we meet the MMC, Zyren. Their connection develops beautifully over time, making for a fantastic slow-burn romance. While this isn't my usual genre and I was hesitant at first, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly it pulled me in. Once I started, I couldn't put it down! I’m crossing my fingers that Blaire Russell has a sequel in the works.
Spice 🌶
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2026
This book, to me, was like a mix of Ready Player One and The Hunger Games. The interactions of the two main characters were weird. There was really no buildup to them saying that they loved one another. It was like I am only protecting you because I have to, then it just switches to I protect you because I love you. Her besties are shitfaces. What I wish this book had was more of a buildup to them liking/loving each other, and also the trigger page; I feel like some of them could not be on there. And to me, this was more of a closed-door spice than what the trigger page said regarding explicit "fun" content, but there is some, I would say, light BDSM that occurs.
February 8, 2026
Set in a dystopian world. After the war the Dollhouse District was created. Will Rosalie and her friends survive the choas?
This story was very fast paced. It follows 3 characters Rosalie,Liora and River. A group of friends who are kinda toxic towards one another While I didn’t personally connect with the characters, I really enjoyed the story itself. I liked the vibe it had and I definitely feel like there could be more to this story.
There is one Brief spicy scene in it but it was very short lived.
I also feel like there could be more to the ending as it just ended and I wish there was more.
This story was very fast paced. It follows 3 characters Rosalie,Liora and River. A group of friends who are kinda toxic towards one another While I didn’t personally connect with the characters, I really enjoyed the story itself. I liked the vibe it had and I definitely feel like there could be more to this story.
There is one Brief spicy scene in it but it was very short lived.
I also feel like there could be more to the ending as it just ended and I wish there was more.
February 13, 2026
WOW!!! This might just be my new favorite book! From the very beginning it pulled me right in. It gives off Hunger Games vibes. I went through several emotions & they all just made me want to read more & more! If I didn’t have responsibilities, I would’ve finished it in one sitting FOR SURE. Enemies to lovers, slow burn, morally gray, what more could I ask for?!
This book was intense, thrilling, & addicting. It will grab you & pull you in from the start & will NOT let up until you’ve finished. You’ll be left begging for book 2!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!! Can’t wait for book 2 of the series to come out!
This book was intense, thrilling, & addicting. It will grab you & pull you in from the start & will NOT let up until you’ve finished. You’ll be left begging for book 2!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!! Can’t wait for book 2 of the series to come out!
May 16, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was somewhat different to what I usually read. (I try to really read everything and anything)
It did sound interesting to me. It’s a slow burn enemies to lovers, fast paced dystopian romance book that gives Hunger games \ SAW vibes.
Follows a toxic group of friends(to me) Rosalie , River and Liora, who wakes up in a place where it’s kill or be killed. to which they have to survive.
We have the mmc Zyren who’s her protector I guess, and a villain who gives zero fks. The plot of the book was great, had some twists and turns. I would recommend you give this a ready for yourself!! Thank you!!
It did sound interesting to me. It’s a slow burn enemies to lovers, fast paced dystopian romance book that gives Hunger games \ SAW vibes.
Follows a toxic group of friends(to me) Rosalie , River and Liora, who wakes up in a place where it’s kill or be killed. to which they have to survive.
We have the mmc Zyren who’s her protector I guess, and a villain who gives zero fks. The plot of the book was great, had some twists and turns. I would recommend you give this a ready for yourself!! Thank you!!
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