“What makes this collection truly unique is how familiar it feels yet how unexpected every poem becomes. Gough takes elements of fairy tales and girlhood innocence and masterfully twists them into something powerful and raw. It’s a poetic awakening. Some lines stopped me in my tracks. Others felt like quiet revelations. If you’ve ever struggled to fit into society’s expectations, this book will speak directly to you.”
“Dollhouse A Poetry Collection is a stunning exploration of identity, vulnerability, and the painful yet empowering process of growing up. Kate Gough writes with a rare emotional clarity each poem feels like a heartbeat on paper. The way she weaves childhood motifs into adult realities is both haunting and healing. This isn’t just poetry it’s a reckoning with the self. A deeply affecting and beautifully written collection.“
“This collection floored me. Gough captures the silent battles so many of us carry: the pressure to conform, the fear of being seen, and the longing to be free. Her words feel like mirrors and doors at the same time: they reflect our wounds while opening us to the possibility of transformation. Fans of Ocean Vuong and Sylvia Plath will be enchanted. I felt seen, challenged, and ultimately uplifted.”
“Kate Gough’s voice is both lyrical and fearless. Her poetry travels across the emotional spectrum of nostalgia, quiet rebellion, and fierce hope. Dollhouse doesn’t just read like a collection; it reads like a journey. The themes of growth and identity are handled with nuance and honesty. The more I read, the more I realized: this isn’t a dollhouse at all, it’s an escape route. One of the most thought-provoking collections I’ve read in a long time.“
“What I loved most about this book is how it invites the reader to participate. The poems don’t simply tell, they ask. They challenge. They whisper and sometimes scream: Who are you beneath the expectations? Gough has created a poetic space where vulnerability becomes courage. It’s emotional, artistic, and deeply resonant. I’ll be rereading this collection for years to come.”