Waiting on Wednesday #697

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

BROKEN DOLLS BY ALLY MALINENKO

Goodreads Description:

Author of Ghost Girl and This Appearing House Ally Malinenko brings to life a terrifying middle grade novel about a girl learning to grieve her grandfather and the creepy antique dolls in his house that seem to come alive, perfect for fans of The Doll in the Garden.

One. Two. Three. Are you ready to play?

Ever since Kaye's grandfather died, she's been obsessed with counting the steps to her bedroom, the dolls on her sister's bed, even the threads on her favorite blanket. It's arithmomania, and with the selective mutism that sometimes prevents her from speaking, she literally can't find the words to talk about how she feels now that Grampa is gone. When they take the summer to clean out and renovate his old house, Kaye finds herself counting the days.

That is, until her younger sister, Holly, starts finding dolls. She finds them buried in the backyard, stuffed in the walls, crammed into the closets. From the first one, Kaye knows they aren't like normal dolls. They smile at her like they know something, and sometimes their eyes open and close on their own. Kaye hears her sister talking to them constantly—and she swears she's heard the dolls whispering back.

Everyone assumes that Holly's just a kid with a good imagination. Kaye doesn't think it's a game, because she knows that Holly—and the dolls—are going to make her play with them. Forever.

Format: 288 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: September 30, 2025 by HarperCollins
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

This cover is just all kinds of lovely and creepy. And so I have to have this book, haha :D It also sounds pretty great too. I'm a little nervous, since I just lost my grandpa. This might be too painful for me. Yet I still want to read it. Hoping it will help more than hurt. Fingers crossed. It sounds like such a great story.
What are you waiting for on this broken Wednesday?